Chapter 195 I Just Follow You

Secretary Tan walked into the office with his hands behind his back and steady and powerful steps, followed by a strange comrade with a stern face and extraordinary temperament.

The new office is bright and clean, with the newly acquired experimental equipment neatly arranged. Charts and slogans related to scientific research are hung on the walls. After the renovation, it looks brand new.

The two of them slowly looked around the office. Secretary Tan's eyes were full of appreciation. He nodded with satisfaction and said in a bright voice, "Not bad. It looks a bit like a scientific research unit."

The unfamiliar comrade walked straight to the laboratory table without saying a word, and carefully examined the instruments and materials on it with a sharp gaze, his expression focused and serious.

"Let me introduce you," Secretary Tan said with a smile, "This is Comrade Si Zhipeng from the Military Region Logistics Department. He's here to see you all today."

Everyone cast curious glances at him and nodded politely to Si Zhipeng.

"Thank you all for your hard work," Si Zhipeng said, stepping forward. His voice was clear, firm, and full of passion. "For various reasons, this project has been delayed again and again, and the time left for you is relatively short. But I believe that with your professional ability and dedication, we will be able to overcome the difficulties!"

Everyone said that this was what they should do and it was not hard. The atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

Afterwards, Jiang Haitang, as the main person in charge of the project, briefly reported the current research results and difficulties encountered to the two leaders.

When she mentioned the thorny issue of asbestos shortage, Secretary Tan and Si Zhipeng exchanged knowing glances.

"We'll do our best to coordinate and resolve the raw material issue." Secretary Tan suddenly raised his voice, his expression serious and solemn. "After research and decision by the factory Party Committee, we've officially established the 'Military Fabric Technology Research Group,' with Comrade Jiang Haitang as its leader, reporting directly to me!"

As he spoke, he took out a red-headed document from his briefcase and placed it solemnly on the table.

When Jiang Haitang saw the joint official seal of the factory party committee and the military region logistics department at the end of the document, she felt an indescribable excitement in her heart. All her previous worries and concerns seemed to disappear at this moment.

With the endorsement of the military region, many difficulties in the project's advancement will be easily solved, and she is full of confidence in the future.

After seeing off Secretary Tan and Si Zhipeng, Zheng Mingyuan quietly pulled Jiang Haitang aside, his eyes filled with curiosity. "Engineer Jiang, what alternative materials were you trying to talk about?"

Jiang Haitang hesitated for a moment, but ultimately chose to trust her colleague and whispered, "Brucite. I've read about it in a foreign publication. Its fiber properties are similar to asbestos, but it's safer."

In fact, this was not something she saw in a foreign book, but something she saw in a dream.

Zheng Mingyuan's eyes lit up instantly, and he said excitedly: "I know this, there is a brucite mine in Ling County in our province!"

Jiang Haitang was extremely surprised. She didn't expect happiness to come so suddenly. She immediately asked happily, "Really?"

"My classmate works at the Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. I will ask him for details later." Zheng Mingyuan said with a smile.

Jiang Haitang asked anxiously, "If Director Zheng has a phone number, can you call him now?"

Zheng Mingyuan nodded without hesitation: "Of course."

That afternoon, Zheng Mingyuan contacted his old classmate who was a geology expert through the factory phone.

What was even more surprising was that the other party said that the brucite mine in Ling County was exactly what they were exploring, and they could provide a small amount of samples.

This good news quickly spread throughout the project team, and Jiang Haitang and others were extremely happy.

"Great!" Zhou Xiaomei clapped her hands happily, her eyes full of anticipation. "Can we go get the samples now?"

Zheng Mingyuan smiled and shook his head. "I'm afraid it's not possible yet. The factory needs to issue documents. Also, this matter must be kept secret. Brucite is a strategic resource."

The news soon reached Lu Liangchen. Knowing the importance of the matter, he immediately reported it to the military district and then immediately arranged for people to handle the relevant matters.

These days, Jiang Haitang has devoted herself to project preparation and is even busier than Lu Liangchen, the factory director. The task of taking care of the children naturally falls on Lu Liangchen.

On the weekend, Lu Liangchen, who had a rare chance to rest, felt a lot more relaxed because he finally put down the heavy burden about the project that had been weighing on his mind.

He took Xiao Taozi to fly a kite in the open space of the factory. Xiao Taozi's cheerful laughter was crisp and pleasant, and it spread far away like a silver bell, and soon attracted many children to come.

At this moment, a figure made Lu Liangchen's heart tighten. This person was Xiao Taozi's former teacher Lin Meihua.

"Director Lu."

Lin Meihua's voice was low and hoarse. After not seeing her for many days, she had changed dramatically.

The female teacher who used to be well-dressed and full of energy is now in extremely bad condition. Her clothes are tattered and her face is haggard, as if she has aged more than ten years in an instant.

Lin Meihua was fired from the factory for abusing students.

Afterwards, she married He Qiliang, the son of Director He of the He Committee, and got a good job thanks to the He family's connections.

