The truck carrying Liu Li entered the factory gate. The setting sun bathed the truck in a golden glow, as if it were draped in a layer of light. The wheels rolled over the dirt road in the factory area, and the dust they kicked up floated in the light, looking different than usual.
The excitement in front of the factory hadn't died down yet, but Liu Li only felt truly at ease once her feet touched the ground of the machining workshop—the smell of machine oil and metal filings here was more comforting than anything else.
As soon as the truck stopped in the open space in front of the workshop, the waiting workers swarmed around it. Unlike the commendations from the factory, the excitement here wasn't so formal; it was all genuine enthusiasm.
"He's back! Our workshop's double hero is back!" Li Weidong shouted the loudest, his mouth wide open, his teeth yellowed from smoking, looking even happier than when he won the award himself.
Zhang Shulan squeezed through the crowd the fastest, like a butterfly, and grabbed Liu Li, who had just gotten off the bus. She patted Liu Li's back hard and said in a high-pitched voice, "Li! You've really made us proud! Let's see who dares to gossip now, saying that our female workers can't hold a file properly or operate a lathe!"
Liu Li was shaken by the hug, and the box of certificates in her arms almost fell to the ground, but her heart was warm. She also hugged Zhang Shulan: "Sister Shulan, I'm back. I didn't let everyone down."
Director Zhao stood at the front, his usually furrowed brows now completely relaxed, his face crinkling with smiles. Instead of accepting the certificate first, he reached out and grabbed Liu Li's hand, shaking it vigorously: "Comrade Liu Li, thank you for your hard work! In this competition, you not only brought honor to yourself, but also to our Hongxing Factory and our machining workshop! The factory is holding an awards ceremony tomorrow, and our workshop will have an extra meal tonight! It's on me, a treat for everyone!"
"Great job, foreman!" the workers cheered immediately. Back then, supplies were scarce, and being able to eat more oily food was more important than anything else.
Liu Li quickly said, "Director, this isn't just my achievement. Without the workshop's training, without my mentor's guidance, and without everyone's help, I couldn't have done anything." This wasn't just polite talk—she had heard a lot of gossip before, and some people had secretly helped her. She knew that working in the workshop required everyone's help.
She looked out of the crowd and saw Master Wang standing beside the lathe, still wearing his faded blue overalls, his hands behind his back, his face still tense, completely out of place with the lively atmosphere around him. But Liu Li could see clearly that there was a soft light hidden in his eyes, not his usual sharpness.
Liu Li squeezed through the crowd with her prize in her arms and bowed deeply to Master Wang: "Master, I'm back. I didn't let you down."
Master Wang grunted in agreement, his eyes falling on the two boxes tied with red ribbons, especially the larger one: "Open them and take a look." Just four words, nothing more.
Liu Li placed the large box on the workbench, untied the red silk, and lifted the lid—a set of files gleamed, all the same model, with good-looking steel tips, gleaming coldly in the evening light.
The workers who gathered around exclaimed "Wow!" Li Weidong's eyes widened: "Good heavens! This file is ten times better than the one issued by the factory! Look at these teeth, how even they are!" He rubbed his hands together, full of envy, but without a trace of jealousy.
Master Wang reached for the largest flat file, flicked the blade with his finger, listened to the faint vibrating sound, and then ran his fingertip along the file teeth. He nodded, his face still expressionless, but his words were sincere: "It's a good tool. Tools are an extension of the hand; when the tools are handy, the work can be done well. Don't waste it."
"I know, Master, I will definitely use it well," Liu Li quickly replied.
She opened the small box again, inside were a dial indicator and an inside diameter gauge rod. This time even the veteran workers gathered around—precision measuring tools were very valuable in the workshop, and it was rare to see them so new and in such good condition.
"This dial indicator must be imported, right? Look at the pointer, it's so smooth."
"With this thing, the measurements will be much more accurate."
"Liu Li has really upgraded her equipment!"
Fu Jingchen also came over, holding a thick "Mechanical Engineering Handbook" in his hand—his prize. He smiled and said, "Comrade Liu Li, your prize is more practical; you can use it right away." His tone was soft, with a hint of appreciation. The two exchanged a glance, saying nothing more, but they both understood—the days spent preparing for the competition together had forged a tacit understanding.
After a while of commotion, Director Zhao told everyone to pack up their tools and leave work, and to meet at the canteen that evening. The workers then dispersed, returning to their posts to finish up, still muttering about the excitement they had just experienced.
As Liu Li and Zhang Shulan walked toward the women's changing room, they encountered people from other workshops who all looked at her, some even smiling and greeting her: "Is this Liu Li, the double award winner? Amazing!"
Zhang Shulan nudged her with her elbow and whispered smugly, "See? Now the whole factory knows our workshop has a female champion! Who will dare to look down on us anymore!"
Liu Li smiled—when she first joined the factory, some people disliked her because she was a woman and young, and Sun Peng even gossiped about her, but all of that is gone now. Respect earned through genuine ability is more reassuring than anything else.
In the changing room, her female roommates chattered around her: "Xiao Li, you've made us female workers proud!" "You have to give a good talk at the commendation meeting tomorrow, how did you hone your skills?" "Can I borrow that set of files to touch?" Liu Li responded with a smile, not getting carried away, knowing that honors are in the past and she still has to work hard in the future.
The work bell rang, and the workshop was filled with the sounds of machine tools being shut down and tools being put away. Liu Li followed everyone towards the canteen. The setting sun cast long shadows, and she felt particularly at ease blending into the crowd of people leaving work.
The cafeteria really did add extra dishes tonight—every table had a plate of braised pork, glistening with oil, the pieces small but the aroma wafting far and wide; there were also scrambled eggs and stewed cabbage, glass noodles, and tofu, which are rarely seen. Director Zhao kept his promise and really paid out of his own pocket to treat everyone to a nice meal.
Master Wang was seated at the head of the table, and Liu Li was moved to his side. Director Zhao said a few words, praising Liu Li and encouraging everyone to work hard, before shouting "Let's eat!"
The dinner table was lively, with everyone using tea as wine and toasting Liu Li and Chef Wang. Someone kept secretly adding extra pieces of braised pork to Liu Li's bowl, which she couldn't refuse. This genuine kindness warmed her heart.
Fu Jingchen sat at another table with his colleagues from the technical department. He occasionally glanced over, and Liu Li looked up and their eyes met. They smiled at each other without saying much, but their closeness was undeniable.
After dinner, Liu Li and Zhang Shulan walked back to their dormitory hand in hand. The summer night breeze, carrying the smell of iron and machine oil from the factory, felt especially pleasant on their faces.
“Xiao Li,” Zhang Shulan suddenly said softly, “that’s wonderful.”
Liu Li looked at her: "What's good?"
“You are so good now,” Zhang Shulan said, gazing at the stars in the sky with hope in her voice. “It makes people feel like there is something to look forward to.”
Liu Li gripped her hand tightly, saying nothing, but her heart was filled with strength. Returning with honors brought not only certificates and tools, but also the recognition of everyone in the workshop. The previous difficulties were over; from now on, she needed to walk the path more steadily. She had taken the first step firmly, forging herself into steel.
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