Chapter 50: From Now On, Live for Yourself

Zhang Guohua snapped, “You little brat, how dare you talk to me like that?”

Zhang Ziqiang clenched his fists, suppressing the urge to retort. “I’m definitely resigning, whether you approve or not. From today on, unless it’s for work, I won’t come back.”

With that, he turned and walked away, his steps light and his chest held high.

It was as if he had just shed a burden that had weighed on him for over a decade, suffocating him.

Behind him, Zhang Guohua shouted, “Come back here, you little beast! You’re truly ungrateful, hopeless and useless!”

Back home, Zhang Ziqiang packed a few clothes.

The master bedroom door was tightly shut.

He knew his mother was inside because she only went out for a walk in the evening and otherwise stayed holed up in her room.

He set down his luggage and bowed toward the door. “Mom, thank you for giving birth to me. I know you don’t like me, and I’m sorry. I’m leaving.”

There was no sound from inside the room.

He felt a pang of disappointment but didn’t linger; he stood up and left.

Zhang Ziqiang practically ran all the way to catch the bus, as if chasing freedom itself, his mood buoyant and jubilant.

After getting off, he hurried with his luggage toward Cheng Shi’s place, even feeling a sense of returning home.

Cheng Shi was busy working.

Zhang Ziqiang stood at the door, smiling and panting, “I’m here.”

Cheng Shi straightened up, removed his mask, and replied calmly, “Welcome. Congratulations on starting to live for yourself.”

Zhang Ziqiang scratched his head, “I haven’t found a place to live yet; I might stay downstairs in your building for a few days.”

Cheng Shi pointed to a nearby room. “My mom cleaned out this storage room this morning. If you don’t mind, you can stay there for now. There’s a bathroom downstairs anyway. I’ll install a showerhead for you.”

Zhang Ziqiang grinned widely. “That’s fantastic.”

He began sweeping the floor, wiping tables, and even washing Cheng Shi’s clothes.

After finishing, he asked if there was anything else to do.

Cheng Shi, exasperated, said, “Stop, stop. I hired you for sales and procurement, not as a housekeeper. That’s enough.”

Zhang Ziqiang said, “Alright, I’ve never done sales before. Please tell me where to start.”

Cheng Shi said, “First, look through this big book of postal yellow pages I bought. It lists medium and large enterprises across the province with their names, phone numbers, addresses, and business scopes. Pick out the companies in the city that might need precision parts and write them down in your notebook. These are potential clients. Even if you’re unsure whether they need the parts, note them all down. Better to be overcautious than miss any. Then call each one—that’s called telemarketing.”

“There’s another way: take the parts and visit each company in person. That’s called canvassing. It’s more direct and requires more courage but has a higher success rate, because people usually won’t embarrass you face to face. If they don’t kick you out this time, you can go back next time. After chatting a few times, they’ll get familiar and treat you like a friend. Even if they don’t need parts now, they might later. And even if they don’t use them themselves, their friends might.”

Zhang Ziqiang clapped his hands, “You’re so smart! How did I not think of that?”

Cheng Shi nodded, “Right, get to work. Don’t just wander around in front of me.”

Zhang Ziqiang finally settled down and focused on compiling his list of potential clients.

Actually, Cheng Shi was well aware of several potential clients in the city, and there was no urgent need to develop new ones since they were already overwhelmed with current orders.

But he wanted Zhang Ziqiang to explore on his own, familiarize himself with the industry quickly, and build his speaking skills and confidence.

In the afternoon, Cheng Shi and Cheng Yongjin took turns working on parts and resting.

Near the end of the workday, Cheng Shi suddenly asked Zhang Ziqiang, “Is today Saturday?”

Zhang Ziqiang nodded.

“Almost forgot,” Cheng Shi called outside, “Caramel.”

The yellow tabby cat meowed and ran in.

Cheng Shi went upstairs to change clothes, and the cat followed.

Zhang Ziqiang muttered, “Where are they going?”

Outside, someone asked, “Is Mr. Cheng here?”

Zhang Ziqiang looked— it was Lu Zaixue.

Though the beauty ignored him, it didn’t stop him from noticing her eyes light up.

She was his source of encouragement, his stimulant.

Excited, Zhang Ziqiang shouted upstairs, “Cheng Shi!”

Cheng Shi put on a clean T-shirt and came downstairs.

Lu Zaixue nodded to him. “Mr. Cheng, you formed a new company and didn’t even call me.”

Cheng Shi apologized quietly, “Sorry, haven’t had time yet. Come in and have a seat.”

Cheng Shi had partitioned the remaining large space on the first floor into two rooms — a workshop and an office.

Lu Zaixue placed down a box containing a jade-carved pixiu. “This is a congratulatory gift for you, Mr. Cheng.”

Cheng Shi replied, “You’re too kind.”

Lu Zaixue said, “It’s a small token, not much. I hope our future orders will be prioritized by you.”

Cheng Shi poured tea for her. “That’s easily arranged.”

He didn’t particularly value such gifts, but he welcomed new friends.

In business, there were three things to compete with: products and technology, connections and background, information and resources.

Lu Zaixue’s proactive friendliness meant she wanted something.

Cheng Shi waited silently for her to speak.

Lu Zaixue said, “I suppose you know we make measuring instruments. I wonder how familiar you are with digital vernier calipers?”

Cheng Shi answered, “They replace manual measurement by embedding photoelectric or electronic sensors to detect the vernier scale’s position changes, converting them to electrical signals displayed on a digital screen. Compared to mechanical vernier calipers, digital ones offer higher precision and readability, eliminating reading errors and subjective judgments.”

Lu Zaixue smiled. “Exactly. You really are talented to know about such advanced devices. The first digital vernier caliper was successfully developed in 1985 by an American electronics company, boasting an accuracy of 0.001 millimeters. So far, there’s no domestic production; we mostly import from Japan and the U.S. My father, Lu Yiming, though he moved to Harbor City early on, has always wanted to develop measuring instruments for our homeland. Our latest project is the digital vernier caliper.”

Cheng Shi nodded slightly. “I’ve always admired Mr. Lu’s vision and dedication.”

He meant it sincerely.

Though opening a business and running a factory is about making money, the means and attitudes differ greatly.

Lu Yiming was the sort who, while frugal, knew when to give back to society.

He had established several educational funds.

Lu Zaixue said, “I hope I haven’t bored you with all this.”

Cheng Shi replied, “Is there anything I can help with?”