Back to the 80s Machinery Factory

Chapter 519 Visiting Each House
Feng Jiuxiang glanced back at Chen Luyang and said with a smile:

"This year, he still wore the cotton-padded jacket and trousers that his mother made for him. I also made him a cotton vest. He looked very smart in it."

Chen Luyang was jealous.

"Mom, I want a cotton vest too!"

"How could Mom possibly need you?"

Feng Jiuxiang glanced at her son: "I've finished making yours, it's ironed fleece, try it on when you come inside in a bit~"

Chen Luyang grinned: "Yeah~ Where's my dad? I haven't seen him."

Feng Jiuxiang said, "Your dad went out early this morning to buy big fruits, he should be back in a little while."

Chen Luyang chuckled, "So you're only buying large fruit and not soy milk?"

Feng Jiuxiang glanced at her son and said with a smile, "This isn't your fault!"

Chen Luyang was taken aback: "What's wrong with me?"

Feng Jiuxiang sighed, "Comrade Liu from Yangshulin Commune delivers milk every morning, so how can he have a chance to drink soy milk!"

"Now we eat big fruit soaked in milk with salted radish. Before, we always had diarrhea from eating that, but it's only gotten a little better in the last couple of days."

Chen Luyang slapped his forehead!
He has completely forgotten about Yangshulin Commune.

Last time, Yangshulin Commune even asked him to act as a go-between, saying that the provincial machinery factory would build a production line for them. I wonder how their commune is doing now.

As the mother and son were talking, the sound of a small truck rattling came from outside the courtyard gate.

Immediately afterwards, a loud voice rang out:
"Auntie! I've come to deliver the milk!"

Hearing Liu Yiping's commotion, Chen Luyang jumped up and ran out in a few quick steps.

"Hey! Director Chen!! When did you get back?!"

Liu Yiping jumped out of the car happily and ran enthusiastically to Chen Luyang.

"He came back yesterday afternoon," Chen Luyang said, patting him on the shoulder and asking with a smile.

"How's your commune doing? Are the milk powder factory and fertilizer plant doing well?"

Liu Yiping's smile vanished, and a trace of worry appeared on his face: "Oh, don't even mention it..."

“A while ago, there was a snow disaster. The blizzard blocked the roads, and the ranches ran out of feed for three days, causing the milk production of dairy cows to drop to zero. The production lines also stopped completely.”

At this point, he sighed deeply, then immediately forced a smile:

"But the weather's been better these past couple of days, so the car can get out of the way, which is a lifesaver. At least it didn't completely break down!"

In the blink of an eye, a hint of smugness appeared in his eyes: "Let's not talk about this anymore!"

"Our factory has developed a new milk powder. I'll get you two packs later so you can try it!"

Chen Luyang's eyes lit up, and she laughed, "That's amazing!"

"You're still messing around with new formula? Didn't you say last time you were researching infant formula, using bone meal to make calcium and egg yolk powder to replace vitamins? Have you figured it out yet?"

Liu Yiping curled his lip, shook his head and smiled bitterly: "The moment that thing comes out of the pot, the whole house smells fishy and muttony. Let alone the kids, even I can't swallow it."

At this point, he suddenly took a step closer, winking and making faces at Chen Luyang:
"Director Chen, aren't you studying in Pian'er City? You've heard and seen a lot, do you have any good ideas to give us?"

Chen Luyang was a little taken aback by the question.

"I studied in Pian'er City, but I've never researched baby formula!"

Liu Yiping, however, remained adamant and persisted: "Director Chen, you're being too modest!"

"You deal with professors and experts every day, and just listening to what they have to say is much better than us sitting in the factory and brainstorming for half a year!"

Since they'd already put it that way, Chen Luyang couldn't very well refuse any longer.

Regardless, I did study in Pian'er City and stayed at Peking University.

If I don't help, it seems like I'm not happy about it.

"Okay! As long as you don't mind, I'll take some time in the next couple of days to go to the factory with you. I can't guarantee we can come up with a solution, but we need to get a clear picture of the situation first."

"That would be great!"

Liu Yiping was so happy he rubbed his hands together, his eyes narrowing into slits.

"I'll go tell our president this afternoon, he'll be overjoyed!"

……

After seeing Liu Yiping off, I took the milk back to the kitchen and cooked it for Feng Jiuxiang.

Chen Dazhi also came back carrying large fruits.

After the family finished their meal and cleared the table, Feng Jiuxiang began to wash and dress herself in front of the mirror.

Chen Luyang watched with a smile, "Mom, you really don't need me to go with you to deliver the scarf!"

Feng Jiuxiang didn't even bother to look at him: "Do you think I'm like your dog's father?"

