Twenty years of cold chain

Chapter 12 You've Changed, Shutong

Since arriving at the equipment room, Hu Shutong's dedication to this place can be described as "caring". This is the heart of Tianheng, and Hu Shutong manages this space with 100% energy and enthusiasm, no matter how small the task. He quickly got used to the current work rhythm.

Under Hu Shutong's management, regular equipment maintenance was permitted, which greatly reduced the risks. Seeing the equipment running smoothly and looking brand new gives one a sense of accomplishment.

Hu Shutong believed that everything could turn around, and that those who persevered were the most precious—a principle his father had always instilled in him. He believed that as long as one keeps moving forward and doesn't betray their principles, sometimes it's the right time, sometimes the right place, and sometimes the right people; good things will eventually come. This applies to people, and it should also apply to the natural order.

However, less than a month before New Year's Day, a group of people dressed in the same uniforms would come to the equipment room every few days. At first, Hu Shutong thought they were visiting, but gradually he noticed something was wrong. These people started asking Hu Shutong some very professional questions.

Later, they even brought out demonstration diagrams and asked Hu Shutong for more specific details, which had escalated to the issue of cost. At this point, Hu Shutong dared not answer.

Meanwhile, rumors began to circulate in the factory.

In addition, Yu Dajun had been acting strangely these past few days, and Hu Shutong had already guessed what was going on.

Under pressure from Hu Shutong, Yu Dajun sighed and frankly admitted, "Tianheng plans to sell all its refrigerated trucks at a low price to a large company outside the province, and then use the proceeds to replace them all with used shipping containers. Using used shipping containers without refrigeration units, the only cost will be the consumption of cold storage plates. Moreover, used shipping containers can be freely divided, added or cut as needed, and ordered as required. In this way, Tianheng will be in line with its peers, and relying on its relatively large cold storage capacity in Mingyuan City, Tianheng will be competitive."

"Brother Dajun, changing the vehicle is one thing, but why tamper with the equipment?"

"Without moving the equipment, how easy is it to replace the car?"

Why is that?

"Refrigerated trucks are a hot potato. The other party said that they wouldn't be able to use these trucks even if they took them back. However, if Tianheng were to accept some of their equipment, it would be a mutually beneficial arrangement. Moreover, a cost estimator was also present at the meeting. Although their equipment is quite old, it was all imported from abroad in the 1980s and has lower energy consumption than current domestically produced equipment. Coupled with the low cost of second-hand shipping containers, Tianheng is sure to be able to make a great comeback."

Hu Shutong scoffed at such remarks, saying that second-hand shipping containers would be phased out sooner or later, and that fully equipped refrigerated trucks taking over the market was an irreversible trend. Not only would they not be useless, but they would probably become the company's benchmark fleet. They were getting a great deal and then complaining.

Tianheng is a leader in the refrigeration equipment industry, and now it is also helping the other party deal with old equipment. It can be said that it is thinking three steps ahead for every step it takes, and has completely won over Tianheng!

Yu Dajun knew that Hu Shutong had put a lot of effort into the equipment. In just over a month since he first entered the equipment room, it had been completely transformed.

Every evening when he returned home, Hu Shutong would tell him stories about the equipment room and his plans for the next day. Sometimes Yu Dajun didn't want to listen, and there were things he couldn't understand either. But gradually, Yu Dajun became a better listener and started to think about the "knowledge" that Hu Shutong was talking about.

More importantly, he saw a rare spirit in Hu Shutong, a forward-looking and upward-moving energy that was different from his own and everyone else here. The equipment room was like Hu Shutong's refuge, which is why Yu Dajun had always been reluctant to mention it.

"Shutong, things may be turbulent for a while, but this might be the only way out for Tianheng. Tianheng's basket is still too small. To put it bluntly, it's just a one-man entrepreneurial journey. Without external funding, they've been climbing for so many years and are exhausted both physically and mentally. If they change their way of life and become like everyone else, no one can say that anyone has no bottom line. They can always recover."

"Brother Dajun, I understand everything, but this is a regression, a frustrating regression."

Hu Shutong pursed his lips, wanting to speak but stopping himself. He went to the balcony, washed his face, and kept patting his forehead.

"Shutong, I've noticed you've changed." Yu Dajun looked towards the balcony.

"You've had too much to drink."

"When you first came here, the complaints about the goods being transported on the platform were written all over your face. You would sulk and read books at night, and if I spoke to you, it was like I owed you money. There were so many things I couldn't stand, but there was nothing I could do. You were truly a miserable person, I know that."

"Old Yu, why are you talking so sarcastically today?"

Yu Dajun smiled. "But now, the equipment you've been protecting like your own child is going to be transferred to someone else's house, and you seem so calm. If you ask me, that's how you should be. Don't wear everything on your sleeve, it'll only make you feel uncomfortable. Instead of worrying about everything, you should think about that eternal question from Gu Long: would you rather be a shooting star or a candle?"

Hu Shutong laughed, pulled over a stool and sat down. Seeing this, Yu Dajun immediately grabbed a wine bottle and some cured meat and went to the balcony. He squeezed in, taking up half the stool, and the two of them started chatting back to back.

"Shutong, you came in September, and now it's almost New Year's Day. I really want to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"Do you regret interning at Tianheng?"

"Not at all," Hu Shutong said without hesitation.

"Really?"

"I was among the first batch of graduates specializing in cold chain logistics, and the first students from the University of Minnesota to venture into this industry. Like the first wave of soldiers charging into battle, I was bound to face the heaviest blows. To be honest, I had encountered similar situations before coming to Tianheng."

"An internship is also part of your resume. Won't it affect your job prospects? Oh, I mean, compared to your classmates and alumni."

"I don't know." Hu Shutong shook his head.

Yu Dajun took a sip of his drink. "If the mountain won't come to you, then go to the mountain. You're quite admirable sometimes. As the saying goes, 'Mountains are high and rivers are long,' so when you climb higher in the future, don't forget to show your kindness."

"You rascal, I'll never forget you." Hu Shutong laughed.

The withered branches of the tree were reflected in the dim yellow light of the roadside lamp, and a few mottled dead leaves peeked through the small window and landed right on his cheek.

……