Chapter Seventeen: The Happy Moments Beneath the Bangs

The next morning, Wang Lin came alone to the office of Deputy Director Li Huaide, who was in charge of logistics at the Red Star Rolling Mill.

Li Huaide was somewhat puzzled that Wang Lin had come to see him personally, but he didn’t want to offend him either.

Since Wang Lin had started working at the rolling mill, Li Huaide had already asked his father-in-law about him. He knew Wang Lin was not someone to be trifled with.

“Director Li, I have a matter I’d like your help with,” Wang Lin said straightforwardly.

Li Huaide smiled warmly and responded, “Director Wang, if you have something to say, why not just send your secretary over? Why come all the way yourself? Tell me—if it’s within my power, I’ll definitely get it done for you.”

Wang Lin didn’t hide his intentions. Today, he was here to arrange a promotion for Liu Haizhong and to have him put in charge of Yi Zhonghai.

The thought of Yi Zhonghai finding out that Liu Haizhong was now his direct superior made Wang Lin secretly delighted.

“There’s a Level Six blacksmith at my institute named Liu Haizhong. I’d like you to transfer him to Workshop One as either a director or deputy director. Would that be possible?”

Li Huaide had initially thought it was something serious, but this sort of thing was a mere formality to him.

“Rest assured, I’ll handle it immediately. But you know, production is overseen by Old Yang. I’m a bit worried he might object if I bring it up.”

Seeing Li Huaide agree, Wang Lin knew the matter was settled.

He had already negotiated with Director Yang. As long as Li Huaide didn’t cause trouble, Liu Haizhong’s promotion was guaranteed.

“Brother Li, you can trust me on this. I’ve already spoken with Old Yang. If you agree, I’ll contact the publicity department to finalize everything.”

“Good, that works,” Li Huaide replied promptly. He didn’t even ask Wang Lin to visit the publicity department himself but instructed his secretary to handle it.

Seeing Li Huaide so accommodating, Wang Lin wasn’t one to take advantage of kindness without reciprocating.

“I heard you’re short on food supplies. Do you need some help from me?”

Li Huaide’s excitement was palpable.

Lately, the rationing of meat had decreased mysteriously, and staples like rice, oil, and salt were all in short supply.

“Brother Wang, do you have connections?”

Wang Lin smiled lightly. “Simple. Tomorrow I’ll have some delivered to you.”

“How about two fat pigs, each weighing three hundred jin?” Li Huaide exclaimed with joy.

“That’ll be enough, more than enough. Thank you so much, brother.”

At that moment, Li Huaide didn’t know how to properly express his gratitude to Wang Lin.

“Brother, if you ever need help, just reach out to me.”

“Ah, Brother Li, I actually have one more favor to ask,” Wang Lin said with a knowing smile that only men would understand.

“I need some beautiful wives introduced to me. Otherwise, I won’t be able to explain things to the higher-ups.”

Li Huaide was stunned. His father-in-law had told him that Wang Lin wasn’t at the Red Star Rolling Mill to seek promotion or wealth, but to find wives—and not just one.

He had doubted it before, but now Li Huaide believed it.

“Don’t worry, Brother Wang. I’ll keep an eye out for you.”

“All right, Brother Li, you get back to work. I need to attend to my main wife and hurry up to have a few children, or the big boss will come after me.”

Wang Lin named the person behind him directly.

He knew Li Huaide had a particularly beautiful woman named You Fengxia nearby. For her, he wouldn’t hesitate to expose his backing.

Li Huaide shivered slightly, watching Wang Lin leave with eyes full of excitement.

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“After a meeting with all the factory leaders, it has been decided that Comrade Liu Haizhong of Workshop Three, known for his diligent work and helpful nature, has made great contributions to the factory’s production and the country’s progress. He is hereby officially transferred to Workshop One as its director.”

The announcement was broadcast three times.

Hearing the news, Liu Haizhong, working in Workshop Three, was filled with surprise and joy.

“Oh, congratulations, Master Liu!” people came forward to offer their congratulations.

Liu Haizhong smiled and thanked them quickly.

“Hahaha, congratulations, congratulations!”

“Master, you’re incredible.”

“Indeed, Master.”

“It’s nothing special. As long as you all work hard and teach your apprentices seriously, once the leaders notice, they’ll promote you too.”

“Master is right. We will definitely learn from you.”

At that moment, Li Huaide approached and spoke solemnly.

“Master Liu is correct. The factory won’t let anyone’s efforts go unrewarded. As long as you’re willing to work hard for the factory, it will never let you suffer losses.”

“Everyone can prepare for tomorrow. Today, I managed to arrange some pork through connections so we can enjoy some meat.”

“Thank you, Director Li. You really care about us workers.”

Thanks to Wang Lin’s guidance, Liu Haizhong had bought several books on interpersonal communication early on and was now applying what he learned, which made Li Huaide beam with joy.

Li Huaide patted Liu Haizhong’s shoulder and said with a smile, “Good comrade, Master Liu, explain everything and then go take your post in Workshop One.”

“All right, Director Li.”

Meanwhile, in Workshop One, Yi Zhonghai’s face immediately dropped, and Jia Dongxu looked displeased.

“Master, what do you think is going on with Liu Haizhong?”

Yi Zhonghai, true to his nature, immediately suspected Wang Lin.

“I suspect Liu Haizhong is in cahoots with Wang Lin.”

“Does Wang Lin really have that much influence? I thought he had no real power?” Jia Dongxu found it hard to believe, especially since everyone at the rolling mill knew Wang Lin’s precarious standing.

Yi Zhonghai gave Jia Dongxu a look that implied he was missing the obvious.

“You still think he’s an ordinary man?”

Jia Dongxu said nothing. He knew more than Yi Zhonghai but had to play dumb.

---

The pork Wang Lin arranged arrived quickly. Just as Li Huaide returned to his office from Liu Haizhong’s workshop, security personnel came to find him.

“Deputy Director Li, there’s someone outside the factory saying the meat you ordered has arrived.”

Li Huaide’s grin stretched almost to his ears.

“Let’s go check it out.”

Outside the factory, Li Huaide saw a military truck carrying two pigs.

Seeing the fat pigs, Li Huaide licked his lips discreetly.

“Are you Director Li?” a soldier in charge of transporting the meat asked upon seeing him.

Li Huaide nodded promptly.

“Brother, here’s a cigarette,” the soldier said as he took one.

“This is from Brother Wang, who asked me to deliver these pigs to you. Please accept them.”

“Good, good. Quickly take the pigs to storage.”

The soldier then took out a bag and handed it to Li Huaide.

“Director Li, please look out for Brother Wang. He needs a hundred or so wives. He only has one now, and the big boss is nearly losing his mind.”

The soldier whispered this into Li Huaide’s ear, cautious not to be overheard.

“Brother, rest assured. Though Brother Wang and I aren’t blood-related, we’re closer than brothers,” Li Huaide said, patting his chest emphatically.

After completing the handover, the soldier left without taking any payment, confident no one would dare pocket their money.