The sky collapsed, and in the blink of an eye, I found myself transported to Nanluoguxiang.

The testing area was already packed with people.

In front of the three adjacent examination rooms, the apprentices and their leaders stood in small groups, whispering among themselves as they waited for their turn to take the exam.

Director Xie led Zhou Zhiming and his eight apprentices to stop in the open space between the three examination rooms.

"Listen up, everyone. Don't be nervous when you get into the exam room. Just drive like you normally do today."

As he spoke, his gaze swept across Zhou Zhiming and the others: "Everyone, do you understand now?"

"Understood!"

"Very good." Director Xie nodded slightly and added:

"One more thing, even if you fail the exam, please, please don't cause trouble in the exam room."

"Otherwise, you'll never get a permanent position in your entire lives!"

Zhou Zhiming, Qian Dazhuang, Wu Tian, ​​and the two who were taking the exam for the first time exchanged glances, their faces showing seriousness.

The other three old apprentices, however, didn't find it strange at all, though they all glanced at Zhou Zhiming intentionally or unintentionally.

Seeing that he had given all the necessary reminders, Director Xie didn't say anything more and turned to walk towards Li Huaide, who was not far away.

After everyone had walked away, Zhou Zhiming leaned close to Chen Long and asked in a low voice, "Brother Chen Long, what were those expressions on your faces just now? Why were you looking at me like that?"

"Zhiming, do you know why Director Xie said earlier that causing trouble would disqualify someone from being promoted?" Chen Long looked at him with a complicated expression.

Zhou Zhiming reached out and grabbed his arm: "Brother Chen Long, just say it directly, stop beating around the bush."

Wu Tian, ​​Qian Dazhuang, and the others also looked over, all of them extremely curious.

"Let go, let go!" Chen Long broke free of his hand, looked around, and then whispered, "Zhiming, this matter is actually related to your master."

Upon hearing that Li Kaixin was also involved, Wu Tian and the others became even more curious.

Chen Long stopped keeping them in suspense and explained the whole story.

It turns out this is related to Yun Zhiwei, who caused trouble last year.

After Li Huaide ordered Yun Zhiwei to be taken away, although Li Kaixin said there was no need to pursue the matter, Li Huaide did not let it go easily.

Later, they even called Yun Zhiwei's superiors at his workplace.

Ultimately, Yun Zhiwei was never allowed to take the driving test again, and even Section Chief Chen, who came to plead for him, was punished.

"Holy crap!"

One of the first apprentices couldn't help but exclaim, "Li Huaide is the deputy director of this steel rolling mill! Master Li must have some connections!"

"Who says otherwise!" Chen Long chimed in. "To be honest, Zhiming, sometimes I really envy you for having such a mentor."

Zhou Zhiming felt secretly pleased, but he remained modest.

"Brother Chen Long, don't say that. That's my master's skill. I'm just benefiting from it."

"Come on, you're probably secretly laughing to yourself over there!" Chen Long laughed and punched him.

The others present also laughed. Although they envied Zhou Zhiming for having such a master, it was just envy.

Just then, a whistle sounded in the distance.

"Attention apprentices from all units, please line up in the waiting area of ​​your examination room. The exam is about to begin!" A middle-aged man wearing a red armband shouted to the crowd through a tin megaphone.

Zhou Zhiming and his eight companions immediately stopped chatting and laughing, and quickly walked to the designated waiting area to await orders.

Director Xie was still chatting with Li Huaide.

"Old Xie, there are quite a lot of people coming to take the exam at your transportation station this time!"

"There are a lot! But there's nothing we can do about it."

Director Xie sighed, his gaze fixed on the examination room ahead:

"We need to expand our staff again as soon as possible, but we only have so few workers at the station. We can't exactly ask other units for more, can we?"

Over the course of the year, as supplies became increasingly scarce, licensed drivers became increasingly valuable, and other units were almost reluctant to release them.

"You're right!"

Neither of them spoke for a moment, and they fell silent.

Suddenly, as if he had made up his mind, Director Xie moved closer to Li Huaide:

"Old Li, how about you lend a hand to a few of the workers at our station? The station used to provide support to your steel mill..."

"Stop, stop!" Li Huaide quickly interrupted, looking at him warily. "So that's why you had the time to lead the team today, you old rascal! You were waiting for me here!"

Director Xie chuckled and didn't deny it: "Old Li, what do you think...?"

"No way!" Li Huaide straightened his face and turned his head away, refusing to look at him.

Director Xie wasn't annoyed at all. He walked behind him and reached out to massage his back, saying, "Old Li, we've known each other for so many years, please help me out!"

"No, no, no, I can't handle that."

Li Huaide quickly dodged away and began to pour out his grievances:

"Old Xie, it's not that I don't want to help you."

"Don't let my position as deputy factory director fool you; I'm just in charge of logistics. If we actually transferred the master craftsman to you, that Factory Director Yang would eat me alive!"

"Is there really no other way?"

"Really not..." Li Huaide stopped mid-sentence.

Suddenly, a small porcelain bottle appeared in Director Xie's hand.

"How many years of ginseng has this been used to make this?" Li Huaide stared intently at the bottle.

"Seventy or eighty years, I guess!" Director Xie waved the small porcelain bottle in front of him, smiling as he said, "Old Li, do you have a solution now?"

"Yes, yes!" Li Huaide nodded and reached out to take it.

Director Xie dodged it with a flick of his wrist: "Don't rush, Lao Li, let's talk about the mentor's transfer first."

"How many do you want?" Li Huaide reluctantly withdrew his hand.

"Not many, just five."

"No, no!"

Li Huaide shook his head, his voice rising involuntarily, "Old Xie, you're clearly asking for the moon."

"Why not? With your abilities, Director Li, is this even a problem?"

Director Xie waved the porcelain bottle in front of him again, "You'd better think carefully. This is a good piece from seventy or eighty years ago. Once it's gone, it's gone forever."

Li Huaide looked at the medicine bottle, swallowed hard, and shook his head again.

Seeing that he truly couldn't produce the amount, Director Xie conceded, "Old Li, how much can you give?"

"Three, three at most!" Li Huaide gritted his teeth and held up three fingers.

"Alright, deal." Director Xie agreed readily, but he gripped the porcelain bottle tightly in his hand.

Li Huaide grew anxious and grabbed his wrist: "Old Xie, we made a deal, no backing out!"

Upon hearing this, Director Xie reluctantly let go of her hand.

"Old Li, don't forget about that master."

"Don't worry, I, Old Li, keep my word." Li Huaide carefully put the porcelain bottle into his pocket. "I'll arrange it for you after this batch of apprentices finishes their exams."

"Okay, it's a deal then!"

After finishing their business, the two turned their attention back to the examination room.

The reason they treasured this thing so much was because its medicinal effects were so good, but ginseng was so rare.

Although there was some stock at home, and Li Kaixin helped refine it for free, it still couldn't keep up with the two old men eating it every day.