After getting ready, Feng Jiuxiang tidied her hair beautifully, took a small bag of neatly folded silk scarves, and left home with unparalleled elegance and joy.

Chen Luyang and her mother split up into two groups!

Mom went to deliver a silk scarf, and he went to deliver a feather duster.
wakaka!
The mere thought of sending a feather duster made Chen Luyang's hair stand on end.

However, before delivering the feather duster, he had to visit his old boss, Yu Anshan.

Although he returned with Wang Qingzhou and Dong Jiangchao on this trip.

However, his supervisor, the deputy factory director, was Yu Anshan.

This cannot be taken lightly!

After finishing her meal, Chen Luyang carried the Daoxiangcun pastries, Qianmen cigarettes, and embroidered towel she had bought from Pian'er City to Yu Anshan's home.

At this moment, Yu Anshan was practicing Tai Chi in his own courtyard.

The courtyard gate was ajar. Chen Luyang knocked gently and saw Yu Anshan retracting his hands.

"Oh, boss, did I disturb your practice?"

Yu Anshan slowly came to a stop and looked up!
"came back?!"

"Yeah, I got back last night," Chen Luyang said cheerfully.

Others may not know that he came back with Wang Qingzhou and Dong Jiangchao, but Yu Anshan certainly does.

"Come on, college students, let's go inside!"

Yu Anshan smiled and led Chen Luyang into the main room.

As soon as he entered, Chen Luyang put the things he was carrying on the kang table and said with a smile:

"Boss, these are some snacks, cigarettes, and a blanket I brought back for you from Pian'er City. They are things you can use regularly."

Yu Anshan declined, saying, "You're back, why all this fuss? You're being too polite."

Chen Luyang said happily, "I've been away for the past six months, and I've relied entirely on the support of the factory leaders. Moreover, if it weren't for you keeping an eye on things at the factory, the rubber workshop would probably be in chaos."

No sooner had these words been spoken than Yu Anshan reacted as if a powder keg had been popped open, bursting out with a string of rapid-fire remarks:

"You! That Dong Mangui from your workshop is such a nuisance!"

"My office is practically his home. He comes in a little every day, a big one every three days, and a super big one every five days." "It's either complaining about whether a screw is tight or not, or it's about a study summary every day. He's always around me, I don't get a moment's peace and quiet!"

Chen Luyang had a very deep understanding of Dong Mangui's style.

However, Dong Mangui went to Yu Anshan because of matters concerning the workshop.

Hearing Yu Anshan say this, Chen Luyang spoke up for Dong Mangui, both out of courtesy and reason:

"It's because there's no one to lead the workshop. He'd feel even more insecure if he didn't come to you with something on his mind."

"Hmph! I think he's gone astray, meddling too much!" Yu Anshan snorted irritably.

Although Yu Anshan's words were full of disdain, Chen Luyang still detected a hint of satisfaction in them.

When it comes to getting things done, actions speak louder than intentions.

No matter how much Dong Mangui rambled on, everything he did was for the good of the rubber workshop.

Moreover, judging from the feedback from Lao Chen and his brother-in-law last night, the rubber workshop has done a pretty good job in the past six months.

They not only completed all the factory's tasks, but also developed a new hose formula, and the team was very well-organized and never had any problems.

The two chatted for a while about the rubber workshop, then Yu Anshan changed the subject and got down to business:
"You came back with Factory Director Wang and Deputy Factory Director Dong this time. Have you heard about the import and export preview this year?"

Chen Luyang nodded: "I heard about it. Director Wang kept reminding us along the way that this was a top priority and everyone in the factory was on high alert, afraid that something might go wrong."

Yu Anshan grunted and put his teacup on the kang table: "This isn't just a matter for the factory. The higher-ups are watching closely. The province and the city are all looking to use this opportunity to show their faces. If our Jinba cars can really make an appearance at the meeting, we might be able to get some foreign trade orders, which would be a huge benefit for the factory in the future."

He paused, then looked up at Chen Luyang: "Little Chen, you studied in Beijing, you know foreign languages, and you've seen the world. This time, you'll have to help the factory out."

Chen Luyang straightened up and immediately declared, "Don't worry! As long as it's something for the factory and they need me, I'll definitely do my best."

"Okay!" Yu Anshan nodded, a look of satisfaction on his face.

Then he lowered his voice again: "This is not like a regular trade fair; it's a major event concerning the future development of our factory."

"Shijiazhuang Iron and Steel Group, the arsenal, and those car factories in the south are all coming. They have a strong foundation and many foreign trade channels. If we don't have anything outstanding, we will easily be outdone."

"After you return to the factory these next few days, don't just rest at home. Go to the workshop more often and take a look at the cars we're preparing to exhibit."

