Chapter Eight: The Great Hero!

This production line’s defects have affected the entire factory, sparking rumors of layoffs and even talk that the factory might cease to operate altogether. The air was thick with anxiety, and everyone was on edge.

Now, seeing that the production line had actually been debugged successfully by Shen Nanfeng, everyone was overjoyed—this meant the factory’s future profits would be even greater than before! With a prosperous factory, it went without saying that everyone would share in the wealth, and their lives would be vastly improved.

“Shen Guodong! You’re the hero of our factory!”

“If I’ve ever offended you before, Brother Shen, please don’t take it to heart.”

“Who could have known Shen Guodong would achieve something so great? If I’d known, I would’ve lent him money the last time he asked!”

“Exactly, if I’d realized how capable Shen Guodong was, I would’ve done my best to get close to him—but it’s too late now. There are bound to be plenty of people trying to curry favor with him; it won’t be our turn.”

The crowd spoke over one another, each voicing their thoughts.

It was clear to anyone who cared to look: the time for Shen Guodong’s rise had come. There was no doubt about it, nor any need for hesitation. Who in the future could stand in the way of Shen Guodong’s ascent?

“Director Hu, you don’t seem very happy,” Shen Guodong teased.

The displeasure on Hu Mingyuan’s face was obvious. Being called out like this made him want to curse aloud, but what could he say at this point? He could only force a smile and reply, “Nonsense, now that a major problem for the factory has been solved, as the workshop director I should be the happiest of all. After all, we’re fighting on the front lines!”

Shen Guodong chuckled. “I’m glad you understand, Director Hu. But when I said I had a solution, why didn’t you let me try? Instead, you stopped me and insisted we call in Director Xu. Don’t you know how busy Director Xu is, managing all the factory’s affairs? By making him handle this, you only added to his burden. What were you thinking?”

That was a hefty accusation to lay upon him. Hu Mingyuan wanted to curse again, but before he could respond, Director Xu’s face darkened. He said sternly, “Hu Mingyuan, as the workshop director, not only did you fail to assist when Comrade Shen could solve the problem, you actually hindered him. There’s no need for you to remain as director. Go work on the production line as an ordinary worker for now; if your performance improves, we’ll consider restoring your position!”

In the past, Hu Mingyuan would never have obeyed.

He was one of Wang Chenliang’s men, after all—it wasn’t as if Director Xu could just dismiss him at will. But now, things were different. What Director Xu said was final. Hu Mingyuan dared not argue; his displeasure was plain to see, but he could only agree obediently.

No matter what you do, authority is everything.

Director Xu had personally championed the introduction of this production line, and while there were no issues in his hands, problems arose when others took over. Now that he had resolved the matter himself, his prestige was at an all-time high. To oppose Director Xu at a time like this would be suicidal.

“Come to my office,” Director Xu said, his tone warm toward Shen Guodong.

Shen Guodong nodded and followed him out.

Director Jiang walked alongside Shen Guodong, clapping him on the shoulder. “Kid, keep up the good work. When you make it big, don’t forget your old leader!”

“Director Jiang, what are you saying? I’m still working under you,” Shen Guodong replied with a smile.

Jiang Weiguo grumbled, “I wonder if you’re truly naïve or just pretending. You really dare say anything, don’t you? You’ve just solved the factory’s biggest crisis—Director Xu was nearly driven to exhaustion over it. Now that you’ve resolved it, you could say you’ve saved his career and reputation. When he becomes the full factory director, you’ll be his right-hand man. Do we even need to talk about your prospects?”

Shen Guodong simply smiled.

How could a sparrow understand the ambitions of a swan?

Jiang Weiguo had devoted his entire life to the factory. His aspirations had long since been worn away by the grind of daily life—working until retirement, then living peacefully on his pension, and that was that.

But Shen Guodong’s ambitions extended far beyond this. He had no intention of staying in the factory for long; he was determined to venture out into the wider world. Only a frog at the bottom of a well would believe that the well was the whole of heaven. Once you step into the boundless world, you’ll realize that the well you once lived in is but a drop in the ocean.

Even if one became factory director here, what then?

Shen Guodong’s dreams reached much further. He wanted to become the wealthiest man in the world—not just in his own country, but across the globe.

If one word could capture his ambition, it was this: he wanted the name Shen Guodong to become synonymous with wealth on a national scale. Though the goal was still distant, Shen Guodong knew clearly that one day, his dream would be realized.

Ten years! Maybe twenty? That should be enough to shape his destiny.

The next two decades would be a golden age. As long as he seized the opportunity, nothing could hold him back.

His thoughts returned to the present.

Jiang Weiguo had already taken his leave halfway along the way, leaving Shen Guodong to follow Director Xu alone back to the office.

Director Xu’s office was not large; in fact, it was rather plain. Shen Guodong couldn’t help but marvel at how much the country had changed—an office like this, in later years, wouldn’t suit even a low-level manager, let alone a factory director. The room was barely ten square meters, no bigger than a rented room. The walls bore a portrait of a national leader, as was customary in those days.

On a desk not unlike a schoolchild’s, there was a cup engraved with the image of a great man. The only symbol of status was a fountain pen.

In those days, possessing a fountain pen was a mark of true distinction. Without some status, you couldn’t get one—even with money, there was nowhere to buy it.

“Sit,” Director Xu said, taking his seat behind the desk. “Would you like tea or just plain water?”

“I can serve myself, Director Xu—you don’t need to be so formal,” Shen Guodong replied. He was still just a minor employee; if he acted too self-important, which leader would be pleased?

Director Xu waved off his concern and pressed him into a chair. “There’s no one else here, so don’t be so reserved. You’re the factory’s hero and my personal benefactor. Pouring you a cup of tea is the least I can do.”

Shen Guodong thanked him politely, then asked, “Director Xu, is there something you wanted to discuss with me?”