Chapter 129: No Future, Much Worse Than Him
As the news of the new machine's test run spread, more and more people filled the factory workshop. Many workers and their families who were not at work at the time gathered around, and the scene was extremely noisy.
In order to experience the new machine more closely, everyone squeezed forward, and the atmosphere was lively yet a bit chaotic.
The workers surrounded the place in three layers, the white breath they exhaled condensed in the cold air, but it could not hide the eagerness in their eyes.
As the head of the security department, Zhao Kai felt nervous when he saw the chaotic scene.
He was well aware that the crowded crowds could lead to safety accidents, so he immediately took his comrades from the security department to move back and forth in the crowd to maintain order.
It was a cold day with a howling wind, but he and other comrades in the security department were sweating on their foreheads.
When he passed by Kang Xiaoxia, he raised his head inadvertently. Kang Xiaoxia seemed to sense something and turned to look at him.
Their eyes met briefly in the air, and then they flew away quickly like frightened birds.
Zhao Kai's face turned red uncontrollably, and the blush spread from his cheeks to his ears.
He was a little flustered, his steps paused unconsciously, and his usually fluent command words became a little stuttering.
Kang Xiaoxia lowered her head, and a strand of black hair escaped from her meticulously braided hair and hung beside her flushed cheek.
"Tsk tsk." Jiang Haitang took it all in and couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth.
This security chief, who is usually decisive and has the final say at work, behaved very differently when he saw Kang Xiaoxia. He was even a little clumsy and cute.
Jiang Haitang thought to himself: These two people seem pretty good!
At this moment, Director Hu's loud shout broke the delicate atmosphere, and Jiang Haitang immediately looked towards the workshop.
Twenty brand new jacquard machines are arranged neatly, like soldiers waiting for inspection.
"Get ready for the test drive!"
Following this command, the crowd gathered even tighter, and everyone couldn't wait to witness the new machine in action.
Jiang Haitang was pushed back several steps by the crowded crowd. She quickly held onto the wall next to her to gain her footing, her eyes full of anticipation for the new machine to start up.
"Turn on the power!" Technician Lao Zhou pulled the switch hard.
The moment the switch was pushed up, the entire workshop seemed to have stopped. Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on the row of brand new jacquard machines.
Even the noisy clamor outside had quieted down a lot, as if everyone was waiting for a historic moment.
Twenty jacquard machines roared in unison, and the whistling sound of the spinning spindles was like spring thunder rolling across the earth.
The white yarn shuttles and interweaves between the machines, like a carefully choreographed dance, or like a beautiful painting slowly unfolding.
Seeing the machine running smoothly, someone in the crowd suddenly started shouting, "It worked! It worked!"
The cheers seemed to have magical power, instantly igniting everyone's enthusiasm. Everyone present cheered along, and the workshop was filled with joy and excitement.
Kang Xiaoxia's eyes were red with excitement. She suddenly grabbed Jiang Haitang's hand. Both girls' hands were cold but sweaty.
The loudspeaker was broadcasting: "The Fourth National People's Congress has been successfully convened! In his government work report, the Premier emphasized the need to accelerate the construction of a comprehensive industrial system..."
The passionate voice echoed in the workshop, intertwining with the cheers of the people, adding a bit of inspiring power.
"Haitang, come here quickly and introduce this machine to us." Factory Directors Hu and Zhu waved to Jiang Haitang.
Jiang Haitang stepped forward quickly, a confident smile on her face, and introduced the new jacquard machine to several leaders: "...After installing a homemade counter and tension regulator, the speed was increased to 35 rpm, and the yarn breakage rate actually dropped by 12%..."
She explained clearly, pointing to a component from time to time, "We've improved this position and adjusted the gear ratio..."
The leaders nodded from time to time, their eyes full of appreciation.
After Jiang Haitang finished his introduction, the workshop director reported to the leaders.
"We referred to Anshan Iron and Steel's constitutional experience and changed the three-shift system to staggered operations. The morning shift teaches the afternoon shift how to debug equipment, and the afternoon shift helps the night shift with quality inspection records. It's just like the jacquard weave of a wool sweater, where the warp and weft threads support each other."
The leaders listened attentively and expressed their approval of the workshop's innovative initiatives.
"Great! Great! You've done a great job," Factory Director Hu said. "We must launch a new batch of sweaters before the Lunar New Year so the people of Jincheng can wear our new products during the Spring Festival!"
The workshop director agreed excitedly and secretly vowed to make full use of the remaining twenty days to work hard on production so that the people of Jincheng could wear woolen sweaters during the New Year.
In the workshop, female workers were demonstrating around a machine.
An experienced female worker was explaining the key operating points and precautions of the machine to others. The young female worker stood on tiptoe, leaned closer to study carefully, her eyes full of desire and concentration.
Her face was full of smiles. She heard that a batch of new machines would be delivered before the Chinese New Year. By then, she would be able to operate the machines independently. Thinking of this, she was full of anticipation.
However, amid the cheers, Jiang Haitang discovered a figure in the corner of the workshop.
Li Shengli was cleaning the window, the rag was mechanically scraping back and forth on the same piece of glass, and the rag in his hand accidentally fell.
When he bent down to pick it up, Jiang Haitang clearly saw the corner of his mouth twist.
The expression was fleeting, but it made her heart skip a beat.
She quietly moved to Zhao Kai's side and lowered her voice: "Chief Zhao, you have to pay special attention to Li Shengli."
