Chapter 58: This College Student Is Just Too Talented

While Xu Dongfeng was grumbling, Hua Guosheng chose to remain silent, but it was clear that the old comrade also had his own opinions about the factory’s outdated equipment.

Seeing Xu Dongfeng getting carried away and nearly shifting the blame onto Ma Jian, the factory manager in charge of procurement, Zhao Guoyang quickly interjected, “Alright, that’s enough out of you. We’re already here!”

When Zhao Guoyang and his group arrived, the factory gatekeeper stopped them immediately. With his wealth of experience, the guard saw that the truck bed wasn’t loaded with goods and instantly knew these weren’t suppliers for their factory.

“Where are you from, and what are you doing here? Don’t you know that vehicles from outside are not permitted in the factory grounds?” The guard spoke in a stern tone.

Zhao Guoyang frowned, about to say something, but Hua Guosheng, standing beside him, forced a smile and quickly produced a pack of cigarettes, slipping it into the guard’s hand.

“Comrade, we’re from Ninghai City’s Hongda Machinery Factory. This is Section Chief Zhao; he has an appointment with your factory manager. Could you please make an exception and let us drive in?”

Perhaps it was Hua Guosheng’s tactful explanation, or perhaps the cigarettes did their work. In any case, after his words, the guard went through the motions of reciting a few rules and then allowed them to pass.

Once inside, before Zhao Guoyang could say a word, Xu Dongfeng, behind Hua Guosheng, muttered discontentedly, “Master, why did you give that guy cigarettes? Didn’t Guoyang already say we have an appointment with their factory manager? There’s no need to curry favor with a mere guard!”

“You don’t understand!” Hua Guosheng scolded, exasperated. “It’s easy to see the King of Hell, but it’s hard to deal with his little devils, understand? If he doesn’t let you in, all the talking in the world won’t help. What, should we ask the factory manager to come out and vouch for us?”

“The reason we came with Guoyang is to resolve the issue with the underbone motorcycle frames as quickly as possible. If a small pack of cigarettes can make things easier, why not?”

Hua Guosheng’s words gave Zhao Guoyang a new impression of him. This was someone with a strong sense of collective responsibility and honor, someone practical and flexible—a true asset as an assistant.

Inside the factory grounds, the four of them unloaded the frames from the truck. Zhao Guoyang told the others to wait a moment, then headed toward the workshop. Although he’d informed Director Liao beforehand, they hadn’t set a specific time. It seemed inappropriate to just haul the frames in unannounced.

As soon as he entered the workshop, he heard Ning Xiaohong’s clear voice from the front: “Hey, you’re adding way too much industrial salt! Didn’t I tell you? Just a little in the quenching solution—ten percent is enough!”

Watching Ning Xiaohong personally demonstrate to the workers, Zhao Guoyang couldn’t help but smile.

“Chief Ning…” Seeing that Ning Xiaohong was nearly finished, Zhao Guoyang finally called out.

“Who is it? Can’t you see I’m busy?” Ning Xiaohong turned around, a bit annoyed.

But as soon as she saw who it was, the capable young woman looked embarrassed. “Oh, Engineer Zhao, it’s you! Sorry, I thought it was someone from the factory.”

“No problem, no problem!” Zhao Guoyang waved his hands. “Just call me Guoyang, Chief Ning.”

Ning Xiaohong immediately guessed his purpose in coming and smiled. “Then you can call me Xiaohong. Guoyang, you must be here about the frame welding, right?”

Zhao Guoyang nodded quickly. “Yes, Xiaohong. Do you know if Director Liao is around? Our factory’s frame is waiting outside the workshop. When would be a good time to bring it in?”

“He’s here. I’ll take you to find him.” Ning Xiaohong removed her asbestos gloves, beckoned to Zhao Guoyang, and walked outside.

When they stepped out, seeing Zhao Guoyang’s colleagues guarding the motorcycle frame, she said, “Guoyang, let your coworkers bring the frame inside. It’s not comfortable standing out in the wind.”

Zhao Guoyang nodded, then told the others, “Master Hua, you three go ahead inside. I’ll go with Chief Ning to meet Director Liao and say hello.”

“Don’t worry, Guoyang. We’ll handle things here!” Hua Guosheng replied.

“That’s right, Section Chief Guoyang, you go ahead. We’ve got it covered!” Xu Dongfeng, catching sight of Ning Xiaohong, was stunned by her beauty and even started addressing Zhao Guoyang more formally.

Zhao Guoyang could easily guess what was on his mind and smiled to himself before turning to walk toward the office building with Ning Xiaohong.

“Wow, she’s stunning! Who would have thought a factory would have such a gorgeous woman?” Xu Dongfeng sighed as he watched them leave.

Hua Guosheng kicked him and snorted, “Keep your mouth shut! Didn’t you hear Guoyang say she’s a section chief at Xiangyang Machinery? Looks like she’s from the technical department, too!”

“A section chief? Even better!” Xu Dongfeng replied, enraptured. “If I could win over a beauty like that, wouldn’t I save myself several years of hard work?”

“What, you just met her and you’re already thinking of jumping ship?” Hua Guosheng glared.

“No, no, of course not!” Xu Dongfeng waved his hands, though he couldn’t help but ponder the possibility of switching jobs.

Inside the office building, Zhao Guoyang found Liao Jingsheng, who was sipping tea and reading the newspaper. After a handshake, Liao welcomed Zhao Guoyang, then turned to Ning Xiaohong.

“Xiaohong, I remember the machines should be free this afternoon after the morning’s work is done, right? Can you arrange personnel for Guoyang so they can start as soon as the afternoon shift begins?”

“Leave it to me!” Ning Xiaohong promised.

Zhao Guoyang quickly added, “Director Liao, Xiaohong, there’s really no need for all that trouble. Our frame only needs a few welds and should be done in about an hour. Why don’t we just finish it during the lunch break?”

“Oh? Guoyang, did you bring a welder with you? Don’t you trust our welders?” Liao Jingsheng asked, surprised.

Zhao Guoyang quickly explained, “No, no, Director Liao, you misunderstood. I didn’t bring a welder. Actually, I can do the welding myself…”

“Oh? Guoyang, you’re quite the all-rounder—even know how to weld?” Ning Xiaohong said, her mouth agape in astonishment.

Zhao Guoyang scratched his head, “I’m not an expert, just know the basics.”

Hearing this, Liao Jingsheng’s interest was piqued. He smiled and nodded. “Very well, Guoyang, we’ll leave the noon break to you. But on one condition: Xiaohong and I will come watch you weld, to learn a thing or two. Is that alright?”

With Director Liao saying so, Zhao Guoyang of course agreed readily.