Su Wanqing didn’t notice the expressions on the father and son’s faces. After finishing her meal, she returned to the office.
Secretary Tang handed her the materials she needed, and Su Wanqing buried herself in a flurry of calculations.
When it was time for Director Wang to leave, Su Wanqing gathered the meeting materials and the vehicle application receipt slip, accompanying Director Wang to the factory office to catch the car.
From a distance, they could hear Sun Ningde, secretary to Deputy Factory Director Gao Weiguo, shouting at someone.
“How can there be no car? Deputy Factory Director Gao can’t ride a bicycle to go out. How are you handling things?”
The dispatcher said, “Director Wang’s Secretary Su booked it this morning. The other car was just taken by the Party Secretary. There’s nothing I can do even if you give me a hard time.”
He showed Sun Ningde the Vehicle Dispatch Form that Su Wanqing had filled out.
Sun Ningde’s face twisted with anger, but there was nothing he could do. He could only watch helplessly as Wang Dafu, grinning broadly, got into the car with Su Wanqing.
Wang Dafu had always been at odds with Gao Weiguo. He never expected Su Wanqing to make Gao eat humble pie so soon after arriving, and he couldn’t have been happier.
“Comrade Su, you really think things through.”
Su Wanqing said, “This is part of my job, Director. You’re too kind.”
When Gao Weiguo heard there was no car available, his face turned livid with rage.
Last time, Wang Dafu had secured the order from the Rockefeller Company, which had already put him at a disadvantage.
Today, he had a meeting at another foreign company. Showing up without a car would be utterly humiliating.
Gao Weiguo scolded, “How are you handling things? A secretary who’s been working for years is worse than a housewife who just arrived? She knew to book in advance, but you didn’t.”
Sun Ningde didn’t dare talk back. Usually, the Party Secretary rarely used a car, so who knew it would be such a coincidence today?
However, he held this grudge against Su Wanqing. A newcomer trying to stand out—he’d make sure she knew there were no benefits to crossing him.
No matter how angry Gao Weiguo was, it was useless. He had to take Sun Ningde and Comrade Liu and ride bicycles to the meeting.
Wang Dafu and Su Wanqing arrived at the Rockefeller Company’s office, where Smith and other management were already present.
Today’s meeting mainly discussed the machine delivery process. The machines were to be delivered by the end of the year, and the sooner, the better.
Wang Dafu assured them there was no problem, as the factory was working overtime every day to meet production.
Finally, Smith requested that the Red Star Machinery Factory station an engineer on-site for three months. He had taken a liking to Lu Changfeng, who had repaired the machine last time.
After translating their request, Su Wanqing couldn’t help but laugh to herself. That day, Lu Changfeng hadn’t said a word—it was clearly Lu Tao who had answered their technical questions.
Wang Dafu explained, “Lu Changfeng is from the Research Institute, not an employee of the machinery factory. We can’t assign him.”
Su Wanqing translated this, and Smith looked displeased, saying in English, “He was involved in the machine’s development. We want him to come work here.”
Su Wanqing relayed this to Wang Dafu, who frowned and said, “Then I’ll discuss it with the leaders at the Industrial Bureau.”
After hearing Su Wanqing’s translation, Smith said, “I’ll await your good news.”
Wang Dafu looked worried. “I don’t know if the leaders will even pay attention to me.”
Su Wanqing said, “You should try first.”
As they were leaving, he suddenly remembered Lu Changfeng’s relationship with Su Wanqing and said, “Why don’t you ask your husband first?”
Su Wanqing didn’t think she had that much influence with Lu Changfeng, but since the director had spoken, she complied. “Alright, I’ll call and ask him.”
Su Wanqing remembered Lu Changfeng’s phone number. Wang Dafu borrowed a phone from a staff member and dialed, but a woman’s voice answered.
It was Lin Yunshi’s sweet, delicate voice.
Su Wanqing’s heart sank. Had these two gotten together so quickly? They really were the main couple, after all.
