Chapter 79

Zhou Ming's words seemed to have perfectly foretold the events of the following days. After the first day's factory news broadcast, a few veteran workers' representatives came to the workers' activity center to apologize to Zhou Ming and his parents. From then on, these veteran workers' representatives visited Zhou Ming's home every day, bringing local specialties and small gifts, one after another, without end.

Of course, most of these veteran workers' representatives were grassroots cadres in the factory. Although their ranks were not high, they were leaders and had a certain age, so they understood the basic routines. They did not stay long at Zhou Ming's home. If Zhou Ming or his parents showed any signs of impatience, they would leave immediately, never wanting to anger Zhou Ming to the point of being asked to leave. Some, upon seeing the previous group just leave, would realize it was not the right time to visit and would politely leave the gifts at the door without even entering.

In just three short days, Zhou Ming's home was filled with all sorts of things, from local specialties to exquisite gifts, and even daily necessities like pots, bowls, and clothing. Zhou Ming couldn't help but marvel: "These people really went to great lengths for me!"

After sending off another group of guests in the morning, Zhou Ming looked at a beautiful wall calendar in the corner and joked to his mother, "Mom, does it feel a bit like the New Year when relatives come to visit?"

"With our background, even if relatives came to visit during the New Year, they wouldn't bring so many things," Wang Fengqin said with a sigh, picking up the calendar and replacing the old one in the living room with it, moving the old one to the bedroom.

Zhou Ming knew his mother was right. In the past, the family was poor, and they had to support his education. The factory, under the mismanagement of people like Huang Zheng and Ma Jianjun, often failed to pay wages. His parents frequently had to borrow money from relatives, who would avoid them. Only a few close relatives would visit during the New Year.

"Zhou Ming, I just saw Team Leader Li go by. Did they just visit your home?" a loud voice called from outside. Zhou Ming didn't need to turn around to know it was Zhang Lei. Zhou Ming turned to see Zhang Lei pushing the door open.

"Damn, Dazhuang, can you try to lower your voice? You're like Wang Xifeng from *Dream of the Red Chamber*—you're heard before you're seen!" Zhou Ming said.

Zhang Lei scratched his head, embarrassed. Zhou Ming, of course, wasn't really upset. "What brings you here today? Did you write another groundbreaking news article?"

Hearing this, Zhang Lei slapped his forehead in realization. "Actually, this time it is about a news article."

Zhang Lei took out a document and explained, "This is a county committee document forwarded by the factory's propaganda department this morning. The document requires the factory's propaganda department to do a good job in promoting the factory's restructuring, to prepare the groundwork for the restructuring, and to welcome the marketization wave. I thought the factory's restructuring would be handed over to you, Zhou Ming, so I came to ask you about the situation."

Zhou Ming nodded. "That's right. The factory will be handed over to me, and the formal signing should take place in the next few days."

"Damn!" Zhang Lei jumped up. "Zhou Ming, you're not being fair! You didn't tell me about such a big deal, and I had to find out from the factory's propaganda department. That's not very brotherly of you!"

Zhou Ming patted his ear, which was ringing from Zhang Lei's outburst, and spread his hands in a helpless gesture. "You can't blame me! I only talked to Mayor Chen this morning. I didn't want to disturb you since you were at work. I didn't expect the county committee to be so efficient and for the document to reach the factory so quickly."

"Really? That's great! So, should I call you Factory Manager Zhou from now on?" Zhang Lei laughed.

"Cut it out. I won't be the factory manager. My dad will be the factory manager, and my mom will be the deputy manager. Xiao Han will be the general manager," Zhou Ming said.

"That makes sense. Uncle Zhou was a model worker in the factory and always treated the factory like his home. I'm sure everyone in the factory will have no objections to him being the factory manager. As for Xiao Han, she has a good business sense, which is evident from how she runs her small restaurant..."

Zhang Lei paused, suddenly noticing that Su Han was there. He was surprised. "Xiao Han? Why are you still living at Zhou Ming's place? Could it be that..."

Su Han, being very perceptive, knew exactly what Zhang Lei was thinking. Her face turned red, and she glared at him. "Dazhuang, stop talking nonsense! I'm just staying at Zhou Ming's place temporarily because Huang Zheng made my house uninhabitable. I'll move back once it's fixed."

