Chapter 656 Strong Invitation
The atmosphere in the conference room became heated again, and everyone's heart was beating like a little rabbit.
They knew that being able to receive the award together with Zhou Yimin, no matter what it was, was recognition of their efforts by the factory.
Director Hu cleared his throat and continued, "Next is Comrade Li Chongguang."
Upon hearing this, Li Chongguang straightened his back with a look of anticipation on his face.
"Comrade Li Chongguang, as the head of the research laboratory, has played an important role in overall coordination throughout the entire research and development process, and his contribution is indispensable." Director Hu looked at him and said slowly.
"The factory has decided to reward Comrade Li Chongguang with two kilograms of fat pork, thirty kilograms of grain, and a ticket for a watch."
Although this reward is indeed slightly inferior to Zhou Yimin's, it is still quite considerable.
Li Chongguang showed a satisfied smile on his face, secretly calculating in his heart that thirty kilograms of food would just be enough to solve the urgent needs of his family, and some could be left for Master Gu. Although Zhou Yimin promised to help, he couldn't always rely on others for everything.
Watch tickets are even rarer, and they can be used to buy a watch for my wife so that she can keep track of time while working.
He stood up and said solemnly: "Thank you for the reward from the factory. I will definitely work harder in the future."
Everyone looked at Li Chongguang's reward with envy.
Watch tickets were in short supply at the time and not easy to get. Thirty kilograms of food was enough for a family to eat for a long time.
Director Hu nodded and continued, "To the rest of the research lab, everyone has put in a lot of hard work during the R&D and production process, and the factory will not forget you all."
He paused and announced, "Everyone will be rewarded with two kilograms of pork and ten kilograms of grain."
As soon as these words were spoken, low cheers of joy were heard in the conference room.
Xiao Zhang's face turned red with excitement. He has many younger brothers and sisters at home, and these two kilograms of pork and ten kilograms of grain can greatly improve the family's food.
Old Wang also showed a relieved smile. Ten kilograms of grain were enough for him and his wife to eat for a few days, and two kilograms of pork was just enough to make a braised pork meal for his grandson.
Although everyone’s reward was not particularly generous, it was already very good for everyone at that time.
You know, even if you have food coupons, you may not be able to buy so much meat and grain.
Director Hu was delighted to see the satisfied expressions on everyone's faces. "These rewards will be distributed by the Logistics Department later. I hope everyone will continue to work hard and achieve even greater success for our steel plant!"
"Okay!" Everyone responded in unison, their voices full of enthusiasm.
The atmosphere in the conference room became more lively, and everyone's face was filled with happy smiles.
This reward is not only material support, but also a recognition of their hard work, making them feel that all their previous efforts are worth it.
When the meeting was over, everyone walked out of the conference room in twos and threes, still excitedly discussing their respective rewards, and their steps were much lighter than usual.
The sun shines on the roads in the factory and also in everyone's heart, warm and bright.
The group chatted and laughed as they returned to the research lab. As soon as they entered, Xiao Zhang couldn't help but throw his notebook on the table and rub his hands excitedly. "I'm so happy! Two pounds of pork! My mom will definitely be able to make a big pot of braised pork. I'm drooling just thinking about it!"
Old Wang also took off his glasses with a smile and wiped the lenses with the corner of his clothes: "That's right, ten kilograms of food is not a small amount. If you eat it sparingly, it will be enough for your aunt and I to survive until the end of the month."
As he spoke, his eyes curved into crescents: "I didn't expect the factory to be so generous this time. It's really a pleasant surprise."
The laboratory suddenly became lively, and everyone gathered together, discussing one after another.
Some people were thinking about how to eat the pork, whether to braise it or make meatballs, while others were wondering how to distribute the food and whether to bring some to relatives in the countryside.
Some people looked at Zhou Yimin and Li Chongguang with envy, saying that their rewards were too tempting.
"Chief Zhou, you have to use your bicycle ticket quickly. Bicycles are in short supply right now. If you're late, there might not be any good models left." A young technician said with envy.
Zhou Yimin smiled and nodded: "I plan to go and have a look this weekend. Having a bicycle will make it more convenient for commuting in the future."
Although he already has a motorcycle and a bicycle, how can he think that he has too many bicycles?
If it really doesn't work, you can give it to Zhang Yan. That way, she won't have to go through so much trouble walking to and from school.
Li Chongguang was surrounded by several people asking about his watch ticket. Some were curious about what brand of watch he planned to buy, while others mentioned which store had the latest watches. Li Chongguang responded to each question, his smile never faltering.
