During dinner that evening, in the backyard of the Liu family's house, Liu Haizhong was drinking a little wine and enjoying a fried egg all by himself.
Thinking of Director Yang's attitude towards Sun Zhengguo today, he felt a surge of excitement in his heart, so he instructed his wife beside him.
“Honey, from now on, we need to maintain a good relationship with the Sun family in this courtyard. That kid has already made a name for himself. I’m planning to ask him for help in the next few days to see if he can help me get a cadre position.”
“Dad, you need to send something, you can’t just say it without giving anything in return, this is called… yes, yes! This is called building relationships.”
Before the second aunt could speak, Liu Guangfu, who was eating next to her, quickly offered his advice.
In reality, her eyes were fixed on the fried egg, hoping that Liu Haizhong would be in a good mood and reward her with a little something.
"Go away, what do you know? I'm the leader of this compound, and also an elder. I'm just asking him for this little thing, why would I need to give him anything?"
Liu Haizhong gave Liu Guangfu a good scolding, which frightened Liu Guangfu so much that he dared not say another word. It was only then that his second aunt spoke up.
"Honey, how old is the eldest son of the Sun family this year? Does he have the ability to help you become a cadre? I don't believe it! Don't be fooled!"
Because the eldest son of the Sun family was superior to her son in the courtyard, the second aunt felt very resentful, so whenever she had the chance, she would spare no effort to smear him.
"Hmph! Long hair and short brains. Do you think Director Yang's attitude towards him is fake? If he tells you to go, you go. Why all the nonsense?"
After another scolding, the second aunt was completely defeated and dared not ask another question. The family then began to eat in silence.
There are many similar discussions in the courtyard, all from people who want to take advantage of others.
At this time, Sun Zhengguo was unaware of the various thoughts his neighbors in the courtyard had.
He was sitting at the table, recording today's transformation procedures, preparing to compile them into a book.
That way, if someone doesn't understand something in the future, they can just look it up and maybe find the answer.
Ning Xiaowei didn't understand any of this, so she simply went to bed early.
It was late at night, but Sun Zhengguo was still engrossed in writing...
The next morning, although Sun Zhengguo had worked late the night before, he was still in high spirits and brought his mother to the steel rolling mill early in the morning.
"Good morning, Deputy Section Chief Sun."
Good morning!
Along the way to the warehouse, people kept greeting him, and Sun Zhengguo responded with a smile to each one.
Upon arriving at the warehouse, Sun Zhengguo found that everyone was already there, and he didn't need to explain anything; everyone was already doing their jobs.
After another round of greetings, Sun Zhengguo also began to participate in the work.
Around 9 a.m., Sun Zhengguo was personally disassembling and assembling some of the more difficult parts, while also explaining how to do so, hoping that all the workers and technicians could learn how to do it.
"Deputy Section Chief Sun, you're busy! I hope I'm not disturbing you?"
Several workers and technicians, who were diligently learning the technology, were suddenly interrupted by this voice. Their eyes were filled with dissatisfaction as they glared at the person who had entered.
But when you see that fat body, isn't that Deputy Section Chief Sun's second uncle?
These people were unaware of the situation and dared not utter any complaints.
"Second Uncle, is there anything I can help you with?"
Seeing Liu Haizhong holding the rough piece, Sun Zhengguo also put down his tools and asked in confusion.
"Deputy Section Chief Sun, I don't quite understand the blueprint for this part, so I came to ask you about it."
Sun Zhengguo had little to say about this issue; the workers were not highly educated and indeed could not understand some of the blueprints.
"You guys try it out first, I'll go check the blueprints and come back in a bit."
After handing over his work, Sun Zhengguo began to guide Liu Haizhong until he understood the blueprints, and then he stopped.
Actually, this blueprint isn't very difficult. Liu Haizhong doesn't really understand it either, but there should be someone in the forging workshop who can understand it.
Liu Haizhong's purpose in coming was to test Sun Zhengguo's attitude, and the result satisfied him.
