Principal looked at the cured meat, liquor, tea leaves, and quotation book Yun Qing was carrying and understood at once. This followed the old rites, yet still had a distinctly contemporary flavor.
“You were a credit to me back then, child. The fact that you can still come visit me now is already enough to make me happy. I’ll accept this gift, but only this once. Don’t make a habit of it.” Principal felt somewhat emotional. It was a good thing for a student to remember him; his heart felt both sour and sweet.
After discussing Yun Qing’s studies and learning how well he was doing now, Principal was delighted. At the end of their conversation, Yun Qing looked at him and reminded him:
“Principal, have you been paying attention to the newspapers lately? Certain matters have already begun to reveal their signs. You must take care of your health. As long as the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood.”
Anyone who had weathered great storms naturally was not foolish. They simply tended to cling to a sliver of hope, unaware that failing to act decisively when action was needed would only bring greater trouble.
Principal silently nodded and cast him a grateful look. “I understand. Thank you, Student Zhou.”
After leaving Principal’s home, he went to Teacher Wang’s home next door. The process was the same, and by the time he left, it was already the middle of the night.
Early the next morning, Yun Qing boarded the train heading north. Capital city, farewell!
Northeast China was the center of heavy industry. The technical skills of its workers were second to none nationwide. Even among eighth-grade workers, those from other places could not compare with them.
For years, Northeast China had supported the entire nation, with many technical talents being reassigned elsewhere. Yun Qing’s assignment here had to be attributed partly to luck.
His master’s surname was Lin, and his name was Lin Jianye. He was a Level Five engineer who began testing Yun Qing the moment they met.
Yun Qing had, after all, come from the modern era. Although he had not graduated in mechanical engineering, he had studied extensively over the past two years. Combined with what he had seen and encountered in the modern era, the breadth of his knowledge was beyond question.
The more Engineer Lin tested him, the happier he became. This young fellow really knew his stuff. At long last, they had not been assigned some gilded young man from the capital city. In recent years, they had grown terrified of those youngsters sent from the capital city.
Some came merely to idle away their days, while others came for gilding. Their professional knowledge was mediocre at best—never quite full yet always sloshing around half-empty—while they still acted as though they were extraordinary. They did not even know their own limitations.
“Not bad, Comrade Xiao Zhou. Work hard. Those of us engaged in technical work cannot afford even the slightest carelessness. Do you understand?” Engineer Lin said happily as he patted Yun Qing on the shoulder.
“Yes, Master. I certainly won’t disappoint you,” Yun Qing said respectfully.
Dragon Nation had only just begun its industrial development. Conditions were harsh, and its technology was being blockaded by other developed countries. The Russian Bear had once provided assistance, but after relations broke down and its experts withdrew, everything had to be explored independently.
As Yun Qing followed Lin Jianye, he occasionally slipped some of his own specialized knowledge into their technical work, always leaving people pleasantly surprised. This made Engineer Lin value him more and more. He had originally been promised to Become a regular employee after three months, but in reality, he became a regular employee after only two.
As Engineer Lin put it, “It took us so much effort to get this little fool assigned here. If we don’t keep him, are we just going to wait for someone else to steal him away? With his ideas and insights, if he had shown his talent earlier, he wouldn’t have ended up with us. He would have been kept in the capital city long ago.”
It was obvious that he had no connections. If someone had connections and technical ability, would they still be sent here? Dream on. Their placement would have been decided in advance.
Yun Qing naturally knew all this. It was also the result of his own efforts. Between being the head of a chicken and the tail of a phoenix, he would certainly choose the former.
When the great storm arrived, Northeast China could not be said to have remained unaffected. It was simply not as frenzied as the capital city.
Half a year later, he received a letter from Wang Qiang saying that Zhou Hongjun had been getting very close to Director Sun of the factory’s GWH these past few days. The two had even drunk together. Even Zhou Yunxue had begun to swagger, shamelessly claiming that he had found a job.
Throughout this past half year, he had kept corresponding with Wang Qiang. He could not say that he knew everything about the Zhou Family, but he knew almost as much. Every move the Zhou Family made was under Wang Qiang’s surveillance. That boy was exceptionally suited to being a paparazzo; it was simply the times that restricted his development.
Yun Qing felt that it was time for him to return. The Zhou Family’s affairs also needed to be brought to an end. Since Zhou Hongjun did not want to live properly, how could his own son fail to grant his wish?
Just as Yun Qing was wondering what excuse he could use to request leave, Engineer Lin happened to be going to the capital city to report on his work. Their independently developed engine had achieved a new Breakthrough, and this trip was to announce the good news as well as present a gift to the nation for National Day.
When Engineer Lin told Yun Qing to accompany him, he was somewhat stunned. Was his luck really this good? Had even his excuse been prepared for him?
Yun Qing happily packed his things, and Engineer Lin even teased him about it.
“You really are a child who hasn’t been weaned. What is it? Missing home?”
“Master, I’m not. I’m happy about our achievement. I’m definitely not missing home.”
What was there to miss about that home?
“Really not a child who hasn’t been weaned?” Engineer Lin asked doubtfully as he looked at him.
“I was never breastfed. My mother died in childbirth when she gave birth to me. Later, my father married a stepmother.” As Yun Qing spoke, he even squeezed out two tears. There was no need to say more; everyone understood.
Sure enough, Engineer Lin sighed deeply and patted him on the back. “From now on, you’re your master’s own son. Once a master, a father for life. You’d better remember that, boy.”
“I’ll remember, Master. I won’t forget it for even a moment.” Yun Qing straightened his body and spoke with ringing force. What a wonderful opportunity to cling to a powerful backer; he had to hold on tight.
Engineer Lin nodded in satisfaction. What a pitiful child. He would have to take better care of him from now on. Having a stepmother was equivalent to having a stepfather—what a good child. His biological father was truly blind.
After more than half a year, Yun Qing returned to the capital city once again, but his mood did not fluctuate in the slightest.
During the daytime, he accompanied Engineer Lin in reporting on their work. At night, he left Lü Xiao behind to handle emergencies while he avoided the patrol team and quietly went out to gather information, especially about that Director Sun fellow.
That old bastard truly had no sense of decency, and his son was no good either. Relying on his father’s authority, he had harmed countless women. When he took a fancy to someone, threats and inducements were routine.
The father and son had also extorted a great deal of money. Those two truly did not act like human beings.
Yun Qing’s fists tightened. They both deserved to die! He would find an opportunity to send them below to atone for their sins.
That opportunity came soon enough. One evening, Zhou Hongjun went to drink with Director Sun again, and Director Sun’s son happened to be there as well. The three grown men drank and boasted together.
“Don’t worry, Brother Zhou. From now on, we’re family. Isn’t it just one job? A small matter,” Director Sun said, his face flushed with drink.
“We all know how capable Director Sun is. You’re truly something else. I’m counting on you for jobs for both of my children.” Zhou Hongjun flattered him while pouring the liquor.
It was the first time Yun Qing had ever seen him wear such an expression.
While they were drinking, Yun Qing found the official seal in Director Sun’s study, along with an employee resignation application, a worker recruitment registration form, and a political vetting form.
Imitating Director Sun’s handwriting, he transferred Zhou Hongjun’s position to Zhou Yunlan and moved her work assignment from the workshop to the logistics department. She could not do welding, so he transferred her to the logistics department to watch the warehouse instead—leisurely and safe.
As for her wages, with Zhou Hongjun’s seniority allowance, she could still earn twenty-six or twenty-seven yuan a month. That was enough for Zhou Yunlan to live on.
After completing everything, he placed it all neatly in an envelope.