In the 90s, you could acquire max-level skills every 14 days.

Lin Xuechang stumbled back two steps and couldn't utter a single word.

Tao Weihe did not press the matter further.

He turned around and looked at Zhang Yong.

Comrade Zhang Yong.

Zhang Yong stood up straight.

Tao Weihe's tone softened somewhat, but it still carried the seriousness of a superior speaking to a subordinate about serious matters.

"Let me tell you a few things first."

"First: The Department of Social Education of the Ministry of Education has officially appointed you—Zhang Wengong—as a core creator of the National Popular Science Series on Practical Technology for Workers and Peasants. The series is also listed as a key publication of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions' Publicity and Education Department this year. This is the list of the editorial team."

He took a red-headed document from Secretary Wang, unfolded it, and placed it on the table.

"You must do this task well."

Zhang Yong nodded.

"clear."

Tao Weihe continued, "Secondly, your writing for the *Workers' Life Weekly* is not a typical commercial submission. It falls under the category of technology dissemination within the 'industry-academia-research-social transformation' framework. This classification was determined by the department; it's a recognition from the Social Education Department."

His gaze swept over Lin Xuechang.

"Any exclusive commercial contract must not hinder the normal creative activities of participants in national-level science popularization and dissemination programs. I already discussed this point with Zhou Deqing, the editor-in-chief of October magazine, on my way here."

Lin Xuechang's face fell immediately.

It's white.

It's really white now.

Editor-in-Chief Zhou already knows?

He originally intended to push the matter off 70-80% while Editor-in-Chief Zhou was away, and then tell him that Zhang Yong had done it voluntarily when Editor-in-Chief Zhou returned.

Now Director Tao told him that Editor-in-Chief Zhou not only knew about it, but also openly supported Zhang Yong.

In other words, Lin Xuechang's trip today has been a complete joke from beginning to end.

Tao Weihe snorted coldly.

"I'm not an unreasonable person either."

"Zhang Yong".

"Tell me the truth, does this exclusive agreement conflict with your writing for 'Workers' Life Weekly'? I want to understand the ins and outs."

Zhang Yong nodded, sat back on the stool, opened the exclusive agreement, and laid it flat on his lap.

"Director Tao, look."

His finger pointed to Article 3 of the agreement.

"The exclusive agreement I signed with 'October' magazine restricts publications of the same type. 'October' is a literary journal, while 'Workers' Life Weekly' is a technical and popular science publication. One is for the arts and literature, and the other is for the trade union. Their content is different, their audience is different, and their positioning is different. They are not publications of the same type."

Tao Weihe nodded slightly.

Zhang Yong continued, "As for the pen name Zhang Wengong—I could actually use the name Zhang Yong to publish articles in the Weekly."

He paused for a moment.

"But I don't use my real name, not because I want to hide anything from anyone. It's because these manuscripts are not just my work alone."

Upon hearing this, Tao Weihe's gaze showed a hint of surprise.

Zhang Yong said, "In the article 'Whispers of Machinery,' I received guidance from Professor Fang Qiming of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Peking University, and Professor Zhao Huaijin of the Department of Chinese Literature helped me with the text and logic."

"Using the name Zhang Wengong is not forgery, but because I don't want to take all the credit. This is the result of their joint guidance, and it would be inappropriate to put my name on it alone."

After listening, Tao Weihe's eyes lit up behind his glasses.

He turned his head and looked at Lin Xuechang.

"Deputy Editor-in-Chief Lin, did you hear me clearly?"

Lin Xuechang opened his mouth slightly, then closed it again.

Tao Weihe observed his expression and made a summary.

"I understand. Two directions, two audiences, two pen names, each with its own affiliation. Lin Xuechang, do you understand?"

Lin Xuechang's lips trembled slightly.

"This... Director Tao, it's true that I didn't review it carefully enough..."

"It's not that the review process wasn't thorough enough."

Tao Weihe interrupted him directly.

"You've been sitting in the deputy editor-in-chief's position for too long, and you can't distinguish between work and personal matters anymore."

After he finished speaking, the living room fell into a deathly silence once again.

Lin Xuechang lowered his head.

He slowly closed the briefcase. His fingers were trembling.

"Director Tao... I'll go back and report to the editorial department right away... I'll withdraw immediately regarding the breach of contract penalty... The supplementary agreement is null and void..."

"It's only right that the agreement is void," Tao Weihe interrupted him. "After Editor-in-Chief Zhou returns, he will sign a supplementary agreement with Zhang Yong to clarify their respective creative areas. You don't need to worry about this anymore."

"Go back and wait for our notification."

The last few words were: "Wait for further notice."

This is tantamount to kicking Lin Xuechang out of the game.

Lin Xuechang stood in the middle of the living room, the color draining from his face. He looked up at Zhang Yong, then awkwardly retreated.

Then he turned around blankly, picked up his briefcase, hunched over, and went out of room 808.

The footsteps lingered in the hallway for several seconds before slowly fading away.

gone.

It tucked its tail between its legs and left.

Grandpa Chen stood at the corner of the stairs on the seventh floor, unable to suppress his smugness. He coughed twice, pretending to clear his throat, while holding onto the handrail of the stairs.

……

The living room fell silent again.

Tao Weihe sat down on the stool, finally revealing a slightly less businesslike expression.

He took the enamel cup that Li Guilan hurriedly brought him, glanced at the three red characters "Jinfang Cup" on the cup, smiled, and took a sip.

"Zhang Yong".

"exist."

"The things the ministry wrote about you, not only I read them, but the director also went through them."

He placed the enamel mug on the corner of the table and his gaze fell on Zhang Yong's face.

"Especially that 'Kingdom on Wheels' that you're preparing to write for 'October' magazine."

Zhang Yong was slightly taken aback.

"It's about the independent research and development of domestically produced cars. I heard Zhou Deqing give me a general idea of ​​the direction first," Tao Weihe said.

"You approached it from the very bottom, writing about how engineers draw blueprints, dismantle old cars, and figure things out step by step. This kind of writing carries more weight than what those who study foreign academic papers write."

"I admit that some technologies outside are so advanced that we can't keep up even if we carry our shoes, but we can't be inferior in literature."

He looked into Zhang Yong's eyes.

"Write it well, write it on a grand scale. Development is not a matter for one generation."

"We need to give people something to look forward to."

Zhang Yong nodded. Yes, it's too difficult.

"I will."

"By the way, it was quite a coincidence that I came here this time. I was running errands nearby, and Tan Xingguo called me over."

"You should thank him next time."

Tao Weihe stood up, patted the creases on his Zhongshan suit, and nodded to Zhang Defa and Li Guilan.

"Old Zhang, sister-in-law, I have to go now."

Zhang Defa stood there, clutching the wrench, not quite recovered for a long time. It wasn't until Tao Weihe walked to the door that he realized what was happening and quickly hid the wrench behind his back.

He managed to stammer out, "Um... take care, boss!"

Li Guilan, carrying sausages and a bag of braised peanuts, chased after them, saying, "Big leader, you brought some food—"

"No, no need."

Tao Weihe waved his hand and led Secretary Wang downstairs.

The footsteps gradually faded away at the end of the corridor.

……