Liu Lu picked up a part, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Engineer Li, are you sure you're really ready?" This seemingly casual question was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples on the surface.
Li Gong snorted dismissively, his hands moving without stopping. He was full of confidence, and his years of experience gave him no doubt about the outcome of this competition.
With a command from Factory Director Wang, the competition officially began.
Engineer Li immediately began his work. With his years of experience, he quickly got the hang of it, and his movements were skillful and smooth, which drew nods of praise from the veteran workers around him.
In contrast, although Liu Lu's plan was flawless, in actual operation, her speed was noticeably slower due to her unfamiliarity with some old-fashioned tools.
Seeing this, Li Gong's smugness grew even stronger, a mocking smile curving his lips. He increased his operating speed even further, as if victory was in his grasp.
However, Liu Lu did not panic. She took a deep breath and quickly adjusted her state.
She observed Li Gong's operations, learned his techniques, and combined them with her own innovative thinking to find a faster and more effective method.
Gradually, she became accustomed to these old-fashioned tools, her operation became smoother and smoother, and her speed slowly increased.
She cleverly used some new techniques and simplified some tedious steps, making her even more efficient than Engineer Li.
The workers who had been praising Engineer Li gradually quieted down and turned their attention to Liu Lu, their eyes filled with surprise and curiosity.
Liu Lu's movements became faster and more precise, each action clean and efficient, without the slightest hesitation.
She acted like a seasoned veteran, showing no signs of being a novice who had just started using these tools.
On the other hand, Li, who was originally full of confidence, now had fine beads of sweat on his forehead, his movements began to become somewhat flustered, and his speed gradually slowed down.
He realized that he had underestimated his opponent.
Liu Lu finished assembling the last part, let out a long sigh, looked up at Engineer Li opposite her, and smiled slightly, "Engineer Li, it seems your experience is nothing special." Engineer Li's face turned ashen, his lips moved, but he said nothing.
He looked at Liu Lu, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
Liu Lu picked up a clean cloth and slowly wiped the tools in her hands. Her gaze calmly swept over the surrounding crowd and finally settled on Director Wang. "Director Wang, I'm done."
Before Factory Director Wang could speak, a gasp rang out from the crowd: "How is this possible!" Master Zhao pushed through the crowd, walked to Liu Lu's workbench, picked up the assembled parts and examined them closely, marveling: "Incredible! This assembly technique is more exquisite than any I've ever seen!"
The crowd immediately erupted in excitement. The old workers who had previously looked down on Liu Lu now gathered around, eager to see her work.
While praising Liu Lu's superb skills, they also discussed the matter extensively. Some said she was hiding her true abilities, some said she was a genius, and others said she just got lucky.
Engineer Li stood to the side, his face ashen, like a statue, motionless.
He hadn't even put down his tools, and only half of the parts were finished. Compared to Liu Lu's finished product, it was worlds apart.
His confidence crumbled completely at that moment, replaced by a deep sense of defeat and disbelief.
Liu Bei cheered and jumped for joy in the crowd, waving her little hands and shouting, "Mommy won! Mommy is the best!" Liu Lu heard her daughter's voice and a gentle smile appeared on her face.
She put down her tools, walked through the crowd, stood in front of Liu Bei, and hugged her tightly.
The surrounding workers all gave Liu Lu a thumbs up, their faces filled with admiration.
Their opinion of Liu Lu has completely changed, from initial disdain and skepticism to current admiration and praise.
Factory Director Wang walked up to Liu Lu, patted her on the shoulder, and said with admiration, "Little Liu, you really surprised me! Even Old Zhao is ashamed of his own skills!"
Liu Lu smiled modestly: "Director Wang, you flatter me. I was just lucky."
"Good luck?" Master Zhao laughed from the side. "Little Liu, don't be modest. Everyone has seen your ability. This can't be explained by good luck alone."
Li Gong finally came to his senses. He walked up to Liu Lu, looked at her with complicated emotions, his lips moved, but in the end he only managed to utter one sentence: "I..."
Li Gong took a deep breath, as if gathering all his courage, before struggling to utter a few words: "I... lost." He looked at Liu Lu, his eyes filled with complex emotions—regret, resentment, but mostly admiration.
