Chapter 227: I Have a Rather Unconventional Idea
After a grand welcome dinner, Li Tang and He Runqi privately conspired—after all these years apart, and considering their extensive battlefield experience with alcohol, they agreed they had to give their old classmate Dai Yingchi a "welcome blow," a lasting impression.
Instead, they both got knocked out cold by Dai Yingchi.
Born and raised in the northeast, Dai came with a natural resistance to alcohol. He downed a full jin (half a liter) of baijiu that night and still woke up bright and early the next morning. While Li Tang and He Runqi were still groaning in their rooms, Dai was already knocking on their hotel doors, wide awake and energetic. He bid them farewell and headed back to his county to handle his resignation paperwork. They agreed to meet again after the Spring Festival.
The recruitment campaign ended successfully. The company hired twenty-five new employees, most of whom were technicians. Half of them were top-tier university graduates handpicked with the help of faculty—truly promising raw talents.
He Runqi handed Li Tang a list of the new hires and their department assignments, along with a personnel file.
"This guy is one of the originals who joined us when we started the company—his name's Yang Kaile."
"I remember him."
Li Tang smiled as he looked at the photo attached to the résumé.
"Good-looking guy. He left a pretty deep impression."
"He led the technical guidance team at Qinglong Copper Mine all of last year, working out in the Aliz region for over six months. He did a solid job and got great feedback from Zise Mining."
He Runqi briefly shared his evaluation.
"Based on your vision, I've reviewed the seven original tech hires and assessed them on skills, attitude, and integrity. Personally, I recommend Yang Kaile to serve as deputy director of our technical department."
"He'll be your deputy, and since you're recommending him, I approve."
"If you're okay with it, I'll add his name to the appointment letter."
He Runqi had already prepared the document. He quickly wrote in Yang's name and handed it over for Li Tang's signature.
Managerial appointments needed Li Tang's sign-off.
Moments later, Yang Kaile entered the office with He Runqi, looking overjoyed.
He already knew about the promotion. The most immediate impact? A raise—about a thousand yuan more per month.
Seeing Li Tang, Yang couldn't hide his excitement. He bowed deeply.
"I'll do everything I can to live up to your expectations, sir!"
Li Tang smiled and waved him off.
"Our technical department is the core of this company, and it's also the largest. Next year's work is in your hands."
"I'll get the job done!"
Yang bowed again before leaving.
"With the Spring Festival just a week away, have the year-end gifts been distributed?" Li Tang asked.
"All done. Even the new hires who've already reported in each got a share."
"Good. If there's nothing else, go ahead and give everyone the holiday."
Li Tang was generous when it came to employee benefits, but next year would be intense, and they needed to be ready.
"Your technical department needs to report back by the third day of the Lunar New Year. Let everyone know—coming back early counts as overtime."
"No problem. The team is really motivated."
He Runqi scratched his head, a bit embarrassed.
"Only the student interns might not be too keen."
"Let them start after the Lantern Festival."
Once everything was arranged, and employees began leaving for the holiday, Li Tang caught a flight back to Zhucheng, Qianzhou Province.
Back home, he helped hang Spring Festival couplets. He also bought a rugged SUV worth over 400,000 yuan—courtesy of his father—and loaded up on festive groceries before driving the family to their countryside home.
His two aunts had planned to visit for the holiday, but Feiming's leg was still healing, and they didn't want to leave him alone. They postponed the trip until next year.
Still, his aunt called and chatted with Li Tang's parents for a long time.
Mountains, water, firecrackers, and reunions—another joyful, peaceful New Year.
The countryside offered a deep sense of quiet.
At night, the silence was absolute. No honking cars or bustling voices—just the sound of your own heartbeat under the blankets.
This serene life passed far too quickly.
Soon, the third day of the New Year arrived. Li Tang reluctantly said goodbye to his hometown.
At the village entrance, his grandparents stood, leaning on each other, waving nonstop at the departing car.
His dad was driving. His mom came along to drop him at the airport, after which they would return to the countryside.
Since the Talego project wouldn't resume until late spring and the university semester didn't start until after the Lantern Festival, they still had plenty of downtime.
At the airport, just before departure, Tang Chuqiu suddenly realized she had many things she hadn't told her son. She clutched his hand and poured her heart out.
"Take care of yourself out there—eat well, dress warm. You travel so much, you're bound to run into bad people. Don't be confrontational. If you meet thugs, just say a few kind words and let it go…"
"I know."
Li Tang didn't interrupt. He could tell his mother could easily talk for another half-hour.
"I heard your business in Yanjing is huge—working with all these corporate bosses?"
"How did you hear that?"
"Your dad's been talking about it nonstop since he got back. And before you came home, even the leaders from the geological bureau came to our house with New Year's gifts. They all said you're a big shot in Yanjing."
"Don't believe their flattery."
"You're our son. No need to be modest."
She adjusted his collar lovingly, her gaze tender and emotional.
"No matter how successful you get, your happiness matters most. If it ever gets too much, just come home."
"I know."
Li Tang felt a wave of emotion rise in his chest. He silently promised himself he'd return home more often.
"And one more thing—your dad might not bring it up, but I have to."
"You're already twenty-four."
"Lunar age twenty-four," Li Tang nodded.
"If you find a girl you like, bring her home. She doesn't have to be stunning—just someone kind and grounded. Once you're married, there'll be someone to cook and wash your clothes. Your dad and I would feel more at ease."
"Heh."
Li Tang smiled sheepishly.
