Major Heavy Industry: Starting with a Fake Marriage

Before, in the machine repair shop, his coworkers would chat and joke around with him. Today, as soon as he walked in, several people were chatting animatedly, but when they saw him enter, their voices stopped abruptly. Someone chuckled and said, "Chengzi's here. Um, I'm going to check on the tools," and then left.

Huang Deqing was squatting in the corner smoking when he saw Jiang Cheng come in and waved him over.

"You felt it?" Huang Deqing asked.

Jiang Cheng nodded.

"That's normal." Huang Deqing exhaled a puff of smoke. "You're just a young man in your twenties, suddenly appearing out of nowhere, and you solve a problem that others have been working on for over a decade without success. How can they be happy about that? If you were in their shoes, you'd be grumbling too."

"You're inferior to others in skill, yet you're filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred? What an incompetent fool!" Of course, Jiang Cheng could only think this in his mind, and said aloud, "Master, what should we do?"

"What to do? Just bear with it," Huang Deqing said. "Go back to work, laugh when you feel like laughing, and it'll get better with time. But there's one thing you have to remember—"

"What?"

"Try to avoid dealing with the technical department," Huang Deqing said in a low voice. "That Fatty Meng is petty. He'll definitely remember this embarrassment you caused him this time."

Jiang Cheng nodded, but Sun Jianguo's words came to mind. Sun Jianguo was also from the technical department; why had he taken the initiative to remind him? What was his true intention?

Just then, someone called from the workshop door: "Jiang Cheng, the factory manager is looking for you!"

In Director Zhou's office, besides Director Zhou himself, there was another stranger. The man was in his forties, wearing a Dacron Zhongshan suit, his hair neatly combed, and he looked like a cadre.

"Xiao Jiang is here, please have a seat." Director Zhou gestured to a chair. "This is Director Wang from the Provincial Machinery Department."

Director Wang sized up Jiang Cheng, his gaze scrutinizing him: "You're Jiang Cheng? The fitter who discovered the problem with the rolling mill?"

"It's me," Jiang Cheng said, neither humble nor arrogant.

Director Wang nodded: "Young and promising. I'm here today to understand the specifics. The province is taking this malfunction very seriously, after all, that equipment was purchased with foreign exchange. I heard your analysis differs from the conclusions of the provincial experts?"

Jiang Cheng's heart skipped a beat—were they here to hold someone accountable? Or to investigate?

He said carefully, "Director Wang, I only found cracks in the rolling mill rolls at the time, and the details are all written in the report. I haven't seen the experts' conclusions, so I can't comment on them."

Director Wang smiled: "Young man, you're quite cautious. Don't worry, I'm not here to assign blame. On the contrary, I think your analysis is very reasonable. The provincial government has discussed this matter in a meeting and believes that your factory's handling of the situation is correct. If it hadn't been handled promptly, and a roll breakage accident had occurred, the losses would have been even greater."

Jiang Cheng breathed a sigh of relief.

"But I have another question," Director Wang said. "What's the basis for your analysis? I heard you figured it out yourself, without any professional training?"

This question is even harder to answer than the previous one. Jiang Cheng thought for a moment and said, "Director Wang, my father left behind some books on mechanics, which I flip through in my spare time. Also, I grew up in a factory and have a knack for machines. This time, it was based on my intuition, combined with careful observation, that I noticed something was wrong."

"Feelings?" Director Wang laughed. "Feelings won't put food on the table. But young people like you who are willing to use their brains are exactly what we need." He turned to Factory Director Zhou. "Old Zhou, I have an idea. The province is going to hold a technical training course soon, specifically to cultivate workers with potential. Your factory can recommend someone to go. I think Xiao Jiang would be quite suitable."

Factory Director Zhou's eyes lit up: "Really? That's wonderful! Xiao Jiang, why don't you thank Director Wang!"

Jiang Cheng quickly thanked him. Director Wang waved his hand: "Don't thank me yet. The training course requires three months of full-time work, and you can only graduate if you pass the exam. If you fail, I'll be embarrassed."

"I will definitely work hard and live up to your expectations!" Jiang Cheng said.

After Director Wang left, Factory Director Zhou patted Jiang Cheng on the shoulder: "Jiang, this is a great opportunity. Study hard, and when you come back, the factory will arrange a more important job for you."

Jiang Cheng's heart was filled with mixed feelings. Three months of training in the provincial capital meant three months without going home or seeing Zheng Yanxi. And what would the people at the factory think? Would they think he was about to be promoted and become even more envious?

When he got home that evening, he told Zheng Yanxi about it. Zheng Yanxi was silent for a moment, then said, "Go."

"But you're all alone..."

"I can manage on my own," Zheng Yanxi interrupted him. "My dad said that when an opportunity comes, you have to seize it. Don't worry, I'll take care of things at home."

Jiang Cheng looked at her, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him. This woman, who had once been so cold and aloof, was now actually thinking of him.

"Then I'm leaving. What will you do? You're not very good at cooking."

"I can learn," Zheng Yanxi said. "Didn't you teach me? I'll definitely learn it in three months."

Jiang Cheng smiled: "Okay, you've learned it. Make it for me when I get back."

"it is good."

The news spread throughout the factory the next day. Just as Jiang Cheng had predicted, the reactions were varied. Some congratulated him, some made sarcastic remarks, and some simply ignored him.

The most surprising thing was Sun Jianguo. He went to the machine repair workshop and said in front of everyone, "Master Jiang is going to get promoted. Don't forget your old colleague when you become successful." The words were nice, but the tone of his voice was just unpleasant.

Huang Deqing privately told Jiang Cheng, "Stay away from Sun Jianguo. His father is a provincial cadre, but he's all talk and no action. He's been stuck in the technical department for five or six years and hasn't accomplished anything. Do you think he'll be happy that a fitter like you're being sent for training?"

Jiang Cheng nodded and kept those words in mind.

The night before his departure, Jiang Cheng treated Huang Deqing to dinner. After a few drinks, Huang Deqing became more talkative: "Chengzi, I can see you're capable. But remember, there are many capable people, but few actually succeed. Why? Because they don't understand social dynamics."

"Please speak, Master."

"In the factory, first, you can't offend your superiors; second, you can't offend your colleagues; and third, you can't stand out too much. This training trip is both a good thing and a bad thing. The good thing is that you can learn something; the bad thing is that some people will be envious. When you come back, you still need to keep a low profile, understand?"

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

Huang Deqing drank another cup, then suddenly sighed: "You're better than me. I had the opportunity to go out and study when I was young, but I didn't go, and now it's too late to regret it. Go, and study hard."

Jiang Cheng raised his glass: "Master, I'd like to toast you."

That night, Jiang Cheng drank with Huang Deqing until very late. When he got home, Zheng Yanxi was still awake, waiting for him under the lamp.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"I'm waiting for you," Zheng Yanxi said. "Have you packed your things?"

"All packed up."

Zheng Yanxi handed over a cloth bag: "These are some dry rations I made for the journey."