Chapter 425: Regarding the Children

He Daqing lounged on the sofa, holding an enamel tea mug, his eyes squinting with a smile: "Who knows, maybe we'll get twins!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Guizhi pursed her lips: "I'm already forty. If there really were two, wouldn't they break my old bones apart?"

He Yuzhu replied cheerfully: "Mom, we can just hire someone to help when the time comes; it's not like we're short on that bit of money."

Shen Guizhi waved her hand: "No need, there isn't much housework anyway. You all go to work or school during the day, and I get bored all by myself. An extra child would make things lively instead!"

He Daqing was in an exceptionally good mood that day, so he tied on an apron and went to the kitchen.

The oil in the wok sizzled, and the aroma drilled out through the door cracks, drifting all over the courtyard.

Soon, several authentic Lu Cuisine dishes were set on the table—the stir-fried pork kidneys were glistening and tempting, the soft-fried fish slices were tender and smooth, and the sweet and sour pork tenderloin was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a mouth-watering sweet and sour scent.

He Yushui ate until the corners of her mouth were oily, smiling as she praised: "Dad, you really haven't lost your touch! It's been so long since you cooked, yet it's still this delicious."

He Daqing puffed out his chest and said proudly: "Of course! This skill of your father's is carved into my bones!"

The family had just set down their chopsticks and the scent of the food hadn't yet dissipated in the room when they heard a "thump, thump, thump" knocking at the door.

He Daqing got up to open the door and saw Zhao Si standing outside, looking rather anxious: "Daqing, my Yingzi is about to give birth... can you help take us to the hospital?"

He Yuzhu stood up immediately: "I'll go! Have you contacted the hospital?"

Zhao Si scratched his head: "It was originally scheduled for the day after tomorrow, who knew she would suddenly go into labor..."

He Yuzhu walked outside while asking: "Have you packed all the things that need to be brought?"

Zhao Si was stunned for a moment and said: "I don't even know what to bring?"

He Yuzhu turned back and smiled: "It's fine, if we're missing anything, we'll just come back to get it!"

Jia Dongxu had already carried Zhao Yingzi out of the room.

Zhao Yingzi's face was pale and her forehead was covered in sweat; seeing He Yuzhu, she said: "Zhuzi, hurry and call Chen Xueru to ask if she's at the hospital?"

"Get in the car first! Whether she's there or not, you still have to give birth to this child!" He Yuzhu said.

Jia Dongxu looked up at He Yuzhu, his expression a bit unnatural: "Sorry to trouble you, Zhuzi."

"Don't mention it!" He Yuzhu waved his hand.

Ever since Jia Zhangshi left, the courtyard had been much quieter.

Jia Dongxu had been taking quite good care of Zhao Yingzi these days—though, of course, there were reasons for that.

Three months ago, Zhao Yingzi came back from the hospital and demanded a divorce; Jia Dongxu had no choice but to go find Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai then pulled in Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui, and the few masters took turns persuading her, only then convincing Zhao Yingzi not to divorce.

He Yuzhu saw it clearly: this divorce was originally a performance; it was just Zhao Si giving the three masters some benefits to team up and teach Jia Dongxu a lesson.

After dropping off Zhao Yingzi's family at the hospital, He Yuzhu drove away.

The night was thick, and the dim yellow streetlights occasionally swept across the car windows, making the outside look shadowy and somewhat unreal.

He Yuzhu suddenly thought of Liu Rusi. In the past, when he felt empty inside, he always loved to go sit with her for a while, and his mood would improve significantly.

Now, this city no longer had such a place—Lin Wanning was more like a child who needed care and couldn't shoulder this kind of comfort.

Counting the days, her child should be born soon too.

This world is truly interesting. He himself was about to become a father, and his family was about to add a younger brother or sister.

The car turned into Shichahai and stopped at the entrance of the Liushi Trading Company.

The old man guarding the door saw him and immediately smiled: "Oh, little He is here! Haven't seen you in a while."

"I've been busy lately and haven't had the time." He Yuzhu handed over a pack of cigarettes.

Walking into the living room, Liu Rusi's cousin Shen Yan was sitting on the sofa reading documents; seeing him enter, he quickly stood up to shake hands.