Although Su Han was glaring at Zhang Lei, Zhou Ming could tell she lacked confidence in her words.

Facing Su Han's fierce glare, Zhang Lei scratched his head, embarrassed. "Hehe! Actually, Xiao Han, you might as well stay at Zhou Ming's place forever. You two are a perfect match, after all."

"Zhang Lei, if you keep talking nonsense, you'll never find a girlfriend!" Su Han said, blushing with anger.

...

After Zhang Lei left, the factory responded to the county committee's call. From the factory's party committee to the propaganda department, everyone was mobilized to do ideological work with the factory workers to ensure the smooth restructuring.

Zhou Ming, although he would be taking over the factory, understood that this was just a formality. The factory's restructuring was a political bonus. As long as the restructuring succeeded and no workers caused trouble, the higher-ups would consider their task complete.

So, with everything being handled by others, Zhou Ming was happy to be a hands-off manager, waiting for the signing day, preparing the money, and ready to hand over the money and take over the factory.

During this period, Zhou Ming maintained contact with Nangang in Hongcheng. There were no unexpected issues in Hongcheng. Lin Muqing's leadership was strong, and she had capable subordinates like Wang Yunlong. Zhou Ming had left the concept of a guaranteed fund before he left, and Lin Muqing had effectively used this to steadily increase the Jinming Fund's reputation in Hongcheng. In many ways, reputation equals asset growth. Compared to when Zhou Ming left Hongcheng, the Jinming Fund had increased its capital by three million.

In Nangang, the Nangang municipal government had officially set the date for the land auction, marking the first government-led land auction in the country.

Zhou Ming asked Du Peng to be more active. Regardless of which plot of land was being auctioned, they should try to secure it at the lowest possible price. If any unexpected situations arose, Du Peng should notify him immediately.

As for the veteran workers' representatives, they continued to be diligent in their efforts to get closer to Zhou Ming, but they were not as old-fashioned as before.

A few days passed quickly, and with all the preparations in place at Factory 760, the city finally set the signing date.

October 23rd was the day Factory 760 would be officially sold to Zhou Ming, and the signing ceremony would take place in the factory auditorium.

On that day, everything seemed like a replay of a month ago. Zhou Ming, his parents, and Su Han got up early, washed up, and had breakfast. At 9:00 AM, they left for the factory auditorium.

The same veteran workers' representatives who attended the previous meeting were present, but their attitude was completely different this time. Last time, they had booed Zhou Ming, but this time, when Zhou Ming, his parents, and Su Han entered the auditorium, the veteran workers' representatives spontaneously stood up and applauded.

"Good job, Boss Zhou! Our Factory 760 has had poor performance in the past, but today we finally welcome you, the boss from Hongcheng. We will work hard with you and believe you will lead us out of our difficulties and create a brighter future for Factory 760!"

Another person praised Zhou Ming's parents: "Old Zhou truly deserves to be our factory's model worker. Even during the factory's most difficult times, he never stopped contributing. He raised a son like Boss Zhou. Old Zhou, you are our spiritual leader and the pride and role model of all the factory workers and their families!"

Hearing these words, although Zhou Guoping and Wang Fengqin knew they might not be entirely sincere, they were still very moved, especially Wang Fengqin, who shed tears of emotion.

Zhou Ming understood his parents' feelings. In the two months he was away, the factory, under the manipulation of Huang Zheng and Ma Jianjun, had first attacked his father for going to the city center hospital, accusing him of disobeying factory rules and suspending him. They then accused him of past work issues, deceiving the factory and the leadership. Later, they accused his mother of stealing from the factory.

At that time, they had absolute control over the narrative, and his parents were left with no way to defend themselves. They had endured so much from the factory and faced so many cold stares. But now, the hard times were over.

Su Han, too, had red eyes. She had also suffered greatly. When she was bullied by Huang Zheng, he used his family connections to turn the tables, accusing her of seducing him and calling her a shameless woman. His wife even came to cause a scene at Su Han's small restaurant, and people would spit at her on the street.

But now, she walked confidently on the red carpet in the factory auditorium, facing dozens of veteran workers' representatives who would not say a single bad word to her.

Thinking about this, Su Han looked at Zhou Ming walking ahead of her. Her eyes misted over. She knew it was this man who had helped her turn things around, just as he had said to the mayor and the veteran workers' representatives, fighting for her justice!