Road to Revival

Tao Youdao noticed that people were looking at him differently. Perhaps it was just his imagination, but he could definitely sense the difference.

Last night, he accompanied his parents, aunt and uncle to visit his second uncle at Xiaozhao. His second uncle talked to him the most, asking about his work and whether he had a girlfriend, which greatly encouraged him.

Many years ago, his second uncle was his role model and his life goal. Every time his second uncle came back, he would bring him gifts and show great concern for his studies. Those toys and handicrafts from abroad brought him immense vanity and satisfaction, but he disappointed his second uncle's hopes, only getting into a third-tier liberal arts college. After graduation, he could only return to Hongxing and work an insignificant job in a branch factory. A few years ago, he started dating a technician in the same branch factory. The girl's name was Wang Xiaojuan, and she had joined the factory in the same year as him; she was also from a factory family. After dating for more than a year, they should have been discussing marriage, but the wedding encountered trouble because of housing. The girl's family insisted that his family buy an apartment in the city, with an area of ​​no less than 90 square meters, but his family simply couldn't afford it. Wang's family wouldn't budge; without a house, there was no point in discussing it. His future mother-in-law's firm attitude caused him great distress.

At this crucial moment, his second uncle was unexpectedly transferred to become the head of Hongxing! Just last night, Wang Xiaojuan called him three times, her attitude completely changed, making him relive the sweetness of his first love. Wang Xiaojuan said she would definitely come home for lunch tomorrow; her mother had made his favorite braised pork ribs. He agreed.

He knew that Wang Xiaojuan's change was caused by his second uncle. Sure enough, his mother, who was overjoyed that his second uncle had returned to the factory, sternly pointed out that the Wang family was just snobs! If his second uncle hadn't come back to take charge, she wouldn't have invited him to her house for dinner.

Despite his mother's statement being true, he still hoped to successfully marry Wang Xiaojuan.

His mother had prepared a delicious breakfast and sent him to invite his second uncle over for lunch. He arrived at Xiao Zhao's place before 6:30 a.m. Although he was a son of a prominent family and had been working at the factory for over two years, he had never stepped into the three-story building whose exterior was covered in ivy. Sure enough, he was stopped by the guard on duty.

The staff on duty asked him who he was looking for, and he said he was looking for his second uncle. "What's his name?" "Tao Tang! The new chairman and general manager is my second uncle!"

He watched with glee as the duty officer's expression changed drastically, savoring the taste of power, as if he were the second uncle who ruled Red Star Company.

But my second uncle had gone out; the duty officer said that General Manager Tao had left just as dawn was breaking. He called my second uncle's cell phone, but no one answered, so he probably didn't have it with him. After searching around, he saw my second uncle talking to Director Zhang of the factory office near the factory emblem. But my second uncle refused to come home for dinner and told him to tell the family that he usually eats at hotels and not to prepare anything for him.

His mother thought he was incompetent. He knew his parents desperately wanted his second uncle to visit, as it would bring honor to the family. He was aware that there was a rift between his second uncle, his parents, and his aunt because of his grandparents. A few years ago, his aunt died in a car accident, and his parents only made a few phone calls; only his aunt and uncle went to Binjiang to pay their respects. He felt his parents had been somewhat heartless in that matter.

Even after his second uncle was promoted to the top position at Shengdong, his parents still complained in private that his second uncle was unwilling to help. He didn't know what his parents wanted his second uncle to help with. But he knew that after he was admitted to university, his second uncle sent him 30,000 yuan to help with the expensive tuition. Wasn't that enough? But his mother seemed dissatisfied, saying that his second uncle earned hundreds of thousands of yuan a year, and he only gave so little.

The year he graduated from university, his parents hoped he would work for Shengdong, but his second uncle refused. This exacerbated the conflict between the elders. A year later, his second uncle was transferred to the Beijing headquarters, leaving Shengdong. He privately thought to himself, "Thank goodness I didn't go to Shengdong; otherwise, with the housing prices in Binjiang, getting married would have been even more difficult..."

Today, the office was more complete than ever. Even Old Qi, the planner who never showed up on time, was there, and he even wiped his desk while he was mopping the floor—that was quite a novelty. The personnel officer, Sister Feng, joked, "Little Tao, now you're practically royalty, you'd better look after me!" He could only smile.

