Chapter 37: I'll Handle It Myself

Watching Hua Guosheng’s retreating figure, Zhao Guoyang shook his head helplessly. Glancing at Lao Ma and Lao Wang, who exchanged bewildered looks, he chuckled, “There’s nothing to be done; Master Hua is always so impatient. Well, I’ll try fixing these fuel tanks myself then. I hope you two can lend me a hand!”

“No problem! As long as you can repair these tanks, Chief Zhao, we don’t mind being laborers!” Lao Ma said, pounding his chest.

Zhao Guoyang, grinning, picked up a fuel tank in one hand and held the blueprint in the other. “Then please help me carry these tanks to the welding section. I’ll show you how it’s done.”

“Alright, leave it to us,” Lao Wang replied cheerfully, gathering up three tanks and following Zhao Guoyang.

Lao Ma followed suit, picking up the remaining three tanks and quickly catching up.

“Hey, Guoyang, what about me?” Xu Dongfeng called loudly.

“Stay here. When Director Wang and Master Hua arrive, bring them to the welding section to find us,” Zhao Guoyang replied without turning his head.

When Zhao Guoyang arrived at the welding section with Lao Ma and Lao Wang from the inspection station, Liu Linzhi, the welding section leader, was chatting idly with another welder, Zhou Jingfang.

Seeing Zhao Guoyang approach, Liu Linzhi waved at him with a smile. “Hey, Chief Zhao, weren’t you busy with the new chassis for Four Sheep Group? What brings you to the welding section now?” Liu Linzhi asked.

Zhao Guoyang spread his hands. “No choice. The fuel tanks we made for Mingke Tractor Factory have issues. I have to help solve it.”

“Lao Ma, Lao Wang, what’s wrong with the tanks? Don’t tell me all these are leaking?” Seeing the seven tanks in their hands, Liu Linzhi felt uneasy.

“Heh, you guessed right,” Lao Ma said, setting the tanks down and sitting on an iron stool with a smile. “This morning, ten tanks arrived at our inspection station. Unfortunately, seven of them are leaking!”

“Really?” Zhou Jingfang exclaimed in shock.

“We wouldn’t joke about this, Jingfang!” Lao Wang interjected.

“Chief Zhao says he has a way to fix these defective tanks—and even wants to bet with me,” Lao Wang added.

Faced with Liu Linzhi and Zhou Jingfang’s skeptical gazes, Zhao Guoyang smiled lightly. “Master Wang is right, that’s exactly what I said.”

After Zhao Guoyang admitted it, Liu Linzhi’s expression grew troubled. Honestly, he admired the young Zhao Guoyang and respected his expertise.

But when it came to fuel tank welding, Liu Linzhi was the authority in the factory. Every new tank model was welded by him as the demonstration.

He knew well how serious a leaking fuel tank could be.

Even as a nationally certified senior welder, he couldn't guarantee he could easily patch a leaking tank, let alone deal with a batch failure like this.

Thinking of this, Liu Linzhi hesitated. “Chief Zhao, I know a bit about patch welding these tanks, but I really can’t guarantee results. Our factory’s tanks have never had a batch leak before. Maybe... we should just let it go.”

Hearing Liu Linzhi’s words, Lao Wang felt smug, throwing a look at Zhao Guoyang as if to say: See? Repairing these tanks isn’t as simple as you think.

Zhao Guoyang ignored Lao Wang’s provocation. He shrugged and said to Liu Linzhi, “Leader Liu, I’m not asking you to patch weld these tanks for me. I just need to borrow some welding tools from your section. I’ll handle it myself.”

After Zhao Guoyang spoke, Lao Ma and Lao Wang exchanged glances, their eyes full of amusement. They had never seen Zhao Guoyang perform in the welding section, and naturally assumed he was boasting.

Seeing their half-mocking expressions, Zhou Jingfang couldn’t help but say, “Lao Ma, Lao Wang, don’t underestimate Guoyang. His welding skills are better than mine—and I’m a level-five welder!”

Judging by Zhou Jingfang’s serious tone, Lao Wang and Lao Ma blinked and put away their smiles.

Meanwhile, Zhao Guoyang had already fetched Liu Linzhi’s welder’s uniform and helmet.

Having removed his gear, Liu Linzhi patted Zhao Guoyang on the shoulder. “Guoyang, the welding gun is ready. If you need anything else, just ask.”

Zhao Guoyang nodded. “Leader Liu, there’s something I do need your help with. We should have some copper wire in the workshop. Could you get me some? Not much, just about a dozen grams.”

“No problem, the electrical section has plenty,” Liu Linzhi replied, waving his hand. “Wait here, Guoyang, I’ll be right back.”

Liu Linzhi had barely left when Deputy Director Wang Youchang and Ma Jian hurried over, accompanied by Hua Guosheng and Xu Dongfeng.

When Hua Guosheng went to the third floor administration office to report, Mu Aijun wasn’t in, only Wang Youchang and Ma Jian were present.

Upon hearing that this batch of tanks might need new materials, Ma Jian, anxious, came along.

Seeing Zhao Guoyang in conversation with Lao Ma, Lao Wang, and Zhou Jingfang, Wang Youchang asked urgently, “Guoyang, Xiao Xu said you’re confident you can repair these tanks—is it true?”

Ma Jian echoed, “Yes, Guoyang, this isn’t a joke. If you’re not sure, I’ll start preparing new materials right now. Mingke Tractor Factory is one of our oldest clients—we can’t afford any delays.”

Both directors spoke at once. Anyone else might have felt nervous, but Zhao Guoyang was unfazed.

He replied earnestly, “Director Wang, Director Ma, rest assured. I’m ninety-nine percent confident I can repair these tanks, and there won’t be any residual stress issues after patch welding.”

Hearing Zhao Guoyang’s confident words, Wang Youchang and Ma Jian exchanged a glance, feeling unexpectedly reassured.

By now, they both understood Zhao Guoyang well. The young man never spoke without basis. If he said ninety-nine percent, it meant it wouldn’t go wrong.

Another person deeply encouraged was Hua Guosheng. He’d been bracing himself for a severe reprimand, but to his surprise, Zhao Guoyang said he could fix it. It was truly a relief.

As everyone whispered among themselves, Liu Linzhi returned, holding a bundle of copper wire. Seeing Directors Ma Jian and Wang Youchang present, he was momentarily stunned.

“Liu, don’t just stand there—bring the stuff over!” Wang Youchang called out impatiently.

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