Sun Zhengguo actually stopped his work and came to personally guide him. What does this mean?
After Liu Haizhong left, everyone worked until noon before washing their hands and preparing to eat.
Everyone took their lunchboxes and went to the canteen together. In these difficult times, the factory can't provide them with meals every day, lest the workers below become dissatisfied.
Sun Zhengguo didn't ask for special treatment and queued up like everyone else. When it was his turn, he ordered two steamed buns, a serving of shredded potatoes, and a serving of Mapo Tofu.
After getting their food and paying the bills, the group had just sat down and hadn't even taken a bite when someone stood at the door and called out.
Does Son Jung-guk eat in this cafeteria?
Hearing his name called, Sun Zhengguo turned around and saw a chubby boy standing at the door. He looked strangely familiar, but he couldn't quite place him.
"I'm here! Comrade! What can I do for you?"
The chubby boy at the door was displeased when he heard Sun Zhengguo address him.
"No, Sun Zhengguo, you've become a deputy section chief, so you've gotten arrogant. You don't even recognize your old classmate anymore."
Hearing what the chubby boy said, Sun Zhengguo felt a little embarrassed and began to search his mind for the identity of this old classmate.
Seeing that Sun Zhengguo still couldn't remember, the chubby boy got anxious and started to remind him.
"Stamps, Arctic Ocean, copying exam papers, do you remember?"
With so many reminders, even if Sun Zhengguo was slow to react, he knew who this guy was. He immediately stood up and laughed loudly.
"Haha! Nie Jianjun, it's you, Nie Jianjun! You've gotten so fat, I almost didn't recognize you!"
"Get lost, I'm not fat, I'm sturdy. You haven't eaten yet, have you? You can bring your food to my place. I have your phone number, it's from the Ministry of Metallurgy. They'll call back later, so go and wait for me."
"Wait a moment, I'll be right there."
Upon hearing his phone call, Sun Zhengguo didn't even bother eating. He quickly covered his lunchbox and followed Nie Jianjun to the office.
The two walked for several minutes before arriving at Nie Jianjun's office.
"Wow! Jianjun, what are you doing at the factory now? You even have your own office."
Seeing the small office, Sun Zhengguo asked in surprise.
"Hey! I can't compare to you. I dropped out of school after junior high and went to work in a steel rolling mill. Now I'm in charge of external liaison. After a few years of hard work, I've managed to get a mediocre fifth-level clerk position."
Nie Jianjun spoke casually, yet his words carried a strong Versailles flavor.
But Sun Zhengguo realized that this guy had a good father! It was a classic case of relying on one's father, and even his maternal grandfather was involved, because Nie Jianjun's maternal grandfather was also a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Metallurgy.
No wonder that in the end, only Director Nie was able to rise through the ranks and have the last laugh.
Having a powerful father is a skill, and it's not a modern invention. It has existed throughout history, and ordinary people can only envy it.
However, none of this matters to Sun Zhengguo. At worst, he can work hard to be a good father and let his children strive for success.
As the two were talking, Nie Jianjun took out a can of meat from the drawer and handed it to Sun Zhengguo.
"Old classmate, here's an extra meal for you."
"Okay, Jianjun, then I won't be polite, thank you."
Sun Zhengguo smiled and accepted the canned meat. Although he didn't need the can, it was a token of Nie Jianjun's kindness, and he could eat it openly.
"Jianjun, I heard your maternal grandfather is also in the Ministry of Metallurgy. Which department exactly?"
While skillfully opening the can, Sun Zhengguo asked some gossip questions.
"My maternal grandfather was barely the second-in-command at the Discipline Inspection Commission of the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry!"
Sun Zhengguo, who had just picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks and was about to start eating, stopped and pondered that sentence.
The second-in-command of the Discipline Inspection Commission of the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry would have to be at least at the level of a department director, and even that would be barely acceptable.
It seems that my old classmate is really hardworking. It's no exaggeration to say that his achievements today are "all thanks to his own efforts."
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