Reborn in 1985, starting from a machine factory

"That's a perfectly valid reason!" Chen Mo took a bite of his steamed bun. "But, something's not right!"

"What's wrong?" Chen Rui turned her head and looked at Chen Mo.

"You're not going to work this time, you're going to be the boss."

"Is being a boss the same as going to work?" Chen Mo said.

"When you're at work, you have an annoying boss above you, an apprentice who doesn't know anything below you, and annoying colleagues on a regular basis."

"Once you become a boss, none of this will be a problem!"

Chen Rui blinked: "If it sounds so good, why don't you go and do it yourself?"

"Auntie, this is a business deal after all. What if we lose money?"

As soon as Chen Mo finished speaking, everyone at the table fell silent.

That's right!

My aunt once said that in business, how many businesses don't lose money?

"If I lose money, it's not so bad that I owe my relatives money, but without a means of making a living, what will happen to my mother's health and my third child's education?"

"So, even if I work, earning forty-six a month..." Chen Mo paused, "I still have to work!"

"I don't care! I just don't want to go!" Chen Rui squeezed the chopsticks on the edge of her bowl.

"Auntie, think about it, if you stay at home and never go out, when will you find me a husband?"

"You've been hiding for years, but people will still say whatever they want."

"However, if you actually accomplish something, the story changes completely," Chen Mo said.

Chen Rui didn't answer, but Chen Mo saw her eyes move slightly.

Chen Mo continued, "You've heard what people say about you these days, haven't you?"

"But in the future, people will only say, 'As expected of Chen Rui, she was like this back then, and she's like this now.'"

"You're right, aren't you?" Chen Mo said.

"Brother, I'll go, I'll go!" Chen Fen stretched out her little hand.

Chen Gang's eyes were also full of light.

Chen Rui, however, remained silent.

Chen Mo's heart sank. On the surface, Chen Rui seemed fine after what happened back then, but in reality, it was a huge blow to her.

He was about to pat Chen Fen's hand to tell her to eat properly.

Suddenly, a large hand enveloped Chen Rui's hand and pulled it under the table.

"Becoming a boss isn't out of the question!" Chen Rui said, gripping Chen Fen's hand tightly. Her voice wasn't loud.

Chen Mo's face relaxed, and Li Guihua's face lit up with a smile. She picked up some cabbage and put it into Chen Rui's bowl.

"Eat more vegetables!"

Chen Rui nodded and continued, "How much is it per month?"

"Not making any money, not a single penny!" Chen Mo took a sip of porridge.

"Oh, making money, huh?"

"One hundred a month!"

"Wow, quite a lot? So generous!"

"Make a lot of money?"

"Sister, you tell me!"

"The six-story building next to People's Park is very impressive. When you make a lot of money, I'll give two of them to your aunt."

"Six floors, I'll give you sixteen floors later!" Chen Mo said with a smile.

Chen Fen raised her hand again.

In high spirits, Chen Mo turned around and asked, "Third brother, what's wrong?"

"Are there any vendors selling candied hawthorns at the bottom of that sixteenth-floor building?"

"Hahaha!" Chen Mo, Chen Rui, and Chen Gang laughed out loud at the same time.

Even Chen's father covered his mouth.

...

early morning!

Office of the Technical Department, Production Division III.

Chen Mo felt uncomfortable every day at work, especially today.

I wonder if it's because Sun Dengke was sitting across from me.

It's 7:55 now, five minutes before I have to go to work.

Aside from giving a greeting, Sun Dengke remained silent the rest of the time, simply sitting there reading the newspaper.

The more I look at it, the more frightening it becomes!

Chen Mo unconsciously made his movements much smaller.

"jingle!"

The clock struck eight o'clock sharp. Sun Dengke immediately put down his newspaper and looked at Chen Mo: "Engineer Chen, is there something I need to trouble you with?"

Chen Mo's heart skipped a beat, but he smiled and said, "What's up with Section Chief Sun today? Why are you so punctual?"

