Chapter 201 Comrade Zhao Ping'an's family problems should have been resolved long ago!

Just after New Year's Day, Zhao Ping'an's office became lively.

Liu Ying had come back from the Northwest, after a three-day, two-night train journey. When she got off the train, her face was red from the cold, but her eyes were still bright.

Xiao Zhou came from Shenyang, carrying a thick stack of reports.

Zhao Ping'an sat behind his desk, watching the two people come in one after another and find a place to sit down.

The secretary poured everyone a cup of tea, then left and closed the door behind her.

The room fell silent.

Zhao Ping'an didn't rush to speak, but picked up his teacup and took a sip. Everyone else also held their teacups, waiting for him to speak.

"Last year's events are all reported." Zhao Pingan put down his teacup. "This year, there are three lines: chip upgrades, troop re-equipment, and combat readiness. Each reports its own."

Liu Ying was the first to speak. She had spent a year in Northwest China and had lost weight, but her speech was more fluent than before.

"On the chip side, the research and development of medium-scale integrated circuits has already begun. Huang Kun and Lin Lanying, along with their team, are spending every day in the lab. The goal is to reach 8 to 10 micrometers by the end of the year and integrate hundreds of transistors."

The main problems now are materials and processes. Also, the precision of the copied lithography machines isn't quite there yet; we're still relying on equipment obtained through the ministerial channels. Furthermore, the temperature control of the diffusion furnace isn't stable enough.

She paused and glanced at Zhao Ping'an.

"But it's going much better than last year. At this time last year, we couldn't even handle small-scale operations. Now, at least we know which way to go."

Zhao Ping'an nodded: "How long will it take to get the samples?"

Liu Ying said, "It will be ready by the end of the year. Mass production will begin next year."

Zhao Ping'an didn't ask any more questions and looked at Xiao Zhou.

Xiao Zhou has changed in the past two years. When he first graduated from school, he was afraid of saying the wrong thing, but now he sits there with his back straight.

"On the radar side, the production line is running smoothly. We installed eight radars last month, ten this month, and fifteen next month. The workers are now skilled, and we have started training a large number of new employees, aiming to reach a monthly production of more than 50 radars by May. At the same time, reverse engineering of radars for other platforms is also underway, but it is easier than aircraft radar, since performance can be improved by increasing size and weight, unlike the extreme limitations of aircraft radar."

As he spoke, he patted his chest.

"Minister, I can assure you, I don't know if Commander Liu has enough pilots, but he definitely has enough radar."

It was December again in the blink of an eye. Zhao Ping'an returned to his residence, a detached villa in the compound that had just been allocated to him, not far from the sea.

As soon as I opened the door, I saw Ye Juan busy in the kitchen.

"Ping An, you're back?" Ye Juan greeted him upon hearing his voice. The two had gotten their marriage certificate last month without making a fuss; they simply reported it to their organization. Zhao Ping An then cooked a few dishes, and the two had a couple of drinks, thus completing the ceremony.

After all, his only relatives are his eldest brother's family. If he were to hold a wedding, given Zhao Ping'an's rank, it wouldn't be appropriate to go too high or too low, and it might even put his subordinates in a difficult position. Should they come? If they do come, should they bring gifts? What kind of gifts should they bring?

"You're back. I wasn't busy today, so I came back early." Zhao Ping'an looked at Ye Juan's happy face. "Did something good happen today? You seem very happy?"

Ye Juan came out of the kitchen and sat down opposite him. After a few seconds of silence, she suddenly smiled.

"I am pregnant."

Zhao Pingan was stunned for a moment, then he smiled.

"This is wonderful news! I'm going to be a dad!"

"You're unhappy?" Ye Juan's expression changed. Zhao Ping'an's calm demeanor frightened her.

"What are you thinking about? I was wondering when you'd tell me. I knew you were pregnant two weeks ago, during my year-end checkup, the report came directly to me." Zhao Ping'an smiled and gently touched Ye Juan's face. "Don't overthink it. We're revolutionary comrades recognized by the organization, I'm officially certified! Although, well, back then someone was the one who..."

"Hey! You still dare to talk back!" Ye Juan quickly got up and covered Zhao Ping'an's mouth, her face flushed red.

After playing around for a while, Zhao Pingan hugged Ye Juan.

"By the way, remember to make sure you get enough nutrition lately, and also get plenty of rest when you need to."

Ye Juan immediately retorted, "No, that won't work. There's still a ton of stuff going on in Xinjiang."

"You can assign less work..."

Before Zhao Ping'an could finish speaking, Ye Juan interrupted him.

"That won't do. Women hold up half the sky; that's no joke. Besides, there's maternity leave, isn't there? Fifty-six days, that's enough."

Zhao Ping'an looked at her, wanting to say something, but then said nothing.

After dinner, I picked up a pen in my study and began writing a report.

Three days later, a document was distributed to all units across the country.

Notice Regarding Amendments to Maternity Leave for Female Employees:

Maternity leave has been increased from 56 days to 90 days, including 15 days before delivery. Each employer may, based on its actual circumstances, allow female employees with weaker constitutions to apply for personal leave in addition to maternity leave.

