Chapter 16: Good Things Are Not Negotiable

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Zhang Guohua hurriedly called someone to bring over the blueprints. Cheng Shi shook his head and said, “Your drawings are too rough; they won’t do.” If even the blueprints aren’t accurate, the errors in the finished product will only be greater. The reason he could directly make that bearing earlier was that before his rebirth, he had worked in Shencheng and remembered the dimensions.

Zhang Guohua felt a bit embarrassed. “This is imported machinery; we don’t have the original factory blueprints. Even these drawings were made by us.” Cheng Shi nodded slightly. “Take a few extra connecting rod journals in case of wear or inaccurate dimensions. I’ll draft the drawings myself based on the parts and these sketches.”

Zhang Guohua immediately ordered several scrapped connecting rod journals to be brought to Cheng Shi. Cheng Shi packed everything up and said, “Alright. But the higher the precision, the more demanding the machining skills. So the price will double—five hundred each, no bargaining.”

Zhang Guohua felt like he was shooting himself in the foot. Although Cheng Shi’s quote was cheaper than imported parts, it was much more expensive than what the Haicheng Machinery Factory charged, even though their products didn’t meet such high standards.

He gritted his teeth and said through clenched teeth, “Fine, make one first and let’s see.” Cheng Shi replied, “It will take a bit longer—two days. Since today’s Friday, I’ll deliver it by Monday morning.” Zhang Guohua hesitated, “Wait, what if you can’t make it?” He said this deliberately to provoke Cheng Shi into a rash promise, hoping to make him say he’d return the money.

Cheng Shi saw through his ploy and said calmly, “If I can’t make it, I can’t. At worst, I won’t take this job again. I’ll just help you make bearings.” After Cheng Shi left, Zhang Ziqiang asked Zhang Guohua confusedly, “Dad, didn’t you say we should find a way to replace this guy? Why are you entrusting him with more important parts?”

Zhang Guohua replied, “Do you think he can do it? He works for Xiangdong Machinery Factory, and even the veteran craftsmen there can’t make parts with such tight tolerances.” Zhang Ziqiang looked even more puzzled. “If you know he can’t do it, why still have him try?”

Zhang Guohua smirked, “You don’t understand. Business is like war—there’s no room for mercy. If he messes up, he’ll have to hand over the CNC machine. Only then will our auto factory truly get back on its feet.”

Though Cheng Shi didn’t fall for the provocation earlier, it didn’t stop Zhang Guohua from playing hardball.

Zhang Ziqiang pursed his lips, “Isn’t that just bullying?” Zhang Guohua glared at him, “That’s how business works. How could a state-owned giant like us be controlled by a small private outfit?”

Zhang Ziqiang said, “But the truth is, even though he’s making money off us, he’s helping us a lot. Without him, who knows how long the factory would be shut down.”

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Zhang Guohua sneered, “What do you know? Business is like a battlefield—no room for softness. If he’s unlucky, he’ll have to hand over the CNC machine. Then our auto factory will truly come alive.”

Cheng Shi went straight to the credit union to open an account and deposited one thousand yuan, keeping five hundred on hand as working capital.

The woman who helped him deposit the money was none other than Sister Wan, who had assisted with his loan application earlier. She was secretly delighted: “Wow, only a few days and five thousand is down to one thousand. Seems your sister isn’t just helping you with interest.”

Cheng Shi caught the mischievous gleam in her eyes but assumed she didn’t know about the CNC machine purchase, and didn’t bother to explain.

As he stood up and took a couple of steps, his shoe suddenly broke, revealing his sock. He frowned at his shoe: no choice, he’d have to spend some time buying new ones.

He had wanted to keep a low profile to avoid drawing attention. Sister Wan nearly laughed out loud. “Look at you, so poor and shabby.”

After Cheng Shi left, she couldn’t wait to clock out. During a break later, she pretended to be concerned and chatted with Cheng Juan, “Oh my, Cheng Shi just deposited a thousand yuan. Your brother sure knows how to make money. At this rate, he won’t need two months to raise the full amount.”

She was being sarcastic, just wanting to see Cheng Juan’s embarrassed and anxious reaction.

No one else knew about Cheng Shi’s purchase of the CNC machine, whether they were friends or foes of Cheng Juan, everyone was buzzing. “Cheng Shi took out a five-thousand loan, right? How come there’s only a thousand left?”

“Only a few days and four thousand is gone? Cheng Juan, you won’t have enough salary to pay back the principal and interest for years.”

Some took pleasure in her misfortune: “Don’t worry, Cheng Juan will find a way.”

“His shoes are even showing his toes. Who knows where the five thousand went.”

Cheng Juan was secretly pleased but couldn’t show it. After all, Cheng Shi had told her to keep a low profile.

Hearing their mocking tone, she smiled and looked meaningfully at one of them, “Maybe, just maybe, there will be a way.”

Sorry, if you’re hoping to see me stumble or embarrass myself this time—you’ll be disappointed.

Her calm demeanor embarrassed those who wanted to watch the show. They thought she was putting on a brave face and tried to comfort her, “Don’t worry, we’ll all think of a way together.”

Cheng Shi boarded the bus heading to the department store.

The department store had been formed after the reorganization of the old general store.

Though the service staff were not as polished as later years, their attitude had improved considerably compared to before.

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The store also benefited from a relatively richer supply of goods, as more and more private businesses competed with the general store, creating a sense of urgency.

It was also the first place in the city to have an escalator.

When the escalator was first installed last year, many people from various parts of the city and even from the countryside took trains and buses just to experience this marvelous staircase that carried people from the first to the second floor without walking.

Even now, it was common to see people ride it up and down repeatedly, sometimes with children in tow.

Cheng Shi found it amusing.

As a mechanic, he knew all machines had failure rates.

Due to technological and material limitations, earlier machines were more prone to accidents.

The more times you used it, the greater the chance of danger.

If he wasn’t in a hurry, he would try to take the stairs.

After getting off, he headed straight to the men’s clothing section.

Since he might often need to negotiate business, he couldn’t always wear jeans and a white T-shirt; he needed at least one decent suit.

Not for vanity, but as a tool to deal with those who judged by appearance.

Otherwise, he would have gone straight to the wholesale market.

Cheng Shi pointed to two suits. “Please bring these two for me to try.”

The attendant was clearly annoyed. “You’re only coming now, just before closing. And you don’t look like you can afford suits like these.”

The attendant frowned, “These cost over three hundred each.”

Cheng Shi replied, “I know. I just want to try them on.”

The attendant rolled her eyes. “Suit yourself. Try them on first, then decide.”