Zhang Guilan was boiling water in the hallway. She thought Fang Yi’s coworker had arrived and hurried to greet the guest. She said, “He is home, come in quickly.”
Then she opened the door and called inside, “Fang Yi, someone from your workplace is here.”
Ji You was holding a tea cup, sipping hot water, and asked, “Your colleague came to see you?”
Fang Yi pulled out a chair and gestured for her to sit. He said, “It is Boss Huang. He wants me to work at his factory.”
Ji You sat down and said, “Then you go attend to the guest.”
Huang Junjie was carrying large bags in both hands. Zhang Guilan led the guest inside and said, “You came, but why bring so much stuff?”
Huang Junjie casually closed the door with a smile and said, “I came to invite Technician Fang to work at my factory. I could not come empty-handed. The vegetables are from suburban greenhouses, cucumbers, green beans, garlic shoots, all kinds. The snacks are from the Guest House. There is also lamb from Inner Mongolia, fresh and tender. I heard my sister-in-law is pregnant, so I brought some nutrition.”
Fang Yi said, “No need to bring so much to our home. My wife is pregnant and cannot eat meat at all.”
Huang Junjie laughed, “Ah, I misunderstood. I really have no sense.”
The items were stacked on the cabinet. Fang Yi invited the guest to sit while Zhang Guilan busied herself making tea.
After Huang Junjie sat down, he said politely, “I came this time to invite Technician Fang to work at our factory. Talents like Technician Fang are rare. I am eager for talent and want to show my sincerity.”
Fang Yi calmly said, “I need to think it over.”
Huang Junjie knew Fang Yi did not like small talk. He went straight to the point. “I want to ask about the rice milling machine. Our factory produces this machine but the rice contains too much bran, the bran contains rice, broken rice rate is high, and the yield does not meet the target. Other models are not much better. Is it difficult to improve?”
Fang Yi planned to take unpaid leave, not resign. Multiple private enterprises had already offered him positions.
He was a motor transport soldier in the army, talented in machinery, with excellent vehicle repair skills. After joining the agricultural machinery station, he became self-taught in agricultural machinery repair. He could not only repair but also design various agricultural machines.
He was just a technician, not an engineer, but now he was a master in agricultural machinery, his level rivaling engineers.
The private enterprises invited him because of his technical talent.
Fang Yi’s design skills had limited room at the machinery station. Many people now sought extra income, like selling sweet potatoes at night markets, but the station forbade employees from using their skills to earn elsewhere.
If Fang Yi left for a private company, he could earn more and design more advanced machines for the market.
His designs were just plans on paper and required factories for production to turn them into real products. Without a factory, the designs were useless.
In his previous life, Fang Yi had been busy caring for the weak Ji You, so the plan for unpaid leave was postponed.
Fang Yi placed the tea in front of the guest. “It is not difficult. It is just adjusting the plate, knife guard, and grinding roller, as well as the wind shield and spindle speed.”
Huang Junjie scratched his head. He did not understand technology and would not have asked if he were not inviting Fang Yi to work. He said, “There are many things to change.”
Fang Yi said, “It is best to redesign, but it is not difficult.”
What was a challenging issue seemed easy in Fang Yi’s explanation, showing his confidence and exceptional ability.
Huang Junjie said sincerely, “If all these problems are solved, our rice milling machine will outperform other factories. It will sell very well. I heard you also designed other machines?”
Fang Yi did not hide anything. “I also designed a universal seeder for all crops, a rotary tiller, and more. If there is a demand, I can design better products.”
Huang Junjie’s eyes lit up. “These are the most in-demand agricultural machines. I believe your designs will be the most advanced.”
Fang Yi replied, “Most advanced not necessarily, but better than similar products and suited to market demand.”
Ji You, listening from the other room, was captivated. Fang Yi could discuss professional topics confidently.
She could not see his expression but recognized his expertise and confidence from his calm voice.
A skilled and confident man was very attractive.
In their daily life, Fang Yi was not always so self-assured.
Ji You looked at him with newfound admiration. She had only seen his flaws before and never noticed his strengths.
She listened quietly, not knowing what Boss Huang looked like, but from his speech, he seemed like a wealthy businessman who prospered during the reform era.
Boss Huang’s mind was racing. Inviting Fang Yi was not just hiring a technician but acquiring a valuable asset.
No matter what agricultural machine they wanted to sell, Fang Yi could create the best-selling, market-suited machines, making the factory profitable.
Other factories had also invited Fang Yi. If another hired him first, their factory would be at a disadvantage.
He needed to work harder to secure Fang Yi’s talent.
Outside, the discussion finished. Fang Yi accepted the vegetables and snacks, while Huang Junjie took the lamb back. Huang said, “Why return it? If your wife cannot eat it, you and your mother can.”
Fang Yi insisted, “We follow my wife’s vegetarian diet. Take it back.”
Huang Junjie did not refuse further. “Alright, I will take it back. I can bring it anytime your wife can eat meat.”
After sending off the guest, Fang Yi returned inside. Ji You said, “I heard everything. Are the machines you design really better than those on the market?”
Fang Yi had built his career on agricultural machinery in his previous life. Ji You knew his skills better than he did. She still wanted to hear him say it himself.
Fang Yi looked at her, their eyes met. He sat at the table, picked up a stack of drawings, and said, “Do you think I am just a repairman?”
Ji You’s lips curved beautifully, her eyes sparkling with a smile. “You are amazing. You are the best technician at the agricultural machinery station, better than engineers, better than everyone.”
Fang Yi was slightly stunned. He looked at Ji You. Her cheeks were fair with a pink glow, her smile sweet, and her clear eyes reflected his dark, deep features.
He asked, “Do you really think that?”
She must be encouraging him. Was she someone who encouraged people? He was more shocked than if the sun had risen in the west.
He felt extremely uneasy.
Ji You nodded. “Yes.”
Fang Yi wondered if there was hidden meaning in her words, whether she was teasing, sarcastic, or praising before criticizing.
But Ji You said nothing further. He could not read any deeper meaning.
He looked at her again and asked, “Compared to Zou Wentao?”
Ji You was speechless. “……”
She thought he was provoking her. Fang Yi could not chat normally.
She smiled and said, “You are not as good as him. Satisfied?”
Fang Yi’s gaze darkened.
His eyes landed on her rosy lips. He pressed his own lips together, truly wanting to shut her mouth.