Major Heavy Industry: Starting with a Fake Marriage

Zheng Yanxi burst into laughter through her tears and lightly slapped him: "Who wants to live a good life with you?"

Jiang Cheng smiled too. The two stood there in the dim light, neither of them speaking.

Jiang Cheng made up his mind that after resolving the matter here, he would take the advice of his father-in-law, Professor Shen, and apply to the school he hadn't had the chance to attend in his previous life to pursue further studies.

"Sun Jianguo, you little bastard...you just wait, Master Jiang!"

The next day, Jiang Cheng went to work as usual. The workers in the foundry workshop looked at him with even more complicated expressions, but Director Ma remained the same, assigning tasks and talking as usual. At lunchtime, Director Ma deliberately brought his lunchbox over and whispered, "Jiang Cheng, I heard someone's targeting you?"

Jiang Cheng nodded.

Director Ma snorted, "I've disliked that kid Sun Jianguo for a long time. Don't worry, everyone in our foundry workshop is on your side."

Jiang Cheng felt a surge of warmth in his heart: "Director Ma, thank you."

"No need to thank me." Director Ma waved his hand. "We workers are all about being honest. We'll be good to those who are good to us. How many machines have you fixed since you came? Everyone remembers."

Jiang Cheng smiled but didn't say anything.

In the afternoon, while he was working, someone suddenly shouted, "Jiang Cheng, someone's looking for you!"

He looked up and froze. There was a Jeep parked at the factory gate. Standing next to it was a man—Director Wang.

"Director Wang?" Jiang Cheng was completely stunned.

Director Wang walked over with a smile and patted him on the shoulder: "Xiao Jiang, long time no see."

Jiang Cheng quickly greeted him. Director Wang waved his hand: "Don't be so polite, get in the car, I have something to tell you."

The jeep drove out of the factory area and parked in a secluded spot. Director Wang told the driver to get out and smoke, then said to Jiang Cheng, "Jiang, I know about that matter of yours."

Jiang Cheng's heart tightened. Director Wang continued, "The province has differing opinions on this matter."

"It's changed?"

Director Wang nodded: "I've heard about your non-destructive testing report."

Jiang Cheng was taken aback. How did Director Wang know?

Director Wang smiled: "Don't be nervous."

Jiang Cheng's mind went blank.

Director Wang noticed his confusion and explained, "Xiao Jiang, don't overthink it. I'm not using you; I want to help you. This is an opportunity for you."

Jiang Cheng was silent for a moment, then asked, "Director Wang, what do you want me to do?"

Director Wang looked at him with admiration in his eyes: "Smart guy. I'll be blunt. Take that report to the provincial industrial conference next week and publicly question the conclusions of those two experts in front of everyone. I'll be there to back you up."

Jiang Cheng's mind raced. This was an opportunity, but also a huge risk. Publicly questioning the provincial experts. If he won, everything would be fine. If he lost, it would be utter ruin.

"Director Wang, how confident are you?"

Director Wang was silent for a moment, then said, "Seventy percent. If you perform well, eighty percent."

Jiang Cheng took a deep breath: "Let me think about it."

Director Wang nodded: "Okay, you can consider it. But give me an answer by the day after tomorrow at the latest. The meeting is next Wednesday, so there's not much time left."

The jeep took Jiang Cheng back to the factory. He stood at the factory gate, watching the car disappear into the dust, his mind a jumbled mess.

That evening, he told Zheng Yanxi about it. After listening, Zheng Yanxi remained silent for a long time, then asked, "What do you think?"

Jiang Cheng said, "I want to go."

Zheng Yanxi looked at him: "Have you made up your mind?"

Jiang Cheng nodded: "Yanxi, this is an opportunity. If you miss it, you might never get another chance."

Zheng Yanxi grasped his hand: "Then go. No matter the outcome, I'll wait for you."

Jiang Cheng looked at her and suddenly felt a sense of peace. No matter what lay ahead, at least there was someone waiting for him to return.

The next day, he went to see Huang Deqing. After listening, Huang Deqing remained silent for a long time, then said, "Go ahead."

"Master, do you think I can do it?"

Huang Deqing looked at him with an unprecedented seriousness in his eyes: "Chengzi, remember this, you are more capable than you think. Those experts, researchers, and officials, don't be fooled by their big titles; their real skills may not be as good as yours. When you go, don't be afraid, just explain the facts clearly."

Jiang Cheng nodded: "Master, I've got it."

On the third day, he went to see Zheng Huaiyuan. After listening, Zheng Huaiyuan didn't say anything, but simply took out a document and handed it to him.

"What is this?"

"I got you a certificate as a specially appointed researcher at the Institute of Industry," Zheng Huaiyuan said. "Although it's not a formal position, it's still a title. When you go on stage, having this will give your words more weight."

Jiang Cheng accepted the certificate, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He knew that his father-in-law was using his reputation to endorse him.

"Dad—" He called out that word for the first time.

Zheng Huaiyuan paused for a moment, then laughed and patted him on the shoulder: "Go ahead. Don't embarrass me."

Jiang Cheng nodded heavily.

On Wednesday, a provincial industrial conference was held in the provincial capital.

Jiang Cheng sat in a corner of the meeting hall, watching the leaders and experts speak one by one on the stage. His palms were sweating, and his heart was pounding. Next to him sat Li Jianguo, whom he had specifically invited to bolster his courage.

"Don't be nervous," Li Jianguo whispered. "You can do it."

Jiang Cheng nodded and took a deep breath.

Finally, it was his turn. The host announced his name: "Next, please welcome Comrade Jiang Cheng from Shencheng Hongxing Machinery Factory to speak. Comrade Jiang Cheng is a frontline worker with unique insights into equipment modification. We've invited him to speak today."

Sparse applause filled the hall. Some whispered among themselves, while others wore disdainful expressions—what could a worker possibly say?

Jiang Cheng stood up and walked onto the stage. He saw the dense crowd below, Director Wang sitting in the first row, and a middle-aged man with a gloomy expression next to Director Wang—presumably the deputy director. He also saw the two experts, whose expressions were not good.

He stood in front of the podium, took a deep breath, and began to speak.

"Distinguished leaders, experts, and comrades, good afternoon. My name is Jiang Cheng, a fitter at Shencheng Hongxing Machinery Factory. I'm not here today to preach any grand principles, but to talk about something that happened to me in the past few months."

The meeting room fell silent. Jiang Cheng began to speak, starting with the abnormal noise from the imported rolling mill, then recounting the discovery of the problem, the repair process, the conclusions of provincial experts, and the investigation he was under. He spoke calmly, without any emotional appeals or complaints, simply recounting the events as they happened.

At the end, he pulled the non-destructive testing report out of his pocket.