"Don't laugh! You're not getting any younger. Still no girlfriend? You better get moving. Next year you'll be twenty-five. If you're still single, I'm finding you a wife myself!"
"Don't worry. There are girls who like me—I'll do my best to seize the opportunity!"
"You've got some money now, but don't let that make you too picky, alright?"
"Got it."
He checked the time—boarding was about to begin.
"Mom, Dad, drive safe. I'll come visit again soon."
As he turned and walked toward the terminal, his eyes welled up.
Back at Yunding Building in Yanjing, the technical department was already assembled—except for a few who lived closer to Huizhou and had gone directly to the project site.
Li Tang had just sat down in his office when He Runqi and Dai Yingchi entered together.
"Class rep, you're here early!" Li Tang stood up to greet him.
"I heard you guys were starting work on the third day, so I wanted to get here early and get used to the new environment."
Dai brought small gifts for both Li Tang and He Runqi.
"Pine nuts?" Li Tang caught the scent immediately.
"A local specialty from my hometown," Dai smiled.
"Your resignation went through smoothly?"
"All done."
"This is the employment contract," He Runqi said.
"And this—Alice prepared it before the holiday—is your 1% equity option agreement."
Li Tang needed to sign off on these contracts before they became valid.
Without hesitation, he picked up the pen and signed.
Dai took the pen and signed as well.
"The equity vests over four years. That means you'll need to work here for four years to claim the full 1% in Li Tang Shengshi Holdings," Li Tang explained.
"Don't underestimate that 1%. Based on the Talego mine's current valuation and our 34% stake in Zhongcheng Mining, it's worth tens of millions."
"Seriously?"
Dai froze mid-signature, his hand stiff.
"I just joined—is this really appropriate?"
"It is."
Li Tang's tone left no room for doubt.
"And remember, you only get it after four years."
"Four years? Heck, I couldn't earn that much in forty years elsewhere!"
Dai's hand shook as he finished signing—his signature was a bit crooked.
With the contracts sorted, the team took a day to rest, then flew out the next morning to Huizhou.
Li Tang brought bags and boxes—gifts and supplies from his parents and grandparents. There was smoked pork from home-raised pigs, live chickens and ducks, nutritional supplements for Feiming's recovery, toys for the kids, and more.
He asked He Runqi and Dai to help him carry it all to his aunt's house.
Since Feiming was still recovering, the family hadn't gone out visiting, so everyone was home.
After lunch, Li Tang brought up the topic they had discussed before the holiday.
"Shazhai Molybdenum has officially started. Our HR director is also here now. If you and your wife are free tomorrow, you can come in to complete the onboarding."
"My leg still needs at least three more months to heal," Feiming said, clearly anxious. He was worried someone else might take his spot—jobs like this near home didn't come often.
"No worries. You can onboard now and start collecting pay."
"Wait, seriously?"
Feiming was stunned—and a bit embarrassed.
"I just joined, haven't done anything. You're paying me while I'm still hurt?"
"We're short-staffed and in a hurry."
"This isn't right," his uncle objected.
"If your boss finds out you're letting us take money without working, you could get in trouble."
"I agree," his aunt added.
"If we're lucky enough to have this opportunity, we should be grateful—not take advantage."
They were honest, salt-of-the-earth people. Accepting pay without working made them uncomfortable.
Li Tang didn't know how else to explain. So he lied:
"It was our boss who asked me to invite you both personally."
"He knows I'm injured?" Feiming knocked on his plaster cast.
"Yes. I already explained everything. Just come tomorrow."
Li Tang wanted to get the paperwork done quickly. He couldn't guarantee he'd still be in town, as most of his time would be spent at the project site.
"If your boss is that generous, I'm in!"
Feiming was eager to settle the matter.
"We'll come tomorrow."
"I'll be at the office waiting."
Li Tang didn't stay long. That afternoon, the Geological Bureau had arranged a kickoff meeting for the project.
As soon as he entered the meeting room, Director Zeng Yuhua grabbed his arm and pulled him toward an elderly man.
"Old Peng, let me introduce you—this is Li Tang, the boss of Shazhai Molybdenum!"
"I've heard of him. The one who discovered Qulong and Qinglong Copper Mines, right?"
The elder was frail, but his eyes were sharp.
"This is Peng Dezhi, captain and chief engineer of our Third Geological Team," Zeng said solemnly.
"He's been with the team since the 1960s. He led the 1977 prospecting in Shazhai and authored the original lead-zinc survey report. He also headed the 1990s polymetallic exploration. No one knows Shazhai better."
"An honor!"
Li Tang immediately shook his hand, feeling the old man's rough calluses.
"I'm about to retire. My only regret is not seeing Shazhai's mine uncovered," Peng said, gripping Li Tang's hand tightly.
"My gut says it's there. We tried everything—silver, lead, zinc, copper. We found mineral belts, but our budget and tech held us back."
His aged eyes gleamed with hope.
"My greatest wish is to live to see a major mine found here."
"There's hope."
Li Tang smiled.
"The decades of groundwork you laid will be crucial to what comes next."
"I believe in you!"
Peng's hand was old and thin—but still firm.
The kickoff meeting lasted a while. Zeng gave an impassioned speech, Peng explained the technicals and the implementation plan.
Finally, Li Tang, as the party A representative, stood up and kept it short:
"All the leaders and technicians are here. I have a rather unconventional idea I'd like to discuss with you all."
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Happy New Year, friends! I hope you have a great time.