Today was the day to submit the monthly report, and a few figures hadn't been tallied yet. When he finished the reports and went to get them signed by Factory Director Zhu, Tong Zhengjie, Zhu Yu only glanced at them before signing. In the past, Zhu Yu would always nitpick, and if he found even the slightest error, he'd be in for a scolding. Not only that, Zhu Yu also proactively inquired about his Party membership application, showing great concern. He knew perfectly well that all of this was thanks to his second uncle.

He rode his bicycle to the Planning Department to deliver reports. On the way, he ran into Wang Xiaojuan, who specifically reminded him not to forget the lunch appointment. He smiled and said, "I won't forget." Wang Xiaojuan asked him where he was going. He said he was delivering reports. Wang Xiaojuan said, "I don't have anything to do right now, shall I go with you?" He immediately refused, "That's Building 3, what would you be doing there?" Wang Xiaojuan stuck out her tongue, surprisingly not angry.

He arrived at the entrance of the Statistics Section of the Development and Planning Department on the third floor and immediately saw his second uncle talking to Director Lü. He wanted to greet his second uncle, but didn't dare. By the time he submitted his report and came out, his second uncle was gone. Checking the time, he decided not to go back to the branch factory and instead go directly to help his retired future mother-in-law. After leaving the office building, he sent a text message to Wang Xiaojuan, informing her of his whereabouts.

Sure enough, her future mother-in-law was exceptionally enthusiastic today. "Oh, Youdao's here! Why didn't you come with Xiaojuan?"

"Auntie, I just delivered the reports and came straight over. Xiaojuan is still in the workshop. Shall I cook for you?"

"Why would I need your help? Go watch TV! Go online! I'll call Xiaojuan back right now. What's so busy about her lousy job? You can have a few drinks with your Uncle Wang this noon."

Sitting in front of the computer, browsing the web haphazardly, Tao Youdao was filled with emotion.

……

Tao Tang never expected to meet Lü Qi on his first day of work.

The team meeting ended in just one hour because he limited the deputy general managers to five minutes for their reports. Apart from Deputy General Manager Zhou, who was in charge of security, the other administrative leaders all gave excellent presentations, demonstrating clear thinking and readily providing data.

Apart from the executive vice president and marketing manager Li Luo, who was attending a meeting elsewhere, all members of the Red Star Company leadership team were present. Party Secretary Zhao Qingmin, Chairman of the Supervisory Board and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission Guo Tao, Chief Engineer Jiang Shangyun, Chief Accountant Han Zhiyong, Chief Economist Luo Chong, Vice President in charge of production Ma Guangming, Deputy Party Secretary and Chairman of the Trade Union Chang Wenhai, Vice President in charge of personnel Liu Xiuyun, Vice President in charge of safety, security and logistics Zhou Bing, and Vice President in charge of procurement Qiu Lin all formally met with him in this conference room, not counting their meeting at lunch yesterday.

Among them, Deputy General Manager Qiu Lin was originally in charge of logistics, but after Yang Wenhuan's incident, Song Yue reassigned him to another job. The logistics responsibilities that Qiu Lin was in charge of were handed over to Zhou Bing, who was already past the legal age limit.

The only female leader in the team was Liu Xiuyun, who was in charge of personnel and the labor company system.

It seems that everyone had reached a consensus beforehand, as the vice presidents' work reports were delivered in a somber tone. The central message was that they had done their best, but the objective situation was too severe, and they were powerless to reverse the situation.

Tao Tang's notebook, which he had opened, was mostly empty. He knew that those who could get into this meeting room were elites who had risen through the ranks within the system. Reporting, speaking, and fabricating numbers were essential skills. Therefore, what they said was universally applicable but of little value.

What he really needed to focus on was the funding issue. Ma Guangming, who was in charge of production, said that if the main materials weren't delivered within a week, production would have to stop. Qiu Lin, who was in charge of supply, said that the funding plan had been submitted to the finance department long ago, but approval was delayed. Chief Accountant Han Zhiyong then presented a bunch of figures, the core of which was that the marketing department's inability to meet its payment collection targets had resulted in a huge funding gap, making it difficult to balance production and living expenses.

