Chapter 31: Poaching Talent

The car traveled on the national highway through Xiyuan, the same provincial capital as Pingyang; Gao Peng and Yang Zhi took turns driving, and Gao Peng was far more excited than Li Dongling to be behind the wheel of a Tiger Head Ben for the first time.

This trip to the provincial capital, Li Dongling intended to find technical personnel—top-tier talent was still far too scarce in Pingyang; even if he offered high salaries, there was nowhere to poach them. The scientific research level and human resources in the provincial capital were undeniably far superior to Pingyang’s.

“He’s no longer at Pingyang’s West City Wireless Factory?!”

Below the provincial television station, An Ruxue, seeing the returned letter, couldn’t help asking the mail carrier standing before her.

“Miss An, I specifically asked my colleagues in Pingyang’s postal service—they confirmed Li Dongling has indeed left the Wireless Factory; his work assignment has been transferred out,” the mail carrier told An Ruxue.

Hearing this, An Ruxue clenched the envelope tightly in her hand. “Do you know where he went?!”

“I… I don’t know,” the mail carrier said.

Holding the returned letter, An Ruxue returned to the television station’s office. Staring at the unopened envelope, she rose abruptly—she needed to request leave and go to Pingyang.

“Come in!”

The door to Director Kong Weiming’s office at the provincial television station was knocked on; hearing the voice from within, An Ruxue pushed the door open.

Seeing An Ruxue enter, Kong Weiming immediately smiled. “Ah, Ruxue—I was just about to look for you…”

“Director, I need a few days’ leave,” An Ruxue said directly to Kong Weiming.

Hearing this, Kong Weiming frowned sharply. “Ruxue, normally I’d approve any leave request, but today—Beijing’s Central TV just sent us the list of trainees. Each provincial station can nominate only one candidate, and the station has decided this slot is yours. If you’re absent now, wouldn’t that be inappropriate?”

“Give this slot to someone else—I really need leave,” An Ruxue said plainly.

Kong Weiming’s face darkened further. He slammed his fist on the desk. “An Ruxue, what do you think this station is? A nomination sent to the Central TV can’t be changed or swapped at will!”

Even if I was your father’s old subordinate, that’s no excuse for you to ignore station rules. If something goes wrong, who will take responsibility?”

He shifted tone, soothing An Ruxue and pouring her a glass of water. “Xue, you’ve grown up under my eyes. You’ve just started your career—you should prioritize your work. Besides, you can’t make me the laughingstock of this station, unable to manage even one employee. Where would my face be then?”

“This training in Beijing is only three months. Can’t whatever it is wait three months? Just do me this favor, won’t you?”

Seeing Kong Weiming lower himself so much, An Ruxue found it impossible to refuse. She nodded. “I’ll go pack…”

“No need. Today, the station will send staff to accompany you on the flight to Beijing. They’ll provide all living essentials, and the station will cover expenses—just buy whatever you’re missing there,” Kong Weiming said.

An Ruxue exclaimed in surprise, “So soon?”

“This concerns the station’s honor—how could we not hurry? You must arrive early to prepare, get familiar with the environment, avoid altitude sickness!” Kong Weiming said sternly.

After An Ruxue left, Kong Weiming waited a few minutes, then picked up the phone and dialed. “Miss Du, I’ve sent someone to accompany Ruxue to Beijing. Don’t worry—nothing will go wrong.”

Du Fengying’s voice came through the line. “Old Kong, I owe you big time. That girl’s been distracted these past few days—I knew she wanted to go to Pingyang to find that Li fellow. This time, both me and Old An are in your debt.”

“You’re too kind. Director An was my former superior—this is all part of my duty. No talk of favors.”

“Alright, I won’t keep you. When Old An has time, come over for a drink and catch up,” Du Fengying said to Kong Weiming.

Walking through the Hanxi Jiaotong University campus, Li Dongling looked at the familiar scene. The campus now wasn’t yet filled with skyscrapers and modern research equipment, but it was just as bustling as it would be in his future.

A soccer ball suddenly flew through the air and rolled to a stop at Li Dongling’s feet.

Suddenly, Li Dongling felt dazed—he’d once played soccer here with friends and classmates. Back then, every match had a girl waiting on the sidelines; whenever he scored a good goal, she’d cheer wildly.

From the group playing far away, a figure sprinted toward Li Dongling and shouted, “Hey, buddy, kick it back!”

Li Dongling snapped back to reality, looked at the ball, and kicked it hard—it flew through the air and landed squarely in the net.