The originally quiet research room was now filled with laughter and everyone's face was filled with joy that was hard to conceal.
The drawings and instruments on the table were temporarily thrown aside. No one had the heart to work anymore. Everyone's attention was attracted by this sudden reward.
The sunlight shines into the laboratory through the window, falling on everyone's excited faces, and the air seems to be filled with a happy atmosphere.
The immense joy brought by this award flowed through everyone's heart like a warm current, allowing them to temporarily forget the fatigue of work and immerse themselves in this happiness and satisfaction.
It was almost lunchtime when everyone's excitement subsided a little, but they were still talking about the rewards and walking briskly towards the cafeteria, as if even the food in the cafeteria had become more delicious because of this joy.
During the afternoon working hours, the atmosphere in the laboratory was still filled with the warmth of excitement.
Although everyone tried hard to draw their attention back to work, the smile in the corners of their eyes and eyebrows could not be hidden.
Xiao Zhang drew a few strokes on the drawing and couldn't help but exchange a glance with his colleague next to him. The two of them laughed secretly. Lao Wang was measuring the parts with a vernier caliper, and the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.
Everyone feels like they have a piece of candy in their heart, so sweet that they are looking forward to the end of get off work time so that they can tell their family about this joy.
The clock on the wall ticked away, and every second seemed to be testing everyone's patience.
Zhou Yimin pretended to organize documents, but in fact he frequently looked up at the time. Li Chongguang took a sip of tea from his cup, his eyes always unconsciously drifting to the window, as if this could make time pass faster.
Finally, the crisp bell for the end of get off work rang out over the factory broadcast, like a pardon, instantly igniting the long-suppressed enthusiasm in the research lab.
"It's time to get off work!" Xiao Zhang was the first to react. He jumped up from his chair, hurriedly stuffed the drawings on the table into the folder, grabbed the coat draped over the back of the chair and threw it over his shoulders.
Old Wang was also quick to pack his things, but his movements were noticeably faster than usual. As he put his glasses into their case, he muttered, "I have to tell my wife to go to the grain station early tomorrow to get the food."
Others also started to move. The sounds of drawers being opened and closed, chairs rubbing against the ground, and people saying goodbye to each other mixed together, making the place very lively.
Everyone had an eager smile on their face, and their hands moved very quickly, as if every second of delay would reduce the joy.
Zhou Yimin locked the documents in a drawer, picked up his bicycle key, and said to Li Chongguang with a smile, "I'll go first and tell my wife the good news when I get back."
"Go ahead, go ahead. I have to go back quickly. My kid must be waiting for my pork." Li Chongguang also picked up his briefcase and walked out briskly.
Almost everyone in the laboratory left soon, leaving only an empty room and drawings on the table that had not yet been cleaned up, as if the hustle and bustle just now was just a sweet dream.
On the way to the factory, workers were walking home in groups of three or four, with smiles on everyone's face. Among them, the group from the research lab was particularly conspicuous. They walked hurriedly, talking excitedly, and couldn't wait to share the reward and joy from the factory with their relatives waiting at home.
Zhou Yimin returned to his courtyard and just as he pushed open the door, he remembered that he had promised Li Chongguang to help buy food.
He ate a simple meal and sat on the stone bench in the yard, watching the sunset gradually fade away in the sky, thinking about how to get enough food.
When it was completely dark, everything was quiet except for the occasional barking of dogs.
Zhou Yimin pushed a half-worn motorcycle out of the utility room, checked the fuel tank, and started the engine.
The low roar of the motorcycle broke the silence of the night.
He put on a helmet, drove his motorcycle out of the alley and headed towards a remote corner on the outskirts of the city.
This road is bumpy and overgrown with weeds on both sides, and few people pass by it.
Zhou Yimin drove carefully, his motorcycle lights carving a path of light in the darkness. After about half an hour, he stopped next to an abandoned warehouse.
He turned off the engine and silence fell all around him, with only the rustling of the wind through the weeds.
He pulled a flashlight from his pocket, shone it in the direction of the warehouse, and then waited quietly.
After ensuring the safety of the surroundings, Zhou Yimin bought 500 kilograms of food in the store. Although it was not fine grain, in this era of hunger, it was good to have something to eat, so why would he be picky?
Zhou Yimin checked carefully to make sure the grain bags were tied securely before restarting the motorcycle.
With 500 kilograms of food weighing him down, the motorcycle was a little hard to drive, but he felt at ease.
These grains are enough to pay Master Gu’s wages and can also help Li Chongguang solve his urgent needs.
