Unfortunately, some things couldn’t be accomplished just by refusing to give up.

Like now, for instance—

"Xie Changyu, you don’t need to put on this show of sisterly affection in front of my husband. I don’t care what your motives are, I’m not going to meet with you. Please stop pestering me from now on."

As her voice faded, Xie Changning appeared at the door. She strode toward Yue Yihan and slammed it shut with a BANG—

The force of it made Yue Yihan jump.

When Xie Changning turned her head, she saw Yue Yihan staring at her, dumbfounded. She looked back at him. "What’s wrong?"

"N-nothing."

Xie Changning frowned and turned to walk away.

’Was I too harsh with Xie Changyu just now?’

But while Xie Changning was feeling suspicious, Yue Yihan’s mind was an explosion of pure, unadulterated joy: a whirlwind of happy flailing.

He was practically vibrating with glee. ’My wifey... she called me her husband!’

’She called me her husband!’

A little figure was spinning endless circles in Yue Yihan’s mind, all because of Xie Changning’s two simple words: "my husband."

He just stood there in a daze, not even realizing when Xie Changning went back to her room to sleep.

While Xie Changning slept, Yue Yihan tidied up the room before returning to his unit for the night.

Early the next morning, Xie Changning was woken by a knock on the door. It was the neighbor, an older woman, bringing her breakfast.

"Yue Yihan specially asked me yesterday to help look after you for the next few days. I’ll be bringing your breakfast from now on." The woman was the mother of one of the factory workers and didn’t have much to do at home in the family residential compound.

Yue Yihan was worried about Xie Changning being on her own, so he had arranged to pay the woman a small sum each month to help out.

Xie Changning didn’t refuse his kind gesture.

As her pregnancy progressed, things would only get more difficult, so it really would be better to have someone around to help.

After breakfast, once the neighbor had tidied everything up, Xie Changning returned to her room. "Acknowledge your maker—"

A door swung open, and Xie Changning appeared inside her personal dimension.

After two months of development, her dimension was starting to take shape. A warehouse had been built, and the harvested rice had been successfully bagged and stored inside.

A new crop of rice was already in its growth phase.

The Mechanical Lab was still housed in the same dilapidated two-story building on the outside, but the interior was now completely refurbished.

The only headache for Xie Changning was that one of the requirements for upgrading the workbench to the Third Level was to improve the lab’s exterior. She exited the lab to check if the conditions for upgrading the two-story building had been met.

Mechanical Lab Lv. 0 (Upgrade Condition): The lab’s owner must gain the recognition of 100+ people (Completed)

The word "Completed" was displayed in green text, much like in the simulation games of her past life.

Below it was an "Upgrade?" button.

The conditions were met, so of course she tapped "Yes."

A white mist enveloped the small two-story building, and a countdown timer appeared above it: 23:59:59.

’Looks like I’ll have to wait until tomorrow morning to see the changes to the lab in my dimension.’

Xie Changning exited her dimension and headed to work.

The factory was relatively quiet after the competition. The only commotion came from the ongoing expansion, which required Xie Changning to help handle affairs from time to time while Wang Lisheng traveled all over the country.

Originally, Wang Lisheng had wanted Xie Changning to be the one making the trips.

But she felt that since the machinery was all readily available from domestic factories, there was no need for her to travel for the time being.

When the time came to purchase machinery from abroad, however, she would have to be the one to go. After all, if she wasn’t there, they might not spot potential loopholes in the contracts.

’Contracts in this era aren’t nearly as rigorous as they will be in the future. They need to be watched closely.’

Xie Changning was handling factory matters as usual when suddenly, the phone in her office rang. "Hello, Xie Changning at the Chuncheng Screw Factory."

"Changning, it’s Li Fuzeren. Remember that expert from the United States you contacted last time? Their side just called me. They said he’s arriving tonight. Would you be free to come over tomorrow morning?"

In truth, Li Fuzeren had been hoping Xie Changning could come and help that very night.

But with the Chuncheng Screw Factory being so busy, he felt it would be wrong to impose and add to her already heavy workload.

"I’ll need to coordinate with my factory director about my schedule. I’d recommend you find a dedicated translator, Director Li." Xie Changning did know several languages, but she couldn’t be at the expert’s side at all times, so a full-time interpreter was necessary.

"Alright, alright, I’ll get right on it." It was impossible not to be a little disappointed. Li Fuzeren had really been hoping that Xie Changning could juggle multiple roles.

Hearing her refusal brought him back to reality.

Xie Changning already had so many responsibilities, and she was still swamped with her own primary duties. Where would she find the time to help with translation?

He mentally slapped his forehead, annoyed with himself. ’I should have prepared for this sooner.’

After hanging up, Director Li immediately began searching for a skilled interpreter. Fortunately, English was a major language, and there were many people who studied it.

It wasn’t difficult to arrange for an English major from a local university to be temporarily assigned to the task.

That evening, the expert from the United States arrived at Chuncheng Airport. Li Fuzeren and Director Zhao were there to greet him. "Professor Aegis, welcome to China! Welcome to Chuncheng!"

The moment they saw Professor Aegis, Director Zhao and Director Li swarmed him.

They were even holding bouquets of fresh flowers, which they presented to the professor.

They had heard this was a Western custom, and wanting Professor Aegis to feel comfortable during his stay and to feel the warmth of China’s welcome, both men were on their best behavior.

The interpreter stood behind them, patiently translating their words.

Their attitude somewhat softened Professor Aegis’s demeanor. "Where is the young woman I spoke to on the call the other day?"

Aegis had been scanning his surroundings since stepping out of the vehicle but hadn’t seen the person he was looking for.

He frowned as he asked.

Without hesitation, Director Zhao and Director Li explained that Xie Changning was finishing up some work today and would meet with him tomorrow.

Upon hearing this, Professor Aegis’s expression brightened considerably.

Aegis then announced arrogantly to Director Li, "I. Am hungry."

This was his first time in China. He had heard the food was exquisite, and he hoped the country wouldn’t let him down.

Straight from the airport, the group went to a large, state-run restaurant.

The moment he laid eyes on the state-run restaurant, Professor Aegis’s expression soured. He felt that such a rustic-looking establishment was unlikely to serve any true delicacies.

His expectations for Chinese cuisine plummeted.

With his expectations at rock bottom, Aegis took a bite of the chef’s specialty: Guo Bao Rou, sweet and sour crispy pork.

The moment the crispy pork touched his tongue, Aegis felt like his soul was ascending to a higher plane!

’I love this dish! I don’t know what it’s called, but I have to learn how to make it!’

’And is this pork? How did they prepare it so there’s no gamey taste at all?’

’Truly astounding!’