Shen Mingzhi returned to her dormitory and washed the aluminum lunchbox until it shone. She tossed and turned in bed, her mind filled with Jiang Shaozhen's parting words, "I'll come back next time."
Jiang Shaozhen was indeed away for a long time this time, almost a month.
Early that morning, as Shen Mingzhi entered the workshop, she heard a commotion. The workers were gathered together, with a travel-worn figure standing in the middle, and another man, Shen Xiuzhu, who always preferred to wear a suit.
"Technician Li is back!" someone shouted.
After all, going abroad is such an honorable thing; only those with academic qualifications and who are outstanding in their professional fields can go abroad.
Everyone crowded around, staring at Technician Li and Shen Xiuzhu with curiosity.
Shen Mingzhi approached them, shook hands with Technician Li, and said, "Thank you for your hard work."
"It wasn't hard work. I was able to get the parameters of our factory's equipment smoothly thanks to Comrade Shen this time," said Technician Li.
“Let’s go to the office and talk first,” Shen Mingzhi said to him.
Shen Xiuzhu, who was waiting to be praised, immediately voiced her dissatisfaction when she saw that she was about to leave with Technician Li, "What, I didn't do anything, so you're not going to shake my hand?"
Shen Mingzhi immediately grabbed his hand and squeezed it hard, saying, "Thank you for your hard work, Comrade Shen."
"That's more like it, but I won't go to your office. I need to go back and rest," Shen Xiuzhu said, yawning, after she let go of his hand.
"Then go home. I'll treat you to dinner later." Shen Mingzhi's tone softened.
"Hmm." After saying that, Shen Xiuzhu turned and walked out of the factory.
As soon as he entered the office, Technician Li began rummaging through his bulging duffel bag. Several glass bottles shimmered in the sunlight, bearing Japanese labels.
"Comrade Shen, these are the cosmetics you requested, but I didn't see the foundation you mentioned," Technician Li said apologetically. "However, Comrade Shen has translated the ingredient lists for all these cosmetics."
Shen Mingzhi took the bottle and gently unscrewed the cap. The ivory-white cream was delicate and smooth, emitting a faint jasmine scent. She dabbed a little with her fingertip and spread it on the back of her hand—it spread very well and had good coverage.
Although it's not called liquid foundation, this should be the prototype of liquid foundation.
After all, it's still a long time... Liquid foundation shouldn't have been around for more than a few years.
"Having this sample is already quite good," Shen Mingzhi told Technician Li. "You start adjusting the equipment parameters tomorrow, and then we'll begin sample production. Once it's finished, I want to see if our product is better than this foreign one."
Technician Li, full of enthusiasm, exclaimed, "Great!"
The process of making samples is very complicated.
Shen Mingzhi has been sleeping in the workshop for the past few days. She had originally planned to go back to the Jiang family to see the children, but she hasn't had the time.
Many samples were wasted. Although the parameters were accurate, the formula that Shen Mingzhi gave to Technician Li was an advanced formula that did not match the outdated machine.
After failing again, Shen Mingzhi's expression turned serious.
Just then, the warehouse manager ran over and reported, "Comrade Shen, we're running out of titanium dioxide."
Shen Mingzhi frowned: "Didn't we just get a new batch last time?"
"It was confiscated by the quality control department; they said the purity didn't meet the standards."
"Go take a look." Shen Mingzhi immediately went to the quality inspection department to check.
When she arrived at the quality control department, the quality inspector gave her the titanium dioxide. She smelled it, looked at the color, and immediately noticed something was wrong. The newly arrived titanium dioxide was yellowish, clearly adulterated with impurities.
"Who made the purchase?" she asked in a deep voice.
"Old Li," the quality inspector whispered, "he took leave the day before yesterday and went back to his hometown."
Shen Mingzhi sneered. This Section Chief Li, because of factory regulations, they couldn't fire the workers last time regarding the fragrance issue, so they let him stay. And now he's done it again?
"Use what you have in stock first, I'll contact a new supplier." Shen Mingzhi didn't have time to argue with him right now.
Turning around and leaving the workshop, she was on her way to the factory manager's office when she suddenly saw a tall figure approaching in the corridor.
Shen Mingzhi narrowed her eyes.
Jiang Shaochen is back.
He was holding a manila envelope, apparently there to deliver some documents.
"What happened?" He could tell at a glance that Shen Mingzhi's expression was off.
Shen Mingzhi briefly explained the situation.
After listening, Jiang Shaozhen took out a small notebook from his pocket and flipped through it: "I have comrades at the military chemical plant; they have high-purity titanium dioxide. I'll ask them for you."
"You can just take things from the chemical plant as you please?" Shen Mingzhi asked with some suspicion.
You know, chemical plants use their products only when they're really needed.
"Why not? Chemical plants also need to achieve results. If you develop a successful project and get a large order, especially from a state-owned enterprise, they'll definitely give you priority," Jiang Shaozhen told her. "Chemical plants rarely export products, and even if they do, if our state-owned enterprises need them, we'll prioritize them."
"So that's how it is." Shen Mingzhi really didn't understand the operating mode of the chemical plant.
“Come on, I’ll go with you to the factory manager’s office and call the chemical plant to have them deliver it as soon as possible,” Jiang Shaozhen said to Shen Mingzhi.
Shen Mingzhi is indeed in a hurry for raw materials. If she can produce them successfully, she will receive many orders from Singapore and will be able to connect with the chemical plant.
"good."
Shen Mingzhi led him into the office, while Jiang Shaochen made a phone call.
Shen Mingzhi didn't listen.
After he finished his call, she finally asked, "How did it go?"
Jiang Shaozhen: "It's settled. They'll deliver the goods this afternoon, at cost price."
Shen Mingzhi was surprised by his efficiency: "Thank you. Um... how are the children? I've been so busy lately, I haven't had time to go back."
She felt very guilty.
On one hand, there are the children at home, and on the other hand, there are the wages of hundreds of people in the factory, all of whom are counting on her reforms.
"Zhouzhou has been particularly fussy these past few days, crying all the time at night." Jiang Shaozhen's gaze softened. "Aunt Wang said she might be missing you."
Upon hearing this, Shen Mingzhi felt a surge of guilt and longing, like a tidal wave, in her heart. "Where is Niannian?"
"Niannian is even more fussy now. She doesn't want to sleep at night and cries as soon as she wakes up." Jiang Shaochen said, then sighed heavily. "My mother is very worried that she might ruin her voice from crying."
Shen Mingzhi felt a lump in her throat. How could she not want a child? It's just that she simply couldn't leave the factory right now.
"I'll go back to see them once this batch of samples is ready," she said, her voice slightly choked with emotion.
Jiang Shaozhen looked at her for a while before saying, "I can understand you, but your parents... are really upset because you haven't been back for so long. You may not accept our family, but you still have to go back and see the two children."
"I know," Shen Mingzhi said, her eyes filled with melancholy.
However, she quickly noticed the documents in Jiang Shao Chen's hand and asked, "What are you here for?"
“Oh, Director Sun knows I’m in the construction team. He told me about the reconstruction of your factory’s dormitory building last time. I made a plan for him, but he’s not here. Could you pass it on to him for me?” Jiang Shaozhen handed the document to Shen Mingzhi.
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