Chapter 2628

Mu Gaoyu leaned lazily against the wall, pulling out a cigarette from his pocket and lighting it. Smoke curled up, blurring his face. Through the haze, his gaze fell on the entrance of the Design Department—everyone had already gone in, leaving the doorway empty. As smoke continued to rise from his lips, an indescribable smile quietly crept onto his face.

"Suda Li, Jin Feng, you fools……" Mu Gaoyu murmured softly, a flicker of contempt and mockery flashing in his eyes. They probably hadn't realized the danger yet, perhaps still lost in sweet dreams, believing Zhou Andong would value them.

But Hong Jinyan, that woman, is remarkably sharp—she must have already sensed the danger. Still, what a pity: even if she sensed the crisis, it would be useless, for it's too late; everything is already beyond remedy.

As long as Hong Jinyan dares to step out of Zhou Andong's sight, she will surely be seized immediately. At that point, the most face-conscious Hong Jinyan will have her dignity stripped completely bare.

Thinking about this, Mu Gaoyu's smile grew more pronounced. Hong Jinyan at Jinshi Guang is known for her unwavering word and domineering style—she brooks no reason, allowing no one to defy her.

When her mood turns foul, whoever is unlucky enough to catch her attention will be scolded from morning till noon. As the common folk say, Hong Jinyan is nothing short of a shrew—and not just any shrew, but one wielding immense power; at Jinshi Guang, no one dares to utter even half a "no" to her orders.

Inside the Design Department, Zhou Andong and Gu Bing sat in chairs, while Hong Jinyan, Kong Weimin, and the deputy bureau-level leaders were scattered around the surroundings. As for the various section-level leaders, none dared to sit; they all stood properly to one side.

Zhou Andong gave Wang Jin and the others a gentle smile: "Comrade Wang Jin, and you all—don't stand, let's sit down and talk."

Someone brought over a few chairs, but only Wang Jin sat down; the others remained standing. Their emotional intelligence might not be high, but their intellect certainly isn't low—seeing so many leaders standing nearby, they wondered what it would mean if they sat down. Even if the factory director told them to sit, they couldn't do so without showing a bit of awareness.

Zhou Andong didn't insist they sit, smiling at Wang Jin: "Comrade Wang Jin, don't be nervous—we'll just chat casually."

Wang Jin's body remained tense; hearing Zhou Andong's words, his nervousness eased slightly, but his body stayed rigid: "Factory Director, just ask what you need to say."

Zhou Andong took out a cigarette and offered one to Wang Jin, which startled the latter, who quickly waved his hands and said: "I don't smoke!"

Zhou Andong placed the cigarette in Wang Jin's hand, then took one out for himself, clamped it between his lips, lit it with a lighter, and handed the lighter to Wang Jin.

Wang Jin took the lighter somewhat awkwardly, hesitated for a moment, then silently lit the cigarette and handed the lighter back.

Zhou Andong took the lighter, played with it a bit, and said: "Isn't this lighter quite handsome?"

Wang Jin was startled again—Factory Director Zhou speaks in such an odd, disjointed way, like striking east with a hammer and west with an axe, leaving him utterly bewildered.

"Indeed it is handsome—probably an imported item."

"Exactly!" Zhou Andong nodded: "This lighter is silver; I bought it in Xiangjiang last year. I have another identical one at home, but that was bought by my wife—I can't bear to use it."

Saying this, Zhou Andong tossed the lighter into Wang Jin's embrace: "This one is for you."

Wang Jin froze once more, lowered his head to look at the lighter in his hand, truly unsure what to do—should he accept it or not?

Meanwhile, the others watching this scene, especially the smoking men, had eyes slightly reddened. This lighter is imported and silver—its cost likely exceeds their monthly wages.

Moreover, this is a gift from the factory director, carrying profound significance. From now on, as long as Zhou Andong serves even one day as factory director at the woolen mill, no one will dare to cause trouble for Wang Jin.

Zhou Andong took a puff of smoke: "When did you join Jinshi Guang?"

Wang Jin was still staring blankly at the lighter in his hand; hearing Zhou Andong's question, he reflexively replied: "I'm a designer from the Head Factory's Design Department. When Jinshi Guang was established, I was transferred over."

After saying that, Wang Jin realized he was no longer nervous—his tensed body had relaxed without him noticing.

Zhou Andong smiled: "Back when Jinshi Guang Woolen Mill was first established, all levels of leadership certainly placed great importance on it. Since you were transferred over right at the founding, you must have been a backbone in the Head Factory's Design Department back then."

Wang Jin is nearly forty; hearing Zhou Andong's words, he felt somewhat embarrassed and spoke honestly: "Back then, Jinshi Guang had just been founded; most people had reservations and were unwilling to come. I impulsively applied for a transfer at the time."

His colleagues in the Design Department exchanged glances with Wang Jin: "Big brother, we know you're honest, but you can't be this honest. The factory director has already powdered your face for you. You, on the other hand, spat into your palm and wiped off all the powder from your face."

Zhou Andong laughed heartily: "I never expected Wang Jin to be this honest: When Jinshi Guang was first founded, to open up the market, you must have endured quite a bit of hardship."

"Indeed!" Wang Jin fully relaxed, his tone becoming much more casual: "Back then, the Design Department had only me, Liu Xuebin, Wang Songlin, and Feng Kang.

We ran all over Jingcheng during the day—whether it was malls or Xiu Shui, whenever there was new clothing, we bought it. At night, we returned here to draw designs, sleeping only three or four hours a day."

Zhou Andong turned to the group of people standing beside the Design Department: "Who among you is Liu Xuebin, Wang Songlin, and Feng Kang?"

The three raised their hands and gestured: "I am Liu Xuebin, I am Wang Songlin, I am Feng Kang."

Zhou Andong nodded at them: "You're all outstanding. Without your hard work back then, there would be no Jinshi Guang today."

Liu Xuebin, Wang Songlin, Feng Kang—including Wang Jin and the other designers—felt their hearts swell with emotion. Being acknowledged by Zhou Andong made the long-held grievances seem to vanish like smoke.

"Wang Jin, what are you holding in your hand?" At this moment, Zhou Andong seemed to notice the document in Wang Jin's hand.

Wang Jin glanced at Suda Li and the others, hesitated, then gritted his teeth: "I want to report Suda Li for embezzlement and bribery, for illegally hiring designers at high salaries, and for deducting a portion of the salaries of the designers he recruits……"

"Wang Jin!" Suda Li's face instantly changed—he was nearly scared out of his wits, pointing at Wang Jin and shouting angrily with a stern exterior but a cowardly interior.

"You damn fool, don't spout nonsense! The factory director just said that my ability to break convention and hire renowned designers externally is completely correct. You've got a lot of nerve, calling this a violation—are you questioning the factory director?"