Back to the 80s Machinery Factory

Chapter 533 Unable to Raise One's Head, Unable to Lower One's Face

When I got home that evening, sure enough, the lights were still on.

Seeing her husband return, Aunt Xiang put on her coat and came out to open the door for him, asking, "How did it go? Did he say anything?"

Xiang Guowu's eyes flickered, he sighed, and shook his head.

"Didn't they say???" Aunt Xiang asked, puzzled.

"Didn't you say why you were so late? What did you two talk about?"

Xiang Guowu hung his coat on the wall and said in a muffled voice, "We were just talking about technology."

"He first asked me how to process recycled rubber, then asked me if I had any research on rubber hoses, and finally asked me if I was going to work in the workshop tomorrow."

Aunt Xiang's eyes lit up.

"Did he really ask you if you're going to work in the factory tomorrow?"

Xiang Guowu nodded: "Yes, they specifically asked me when they saw me off, and then... I didn't say it out loud."

Ugh!
too difficult.

Xiang Guowu took off his clothes, got onto the kang (a heated brick bed), turned off the light, and covered himself with the quilt, feeling depressed.

Today he went to see Chen Luyang, firstly to report on the matter, and secondly to sound out her intentions.

For more than a year, he worked at the rubber factory every day, engaging in joint research and development.

Now that the research on recycled rubber has finally yielded some results, Li Mingqi, the director of the technical workshop at the rubber factory, has extended an olive branch to him.

As long as Xiang Guowu agrees
The rubber factory then asked the machinery factory for personnel, and arranged for Xiang Guowu to have a real workshop director position at the rubber factory.

Becoming a workshop director... was a wish that Xiang Guowu had kept in his heart for many years.

But the machine factory was where he had built his career, and he couldn't bear to leave it.

Therefore, Xiang Guowu went to see Chen Luyang today to try and subtly probe Chen Luyang's opinion.

But unexpectedly, before he could even open his mouth, Chen Luyang steered the conversation to rubber production.

"Honey, what do you suggest we do?"

Xiang Guowu pulled his wife close and sighed, "You're so stingy."

Although he had agreed with Chen Luyang to go to the workshop tomorrow, he really had no idea about the matter.

I haven't been back for over a year, and the workshop has changed dramatically.

Dong Mangui, Sun Jianbo, and others who used to work for him are now workshop team leaders, each leading dozens of people.

What would it mean if I went back by myself?

He couldn't lead them, and they couldn't lead him.

Being unable to lift one's head or lower one's face is the most embarrassing thing.

Aunt Xiang, however, remained quite calm.

She nestled in her husband's arms, yawned, and said sleepily:

"What's the big deal? Our little director is much more cunning than you."

"Since he took the initiative to ask you if you're coming to work in the workshop, it means he welcomes you."

"As long as he welcomes you, what other people think doesn't matter."

Xiang Guowu was still a little worried after listening to his wife's words.

"So what am I going to do at work tomorrow? It's just... well, you know I haven't been to the office in a long time, so I feel a bit awkward."

Aunt Xiang said sleepily, "You're a grown man, but you're so big and clumsy. You're like a little girl, always acting awkward and uncomfortable."

"Just say what you need to say and greet people when you need to. With Chen Luyang around, he won't make things too difficult for you."

"Go to sleep. I'm exhausted today. We can talk about everything tomorrow."

After Aunt Xiang finished speaking, she rubbed against Xiang Guowu's arm twice more.

The room was cold, but the kang (heated brick bed) was warm.

Xiang Guowu's body was like a big heater, making people feel warm.

Soon, Aunt Xiang fell into a deep sleep.

Xiang Guowu, a man of meticulous attention to detail, stared at the ceiling with wide eyes. After less than two minutes, he tilted his head and began to snore.

……

The next day, Aunt Xiang woke up as usual. Just as she was about to get dressed and get out of bed to cook, Xiang Guowu pulled her back into bed.

Then came a series of "hehe" and "whoosh" sounds.

The couple hadn't seen each other for almost half a month, and when they finally lay together, their feelings for each other surged.

After they finished their hike, Xiang Guowu took a nap on the kang (a heated brick bed) with his wife in his arms.

"Hey, move your leg away, it's so heavy."

Aunt Xiang pushed Xiang Guowu's thigh off her body, got up, and was about to put on her clothes and get off the kang (a heated brick bed).

"Lie down a little longer," Xiang Guowu said, holding his wife tightly.

"If you lie down any longer, you'll eat and drink whatever you want!" Aunt Xiang scolded.

"I'll eat at the cafeteria in a bit, you should go too, we won't cook breakfast," Xiang Guowu said.

"Hmm? Aren't you afraid of seeing other people?" Aunt Xiang turned her head curiously to look at her husband.

"Actually, I was scared, but you told me everything, and told me to do what I should do and say what I should say, so I just listened to you."

Xiang Guowu sighed softly.

