Chapter 238: Absurdity vs. Absurdity

**Beijing.**

Wang Hongcheng had just finished a report meeting at the Planning Commission's Material Division and returned to his hotel.

Before he even entered the hotel, a few people stopped him.

Wang Hongcheng was taken aback—these people were investors who had either invested money in Hongcheng Company a year ago or personally funded the construction of factories to produce the expansion agent and water-based fuel.

"How did you find me here? Is there something wrong?" Wang Hongcheng asked, puzzled.

Before they could speak, Wang Hongcheng glanced around and waved his hand. "Let's talk inside."

In the restaurant, as soon as they sat down, the visitors began to voice their complaints.

"Dr. Wang, when will the factories you promised start production? I invested over 30 million, and six factories have been nearly completed for almost a year. Didn't you say production and profits would start within two months? Now there's no progress, and the bank is starting to press me."

"Dr. Wang, the 30 million from Old Xin is bank money, but I invested over 12 million, half of which is high-interest loans! The factory is ready, but you haven't supplied the base liquid. The factory isn't profitable, and I can't pay back the loans. I don't even dare go home; the corridor is full of paint. What's going on?"

"Yes, Dr. Wang, you said we'd see returns in two to three months. I mortgaged my house and car to invest, almost sold my wife and kids. It's been almost a year, and I can't pay back the money. I've lost everything I've earned in my life!"

Annoyed by the commotion, Wang Hongcheng waved his hand. "Why are you all so impatient? Producing the base liquid isn't easy. Just wait a bit longer. I have a hearing this afternoon. If it goes well, your factories should be able to start production immediately."

Seeing that they remained unconvinced, Wang Hongcheng glared. "What? Don't you believe what I'm saying? If you don't believe it, you can go find someone else. I'm not responsible for this anymore."

"We do believe you!"

"Dr. Wang, don't misunderstand. We believe you. It's just that we're in real trouble now. We were hoping you could speed up the process."

"Fine, understood. Wait for news. I'm very busy right now, making reports with experts and leaders to ensure the water-to-oil technology achieves unprecedented success once it's produced. Don't keep bothering me. Got it?"

Wang Hongcheng waved them off and, ignoring their distressed expressions, left the hotel with his bodyguards.

Back in his car, Wang Hongcheng pondered for a moment before picking up his mobile phone and dialing a number.

"Hello, Section Chief Qin? It's Wang Hongcheng. I'm doing well. Yes, I need to discuss something with you. A few people, introduced through acquaintances, want to partner with our Hongcheng Company for base liquid production. But recently, I've noticed some issues with these companies. What kind of issues? It's hard to pinpoint, but it feels like they're always trying to probe our core technology and theories."

**Ice City.**

At the cargo section warehouse, after receiving the deposits and registering, it was already past ten in the evening.

In a hurry to get the money and ledger sorted, Xu Maoh and Li Xian went home to tally the accounts. Xu Maoh, with his broad grin, looked like a toad with his uneven face. Now, smiling even wider, he looked like a toad demon.

"Damn it, what serious business are we doing?"

Looking at the amount on the ledger—"Deposit 602,500, receivable 4,105,000"—Xu Maoh was filled with newfound respect for scammers.

Li Xian shook his head and smiled. "The reason scam money is called scam money is because it's immoral and dangerous."

Seeing Li Xian's worried expression, Xu Maoh asked, "Xianzi, worried that this batch of fake goods might cause trouble?"

Li Xian pondered for a while, wanting to say something but eventually fell silent.

Hopefully, their plan would work. Better to have short-term pain than long-term suffering.

Meanwhile, the buyers who had paid their deposits at the warehouse were thrilled at having obtained what was rumored to be the fifth great invention of China.

In a small second-floor apartment in Xiangfang, Harbin, a young woman, about twenty-five or twenty-six, was carefully removing plastic clips from her hair in front of the bathroom mirror.

Her hairstyle was a short, curly "cauliflower head." Since Japanese films like "Blood Tie" and "Volleyball Girl" became popular in China, many girls who had kept their long hair to their waists cut it short into this style.

It looked quite neat. And when this short hair grew out, it would turn into medium-length curls.

The only downside was the need for constant perming. Many, to save money, bought plastic curlers to use at home.

On a hot day, the young woman wore a vest, with no socks on her feet, and painted her toenails red.

Through the bathroom door frame, the sight of her made Niu Chunbo on the sofa feel restless.

"Xiao Ping, I accomplished something big today!"

"What big thing?" The girl, applying lipstick, glanced at Niu Chunbo, who had come to pry into her family's business, and teased, "Did you finally get a divorce from that triangle-shaped guy?"

Niu Chunbo's smile froze when his plump, pig-like wife was mentioned. "That's nothing. Today I took your little Guo and bought 300,000 worth of diesel expansion agents. Damn it, the cost of the boiler will drop, and we'll be rich by the end of the year!"

"Being rich is fine, but it's not my money," the girl said, intentionally swaying her hips provocatively.

Seeing this, Niu Chunbo could no longer restrain himself and rushed into the bathroom.

"Ah! You're crazy! What if Xiao Guo comes back later?"

