Chapter 356: A Thrilling Moment

Tan Kaiping's partner helped her husband strap the luggage, eyes full of reluctance.

"Old Tan, do you still want to say goodbye to Lu Cheng?"

Tan Kaiping thought for a moment; today Lu Cheng mentioned him at the conference without regard for the consequences, and Tan Kaiping could imagine the leaders' stern faces.

So he now has to leave quickly; he's not afraid of anything except dragging Lu Cheng into it.

"Better not, he'll definitely refuse to let me go, but over at the Farm, he's still under pressure; one can't think only of oneself."

Tan Kaiping's partner nodded: "Alright then, if Lu Cheng comes over, I'll explain to him. Xiaoli, go see off your dad; it's getting late, leave early if you must, and you can still catch the car."

"Got it, Mom, Dad, let's go."

Seeing his sensible son, Tan Kaiping couldn't help but reach out and pat his son's head.

"Xiaoli, you've grown up; Dad's not home, your brother and sister aren't home either, you need to take good care of Mom at home…"

"Dad, you don't need to worry about the house; I'll definitely take good care of Mom. If others bully me, I'll endure it and won't cause trouble for the family."

Listening to his son's words, Tan Kaiping's eyes nearly welled up with tears.

These past years, because of him, the family has endured many grievances; even his son, when bullied, learned to swallow his anger to reduce trouble for the household.

He feels he owes his family and child too much; as a father, he has been incompetent.

With such a sensible son, Tan Kaiping had no further worries, only that after leaving, he didn't know if he could ever return.

He gave his partner one last glance before reluctantly pulling open the courtyard gate.

Tan Kaiping walked ahead, Xiaoli bounced behind, and the father and son followed the path toward the bus station, with green shade hanging on both sides.

【7】 "Chief Engineer Tan, Chief Engineer Tan…"

Tan Zonggong, Tan Zonggong…

Hearing the faint calls, Xiaoli's sharp ears halted his steps, and he looked back.

"Xiaoli, why aren't you leaving? We still have to catch the bus," Tan Kaiping said as he turned.

"Oh, here comes Dad."

Xiaoli thought he misheard, turned and took two steps, when suddenly he heard someone shout "Chief Engineer Tan" again, this time clearer.

"Dad, someone's calling you, listen."

Tan Kaiping stopped and turned back; the voice grew nearer, sounding like that of an old fellow worker.

At the conference, Lu Cheng mentioned his name; it's likely the fellow workers learned about his situation at home and came over to see him.

Tan Kaiping hesitated; he didn't know whether he should meet these old workers, fearing it might affect them.

But after a brief hesitation, three or five workers had already sprinted forward.

"Chief Engineer Tan…"

"Ah, Old Tan, it's really you! If you hadn't been mentioned at the conference, we wouldn't have known…"

"Indeed, Chief Engineer Tan, why didn't you tell us? We've all been thinking of you…"

Tan Kaiping looked at these former old workers, momentarily too emotional to speak, and kept shaking hands.

He has long wanted to see these old friends; every time he went to the Factory Area late at night to solve issues, he touched the cold machines, and his mind filled with scenes of the workers at work.

"Chief Engineer Tan, where are you heading with that luggage on your back?"

Just as Tan Kaiping was about to speak, Xiaoli jumped in: "My dad is going back to the Farm today."

"Back to the Farm? Ah, why go back to the Farm, Chief Engineer Tan, come back with us to the Factory Area."

"Yes, Chief Engineer Tan, we're here to pick you up."

Tan Kaiping still didn't know what was happening, assuming everyone was just being kind and keeping him.

"Thanks for everyone's kindness, but I'm still set on returning today; when there's a chance later, I'll invite everyone to my home as guests."

As Tan Kaiping said he would leave immediately, a few workers exchanged glances and quickly grabbed him.

"Chief Engineer Tan, this time you don't have to go; Director Liu of the City Revolutionary Committee has already agreed to grant you Rehabilitation."

Upon hearing that, Tan Kaiping's first reaction was not joy but confusion.

The word 'Rehabilitation' has been the one he thought of day and night over these years.

But when the day actually came, his heart was full of incredulous doubt, even assuming the workers were joking.

"Old Tan, we're not joking; hurry back with us, Director Liu is waiting to see you."

"Yes, you didn't know earlier, Director Pan had us workers block Director Liu's car; if he doesn't agree to grant you Rehabilitation, we won't let him leave."

The workers even explained how they forced the Revolutionary Committee director to agree to the Rehabilitation, and Tan Kaiping had to believe them.

When he could truly be sure there was a chance for Rehabilitation, Tan Kaiping's thin body couldn't help but sway a couple of times.

Someone nearby quickly steadied him: "Chief Engineer Tan, at a time like this, you must hold on even more."

"Dad, it's Uncle Pan who helped you."

Xiaoli shouted suddenly, which steadied Tan Kaiping's mind.

Director Pan? Tan Kaiping was surprised; it turned out Director Pan had helped.

He was surprised because achieving his Rehabilitation not only required wisdom—like thinking of using the workers' collective strength—but also needed courage.

He feared that now even Secretary Song in the Factory Area wouldn't dare to take the lead.

Tan Kaiping returned to the Factory Area like this; although his hat was still on, he felt different.

During this period, many workers crowded around, watching Chief Engineer Tan and a few leaders go into the office; many, either out of curiosity or worry, pressed against the windows to watch.

The discussion lasted an hour before Director Liu of the Revolutionary Committee left in a dedicated car.

The final result was that the hat definitely couldn't be removed on the spot, since Director Liu alone couldn't make the whole decision, but at least there was hope.

Director Liu promised to convene a special meeting immediately upon returning, striving to resolve it within a month.

That was already the best outcome; after clarifying the issue, Tan Kaiping, excited, went to find Pan Jihai.

"Chief Engineer Tan, I haven't done much, though I wish to help you with Rehabilitation, I don't have that courage; you should thank, you must thank our Comrade Lu Cheng."

Tan Kaiping instantly understood; he thought, of course, only Lu Cheng would have such boldness to fight for his Rehabilitation.

Tan Kaiping was about to look for Lu Cheng to thank him face‑to‑face, but Pan Jihai said Lu Cheng had already returned to Capital City in Dean Gao's official car.

Tan Kaiping felt an instant emptiness, as if they wouldn't even give him a chance to thank him—at least let him have a meal at home.

Lu Cheng simply felt it was his duty; the moment he escorted Tan Kaiping out of the Farm, he resolved to grant Tan Kaiping Rehabilitation, believing such talent should be reinstated.

In the car, Dean Gao also sighed, noting that if Tan Zonggong could return to the plant, many projects could be set in motion thereafter.

Previously, due to the flood, the Iron Science Institute was also impacted, forcing many projects to stall.

"Xiao Lu, this time you truly performed a great deed; compared with the Snow Removal Machine Project, giving Tan Zonggong Rehabilitation outweighs any other merit."

Dean Gao could clearly sense signs of revival in every sector, and the more it is now, the greater the need for talent.

Lu Cheng disagreed: "Dean Gao, since you think I have merit, you can't just praise me with a couple of words, can you? There should be some actual reward."