Zhao Kai was stunned for a moment, and followed her gaze, meeting Li Shengli's sinister gaze.
He frowned, his professional sensitivity making him immediately aware of the problem: "Don't worry, I will arrange for people to take turns on duty."
Just then, the melody of "We Workers Are Powerful" came from the radio.
The workers spontaneously sang along, and the singing drowned out the roar of the machines.
Outside the window, the cold wind still howled. But in the workshop filled with the fragrance of yarn, spring seemed to have arrived early.
That night, Jiang Haitang invited Zhao Kai and Kang Xiaoxia to dinner at home.
In the kitchen, Jiang Haitang and Kang Xiaoxia were busy making dumplings.
Jiang Haitang rolled out the dough skillfully, while Kang Xiaoxia sat beside her and deftly scooped stuffing onto the dough and pinched folds. She was very fast and the dumplings she made were round and plump and very beautiful.
"Your dumplings are made like gold ingots. You're obviously a hardworking girl. I wonder which young man will get rich from them in the future."
Jiang Haitang smiled mischievously, and Kang Xiaoxia glared at her embarrassedly.
"It's really becoming more and more out of shape."
"I'm not behaving properly. Here comes the decent one." Jiang Haitang raised her chin and gestured to look out the window.
In the yard, Zhao Kai just walked in. Unlike usual, he was dressed neatly today, and his always messy hair was combed neatly.
When he saw Kang Xiaoxia's silhouette making dumplings in the window, he quickly turned his head away and didn't dare to continue looking.
"Zhao Kai, come and sit down." Lu Liangchen came out from the house and invited him in.
The two sat down in the living room, but Zhao Kai couldn't help but look towards the kitchen.
"Captain, what does my sister-in-law mean by asking me to come over for dinner today?" Zhao Kai lowered his voice, his fingers unconsciously stroking the seam of his pants.
Lu Liangchen raised his eyebrows and smiled knowingly: "Let me introduce you to a wife."
Zhao Kai's ears instantly turned red. He lowered his head and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito: "Comrade Kang Xiaoxia?"
"What do you think of this girl?" Lu Liangchen picked up the teacup and looked at her with scrutiny.
He knew Zhao Kai very well. This young man who followed him out of the army was honest and reliable, but a little slow in emotions.
His family conditions aren't the best, but they don't have too much of a burden, so he's actually a pretty good partner.
Zhao Kai rubbed his hands and said seriously, "I think it's okay, but... the girl is too young to get a marriage certificate."
"You've even thought of this, kid?" Lu Liangchen scolded with a smirk, "You're not even dating yet, and you're already thinking about getting married, without even asking the girl's opinion."
"The leader said that dating without the intention of getting married is just hooliganism!" Zhao Kai muttered softly.
Lu Liangchen coughed lightly: "You know her family situation, aren't you worried that they will cause trouble in the future?"
Zhao Kai straightened his back, his eyes determined. "What are you afraid of? If you dare to cause trouble, I will deal with you. Kang Dachun is a bully at home, but he's actually a coward."
As the two were talking, Jiang Haitang and Kang Xiaoxia came over with steaming dumplings.
"Xiao Taozi, come out for dinner." Jiang Haitang called out to Xiao Taozi who was playing in the bedroom.
Little Taozi ran out, and when she saw that they were dumplings, she clapped her hands happily.
"Mom's cooking is the best. I love the dumplings she makes. Thank you, Mom. I love you the most."
Her praise in a baby voice made everyone laugh.
Zhao Kai looked at the sharp-tongued Xiao Taozi and asked in surprise, "How come Xiao Taozi is so talkative now?"
When he brought Xiao Taozi back, the child was thin and shy, and didn't say a word all the way. He almost thought she couldn't speak.
"Learn a little. If you can't speak as well as a child, you will be laughed at." Lu Liangchen joked.
Zhao Kai saw Kang Xiaoxia still holding a plate of dumplings, so he quickly stood up and took the plate from her.
Their hands accidentally touched each other. Kang Xiaoxia retracted her hand as if burned, and her cheeks flushed instantly.
Zhao Kai was also panicked and almost knocked over the plate. After finally putting the dumplings on the table, his voice became stammering: "Anything else? I'll go get it."
"There are two more plates in the kitchen." Jiang Haitang didn't hesitate and arranged directly: "Xiao Xia, I'll wash Xiao Taozi's hands. Please help me bring the chili peppers, vinegar, and minced garlic."
Watching the two of them walk towards the kitchen one after the other, Jiang Haitang turned to Lu Liangchen and said with a smile, "Do you think this can work?"
"Zhao Kai said it." Lu Liangchen said affirmatively.
"Xiao Xia doesn't object either." A sly smile flashed in Jiang Haitang's eyes.
Sure enough, when they came back again, although they were still a little reserved, they were obviously much more relaxed.
As Jiang Haitang spoke, she handed a bowl to Kang Xiaoxia and motioned her to give it to Zhao Kai.
Kang Xiaoxia understood and handed Zhao Kai the bowl and chopsticks with a blushing face: "Chief Zhao, here are the bowl and chopsticks."
"Thank you, thank you Comrade Xiaoxia." Zhao Kai took it with both hands, and was so nervous that he could hardly hold the chopsticks.
Lu Liangchen saw it, rolled his eyes in annoyance, and cursed in a low voice: "You are so useless!"
Much worse than him!
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