"My previous disrespect towards you was wrong, and I apologize to you." He extended his hand, sincerely expressing his apology to Liu Lu.
Liu Lu generously grasped his hand and smiled slightly: "It is a great virtue to admit one's mistakes and correct them. Engineer Li, your skills are also excellent." Engineer Li did not expect Liu Lu to be so magnanimous, and felt even more ashamed.
Factory Director Wang stepped forward, his face beaming with smiles: "Little Liu, your performance today was truly outstanding! I've decided that from today onwards, you will be a key technical member of our factory, responsible for the research and development of new projects!" This news was like a thunderclap, causing an uproar among the crowd.
The workers started talking about it; some were envious, some were jealous, and some offered their congratulations.
Liu Lu felt both surprised and apprehensive; this was both an opportunity and a challenge for her.
Upon hearing the news, Liu Bei jumped up with joy. She hugged Liu Lu tightly and shouted, "Mom, you're amazing!" Liu Lu gently stroked her daughter's hair, her heart filled with happiness and contentment.
That night, Liu Lu lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
She reflected on everything that had happened that day, her heart filled with emotion.
She knew this was just the beginning, and there was a long road ahead. She needed to work even harder to live up to everyone's expectations.
The next day, Liu Lu officially took over the new project.
She arrived at the office and found the desk piled high with various documents.
She took a deep breath and began to carefully read through the pages.
Just then, the office door was gently pushed open, and an elderly worker with gray hair walked in.
He walked up to Liu Lu with a cup of tea in his hand and said with a smile, "Little Liu, this is tea I just brewed. Please try it."
Liu Lu accepted the teacup and politely thanked her.
Looking at the old worker's kind smile, a warmth welled up in her heart.
"Little Liu," the old worker said earnestly, "work hard, I have faith in you!" With that, he turned and left the office.
As Liu Lu watched his retreating figure, a strange unease suddenly rose in her heart.
She always felt that something was hidden behind the old worker's smile...
Liu Lu's promotion caused quite a stir in the factory.
Some veteran workers, especially those who were confident in their experience but were never given important responsibilities, began to grumble behind the scenes.
"How come a little girl who hasn't even grown up yet is sitting in a key technical position right away?" "That's right, I bet she has some kind of relationship with Director Wang!" These sour words reached Master Zhao's ears.
He slammed down his tools, walked up to the group, and said sternly, "You lot, instead of working properly, what are you gossiping about! Everyone has seen Xiao Liu's skills, why can't he be promoted? If you're really capable, show us your skills, don't just sit here being sour!" Master Zhao had a high reputation in the factory, and as soon as he spoke, the people immediately fell silent, not daring to say anything more, but their eyes still flashed with resentment.
Although Liu Lu didn't hear these discussions, she knew she was facing new challenges.
She sat in her office, looking at the mountain of documents, her brow furrowed.
The development of the new project is very challenging and requires overcoming many technical difficulties.
She began to think about how to build a team, how to assign tasks, and how to motivate everyone to work together.
At the same time, she was also worried that jealous workers would secretly sabotage her and cause her trouble.
It was late at night, and Liu Lu was still working overtime in the office.
She rubbed her sore eyes, got up and walked to the window, looked at the dark night sky outside, and took a deep breath.
Suddenly, she heard light footsteps coming from the corridor, getting closer and closer, and then stopping at her office door.
Liu Lu's heart tightened, and an ominous premonition welled up in her heart.
She held her breath, quietly walked to the door, and peered out through the crack.
A dark figure flashed by and disappeared at the end of the corridor.
Liu Lu's heart raced. She flung open the door and rushed out, only to find the corridor empty.
She returned to her office and paced back and forth anxiously.
Who is spying on her so furtively?
Are those documents still available?
She strode to her desk and yanked the newspaper off the documents...
"Ah!" A scream echoed in the silent office.
Liu Lu stared wide-eyed at the scene before her, incredulous.
The documents, which were originally neatly arranged, are now scattered all over the floor, and each document is covered with crooked words written in red pen: "Get out of the factory!"
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