"There's no way to avoid it. We'll meet sooner or later, so let's meet openly and honestly."

Aunt Xiang was delighted.

"You have a lot of flaws, but you always listen to advice."

Xiang Guowu made a "cut".

"I don't listen to everyone's advice."

"Last night I thought about it. I'll see how Chen Luyang treats me first. If I can still stay here, I'll continue. If it really doesn't work out, I'll just turn around and leave."

Anyway, there's still a workshop director position at the rubber factory as a backup, so if it doesn't work out, I can just leave.

Aunt Xiang frowned slightly, her eyes seeming to hold a message.

But he swallowed the words back and instead advised:

"Yes, let's see what's going on first, and then we'll decide what to do next."

And so, the two of them cuddled together in bed for a while longer.

It wasn't until dawn that we got out of bed to wash our faces and brush our teeth, and then rode our bicycles to work together.

Although that's what he said, his heart tightened involuntarily the moment Xiang Guowu entered the workshop.

The air was still filled with the familiar, pungent smell of raw rubber mixed with vulcanizing agents.

But when you look up, most of the faces are unfamiliar.

The workshop is still the same workshop, but the people have changed.

"Brother Xiang?!"

"Boss!"

Xiang Guowu looked in the direction of the sound and saw Dong Mangui staring wide-eyed, hurrying over with a look of surprise and bewilderment.
"Why are you back today? Did you finish up at the rubber factory?"

Xiang Guowu smiled and said, "I'm done with work. I'll go back to the workshop to report for duty today."

He looked at Dong Mangui and couldn't help but sigh.

Dong Mangui, who used to wield a sledgehammer and shovel with his former work group, now wears a team leader armband and is surrounded by more than twenty young workers who call him "Team Leader Dong" loudly.

Looking to the side, Huang Pingtao, Zhao Yuejin, and Sun Jianbo had also become group leaders, all wearing armbands and leading their teams. Several young workers were adjusting molds, and when they saw him come in, they all stopped what they were doing, looking at him like he was a giant panda, their eyes filled with unfamiliarity and curiosity.

Xiang Guowu felt a pang of sadness.

The brothers who used to drink and brag together now all have their own subordinates and have taken on a bit of an "official" air.

As for myself, I am neither a soldier nor a commander.

His position was awkward; he felt caught between a rock and a hard place.

He was scratching his head awkwardly when he suddenly heard someone call out behind him, "Brother Xiang!"

Turning around, he saw Chen Luyang walking briskly towards him, her eyes filled with smiles. She reached out and grabbed his hand, warmly leading him into her office.

"Come, come, to my office."

Xiang Guowu looked at Chen Luyang, feeling a mix of emotions.

The young man in front of me, whom I used to consider a threat, has now become the one who is closest to me and warmest to me in the workshop.

The ways of the world are truly unpredictable.

After watching Chen Luyang and Xiang Guowu enter the office, he closed the door.

Dong Mangui's eyes began to dart around.

Why did Xiang Guowu suddenly come back?!

Director Chen took him into a room alone. What did they want to talk about?
The key thing is that their relationship has become so good before!
Dong Mangui stared intently at the office door, wishing he could punch a hole in it and peek inside to hear what the two were talking about.

In the office at this time

Chen Luyang invited Xiang Guowu to sit on the sofa, poured him a pot of hot tea, and handed it to him with a smile:

"How's it going? Haven't been back to the workshop in a while, how's it going?"

Xiang Guowu hesitated for a moment, then answered honestly, "To be honest... it's a little unfamiliar."

Chen Luyang chuckled, "It's normal to feel unfamiliar! I went away to study for half a year, and when I came back to the workshop, I felt even more unfamiliar than you. We're about the same."

"So, that's perfect. You're familiar with the people, and I'm familiar with the work. If we work together, the workshop won't feel so unfamiliar."

Xiang Guowu paused for a moment, then gradually relaxed, nodding earnestly, "Okay, Director. Let's go through it together then."

Chen Luyang changed the subject: "Brother Xiang, you'll have to figure out how to fix the oil hose issue we discussed last night."

"The workshop is busy right now. Everyone has to catch up on production while also training new employees. Just teaching them skills is enough to keep them busy."

"Strictly speaking, you are the only expert in this field. If our workshop wants to solve the problem now, we need your help."

Xiang Guowu frowned: "Director, the idea behind the method we discussed last night is there, but putting it into practice... the process is quite difficult. I can oversee the formula, but I have no confidence in the machines and workers. If we don't adjust it properly, it could backfire."

It’s different in the past.

He used to be the backbone of the workshop, and everyone listened to what he said.

But now that a group of people have become team leaders, and they're asking others to do their jobs, who's going to actually listen to them?
“You don’t need to worry about these things,” Chen Luyang said directly.

"You just take care of the technical stuff! I'll arrange the manpower and machines for you."

