Chapter 832: First Meeting Wen Li

Before the Start of Winter

Cao Cao Weiguo and a group from the Equipment Research Division, led by Section Chief Zhou, arrived at the Heavy Machinery Factory. Their purpose was clear: to gain a detailed understanding of the factory's production status and provide strong support for improving the overall level of China's heavy machinery industry.

Responsible for receiving them was Cao Cao Weiguo's old acquaintance, Director Zhou of the Heavy Machinery Factory's Revolutionary Committee, along with key factory staff. Technician Tong Zhi served as the guide.

The inspection was compact and productive. Accompanied by Director Zhou and others, Cao Cao Weiguo and Section Chief Zhou toured the entire factory. They gained a deep understanding of the production lines, equipment operation, and technical research. Tong Zhi accompanied them throughout, answering various questions in detail, which earned high praise from Section Chief Zhou.

Cao Cao Weiguo sighed: "Technician Tong's dedication and professional ability are worth learning from."

Having received recognition and praise from the leaders of the superior unit, Tong Zhi was in the spotlight. He walked with his head held high, his face glowing, looking even happier than when he got married.

Seeing that it was almost lunchtime, Director Zhou invited Cao Cao Weiguo, Section Chief Zhou, and their group to the factory guesthouse.

The workshop was dry and cold, but the guesthouse was warm as spring. As soon as they entered, they felt a wave of warmth, and after drinking a cup of hot tea, their whole bodies felt cozy.

Director Zhou whispered a few words to the Administrative Section Chief, who then quietly left the room.

Deputy Factory Director Liu, while pouring tea, said to Section Chief Zhou: "The batch of lathes that Section Chief Cao purchased has really solved our urgent needs. We have to admit, there's a significant gap between our lathes and the Soviet ones."

This remark displeased Section Chief Zhou: "If you know there's a gap, then work harder to catch up. You need to carry forward the spirit of research and deep cultivation, sweat for the revitalization and development of the motherland's industry, and use practical actions to narrow the gap, rather than just complaining and sighing."

Deputy Factory Director Liu knew he had said the wrong thing, so he hurriedly explained and made a self-criticism, patting his chest to guarantee that he would lead the technicians in diligent research to overcome technical barriers, and so on...

After talking for a while, Director Zhou invited them to move to the dining room. The Administrative Section Chief led the waitresses to start serving dishes, and the Logistics Section Chief took a jar of medicinal wine from a waitress.

Soon, the table was filled with Kung Pao Chicken, Fish-Flavored Shredded Pork, Four-Joy Meatballs, Shredded Pork in Beijing Sauce, Braised Carp, Stewed Chicken with Mushrooms... six meat dishes and six vegetable dishes, quite sumptuous.

Logistics Section Chief Yang poured wine around the table according to the seating. Director Jiang, a new staff member in the Equipment Research Division, said he couldn't drink, so Section Chief Yang turned to look at Section Chief Zhou.

Section Chief Zhou looked at Director Jiang: "Little Director Jiang, you'll have to work at the grassroots level often in the future. It won't do if you can't drink. How can you build relationships with grassroots comrades and get along with them if you don't drink? You can't distance yourself from the masses."

Since his direct superior had spoken, the newcomer Director Jiang didn't dare to refuse. Even if he didn't like drinking, he had to bite the bullet and drink a few cups.

Section Chief Yang poured a cup of wine for Director Jiang: "It doesn't matter if you can't drink; you can learn. If you get drunk, just sleep. Sleeping after getting drunk is the most comfortable thing."

Once the dishes were served and the wine poured, everyone raised their glasses and clinked them. After a round, a woman in her thirties, wearing a red wool coat, walked into the room, covered in sweat.

Upon entering, the woman first called out to Section Chief Zhou. Section Chief Zhou didn't look at her but gave a grunt. Director Zhou arranged for the woman to sit next to Section Chief Zhou. The Administrative Section Chief teased her for being late and suggested a penalty drink, but Section Chief Zhou said it wasn't necessary.

