Lao Mo's criticism
After the rectification order was issued, the beam yard was abuzz with activity. Foreman Wang, fearing even the slightest delay, personally led the workers in reworking all the inadequate lashing points, securing them securely and properly. Lan Tongtong, with a sullen face, remained fixed on the site throughout, meticulously examining every detail, as if attempting to wash away the previous shame with this extreme meticulousness.
After the rectification was completed, Lan Tongtong took photos herself, clearly showing the corrected status from multiple angles and close up. She then sent them to Mo Zhichi via WeChat with the message: "Brother Mo, all the lashing points have been rectified according to the regulations. Please review."
Her fingers trembled as she sent it. She hoped Mo Zhichi would approve it as soon as possible so that the pouring could continue, but she was also afraid to face him.
After about ten minutes, Mo Zhichi replied with just three short words: "You can water it."
There were no extra words, no comments, and no further questions. This unusual calmness actually made Lan Tongtong even more anxious.
The pouring work was finally able to continue. Lan Tongtong stayed at the beam yard until after eight o'clock in the evening. The concrete pouring was successfully completed and entered the curing stage. She was exhausted and was about to return to the dormitory when her phone vibrated and the screen lit up. It was a message from Mo Zhichi:
"Tongtong, is the pouring finished? Come to my office."
What was supposed to come finally came. Lan Tongtong's heart instantly sank to the bottom. She looked at the brief message, as if she could see Mo Zhichi's calm yet dignified face through the screen. She knew this wasn't just an ordinary conversation, but a "trial."
She dragged herself toward the familiar supervisor's office. The hallway was quiet, echoing only with her own footsteps. Standing at the office door, she took several deep breaths before mustering the courage to knock.
"Please come in." Mo Zhichi's steady voice came from inside.
Lan Tongtong pushed the door open. A single desk lamp was on in the office. Mo Zhichi sat at his desk, not looking at documents but quietly, seemingly waiting for her. The light highlighted his serious profile, and an invisible pressure hung in the air.
"Brother Mo..." Lan Tongtong called softly, standing at the door, not daring to get closer.
"Close the door and sit down." Mo Zhichi pointed to the chair opposite, his tone lacking emotion.
Lan Tongtong closed the door as she was told, and sat carefully on the edge of the chair, with her hands nervously placed on her knees and her head lowered, like an elementary school student waiting for a lecture from her teacher.
Mo Zhichi didn't speak immediately, simply staring at her quietly. His gaze wasn't sharp, but it carried a heavy, penetrating force that left Lan Tongtong exposed. The office was so quiet that one could only hear the ticking of the second hand on the wall clock.
After what seemed like a century, Mo Zhichi finally spoke. His voice was low and slow, and every word struck Lan Tongtong's heart:
"Tongtong, was what happened at the beam yard today really just an oversight?"
He did not raise his voice, nor did he make angry accusations. Instead, he asked the most fatal question in the calmest tone.
Lan Tongtong's body trembled violently, her head drooped even lower, tears welled up instantly, blurring her vision.
Mo Zhichi's calm question, like a needle, pierced Lan Tongtong's defenses. Unable to hold back her tears, they rolled down, hitting the cold ground. She didn't dare look up, her shoulders trembling slightly from the suppressed sobs.
In the office, the only sounds were her soft sobs and the ticking of the wall clock.
Mo Zhichi looked at the girl in front of him, who looked like a child who had done something wrong. Deep in his stern eyes, a trace of imperceptible heartache and helplessness flashed. He did not interrupt her immediately, but gave her some time to calm down.
After a while, when Lan Tongtong's crying subsided, Mo Zhichi spoke again. His tone was still calm, but with more emphasis:
"Tongtong, raise your head."
Lan Tongtong choked, raised her head with difficulty, and looked at Mo Zhichi with tears in her eyes.
"Look at me." Mo Zhichi's voice was low, but it carried an undeniable force. "Tell me, what were you thinking when you signed that inspection form today? Did you really not notice that the lashings weren't tight enough? Or did you notice it, but for some other reason, chose to turn a blind eye?"
His gaze was like a torch, piercing her very heart. Under his gaze, Lan Tongtong was exposed, and all her hopes and excuses crumbled. She knew that to keep it a secret any longer would be the greatest disrespect to herself and Brother Mo.
"I... I saw it..." She admitted in a hoarse voice, crying, "I... I thought at the time... the problem might not be that serious... Foreman Wang and the others said the deadline was tight... I... I..." She couldn't go on. The secret reason for accepting the red envelope was like a huge rock pressing on her chest, making her feel ashamed and embarrassed.
"You don't think the problem is serious?" Mo Zhichi's voice suddenly rose, with obvious disappointment and heartache. "Tongtong! I taught you so many specifications and had you check so many drawings. What was the point? Every word in the specifications was earned through bloody lessons! Insufficient binding points directly affect the combined force of steel bars and concrete, posing a structural safety hazard! This isn't just a minor aesthetic issue; it's a matter of principle that could lead to serious consequences!"
He picked up the copy of "Concrete Structure Engineering Construction Quality Acceptance Code" and placed it heavily on the table in front of Lan Tongtong. "The design has a safety margin, but that's no reason to lower standards! Our job is to implement the design intent 100% without compromise! If everyone has the mentality of 'it's almost okay' or 'it's probably okay', how can people walk on this bridge? How can cars still pass through it?!"
Mo Zhichi's criticism was like a torrential downpour, merciless and unforgiving, each word piercing Lan Tongtong's heart. She lowered her head in shame, tears welling up again.
After the criticism, Mo Zhichi's tone softened, but he remained serious. "Young man, if you want to gain a foothold in this industry, while technology is certainly important, maintaining your bottom line is even more important! A compromise may bring temporary relief, but it will also create a hole in your heart. After the first time, there will be a second, a third... In the end, what will you become? You will become someone you even despise! You will lose the serious and particular Lan Tongtong of the past!"
At this point, he sighed deeply, his voice filled with a hint of fatigue and earnestness: "Tongtong, in life, especially in our line of work, it's inevitable to encounter temptations and pressures. Making mistakes isn't scary. What's scary is knowing the mistakes and not correcting them, going further and further down the wrong path."
He stood up and walked to the window. He looked at the lights of the construction site outside. With his back to Lan Tongtong, he spoke in a low but clear voice, "I didn't call you here today to beat you to death. I scolded you so that you would remember this lesson. Only when it hurts can you learn your lesson. You are still young and have a long way to go. I hope you remember tonight and remember this ruler."
He turned around and his gaze fell on Lan Tongtong again. His eyes were still stern, but also filled with heavy expectations: "Stand up straight! Get up from where you fell. Pick up those lost principles bit by bit! I still say the same thing, you are my sister, Mo Zhichiren, don't embarrass me! Don't embarrass yourself!"
These words, a mixture of harsh criticism and deep expectations, brought Lan Tongtong to tears. She nodded vigorously, her heart filled with regret and shame, but also a sense of warmth and strength quietly growing. Mo Ge had not given up on her; he was using the most severe means to try to pull her back from the brink of the abyss.
"Brother Mo... I'm sorry... I know I was wrong... I will change! I will definitely change!" She choked and made a vow.
"Talk is useless. I want to see your actions." Mo Zhichi walked back to his seat and waved his hand. "Go back and think about it carefully. The sun will rise as usual tomorrow, and we still have to work hard."
Lan Tongtong wiped her tears, stood up, bowed deeply to Mo Zhichi, and then turned and left the office. Although her eyes were red and swollen and her heart was heavy, her steps were more determined than when she came.
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