Chapter 208 The Misfit
Everyone's voice was filled with determination and confidence, as if they had seen the dawn of success.
Unlike the textile factory where there were female comrades, the machinery factory was staffed by men wearing dark blue work clothes.
They were busy around several large wooden boxes at this time. The man in the lead was about forty years old. His square face was flushed by the spring breeze. He was loudly directing the moving work.
Jiang Haitang knew this person, Zheng Kaihe, the deputy director of the machinery factory.
"Director Zheng!" Jiang Haitang waved and greeted, "Do you need our help?"
Her voice was clear, loud, and full of passion.
Zheng Kaihe, deputy director of the machinery factory, looked up at the sound and smiled naively. "Thank you, Comrade Haitang. We'll be done soon! As planned, the comrades from the textile factory will load the samples first, and we'll follow soon!"
Both Director Mao and Director Zhu told him that if there were any unresolved issues this time, they should consult Jiang Haitang. They also said that although Jiang Haitang worked at the textile factory, he also worked at the machinery factory and was knowledgeable and could help him.
"Director Zheng, are all the people here?" Jiang Haitang asked with concern.
"We are still short of a female comrade, who will be our translator." Zheng Kaihe frowned, a trace of anxiety on his face.
Jiang Haitang remembered that there was indeed a female translator at the machinery factory, and her name seemed to be Yan Peiwen.
This female comrade came from a high-ranking official family and was usually a bit arrogant. When Jiang Haitang was teaching foreign languages to comrades from two factories, Yan Peiwen was very impatient.
After two classes, she said she could study at home without having to learn from a peasant like Jiang Haitang. After that, Yan Peiwen never came to class again.
She was really surprised that the machinery factory chose Yan Peiwen as the translator this time.
However, this was the machinery factory's business, and it wouldn't be good for her to interfere too much. But he still hadn't arrived yet, which showed that he had no sense of time.
"Comrades, please pay attention!" The loud speaker on the platform suddenly sounded, and a clear female voice rang out on the platform, "Train K245 to ** is about to arrive at the station. Passengers, please prepare to board the train..."
With a long whistle, the dark green train slowly pulled into the platform, its body shining with metallic luster in the sun.
Jiang Haitang quickly organized the female workers of the textile factory to get on the bus and place the samples. This time, they prepared more than ten new fabric samples specifically for the Canton Fair. Each one was the result of the workers' repeated experiments after countless nights, and it embodied everyone's hard work and sweat.
"Be careful with the steps." She reminded the workers behind her, and at the same time stepped aside to make way for the comrades from the machinery factory who were moving large equipment.
Comrades from the two factories were courteous to each other and got on the bus in an orderly manner. The scene was warm and harmonious, demonstrating a good spirit of teamwork.
The carriage soon became lively. Female workers from the textile factory occupied the seats on the left. While arranging samples, they discussed in low voices their plans and expectations for the Canton Fair.
The comrades from the machinery factory were setting up the equipment on the right side. They moved the equipment carefully to ensure that it was safe and intact.
However, the train was about to leave in three minutes, but Yan Peiwen had not yet boarded the train.
Zheng Kaihe was obviously anxious. He kept looking at his watch and looking towards the platform exit, and the anxiety on his face became more and more intense.
"What's going on with Yan Peiwen? Why hasn't she arrived yet?" Zheng Kaihe asked the factory office staff: "Have you notified her?" There was a hint of dissatisfaction and anxiety in his voice.
Xiao Ma, the clerk of the factory office, was also helpless. He must have notified everyone, but he didn't know if the young lady was in a sleepy state and forgot about this matter!
"Director Zheng, I have clearly notified Comrade Yan Peiwen and have already given him the train ticket. Comrade Yan Peiwen also clearly stated that he would not be late."
The train is about to leave. If you don’t arrive by now, you will definitely miss it.
What if they don’t have a translator this time?
Secretary Ma was thinking anxiously. At this time, he heard a "Woo--" sound, the train whistle sounded, and then the wheels began to turn slowly.
Zheng Kaihe's dark face was really unbearable to look at. Fine beads of sweat oozed from his forehead. His fingers were tightly gripping the car window frame, and his knuckles were turning white.
This was his first time leading a team to the Canton Fair. The superiors attached great importance to it. How could such a mistake occur?
Without translators, it would be like being dumb and deaf!
"Director Zheng, stop looking. The train has already left," Xiang Wentao reminded in a low voice. "Comrade Yan Peiwen will miss it."
In fact, he didn't see Yan Peiwen very often, but he had no choice because Yan Peiwen had connections above him, and someone had arranged for him to be a translator this time, so they couldn't object.
Zheng Kaihe sighed heavily and returned to his seat.
Forget it, if there is no translator, then there is no translator. I will have a good talk with Comrade Haitang along the way. If Comrade Haitang can help the machinery factory, there is still a chance.
Because the translator Yan Peiwen did not get on the bus, the atmosphere at the machinery factory was much quieter than that at the textile factory.
About half an hour later, there was a commotion at the junction of the train cars. A young woman in a beige windbreaker approached leisurely, her loose hair swaying gently with her steps, making her stand out in the plain carriage.
"Comrade Yan Peiwen?" Zheng Kaihe widened his eyes.
"Hello, Director Zheng." Yan Peiwen nodded casually, her red lips slightly raised.