He turned the motorcycle around and headed towards Li Chongguang's house.
The wind at night is a little cold. It is still winter, but it hurts when it blows on my face.
The lights of the motorcycle moved forward in the night, as if guiding him.
He thought about Li Chongguang's expression when he received the food, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously rose.
Soon, the alley where Li Chongguang's home was located appeared in front of them.
Zhou Yimin slowed down, carefully parked the motorcycle outside the gate of Li Chongguang's house, and then slammed the gate of the courtyard.
With a creaky sound, the courtyard door slowly opened. Li Chongguang poked his head out and saw Zhou Yimin standing at the door. A hint of surprise flashed across his face, followed by a warm smile: "Yimin, it's so late, come in!"
As he said this, he turned sideways, ready to let Zhou Yimin in.
Zhou Yimin didn't rush in. Instead, he turned around, raised his hand and pointed at the back seat of the motorcycle, and said, "Section Chief Li, move these in first!"
Li Chongguang's gaze naturally fell on the two large bags of grain, and in an instant, his eyes lit up like the twinkling stars in the night sky.
He knew in his heart that this must be the food that Zhou Yimin helped him get.
But he never expected that Zhou Yimin was so efficient. He had just mentioned the matter during the day, and so much food was delivered in the evening.
He opened his mouth wide, speechless for a moment, his heart filled with gratitude stuck in his throat. After a long while, he managed to utter, "Yimin, you... are so amazing!"
Zhou Yimin smiled and didn't explain much. He just urged, "Don't just stand there. Move it quickly. This thing is very heavy."
The two men stood beside the motorcycle, each bent over, holding the bottom of the grain bag tightly with both hands.
Zhou Yimin shouted "Get up", and the two of them worked together to carry a bag of grain onto their shoulders.
The heavy weight made both of them unsteady on their feet, and their shoulders hurt with every step they took.
But no one said anything. They supported each other and moved step by step into the yard.
After great effort, the two bags of grain were finally moved into the yard.
The two men straightened up, holding their aching shoulders with their hands, and breathing heavily.
Li Chongguang panted and sighed, "If it weren't for your help, I really don't know what I would do. This food has solved my urgent need."
Zhou Yimin waved his hand, indicating that it was nothing. Only then did he have time to look around the yard.
I saw some wood and tools used for decoration piled up in a corner of the yard, there were traces of excavation on the ground, and brand new tiles standing in the corner of the wall.
It seems that Master Gu's construction team has already started work. Although it is late and the scene is quiet, these traces indicate that the decoration work is proceeding in an orderly manner.
Li Chongguang also noticed Zhou Yimin's gaze and explained, "Master Gu and his team came early this morning and worked very efficiently. At this rate, it won't take long to finish."
Zhou Yimin nodded, and looking at the traces of construction, he felt happy: "That's good, when the renovation is finished, your old house will look brand new."
It seems that what he thought before was a bit unnecessary. Li Chongguang didn't even ask about the source of the food.
Zhou Yimin dusted off his hands, stood up, and said, "The food has been delivered. I should go back now. It's getting late."
"Stop, Yimin!" Li Chongguang grabbed his arm with considerable force, his face showing genuine anxiety.
"You came all this way to deliver food this late at night. How can you go back with an empty stomach? You have to eat something here anyway. My wife just made some steamed buns and some pickles. A simple meal will do."
Zhou Yimin looked back at him, and seeing his eyes full of determination, he waved his hand: "Really, no need, I can just get something when I get back, no need to bother."
He really didn't want to cause any more trouble for Li Chongguang. After all, his family was busy with renovations and had a lot of things to do.
But Li Chongguang refused to let him go. He grabbed his arm and dragged him into the house. "What are you talking about? Who are we talking about? How can such a small matter be a big deal? Besides, you've helped me so much, shouldn't I treat you to a hot meal?"
He dragged her into the house and shouted, "Wife, quickly heat up two more steamed buns. Comrade Zhou wants to eat here!"
There was a rustling sound in the room, and soon footsteps were approaching.
Zhou Yimin staggered two steps as Li Chongguang dragged him. Looking at his stubbornness, he felt both warm and helpless.
"Okay, okay, can't I stay?" Zhou Yimin stopped, feeling both amused and helpless.
"With your strength, it would be a shame if you didn't become a porter."
When Li Chongguang heard this, he immediately let go of his hand, a bright smile appeared on his face, and he patted his shoulder: "That's right! Come on, come inside and sit down. It's warm inside."
(End of this chapter)
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