Tao Tang, who had served as the top executive at Shengdong Company for over three years, understood the situation. If Li Luo, in charge of marketing, were present, he could certainly have turned the tables. Production, supply, sales, and finance could create a vicious cycle that gave the top executive a headache. Without considerable skill, it was difficult for an executive to break free from this cycle; otherwise, they risked being manipulated by their subordinates. Therefore, headquarters provided him with start-up capital without him even asking, but this money wasn't easy to use; if not planned properly, it would be difficult to obtain more.

As the top leader, he never fantasized about building friendships with his deputies outside of work. This was one of the main lessons he learned over the past twenty years. He didn't focus on the content of their speeches, but rather on what lay beyond what they said, especially their attitude. The saying that work attitude determines one's level of competence is not just a general statement, but an irrefutable truth.

After Vice President Qiu Lin, who ranked last, finished his report, Tao Tang waved his hand to stop Deputy Secretary and Union Chairman Chang Wenhai. "Secretary Zhao, Chairman Guo, let's skip the reports from the Party and Mass Work Department. What I really want to hear is the marketing situation, but Comrade Li Luo is out and hasn't returned... How about this, have the office arrange for the marketing department to prepare a concise report on the current marketing situation for me, and give it to me on Monday." Tao Tang glanced back at Zhang Xingwu, who was taking notes. As the director of the General Manager's Office, he was entitled to attend all company meetings.

"Yes, Mr. Tao," Zhang Xingwu replied, standing up.

"Comrades," Tao Tang cleared his throat, "I'm new here, and the situation is still quite unclear. Give me some time to familiarize myself with the company. Leaders, please carry out your respective tasks according to the original work plan. Continue with the tasks that were previously decided and are already in the implementation phase." Tao Tang maintained his composed demeanor. "Overall, the difficulties are significant, especially in terms of funding. Furthermore, the progress of key economic indicators is far from ideal. Nearly a third of the time has passed, but the progress of revenue, profit, and other indicators is seriously behind schedule." He glanced at Chief Economist Luo Chong. "I made a pledge to the group; the targets in the responsibility agreement signed at the beginning of the year remain unchanged. Please take note. Also, regarding new product development, I haven't heard what I'm looking for. President Jiang, please arrange for you, me, and President Luo to listen to the research institute's report tomorrow morning at 8:30." The relevant units responsible for new product development should also participate. Also, I sense that everyone's morale is low, which is not a good sign. Frankly speaking, whether Hongxing can turn things around depends primarily on us. I hope everyone will be in high spirits and focus wholeheartedly on their own tasks. As for production, it absolutely cannot stop! General Manager Han, allocate 50 million from the working capital loan transferred from headquarters to the supply chain. General Manager Ma, General Manager Qiu, you two discuss how to use this money. With a thousand things to do, start with the most urgent. Use this 50 million well; we absolutely cannot allow a shortage of materials or a production stoppage. Finally, let me arrange one more thing: conduct a questionnaire survey, targeting the entire factory, including retired employees. The survey content is the usual: What are the main problems facing the company? What is the direction of the company's transformation and upgrading? What do you most want the leadership to do? List seven or eight points. Secretary Zhao, what do you think?

"That's good, it's about following the mass line. Mr. Tao really knows how to do things."

"Since everyone agrees, how about Deputy Secretary Chang takes charge of this matter?" Tao Tang's gaze fell on Chang Wenhai's face, which was already severely bald.

"Okay. I'll draft a title and ask Mr. Tao to review it," Chang Wenhai replied.

"Alright, is that all for today's meeting?"

The meeting then adjourned. Zhang Xingwu glanced at his watch; less than forty minutes had passed.

The Development Planning Department was on the third floor, occupying all the offices on the eastern half except for the small conference room. The weather was already hot. Through the open door, Lü Qi watched the managers file into the small conference room. She didn't see that person, but she knew he couldn't possibly be absent. This meeting was predictable; it would be a meeting of the vice presidents' work reports, followed by a meeting of all middle management to announce their policy agenda… Everything was repetitive. Days passed in this constant repetition, and the company remained stagnant, barely surviving.