"Well, I might not be on time to leave work, but I absolutely must be on time to start work."

"There's no sugarcane that's not sweet at either end!" Sun Dengke said.

"You must be mistaken?" Chen Mo's eyes widened.

"Don't be nervous, Engineer Chen!" Sun Dengke said with a smile, handing the newspaper to Chen Mo.

Chen Mo took the newspaper and realized it was wrong; the paper was thin and the ink was heavy.

He glanced at the date: Wednesday, April 3, 1985.

"No, Section Chief Sun!" Chen Mo exclaimed, "If I remember correctly, today is the 30th, a Saturday!"

"Your newspaper is from April 3rd!"

Section Chief Sun shifted his neck slightly: "Engineer Chen, you should know about the sample publication, right?"

Chen Mo blushed.

Sun Dengke continued, "Normally, we produce sample copies on Saturdays, submit them for review on Mondays, print them on Tuesdays if there are no problems, and publish them in the newspaper on Wednesdays."

"Here's an article, could you take a look at it for me?"

He pointed to the front page of the newspaper.

The title, in large, bold text, is centered: Learn from Comrade Chen Mo, with a focus on fulfilling production responsibilities.

Author: Liu Jianguo.

This is?

Chen Mo lowered his head. This was the learning experience from the "Production Early Warning Mechanism" document, except that the author's name was rather jarring.

It was Secretary Liu!

"You're about to become the factory's model worker, Engineer Chen!" Sun Dengke beamed. "I heard..."

"Hi!"

Sun Dengke waved his hand, silencing the words that were about to be spoken.

"What did you hear? Section Chief Sun?"

"Good thing or bad thing?" Chen Mo asked.

"That's good news." Sun Dengke blinked and lowered his voice:

"I heard the factory manager reviewed this article, and he said it was good. He's even preparing to issue a notice calling on the entire factory to study it!"

Chen Mo frowned, then quickly relaxed his brow: "Section Chief Sun, what do you want to see me about?"

"I'd like you to write a reflection or key points on your learning experience, which will be published in the factory newsletter the week after next."

"After all, you are the author!" Sun Dengke said.

"Okay! I'll definitely write it for you next week!" Chen Mo said with a smile.

With plenty of time to spare, Sun Dengke didn't linger. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he left the office.

Chen Mo returned to his seat, his expression instantly changing.

Great!

I was cornered by Engineer Yang and had no choice but to hand over this bullet.

I never expected it to ring at this moment.

This document, intended as a model for the entire factory to learn from, also means it will offend a large number of people.

Moreover, Secretary Liu used this method to bring Chen Mo into the public eye and deeply bind herself to Chen Mo.

Good trick!

The storm may not reach Secretary Liu, but he won't be able to escape it at all.

Unfortunately, Chen Mo had no explanation.

"Sizzle!"

Wang Guojun poured hot water into Chen Mo's cup: "Engineer Chen, you're about to get promoted again, aren't you?"

The remaining two engineers also looked at Chen Mo.

"A promotion?"

"You're lucky you're not suspended!"

"Huh?" Wang Guojun asked in surprise, "Engineer Chen, what makes you say that?"

Chen Mo's smile vanished: "Gentlemen, when gods fight, the little devils suffer!"

"Not at all!"

"The leaders are so attentive; in ancient times, this would be called winning the emperor's favor!"

"It won't be long before Engineer Chen is promoted," Wang Guojun said with a smile.

"call!"

Chen Mo suddenly stood up.

Wang Guojun took a step back.

"I just remembered, did I forget to collect my salary this month?"

Wang Guojun gave an awkward smile.

Chen Mo remembered about his salary last night, but was startled by Sun Dengke this morning and almost forgot again!

Thankfully, when it comes to promotions, the thought of a raise comes up.

Chen Mo rushed out of the office.

Just before leaving, he suddenly turned around and asked, "Engineer Wang, is Engineer Yang coming back soon?"

"He already told you, right?"