"Just focus on your experiments. I'll pick a few hardworking and quick-thinking new people to work with in the workshop, and I'll also coordinate two new vulcanizing machines for you to work on the trial production."

"As long as you say you need it, even if it's just temporarily borrowing equipment, I'll help you with the paperwork and clear away any obstacles."

Xiang Guowu's eyes flickered, and his lips moved a few times, but he didn't speak.

Seeing that Xiang Guowu was still somewhat hesitant,

Chen Luyang softened her tone and began to paint a rosy picture with a hint of encouragement:

"Brother Xiang, the oil line hoses aren't just a small matter for our workshop. The factory manager, the technical department, and the final assembly workshop are all keeping an eye on them."

"The factory deserves great credit for being able to solve the problem with the oil line hoses."

"At that time, your name will also have to be written on it."

Xiang Guowu readily agreed: "Director, alright then. I'll go all out. If you can really help me get manpower and machines, I'll give it my all."

Chen Luyang slapped the table with delight: "That's more like it! You just focus on mastering the technical aspects, and you don't need to worry about anything else. I'll take care of everything."

Open the office.
Chen Luyang immediately pulled Xiang Guowu towards the workshop.

The roar of the machines grew louder and louder as several team leaders led their teams into work.

Chen Luyang clapped his hands and shouted, "Stop, everyone!"

As soon as the voice fell, the four group leaders and workers all looked up.

Huang Pingtao, Zhao Yuejin, Dong Mangui, Sun Jianbo, and a few others wiped the oil stains off their hands and walked over in a few quick steps.

Chen Luyang got straight to the point: "Everyone knows him. This is Lao Xiang, a veteran in our workshop. He came back from the rubber factory this time, specifically to tackle the tough issues of oil line hoses."

"Rubber hoses are the thing the factory is keeping the most close eye on. Whether Xiang Guowu needs people or machines, you all have to cooperate."

"Huang Pingtao, Zhao Yuejin, Dong Mangui, and Sun Jianbo, each of you select five young people from your groups to conduct experiments with Brother Xiang."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the hearts of the four group leaders sank simultaneously.

If five people are drawn from each group, that makes 20 people in total, which is almost half the size of a group.

It's like forcibly taking a team from their hands and setting up a separate organization.

Old Xiang has been away from the workshop for over a year. When he finally comes back, he's set up a huge operation with hoses, and he needs people and equipment. This is quite a setup...

Is he after the director's position?
The group leaders were all having their own thoughts, but they dared not show the slightest sign of dissatisfaction.

Who would dare to disagree with Chen Luyang's word?
Dong Mangui frowned subconsciously, about to say something, but when he looked up and met Chen Luyang's gaze, he immediately put on a smile:
"Don't worry, Director! Brother Xiang's matter is our own matter, and we guarantee our full support!"

Sun Jianbo quickly nodded in agreement: "No problem, our group has plenty of capable young men. We can find 10, let alone 5."

Huang Pingtao and Zhao Yuejin exchanged a glance and then chuckled in agreement: "Whatever the director says, we'll do. We fully support Brother Xiang."

There was a slight undercurrent in the atmosphere, but on the surface, things were still going very well.

Chen Luyang seemed oblivious to their inner turmoil, patting Xiang Guowu on the shoulder:

"Brother Xiang, you go and pick the team to lead. Starting today, your group will focus solely on tackling technical challenges. I've given you the manpower and the equipment; the rest is up to you!"

With the workshop manager backing him up, Xiang Guowu became quite unrestrained.

He smiled and looked at the four team leaders: "In the future, I'll still need your help and support."

The team leaders laughed and said, "Hey, that's for sure!"

"of course!"

"Brother Xiang, you too, it's been so long since you've come back. Have you forgotten about everyone?"

……

Seeing Huang Pingtao and the others warmly embracing Xiang Guowu, Chen Luyang's eyes flashed with a scrutinizing look before she turned and returned to her office.

He gave the opportunity he was entitled to.

Whether or not Xiang Guowu can seize the opportunity depends on himself.

The four groups in the workshop have gradually taken shape and are seemingly balanced, but if you look deeper, there are undercurrents.

Chen Luyang is not usually in the provincial capital and cannot be in the workshop every day, so he can only rely on Yu Anshan to oversee things.

However, while Yu Anshan was able to keep the team in check and stabilize the situation, his primary focus was on discipline and maintaining production.

There is no extra energy left for technological innovation and breakthroughs.

Now that Xiang Guowu is in the workshop, he can help to motivate the technical development of the group leaders.

This will prevent these few people from getting bored and starting to study crooked and evil ways.
They're either putting up notices on the door today, or asking Yu Anshan to organize a themed event tomorrow.

While these activities can enhance the appearance of the workshop, to gain a foothold in the factory, one must be technically proficient.

Now that Xiang Guowu is back, he can rekindle this spirit and guide the group leaders back onto the right path.

(End of this chapter)