Courtyard House: Starting in a Ceramics Factory

About twenty minutes later, the door to the reception room was gently pushed open.

The young staff member who had just brought Li Feng and the others in returned, his face showing barely concealed panic and apology, and fine beads of sweat on his forehead.

He strode into the reception room, his eyes quickly searching through the crowd, and soon locked onto Li Feng sitting by the window.

"Director Li! Director Li!" The young man jogged over, leaning slightly forward, his posture extremely humble, and his tone almost obsequious.

"Oh dear, Director Li, I'm so sorry, so sorry! Please come in quickly. Director Zheng heard you were here after returning from Chief Jiang's office, and immediately sent me to invite you over!"

His voice was shrill with urgency, instantly breaking the tranquility of the reception room.

All eyes immediately turned to Li Feng and the young staff member.

The people who were just talking in hushed tones stopped talking, and the people smoking in the corridor also peeked back. The slightly chubby middle-aged man with the pursed lips froze in mid-air, his hand holding the teacup, his eyes filled with astonishment and disbelief.

Director Zheng returned from Chief Jiang's office...

Chief Jiang?
In the entire Ministry of Light Industry, there was only that one person!

Director Zheng just returned from the top leader's office, and the first thing he did was to look for this young man? And judging from the staff member's tone, it seems that Director Zheng heard he was here and specially sent someone to invite him!
This...what exactly is going on?
Looking at the young man, who was covered in sweat and seemed completely at a loss, Wu Na sighed inwardly.

This young man is still too inexperienced.

The handling of matters was not thorough enough, and the reaction was not quick enough. Generally speaking, when you arrive at a new unit, you should first get to know all the important people and relationships inside and outside the unit, especially in key departments like the Planning Department, where you need to be observant and attentive to all sides.

It was obvious that this young man hadn't done his job properly and had no idea how important Li Feng was to Director Zheng, and even to the entire Ministry of Light Industry's ceramics industry project.

I'm afraid I was just scolded by Director Zheng, which is why I rushed over to make amends.

However, she didn't say anything, since it wasn't really her business, and the young man's mistake was unintentional.

The others in the meeting room were already experiencing a great deal of inner turmoil.

Their expressions changed instantly as they watched Li Feng calmly pack up his materials and stand up.

The previous contempt and disdain vanished, replaced by shock, curiosity, and a touch of awe.

Who exactly is this young man?

Which major factory in Beijing has such a young factory director? Which subordinate unit within the ministry does he work for? How come they've never heard of him?

The fact that Director Zheng wanted to see him immediately upon returning to his office shows what? It shows that Director Li's importance is greater than that of all those who have been waiting here for half a day or even a whole day combined!

This is no longer just a simple good relationship; this is clearly Director Zheng's confidant, his most trusted confidant!
For a moment, everyone was secretly speculating about Li Feng's identity and the nature of his relationship with Director Zheng.

Are they relatives? Or the son of some high-ranking official?

They were just laughing at others for overestimating themselves, but now it seems that the ones who are truly overestimating themselves and failing to recognize talent are themselves!

Thinking about this, several people felt their faces burning with embarrassment, wishing they could disappear into the ground.

Li Feng seemed oblivious to the complex gazes around him. He straightened his navy blue cadre uniform, then calmly nodded to the staff member: "Okay, thank you for your help."

"No trouble at all! Director Li, this way please!" The young man quickly led the way, bowing even lower.

Li Feng strode forward, with Wu Na following closely behind, carrying a file folder. Under the complex gazes of the people in the reception room, the two walked out the door.

The meeting room erupted in chaos only after their figures disappeared around the corner of the corridor.

"Who...who is this Director Li? Does anyone know him?" The slightly overweight middle-aged man couldn't help but ask in a low voice first.

"Never seen him before, he's too young, looks like he's only in his early twenties, how could he possibly be the head of a factory?"

"Maybe it's a newly established pilot unit? Or a research institute directly under the ministry?"

"I bet he's one of Director Zheng's nephews or nieces, otherwise how could he have such influence!"

"Shh! Keep your voice down, don't make wild guesses. Whatever the relationship, it's not one we can afford to offend."

"From now on, be more polite to Director Li when you see him," a mature-looking person concluded, and everyone nodded in agreement.

……

On the other side, Li Feng and Wu Na followed the young staff member through a long corridor and arrived at a heavy wooden door.

A gilded plaque hung on the door.

Office of the Director of the Planning Department
"Director Li, Director Zheng is waiting for you inside," the young man said respectfully, then stepped forward and gently knocked on the door.

"Come in." A steady, powerful voice came from inside.

The young man pushed open the door, stepped aside, and gestured for them to enter.

Li Feng nodded and stepped inside.

The office is spacious, and its decor is the same as the building outside—dignified and simple.

Behind a large desk sat a tall, middle-aged man, Zheng Guowei.

Compared to the last time we met, Zheng Guowei looked much better, his brows were sharper, and his eyes exuded the authority of someone who had long held a high position.

The restraint that belonged to a deputy has completely faded from his body, replaced by a confidence and composure that allows him to control the overall situation.

Upon seeing Li Feng enter, Zheng Guowei immediately broke into a genuine smile, his usual stern demeanor instantly replaced by warmth.

He stood up from his executive chair, walked around the desk, and strode over to greet him.

"Li Feng! You've finally arrived! I've been waiting for you for ages!" Zheng Guowei warmly extended his hands and grasped Li Feng's hands tightly.

"Director Zheng, I'm late. You just came back from Chief Jiang's place, right? I hope I didn't disturb your work?" Li Feng replied with a smile.

"What are you doing bothering me? You're my lucky star!" Zheng Guowei glared at him feigning displeasure, then burst into laughter. "You little rascal, stop with the formalities! Come on, sit down!"

He pulled Li Feng along and affectionately pressed him down on the sofa in the reception area, then turned to Wu Na and nodded: "Xiao Na, you're here too, have a seat."

"Director Zheng, don't you welcome me?" Wu Na smiled and replied to Director Zheng, then sat down properly next to Li Feng, placing the file folder on her lap. (End of Chapter)