“Return the ticket, I’ll have the office buy you a ticket for tomorrow instead,” James Harris said.

“But haven’t we already solved our technical problem?” This time it was David Clark’s turn to look distressed.

James Harris patted David Clark on the shoulder. “Little David, you helped us solve a technical difficulty, so we have to thank you. Yesterday’s dinner was for Director Foster, today’s dinner is for you. I’ve already sent the car to pick up Director Foster; today he’s benefiting from your good fortune.”

Chapter 005: Dongfeng Porcelain Factory

David Clark was completely confused, but since they were so enthusiastic about keeping him, he couldn’t refuse and embarrass them. Having just arrived in this world, he was also interested in seeing more of the place, so after a little polite hesitation, he accepted James Harris’s warm invitation.

James Harris sent a director from the factory office, surnamed Zhang, who drove a Beijing Jeep and accompanied David Clark around Tanzhou City. In those days, tourist attractions weren’t really developed, and some precious historical sites had already been inexplicably taken over by various units as office spaces, so there wasn’t much for David Clark to see—he just wandered the streets and took in the street scenes.

When they passed by Tanzhou’s No. 1 Department Store, Director Bolton said to the driver, “Stop here for a moment, I’ll take Little David the expert to buy a few things.”

David Clark quickly waved his hand. “Director Bolton, I don’t need to buy anything.”

“Director Harris instructed me, so just come with me.” Director Bolton forcefully led David Clark into the department store.

“Sales assistant, how much is this floral fabric, the Dacron one, per foot?”

“One yuan sixty-five.”

“I’ll take ten feet.” As Director Bolton spoke, he slapped down two large bills and several fabric coupons.

“Director Bolton, are you buying fabric for your daughter?” David Clark asked, feeling awkward.

“No, didn’t you say in the car that you have a younger sister? When you go home, shouldn’t you bring her a gift? This Dacron fabric is what young ladies like best,” Director Bolton said.

“This…” David Clark was at a loss. “Director Bolton, let me pay for it.”

“No need, Director Harris said the money comes from the factory’s hospitality fund, so don’t worry about it,” Director Bolton replied.

After buying the fabric, they went to the tobacco and liquor counter, where Director Bolton bought several cartons of Hongtashan cigarettes and a few bottles of Wuliangye liquor in one go. These items were rationed, but since Hongxing Porcelain Factory was part of the light industry system, the office had plenty of supply coupons.

“Director Bolton, you’re not going to say these cigarettes are for me too, are you?” David Clark asked nervously.

“Of course they’re for you.”

“But I… I’ve already quit smoking,” David Clark said. As a graduate student, he really didn’t smoke, but the David Clark from his previous life, a retired soldier, did, so now he could only say he’d quit.

“In today’s society, cigarettes and liquor go hand in hand. You’ve just returned to the factory—how can you not give some cigarettes and liquor to the leaders and colleagues?”

“Director Bolton, this is so much money, I really can’t accept it,” David Clark said.

Director Bolton waved his hand. “Director Harris said these things are the factory’s way of thanking you, it’s all covered by the hospitality fund.”

“How about this, you take the liquor home and drink it yourself, Director…”

“Little David, are you trying to get me in trouble?”

“No, no, if the factory gives it to me and I give it to Director Bolton, how is that wrong?”

“Little David, I appreciate the thought, but you still need to take these things. You’ve just retired from the army and returned home, you’ll need to smooth things over with all sorts of people—these things will come in handy,” Director Bolton said earnestly.

After shopping, it was already noon. Director Bolton took David Clark back to the Jeep and told the driver, “Go to Dongfeng Porcelain Factory.”

“Director Bolton, aren’t we going back to Hongxing Factory?”

“No, today’s lunch is hosted by Fatty Smith from Dongfeng Porcelain Factory. Director Harris and Director Foster are already waiting there,” Director Bolton said.

The Jeep drove into Dongfeng Porcelain Factory and headed straight to the small canteen. David Clark saw that James Harris and Henry Foster were already waiting there, along with a few others who must have been the leaders of Dongfeng Porcelain Factory.

“Little David, come, let me introduce you. This is Director Smith from Dongfeng Porcelain Factory.” James Harris warmly took David Clark by the hand and brought him to a big, chubby man. After introducing David Clark, James Harris said to the chubby man, “Fatty Smith, this is the expert I mentioned on the phone, Little David, David Clark. He’s also a friend of Director Foster.”

“He…” Fatty Smith looked at David Clark’s youthful face, a bit skeptical. “So young?”

“Little David is only about 18, I think. Talented and promising, very impressive,” James Harris said.

“You’re the one who solved Old You’s technical problem?” Fatty Smith asked David Clark. When Hongxing Porcelain Factory encountered difficulties, they had also sought help from Dongfeng Porcelain Factory, so Fatty Smith knew a bit about the situation. He’d heard that David Clark had solved the problem with just one sentence, which had shocked him. But now, seeing how young David Clark looked, Fatty Smith started to have some doubts again.