Courtyard House: Starting in a Ceramics Factory

Soon, Zhou Jianjun's familiar loud voice came through the phone, carrying a hint of uncertainty and excitement.

"Hello... Factory Director Li, you wanted to see me?"

Upon hearing "Director Li," Li Feng smiled.

"In the office, just call me Director Li; in private, call me whatever you would normally call me."

Li Feng's tone was much more relaxed. "Come to my office now."

"Okay! I'll be right there!"

After hanging up the phone, Li Feng could imagine Zhou Jianjun's excited yet nervous expression on the other end.

Not long after, a series of footsteps even more hurried than Jin Youfa's rang out in the corridor, followed by a series of loud knocks on the door, as if they were trying to smash the door apart.

"Come in." Li Feng shook his head helplessly.

The door was suddenly pushed open, and Zhou Jianjun's tall figure appeared in the doorway. He was covered in sweat from running so fast, and his chest was still heaving violently.

"Li Feng, Factory Director Li!" He stood at the door, somewhat at a loss, unsure whether to come in or stand at attention.

"Alright, stop standing there like a doorman, come in."

Then Li Feng pointed to the chair in front of the desk and said, "Close the door."

"Oh, oh." Zhou Jianjun quickly walked in, closed the door behind him, and then stood straight in front of Li Feng like a schoolboy who had made a mistake.

Li Feng sized him up.

Zhou Jianjun seems to have gotten even stronger lately, and his skin has become darker, but his eyes now have a more composed look that comes from working in the factory.

"Sit down, why are you standing?"

"Hey." Zhou Jianjun sat down carefully, placing his hands on his knees and keeping his back straight.

Li Feng found his restrained demeanor somewhat amusing, and deliberately put on a stern face: "What's wrong? Now that you're a leader, you can't even speak properly anymore?"

Zhou Jianjun was taken aback when he heard this, then scratched his head, chuckled, and his tension dissipated considerably.

"Li Feng, you...you suddenly became the acting factory director, I...I haven't even reacted yet, these past few days have felt like a dream."

"You'll get used to it eventually," Li Feng said casually, then pushed the manila envelope on the table over. "Take a look."

Zhou Jianjun took it with a puzzled look. When he pulled out the official document and saw the line of text in the title, he froze instantly.

His eyes were wide open like saucers, his mouth was slightly agape, and his hand holding the document began to tremble uncontrollably.

“First Factory… Printing Workshop… Deputy Director… This, this…” He stammered, unable to finish a single sentence, only repeatedly looking at the three characters “Zhou Jianjun” and the bright red seal on the document.

"Your appointment has already gone through the factory's procedures." Li Feng looked at him calmly. "It will be reported to the department for filing today. If nothing unexpected happens, the official appointment notice will be sent to the workshop in a few days."

With a "boom," Zhou Jianjun felt as if something had exploded in his head.

Happiness comes so suddenly!

He never dreamed that he, an ordinary worker, would actually become a cadre one day! And a deputy workshop director, at the deputy section chief level!

Previously, Zhou Jianjun thought that Li Feng could at most push him to the position of section chief. But when Zhou Jianjun saw the words "deputy section chief" at this moment, he suddenly raised his head, his eyes instantly reddened, his lips trembled, and he looked at Li Feng. A thousand words were stuck in his throat, but he couldn't say a single word.

“Li Feng…I…”

"What kind of behavior is this, a grown man crying like this?" Li Feng frowned. "Such pathetic behavior."

Zhou Jianjun quickly wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, took a deep breath, and forcibly suppressed his agitated emotions. He stood up from his chair and bowed deeply to Li Feng.

"Li Feng, thank you! I, Zhou Jianjun, will remember this kindness for the rest of my life!"

His voice was hoarse, but every word was full of power.

He knew that without Li Feng, he might have remained a logistics officer his entire life. It was Li Feng who gave him a completely different life.

Li Feng accepted the bow without hesitation, then waved his hand and said, "Sit down. No need for thanks. I've paved the way for you, but whether you can walk it well depends on yourself."

Zhou Jianjun sat down again, his expression now extremely solemn.

"Li Feng, don't worry, I will definitely do my job well and never let you down!"

“It’s not enough to just avoid being shameful.” Li Feng’s gaze sharpened. “Jianjun, I promoted you not just because we’re brothers.”

"More importantly, it's because I have high hopes for you as a person. You're energetic, loyal, and respected among the workers. But that's not enough."

He leaned forward, stared into Zhou Jianjun's eyes, and said, word by word, "Once you become a cadre, your status is different. You are no longer just one person; you are in charge of dozens of people, and you are responsible for them."

"You can't just focus on the little job you're doing; you have to look at the whole team and the whole workshop."

"Before, you were the one doing the work; now! You need to learn how to manage people and how to handle affairs."

"We must pay attention to technical matters. We must pay even more attention to the workers' morale. You must be the first to know if anyone has difficulties at home or if anyone is having emotional issues at work, and be the first to solve those problems. When people are in good spirits, it is easier to lead the team and only then can production be boosted."

"Also, don't be content with just being a deputy workshop director. This is just the beginning."

Li Feng stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the bustling factory area.

"Our old factory is too old and outdated. It needs new blood and new ideas to come in. I need a group of trustworthy, capable, and hardworking young people to work with me to completely transform this factory."

"Now that the branch factory has been established, we also need to integrate the old factory."

"So, we still have a long way to go."

"Actually, this is just the beginning."

“Not only you, but also Sixth Brother and Fusheng, I will promote them one after another.”

He turned around and stared intently at Zhou Jianjun.

"I hope you can become the leader among this group."

Zhou Jianjun listened with fervor, feeling a surge of electricity coursing from his tailbone to the top of his head. He heard in Li Feng's words an unprecedented grand blueprint and boundless ambition.

He finally understood that Li Feng's promotion of him was not just for his personal benefit, but also for a much grander goal.

And I was fortunate enough to become the first pawn in this grand plan.

What a profound trust and high regard this represents!
"Li Feng, I understand!" Zhou Jianjun stood up abruptly, his chest ramrod straight. "Wherever you point, I'll go! I'll go through fire and water, and if I, Zhou Jianjun, even flinch, I'm not your brother!"

Li Feng smiled with satisfaction. He walked over and patted Zhou Jianjun's broad shoulder firmly.

"Just your words are enough."

He looked at his brother with eyes full of expectation.

“Your dad has worked in the painting workshop his whole life, and he’s only ever been a supervisor. I believe in you. Work hard, and you’ll definitely surpass your dad.”

These words struck Zhou Jianjun like a heavy hammer blow.

Surpass your father!

This is his dream since he was a child!

At that moment, all his gratitude, excitement, and lofty aspirations converged into a dazzling light in his eyes.

"Yes!" He shouted the word with all his might.

His voice was loud and clear, echoing for a long time in the spacious office. (End of Chapter)