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

Zhou Weiguo asked eagerly, "Then can you introduce this technology to the steel rolling mill?"

Natasha smiled slyly: "I'm confident in the technology, but large-scale projects are too exhausting. How about this, I can lead the construction of a small, experimental top-blown oxygen converter in the factory, so your technicians can learn and master it. What do you think?"

Half an hour later, Li Huaide, Chief Engineer Song, Zhou Weiguo, and Natasha gathered in the small conference room of the Technology Department.

Chief Engineer Song suddenly stood up, his face full of disbelief, and said, "What? You want to build an oxygen top-blown converter?"

Before Zhou Weiguo could reply, he continued seriously:

"Do you know how difficult oxygen top-blown converter technology is? Only a few countries abroad have mastered this technology! We haven't even mastered open-hearth steelmaking yet, and you want to build a converter? For the sake of the country, don't get cocky just because you've built a few guns. A couple of days ago you said you wanted to build motorcycles, and I held back from criticizing you, but now you're saying you want to build an oxygen top-blown converter. Let me tell you, this is no joke. I think you've simply gone mad!"

Zhou Weiguo glanced helplessly at Natasha and explained, "It's not me who wants to do it, it's Natasha. Let me introduce you, this is Natasha, a level four engineer from the Soviet MMK company. She wants to lead a team to build an experimental small-scale oxygen top-blown converter in our steel rolling mill. If you don't agree, then forget it, she's not obligated to do it."

"What?!"

Uncle Song exclaimed in surprise, staring at Natasha with disbelief, and excitedly asked:

"The MMK you're talking about, is it the Magny Steel Group that owns Canada Goose?"

"That MMK, which produces over 800 million tons of iron annually, accounting for 15% of total goose production?"

"That MMK, which uses the world's most advanced oxygen top-blown converter and achieves fully automated control throughout the entire process?"

"That MMK, the company that specializes in manufacturing Goose steel and developed tank armor steel technology during the Great Patriotic War?"

Zhou Weiguo was completely bewildered by Song Shu's barrage of questions; he had no idea what they were asking.

Looking at Li Huaide again, his eyes instantly became ardent and pure. There was not a trace of lust for Natasha's beauty in his gaze, only a thirst for advancement.

Uncle Song strode up to Natasha, so excited he was at a loss for words. After a long pause, he finally managed to say in broken Russian, "Natasha, dear comrade, a warm welcome to you! Thank you for sharing such advanced technology!"

Natasha calmly replied in Chinese: "Chief Engineer Song, I am glad you welcomed me, but I did not like the tone you used when you spoke to Weiguo just now."

Uncle Song's expression changed drastically, and he looked anxiously at Zhou Weiguo.

Zhou Weiguo quickly tried to smooth things over: "Natasha, stop teasing him. Uncle Song is usually very good to me."

But Natasha remained relentless, her face stern, looking as if she were very angry.

At this moment, Li Huaide rushed excitedly to Zhou Weiguo, grabbed his hand tightly, and asked eagerly, "Brother, is what you said true? You're not joking with me, are you?"

As he spoke, his eyes revealed a "If you dare to lie to me, I'll never forgive you" attitude.

Zhou Weiguo said seriously, "Old Li, when have I ever joked like that? Besides, Natasha not only understands oxygen top-blown converter technology, but she's also proficient in many processes in the later stages of steel rolling. I went to great lengths to 'convince' her from Harbin! You should seriously consider what kind of treatment to give this expert."

Zhou Weiguo had only intended to ease the awkward atmosphere, but he didn't expect Li Huaide to take it seriously and start calculating earnestly on his fingers: "Comrade Natasha, let me first give you a brief overview of the benefits. Please listen and feel free to share your thoughts."

"You are a Level 4 Heavy Industry Engineer. Your monthly salary is 530 yuan, and various subsidies add up to about 500 yuan. I won't go into detail about other benefits; just let me know if you have any needs. For housing, you can choose between a luxury apartment and the Friendship Hotel; all medical expenses are reimbursed; each family member (spouse and children) receives a monthly subsidy of 100 yuan; entertainment allowances are calculated separately; and you also receive one month of paid annual leave, including round-trip airfare. As for transportation, if you want a Soviet-made ZIM car, I can only arrange daily pick-up and drop-off; if your requirements are not high, I can provide you with a car and driver directly."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Weiguo was secretly astonished. Although he knew before that the experts receiving aid were well-paid, he never expected them to be so generous.

He joked, "Director Li, is the steel rolling mill going to 'bleed' dry? Offering such high salaries, isn't the factory going to be struggling?"

Li Huaide awkwardly rubbed his hands and explained, "Brother, don't misunderstand. The treatment given to Soviet experts aiding China is about the same in all regions, and in some places it's even higher. This is just a preliminary plan; once it's submitted to the ministry, it will only be more, not less."

Before Zhou Weiguo could reply, Natasha asked with a smile, "Weiguo, tell your sister, how much is your salary?"

Zhou Weiguo pursed his lips, saying somewhat sourly, "It's a little over a hundred yuan, I didn't calculate it in detail."

Just as Li Huaide was about to speak, he caught a glimpse of Natasha's meaningful look at Zhou Weiguo and wisely shut his mouth.

Natasha smiled and teased, "Brother Weiguo, Director Li just said that my family members get a monthly subsidy of 100 yuan. Want to be my family member?"

Upon hearing this, Li Huaide and Uncle Song's expressions became incredibly varied, their faces changing repeatedly.

Zhou Weiguo glared at Natasha, but Natasha didn't back down and continued to tease, "If you don't want to be my family member, then I'll be yours! As long as you agree, I'll give you all the benefits that Director Li mentioned, I don't need any of them. How about it, think about it?"

Li Huaide and Uncle Song looked up at the ceiling in tacit agreement, their expressions seemingly trying their best to hide the fire of gossip burning within them.

Zhou Weiguo gritted his teeth and muttered angrily, "Natasha, have you had enough of this joke?!"

Natasha said with a wronged expression, "You brat, all you do is bully people! Director Li, I'm not staying at the Friendship Hotel, I'm staying at the Weiguo Hotel! I came all the way from Harbin to see him, I don't want to stay separately from him!"

Li Huaide reacted quickly, grabbing Zhou Weiguo who was on the verge of exploding and whispering, "Brother, bear with it! This is also sacrificing our personal interests for the greater good of the country. After all, we have different roles in the revolution. Don't worry, I guarantee that Chief Engineer Song and I didn't hear anything today!"

After Li Huaide finished speaking, he looked at Zhou Weiguo with an expression that said, "I understand you."

Zhou Weiguo's face turned green at these words. He looked at Li Huaide's face and wanted to hit him, but after holding back for a long time, he finally shook off Li Huaide's hand.

Just as he was about to unleash a few curses to vent his anger, he saw Li Huaide pull Uncle Song, who was watching the show, towards the door, muttering, "President Song, come on, come on! Let's go and discuss the experts' compensation again. We need to report this in detail to the ministry..."

P.S.: Please urge me to update more and give me good reviews. Thank you!