"Your Xiao Guo won't be coming back tonight! I've arranged everything. The factory received the largest payment ever. Including the previous debts, he'll be busy all night! Tomorrow, I'll bring back that batch of expansion agents, make a hundred thousand from foreign trade orders, and buy you a house. You won't have to rent anymore, and you can leave that useless husband of yours!"

"Really?"

"Of course!"

"I knew you were the best…"

That night, the financial manager Xiao Guo's wife had made plans for the soon-to-be-wealthy factory manager.

On the other side of the city.

Chen Youdao, the general manager of Beiguang Transportation, was organizing manpower. The company's fuel consumption was too high; he couldn't wait to get the water-based fuel blocks back to use for the fleet.

Companies like Erdaokou Heating Company and Sunshine Bath City were also preparing to use the expansion agents and water-based fuel blocks as soon as they arrived…

The next afternoon, the various units that had received the notification gathered again at the large warehouse at the transport section, this time bringing full payment.

Pay, collect invoices, and take the goods.

The entire process went smoothly. Seeing there were no issues and that the invoices seemed to have been issued in advance, everyone was completely relieved.

Filled with joy and excitement, after the "Hongcheng base liquid" was returned, they immediately began using it according to the instructions on the bags.

However, these fortunate ones, brimming with excitement, had no idea that a big surprise was waiting for them.

**Bocheng Glass Factory.**

Several boiler workers spent the entire morning preparing the diesel expansion agent according to the method and injecting it into the boiler.

However, contrary to expectations, the "15% increase in combustion rate" promised by the Hongcheng base liquid did not occur. While the expansion agent did ignite the diesel, the pressure in the boiler would not increase.

This left everyone bewildered and distressed.

With no other option, they sought out Niu Chunbo, who was waiting in the office for good news.

Upon hearing the situation, Niu Chunbo cursed and yelled—such advanced technology must be due to some operational mistake!

He decided to take matters into his own hands.

But after over two hours of trying, it was still not working. Niu Chunbo was pacing anxiously.

"Factory manager, could it be that the pure diesel we used before is causing a conflict with Dr. Wang's advanced diesel?"

Xiao Guo, who had stayed up until after 4 a.m. and slept in the factory's duty room to avoid disturbing his wife, had just woken up and come to see the commotion. He couldn't help but suggest.

Niu Chunbo slapped his thigh. "Xiao Guo is right! Drain the expansion oil, add diesel first, and when the pressure is up, add the expansion agent. Hurry up!"

"Got it!"

The boiler workers quickly began the operation.

After a lot of work, they finally increased the boiler pressure and, following Niu Chunbo's instructions, added the expansion diesel. They also adjusted the air vents to the maximum to ensure the two fuels burned completely.

After about ten minutes, something went wrong.

The pressure gauge on the boiler started fluctuating irregularly, and soon the pressure exceeded the normal range.

"Factory manager, what's going on?"

The boiler workers were scared.

Niu Chunbo scratched his head. "Damn it, this shouldn't be happening. Could the expansion diesel be too powerful? Is the boiler not withstanding it?"

Just then, a

 deafening roar came from the boiler.

An old worker in the factory, who had been there for over twenty years, shouted, "There's water accumulation! The exhaust valve is blocked! Quick, release the pressure!"

But it was too late.

As the workers rushed to the boiler to release the pressure, the pressure valve made a sharp cracking sound, and half of the shattered glass cover flew out!

"Run! The boiler is going to explode!"

"It's impossible! It can't be happening!" Seeing this, Niu Chunbo was jumping up and down, panicked. The boiler was the most valuable equipment in the factory, and if it was destroyed, it would be a disaster!

"Forget about running. Release the pressure, release it!"

"Run, Factory Manager! It's too late to release pressure now!" Xiao Guo, with dark circles under his eyes, grabbed Niu Chunbo and pulled him outside.

"No! My boiler! My boiler! Guo Bing, you bastard, let go of me!"

As Niu Chunbo was frantically watching the boiler, there was a massive explosion that reverberated throughout the boiler room.

People scattered and instinctively ducked to the ground, covering their heads like quails.

Then came another huge explosion. In the shockwave strong enough to disperse clouds, a piece of valve glass, with a whooshing sound, flew straight at Niu Chunbo's crotch!

Amid the echo of the explosion, a scream was heard.

"Ah!"

With a piercing scream, Niu Chunbo collapsed on the ground.

After a while, Xiao Guo, whose ears were still ringing from the explosion, finally got up and looked at the factory manager lying on the ground, writhing like a caterpillar. He was stunned—there was a large stain of blood on Niu Chunbo's khaki pants.

Ignoring the danger, he immediately checked the factory manager's injury.

"Quick! Call an ambulance! Factory Manager, don't worry. You're still intact; we might be able to reattach it!"

Seeing the factory manager's injury, he anxiously shouted.

Niu Chunbo, in excruciating pain and enraged by the boiler explosion, was particularly irritated by Xiao Guo's words. He kicked out, but in his frantic motion, he ended up dislodging a part that was hanging there.

"Not good! The factory manager's… it's gone!"

Xiao Guo was knocked over by the kick and stared in disbelief at Niu Chunbo's empty crotch.