Rebirth in 1986: Unforgettable Regrets

Wang Aihua became anxious, not daring to watch even the most exciting scenes on TV, and hurriedly comforted her: "Mom, don't worry too much, it's really okay."

"You don't say, I'll go to the county." Granny Tang didn't ask Wang Aihua anymore, locked the door, and headed to the town.

"Mom, Mom, wait for me." Wang Aihua quickly followed after her. Seeing Guo Li poking her head out, she said, "Be careful at home. When Xiao Xian comes back, tell him we went to the county."

Wang Aihua followed all the way and explained the situation to Granny Tang. Granny Tang, unwilling to return, insisted on going to the county to get a clear understanding.

If the county doesn't allow the clothing factory to operate, can the factory still have a way out?

Granny Tang grew more anxious the more she thought about it.

In the county.

Led by Liu Xihua, workers quickly sought out acquaintances or nearby clothing factory workers. Once they heard about going to the county for clarification, some were timid with concerns, but they heard it was only to inquire about the situation. Eventually, in groups, by the time they reached the county government, there were already a hundred people.

These people were all employees from the county; those from rural areas or towns were unaware of the news as it was decided spontaneously.

With good order, Liu Xihua and a few other eloquent female workers were sent out. Everyone was very polite, smiling sincerely, and they asked plainly: "We mean no harm, we just want to know when the factory can resume operation. We have no work at home."

The county arranged for someone to receive them. They tried to bypass him several times, but Liu Xihua was very assertive, only continuing to ask: "What exactly is wrong with the factory? Our boss is approachable and willing to make changes."

In any case, their only question was what exactly was wrong with the factory and why it couldn't operate.

The receptionist was stunned by their questions, unaware of any particular issues with the factory.

When Tang Mingli and Tang Yue received the news, Tang Yue inwardly breathed a sigh of relief—it was as if when one is feeling sleepy, a pillow arrives.

Thinking of the news Bai Qing had just given her, saying that Meng Yanzhi had left yesterday, she faintly had a premonition.

In the county, the crowd was large, and everyone clustered together, yet there were no extreme actions.

The person hindering the clothing factory, standing in a high office, wiped the sweat from his brow as he looked at the dense crowd below. The factory had no significant disciplinary issues, but with Mr. Meng not giving the green light, he was helpless.

His eyes half-closed, he had already made a call to seek instructions, but Mr. Meng's phone was unreachable.

"Knock knock knock"—the sound of knocking.

Annoyed, he said: "What are you knocking for?"

Luo Wen's father, Luo Jianxin, arrived.

Luo Jianxin came because of his son Luo Wen and also because he had his eyes on Mingyue Clothing Factory, which achieved its current scale in just two years with a promising future. Additionally, it counted as doing Mo Siyu a favor.

'Ring'

The telephone rang before Luo Jianxin could state his purpose, and the man excused himself to answer the call.

Luo Jianxin said: "Then you go ahead, I'll just walk around outside."

He answered the phone, hearing Mr. Meng's voice, and was about to inquire about the factory situation.

"Mingyue Clothing Factory is all normal." Meng Yanzhi's voice came, and before he could ask, he heard the 'beep... beep...' from the phone.

Relieved, he immediately began making calls.

Half an hour later, when Tang Mingli received the message that Mingyue Clothing Factory was all normal and could operate normally, he was stunned in surprise.

Meng Yanzhi had intended to go against him, yet, these workers just came and asked, and the business could operate normally again?

"That's great." Liu Xihua excitedly said: "Director, let's go to work now."

"Yes, yes."

"It's great, we can finally work again."

The hundred or so people all cheered excitedly, saying they wanted to start work right now, but Ding Chao reacted quickly, calming them down: "It's already the afternoon now, everyone come early tomorrow to work."

"Thank you, everyone." Tang Mingli shouted loudly, standing up on a platform next to him, suddenly appearing much taller, and deeply bowed to all the workers, then loudly announced: "This week, we will still pay everyone, and at the end of the month, each person will get an extra ten yuan bonus!"

"Yay!"

"The boss is really generous."

"That's great."

The voices of the excited crowd became a beautiful sight in the county.

*

Mingyue Clothing Factory.

After Granny Tang and Wang Aihua arrived, they went straight to the factory, which was usually lively but now deserted.

The factory appeared empty.

"Mingli." Granny Tang rushed forward, pounding on the door, but no one came to open it from inside.

Seeing this scene, Wang Aihua was dumbstruck, murmuring: "Where are Zheng Yuan and the others? Why aren't they in the factory?"

"Mom." Wang Aihua reacted and, seeing Granny Tang fainting stiffly, was terribly frightened and quickly moved forward to support her.

Not far behind, Tang Mingli and others happily returned to the factory.

"Little uncle, does it look like Granny at the factory gate?" Tang Yue looked at the two people at the factory entrance, resembling Granny Tang and Wang Aihua.

"It really is." Tang Mingli ran forward quickly.

"People!" Wang Aihua pinched the philtrum and slapped Granny Tang's face, but Granny Tang remained unconscious.

Wang Aihua screamed in fear.

"What's wrong with her?" Tang Mingli walked up, saw Granny Tang unconscious, and without a second thought, carried her to the hospital.

A few steps behind, Tang Zheng Yuan raised his hand and slapped Wang Aihua, shouting loudly: "If something happens to Mom, we are getting a divorce."

Tang Zheng Yuan left those harsh words behind and followed quickly.

Tang Yue went to her own house, informed Tang Zhengde about Granny Tang fainting and being taken to the hospital, and coincidentally Wei Jiajia was also there, and they went together.

The group hurried to the hospital.

This was a case of Granny Tang suffering a stress-induced rise in blood pressure, and at the hospital, although she woke up, her old age couldn't withstand the strain. When Granny Tang awakened again, she appeared as wilted as a withered flower, very frail.

"Mingli." Granny Tang, holding Tang Mingli's hand, tears flowing, lamented. This youngest son, who had finally made something of himself, now the factory was gone.

"Mom, I'm here." Tang Mingli held Granny Tang's hand, saying, "Mom, don't worry, the factory can now operate normally again."

"You don't have to lie to me, are you afraid you can't explain to the factory owner?" Granny Tang, clutching Tang Mingli's hand, spoke agitatedly.

Explain?