Major Heavy Industry: Starting with a Fake Marriage

That night, he couldn't sleep. Engineer Chen's words kept replaying in his mind. He remembered his original intention after transmigrating—not to keep a low profile, but to make a difference, to help the country's industry avoid detours. But for the past few months, he had been hiding, avoiding everything, afraid of this and that.

He thought of Zheng Yanxi, and how she said, "You're the one I chose, you're different." He thought of Huang Deqing, and how he said, "There are many capable people, but few can achieve anything." He thought of Zheng Huaiyuan, and the expectation in his eyes when he took him to the library.

The next day, Jiang Cheng made a decision.

In the morning's theory class, the teacher was teaching mechanics of materials. When he came to a formula, he got stuck—the derivation on the blackboard was stuck, and he couldn't get it right for a long time.

The students below whispered among themselves. The teacher wiped his sweat and said, "This... I might have remembered it wrong. Let's skip it for now and come back to it next time."

"Teacher, can I try?"

Everyone turned around and looked at the person who stood up—Jiang Cheng.

The teacher paused for a moment, then asked, "You?"

"Yes." Jiang Cheng walked to the blackboard, picked up the chalk, and began to write quickly. He wrote rapidly, formulas, derivations, and diagrams all in one go. After writing the last equal sign, he turned around: "Teacher, it should be like this."

The classroom was completely silent. The teacher stared at the blackboard for a long time, then slowly nodded: "Yes...yes. This student, which factory do you work for?"

"Shencheng Hongxing Machinery Factory".

"Good, very good." The teacher took off his glasses and wiped them. "Have you studied this before?"

"I learned it on my own," Jiang Cheng said.

Back in their seats, Li Jianguo and Wang Tiezhu's gazes towards him changed. Li Jianguo lowered his voice: "Jiang Cheng, you've been hiding your true strength all along!"

Jiang Cheng smiled but didn't say anything.

This news quickly spread throughout the training class. Some admired him, some were jealous, and some came to ask him questions. Jiang Cheng no longer kept it to himself; he helped those he could and shared everything he could.

But trouble is brewing.

In the training class, there was a guy named Zhao Zhiqiang, a workshop director at a large factory in Shenyang, and the highest-ranking trainee. He was about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, with a fleshy face, a gruff voice, and usually looked down on everyone. That day during break, he stopped Jiang Cheng: "I heard you're pretty cocky?"

Jiang Cheng looked at him: "Director Zhao, is there something you need?"

"It's nothing, I just wanted to get to know you." Zhao Zhiqiang said with a forced smile. "I heard you're a level four fitter, but with your skill level, level four? I bet you're more than that. You might not even be level six."

Jiang Cheng said, "I only have a Level 4 certificate, nothing special."

"Nothing special?" Zhao Zhiqiang laughed. "Who are you trying to fool? A fourth-level fitter can derive formulas in mechanics of materials? Do you think I'm stupid?"

Several people gathered around to watch the commotion. Jiang Cheng knew they were there to cause trouble.

"Director Zhao, I really am only at level four," he said. "Maybe it's because I like to read books and know a little more."

"Want to know more?" Zhao Zhiqiang took a step forward. "Okay, then tell me about the formula the teacher talked about today. What's going on? If you can explain it clearly, I'll respect you. If you can't—humph, then you were just guessing."

The atmosphere became tense. Li Jianguo tugged at Jiang Cheng's sleeve, signaling him not to act rashly. Wang Tiezhu stepped forward, blocking Jiang Cheng's path.

Jiang Cheng patted Wang Tiezhu on the shoulder and stepped forward: "Director Zhao, if you want to hear it, I'll speak. But let's make it clear beforehand: if you understand what I've said, then this matter is over. If you don't understand, that's your problem, don't blame me."

Zhao Zhiqiang was taken aback, not expecting Jiang Cheng to be so assertive: "Fine, go ahead and speak!"

Jiang Cheng began by explaining the physical meaning of the formula, then moved on to its derivation, practical applications, and common errors. He spoke at a measured pace, making the complex concepts easy to understand. At first, Zhao Zhiqiang looked disdainful, but as he listened, his expression changed.

Halfway through the speech, a voice came from behind the crowd: "Well said!"

Everyone turned around and found Engineer Chen standing at the back, seemingly out of nowhere. He walked over to Jiang Cheng and looked at Zhao Zhiqiang: "Director Zhao, did you understand?"

Zhao Zhiqiang's face turned bright red, and after a long pause, he managed to stammer, "It's alright."

"Not bad?" Engineer Chen laughed. "That means you don't fully understand yet. Jiang Cheng, please continue."

Jiang Cheng glanced at Zhao Zhiqiang, who kept his head down and remained silent. He understood the situation and said, "Teacher Chen, let's call it a day. Director Zhao might need to digest this a bit more."

The crowd dispersed. Before leaving, Zhao Zhiqiang glanced at Jiang Cheng, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

That evening, Engineer Chen called Jiang Cheng to his office.

"Do you know why Zhao Zhiqiang is causing you trouble today?"

Jiang Cheng shook his head.

"One reason he doesn't like you is that he heard there will be an award for outstanding trainees at the end of the training course, and the outstanding trainees can stay in the province," Engineer Chen said. "He sees you as a competitor."

Jiang Cheng was taken aback for a moment: "I never thought about staying in the province."

"You didn't think of that, but he assumed you would," Engineer Chen said. "Xiao Jiang, I called you here today because I want to have a few honest words with you."

"Please speak."

"I can see you're truly capable. But you're lacking one thing—"

"What?"

"A powerful backer," Engineer Chen said. "In our system, ability alone isn't enough; you also need connections. Without someone to back you up, no matter how capable you are, you can easily be trampled on."

Jiang Cheng fell silent. He knew that Engineer Chen was telling the truth.

"Let me give you a suggestion," Engineer Chen said. "You know Director Wang from the Machinery Bureau, right? He mentioned you to me. He's young, but he has a bright future. If you can get in touch with him, your future will be much smoother."

Jiang Cheng remembered Director Wang, whom he had met once in Director Zhou's office. He nodded: "I'll remember that, thank you, Teacher Chen."

"No need to thank me," Engineer Chen waved his hand. "I just appreciate talent. Alright, go back and rest."

Stepping out of the office, Jiang Cheng looked up at the sky. The night sky was dark, but a few stars twinkled. He didn't know what the future held, but at least he no longer wanted to hide.

Three months passed quickly. In the final exam, Jiang Cheng ranked first in his class. He truly deserved the title of outstanding student.

On the day he left, Engineer Chen saw him to the door and said, "Xiao Jiang, go back and do a good job. If you need anything in the future, you can come to me."

Director Wang also came, shook his hand and said, "Your factory needs young people like you. Let's cooperate again in the future if there's an opportunity."

Li Jianguo and Wang Tiezhu saw him off to his car. Li Jianguo, his eyes red, said, "Jiang Cheng, come visit Anshan sometime!" Wang Tiezhu said sullenly, "Don't let anyone bully you when you get back. Write to me if anything happens."

As the bus started moving, Jiang Cheng watched them get further and further away through the window, feeling a mix of emotions.

Unbeknownst to him, an even greater test awaited him in Shenyang.