Back to the 80s Machinery Factory

Chapter 545 Xiaoling's Youth

That evening, Chen Luyang and Song Liaosha returned to the machinery factory. As soon as they turned into their alley, they saw a figure carrying something loitering in front of their house.

"Uncle Zhang?" Chen Luyang was stunned for a moment, then quickly ran over.

What brings you here so late at night? Are you looking for me?

When Zhang Guoqiang saw Chen Luyang, he coughed, rubbed his hands together, and looked a little embarrassed: "Little Chen, I did come to see you."

Chen Luyang quickly called Zhang Guoqiang into the hospital.

"Come in, come inside and let's talk."

Chen's father and Sun Zhigang are on duty tonight.

At this moment, in the Chen family courtyard, Chen's mother and eldest sister were sewing cotton trousers on the kang (a heated brick bed), while Xiaoling and Junjun were doing their homework at the table.

As soon as Chen Luyang and Zhang Guoqiang pushed open the door to the main room, a lot of wind and snow rushed in.

To Chen Luyang's surprise, Chen Xiaoling, who was usually lazy and gluttonous, immediately stood up and poured hot water for Zhang Guoqiang with great enthusiasm.

Not only did she pour him water, but she also brought him a small dish of melon seeds and peanuts, and a sweet and sensible smile appeared on her face.

Chen Luyang noticed his sister's expression, suppressed his anger for the time being, and asked:
"Uncle Zhang, what brings you here?"

Zhang Guoqiang said embarrassedly, "Director, I'm here because of my daughter Panpan."

Panpan?

Upon hearing those two words, Chen Xiaoling's little ears immediately perked up.

Zhang Guoqiang scratched his head, a hint of embarrassment on his face: "Director, I thought that since you got into Peking University, you must have some review materials. My daughter Panpan will be taking the college entrance exam next year, so I wanted to borrow a couple of copies for her to look at."

After he finished speaking, the main room fell silent for a moment.

Chen Luyang looked troubled: "Uncle Zhang, my daughter Xiaoling is also taking the college entrance exam this year..."

Even the most loyal and affectionate people have varying degrees of closeness and distance, especially when it comes to one's own sister. Study materials are important; it's not something to be easily given away.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guoqiang's smile vanished instantly, replaced by an undisguised disappointment.

He nodded, forcing a wry smile: "Yes, yes, taking the college entrance exam is a big deal, and Xiaoling needs to be taken care of too. Director, you're right, I was presumptuous."

Just as Chen Luyang was pondering and preparing to think of a compromise,
Suddenly, Xiaoling put down her pencil with a "click," the crisp sound echoing in the room.
"Uncle Guoqiang, it's alright! If Panpan wants to learn, let him come to our house!"

"I'm also studying for the exam, so if we study together, we can ask each other questions."

The moment those words were spoken, the atmosphere in the room changed instantly.

Chen Luyang frowned, but still supported her, saying, "Xiaoling is right. When children study together, they have companions and can encourage each other."

Hearing this, Chen's mother, sitting on the kang (heated brick bed), put down the cotton-padded trousers she was holding and replied with a smile, "That's right, the two children can look after each other and keep each other in check. From now on, they can come straight home after school, and if they're hungry, they can eat with us. Don't be shy."

Zhang Guoqiang's heart had already turned cold.

After all, review materials are his lifeline, so he thought he would borrow them if he could, and if he couldn't, there was nothing to complain about.

But unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better!
Although the materials cannot be taken home, as long as Panpan can come along, look around and touch them together in this room, and even copy down the key points, it will be much better than figuring things out at home.

"That...that's really too much trouble for you," Zhang Guoqiang said gratefully.

Chen's mother waved her hand and laughed heartily, "What trouble or not, it's all the child's business."

"Which family doesn't hope their child can get into university? As long as they are willing to study and can get into a good university, that's better than anything else."

After exchanging a few polite words, the group warmly saw Zhang Guoqiang off.

After seeing Zhang Guoqiang off, the courtyard gate creaked shut.

The room was warm and cozy, with the kang (heated brick bed) burning brightly.

In the lamplight, Chen Xiaoling's face was flushed, and her eyes shone as if they were coated with honey, unable to contain their light.

Chen Luyang saw this and sighed inwardly, but didn't say anything.

He moved a small stool, sat opposite Xiaoling, and watched her write with a smile.

"Oh," he deliberately dragged out his words, "why is our Xiaoling so attentive today? Not only is she doing her homework, but she's also helping people pour water and serve sunflower seeds. I thought some bigwig had come to our house."

Xiaoling's pen paused for a moment, her ears turning bright red, and she quickly explained, "That was just politeness!"

"He's my uncle, so I have to greet him when he comes as a guest."

