The sudden major change in career was absolutely devastating for a man in his forties or fifties.
It could very well alter the fate of an entire family, involving several people!
Qin Chuan understood the hardship involved perfectly. Seeing the pained expressions with red eyes of Section Chief Xu and Engineer Li, he also felt uncomfortable.
"Section Chief Xu, Engineer Li, let's not say anything more. Cheers!"
Qin Chuan raised his wine glass.
"Damn it, bottoms up!"
"Cheers!"
Section Chief Xu and Engineer Li were clearly aiming to get drunk tonight, so they accepted almost every offer.
Unconsciously, the area around their stools was filled with wine bottles. Even with beer, they were half-intoxicated, and everyone's faces were flushed.
"Section Chief Xu, Engineer Li, if... I mean, if you really get fired, have you thought about what you'll do next?"
Fueled by alcohol, Qin Chuan burped and casually asked.
"Heh!"
"Boss Qin's question is well-posed. If we really get fired, what will we do?"
Engineer Li, after drinking, was a completely different person compared to before he drank, becoming very talkative, as if his personality had undergone a transformation.
"I, Li Chunsheng, am fifty-three this year. I've dedicated most of my life to technology. Besides technology, I don't know any other skills!"
"If I really get fired, then I'll just find another similar job. I don't believe there's only one Ziguang Electronics Factory in this world!"
Engineer Li slammed the table and shouted loudly, attracting many curious glances from those around them.
Qin Chuan couldn't help but clap and praise, "Engineer Li's words are excellent!"
"This world isn't made up of just Ziguang Electronics Factory. There are plenty of similar factories. With Engineer Li's skills, I believe as soon as your name is mentioned, many people will want you!"
Then, he turned his gaze to Section Chief Xu's face. "And you, Section Chief Xu?"
"Me?"
Section Chief Xu's full name was Xu Ronghua. Hearing Qin Chuan ask him, he was silent for a few breaths before bursting into laughter. "If I really get fired, then I'll start my own business!"
"Start a business?"
Qin Chuan was clearly completely unprepared for Section Chief Xu's answer. He looked astonished, and Engineer Li was also startled. "Ronghua, I've never heard you mention this before!"
Section Chief Xu smiled at Engineer Li. "This can be considered my own little secret. Besides my wife, even my parents don't know."
"Today, since I'm in the mood for drinking, I might as well open up!"
"As early as seven or eight years ago, I already had the idea of starting a business. I mentioned it to my wife at the time, but who knew she'd be so strongly against it?"
Qin Chuan asked curiously, "What was the reason your wife disagreed?"
"Yeah, Sister-in-law, I've met her. She's a very cheerful person. She supports whatever you do," Engineer Li also chimed in with a gossipy tone.
Section Chief Xu recalled the past, a happy expression appearing on his face, and slowly said, "Because at that time, my wife gave me an even bigger surprise!"
"She was pregnant!"
"That's my son Tongtong now!"
"I remember my wife saying at the time that if she hadn't been pregnant, she would have supported me in whatever I did. But after she got pregnant, the situation was different!"
"She needed a stable home, and the future child also needed a harmonious and warm family environment."
Hearing this, Qin Chuan and Engineer Li both understood.
Indeed, a man with a child and a man without a child were two completely different concepts. If it were just the couple, with no one else, as long as they were united, even if they endured great hardship and suffering, it would be bearable.
But with a child, it was completely different. You had to be responsible for the child's future and could no longer be impulsive.
"Section Chief Xu, I toast you with this glass of wine. You are a good father and a good husband!"
Qin Chuan raised his glass to Xu Ronghua.
"Boss Qin, I don't deserve it! I don't deserve it!"
Xu Ronghua quickly picked up his wine glass, and the two of them clinked glasses.
"Boss Qin, the three of us are meeting today due to fate. We really feel like old friends meeting over wine, where a thousand cups are not enough."
Engineer Li suddenly said to Qin Chuan, "We've both talked a lot about ourselves. Boss Qin, can you tell us a bit about yourself?"
"Neither of us truly understands your situation even now."
"We only know that you have a very good relationship with General Manager Ye, and she treats you like a younger brother..."
Looking at the two pairs of curious eyes before him, Qin Chuan grinned, picked up the wine bottle, and refilled their glasses.
"You are veterans of the electronics factory. You must know what caused General Manager Ye's family tragedy, right?"
Xu Ronghua nodded. "Of course, we know. A car accident. The family of three lost control of their car while on business in Jin Province and plunged into the Fen River."
"Yes, it was because of the car accident."
Engineer Li added, "I also heard from someone that General Manager Ye and her daughter were fortunate to be rescued by a brave young man who acted courageously. Otherwise, it's likely the whole family wouldn't have survived that car accident!"
"I was that brave young man!"
Qin Chuan, who had been quietly listening while sitting on a small stool, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and said with a smile.
"What?"
"Holy crap!"
Engineer Li and Section Chief Xu were both startled, looking at Qin Chuan with astonishment.
After receiving full confirmation, their mouths gaped wide enough to fit an egg. After a long time, they finally calmed down, their expressions showing understanding.
"I don't have any great background. I'm just a genuine country boy. My parents are hardworking and honest farmers!"
Qin Chuan didn't hide his background. He told them everything very honestly.
"General Manager Ye treats me well because I am the savior of her and her daughter."
"In my county town, how should I put it? I can't say I've achieved great things, but I've had some success!"
"Currently, I manage a real estate company, a decoration company, a supermarket, and a flagship clothing store..."
"The brothers under me, combined, number around three to four hundred people..."
Xu Ronghua and Li Chunsheng, who had been sitting beside Qin Chuan, smoking and listening with smiles, gradually saw their smiles diminish, becoming increasingly stiff, until both of them looked like zombies.
However, Qin Chuan, as if he hadn't noticed any of this, continued speaking to himself.
"Currently, the government is also asking me to take over an electronics factory. They promise me the greatest government support, various preferential policies, subsidies, and low-interest loans..."
"But I don't want to take it over because I don't understand much technology, nor do I have talent in this area."
"Besides, how can this possibly be as profitable as real estate!"
"Boss Qin, I don't know if what you said earlier is true or not, but this last sentence you said, I have to say something about it!"
Almost as soon as Qin Chuan finished speaking, Li Chunsheng, who had been quietly listening, immediately retorted, with even a hint of anger.
As top technical personnel who had dedicated half their lives to electronic research, they could not tolerate anyone slandering their field.
"Who says the business of electronic products cannot compare to real estate!"
"The advantages of electronic products are countless compared to real estate. Whether it's in terms of liquidity and portability, or in terms of price and sales, they far surpass real estate."
Xu Ronghua also quickly added, "Engineer Li is right!"
"While the real estate business is indeed very profitable, it's impossible for everyone to own a house. Electronic products are different. Their portability and price make it easier to achieve this. "
"Moreover, electronic products can also be exported and sold to various countries, far beyond the regional and local limitations of real estate. Can the real estate business achieve this?"