Chapter 31: Soon to Become the Boss

Zhang Guohua: "Yes, go quickly. If we don't go today, production will be halted again tomorrow. Take sixteen thousand with you. Bring back twenty connecting rod journals directly."

Zhang Ziqiang: "Asking him again? Shouldn't we look for someone else to see if they can do it?"

Zhang Guohua: "Apart from him, there is no one else who can do it for the time being."

In truth, this answer had been staring them in the face all along; he just refused to confront it. The machine factory hadn't been established yesterday, and the CNC machine tools hadn't just been placed there today. If there were a second person capable of doing it, the automobile factory wouldn't have been plagued by problems for months.

Zhang Ziqiang replied reluctantly: "Actually, I just came from his place. He doesn't have time to work on them today."

Zhang Guohua frowned: "Impossible. He’s just an unemployed youth; what else could he possibly have to do besides making parts for us? If it weren't for the orders I give him, he’d have starved to death by now."

Zhang Ziqiang: "He went to register a private enterprise."

Zhang Guohua said in surprise: "What?!!"

Is this kid really only eighteen? How does he know all these loopholes?!!

Zhang Ziqiang: "Yes. He submitted all the paperwork. In a few days, he’ll be a legitimate boss."

Zhang Guohua: "It’s over. The price of his parts is definitely going up."

Opening a factory entails costs. With that kid’s temperament, he’s bound to factor every single expense into the price of the parts.

Zhang Ziqiang: "Dad, since it’s been confirmed that he was the one who fixed the factory's machine tools, if you think his parts are too expensive, why don’t you just invite him over to repair the machines? At most, pay him a bit more; it’s better to endure a short pain than a long one."

Zhang Guohua thought for a moment: "True. You’re right. But it’s too late today. You go get the parts first—take whatever you can—and ask him to bring the rest over tomorrow. Tell the driver to go with you to save some time."

Zhang Ziqiang’s eyes lit up at the mention: "Should I take the Crown? It’s not very safe to carry that much cash on the bus."

All the flashy clothes he’d worn hadn't attracted as much attention as stepping out of that Crown just once. He loved the feeling of being the center of attention. Previously, Zhang Guohua wouldn't let him use the car, but thanks to Cheng Shi, he’d had the chance to ride in it daily lately.

Zhang Guohua: "Take the Crown? You’re just going to pick up goods. From now on, unless you’re picking up Cheng Shi, you are not allowed to drive the Crown. Just take the factory’s small van. Young people shouldn't be obsessed with comfort; you need to toughen up."

Zhang Ziqiang was full of resentment: *I really am not his biological son. He has a luxury car but won't let me drive it—isn't this just suffering for the sake of it?*

Zhang Ziqiang once again sat in that bone-rattling van, thick with the smell of gasoline, and crossed the city to find Cheng Shi.

When he stepped out of the van, he honked the horn to alert Cheng Shi.

Cheng Shi came out of the utility room and asked, "Why are you here again?"

Zhang Ziqiang: "My dad sent me to get the parts from you. He said to take as many as I can."

Cheng Shi nodded slightly: "Fine. Come in."

He had been working ever since he got back earlier. He put the bearings made by Cheng Yongjin and the four connecting rod journals he had crafted into a plastic bag and handed it to Zhang Ziqiang.

The 1990s saw a major change: the emergence of the plastic bag. From this point on, plastic bags gradually replaced the string bags, paper bags, and cloth bags of the eighties.

Zhang Ziqiang counted out sixteen thousand yuan—a thick stack—and handed it to Cheng Shi.

Cheng Shi took the money and raised an eyebrow slightly: "Hmm? What about what you promised me?"

Zhang Ziqiang’s thin face turned red to the ears. He feigned composure: "What are you talking about? I don't understand."

Cheng Shi narrowed his eyes: "To break one's word is not the mark of a true man."

Zhang Ziqiang hung his head bashfully, scuffing the ground with his shoe tip, and muttered in a voice as soft as a mosquito: "My childhood sweetheart."

Cheng Shi was secretly surprised: *Tsk tsk, I never would have guessed it. You look like such a delinquent, yet you’re a romantic.*

Zhang Ziqiang: "My dad wants to invite you to fix our factory’s machine tools."

Cheng Shi shook his head: "I can't fix them."

Zhang Ziqiang felt secretly angry: "I know, you're just afraid that once they're fixed, we won't buy parts from you anymore. Don't worry, we won't treat you unfairly."

Cheng Shi: "That's not it. Your machines—I honestly can't fix them. There's no point in wasting time."

Zhang Ziqiang held back his frustration. After returning, he told Zhang Guohua: "He refuses to come. He said he can't fix them."

Zhang Guohua pursed his lips: "Heh, this kid is playing hard to get, trying to force me to go and invite him personally. I called Director Liu. Based on the time Director Liu mentioned and the time the kid delivered the parts to us, he fixed that machine tool in less than a day."

Zhang Ziqiang: "Dad, what do we do now? Are you going to invite him yourself?"

Zhang Guohua answered vaguely: "We'll see."

*I am the director of a major state-owned enterprise; being forced to buy parts from an unemployed worker is already humiliating enough. How could I possibly stoop to begging you to fix our machines?*

Zhang Guohua continued: "Go back tomorrow and get the parts. Tell him to make more connecting rod journals. Also, you must keep a close eye on his activities. Report every detail to me."

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. The words from the ministry leader the other day had given him a strong sense of crisis. While it was unlikely that a young man with no background like Cheng Shi would be made director of the automobile factory, it was entirely possible that someone younger than him would be parachuted in. And that person would definitely utilize Cheng Shi to achieve quick results and solidify their position.

Therefore, he had to find leverage over Cheng Shi to force him to bow down. If Cheng Shi couldn't be used by him, he would make sure no one else could use him either.

***

As soon as Cheng Juan arrived at the credit union today, people who usually ignored her took the initiative to greet her.

Sister Wan was even more enthusiastic than usual: "Oh my, Cheng Juan, your brother Cheng Shi was on TV yesterday. He looked so handsome."

Cheng Juan replied coolly: "He’s my brother, of course he’s handsome."

Sister Wan’s expression stiffened, then she gave a dry laugh: "I never expected him to be so young and yet so capable."

Cheng Juan: "Well, even though others didn't have much faith in him, I always believed in him. People in our family earn their living through genuine skill."

Usually, this Sister Wan would mock Cheng Juan behind her back for relying on her looks. Now, Cheng Juan had calmly returned the favor with a veiled barb. Sister Wan felt even more awkward and wandered off after a few idle words.

If it were any other time, she definitely would have snapped back. But now that Cheng Juan had the ear of the leadership, and Cheng Shi was proving to be a formidable character, Sister Wan didn't dare offend her.

Though she had backed down in front of Cheng Juan, she still felt uncomfortable.

A while later, Cheng Juan was called away by the leaders again. Seeing that there were no customers, a woman from the neighboring counter leaned over and whispered to Sister Wan: "Did you hear? She went out with the leaders this morning to receive foreign guests. She’s going to the provincial branch this afternoon. I heard she’s even learning English recently. Her capabilities are growing. At this rate, her ego will be through the roof before long."