She only greeted Zheng Kaihe, and as for the other comrades, she acted as if she didn't see anything, which perfectly illustrates what it means to be arrogant.
"When did you get on the train?" The train had just started half an hour ago and hadn't stopped yet. If you were late, you shouldn't be on the train.
"Oh, it's like this, Director Zheng, I've been in the sleeper car." She said it lightly without any sense of guilt.
The carriage suddenly became quiet. The comrades from the textile factory exchanged glances with each other, and the male comrades from the machinery factory also looked embarrassed.
Jiang Haitang noticed the matter-of-fact tone in Yan Peiwen's voice when he said "sleeper car" and didn't know what to say for a moment.
When they went to attend the Canton Fair, the hard seat carriages were all booked by the unit, and even the team leaders were not qualified to use the sleeper carriages. Just like last year, Director Mao, who was as old as them, also went in a hard sleeper like them.
Zheng Kaihe's expression changed, but he finally managed a smile: "I'm glad you're here, Comrade Yan, there's a seat reserved for you here..."
"No need, Director Zheng, I just came to say hello," Yan Peiwen interrupted, lightly brushing off the nonexistent dust on his windbreaker. "I've settled in the sleeper berth and put my luggage there. I really can't stand the smoky and foul environment here. You know, I have high expectations for life!"
While speaking, Yan Peiwen clearly showed his disdain for the hard seat compartment, and the contempt was almost overflowing from his face.
Her gaze paused slightly when she saw Jiang Haitang, and the corners of her mouth curled up into a smile that seemed like a half-smile: "Oh, Teacher Jiang is here too."
Jiang Haitang nodded calmly: "Hello, Comrade Yan."
Jiang Haitang didn't think Yan Peiwen's call of "Teacher Jiang" was a respectful title. When the foreign language class ended unpleasantly last time, Yan Peiwen called her "Teacher Jiang" in this tone, with obvious sarcasm.
However, Jiang Haitang didn't plan to say much to this person with a limited brain capacity, so as not to lower his IQ.
"I heard there are a lot of foreign businessmen at this Canton Fair," Yan Peiwen said, fiddling with the pearl brooch on her chest. "I hope Teacher Jiang's 'practical spoken English' will come in handy."
She emphasized the word "practical" and even showed contempt in the corner of her eyes.
"The foreign language lessons Sister Haitang taught are really useful!..." Kang Xiaoxia couldn't stand it anymore and immediately retorted.
"Xiao Xia!" Jiang Haitang gently shook her head to stop her, then turned to look at Yan Peiwen, "Comrade Yan definitely knows more than us. Director Zheng, since Comrade Yan is here, should we recheck the itinerary?"
Zheng Kaihe thanked Jiang Haitang for giving him a way out, which saved him from such embarrassment. He nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Comrade Yan, this is the meeting schedule..."
He hurriedly took out a stack of documents from his briefcase.
Yan Peiwen had no intention of answering, but just glanced at it casually: "I've seen it all. By the way, Director Zheng, since there's nothing else to do here, I'll go back first! It's too crowded here, and the air is not good. If there's anything, Director Zheng can have someone find me in carriage 6."
After saying this, Yan Peiwen twisted his waist and walked away slowly amid the different gazes of the crowd!
Zheng Kaihe's expression suddenly became complicated and a little embarrassed.
He glanced at the comrades around him, and fortunately no one expressed sympathy for him.
However, Zheng Kaihe felt that her dignity was being challenged. Although Yan Peiwen's father worked in the Party Committee and held great power, she could not be so disrespectful to her leaders and the rules!
It was not until her figure disappeared at the connection between the carriages that the stagnant air began to flow again.
Secretary Xiao Ma couldn't help but mutter, "Why are you putting on airs? We're all here to work..."
"Xiao Ma, forget it." Zheng Kaihe said awkwardly.
At this time, mentioning Yan Peiwen would only make people think that he, the deputy factory director who led the team, was incompetent.
Zheng Kaihe suppressed his dissatisfaction and smiled apologetically at Jiang Haitang: "Comrade Yan...has a straightforward personality."
Jiang Haitang said gently, "Fortunately, Comrade Yan Peiwen is our translator, so it's okay if he's not with us right now. Let's hurry up and familiarize ourselves with the process, then check the samples and equipment."
Zheng Kaihe looked at her gratefully and took out his itinerary.
Jiang Haitang looked at the direction where Yan Peiwen left and had a bad feeling: Yan Peiwen, this arrogant translator, would definitely cause trouble for the next trip, so she had to prepare in advance.
"Sister Haitang," Kang Xiaoxia leaned over and whispered, "That Yan Peiwen clearly looks down on us. Why are you still..."
Sister Haitang is much more capable than this Yan Peiwen. What reason does Yan Peiwen have to look down on Sister Haitang?
"Xiao Xia, there's no need to get upset about this. We went to the Canton Fair to showcase Long Province's industrial achievements, not to get angry with anyone." She raised her head, her eyes firm. "No matter what others think, we just need to do our job well."
Kang Xiaoxia nodded, not quite understanding.
In carriage No. 6 in front, Yan Peiwen was leaning on the berth, playing an English tape on his Walkman.
What a bunch of old-fashioned people. She has such a good teacher like Walkman, why should she listen to Jiang Haitang, a country bumpkin?
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