However, after a conflict with Jiang Haitang and Lu Liangchen, she and He Qiliang were found to be playing dirty tricks. When their actions were noticed by higher-ups, not only did He's father get implicated, but both of them were transferred from their original positions to marginal positions.

From then on, He Qiliang took out all his resentment on Lin Meihua, beating and scolding her. During this period, Lin Meihua suffered a lot.

When he saw Lin Meihua, the warm smile on Lu Liangchen's face disappeared instantly and his eyes turned cold.

"Lin Meihua! What are you doing here?"

Lin Meihua slowly took a few steps closer, and Lu Liangchen realized that she was much thinner than the last time they saw her. Her once carefully groomed hair was now dry, frizzy, and lusterless. There was a bruise at the corner of her mouth that had not yet healed, barely covered by the low-quality foundation, which looked particularly glaring.

"Director Lu," she called again, her voice as hoarse as sandpaper, but her eyes were blazing and bright, making people shudder. "Long time no see."

When Xiao Taozi saw Lin Meihua, her face turned pale instantly. Her little hands immediately grasped the corner of Lu Liangchen's clothes tightly, her eyes full of fear.

Obviously, the memory of being abused by Lin Meihua was still there, and she was afraid of Lin Meihua from the bottom of her heart.

Lu Liangchen felt very sorry for Xiao Taozi. He patted his daughter's head soothingly and said softly, "Go play with the other kids. Daddy will come to see you later."

After Xiao Taozi ran away, Lu Liangchen turned to Lin Meihua and said in a serious and cold tone, "Comrade Lin, what's the matter?"

Lin Meihua took two steps forward, and the scent of cheap vanishing cream mixed with a faint smell of alcohol hit her face. She glanced meaningfully at the office building in the distance, and a flash of deep hatred passed through her eyes.

"Director Lu, I heard you're going to set up a military industry team?"

Lu Liangchen's eyes were stern, and his tone was unfriendly: "The factory's affairs don't need you, an outsider, to bother with them."

Only a few people knew about the establishment of the military-industrial group, but Lin Meihua actually knew about it. This proves that this woman, Lin Meihua, still has a lot of connections and can even know such confidential matters.

"Lu Liangchen!" Lin Meihua suddenly became emotional, her voice piercing. "Is your heart made of stone? Why are you always so cold when you see me?"

"Why can't you give me a little response? Is there something wrong with me? I'm young and beautiful, I have a diploma, I understand poetry and can play the piano... Why would you rather have a divorced woman from the countryside than me?"

There was a shrill and stubborn tone in her voice. She had been unable to figure it out for such a long time, so she hid it from He Qiliang and came to Lu Liangchen desperately, hoping to get an answer.

"Comrade Lin Meihua," Lu Liangchen interrupted coldly, his eyes filled with disgust, "please be mindful of your words and actions."

"Words and actions? I've fallen to this point, what else do I need to say or do?"

Lin Meihua's eyes suddenly turned red, and she rolled up her sleeves, revealing the shocking bruises on her arms.

"Look! This was all caused by that bastard He Qiliang! Ever since you guys caused his father to lose his job, he's been taking it out on me every day..."

Lu Liangchen frowned, took a look, took a half step back, and spoke in a cold tone, without even a trace of heartache or pity in his eyes.

Lin Meihua, who had been staring at him, felt extremely distressed.

Even though I have fallen to this point, Director Lu still has no feelings for me at all?

"Lin Meihua, this is your family affair and has nothing to do with me! Also, the He family's troubles weren't caused by me, but by their own dishonesty."

He glanced at her calmly, "As for you, you've brought this upon yourself. As a teacher, you can't treat children well. Firing you is already the lightest punishment!"

"Hahaha! Hahaha!" Lin Meihua laughed nervously, tears streaming down her face. "Lu Liangchen, you clearly know... you know that I've always..."

Her voice suddenly dropped, with a sickly gentleness, "From the first day you were transferred to the factory, I have admired you..."

"Lin Meihua!" Lu Liangchen shouted, "Please respect yourself! Don't force me to hit a woman!"

Lin Meihua trembled all over at the scolding.

She suddenly ripped open her collar, revealing more scars, her expression frantic: "Look at me! Look at what kind of life I'm living now! As long as you're willing to help me transfer back and help me get rid of that beast He Qiliang, I'm willing to do anything... I won't fight with Jiang Haitang for anything. I will hide in the dark for the rest of my life and won't be discovered..."

As she spoke, she was about to lean towards Lu Liangchen, and Lu Liangchen quickly stepped back to avoid her.

"Get lost! You don't want a reputation, but I do. I'll just pretend I've never heard anything you said!" Lu Liangchen dodged far away and said with a frown, "If He Qiliang hits you again, you can report him to the Women's Federation."

Lin Meihua didn't expect that even with her humble offer of herself, Lu Liangchen wouldn't even glance at her.

Not only did she not reflect on whether she had done something wrong, but she stared at Lu Liangchen's resolute profile, and the love on her face became even stronger.

"It turns out that he's the man I'm looking for. He's different from other useless men. Lu Liangchen, I just want to follow you..." Her voice became lower and lower. "I don't care if you marry Jiang Haitang, as long as I follow you..."