Chen Luyang hummed in agreement, a half-smile playing on her lips: "I hope you can maintain your politeness forever."

"How about this, next time I invite my classmates or colleagues over, you'll be just as enthusiastic? Pouring water, serving melon seeds, and smiling like a flower?"

Chen Xiaoling slapped her pen at Chen Luyang, her face tense: "Let me tell you, Chen Luyang, don't be so shameless. If you get angry, I'll tell Dad!"

Chen Luyang wasn't annoyed. He stretched and slowly changed the subject:

"Xiaoling, don't be fooled by the fact that I got into university. To be honest, I really don't enjoy studying."

Chen Xiaoling gave Chen Luyang a deep look, suspiciously wondering what kind of trouble he was up to now.

Chen Luyang sighed, "Studying is tiring, reading is boring, nothing beats playing!"

"But now, only by getting into university can we broaden our horizons, choose the path we like, and do what we want to do."

"Once you have the ability, you'll have more choices. Who you like or dislike then is a matter for later."

"Especially when you stand at a higher level, the scenery and the people in front of you are different."

Xiaoling's face flushed red instantly, her heart pounded, and she stiffened her neck, pretending not to understand: "Brother, what are you saying? You're talking nonsense."

Chen Luyang understood her little scheme but didn't expose her; he simply softened his tone:

"Ling, youth and time only last a few years."

"If you focus all your attention on others, you're living for them. But if you focus on yourself, study hard, and get into university, you'll have a wider path in the future and can go wherever you want. That's what it means to have no regrets."

Chen Luyang paused, then changed to a more gentle tone: "I have to remind you. Panpan came here to study, not to play. If you really want to stay together, you'll have to talk about books."

Xiaoling's eyes flashed, but she pursed her lips and remained silent.

Seeing this, Chen Luyang lowered her voice and changed the subject: "Let's not talk about the distant future, let's talk about next year."

"If they actually get into university and leave, and your grades don't keep up, you'll end up staying at home. In the end, you won't be in the same place anymore. What kind of future will you have? All you'll be left with is worry. Isn't that just a waste of time?"

These words pierced Xiaoling's heart like needles. Her face flushed red, filled with anger and embarrassment at having her secret exposed.

"What nonsense are you spouting! Get out of the way, I need to study! Don't delay my college entrance exam!"

With her eyes wide open, Chen Xiaoling slammed her hand on the table and forcefully kicked Chen Luyang out.

Chen Luyang was both amused and exasperated by being chased away. He could only shrug and retreat to the door, jokingly saying, "Fine, fine, I won't say anything more. You won't let people worry about you."

Chen Xiaoling snapped, "Mind your own business!"

Although the process and outcome of the conversation were not perfect
However, that night, Chen Xiaoling still studied her review materials intensely until the wee hours.

It has to be said that the children of the Chen family have all inherited Chen Dazhi's stubbornness.

If you're determined to do something, you'll never turn back until you hit a brick wall.

This is especially evident in Chen Dazhi's youngest daughter!

The next morning, Zhang Panpan, carrying her schoolbag, politely knocked on the courtyard gate and came in. Chen Luyang observed her secretly for a while before she felt relieved.

Fortunately, this kid was genuinely there to learn, and he was completely focused on his books.

If he has other feelings for Xiaoling, then so be it!

No one should mention college entrance exams anymore. He threw down his books, broke his pen, and decided to just start dating in the Chen family's courtyard.

What surprised Chen Luyang even more was his younger sister, Chen Xiaoling.

I don't know if it was my own words last night that had an effect, or the influence of role models.

Zhang Panpan buried herself in her studies on one side of the table.
Chen Lingling also sat properly to the side, spread out her review materials, and wrote quickly with her pen.

Chen Luyang stood at the door for a while, then nodded to himself: Alright, I don't have to worry about it now.

He grabbed the overcoat hanging on the wall, pushed open the door to the courtyard, and hopped onto the old-fashioned bicycle.

The morning breeze carried the chill of the snow and the snow on the roadside had not yet melted completely, making a "crunching" sound as the wheels rolled over it.

With the import and export preview day approaching, everyone in the factory was on high alert.

As the most eloquent person in the entire factory, he also has a heavy responsibility.

These past few days, his task has been to compile an English description of a car, including its model structure, power parameters, fuel consumption, climate adaptability, and ease of maintenance... Every point must be translated accurately, concisely, and clearly.

Chen Luyang not only wrote a bilingual (Chinese and English) version, but also added easy-to-understand explanations.

Normally, he wouldn't need to prepare; he could just go on stage himself.

However, Chen Luyang is currently attending school and doesn't know if she can get a leave of absence.

Therefore, to be absolutely sure, it would be better for him to write up an explanatory document first.