He paused, his gaze sharpening: "You studied economics and have seen the world in the city. Your perspective and way of thinking are different from those of us who work in factories."

"Maybe we can spot some problems that ordinary people can't see. Whether it's the car's exterior or the internal parts, if there's anything wrong, point it out in advance to avoid embarrassing ourselves later."

Chen Luyang nodded quickly: "Okay! Don't worry, leader, I'll go down to the workshop as soon as I get back and take a good look. If I can really help, I won't hold back."

He paused, then added, "In a couple of days, the factory will hold a mobilization meeting. You should attend, listen to what's on it, and give your opinions."

Chen Luyang immediately replied, "The factory's affairs are my family's affairs, and I will do my best."

"Okay!" Yu Anshan patted him on the shoulder, his tone even more affectionate.
"Take a break for the next few days, and when you have some free time, go to the workshop, take a look at the cars we're going to exhibit, and chat with everyone."

"Okay!" Chen Luyang agreed with a smile.

Leaving Yu'anshan's home,

Chen Luyang looked at the row of gray-tiled factory buildings of the machinery factory, and inexplicably turned around and went to a certain place.

That's why sometimes a leader's single sentence is more effective than a thousand words.

Having just left Yu Anshan's house, Chen Luyang instinctively ran towards Dong Mangui's house.

At this moment, in Dong Mangui's small courtyard,

Dong Mangui was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), holding a newspaper in his left hand and a pencil in his right. He was reading the newspaper and marking things with the pencil, looking very serious!

Next to him, Xiao Dong was hunched over a small wooden table, doing his homework.

The two people, one older and one younger, each watched their own shows and learned their own things.

Old Dong's wife finished hanging up the clothes and brought them inside, just in time to see the two men in the house reading and studying together on the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed).

"It's one thing for our son to be studying, but you're just going along with it every day. Anyone would think you're preparing for college entrance exams."

Dong Mangui didn't even look up: "This is more important to me than going to university!"

"Going to university is a personal matter, but my theoretical learning is a matter for an entire workshop!"

"I need to figure out what I need to learn next week. The whole workshop is waiting to hear what I'm going to learn!"

Dong Mangui's wife silently rolled her eyes.

"Fine, fine, you can mess with whoever you want, just don't tell me."

Dong Mangui put down his newspaper and looked at his wife with dissatisfaction.

"Why don't you, a woman like you, like studying!"

Dong Mangui's wife was taken aback: "Why should I study? Isn't it enough that the two of you at home are studying?"

"That won't do!" Dong Mangui escalated the issue.

"Zhang Guoqiang's wife has enrolled in an open university and I heard she studies foreign languages ​​every day. Don't you get excited seeing her studying like that?"

Dong Mangui's wife peeled a peanut, popped it into her mouth, shook her head, and said confidently:

"It doesn't cause internal heat. What's so internal heat about it?"

"It's a good thing that Zhang Guoqiang's wife is learning English, why should I be upset?"

Dong Mangui hissed, "Why are you so stubborn? You don't study, you don't read books or newspapers, how are you going to improve!"

Dong Mangui's wife was very optimistic and said cheerfully, "I don't want to be an official, and I don't aspire to advancement."

Seeing that Dong Mangui was about to speak again,
Dong Mangui's wife skillfully stuffed a handful of peeled peanuts into Dong Mangui's mouth, silencing him completely.

Just as Dong Mangui's wife was peeling peanuts for her son, there was a knocking sound at the gate.

"Old Dong, are you home? It's me, Chen Luyang!"

Oh yo!

Upon hearing Chen Luyang's commotion, Dong Mangui rolled over like a chubby carp, slipped on his shoes, grabbed a newspaper, and ran out without even putting on his coat.

As soon as the door opened,
Dong Mangui looked at Chen Luyang, his lips trembling, his eyes red-rimmed, and two tears fell onto the snow with a "plop," his voice choked as he said:

"Director, you're finally back... These past six months have been incredibly tough for the guys in the workshop!"

While speaking,

Peanuts were spitting out of Dong Mangui's mouth.

If Chen Luyang hadn't dodged quickly, she would have sprayed it in his face.

Chen Luyang: ? ? ? ? ?

Looking at the bewildered Chen Luyang, Dong Mangui wailed, "Director! You haven't known how we managed to get through the past six months without you here!"

"It's true that other girls have flowers to wear, while we can only tie three feet of red ribbon in our hair. Others have abacuses to calculate, while we can only use a bamboo stick to bang on the table."

"It's so rare to see you shed tears!"

Chen Luyang couldn't stand it anymore and reached out to stop him from speaking:
"Alright, Deputy Factory Director Yu has told me everything about how you treated him like a donkey."

"How can you, the deputy factory director, be so shameless, running around for our workshop every day?"

(End of this chapter)