A Recognized Idea

He Xun finally allowed Chen Wei’er to go out after applying sunblock! They walked toward a vast river at the entrance of the village and finally found the construction team.

“Chief Jia!” Chen Wei’er saw Jia Liang with the workers wearing hard hats and standing under the scorching sun. She quickly walked over.

“President He, President Chen!” When Jia Liang saw the two of them, he also greeted them. He was holding a huge piece of blueprint in his hand, and he couldn’t even free his hand to formally shake the other party’s hand.

“No need,” He Xun could see his embarrassment and took the initiative to pat Chief Jia’s shoulder to make him relax.

“We’re all friends here. No need to be formal.”

Jia Liang nodded excitedly. He had never expected to hear He Xun say that they were friends!

“What are you guys looking at?” Chen Wei’er asked.

“We’re discussing the location. I want to choose a location nearby. There’s a vast river here, so we can consider building next to it. However, some of our co-workers raised safety issues, like children swimming in the river after school and possible flooding incidents” Jia Liang pointed at the river in front of them.

Chen Wei’er looked up. It was indeed a vast river, and the current was fast.

“Are there any other locations? If it’s not safe here, why don’t we go somewhere else?”

Jia Liang hesitated. “There is, but it’s far from this village. It’s closer to the other villages.” He pointed in the direction of the exit of the village and said, “Walk about 2 kilometers from the village entrance. There’s a wider area.”

Jia Liang explained, “If we build there, the school will still be a few kilometers away for students from other villages. If the children walk, it may take an hour or two to reach school.” This problem had been a headache for Jia Liang. The distance between villages was not close, and it was a major problem for the children in other villages to attend school.

“Let’s build free dormitories for the children then. If it’s six to eight people, the dormitory won’t need several floors. It’s best to build near each village. The children will live in the school, and the learning atmosphere will be more intense,” Chen Wei’er said.

“Why didn’t I think of that?” Jia Liang was suddenly enlightened. “President Chen, you’re really smart.”

Chen Wei’er shook her head in embarrassment. “You guys have been under the sun for so long. You must be tired and feeling hot. It’s normal that you can’t think of it.”

In the next second, she remembered the purpose of her visit. “Where is the chief designer? Is it convenient for me to talk to him?”

“It’s convenient. Designer Su, come over here,” Jia Liang shouted at a man not far away.

The other man was wearing a safety helmet and casual clothes. He responded and then trotted over.

Chen Wei’er didn’t realize that the chief designer was a middle-aged man in his forties until he got close to her. He had tanned skin and a mouth full of white teeth when he smiled.

Chen Wei’er was a little surprised. In her knowledge, designers either resembled weak scholars or acted cold and aloof. She didn’t expect the chief designer to be a very simple and pragmatic middle-aged man.

“Designer Su, this is President He, and this is President Chen. They are the investors for our project this time. President Chen said she wants to talk to you,” Jia Liang explained.

Designer Su was excited, “I didn’t expect to see the two of you here. President Chen, my wife really likes you! When you’re not busy, can you give me an autograph? I’ll give it to my wife!”

“Sure!” Chen Wei’er felt that this designer was quite welcoming.

“President Chen, what do you want to talk to me about?” Designer Su scratched his head. He looked sincere.

Chen Wei’er smiled and dispelled his anxiety.

“I want to ask if you can implement my work-study plan when you design the blueprint. I asked a few children today, but none of them are very keen on going to school. They want to go out and work to earn money.”

Designer Su replied, “To be honest, I’m a child who came from the mountains. I know the value of studying more than anyone else. I was the only one in our village who managed to survive. The other children had left to work early on and were still trapped in the village. I fully agree with your idea of studying hard and doing some work. There are many things I can learn from your design!”

Chen Wei’er was embarrassed by his words. “You’re a professional while I’m just an amateur. My knowledge can’t compare to yours!”

“Chief Chen, your design is really great!” Designer Su’s face turned serious.

Chen Wei’er was shocked by this serious praise. “I just blindly drew it. It’s not professionally made at all.”