Although Cao and his colleagues couldn't match Chen Luyang's foreign language skills, they at least had a basic foundation.

Memorize the reference materials beforehand, so that at least you can handle the communication and avoid embarrassing yourself.

Chen Luyang was busy until noon before she finally finished finishing the "English Instruction Manual for Cars".

The pages were arranged clearly:
The entries are in Chinese on the left, translated into English on the right, and accompanied by lines of annotations, including gestures and colloquial explanations.

He put the manuscript paper into a folder and hurried towards the fusion workshop.

In the workshop, Cao Qinghang had several newly printed car parts blueprints spread out on his desk, and he was making some revisions.

Chen Luyang glanced at it casually and was immediately stunned.

On the paper, a cross-sectional view of a general-purpose nozzle was being modified, with red lines added around several dimensions and the structural lines being redrawn.

"Mr. Cao, is this a universal nozzle you've drawn? When did you start thinking about these things?"

Cao Qinghang rubbed his eyes wearily: "After the meeting at the factory that day, I brought back your repair shop's blueprints and studied them. The general idea is fine, but the details still need to be refined."

"The angle of the nozzle, the thickness of the outer wall, and the tolerance of the assembly joint all need to be tightened further, otherwise the oil pressure will not be able to support the mass production."

Saying,

Cao Qinghang got up and took out the other drawings, all of which were general parts drawings that Chen Luyang had brought back from the repair shop.

Chen Luyang felt a surge of warmth in her heart.

The drawings were straight, clearly marked, and every change was meticulous and professional.

"I tightened the tolerance range of the nozzle orifice by one-third; also, the original design of the assembly port had too small a chamfer angle, which made it easy to bump during assembly, so I changed it to a standard angle."

At this point, Cao Qinghang paused and tapped the table with his pencil: "But all of this is just theoretical."

"No matter how beautiful the blueprints are, we still need to test them on a real vehicle to check the oil pressure and durability in order to find the real problems. We will make further improvements after the test data comes back."

Chen Luyang looked at Cao Qinghang with deep affection in her eyes.

"Mr. Cao, if I weren't already taken, I would definitely pursue you because you're so considerate!"

"..." Cao Qinghang's temples twitched, and he almost dropped the pencil in his hand.

What brings you here today?

Chen Luyang chuckled and put the materials on the table: "This is the English description of the import and export exhibition that I wrote for you. Take a look and see if there is anything you don't understand."

Cao Qinghang pulled out a page, read a few sentences aloud, and then grinned!
"Great job, Xiao Chen! You even marked the spelling and pronunciation for me!"

Chen Luyang said proudly, "I even wrote out the lip movements!"

"That's a national import and export preview, after all. Our machinery factory can't just show up with a bunch of broken English. We need to sound more professional!"

"Besides, I'm preparing materials for you, how can I not be incredibly thoughtful!"

Cao Qinghang stared at the paper, his eyes filled with shock.

Then he couldn't help but sigh deeply and said seriously:
"Xiao Chen, how about I pursue you?"

Chen Luyang felt a chill run down her spine.

Now Cao Qinghang is so thin he looks like a giant mantis, and his back seems to be almost hunched over.

Let's leave him with Jiang Xiaohua.

"But... come to that, Engineer Cao, aren't you really going to come to Pian'er City to see Jiang Xiaohua?!"

After a long silence,

Cao Qinghang said softly, "...Let's talk about it after the exhibition is over."

Ok.

Chen Luyang expressed her understanding.

Now, the task of supplying all the cars in the factory rests on Cao Qinghang's shoulders.

He poured all his energy and time into it and still felt it wasn't enough, let alone thinking about romantic relationships.

However, Cao Qinghang was unwilling to go, but others wanted to!

At lunchtime in the canteen, Chen Luyang was eating with his head down when he saw Sun Hongjun excitedly leading three fellow workers to sit down opposite him.

"Brother Chen, let me introduce you. These three are my best brothers. They're honest and hardworking."

Sun Hongjun patted one of them on the shoulder, acting like a matchmaker, and said, "These three have been hearing me talk about Pian'er City every day these past few days, and they also want to come to Pian'er City to work with you."

After saying that, he lowered his voice and pleaded:
"Brother Chen, if you think it's feasible, could you give them a chance to try?"

After hearing Sun Hongjun's words, the young men quickly expressed their agreement.

"Yeah, Brother Chen, we've always wanted to work with you. Can you give us a chance?"

"We're not afraid of hardship, we can do anything!"

Chen Luyang stopped eating and couldn't help but laugh.

"Well done, Red Army, aren't you undermining the factory's foundation?"

Sun Hongjun quickly waved his hand and said with a grin, "This isn't poaching, Brother Chen! I'm training a reserve team for the factory!"

(End of this chapter)