He looked up at the sky, exhaled deeply, and turned to Gao Peng and Yang Zhi, who were carrying bags behind him. “Let’s go.”

Professor Liu Youguo of Hanxi Jiaotong University’s Radio Technology Institute returned to his building after class and noticed a Mercedes parked below. He glanced at it briefly, thought nothing of it, and walked upstairs. These years had been tough for researchers; for theoretical scientists like him, life was even harder. His graduates struggled to find good jobs, so no students ever came to visit him.

Just as he reached his door, he heard his wife’s laughter from inside—he hadn’t heard her laugh so joyfully in years.

He opened the door. Everyone inside turned to look at him. One of them called out, “Professor Liu!”

Liu Youguo looked at the man before him—he’d graduated only months ago, so he recognized him instantly. “Dongling, what are you doing here?!”

“I came today mainly to see you and Madame Liu,” Li Dongling said.

Liu Youguo looked around at the pile of gifts Li Dongling had brought, then at Gao Peng and Yang Zhi beside him. “That Mercedes downstairs is yours?”

“I didn’t expect you’d gone into business. I remember you had real talent for design—I once planned to recommend you to the design college or a research institute!”

“You old bastard, why can’t you wish him well? Why push him onto your own miserable path? Everyone knows now that the guys who make atomic bombs earn less than those selling tea eggs, and surgeons earn less than barbers. How much do you make a month? How many meals with meat? How often do you eat out?”

Liu Youguo’s wife cut him down mercilessly. He was humiliated but couldn’t refute her—this was the harsh truth. Though some had become millionaires or even billionaires, most people’s salaries were still low.

Especially in education and research—funding was almost nonexistent. Professors like Liu Youguo earned less than small restaurant owners. It was simply true.

“This is only temporary. Once the economy improves, the authorities will prioritize research—and R&D salaries will rise,” Liu Youguo retorted.

“I hope that day comes soon—I could finally enjoy some peace with you. I’ve spent my whole life with you, enduring nothing but hardship.”

Hearing his wife’s words, Liu Youguo’s face darkened. “What are you saying? There are guests here!”

“Dongling didn’t come all this way just to bring gifts to an old man about to retire, did he?” Liu Youguo asked Li Dongling bluntly.

Li Dongling smiled. “Why couldn’t I just be here to visit you and Madame Liu? As long as you don’t mind, I’ll come every year.”

“That’d be wonderful—I’ll look forward to it every year.”

The old professor had just cornered Li Dongling—he could no longer refuse. If he ever came to the provincial capital again, he’d have to visit Liu Youguo.

Li Dongling studied Liu Youguo. The old man wasn’t as rigid as rumors claimed. He cleared his throat. “Besides visiting you, Professor Liu, I do have another request—I’d like your help.”

“I’ve founded a company in Pingyang, developing electronic products. I need talent in mechanical and electronic engineering. I hope you can recommend some people.”

As a professor at Hanxi Jiaotong University, Liu Youguo had connections. He also knew better than anyone where the most talented graduates from the university had ended up. Asking him for a list was far better than Li Dongling wandering aimlessly across the city.

“Cough.”

At that moment, Liu Youguo’s wife emerged from the room and scolded him. “They’ve come all the way to the provincial capital—don’t you dare make trouble and send them away empty-handed!”

She pointed at the pile of gifts, silently reminding him: these weren’t cheap presents—he couldn’t just accept them without returning the favor.

Liu Youguo took a sip of water, slammed the cup down on the table, thought for a moment, then said to Li Dongling, “Chen Tao—you’ve heard of him, right? A few years ahead of you. He’s at the Xiyuan Electronic Engineering Research Institute now. His situation isn’t good either. I can call him for you—but whether he’ll come depends on you.”

Hearing Chen Tao’s name, Li Dongling’s eyes lit up. He’d heard of Chen Tao’s reputation—the so-called electronics genius who, with nothing but ordinary components, had built countless electronic devices by hand. Even years after graduation, Li Dongling had heard Chen Tao’s name again—he’d become a chief technology officer at a company, developing cutting-edge products and technologies.

“Professor Liu, if you ever come across suitable talent in the future, please recommend them to me. I’ll come visit you and Madame Liu every year.”

Before leaving, Li Dongling reminded Liu Youguo again to keep poaching talent for him—making the old professor blow his mustache and glare in frustration. For Liu Youguo, helping Li Dongling steal people felt like betraying his own institute.