The document also included a scientific report at the end, covering everything from maternal and child health to infant development, presented in a very logical and well-reasoned manner.

The news spread, and it was a hot topic of discussion everywhere—in government offices and factories. Some said it showed the leaders' consideration for their subordinates, while others said it was a victory for the female workers.

Only a few people know how this document came about.

The day after the document was issued, Zhao Ping'an was summoned to the leader's office.

When he entered, Zhao Ping'an thought he would be scolded. After all, this matter was handled too hastily, without following normal procedures, and it seemed a bit like using public office for private gain.

The leader was sitting on the sofa. When he saw him come in, he pointed to the seat opposite him.

"sit."

Zhao Pingan sat down, waiting to speak.

The leader didn't mention the document; instead, he poured him a cup of tea first.

"Comrade Ping An," the leader pushed the teacup towards him, "let's have a chat."

Zhao Ping'an accepted the tea and expressed his gratitude.

The leader leaned back into the sofa, looked at him, and suddenly smiled.

"You know, we were all quite worried when you first arrived."

Zhao Pingan was stunned for a moment.

The leader said, "You're too clean. You have no hobbies, you don't smoke or drink, you just like to eat, but that's nothing special. After all, you were the one who got a lot of supplies back then. Even if you were eating state banquets every day, you would still have to be served. In the end, you really just have a big appetite and like to eat, but you never waste food."

At the same time, you don't think about anything other than work. Being wholeheartedly devoted to the country is a good thing, even we old folks rarely manage that. But this keeps us old folks on edge.

Zhao Ping'an looked at his superior, unsure of how to respond.

The leader continued, "We don't know what your channel is, and we don't ask. But we're afraid—afraid that one day you'll suddenly go back."

Zhao Ping'an opened his mouth, as if to say something.

The leader waved his hand, not letting him speak.

"Now everything's fine." The leader's smile widened. "You're married, and Comrade Ye Juan is pregnant. Comrade Ping An, now you have something to look forward to."

Zhao Ping'an nodded blankly.

The leader picked up the document and shook it.

"Did you write this?"

Zhao Ping'an nodded again.

The leader said, "Do you know that representatives from the hospital and the union have already raised similar opinions? They proposed seventy days. And you, you went and increased it to ninety days."

Zhao Ping'an still didn't know how to respond.

The leader continued, "And you even found scientific evidence; it looks quite plausible."

He put down the document, looked at Zhao Ping'an, noticed Zhao Ping'an's "guilty conscience," and suddenly smiled again.

"Comrade Ping An, don't be too nervous. You're not using your position for personal gain. You haven't harmed the public or enriched yourself. Comrade Ye Juan is one of them, but she's not the only beneficiary; in fact, she's just one of millions of female comrades. Apart from being a bit rushed, this matter has been handled quite well."

Zhao Pingan raised his head.

"And you make us feel more at ease."

Zhao Ping'an was stunned.

The leader stood up, walked to the window, and said with his back to him, "Only those who have something to look forward to can go far. Now that you have a home and things to care about, you won't think about going back. Our country really needs you."

Zhao Ping'an wanted to answer, but suddenly felt something pressing on his shoulder, and he was momentarily speechless.

The leader turned around and continued with a smile, "Oh, right, there's one more thing."

Zhao Ping'an looked at him.

The boss said, "I'll name the baby after it's born."

Zhao Ping'an stood up abruptly.

"Thank you, leader..." How could I not be excited? Even disregarding my own relationship, having this name means this child will be set for life.

The leader waved his hand: "Alright, seeing how agitated you are, we're even more relieved. It turns out it was our mistake. If we had resolved your family issues earlier, we wouldn't have had to wait so long."

"Boss, it's okay, I'm doing fine now, aren't I?" Zhao Ping'an felt like he had been grinning like an idiot ever since he came in today.

……

Zhao Ping'an walked slowly as he left the leader's office.

Back in his office, he opened the door and found Liu Ying sitting on the sofa.

The room was dark, with no lights on. Liu Ying sat there motionless, only looking up when she heard the door open.

Zhao Ping'an was stunned.

She cried. Her eyes were red and swollen, and there were still tear stains on her face.

Zhao Ping'an stood at the door, vaguely guessing what was going on, but for a moment he didn't know what to say.

Finally, seeing Zhao Ping'an's unusually flustered expression, Liu Ying suddenly spoke up.

"Boss, you said that among the three of us, Ye Juan is the bravest. Is that true?"

Zhao Ping'an remained silent for a few seconds, then nodded quietly.

Liu Ying looked at him, and tears welled up in her eyes again.

She lowered her head, wiped her face with her sleeve, then stood up, took out some tissues from her bag, and carefully wiped away the tear stains on her face in front of a small mirror on the wall.

Zhao Ping'an stood to the side, wanting to ask, but not daring to.

After wiping herself, Liu Ying looked in the mirror to make sure there was nothing wrong before turning around.

"I understand," she said.

Then he pushed open the door and left.

Zhao Ping'an stood there, watching the door close, without moving for a long time.

After a long while, he couldn't help but let out a sigh...