Chapter 180 Ah Li, wait for me!
"Director Bai, these machines have all been debugged and repaired. Do you think we need to arrange for someone from the technical department to come and inspect them?"
As Xu Zhili spoke, she carefully wiped the black grime between her fingers with a cotton swab soaked in machine oil.
She turned to the side and pointed to a row of looms standing quietly beside her, her voice steady and clear: "The meshing clearance of the main gear sets has been adjusted to the standard value, and all the bearings that have worn beyond the limit have been replaced. Each machine has undergone a half-hour no-load test run, and the sound is smooth and stable, without any abnormal vibration or noise."
Sunlight streamed through the tall glass window, casting a soft glow on her focused profile. Her composure and technical confidence, which seemed beyond her years, deepened the smile in Director Bai's eyes.
"What's the point of inspection?"
Factory Director Bai waved his hand, his tone filled with undisguised trust and admiration, "The machine that you, Comrade Xu, personally debugged has a precision that is even higher than the factory standard. I feel very reassured. Our advanced workshop can now truly do without you."
Xu Zhili was a little embarrassed by the straightforward praise. She lowered her eyelids slightly, a faint blush rising on her cheeks, and smiled modestly.
"Director Bai, you flatter me too much. We all did the work together. The experienced workers taught us how to do things, and the fitter team helped with disassembly and installation. I just did what I was supposed to do."
As she spoke, she subconsciously glanced at the somewhat faded wall clock on the workshop wall. The hour hand had quietly slipped past four o'clock, so she suppressed her smile and her tone turned crisp as she said goodbye.
"It's getting late, and I still have some things to take care of in the team, so I won't linger any longer. I'll take my leave now."
Factory Director Bai nodded hurriedly, his tone concerned: "Alright, go quickly, go quickly, important business is important, don't delay. By the way..."
He seemed to have just remembered something important, and his tone became more serious, "Comrade Zhili, you have done the factory a huge favor this time. If this imported equipment had really broken down and delayed production orders, I, as the factory director, would have been too ashamed to face the bureau leaders."
"The factory has held a meeting and decided to apply for an extra technical bonus for you, in addition to the normal maintenance subsidy. It's a total of 1,000 yuan. I'll have Xiao Li from the finance department deliver it to you later."
Upon hearing this, Xu Zhili's eyes lit up instantly, as if stars had fallen into them, sparkling brilliantly. One thousand yuan! In those days, that was a huge sum of money, enough for her and her brother to live comfortably for quite some time.
She quickly and sincerely thanked them with a smile: "Oh, this... this is really a big thank you to the factory and Director Bai."
"Also, oh."
Factory Director Bai changed the subject, his expression becoming even more sincere. He lowered his voice slightly, conveying a sense of heartfelt sincerity.
"As the factory manager of the textile factory, in addition to this cash bonus, I can also grant you a valuable worker position."
"It's a position as a staff member in the propaganda department of the factory office. It involves writing and drawing, it's easy and respectable, and you're protected from the wind and rain. What do you think?"
Xu Zhili was visibly taken aback upon hearing this, then smiled and waved her hand, her attitude clear and firm: "Director Bai, I am truly grateful for your kind intentions, but this job opportunity is too precious for me... I'm afraid I cannot accept it, nor is it appropriate."
Her words were tactful, but her refusal was clear.
Her ambitions lie elsewhere; the vast world and the unfinished path of "scientific research" are what truly resonate with her.
"Haha, you're such an honest girl."
Factory Director Bai not only didn't mind, but laughed heartily, appreciating her even more. "This is a work quota, a reward and a token of appreciation from the factory. If you're not able to come yourself for the time being, this quota is still valid. You can recommend someone trustworthy and capable to come. You understand the principle of keeping the benefits within the family, right?"
Xu Zhili suddenly realized that there was such a way to do it.
She immediately and readily thanked him again, her tone much lighter: "I see. Then I'll take the liberty of thanking Director Bai for his kind intentions on behalf of the potential candidates."
Her mind was already racing, considering whether the spot could be given to the daughter of Aunt Zhang, the neighbor who had been taking care of the original owner's siblings and whose family was in dire straits. Or... a few faces flashed through her mind, and she needed to weigh them carefully.
With something on her mind, she quickly packed up her worn-out tool bag, neatly arranging the wrenches, screwdrivers, and other tools. She then picked it up and hurried out of the workshop, her mind already racing with calculations.
I'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative later and buy half a pound of pork belly with alternating layers of fat and lean meat. Tonight, I'll make my little brother a delicious braised pork dish and cook a pot of white rice. The little guy will definitely be happy and eat an extra bowl.
She was in such a hurry that her mind was completely focused on the price of meat, her brother's smiling face, and the selection of job openings, that she completely forgot about Xie Yunze's presence beside her.
He stood not far away, talking to the old engineer, but his gaze kept following her, seemingly without her noticing.
Seeing her completely absorbed in her own thoughts, walking briskly and without a care in the world, Xie Yunze could only helplessly curl the corners of his lips.
Well, this girl probably didn't even realize she was still there.
Thinking this, a faint sense of loss inexplicably arose in my heart, like a small pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating subtle ripples.
Could it be that in her heart I'm so insignificant that she didn't even bother to say goodbye?
He suppressed the strange feeling in his heart, turned around and politely nodded to Director Bai, who was still standing there watching him go with a smile on his face, as a farewell.
Looking up again, I saw Xu Zhili's slender yet upright figure turn a corner and disappear at the end of the main road in the factory area, vanishing without a trace.
Xie Yunze chuckled and shook his head. Without further hesitation, he strode off and quickly chased after her in the direction she had left.
The sunlight cast a long shadow behind him, and his steps were steady and firm.
"Ah Li, wait for me, you've forgotten about me."
Upon hearing Xie Yunze's voice, Xu Zhili turned around abruptly, slapped her forehead, and looked annoyed: "Oh dear, I was so focused on moving forward that I completely forgot about you."
She quickly stopped and waited for him. As Xie Yunce strode up to her, she smiled somewhat embarrassedly.
"Ah Li, you've abandoned me."
Xie Yunze walked up to her, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible grievance, but his gaze fell gently on her.
Xu Zhili blushed slightly and quickly explained, "It wasn't intentional. I was just thinking about picking up An'an and didn't think about you for a moment."
She tugged at Xie Yunze's sleeve. "Don't be angry. After we pick up An'an, I'll treat you to the new milk candy from the supply and marketing cooperative."
Looking at her flustered yet somewhat ingratiating appearance, Xie Yunze couldn't help but smile, his face completely devoid of any trace of grievance: "Okay, then I'll have to eat a few more, otherwise I won't be able to make up for the grievance of being left behind."
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