Chapter 102 Little Li Regrets His Misjudgment
At this moment, Xiao Li was filled with embarrassment and regret.
The awkward thing was that he had previously been skeptical and obstructive, and he found it hard to believe that such a young person could have such extraordinary skills in mechanics.
In his preconceived notion, the field of mechanics requires years of accumulated experience. How could this young girl, who looked no more than fifteen or sixteen, possibly possess such superb skills in mechanics?
So at first, he was full of doubt and didn't believe the facts in front of him at all.
Now it seems he was completely wrong, which made him feel extremely uncomfortable, his smile frozen on his lips.
He felt regret because he had misjudged the other person and underestimated him. He was impressed by his extraordinary skills at such a young age and felt ashamed of his previous behavior. He was so flustered that he didn't know what to do, and he avoided eye contact. He was hoping to resolve this embarrassing situation as soon as possible.
Xu Zhili was a little embarrassed by the praise and smiled modestly: "Director Zhang, you flatter me. I've always liked to tinker with these little gadgets since I was a child. When I encounter something that doesn't work or is broken, I can't help but take it apart to see what's going on. I only feel at ease when I understand it."
As she spoke, the crowd, seeing that the excitement had subsided, gradually dispersed and returned to their respective tables.
Xu Zhili was about to leave, holding her younger brother Xu Zhian's hand, when she keenly noticed a complicated gaze. Xiao Li was looking at her thoughtfully, his eyes filled with lingering embarrassment, and something else, not just simple hostility.
Xu Zhili's heart stirred.
Having just arrived, she didn't want to create a grudge over such a small matter.
She stopped, took her younger brother's hand, and took two steps toward Xiao Li, her tone gentle and sincere.
"Comrade, you seemed a bit hesitant just now? Are you worried that this watch is too valuable and that I, being young and clumsy, might break it?"
Xiao Li was caught off guard when she took the initiative to talk to him and even saw through his thoughts. He was flustered for a moment, and his eyes became even more darting.
"Ah...yes, a little. This watch is Director Zhang's favorite. He cherishes it very much. What if...I'm afraid that if something happens to it, I won't be able to explain it to Director Zhang."
He paused, then lowered his voice, "I'm also afraid that if you... mess it up, it'll be hard to clean up the mess."
These words reveal some truth, showing that his initial obstruction may have stemmed more from his sense of responsibility for the director's belongings and his distrust of the newcomer.
Xu Zhili nodded understandingly, her smile becoming more sincere: "Thank you for reminding me, but don't worry, I'm confident in my abilities since I took on this job. If you encounter any mechanical problems in the future, you can come to me, and we can study them together."
Looking into her open and clear eyes and listening to her unreserved words, Xiao Li's stiffness finally melted away, revealing a genuine sense of shame.
"Hey, young man, I misunderstood you and underestimated you. Your skills are impeccable."
He nodded vigorously, and this time his smile was much more natural.
Director Zhang, who had been watching this area closely, finally spoke up with a smile, his tone carrying a hint of instruction: "Little Li, this is a lesson. You can't judge a person by appearances alone, and you can't easily draw conclusions based on experience. This skill of yours, young comrade, is the result of real practice! Learn more from him in the future."
"Yes, yes, Director Zhang, you're right, I've got it!"
Xiao Li nodded repeatedly, this time he really listened. He scratched the back of his head and sincerely added to Xu Zhili, "I'm sorry, little comrade."
Xu Zhili waved her hand generously: "It's okay, it's all in the past. I understand your concerns."
Director Zhang then turned to Xu Zhili, his eyes filled with the concern of an elder and a hint of curiosity: "Young comrade, judging from your skills, it seems you've received some formal training? Which brigade of educated youth are you from? What's your name?"
Xu Zhili straightened her back and answered gracefully, "Hello Director Zhang, my name is Xu Zhili, I am an educated youth sent to the countryside from Xiangyang Brigade, and this is my younger brother, Xu Zhian."
She gently patted the boy who was snuggling close to her.
Director Zhang's gaze fell on Xu Zhian, his obvious confusion almost written on his face—how could an educated youth be taking care of such a young brother? This was too illogical.
Xu Zhili keenly noticed this doubt. A bitter and helpless smile appeared on her lips. She lowered her voice, making sure that only Director Zhang and Xiao Li, who were nearby, and the two middle-aged women could hear her.
"Director Zhang, the situation at home is a bit special. My mother and father are divorced, and my father... sigh, with a stepmother, even my biological father is far away."
She took a deep breath, her tone carrying a weariness and determination beyond her years, "Originally, after graduating from high school, I got a job in the county machinery factory office on my own merit, thinking that at least I had a way out and could raise my younger brother."
“I earned that job through my own abilities, but my own father tried every means to ‘give’ it to someone else.”
"Guess who this is? It's my stepsister who came with my stepmother. Isn't it ridiculous that my biological father doesn't protect his own daughter but instead protects his stepsister?"
“She not only stole my job, but she also couldn’t spare my fiancé. In that house, my brother and I were really…desperate, with no way out.”
The phrase "no way out" was enough to instantly conjure up images of hardship and grievances for Director Zhang and Xiao Li.
She paused, then her tone became firm, “There was a policy that allowed special circumstances to bring immediate family members. The director of the educated youth office was kind-hearted and, after understanding the situation, agreed to let my brother and me sign up to go to the countryside.”
"Going to the countryside is at least a way to make a living."
After listening, Director Zhang's confusion was replaced by deep sympathy and a hint of anger.
He sighed heavily, looking at the brother and sister who depended on each other for survival, especially the resilience in Xu Zhili's eyes that was beyond her years, and his voice softened considerably.
"Sigh... You two have suffered. I never imagined that you would carry such a heavy burden at such a young age."
“Good boy, do a good job now that you’re in the countryside. Xiangyang Brigade isn’t far from the county. If you have any difficulties that you can’t overcome, or any technical problems, just come to the county machinery factory and find me, Zhang Degui.”
Xiao Li, who was standing to the side, blushed deeply as she listened, her previous embarrassment completely overwhelmed by a deep sense of guilt.
Looking at Xu Zhili's thin shoulders and the bewildered child beside her, he felt ashamed when he thought about his earlier obstruction.
He took half a step forward, his voice filled with unprecedented sincerity: "Young comrade, just now... I really... I'm so sorry, so very sorry, my damn mouth..."
He wanted to slap himself.
Seeing his sincere expression, Xu Zhili's slight resentment dissipated.
She smiled gently again, with a kind of open-mindedness that came from having gone through hardships: "Comrade Li, it's really no problem. We've already met, haven't we? Maybe I'll need your help in the future."
Just as the atmosphere was easing, a man suddenly rushed in through the cafeteria door, sweating profusely and looking flustered. He immediately spotted Director Zhang and his voice cracked.
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