Chapter 28 Mr. Qian's Shock

...

Half an hour later, the crowd dispersed.

The workshop returned to its quiet state.

Lin Xi stood by the window.

Watching the heavy snow dancing outside.

Watching his coworkers pushing carts, heading home joyfully.

"Hu—"

Lin Xi pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and took a deep drag.

The bluish-white smoke rose under the dim yellow light, blurring the smile at the corners of his mouth.

The account book on the desk had already been locked in the safe.

Only he knew the actual string of numbers.

After deducting the six or seven hundred yuan for labor costs.

After deducting the several thousand yuan for material procurement.

And after deducting various social and networking expenses.

In this "Flash Operation," in just half a month, he had made a net profit of—

10,800 yuan.

Ten thousand yuan.

In 1980, when a single cent could buy two candies.

Using a pile of scrap aluminum and resistance wire.

He had completed the accumulation of original capital.

This was the price gap created by technology and cognition.

The workers had gratefully taken what they saw as a "fortune."

Meanwhile, the operator took 90% of the surplus value and received their heartfelt gratitude.

This was reality; this was business.

"It's just the first pot of gold."

Lin Xi stubbed out the cigarette; the sparks flickered and died in the darkness.

He turned around and pulled two cardboard boxes from under the desk.

Inside were two specially made "red star · warm sun · Deluxe Editions."

The craftsmanship of these two machines was extremely exquisite.

They had even been waxed with a polishing machine.

The red logo was even outlined with gold paint.

The real test wasn't in the workshop, but tomorrow.

...

The 28th day of the 12th lunar month.

General Command Headquarters, third floor.

The guard Xiao Wu had clearly been instructed.

Upon seeing Lin Xi, he saluted and led him inside.

"Elder Qian is in a meeting."

"But he specifically instructed that you should go right in when you arrive."

Xiao Wu said in a low voice.

Lin Xi nodded, took a deep breath, and adjusted his expression.

He pushed open the wooden door.

The office was filled with smoke, and the giant map on the wall was partially obscured.

Elder Qian sat in a rattan chair in the center, holding half a cigarette.

On his left sat Lin Xi's "old acquaintance," Power Room Director Wang Bin.

On his right sat Vice President Zhang.

He wore a faded gray zhongshan suit, and his hair was graying.

A pair of glasses rested on his nose, and his gaze was sharp.

"Little Lin is here? Come in and sit."

Elder Qian waved his hand, his tone casual.

Lin Xi quickly set down his things and bowed respectfully.

"Hello, Elder Qian. Hello, Director Wang. Hello, Vice President Zhang."

His attitude was extremely proper, lacking any of the commanding aura he displayed at the Service Center.

He even seemed a bit restrained, like a "rookie."

Elder Qian pointed to the elderly man in gray and introduced him with a smile.

"You know Vice President Zhang, don't you?"

"He's the Executive Deputy Commander-in-Chief of our base and also the Director of the General Design Office."

"Zhang Zhengguo, Elder Zhang."

In the livestream room:

[Holy crap! Zhang Zhengguo?! This is a true titan-level figure!]

[A big shot whose Baidu Baike entry would take up three full pages!]

[I heard Elder Zhang has a fiery temper and specializes in blasting anyone who's defiant!]

[Lin Xi's status is through the roof now; it's like a full tribunal hearing!]

"Hello, Vice President Zhang!" Lin Xi bowed again, bending even lower.

Zhang Zhengguo adjusted his glasses, his gaze scanning Lin Xi up and down twice.

"Is this the kid who almost destroyed the rocket and then saved it?"

Zhang Zhengguo's voice was sonorous.

"I heard that recently at that... what was it..."

"Service Center? You've been making quite a splash?"

"Just messing around, I'm embarrassed to have the chief see it."

Lin Xi smiled apologetically and placed the cardboard boxes on the corner of the desk.

"Don't be modest." Elder Qian stubbed out his cigarette and picked up his teacup.

"Sit down."

"I've heard you've been making quite a stir at the Service Center lately."

"Old Zhao from the Power Supply Station, the people from the Materials Department, and Zhou Tiejun from the Security Department have all sent reports to me."

Elder Qian paused and looked at Lin Xi with a faint smile.

"I heard you've struck it rich?"

The gazes of the three people in the room instantly focused on Lin Xi.

In this era, the term "striking it rich" was often linked to "problems."

Lin Xi sat on only the edge of the chair, his back straight as a ramrod, looking composed.

"Reporting to Elder Qian, I wouldn't say I've struck it rich."

"I just responded to the national call and engaged in some production for self-relief."

"Specific numbers?" Elder Qian was concise.

Lin Xi recited the number he knew by heart.

"As of yesterday, the Red Star Labor Service Agency has sold a total of 492 'red star · warm sun' heaters."

"After deducting raw materials, labor, water and electricity maintenance, and various miscellaneous expenses, the net profit is..."

Lin Xi paused for a second and slowly uttered a few words:

"Ten thousand eight hundred yuan."

Silence.

A deathly silence.

Wang Bin, who was just holding his teacup, suddenly jerked his hand.

Zhang Zhengguo was about to light a cigarette; the match was struck, but he forgot to bring it to the tip.

Only when the flame burned his finger did he cry "Ouch" and shake it off.

Even Elder Qian, who was used to great storms, had his pupils contract slightly.

Ten thousand yuan!

Half a month!

For these big shots, ten thousand yuan wasn't a huge amount.

But to subdue those troublemakers at the Service Center in half a month.

And then make a net profit of ten thousand yuan without the base investing a single cent?

That was quite impressive!

Zhang Zhengguo leaned forward and asked, "Cash?"

"Cash." Lin Xi pulled out the red bankbook from his jacket and handed it over with both hands.

"It has all been deposited into the Service Center's collective account."

Zhang Zhengguo took the bankbook, opened it, and his Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty.

He was in charge of technology and projects.

For a few thousand yuan in experimental funding, he would slam tables and curse at the logistics director or refuse to leave the ministry.

Now, this kid got ten thousand in half a month?

"Good lad..." Zhang Zhengguo handed the bankbook to Elder Qian, his gaze complex.

"Truly... one cannot judge a person by their appearance."

"Old Qian, you've really found a treasure."

Elder Qian took the bankbook, glanced at it, and a gratified smile appeared on his face.

He hadn't misjudged the person.

This kid wasn't just a "prodigy" in technology; he was a "monster" in business.

The most crucial thing was—

Faced with such a huge sum, he didn't take a single cent and put it all into the public account.

His character was solid.

"A good start." Elder Qian closed the bankbook, but intentionally lowered his tone.

"However, regarding your military pledge of 'one million in a year'."

"There is still a long way to go. Don't be arrogant."

"Yes! I will definitely work hard!" Lin Xi answered loudly.

The atmosphere relaxed, and the smell of smoke in the room seemed to become a bit sweeter.

Just as Lin Xi thought he had passed this hurdle.

Zhang Zhengguo, who hadn't said much, suddenly turned his head.

Looking at Lin Xi with a faint smile, he threw out a death-trap question.

"I heard... it's you, kid, who looks down on my General Design Office?"