Su Wanqing said stiffly, “Please get Lu Changfeng for me.”
Lin Yunshi immediately recognized Su Wanqing’s voice and her tone cooled. “Su Wanqing, what do you want with Lu Changfeng? He’s busy right now.”
Su Wanqing replied in a businesslike manner, “I’m calling on behalf of the Red Star Machinery Factory. Our factory director has some matters to discuss with him. Please put him on the phone.”
Seeing it was official business, Lin Yunshi didn’t dare refuse on her own. “Wait a moment. I’ll go get him. Call back in fifteen minutes.”
After hanging up, Su Wanqing said, “Lu Changfeng isn’t available. We need to wait fifteen minutes. Would you like to call and make an appointment with the Industrial Bureau leadership now?”
A good habit from her past life: always schedule meetings with leaders in advance. In Wang Dafu’s eyes, Su Wanqing was an exceptionally thoughtful person.
Wang Dafu said, “Then I’ll call and ask now.”
He took out a notebook from his briefcase with phone numbers written inside. Su Wanqing sighed inwardly; in this era, such a method was indeed quite practical.
Su Wanqing dialed the number for the Industrial Bureau leader, Hu Mancang, and handed the phone to Wang Dafu. Wang Dafu said, “Director Hu, I’ve encountered a bit of a problem. Could I come see you in a while?”
Hu Mancang asked, “Is it important? I’m about to head out.”
Wang Dafu was grateful Su Wanqing had reminded him to call ahead and quickly replied, “Director, please don’t leave. It involves delivery issues with the Rockefeller Company and requires your coordination with the Research Institute.”
Hu Mancang took this cooperation very seriously and immediately became serious. “Then come over. I won’t go out.”
After Wang Dafu hung up, Su Wanqing saw that enough time had passed and called Lu Changfeng. This time, Lu Changfeng himself answered.
Su Wanqing got straight to the point: “We’re delivering the machines to the Rockefeller Company by year-end. Smith said you need to be stationed there for three months. I was wondering if you’re willing to go?”
Lu Changfeng said, “I’m fine with it. Being at the Rockefeller Company is closer to home, so I can go back every day. As long as your factory director arranges it with my leadership, it’s fine.”
In the past, he had disliked going home, but now he actually looked forward to it. After all, Su Wanqing had changed so much.
Su Wanqing thought he was being hypocritical—clearly cozying up with Lin Yunshi in the office, yet claiming he liked going home.
Suppressing the urge to scold him, she said, “Then I’ll report to the factory director now.”
With that, she hung up. On the other end, Lu Changfeng was puzzled. “I’m coming home. Why isn’t she happier about it?”
Su Wanqing reported to Wang Dafu, “Lu Changfeng is willing to go to the Rockefeller Company, as long as his leadership approves.”
Wang Dafu got into the car, mentally planning how to present the request to Hu Mancang. He had to admit, Su Wanqing’s phone call had been a great help.
Su Wanqing couldn’t figure it out. The plot had completely deviated—this part wasn’t in the book at all.
In the book, Lu Changfeng had stayed at the Research Institute, dating Lin Yunshi, until 1985 when he started his own business. After his success, they got married.
Su Wanqing thought, maybe Lu Changfeng’s leadership wouldn’t approve, and the two would continue their cozy relationship at the Research Institute.
When they arrived at the Industrial Bureau, Wang Dafu took Su Wanqing into Hu Mancang’s office.
As soon as he entered the office, Wang Dafu began wailing dramatically, “Director Hu, save me! The Rockefeller Company insists that Lu Changfeng from the Research Institute must be stationed there for three months, or they’ll cancel the cooperation.”
Su Wanqing thought to herself, Smith only requested Lu Changfeng to go; he never mentioned canceling the cooperation. This Director Wang sure knows how to exaggerate.
Upon hearing that the cooperation might be canceled, Hu Mancang felt as if the sky had fallen.