Chapter 33: Not Selected Again

At the same time, in Yi Zhonghai's room, the atmosphere was so heavy it could almost drip water.

Yi Zhonghai looked gloomy, pacing back and forth, muttering curses: "Damn that Li Mingyuan, he ruined my good deed!"

Long Laotai sat on a chair, sipping tea while watching Yi Zhonghai's outburst with cold eyes.

"Old Yi, stop getting angry," Long Laotai said unhurriedly, "It's not worth ruining your health."

Yi Zhonghai stopped pacing and said bitterly: "Old lady, you didn't see it! I had everything arranged for that brat He Yuzhu, but he actually turned around and defected to Li Mingyuan!"

Long Laotai sipped her tea and said meaningfully: "He Yuzhu is stubborn; once he sets his mind on someone, he follows them to the end. It seems he has completely committed to Li Mingyuan."

"What can be done about this?" Yi Zhonghai grabbed his hair in anxiety, "I went to such lengths to drive He Daqing away just to adopt He Yuzhu as my godson, and yet..."

Long Laotai tapped the table, signaling him to be quiet: "What are you rushing for? Can Li Mingyuan even afford to raise both siblings?"

"But..."

"Think about it," Long Laotai narrowed her eyes, "Li Mingyuan works all day; where would he find the time to take care of two children? Besides, with He Yuzhu's temperament, could he honestly listen to him?"

Yi Zhonghai was thoughtful: "You mean..."

"Just wait and see," Long Laotai smiled sinisterly, "He Yuzhu won't last long with Li Mingyuan before they start having conflicts. When that time comes, won't he have to come back to you?"

Yi Zhonghai's expression softened slightly: "But what if Li Mingyuan teaches him bad habits?"

Long Laotai snorted coldly: "You think too highly of Li Mingyuan. He's an outsider; what ability does he have to teach He Yuzhu bad habits?"

"You're right," Yi Zhonghai gradually calmed down, "But we can't just sit and wait; we have to find a way..."

"What's the rush?" Long Laotai stood up with her cane, "Design against Li Mingyuan slowly; we will always find his weakness."

Yi Zhonghai nodded, a flash of malice in his eyes: "Fine, I'll listen to you, old lady. I'll observe for a while before making plans."

Long Laotai nodded with satisfaction: "That's right. Don't be impatient; let's take it slow."

Early the next morning, Li Mingyuan rode his bike to the Rolling Mill. As soon as he entered the office, he saw Li Shouzheng already waiting there.

"Old Li, morning," Li Mingyuan greeted with a smile, "Why are you here so early?"

Li Shouzheng smiled and pulled several books from his briefcase: "Xiao Li, I've brought you the agricultural books you wanted."

Li Mingyuan quickly took them, flipped through a few pages, and a look of joy appeared on his face: "Thank you so much, Old Li!"

"They are just some basic agricultural technical books," Li Shouzheng pointed to the yellowing volumes, "Crop Cultivation, Tillage Technology Introduction, Chemical Fertilizer Usage Guide, and one copy of High-Yield Rice Planting Method."

Li Mingyuan flipped through them, unable to put them down: "These books are so precious."

"Hey, they're just old materials," Li Shouzheng waved his hand, "Some were even published before Yan Jiefang; the content might be outdated."

Li Mingyuan laughed: "How can knowledge be divided into new and old? Basic theory is always the most important."

Li Shouzheng nodded in appreciation:

"By the way, Professor Wang from the Agricultural Science Academy said that when he has time, he can take you to see their experimental fields. If you are interested, I can arrange it at any time."

"That would be great!" Li Mingyuan's eyes lit up. Just as he was about to continue discussing agricultural topics, the office door was suddenly knocked.

Factory Lou Changzhang walked in hurriedly, his face full of excitement: "Chief Engineer Li, good news! The organization has approved our production plan, and the supplies will arrive immediately!"

Li Mingyuan immediately put away the books and entered work mode: "That's great. Let's form the Production Assault Team immediately."

"It's already being prepared," Factory Lou Changzhang nodded, "According to the requirements of the Military Industry Department, production must be kept strictly confidential. Workers are only responsible for their own parts and do not know what the final product is."

Li Mingyuan nodded: "Hmm, that is the safest way. What about the assembly work?"

"The Military Industry Department will send specialized workers to be responsible for that," Factory Lou Changzhang explained, "We just need to produce the parts according to the blueprints."

Li Mingyuan pondered for a moment: "Good, then execute according to the plan. I want to streamline the production team further and select the most skilled workers."

Factory Lou Changzhang hesitated: "The last selection already caused quite a few complaints; this time..."

"Quality first," Li Mingyuan said firmly, "This is a major matter concerning national security; it cannot tolerate the slightest carelessness."

Factory Lou Changzhang nodded: "Then we will do as you say."

That afternoon, the list for the streamlined Production Assault Team was posted on the factory bulletin board, and workers flocked to it.

Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong stood at the edge of the crowd, craning their necks to check the list.

"Damn it!" Liu Haizhong slammed his fist against the wall, "Our names aren't on it again!"

Yi Zhonghai's face was livid, his eyes full of anger: "This Li Mingyuan is deliberately pushing out old workers; it's simply too much!"

Jia Dongxu stood to the side with a bitter face: "I wasn't selected either... I'm going to get scolded again when I get home..."

"What right does Li Mingyuan have to do this?" Liu Haizhong gritted his teeth, "I've worked in the factory for over a decade; my skills are much better than those greenhorns!"

Yi Zhonghai snorted coldly: "He just looks down on us veteran workers and wants to use those young people to replace us."

As they were speaking, Li Mingyuan walked out of the office and headed toward the production workshop.

Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong looked at each other and immediately went up to meet him.

"Chief Engineer Li," Yi Zhonghai blocked Li Mingyuan, forcing a smile, "Can you explain why we aren't on the Assault Team again?"

Li Mingyuan stopped and said calmly: "Master Yi, the Production Assault Team needs workers who can accept new techniques and cooperate well, not just those based on seniority."

"What does that mean?" Liu Haizhong interrupted discontentedly, "Are we old workers unable to accept new techniques?"

Li Mingyuan glanced at him: "Master Liu, during the last technical test, you couldn't even answer the most basic questions. This process is even more complex; I cannot take the risk."

"You..." Liu Haizhong was so angry his face turned red, wanting to speak but stopping himself.

Yi Zhonghai suppressed his anger: "Chief Engineer Li, give us a chance; we will definitely be up to the task."

Li Mingyuan shook his head: "Sorry, the list has already been finalized and approved by the Military Industry Department; it cannot be changed."

After speaking, he bypassed the two and continued toward the workshop, leaving Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong standing there, trembling with rage.

"Just you wait!" Liu Haizhong gritted his teeth, "Sooner or later, I'll make him pay!"

Yi Zhonghai pulled him back: "Don't be impulsive. We can't go head-to-head with him; we have to think of other ways..."