Chapter 22: The Workshop

Lin Xiang returned to the state-run restaurant. Before she could even find a seat, she was surrounded by a crowd.

"Comrade, what was that method you used to save that person just now? Is it really effective?"

"Comrade, could you teach me that technique? My child eats like a starving ghost and frequently chokes. If I learn this, I won’t have to worry about him rushing his food anymore."

"Comrade..."

Surrounded by the crowd's enthusiasm, Lin Xiang taught everyone the Heimlich maneuver without reservation.

"When using this method, you must use enough force. Do not hold back for fear of breaking the person's ribs. A broken bone can be set again later, but the window for rescue is fleeting. If you don't use enough force, you won't dislodge the obstruction. Weigh the importance of these things carefully yourselves."

The crowd naturally expressed their deepest gratitude. Seeing that everyone was busy discussing the technique, she slipped quietly into the kitchen, keeping her accomplishments hidden.

Chef Shen handed her a steamed bun and gave her a thumbs-up. "Little Lin, you were top-notch back there!"

"You're too kind, Brother Shen," Lin Xiang replied with a grin. "In that situation, anyone would have tried to help. I just did what any Chinese citizen should do; it’s not worth praising."

"But that method you used—it looked unreliable, yet it really worked. How did you come up with it?"

Lin Xiang had her explanation ready. "I learned it from the person who taught me how to cook Western food. As for where they learned it, I'm not sure. It does look a bit strange, but it’s truly effective. It can save not just children, but adults who are choking as well. Brother Shen, you should learn it too. It can literally save a life in a critical moment."

"Alright, I caught a few bits of what you were saying, so I'll practice it later."

Just as Lin finished speaking with Chef Shen, the town leaders and the director of the textile factory emerged, escorting the foreign guests. Lin Xiang set down her half-eaten bun on the cutting board and hurried out.

The content of the contract was confidential, and since it had been drafted well in advance, a translator like Lin Xiang was not needed, nor was it appropriate for her to be present. However, now that the contract had been signed, her duties as a translator resumed.

After seeing the foreign guests off into their car, her translation work briefly concluded. Secretary Wang stayed behind and handed Lin Xiang an envelope.

"Comrade Lin, this is from the leadership. Also, they asked me to inform you that a second group of foreign guests will be arriving in Mianyang Town in a few days. We will need your help with translation again, so please try to stay in town during this period."

Lin Xiang accepted the envelope with both hands. "Understood. I'm usually at home when I'm not in town, so just give me a call in advance when you need me."

***

Secretary Wang exchanged a few more words with Lin Xiang before leaving. Lin Xiang tucked the envelope into her jacket pocket and went back to the kitchen to find Chef Shen.

Chef Shen kept his promise and paid Lin Xiang her one-yuan wage. "I secretly set aside some pork for you today. You can take it home raw, or I can cook it for you first—either way works."

"Then I won’t stand on ceremony with you, Brother Shen. May I borrow your seasonings as well?"

Chef Shen liked Lin Xiang’s personality—she was generous and straightforward, and she spoke with wit. He certainly wouldn't refuse such a small request.

The pork was only about three taels—a small portion, but it had a good balance of fat and lean, showing Chef Shen’s generosity. Lin Xiang peeled a few potatoes and stewed them with the pork, then stir-fried the remaining river shrimp. Since she was using the kitchen’s oil, she didn't use an excessive amount, just enough to ensure the food was well-cooked.

"Brother Shen, let me ask you something."

"Go ahead."

"You live in town and are well-informed. What kind of workshop do you think is profitable nowadays?"

Lin Xiang had been thinking about what the brigade leader said a few days ago: neighboring villages had all set up their own workshops, while the Lihua Production Brigade still had nothing. Without a workshop, there was no way to generate revenue, and with a low per-capita income, it would be difficult to be recognized as an advanced collective.

It wasn't that she wanted to shoulder this burden herself, but she saw a "business opportunity." If she were the one to facilitate the workshop and bring tangible benefits to the villagers, it would completely reverse their negative impression of her predecessor. Plus, it would give Mother Lin something to do. If she focused her energy on making money, she wouldn't have time to pick fights with the male lead. The Lin family’s life would be much more harmonious, and the male lead wouldn't hold a grudge against her and her mother after he achieved success. Why wouldn't she do something that served so many purposes?

Chef Shen had come to view Lin Xiang as a close friend despite their age difference. Seeing her troubled by this, he thought it over carefully, analyzed the possibilities, and finally made a suggestion.

"Your Lihua Brigade is famous for sweet potatoes. Why not make sweet potato starch? The noodles made from sweet potatoes are much chewier than those from potatoes. Whenever I stew pork, I love adding these noodles."

Making sweet potato noodles wasn't a bad idea; it wasn't difficult to produce, and they were shelf-stable. But the problem was that many people knew how to make them, so market demand might not be high.

"Our state-run restaurant needs at least a hundred pounds of noodles every month. If your brigade does open a workshop, I can help you drum up some business. But the prerequisite is that you must ensure quality. If they break as soon as they’re boiled, I won't be able to approve them on my end."

Lin Xiang’s face lit up. "Then thank you in advance, Brother Shen! I'll discuss this with our brigade leader. If we really do open the sweet potato starch workshop, I will definitely repay you well."

The potato-braised pork was ready. Lin Xiang packed the shrimp and the stewed pork into her lunchbox, and with a bit of cheekiness, she asked Chef Shen for four large steamed buns. Before leaving, she didn't forget to pop the half-eaten bun into her mouth, chewing as she said goodbye to Chef Shen.

Lin Xiang went straight to where she had parted ways with Old Man Sun that morning; his ox cart was still there.

"Grandpa Sun, let's head home."

"Alright, sit tight. We're heading back now."

Lin Xiang had the steamed buns in her arms, but she didn't share them with Old Man Sun. She had already given him meat buns that morning; giving him more would make her look like a pushover. A moderate amount of politeness was fine, but excessive politeness was not.

Old Man Sun dropped Lin Xiang off at the Lin house. Neither Mother Lin nor Lin Yun was home, so Lin Xiang left the lunchbox in the kitchen and returned to her room. She wanted to see what was inside the envelope the leader had given her.

She opened the envelope, and the first thing she saw were two ten-yuan notes.

"Twenty yuan! Two days of translation and I get twenty yuan! The leadership certainly has a grand vision!"

Behind the two banknotes was a letter—or more accurately, a note written in the official tone of the leadership.