Chapter 14: The Extravagant Factory Director

Zhen Tian saw Zhang Yifu staring at her in a bit of a daze and couldn’t help covering her mouth with a laugh. “Our new college graduate is still quite shy!”

“Excuse me, excuse me.” Zhang Yifu just then realized he had been rude. “Zhang Yifu. Feel free to call me whatever.”

Just as he said that, a middle-aged man emerged from a meeting room not far away. Without asking for any context, he blurted out, “What was all that noise just now? You’ve upset the Factory Director.”

“It’s nothing, Division Chief Qiu.” Zhen Tian waved her hand. “Xiao Wen brought the college graduate here to report to the Factory Director.”

The middle-aged man couldn’t help but glare in Zhang Yifu’s direction, then snapped at Wen Tianming, “Making a big fuss over nothing. We’re in a meeting.”

“Yes, yes… Section Chief Qiu.” Wen Tianming quickly bowed and admitted his fault.

The man snorted, then returned to the meeting room.

Seeing he had left, Zhen Tian stuck her tongue out at Wen Tianming. “Looks like Qiu Ling got chewed out.”

Wen Tianming had a timid nature. At this moment, he just lowered his head and blamed himself for being too excited, for knocking on the door without proper judgment and disturbing the leaders’ meeting.

Before the few of them could fully recover, the door opened again. Qiu Ling came out with a stern face and said irritably, “The Factory Director wants him to join the meeting.”

Zhen Tian was taken aback. “Him? He just got here, he doesn’t know anything… And isn’t this a meeting for leading cadres?”

Qiu Ling looked sideways at Zhen Tian and snorted. “The Factory Director called for him, not me. Why ask me?”

“Oh…” Zhen Tian had no choice. She forced a smile at Zhang Yifu. “Go on in. Just sit in the back and listen carefully.”

“Alright.” Zhang Yifu took a breath, straightened his collar, and walked toward the meeting room.

From just those few words, he had already sensed Wen Tianming’s simplicity, Zhen Tian’s protectiveness, and this Section Chief Qiu’s hostility.

Seeing Zhang Yifu walk over with considerable confidence, Qiu Ling snorted inwardly and said nothing more. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and went back into the meeting room by himself.

In the long-table meeting room with a large carpet, it was almost full. Some wore suit pants and shirts, while others wore blue workshop worker uniforms. To Zhang Yifu, the scene looked more like a negotiation with distinct class overtones than a corporate meeting.

The person at the head of the table had lost most of his hair. He had a dark complexion, a portly build, and looked to be around 50 years old. Overall, he had a bit of a nouveau riche vibe. Seeing Yifu arrive, he stabbed his cigarette butt into an ashtray, stood up, and warmly stepped forward to greet him.

“Ah! I’ve been waiting for this college graduate for so long! You’ve finally arrived!”

Needless to say, this had to be Director Niu.

Even though he looked like a middle-aged wealthy farmer, Director Niu had a strong grip when shaking hands. Those with experience could roughly judge a person’s nature from a handshake. Zhang Yifu wasn’t that skilled yet, but he could tell Director Niu’s grip wasn’t weak.

In any case, whether it was an act or genuine, Zhang Yifu had to return the same level of enthusiasm.

“Xiao Wen talked about your eagerness for talent on the way here. Thank you for your care and trust, Director. It is an honor for me to come to Jibei Power Plant.”

Hearing this, Director Niu’s face lit up with joy. He laughed heartily without any restraint. “Nonsense! Having a college graduate come to our plant is an honor for our plant too!”

As he spoke, he introduced Zhang Yifu to all the Leaders.

“Let’s pause the meeting for a moment. Let me introduce everyone…”

For the next few minutes, Zhang Yifu was caught up in introductions and self-introductions. Normally, a new employee just needed to introduce themselves to people in their own department or section. Zhang Yifu wasn’t a world-famous veteran expert; such a grand scene shouldn’t be necessary. But Director Niu didn’t follow the usual path and insisted on having this moment. This was fine too. Zhang Yifu got to know the Leaders of each section and the workshop supervisors right away, and the Leaders got to know him. Under Director Niu’s enthusiasm, even Qiu Ling set aside his hostility and shook Zhang Yifu’s hand with a full smile.

During this process, Zhang Yifu learned that Director Niu’s real name was Niu Dameng. This really left him a bit confused. Although his impression of Comrade Niu Dameng was good, the name was just too much. It must not have been easy for him to become Factory Director.

After the round of introductions, Niu Dameng personally helped Zhang Yifu to his seat and returned to the head of the table. “We’ll discuss which department Yifu goes to later. Let’s get back to the main topic now.”

In an instant, his previously warm and excited expression vanished. The atmosphere in the entire meeting room changed immediately.

In the silence, Niu Dameng lit another cigarette. “I already understand. Regarding this accident, we must deal with it seriously. I don’t think we need any more meetings to discuss it. The responsible person from the Workshop, the responsible Team Leader will receive a demerit. The Operation Department and the Maintenance Department must also take responsibility. The two Section Chiefs need to submit their written self-criticisms as soon as possible.”

As his words fell, several men in blue work clothes sighed and nodded dejectedly. Getting this kind of demerit meant no chance for an excellent evaluation this year. Not only would their income be affected, but it would also hinder their career paths for the next few years.

Niu Dameng continued. “As for the Technical Department, you need to reorganize the discipline and Safety Regulations. Don’t just stay in the Administrative Office all day. Make time to go down to the Workshops often, understand the actual situation, and ensure the Regulations are implemented. Don’t have one set of rules on paper and do something different in practice. We are about to apply to ‘Meet Standards.’ Safety issues absolutely cannot happen again.”

“Yes.” Qiu Ling nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Zhang Yifu, however, frowned slightly. He had always been aiming for the Technical Department. Damn it. This hostile middle-aged man was going to be his future Leader.

After thinking for a moment, Niu Dameng didn’t forget to add, “Have Yifu help with the Regulations work too.”

Qiu Ling was stunned. He glanced at Zhang Yifu and had no choice but to answer “Yes” again.

“Hmm…” Niu Dameng pursed his lips and suddenly looked at Zhang Yifu. “Yifu, did they teach any courses on actual Power Plant work at school?”

“Very little, but I have some understanding.” Zhang Yifu replied.

“Alright. For this accident, Qiu Ling, briefly explain it again. Let’s hear the college graduate’s opinion.”

“Him?” Qiu Ling’s face was full of confusion and disdain. “Director, I’ll explain it to him after the meeting. How could a college graduate understand this right away? He needs Workshop internship experience first.”

Zhang Yifu just thought it was funny inside. Your grandpa worked in a Power Plant for five years. Internship, my foot. But he still spoke modestly. “The school arranged a three-month internship at a Power Plant. I understand the basic principles.”

“He said so himself, Qiu Ling. Just give a simple explanation. Let’s see if the college graduate’s perspective aligns with ours. After all, you are the most skilled in technology here. You’re the only one who can really talk with Yifu.”

Qiu Ling shook his head helplessly. He also lit a cigarette and began explaining the situation.

Simply put, they were discussing a small accident that could have been very big. A simple Oil Filter Machine oil leak accident.