She wondered if he still remembered her. Since the division into arts and sciences classes, she had only spoken to him twice. The first time was at the school gate, when he asked how she was doing. She couldn't remember what she said, only that he was sweating profusely, as if he had just come off the sports field. The second time was before the college entrance exam. She went to his class to ask him which university he planned to apply to. If he chose a comprehensive university, she would be on the same page as him. But she didn't succeed that day. He came out of the classroom, and she pretended to bump into him and greeted him, but Zhou Hongyou pulled her away, seemingly in a hurry. Then, she heard about the tragedy at the Pingquan Hotel—he had been detained and missed the college entrance exam… Her mood was terrible; she could still vividly recall the despair she felt then. She desperately wanted to go to his house and ask him what to do next. She knew his address from some form he had filled out; his house was in Building 5, while hers was in an apartment building, quite far apart. She simply didn't have the courage to go to his house. Back then, no one had a phone, let alone a cell phone… After much effort, she finally managed to find out about him, but he had transferred schools, going to the Eighth Middle School to repeat his senior year, leaving the Hongxing Factory… During the days she waited for her college entrance exam results, she would visit a female classmate living in Compound No. 5, lingering countless times at the main intersection of Compound No. 5, hoping to run into him on his way home. But she never succeeded. For her, after that hurried greeting at the classroom door, he was like a kite with a broken string, drifting away… She, on the other hand, successfully entered university. It wasn't until she returned to the factory the following summer that she heard from her teacher that he had been admitted to Fudan University. The teacher said that without that year of dedicated retaking the exam, he wouldn't have been able to get into Fudan…

What is lost on one front, is gained on another. Could this be considered compensation for the Pingquan Hotel incident? She picked up her pen several times, wanting to write him a letter, but was always held back by her girlish modesty… How wonderful it would have been if he had written to her? But he didn't… He may never understand his own feelings, never understand the secret affection a young girl once harbored. Now he's been admitted to a top-tier university, his future should be bright… In short, he's disappeared.

Time is an unparalleled master; it can change everything. Many years later, she finally heard accurate news about him. By then, he was the head of Shengdong Company, and she constantly saw news about him in the group's internal publications. He was not yet forty years old then, definitely considered precocious. She was privately proud of him; her past unrequited love had long since vanished. She openly discussed his past with her colleagues, as if his achievements were directly related to her own. As she spoke, she felt proud of herself; his accomplishments were enough to prove that she had once had exceptional foresight.

Who would have thought that after twenty-five years apart, he would reappear beside him, less than twenty meters away. But it was as if those twenty meters were separated by several thick walls; the difference in their social standing was simply too great…

The phone rang, interrupting Lü Qi's reminiscences. It was Han Ruilin calling. "Did you receive the notification?"

"What notification?"

"It's Sun Dunquan's notification. Mr. Tang Yikun, the richest man in Pingquan, is hosting a gathering for our classmates on Saturday night at the legendary Donghu Club! What? You didn't get a call?"

"No. That's your business, it has nothing to do with me."

"That's impossible! Why wouldn't the great writer Sun sue you?"

"That's all? I'm hanging up now." Before Han Ruilin could speak, Lü Qi hung up the phone. She got up and went to the restroom. When she came out, a large group of company executives were approaching; the meeting seemed to be over. Lü Qi stopped and waited for the leaders to pass by. Some nodded to her, while others completely ignored her. Until one person stood in front of her.

"Lü Qi...don't you recognize me anymore?" Tao Tang smiled and extended his hand to Lü Qi.

"Tao Tang? General Manager Tao?"

"Haha, isn't that surprising?" Tao Tang held Lü Qi's outstretched hand tightly, feeling the sweat on her palm.

Sweat immediately beaded on Lü Qi's smooth, jade-like forehead.

"Does President Tao know Xiao Lü?" Guo Tao, who was following behind Tao Tang, asked in surprise.

"We used to be classmates and even sat at the same desk. But it's been more than 20 years since we last met..." Tao Tang said with a smile.

"Oh, I see." Guo Tao smiled. "Then you two should have a good chat."

"May I come to your office?" Tao Tang asked, still smiling.

Lü Qi noticed that several leaders were watching them. "Of course... please."

"Xiao Li..." Tao Tang called over Li Zhibin. "Come here," Tao Tang said to the secretary who followed her into her office, "Go to the flea market and buy me a used bicycle."

"A used bicycle?" Li Zhibin wondered if he had misheard.

"Yes. As long as it's rideable, it's fine." Tao Tang waved his hand, signaling his secretary to leave.