Chapter 73: Women Can't Say They're Not Capable

Xiling is a village located in the north of Linyang County. Due to its remote location in the mountainous area, Zhou Ming was driving on the dirt roads of Xiling with a cloud of dust trailing behind him.

This is Su Han's hometown. Initially, Zhou Ming had gone out to South Jiang Port City to make money. To avoid Su Han being targeted by Huang Zheng in the factory, he had sent her back to her rural hometown. Now that Zhou Ming had returned, he had arranged everything at home, confirmed that his parents were protected by county police and were safe, and that Huang Zheng and Ma Jianjun would not cause trouble for the time being. Zhou Ming was eager to find Su Han. Since Su Han's hometown was very remote, Zhou Ming went to the county agricultural bank to borrow a car from Dai Zhenjiang.

Zhou Ming initially thought it would take some persuasion to borrow the car, as in those days, private cars were considered a luxury, not like thirty years later when even slightly wealthy families owned cars. However, Dai Zhenjiang readily agreed to lend Zhou Ming the car after confirming he could drive.

As Zhou Ming drove, looking at the retreating scenery on both sides, he thought about whether he should also get a driver's license and buy a car. Having a car would be very convenient. Moreover, if he had had a car earlier and driven back, Huang Zheng and Ma Jianjun might have been wary of him becoming a big boss outside and would not have acted so arrogantly.

Amid these mixed thoughts, Zhou Ming quickly drove to Su Han's village, Shentou. Private cars were rare in those days, so Zhou Ming's car attracted a lot of attention from the villagers as he drove into the village. Zhou Ming didn't know which house Su Han lived in, so he first went to the village secretary, who then helped him find Su Han's home. However, Su Han was not at home, and no one was there. The village secretary guessed she might be working in the fields, so Zhou Ming asked the village secretary to take him to Su Han's fields.

The fields were not far from Su Han's home. Zhou Ming followed the village secretary to the fields and saw Su Han and several other village women sitting on the ridge chatting from a distance.

When Zhou Ming called out, Su Han turned around and saw him. Her eyes brightened, and she ran happily towards him, but stopped suddenly when she reached Zhou Ming, hesitant to approach.

Zhou Ming understood her hesitation and opened his arms to embrace her. Su Han let out a surprised cry and quickly pushed Zhou Ming away while hurriedly saying, "Zhou Ming, let go, I'm all covered in mud. Don't get your clothes dirty."

Zhou Ming laughed heartily, "How could that be? I like holding you just the way you are."

Only then did Su Han relax and lean into Zhou Ming's embrace.

Seeing this, the elderly village secretary was initially stunned, then blushed and cleared his throat. Su Han then pushed Zhou Ming away, her face flushed as she stood to the side. Zhou Ming was indifferent; after all, he had returned from his previous life and had experienced more liberal attitudes towards relationships, so he didn't mind such gestures.

Zhou Ming looked Su Han up and down. She was wearing a small straw hat and simple cloth clothes, looking clean and immaculate, almost like the character from the movie "The Cornfield."

"Su Han, this is Mr. Zhou Ming, who drove here to find you. It seems you really know each other," said the village secretary, not awkwardly.

Upon hearing this, Su Han's face lit up with joy. She looked at Zhou Ming and said, "Zhou Ming, you drove here? Did you really make a lot of money in South Jiang?"

Zhou Ming nodded, "Of course. If I hadn't made a lot of money and wasn't confident, I wouldn't have come to pick you up. I have to take responsibility for you!"

The other village women who had been sitting with Su Han on the ridge also came over. Hearing that Zhou Ming had driven here, they were amazed and said, "Wow! So you're the Zhou Ming Su Han often talks about, the one who made a lot of money? It hasn't been long since you went out, and now you're back with a car. You're really capable and loyal!"

Zhou Ming scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed, and thanked them. Su Han, feeling embarrassed, said to Zhou Ming, "Sorry, I came back here because I missed you and mentioned it to them."

Zhou Ming didn't expect Su Han to apologize for this and smiled as he held her hand, shaking his head to show it was no problem.

Someone then asked, "Mr. Zhou Ming, you said you're going to take responsibility for Su Han. Could it be that you two…?"

Su Han's face turned bright red as she quickly explained, "No, no, we haven't done anything yet!"

The rural women were quite open-minded about this: "Even if there was something, it wouldn't be a big deal. Young people, you know, can understand."

