Chapter 12: Ready to Set Out!

Liu Linzhi had been a welder for many years, a veteran with a national Level 3 qualification—Senior Welder. Yet even for someone as experienced as him, producing such a flawless weld was simply impossible. But now, this university graduate who had only been at the site for a few months had casually welded a finished piece that left Liu Linzhi utterly outclassed—how could he possibly remain calm?

Xu Dongfeng, who had specialized in welding at technical school, approached and, after getting a clear look at Zhao Guoyang’s work, found himself as speechless as Liu Linzhi, his mouth agape.

“Incredible, truly incredible!” Hua Guosheng could not help but exclaim in admiration.

“Guoyang, setting everything else aside, with your welding skills, you’re at least at the technician level, wouldn’t you say so, Old Liu?”

“Technician? Even most senior technicians couldn’t achieve this!” Liu Linzhi, now fully recovered from his shock, declared with finality.

Zhao Guoyang hurriedly waved his hands. “You’re both too generous. I’ve just mastered some techniques and methods. When it comes to actual skill, I’m certainly not on par with Master Liu or Sister Zhou.”

Nearby, Zhou Jingfang smiled and shook her head. “Guoyang, don’t flatter me. With welds like yours, I can’t possibly compare.”

“But after seeing your method, I’m sure I won’t have any more undercutting problems!”

“Exactly, following Guoyang’s welding technique, the undercutting issue will definitely be resolved,” Liu Linzhi agreed, nodding repeatedly.

“That’s great! Master Liu, Sister Zhou, we won’t disturb your work any longer,” Zhao Guoyang said with a smile to them, then turned to signal to Hua Guosheng and the others before heading out.

Having effortlessly solved the welding team’s problem, Zhao Guoyang noticed that the technical department staff now held him in genuine esteem. Even Hua Guosheng, when interacting with him, had set aside his usual senior airs.

At lunchtime, Zhao Guoyang generously treated his technical department colleagues to a meal, further boosting their goodwill toward him. Of course, the meal was in the factory cafeteria—he simply paid out of his own pocket to add two extra dishes.

During the meal, Xu Dongfeng eyed Zhao Guoyang with envy. “Guoyang, since you became a reserve cadre, your salary’s gone up two grades, hasn’t it? That’s almost two hundred a month now—nearly double mine.”

Zhao Guoyang waved his hand and replied, “Not quite. Director Mu said my time on the job is too short. Though I was promoted to a reserve cadre, my pay only went up one grade, not two as you imagined.”

“That’s still good—twenty more a month lets you buy several extra pounds of meat,” Xu Dongfeng said, licking his lips.

At Xu’s greedy look, Zhao Guoyang couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, how about this: I’ll treat you to meat twice a month from now on, satisfied?”

Seeing Zhao Guoyang’s easy manner, the technical staff around them sighed with admiration. Now this was living with style—he didn’t even bat an eye at a sum like twenty yuan.

That afternoon, Zhao Guoyang hadn’t been in the technical department long before Ma Jian came looking for him in person.

Spotting Zhao Guoyang, Ma Jian beamed, “Guoyang, have you packed your clothes and luggage? We’re about to head out!”

Zhao Guoyang quickly pointed to the army-green bundle in the office corner. “Director Ma, everything’s ready—I can leave at any time.”

“Excellent, let’s get going. We need to catch the bus to Jinling first. The train’s at night, but when it comes to travel, the earlier the better!” said Ma Jian.

“Alright, Director Ma!” Zhao Guoyang replied, shouldering his bundle and following Ma Jian out of the office.

No sooner had they stepped out than they ran into Wang Youchang.

Seeing Zhao Guoyang with a big bag on his back, Wang Youchang grinned. “Guoyang, moving house? No need to bring so many clothes—Nanyue’s much warmer than here.”

“You don’t know the half of it, Old Wang,” Ma Jian laughed. “The sleeper bunks on the train only have a thin blanket—it’s easy to catch a chill. I told Guoyang to bring a few thick clothes to use as bedding.”

“Hmph!” Wang Youchang and Ma Jian had always been rivals, and he was clearly displeased by Ma’s comment.

As Wang entered the office, Zhao Guoyang gave a wry smile and was about to leave with Ma Jian when Wang Youchang reappeared, holding a brand-new thermos flask.

“Guoyang, this thermos is new—take it for the journey. You’ll need it for hot water or soup on the road.” Without waiting for a reply, Wang pressed the flask into Zhao Guoyang’s hands and strode off without looking back.

Seeing Zhao Guoyang’s stunned expression, Ma Jian couldn’t help but laugh. “If Old Wang says take it, just take it. That old miser’s usually so tightfisted, but he’s got a soft spot for you.”

Zhao Guoyang didn’t dare gossip about his direct supervisor and could only chuckle sheepishly.

From Hongda Machinery to Ninghai City Bus Station was only a few kilometers. Ma Jian and Zhao Guoyang hailed a tricycle and arrived in just over ten minutes. On entering the station, they found that the last bus to Jinling was departing in ten minutes. In a rush, they forgot all about dignity, running across the waiting hall with their bundles.

In 1991, bus services between cities were nothing like in Zhao Guoyang’s previous life. Especially in a county-level city like Ninghai, there were at most two or three buses to the provincial capital each day. Miss the last one, and you’d have to wait till tomorrow.

Finally squeezing onto the bus, both Zhao Guoyang and Director Ma breathed a sigh of relief. Having bought the last two tickets, they naturally ended up in the back row.

Once aboard, Ma Jian said, “Guoyang, get some sleep. It’s over three hours to Jinling. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”

“No need, Director Ma, I’m not sleepy, really,” Zhao Guoyang insisted, waving his hands.

Ma Jian didn’t press the issue, instead reclining cheerfully in his seat. “Guoyang, you went to Jinling Polytechnic for university, didn’t you? You must know Jinling City pretty well.”

At this, Zhao Guoyang’s heart skipped a beat. In truth, in his previous life he had spent most of his time at a research institute in Yanjing. Even when he went out, it was usually for seminars or exchange visits. He’d hardly ever been to Jinling and knew almost nothing about the city, other than famous spots like Mochou Lake and Qixia Mountain.

Fortunately, his memory still retained some impressions of Jinling from the previous “Zhao Guoyang,” or he really wouldn’t have known how to answer Director Ma.

“Well, somewhat. During university, I rarely left campus—most of the time I stayed at school. I only went into Jinling once or twice, so I can’t say I know it well,” Zhao Guoyang explained.

“Haha, so you were the bookish type, oblivious to the world outside your window!” Ma Jian teased with a laugh.