Chapter 588: Entering Assembly Mode

The military‑cap youth said he had no regrets; even if he were given the choice again, he would still speak up for the vast group of educated youths.

From the sincere look in the military‑cap youth's eyes, Lu Cheng believed he wasn't lying and was quite pleased with the answer.

He likes people who refuse to lose and can't be beaten.

Perhaps this military‑cap youth will one day become a senior commander under his sister.

"Let's officially meet; I'm Lu Cheng," Lu Cheng said, extending his hand.

The military‑cap youth glanced at the outstretched hand, awkwardly brushed his shirt, and said, "I know your great name; I'm Xie Baichuan."

"Hai Na Baichuan—what a grand name," Lu Cheng said, looking toward Zhao Bin.

Zhao Bin understood his meaning: "What are you looking at me for? This isn't an ocean; it's just a fledgling small factory that can't accommodate a hundred rivers."

Lu Cheng inhaled and said, "No more nonsense; add one more person."

"Can't add anyone; not even one. When we came, Director Lu specifically instructed that we need exactly forty people—no extra. We're already ten over; if we go back now, I'll get scolded…"

Seeing Zhao Bin speak while clutching the registration book to his chest, the military‑cap youth lowered his head.

"Chief Lu, maybe we should just drop it."

Since they had indeed recruited enough, Xie Baichuan didn't want to put Lu Cheng in a difficult spot, especially as Lu Cheng had already done a lot for the educated youths.

Lu Cheng signaled that there was no need to rush, pulled Zhao Bin aside, and muttered quietly.

"What's wrong with you? I've lost all face. Give me some face and add one more person."

Zhao Bin stepped back and said, "Sister Lu Ying's scolding is fierce, you know that. Fifty people's monthly wages total 7.5 k, which is my entire year's salary."

The factory is just starting, and they don't yet know how well the Electric Heating Blanket will sell; Director Lu said costs must be tightly controlled.

Lu Cheng glared, "Since when have you become so petty, only seeing money in your eyes? You don't understand a thing; more people mean more strength, got it!"

Zhao Bin sneered, "If more people mean more strength, why not recruit everyone who just left? Even stronger."

Lu Cheng, unable to hold back, inhaled again, "You're just arguing, right? All this nonsense—let me ask you plainly: can we add one?"

Zhao Bin replied firmly, "No, we can't add even one. I'm now the deputy factory director, responsible for the factory's costs."

Lu Cheng laughed in anger, "Your damn self—being a deputy factory director is so impressive? Let me tell you, the idea to start this Electric Heating Blanket factory was mine; if you become deputy director, I deserve half the credit."

"Now you can't even add one person, huh? Are we not friends anymore? Dealing with you is this hard! If you keep this up, we won't hang out anymore."

After Lu Cheng's barrage of insults, Zhao Bin could barely keep his eyes open.

"Well, then we can only add one more…"

Lu Cheng finally smiled again, patted Zhao Bin's shoulder, and said, "That's right. Think about it: ten people scold you, eleven also scold you, right? When you look at it that way, isn't it more comfortable?"

Zhao Bin pulled his arm away, "I'm comfortable as hell? Your sister is a tigress, even tougher than my Jiao Jiao."

Lu Cheng laughed; when his sister gets serious at work, she shows no sentiment whatsoever.

Through Lu Cheng's pleading, Xie Baichuan successfully registered his name.

Lu Cheng told him to work hard; although he isn't a formal employee yet and the pay isn't high, the factory is just starting, and once profits improve, these people will gradually become regular staff.

Xie Baichuan was overjoyed, never expecting to become a formal worker, and hurriedly thanked Lu Cheng repeatedly.

He ran home, told his mother about the successful registration, and Big Aunt muttered, "He's a good person, a good person, the whole family are good people…"

At the Hu Tong Entrance, after tidying the table, Lu Cheng stretched lazily.

"What's the deal? I've been with you all day, and now it's almost meal time; aren't you going to treat me to a meal to thank me for my help?"

Zhao Bin bluntly refused, "Why should I treat you? Your help is for the factory, not for me personally."

Lu Cheng kicked the conversation, "I've noticed you've become stingy since you got married; even asking you to treat me to a meal turns into a damn lot of nonsense."

Zhao Bin replied helplessly, "It's not that I won't treat you; I just have no money."

"Your salary's so high, where's the money?"

Zhao Bin stammered, "The money all goes to Jiao Jiao; now she stays home caring for the kids, giving me only two bucks a month. I've even quit smoking…"

Lu Cheng jabbed Zhao Bin with his finger, a scornful look on his face, "You, let me tell you what's good about you: a grown man can't even guard the money in his own pocket. Do you still call yourself a man?"

"Well, anyway Jiao Jiao says I'm a good man."

"What a joke, you don't even have a cent in your pocket. What's the point of that thing you've got? Can't you work harder in bed, keep your wife Da Huang satisfied, and then earn a bit more?"

Zhao Bin grew more helpless, "Don't bring it up. I'd like to try hard, but the key isn't up to me; she's the one who works hard."

Hearing Zhao Bin, Lu Cheng almost laughed out loud; he could already picture the scene.

"Damn, Da Huang's that fierce. I'm telling you, you've gotten so skinny lately; next time I'll talk to her—don't let her drain you completely!"

"Go, go, go. If you feel sorry for me, just treat me to a meal and give me a good refill…"

Lu Cheng felt a bit sorry for his buddy; after all, Zhao Bin had removed Huang Chunjiao's trouble, which was like easing a burden for the whole nation.

That's a great merit; even if it's for the whole country, Lu Cheng still has to treat them to that meal.

They went to eat hot‑pot lamb, and to give Zhao Bin a proper boost, they even ordered two lamb kidneys.

At the table, when the factory came up, Zhao Bin still felt it was like a dream—maybe someday he'll become a formal worker.

He'll no longer be a cooperative worker; a worker who says he's no longer with the collective looks much more respectable.

"Lu Cheng, would you say the factory now counts as being attached to the Railway Department?"

Lu Cheng, of course, knows the details: "To meet the regulations for your production, it can only be considered half‑attached at present. The warehouse used for assembly and the money for various components—your department store covers half, the Railway Department invests half, total investment ten thousand yuan…"

"If the benefits turn out well, the Railway Department will formally sign an agreement, making it a subordinate factory; then half the profits go to them, the rest is managed by the enterprise. So you, deputy factory director, must work hard."

To become a formal employee later, Zhao Bin was brimming with motivation.

Lu Cheng also looked forward to that day; with state capital now injected, his sister's factory could become a State‑owned Enterprise.

Since the day they filled the roster, Lu Ying has been so busy each day her feet never touch the ground.

First, components pulled from various parts factories and semi‑finished blankets woven by Ding Yuanmin Commune were all transported to the warehouse to begin assembly.

Lu Ying had previously worked at the Sewing Machine Shop; they got along well. After the assembled Electric Heating Blankets were edge‑finished, they were handed over to the Sewing Machine Shop, providing them some income.