This made Su Han's face redder, and she didn't know what to say.

Since it wasn't the busy farming season, Zhou Ming took Su Han back to her home. When they saw the black car parked at the door, one of the village women exclaimed, "Mr. Zhou, is this your car? It's so beautiful!"

Zhou Ming smiled and said thank you. In fact, it wasn't his car, but that didn't matter. Zhou Ming knew he could afford to buy one if needed.

Back at the house, Su Han took a bath and changed into clean clothes. After tidying up her laundry, she got into the car, and Zhou Ming drove back to 760 Factory.

On the way, Zhou Ming looked at Su Han's somewhat thin face and said with concern, "I'm sorry you've had a hard time these past two months."

Su Han shook her head, "There's no hardship. I was just a half-way resident; it's lucky I stayed in the factory. Otherwise, I would have been working in the fields every day."

Transportation wasn't as convenient back then, and Xiling to Linhai was quite far, so Zhou Ming drove for almost three hours to return to the factory. When they arrived, Su Han's first thought was to check her small restaurant.

When Zhou Ming drove Su Han to her restaurant, Su Han fell silent. She rolled down the car window and looked at her restaurant, which had big-character posters painted on the facade and walls, calling Su Han derogatory names and threatening her. It was clear who was behind this—no one but Huang Zheng.

"Sorry, Zhou Ming, I should have listened to you and not come back," Su Han said with a crying tone.

Zhou Ming had previously advised Su Han not to come back, but she was very emotional and had invested a lot in the restaurant, so she insisted on seeing it for herself.

"It's okay to come back and see; it's like closing a chapter on the past," Zhou Ming comforted Su Han. "But don't worry. Since I'm back, I won't let those who bullied you go unpunished. Seeing these things just makes me more determined to ensure they get what they deserve. No matter how severe the punishment, it will be justified."

Su Han replied with a soft "Mm," and asked Zhou Ming, "You said you're back to buy the whole 760 Factory, right? But I heard that the factory has just started restructuring. We're not in a cutting-edge reform city, so it shouldn't be happening so soon. Should we consider leaving the factory for now and going somewhere else to avoid potential trouble from Huang Zheng and Ma Jianjun? After all, they still have significant influence in the factory. Now that you're a big boss, you must ensure the safety of yourself and your parents."

Zhou Ming could feel Su Han's deep concern for him. He said, "In a normal situation, the restructuring would indeed take place after the New Year, but since I'm back, it will be expedited. I can't tolerate scum like Huang Zheng and Ma Jianjun lingering around!"

"How do you plan to handle it? You must avoid direct conflict with them! Zhou Ming, you're still young, with a bright future ahead. It's not worth it to risk everything fighting them," Su Han said worriedly.

"Conflict? Su Han, you're overestimating them. They're just minor officials in the factory. Even if Huang Zheng had connections in the county before, they're still insignificant. I'm more worried about them being thoroughly defeated while I remain unharmed."

Zhou Ming added, "You've forgotten what I told you before. I met a high-ranking official from Yan Jing in South Jiang. With their connections, dealing with these people is a matter of minutes. Besides, the whole restructuring and buying the factory involve their assistance."

Su Han sighed in relief, "That's good. But Zhou Ming, you're truly impressive for meeting such connections!"

Seeing Su Han excitedly clenching her little fists, Zhou Ming laughed, "Yes! So, after I buy the 760 Factory, I want my parents to be the factory directors and you to be the manager to help me run the factory. How about it?"

Su Han quickly shook her head, "No, I can't do it."

"Can't do it? How can you say that? I think your approach and strategy for managing your restaurant are excellent!" Zhou Ming said. He wasn't just trying to

 encourage Su Han; he genuinely believed she had a talent for business.

"But running a restaurant and managing a factory are completely different!" Su Han said urgently.

Zhou Ming was indifferent, "What's the difference? Besides… women can't say they're not capable!"

Su Han blinked, puzzled, "Why can't women say they're not capable?"

"Because if women say they're not capable, it means they can't have children. If women can't have children, what are they called?" Zhou Ming said.

Su Han had never heard such a thing before. It took her a while to understand Zhou Ming's point. When she finally did, her face turned red with embarrassment. After spending two months at home and hearing various things from the village women, she understood Zhou Ming's meaning and said bashfully, "Zhou Ming, what are you saying? There's no need to talk like that. It's too vulgar and embarrassing!"

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