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Sun Weixing watched the new female worker with a cool, discerning eye. Her improvement was remarkable, and her composure steady.
Even when Master Zhao Panlai deliberately isolated her and assigned her the heaviest workload, the girl took it all in stride.
Now, during his daily inspections of the workshop, Sun often found his gaze lingering on Yang Lihua. Zhao Panlai, an experienced master, was still sulking over a young girl who hadn’t done anything to offend her.
“Little Yang,” Supervisor Sun spoke, his voice even and calm but with a trace of approval in his eyes, “how’s your learning going lately?”
Yang Lihua didn’t pause in her work, eyes still on the machine, and responded while multitasking, “Thank you for your concern, Supervisor Sun. I’m still working hard at learning. Master Li Hongying and the other masters have taught me a lot.
“And I also want to particularly thank Master Zhao Panlai. If it weren’t for her… ‘special attention’ and focused guidance, I wouldn’t have progressed so quickly.”
That old Zhao Panlai thought she could intimidate everyone—Yang Lihua wasn’t so easily fooled. She wasn’t about to let herself be bullied just because someone had been there longer.
Hmph! Let’s see how I’ll make you famous in this textile factory.
Sun Weixing was momentarily taken aback. He hadn’t expected this girl to have such grit. He had thought her silence meant she was just enduring quietly, but it turned out she was quietly accumulating strength.
He chuckled. This girl really had courage. I’ll wait and see if this young calf can put out the fire of the old master Zhao Panlai.
That old woman, relying on her connections and status as one of the few masters in Workshop Three, sometimes even ignored my instructions.
Sun Weixing glanced at the area Yang Lihua was responsible for—it was always exceptionally neat. After a few seconds of observation, he said, “Keep working hard. Skill comes from practice, not from words. Attitude is key.” Then he continued his rounds.
Though his words sounded bureaucratic, Li Hongying quietly winked at Yang Lihua and gave her a thumbs-up.
They all knew that for Supervisor Sun to say this was already a sign of a change in attitude. At least he wouldn’t show prejudice against Yang Lihua.
Any slander from Zhao Panlai had almost no effect on Sun Weixing now. If anything, it might reflect poorly on Zhao Panlai herself—she seemed untrustworthy, gullible, and unworthy of deep trust.
After today’s inspection, Zhao Panlai clearly noticed the subtle change in the workshop. Seeing Yang Lihua’s flawless performance and the whispered admiration from others, she felt as if they were mocking her—mocking her failure to intimidate a newcomer and her misjudgment of character.
Hmph! If she’s so capable and even thanks me for my “guidance,” then I might as well give her a bit more “guidance,” right?
After all, she’s just a clever newcomer trying to climb the ladder. Who knows how she even passed the recruitment exam? Did the HR department take a bribe? How else could an outsider pass a test meant for children of factory employees?
“Lihua, you’ve improved really fast. After only a month, you’re almost on par with me,” Li Hongying said, impressed.
“Lihua progresses fast because she’s naturally suited for this work…” Master Liu Meihua, sitting beside Yang Lihua’s machine, also praised her. She had watched the girl grow step by step over the past month.
“I’ve grown so quickly because all the masters have taught me well. Otherwise, as a newcomer, I couldn’t have figured out so many techniques in just one month…”
Liu Meihua reached out and playfully tapped Yang Lihua, a smile on her lips. “You… you…”
Zhao Panlai, carrying an enamel mug, raised her eyelids and glanced at Yang Lihua through the crowd, lips twitching, and started walking toward them.
“I’ll tell you, a person, no matter where they are, has to be diligent,” Zhao Panlai said in a low voice, loud enough for the surrounding workers to hear.
“Don’t think a bit of cleverness and flattery can make you do good work. Without my guidance in this workshop, you won’t get far or become a top-class machine operator.
“Here, skill is what counts. You have to have eyes for the work and a mind for it. Those sneaky tricks? Better set them aside early.”
Her words were pointed, belittling, as if no other master in Workshop Three was competent besides her.
The previously lively workshop fell silent. Li Hongying’s face reddened with anger, ready to retort, but Yang Lihua quickly grabbed her wrist and gently pulled it down.
Yang Lihua looked at Zhao Panlai calmly, even showing a hint of respect, “Master Zhao is right. Our workshop relies on real skill. This past month, under your guidance, I didn’t dare slack off for a moment. I focused on mastering the skills taught by you, Supervisor Sun, and all the masters, practicing diligently.”
Zhao Panlai, being a master, deserved respect despite any private grievances. If Yang Lihua revealed any weakness, it would be used against her, and that wasn’t worth it.
But she wasn’t a pushover—she knew how to respond appropriately.
“This past month, I also realized something. Learning a craft requires personal effort, but also good masters willing and able to teach.
“However, it also requires sharp eyes and attentive ears. You can’t judge people or situations based on one person’s words alone, right, Master Zhao?
“They say, ‘believe one and be blind, believe many and be clear.’ Sometimes people have ulterior motives, so it’s best to listen and think for yourself.”
After Yang Lihua spoke, the workshop became completely silent—one could hear a pin drop. Everyone hadn’t expected that this quiet, diligent girl would speak with such clarity and insight.
She was neither boastful nor submissive; every word was reasonable and struck at the heart of the matter.
Zhao Panlai finally realized she had met a worthy opponent. Her stern face flushed red.
Hands trembling slightly as she held the enamel mug, she wanted to retort but found herself momentarily speechless. Yang Lihua had completely turned the tables.
“What… what do you mean by that?” Zhao Panlai finally spat out through clenched teeth.
“No special meaning, Master Zhao,” Yang Lihua replied, her lips curling into a bright smile. “I just think our working class values honesty and fairness. Everything I do and say is seen by the whole workshop. My reputation shouldn’t be ruined by just a few words from you, right?”