He Yuzhu didn't beat around the bush: "I'm just asking, has the child been born?"

Shen Yan smiled and spread his hands: "I really don't know. You know, my cousin never talks to me about personal matters, only company business."

He Yuzhu nodded and then asked about business.

Shen Yan sighed: "Bicycles aren't selling well now. Many countries have started imitating them, especially the little Japan; they are fast and have low costs, and they've snatched up a lot of the Southeast Asia market. On the other hand, Chen Xueru's clothing is selling quite well, and the chili sauce is also popular, followed by tea, silk, and porcelain..."

He Yuzhu had an idea of the situation.

After the Bicycle Factory was merged into the Northern Automobile Factory, the focus shifted entirely to building cars, so naturally, bicycles were neglected.

The two chatted for a while, and then He Yuzhu got up to go home.

Just as he entered the East Cross Courtyard, he saw Secretary Liu sitting in the courtyard drinking tea with He Daqing.

Seeing his son return, He Daqing stood up and said: "You two talk, I'm going back to the other room."

He Yuzhu smiled: "Secretary Liu, haven't seen you in many days, were you on a business trip?"

Secretary Liu put down his teacup: "I went back to my hometown in Hunan a while ago and just got back. I came to see you today to discuss something—the country is currently short on foreign exchange, and we need to import construction machinery, power generation equipment, and precision instruments, but we don't have enough foreign exchange. Do you have any ideas?"

He Yuzhu thought for a moment and said: "What a coincidence. I just came back from the Liushi Trading Company and heard that bicycle exports are in trouble. The Korean War is almost over, and I think the Northern Automobile Factory should shift its focus to building civilian vehicles and agricultural machinery."

Secretary Liu nodded, then frowned: "The idea is good, but steel production can't keep up. Currently, the only places that can produce Special Steel are the Lou Steel Rolling Mill and the blast furnaces in Shijiazhuang, and production is still far from enough."

"The Top-blown Converter Steelmaking Technology is already mature, it's time to expand production. If all else fails, just buy out the entire Lou Steel Rolling Mill." He Yuzhu suggested.

Secretary Liu's eyes lit up: "If this project were handed to you to manage, how many years would it take to increase production tenfold?"

"Three to five years." He Yuzhu answered decisively.

"Done!" Secretary Liu stood up, "I'll go back and suggest to the leaders that we implement the acquisition as soon as possible."

"Once we have more steel, we can build affordable and useful agricultural vehicles and machinery to export to Southeast Asia, which can also earn foreign exchange." He Yuzhu added.

"You make a few samples first, and I'll invite the leaders to take a look."

"Also, our Transistor Computer is already ready for mass production. We can export them to the Soviet Union in exchange for their steel and machine tools to help with the emergency." He Yuzhu reminded him.

"That matter is already being discussed; they are very interested and want a significant quantity." Secretary Liu smiled.

When seeing Secretary Liu out, He Yuzhu brought him two more boxes of chili sauce.

Before long, He Daqing ran back excitedly: "Zhuzi, Secretary Liu is really a good guy, he brought me quite a lot of cured meat!"

He Yuzhu laughed: "You can't even eat spicy food, what do you need cured meat for?"

"Lao Yang is from Hunan, he likes this sort of thing," He Daqing muttered, "That old guy has been nitpicking me lately, saying I manage the Warehouse poorly."

"Dad, if the work isn't done well, just giving gifts won't cut it," He Yuzhu clapped his hands, "How about this: I'll get you a Computer and send someone to teach you. We'll turn your Warehouse into a model operation."

"That thing is expensive! Can you really get us one?" He Daqing widened his eyes.

"Have I ever given you too little?" He Yuzhu laughed, "Dad, you have to learn, otherwise you won't be able to hold onto that position."

He Daqing pondered for a moment and nodded: "Fine! From now on, when you come back every day, you teach me for an hour or so. I don't necessarily need to master it, but at least I should know what this Computer thing is."

"Dad, you don't need to ask Brother to teach you, I can teach you too," He Yushui interjected from the side.

"Go on, go on, what do you know!" He Daqing looked at her with disdain.

He Yushui made a face at him: "I know how to turn it on and off, but you don't!"