Chapter 484
However, just an energy-saving stove would never warrant this level of confidentiality.
Su Hongchen pondered for a moment and quickly recalled what his father had mentioned a few days ago about the conditions raised by the city leaders.
His eyes widened in disbelief as a shocking thought crossed his mind.
Though he didn’t know exactly how his sister had done it, it could only be through the introduction of a new steel formula that would draw this much attention.
And this new steel, while it might not outperform the values released by foreign countries, must at least be on par with them.
Such speculation did not bring Su Hongchen any joy, though.
Instead, his face darkened, and he began to pace nervously back and forth.
Although his sister did well in school, her strengths certainly didn’t lie in subjects like math or science.
She hadn’t even gone to school for further studies but had instead gone to the countryside. How could she possibly have come up with the new steel formula?
Su Hongchen was worried—had she, in recent months, been involved with spies and somehow tricked them into handing over information?
Even if she hadn’t committed treason, secretly interacting with spies and obtaining things from them would still be a serious offense.
Jiang Yexun furrowed his brow and, seeing his brother-in-law growing increasingly anxious, spoke up, “Don’t worry, Xiaoxiao will be fine.”
“It’s easy for you to say! You always pamper her. If something really goes wrong, we may not be able to handle it. What if Xiaoxiao ends up suffering?” Su Hongchen snapped, glaring at him.
Mrs. Su immediately raised her hand and gave him a sharp smack on the head, “What right do you have to say that about your brother-in-law? You’re just as indulgent with your sister! But what are you so worried about? Xiaoxiao has always been a bit spoiled, but when it comes to serious matters, she knows what’s what.”
Su Hongchen thought for a moment and reluctantly fell silent.
Meanwhile, upstairs in the study, Su Xiaoxiao had no idea about the commotion downstairs.
The leaders, after giving her several scrutinizing looks, smiled and asked, “The new steel formula your father developed and the energy-saving stove—did you come up with them?”
“Yes, I came up with them,” Su Xiaoxiao answered confidently.
Having already confessed everything to Jiang Yexun, she felt more assured now, but if she hadn’t, she probably would have exposed herself under their sharp gazes.
The leaders nodded in satisfaction after hearing her response, their expressions a mix of pride and admiration.
“Good, good, good! You’re so young, yet you can come up with such amazing things. Truly, the younger generation is to be feared! With more comrades like you, our China will certainly get better and better!” they exclaimed.
“I’m not that smart. There are many, many people in China who are smarter and more capable than I am. They’ll emerge over time and help build our China even better, surpassing foreign countries,” Su Xiaoxiao replied, lifting her chin proudly as she thought of how China had grown stronger in her past life, eventually forming a tripartite power structure globally.
The leaders, seeing the bright hopes she had for her country, couldn’t help but smile in return.
“Yes, China is like the rising sun. It will only get brighter and better,” they agreed.
“But before that, we must thank Comrade Su for the new steel formula you submitted. The new steel we’ve developed using your formula far exceeds the most advanced steel abroad—twice as strong. As a token of our appreciation, we’ve brought you a medal and a 5,000 yuan reward.”
As one of the leaders spoke, he took out a red velvet box and a thick bundle of money from a leather file.
Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes sparkled with delight, and a sweet smile spread across her face.
“Thank you, leaders! Thank you, country!” she chirped, her voice full of energy.
Seeing her vibrant enthusiasm, the leaders patted her on the shoulder with smiles, “Keep up the good work. We look forward to seeing you develop even more great things.”
Su Xiaoxiao, however, felt a twinge of guilt at their expectations.
She did want to contribute, but in her past life, she had been nothing more than a ghost floating around Jiang Yexun, always by his side in the office, at home, or even on the same cruise ship…
Her knowledge was shallow, with only Jiang Yexun’s classified commercial research being the most advanced thing she knew. There were indeed many things that could benefit China’s early development, but if she brought them out, it would be seen as her helping Jiang Yexun, and not advancing the country.
Under the weight of the leaders’ hopeful gazes, Su Xiaoxiao could only smile and nod, “I will try my best.”
“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. In addition to these two rewards, we can arrange for you to attend the College for Workers and Farmers in Beijing. Your husband can also secure a stable job in Beijing,” one of the leaders added, continuing to present rewards.
However, Su Xiaoxiao’s smile faded slightly, and she spoke seriously, “I don’t want to attend college for now. I plan to read some books at home. Also, my husband has a lot of family matters to deal with, so we don’t plan to leave the village. But if I don’t go to college, does that mean I’ll lose the job opportunity?”
“Not at all,” the leader responded. “Since you developed the new steel, the Steel Mill is supposed to offer you a position. If you choose to go to work, you’ll be a technician. But if you want to assign the job to a relative, it will be a third-level position in the workshop.”
The leaders, though disappointed by her refusal, patiently explained everything to her.
Su Xiaoxiao sighed with relief at the mention of the third-level employee position, which paid 45 yuan a month.
Still, the leaders weren’t ready to give up. They continued to persuade her for a while. Seeing that she was firmly set against going to college in Beijing, they eventually gave up.
Before leaving, they repeatedly reminded her, “The new steel formula based on your submission will be revised. We’re lowering the final data from 3,600 megapascals to 1,500. So your formula is absolutely confidential. Make sure no one else learns that it was you who developed the new steel, and don’t disclose the formula to anyone. Otherwise…”
The leaders didn’t continue, but their implication was clear.
Su Xiaoxiao nodded seriously, “I understand the leaders’ concerns! As a citizen of China, raised and nurtured by the country, I would never share the formula with anyone. I know that if the formula leaks, it would be considered treason. I’m too timid to get myself into such trouble.”
“Good. You’re truly a good comrade,” the leaders nodded with approval.