Cao Cao Weiguo saw it at a glance: Section Chief Zhou definitely had a relationship with this woman.

Director Zhou introduced: "Little Yu, this is Section Chief Cao from the Industrial Bureau. Section Chief Cao, this is Yu Fang, Deputy Section Chief of our factory's Administrative Section."

Yu Fang had fair skin, a pretty face, short hair, and a figure that was neither fat nor thin, with round, perky buttocks that made one want to reach out and touch them.

Since Yu Fang arrived, Section Chief Zhou's smiles had increased, and even his tone of voice had become light and cheerful. It felt as if he had transformed from a prickly hedgehog into a fluffy white rabbit.

Section Chief Zhou turned to ask Cao Cao Weiguo: "Cao Weiguo, is this medicinal wine good?"

Cao Cao Weiguo laughed: "The taste is mellow, and it feels warm and comfortable in the stomach."

Section Chief Zhou, his face flushed, laughed: "This wine is soaked with Astragalus, Codonopsis, Goji berries, red dates, and deer antler. Every time I come to Director Zhou's place, I drink a few cups. I've become addicted to it."

Cao Cao Weiguo thought to himself, you're not addicted to the wine; you're probably addicted to that beautiful Deputy Section Chief Yu.

Following Section Chief Zhou's lead, Cao Cao Weiguo smiled: "This wine is indeed good. I'll soak a jar when I get home."

Director Zhou laughed: "No need for the trouble. Just come over whenever you want to drink."

Yu Fang sat next to Section Chief Zhou, occasionally picking up food for him, gentle and considerate like a young wife.

After three rounds of drinks, Section Chief Zhou was unknowingly dead drunk, and Director Jiang and the Administrative Section Chief had to help him to a guest room in the guesthouse to rest.

Cao Cao Weiguo, accompanied by Director Zhou and Tong Zhi, went back down to the workshop to watch the workers operate the advanced lathes imported from the Soviet Union, occasionally letting out sighs of admiration.

These lathes were purchased under Cao Cao Weiguo's responsibility. Not only did they spend a large amount of foreign exchange, but he also had to swallow a lot of anger from the Soviet representatives. But he had to swallow that anger; if he didn't, the lathes wouldn't have been shipped back.

After seeing the operation of the production line and finishing the work meeting, the sun had already set when they came out of the office. Cao Cao Weiguo declined the dinner invitation for the evening and instead accepted Tong Zhi's invitation to visit the Tong home.

Tong Zhi introduced enthusiastically: "Section Chief Cao, this is my wife, Wen Li. Wen Li, this is the Section Chief Cao I mentioned to you."

Cao Cao Weiguo smiled: "Hello, sister-in-law. My name is Cao Cao Weiguo; you can just call me Cao Weiguo."

Wen Li smiled: "Please, sit down. I'll go make some tea."

Tong Zhi shouted: "Stir-fry a few dishes. I'll have a few drinks with Section Chief Cao in a while."

"Mom! Is dinner ready? I'm hungry."

The two were drinking tea and chatting in the room when a little girl pushed the door open in a rush. An older girl behind her said urgently: "Nanfang, slow down."

Tong Zhi put down his water cup: "Yanni, Nanfang, you're back. Where's Duoduo?"

Tong Nanfang said carelessly: "She's waiting to eat steamed buns at Uncle Zhuang's place."

Tong Zhi called his two daughters over: "This is your Uncle Cao. Say hello."

"Uncle Cao!"

"Hello, Uncle Cao!"

Tong Zhi introduced with a smile: "These are my two daughters, the eldest, Yanni, and the second, Nanfang."

Cao Cao Weiguo laughed: "Brother Tong, you are truly blessed."

Wen Li brought out the dishes: "What blessing? These three stinking girls are none of them worry-free. They're driving me crazy. Yanni, Nanfang, go wash your hands quickly. After washing, come help me serve the dishes. Don't just know how to run around and play blindly all day."