Li Huan brought Lin Ning to meet Wei Lan, the director of the textile factory. After explaining the situation, Wei Lan tested the product and was pleasantly surprised. “This really works! It’s even better than using a towel.”

A bath towel capable of scrubbing off a thick layer of dirt could easily win over any Chinese person, and Wei Lan was no exception.

Wei Lan examined it carefully, flipping it over repeatedly. “What kind of fabric is this? I’ve never seen it before.”

“It’s twisted nylon fabric,” Lin Ning replied.

“Twisted nylon fabric? But it doesn’t normally look like this!”

Lin Ning explained, “I processed it a bit.”

This processing method was the key secret to the bath towel, and Lin Ning wasn’t ready to disclose it. It was her trump card.

Wei Lan gave her a knowing look. “Comrade Lin Ning, don’t worry. If this bath towel brings in significant profits for the organization, you won’t be treated unfairly.”

Wei Lan had already recognized the immense market potential of the bath towel. It was simple to produce and could quickly be introduced to the market. However, two crucial factors were involved: the fabric and the ability to produce it on a large scale in a short time to dominate the market. He knew this was not something he could achieve alone—collaboration was essential.

With a grand vision in mind, Wei Lan said, “This needs to be reported to the county committee, and we should invite Director Cao from the garment factory to discuss it together.”

And so, Wei Lan took Li Huan and Lin Ning to the county committee and brought in Director Cao from the garment factory to discuss the matter.

It wasn’t surprising that they were so excited. The government was encouraging local factories to diversify their production and create products for consumers. Production itself wasn’t the problem; the issue was deciding what to produce.

Lin Ning’s bath towel was a revelation. It was exactly what they needed! Despite its small size, the bath towel had the potential to make waves across the globe and even be exported to earn foreign exchange.

Years later, when Dong’an County in Yongzhou became known as the “Hometown of Bath Towels,” everyone would look back on this meeting in 1982 as a moment of monumental significance.

At the time, however, no one had such lofty feelings. They were simply thrilled at the prospect of making a fortune.

Director Cao held the bath towel and began fantasizing out loud. “If everyone buys one for a few cents, just in Dong’an County alone, we could earn tens of thousands!”

Tens of thousands of yuan in 1982 was an unimaginable figure.

The concept of the bath towel was easy to grasp at first glance, but the fabric was the key. All eyes turned to Lin Ning, waiting for her to reveal the secret. Lin Ning simply smiled without saying anything.

County Party Secretary Dong Yikuan spoke up. “Comrade Lin Ning, we’ve all read about how you saved Comrade Li Huan in the Newspaper. We didn’t expect that in such a short time, you’d come up with such a fantastic product. Rest assured, the organization won’t treat you unfairly!”

The meeting concluded with a decision: Lin Ning would provide the processing method for the fabric and the production technique for the bath towel. Her contribution would count as a technical investment, and she would receive a 2% commission for every bath towel sold.

This policy was part of a new initiative by the garment factory to encourage innovation. Anyone who came up with a new product would receive a 2% commission on sales.

Under the supervision of the Dong’an County Committee, Lin Ning signed a formal contract with the garment factory. From that day forward, the contract became her golden ticket. As long as the garment factory remained in operation, she would receive her monthly commission.

After signing the contract, Lin Ning revealed the secret of how twisted nylon fabric was transformed into bath towels. The group was amazed. “It’s really that simple?”

Li Huan chimed in, “Selecting twisted nylon fabric from hundreds of fabrics, scalding it with hot water, designing the bath towel’s shape, and turning it into a finished product—each step requires remarkable creativity and insight. It’s not simple at all!”

Everyone nodded in agreement. Without Lin Ning’s ingenuity, who would have thought that unwanted twisted nylon fabric could be turned into bath towels?

Director Cao of the garment factory invited Lin Ning to join his factory, but she politely declined. “Director Cao, making clothes is your expertise. I’m just offering an idea. Once the bath towels are ready, I’ll purchase them from the factory to sell.”

“Very well! As soon as the products are out, I’ll notify you first!” Director Cao promised with a hearty laugh.

Three days later, someone from the garment factory came to the guesthouse to inform Lin Ning that the bath towels were ready.

At the factory, Lin Ning was amazed to see over ten different designs created in just three days. There were plain ones, floral ones, gloves with finger divisions, gloves without, and even back scrubbers. Some had linings to prevent slipping.

“Comrade Lin Ning, take a look. Do these bath towels meet your design expectations?”

Lin Ning tested them with water on the spot and was thoroughly satisfied. “Director Cao, these bath towels are excellent and very practical.”

Director Cao laughed heartily. “Great! Our workers will work around the clock. Come back in ten days to pick up your stock!”

“Will do!”

Lin Ning returned to the guesthouse, knowing it was time to find a place to live. While exploring Dong’an County for rental options, she unexpectedly ran into her mother.

“Lin Ning, stop right there!” her mother shouted.

Lin Ning turned coldly. “What is it?”

“You ungrateful brat! There’s a major issue at home, and you haven’t even come back to check. I raised you for nothing!”

“What issue? Does it have anything to do with me? If you have something to say, say it quickly. If it’s nonsense, don’t bother!”

Her mother, fuming, spat out the truth. “Your brother wants to buy a house, but he’s short on money. Hand over your money immediately!”

It turned out Lin Yong had thrown a tantrum, threatening to marry into Fan’s family as a live-in son-in-law if he couldn’t buy a house. Panicked, their mother had no choice but to beg for money.

Hearing this, Lin Ning smirked inwardly. It seemed Fan Xiaoe had successfully persuaded Lin Yong, just as she’d planned.

“I don’t have any money!”

“How can you not have money? I gave you 50 yuan before. Plus, you got a red envelope for saving someone, and you have your salary. You must have at least 100 yuan. Hand it over now!”

Her mother was desperate. If they couldn’t scrape together the money for the house, her son would end up living in someone else’s home—a fate she refused to accept.

She lunged at Lin Ning, trying to grab her pockets, but Lin Ning twisted her wrist sharply. Her mother screamed in pain.

“I don’t have money! Even if I did, I wouldn’t give it to you. Do you understand?” Lin Ning snapped.

“Lin Ning, I’m your mother! This is unfilial behavior. I’ll report you to the police and have you jailed!”

“Go ahead! If you report me, I’ll report Lin Yong for trying to kill his own sister to buy a house. Let’s see who ends up in jail!”

Lin Yong was her mother’s Achilles heel. Hearing this, she immediately quieted down. “Fine, fine, I won’t ask for your money. I’m leaving!”

Lin Ning pushed her away. Muttering curses, her mother stomped off but turned back to shout, “If you’re so ungrateful, don’t ever come back home!”

Lin Ning picked up a clump of dirt and hurled it at her. “Who wants to go back to that lousy house anyway?”

Finally, her mother left, grumbling all the way.