I painted an aircraft carrier on the courtyard house for Dongda University.

Zhou Weiguo couldn't help but laugh as he watched their performance. These two idiots were clearly putting on a charade. It seemed like they were absolutely certain of getting their rating sorted out this time.

Zhou Weiguo was right. Yi Zhonghai, as one of the three most senior and skilled craftsmen in the factory, was himself one of the people taking the exam.

However, there were simply too many people in the factory being assessed for first and second-level grades, so the experienced workers also needed to participate in the invigilation exams. Yi Zhonghai somehow managed to become one of the examiners for Jia Dongxu's assessment group.

The first grading of the steel rolling mill was already chaotic. Jia Dongxu's skills were close to those of a first-class worker. As long as Yi Zhonghai reminded him and gave him leeway, and as long as he had Jia Dongxu process all the standard parts for the exam recently, he might even be able to get a third-class worker, let alone a second-class worker.

So, Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu, who were confident of their success, naturally came to Zhou Weiguo's place to show off.

Seeing Zhou Weiguo smile, Yi Zhonghai smiled too and said, "Weiguo, the factory is doing a grading ceremony today. I was going to try my best to get a level 6 worker, which means a salary of seventy or eighty yuan a month. Just thinking about it makes me happy. It's a pity, Weiguo. I know your skills. If you were a factory worker, you might even be able to get a level 7 worker, which means close to ninety yuan a month. But Weiguo, you and your two apprentices shouldn't be discouraged. With your skills, getting a grade is only a matter of time. I believe..."

Before he could finish speaking, someone ran in from outside the workshop: "Engineer Zhou! Engineer Zhou! Are you there?"

Upon seeing Wang Ba, Zhou Weiguo laughed and said, "Little bastard, you're here? What's up? Uncle Song, what's the matter?"

Technician Wang was Song Shu's subordinate, and his name was Wang Ba. When Zhou Weiguo first heard his name, he laughed so hard—was this name a blessing or a curse? You could call him "Wang Ba" (a derogatory term for a bastard), or you could call him "Wang Ba" (a derogatory term for a father). This guy was also a chubby simpleton, so Zhou Weiguo always called him "Little Wang Ba."

Wang Ba rolled his eyes at him: "Hurry up! Chief Engineer Song said a lot of leaders are here today, and he wants you to go over there right away."

"Why would I go there? I hate seeing my boss, it's unpleasant." Zhou Weiguo quickly shook his head.

Wang Ba urged, "Hurry up and let's go! Chief Engineer Song said everyone from the department is here today, and they want to assign you a worker's grade so that the department will recognize it in the future. Oh, and they'll assign grades to your two apprentices too."

Zhou Weiguo was initially delighted; he could conveniently assign a work grade—whether he actually needed it or not was another matter entirely. But then he realized something was amiss! He quickly asked, "My two apprentices are both temporary workers; what kind of grade are we assigning them?"

Wang Ba explained, "Oh my, Engineer Zhou, just three days after you asked them to leave, Chief Engineer Song transferred them to the technical department. They're not technicians now, but they're proper full-time employees!"

Before Zhou Weiguo could speak, Dashan and Erniu knelt down with a "plop" and kowtowed three times to him. This completely baffled Zhou Weiguo: "You two! This! This is starting again! Can you please stop kowtowing all the time? That's not customary anymore!"

Erniu said, "Master, that's not right of you! My mother said that a master is like a father, even more important than a father! A father raises his son for sixteen, but a master teaches him for a lifetime! My brother and I have already agreed that we will take care of you in your old age! With all the kindness you have shown us, how can we repay it by just taking care of you in your old age? I was even thinking that after your funeral, I'll smash you! Waaaaah..."

Dashan shoved a hand over Erniu's mouth and said fiercely, "Erniu, shut the hell up! You're not allowed to speak without my permission, you hear me!"

Erniu was so frightened that he nodded hurriedly.

Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu, standing to the side, were filled with disbelief. These two temporary workers couldn't even get into the technical department? Zhou Weiguo was going to be assigned a worker grade? What grade would he be assigned?

Especially Yi Zhonghai, upon hearing Erniu's last words, felt as if his heart was being slashed by a knife, and tears almost welled up in his eyes. He kept thinking, how old is Zhou Weiguo? Is he even 20? And someone's already offering him a place to live in their old age?! Is he going to take care of him in his old age?!

No!!!!!!!!!

Zhou Weiguo, oblivious to Yi Zhonghai's thoughts, slapped each of his two apprentices. Pulled by Wang Ba, he quickly shut down the machine tool and ran outside. Led by Xiao Wang, the three of them ran swiftly and finally arrived at the reception room door.

Uncle Song, with his sharp eyes, spotted them from afar and hurriedly came out to greet them. He gestured for Xiao Wang to take his two apprentices outside, then led Zhou Weiguo into the reception room. There weren't many people inside, only about a dozen, but among them was a man in military uniform; judging by his epaulets and aura, he was clearly a general!

Zhou Weiguo followed Uncle Song inside and immediately recognized the high-ranking leader from the original drama. At that moment, the high-ranking leader was talking to the general with a big smile on his face.

The general caught sight of Zhou Weiguo, his eyes lit up instantly, and he raised his hand to signal the two of them to come forward.

"Director Wang, Commander Zhao, this is Zhou Weiguo, the associate doctor from Tsinghua University whom I just mentioned."

Upon hearing this, Director Wang, who was in his forties, looked curious, while the general stared intently at Zhou Weiguo, making him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Seeing that the general hadn't spoken yet, Director Wang immediately put on a kind smile: "So you're Comrade Zhou Weiguo! So outstanding for such a young age. Chief Engineer Song rarely praises anyone like this!"

Zhou Weiguo humbly replied, "Director Wang, you flatter me. I am merely a student who has not yet completed my studies."

The general continued to stare intently at Zhou Weiguo, his gaze like a thorn in his back, making him extremely uncomfortable. If it weren't for this occasion, he would have even felt an urge to put on his defenses.

The general, with a serious expression, called out loudly, "Comrade Zhou Weiguo!"

Those five words seemed to carry an invisible command. Zhou Weiguo instinctively stood at attention and saluted: "Present!"

Seeing his reaction, the general finally smiled: "Not bad, you didn't embarrass yourself. Keep up the good work!" With that, he turned and left.

Director Wang looked at Zhou Weiguo with surprise, then at the general's departing figure, and called out, "Commander Zhao, are you leaving already?" With that, he chased after him.

Uncle Song looked at Zhou Weiguo with a puzzled expression: "Do you know Commander Zhao?" Zhou Weiguo was also confused and shook his head in denial.

A short while later, Director Wang returned, and his first words were: "Xiao Zhou, do you know Commander Zhao?"

Zhou Weiguo shook his head again: "I don't know him."

Zhou Weiguo secretly wondered if this general was related to Elder Qin.

As he was pondering, Director Wang interrupted his thoughts and asked with a puzzled look, "Then why did Commander Zhao suddenly visit and then leave in such a hurry? It's really puzzling."

Zhou Weiguo looked completely innocent, unsure how to respond.

Director Wang scrutinized him for a long time before shaking his head and saying, "Never mind, perhaps Commander Zhao is just stopping by. For the sake of the country, Chief Engineer Su speaks highly of you. Would you be interested in working for our Ministry of Metallurgy?"

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