The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 929: Chapter 907: Top Student in the 1980s 35

Zhang Heping and Secretary An always knew Anning was smart.

But they didn’t expect Anning to be this smart.

A little girl just eight years old, who managed to build these two machines by herself after reading books, how can this not sound like a fantastical story?

Anning nodded, ”I made them. Didn’t I read those mechanical books? Making this was actually quite simple, not hard at all, as long as you fully understand the knowledge in the books.”

How could it not be hard?

Others probably wouldn’t be able to make such machines even after a lifetime of learning.

Anyway, Zhang Heping couldn’t understand it.

He didn’t understand how the machine could crack and shell the eggs, nor how it could separate the egg whites from the yolks. He also didn’t understand how the kneading machine managed to mix proportions by itself.

Zhang Heping didn’t understand, and Secretary An understood even less.

However, this didn’t stop the two from reaching a higher level of understanding about Anning.

Initially, they thought Anning was talented, but now that they think about it, it’s not as simple as being a genius. This little girl is probably a once-in-a-century national treasure level figure.

Zhang Heping pulled Anning over and asked how the kneading machine mixed proportions.

Anning blinked her eyes, ”That’s really simple. I set it up. You see, I don’t just put everything into it mindlessly. Whether it’s oil, flour, eggs, or sugar, I put them in separate places. The machine will calculate the quantity of each item using its own recognition program. If there’s enough, it prevents the flour or sugar from entering the kneading compartment below.”

Anning went on to explain how the program recognizes and the principles of kneading and the like.

Secretary An and Zhang Heping were getting dizzy from listening; the more they listened, the more confused they got. It’s like listening to a heavenly book.

Anyway, regardless of whether they understood it or not, the machine was made, so it had to be used.

Zhang Heping asked Xiangling to call the people from the Xiao Family and borrowed a cart to transport the machine to the Xiao family’s factory.

Anning tagged along to help install and debug, made some improvements to their oven, and told Xiao Heizi, ”Uncle Xiao, when winter comes, I’ll make a small sugar-making machine for you. We can sell some sugar; it sells well during the New Year.”

Xiao Heizi was so pleased by this: ”Okay, Uncle is counting on you. You must help with this, alright.”

Of course, Xiao Heizi wasn’t going to take Anning’s machines for free.

He took out money to pay Anning on the spot.

Anning accepted it unreservedly.

When she got back, Anning told Secretary An, ”Mom, next time, I’ll make you a washing machine, a better one than the ones we have now. Unlike the current washing machines where you have to take things out to wash separately, we’ll do it all in one go. An automatic one, where you just put the clothes in and don’t have to worry; when you take them out, they’re dry and can be worn directly—that’ll save a lot of hassle.”

Secretary An felt dizzy listening to this; she didn’t know what to say, so she just nodded.

However, Xiangling was all amused listening on the side: ”Ningning, when can you make this washing machine you talked about? If you can actually make it, Mom and I will save a lot of trouble.”

Anning patted her small chest, ”No problem, leave it to me. I’ll try to have it done within a month.”

She looked at the floor of her home, ”How about making the washing machine and then making a sweeper so you guys won’t have to clean the house?”

Xiangling teased Anning, ”You’re really something; we’ll save time cleaning the house and washing clothes, but we still need someone to cook.”

Anning blinked, ”We don’t have the conditions to make a cooking machine now. Give it a couple of years, and I promise I’ll make one for you.”

She was flipping through a book while speaking, ”The principles in these books are simple. I’ve learned them. If I read more good books, more challenging ones, I can make a cooking machine. In a few years, when I get to college and learn more, whatever you want, I’ll make it for you.”

The little girl may be young, but she certainly talks big.

Xiangling fell onto the sofa, laughing and holding her belly, ”Oh my, someone quickly get sister to see if an ox has flown to the sky.”

Anning pouted and glared at Xiangling, ”The ox hasn’t flown to the sky yet. Otherwise, I’ll send you to the sky.”

Secretary An watched the sisters bicker from the side, helpless yet delightedly smiling.

Zhang Heping was also happy. He told Anning, ”List what you need to make the washing machine, and later, give Dad a list. I’ll find a way to get everything for you.”

”Okay.”

Anning wasn’t shy at all. A short while later, she went back to her room and came back with a long list.

Zhang Heping took the list without a word, put it in his pocket, and left.

In the days that followed, Zhang Heping was either working or gathering materials for Anning.

Secretary An said at night he spoiled the child too much.

Zhang Heping said, ”Our child has the ability, and as parents, we need to support her. This isn’t just playing around; she’s doing research. We can afford the materials, so we should buy them for her. Even if it doesn’t work out, she’ll learn things in the process, and as long as it’s useful to her, I’m willing to help her, even at great personal cost.”

As if Secretary An didn’t support Anning.

Secretary An didn’t say anything and went to bed.

Winter came and went, spring arrived, and the weather grew warmer. The willows turned green, the peach blossoms red, and people’s clothes became lighter and lighter.

Anning spent more than a month at home and finally finished the washing machine.

In that month and more, she not only made the washing machine but also had Zhang Heping find someone to set up a laundry room at home, installing water pipes, and fixing the drainage.

Once the washing machine was ready, Anning had Zhang Heping and Xiangling move it to the laundry room. She connected the water inlet pipe to the faucet, placed the end of the drainpipe into the drainage, plugged it in, and said, ”Mom, where are the dirty clothes? Bring them here.”

Secretary An hurried inside and brought out a pile of Zhang Heping’s dirty clothes.

Anning stuffed the dirty clothes into the machine while explaining to Secretary An: ”Mom, this washing machine also disinfects, so it cleans better than hand washing.”

She removed a small box from inside, added washing powder, put it back, closed the lid, set the program, and pressed the start button. Water began to stream into the machine; once filled, the machine started operating.

Secretary An, Xiangling, and Zhang Heping watched curiously.

The washing machine Anning made was different from others; it was larger and looked more high-tech.

Secretary An watched and commented, ”This thing seems just like what’s described in sci-fi novels.”

Anning smiled, ”Anyway, using existing technology, a washing machine like this would cost over ten grand.”

”So expensive?”

Secretary An was nearly frightened.

Laborers only made a few tens of dollars in those days—what kind of concept is over ten thousand dollars? Who could afford that?

”That’s why I said to build a laundry room. We’ll use it secretly. Don’t go around showing off. If others find out, they might bring materials for me to build one for them. Should I help or not? We’d have to help the neighbors, friends of Mom and Dad—who knows how many families we’d have to help.”

Anning nagged the three of them: ”Let’s keep quiet and make a fortune together.”

Zhang Heping had been thinking of showing off, but after hearing this, he quickly dismissed the idea.

The daughter was right; it shouldn’t be told to others. If people found out, it would only create trouble for her, the kind that requires a lot of effort with no reward.