Chapter 48: Corrupting the Innocent

“Hello, this is Weiling City, Huaiyuan Province. I’d like to learn about your assembly line products.”

There was still one day left before the treasury bonds would be listed for trading.

But Wu Ya couldn’t afford to rest.

He was racing against time, searching for a manufacturer of garment assembly lines.

Unexpected fortune was just around the corner—this was the most crucial matter!

It was the key step to turning his tailor shop into a clothing factory!

The quality of the assembly line would directly impact the volume of garment production.

So he couldn’t be careless; he had to compare several suppliers.

“We offer various models of assembly lines with different daily outputs. May I ask what type you require?”

The salesperson’s sweet, melodious voice traveled directly through the phone line.

Pleasant and captivating.

It instantly gave callers a refreshing feeling.

The desire to further engage, even meet for detailed discussions, subtly began to take root.

But not for Wu Ya.

He had lived through two lifetimes and experienced countless things.

How could his mind be disturbed by an anonymous voice?

Besides, Liu Qian was standing right next to him!

“Hmm… I want an assembly line with the current specifications, but one that can be upgraded in the future. Do you have anything like that?”

Current specs, future upgrades.

Wu Ya wanted to spend once and save for a lifetime.

As long as the line could be improved and continually upgraded,

He wouldn’t have to replace it!

He could save both money and time.

He’d already asked more than a dozen factories about this.

Unfortunately, none could meet his request!

In that era, technology was limited.

Simply producing an assembly line was impressive enough.

Talk of upgrades? Impossible.

There was no room for modifications.

So this time, Wu Ya had lost the confidence he had at first.

In later generations, such a request would be a basic requirement.

But now?

A fantasy!

Yet, unexpectedly—

“Sir, do you mean equipment that can be continually upgraded to maximize output and diversify styles?”

This salesperson didn’t reject him outright.

Instead, she asked a crucial question…

Upgrades!

There was hope!

Wu Ya’s eyes suddenly lit up.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I want—a system that can be upgraded and modified!”

“We have imported electronic assembly lines from abroad, which can be upgraded. However, the upgrades are limited to five times. Would you be satisfied with that?”

The salesperson’s affirmative answer, coupled with her sweet voice, sent a tremor through Wu Ya’s heart.

He stood up abruptly.

“Excellent! Send me your information by mail.”

Five smart upgrades?

That was a rare piece of advanced technology for this era!

After all, market trends dictate everything for a business.

Especially for clothing.

It was manageable now.

But in the coming years, everything would accelerate.

Styles would change rapidly—dizzyingly so.

Production lines, bound by specifications, couldn’t keep pace.

Many factories used them for barely a year before falling behind the times!

Unable to afford replacements, they’d halt production.

So finding an upgradeable system—how could Wu Ya not be elated?

Even with just five upgrades, it was enough to sustain him for the next six years!

And six years later?

He chuckled to himself.

By then, the equipment would be in a whole different league!

“Very well, sir.”

The other party hung up.

“Liu Qian, I’ve finally found the most advanced equipment!”

Wu Ya’s excitement burst forth.

He swept Liu Qian into his arms, lifting her around the waist.

“What are you doing! Put me down…”

Liu Qian’s delicate cheeks flushed crimson.

This was the tailor shop, after all.

And she was still an unmarried woman!

This rascal had no sense of propriety.

What if someone walked in?

“Wu Ya…”

And, as if fate were mocking her, a voice sounded.

The whole inner room fell silent.

“Oh, um… I… it’s nothing.”

Wu Wanli, who’d lived for decades, had just caught his son in a shameless scene.

Though in later times this would be perfectly normal,

In this era, people’s thinking was conservative.

Even a simple embrace was considered improper!

Let alone Wu Ya actually lifting Liu Qian up!

Awkwardness ensued, and he turned and walked out.

“Look at you! This is all your doing!”

Despite the sweetness in her heart, Liu Qian was mortified at being caught.

Especially since it was Wu Ya’s father!

She pummeled Wu Ya a few times and ran out, covering her face.

“Heh heh heh, Dad, what did you want?”

Wu Ya shamelessly approached his father.

His nonchalant expression made Wu Wanli wish he could slap him!

Brazen thing.

“Our inventory has reached three hundred pieces again. Should we keep the wholesale price for Chai Yanfen at twenty, or return to the normal thirty-five?”

It turned out he’d come to ask about this.

Since the price war began, Wu Ya had kept lowering Chai Yanfen’s price.

Finally, it hit rock bottom—down to the cost price of twenty!

Now, the storm had passed.

Prices needed to return to normal.

Otherwise, how could they make money?

“Dad, restore the normal price. Also, have someone tally the accounts and losses from these days and give me a number.”

“Let Liu Qian handle it! She’s family, trustworthy!”

Wu Wanli replied and turned to leave.

His aged face was still red!

His son could shrug it off, but he couldn’t!

Otherwise, he’d be an old man with no dignity.

But after a few steps, he suddenly stopped.

He didn’t turn around.

“Be more careful from now on. Don’t mess around in inappropriate places! And don’t ruin Liu Qian. I don’t want to be a grandfather this soon!”

With that, he jogged off, disappearing from sight.

As if he were the culprit!

Ruin Liu Qian, eager to be a grandfather?

“Oh, my dear father, what kind of logic is this! Even if your son is impatient, he’s hardly going to harm a minor!”

He naturally understood what his father meant by not wanting to be a grandfather so soon.

He wanted Wu Ya to finish his studies and bring glory to the Wu family!

A scholar.

Fifteen generations back, their family had never produced one!

His son had finally been admitted to a provincial key university; he couldn’t let romance derail his dreams!

“Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll definitely bring you a college diploma! Not only that, I’ll become the richest man in China—no, in the world! So you and Mom can enjoy endless prosperity!”

With the restoration of Wu Ya’s student uniform prices,

And the entire market cleared out,

His daily income soared to over ten thousand!

Chai Yanfen dominated not only retail but wholesale as well, becoming the unchallenged leader within a hundred miles!

The market outlook was brilliant.

“Heh, the day has finally come! My assembly line, my clothing factory, are at last entering the countdown!”

Early the next morning, Wu Ya finished grooming.

With a confident stride, he headed toward the Suiyan branch bank.