In the afternoon, the familiar sounds of metal cutting and the smell of machine oil filled every corner of the machining workshop. Liu Li took a break and went back to the workshop to consult with Master Wang about the measured data on the impact of wear on the guideways of old lathes on machining accuracy. The establishment of the technology center was a complex undertaking, and Master Wang's mind was a veritable encyclopedia of this kind of practical experience rooted in the production line.
Wang Jianguo, wearing reading glasses, was studying a complex assembly drawing at a small table in the rest area, with a chipped enamel mug beside him. Seeing Liu Li approach, he raised his eyelids slightly as a greeting, then his attention returned to the drawing.
Liu Li didn't disturb them, standing quietly to the side, her gaze sweeping across the workshop. Several familiar coworkers smiled and nodded at her, and she returned their greetings. Everything here made her feel at ease.
After a while, Mr. Wang put down his pencil, took off his reading glasses, rubbed his nose, and then looked at Liu Li: "I'll have the recorder find the data for you later." His tone was as calm as ever, without any inflection.
"Thank you, Master, no rush," Liu Li quickly replied.
Master Wang didn't reply. He picked up the enamel mug, slowly took a sip of strong tea, and his gaze seemed to linger on Liu Li's face for two seconds. Then, he spoke casually, his voice not loud, mixed with the noise of the machine tools, but clearly reaching Liu Li's ears: "Recently, the factory newspaper has been quite lively."
Liu Li's heart skipped a beat, but she remained outwardly calm: "Yes, the publicity department wrote a report."
“I saw it.” Master Wang’s tone remained unchanged, as if he were commenting on the weather. “When the pen moves, it’s much louder than when we crank the handle.” His words were ambiguous, carrying a subtle teasing tone characteristic of an old master craftsman towards “office workers.”
Liu Li smiled but remained silent.
Master Wang took another sip of tea, his gaze shifting to a C620 lathe spinning at high speed not far away, as if observing the color of the chips. But he continued speaking in his usual unhurried tone: "A couple of days ago, I think I saw you standing together with Secretary Zhao's son and Engineer Fu from the technical department, talking, over at the office building?"
He asked the question very casually, as if he had just caught a glimpse of it and mentioned it offhand.
Liu Li understood instantly. Although Master Wang spent most of his time in the workshop, he wasn't out of the loop, especially when it came to how much he valued his apprentices. He had heard something and was showing his concern in his own way.
"Yes, we ran into each other by chance and talked about the equipment procurement for the technology center," Liu Li said, downplaying the issue and speaking frankly. She didn't want to gossip behind people's backs, especially about Zhao Weiguo.
Master Wang grunted in agreement, then stopped looking at the machine tool and picked up a gleaming caliper from the table. He carefully wiped it with a soft cloth, as if something on the caliper held immense appeal for him. He silently wiped it a few times before speaking again, his voice deep yet carrying a clear, refined quality:
“Lily,” he rarely called her that, usually using her full name or omitting the title, “when people are dating, it’s like choosing tools when we’re working.”
Liu Li listened intently, holding her breath.
“A shiny and clean exterior doesn’t necessarily mean it’s easy to use.” Master Wang’s gaze fell on the precise markings of the calipers, and his tone was plain. “Sometimes, an old fitter’s scraper that he has used for half his life, with a wooden handle worn smooth and shiny, may look unremarkable, but when you’re working on it, you’ll know that every edge fits perfectly in your hand and the weight is just right.”
He looked up at Liu Li, his gaze sharp yet gentle: "The most important thing is that the shoes fit well and you feel comfortable walking in them. Don't worry too much about what others say about which pair of shoes has a shiny upper."
After saying these few words, he said no more, put his reading glasses back on, and looked down at the assembly drawing, as if he had just shared his insights on the use of tools.
Inside the workshop, the roar of the machine tools continued, the grating sound of metal rubbing together was both jarring and familiar. Liu Li stood there, watching her master's focused profile, and the slight ripple in her heart caused by the outside world's attention completely subsided.
Master Wang's words, without mentioning a single specific person, were like precise calipers, measuring the essence of the problem. He didn't understand the intricacies of the situation, but he understood the craft, people, and especially his apprentice's character. He was telling her to follow her heart, to choose the person who truly "fits" her, the one who could walk steadily with her through life, and not to be swayed by external accolades or public opinion.
"I understand, Master," Liu Li said softly, her tone solemn.
Master Wang grunted an "Mmm" through his nose, without even raising his head, and simply waved his hand to indicate that she could leave and not keep him from looking at the diagrams.
Liu Li turned and left the workshop. The afternoon sun streamed through the tall windows, casting dappled shadows on the oil-stained cement floor. Her steps were steady and firm. Her mentor's words seemed to have added another layer of solidity to her heart.
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