Chapter 81

In the evening, at the factory guesthouse’s private room, Zhou Ming brought his parents and Su Han to attend a dinner party hosted by Cai Zhongxian and the factory’s cadre members.

This was a celebratory dinner party organized by the factory’s cadre members for Zhou Ming’s family, the new bosses. Cai Zhongxian instructed the guesthouse to serve the best wine and dishes, then led the cadre members in raising their glasses: "Mr. Zhou, now we should call you Factory Director Zhou and Deputy Factory Director Wang, as well as Boss Zhou and Manager Su. We, on behalf of all the factory workers and their families, would like to toast to you, congratulating you on becoming the new leaders of our 760 Factory!"

After saying this, Cai Zhongxian took the lead in drinking a glass. Zhou Guoping and Wang Fengqin, being honest people, subconsciously accompanied him in drinking, saying that Director Cai was too polite.

Seeing their parents do this, Zhou Ming and Su Han could only follow and drink with Cai Zhongxian. Then, Cai Zhongxian poured another glass and said, "In recent years, the factory’s performance has been poor, and paying the workers’ salaries has always been a major issue. But today, Boss Zhou has solved this problem that has plagued our factory for many years. Boss Zhou is truly a great savior sent by heaven! I, on behalf of all the factory workers and their families, sincerely thank Boss Zhou. You are like a sweet well in the desert, and a charcoal seller bringing warmth in the cold winter. Let’s toast to Boss Zhou again!"

Zhou Guoping and Wang Fengqin had never been flattered like this, especially by their former factory leaders. The two elders hurriedly waved their hands and said, "Director Cai, you are too polite. We are also part of the factory, and this is what we should do."

At this moment, Zhou Ming also said to Cai Zhongxian, "That’s right, Director Cai. My parents and Su Han can’t drink, so you don’t need to toast to them."

Cai Zhongxian’s face froze for a moment, clearly surprised that a former ordinary factory worker would be so disrespectful. However, he understood that with the 760 Factory’s reform, Zhou Ming had become the supreme owner of the factory and didn’t need to give him this face.

Realizing this, Cai Zhongxian forced a smile and said, "You’re right, Boss Zhou. I didn’t think clearly. Factory Director Zhou has had surgery, and Deputy Factory Director Wang and Manager Su are women, so they might have dietary restrictions."

Cai Zhongxian, being a veteran cadre, was adept at finding a way out of awkward situations.

Zhou Ming continued, "But on the other hand, although my parents have dietary restrictions, I am fine. Everyone here is a key leader in the factory. Even though the factory has been reformed, the overall management and operation still rely on all of you. As long as the factory performs well, I will not let you down in terms of salary and benefits. I believe our salary levels should at least match those in Nanjiang."

Hearing Zhou Ming’s promise, everyone’s eyes lit up: "Boss Zhou, you are too generous. Rest assured, we will fulfill our duties and work with Boss Zhou to create a glorious future for the 760 Factory!"

"Then I thank you all in advance!" Zhou Ming said, raising his glass and clinking it with the others on behalf of his parents and Su Han.

...

The next day, the first day after Zhou Ming took over the 760 Factory, he and his parents, along with Su Han, got up early and went to the factory. This was the usual routine for Zhou Ming’s parents, but today was different. Normally, they would go to the workshop, but today they went directly to the office building.

Cai Zhongxian and the other factory cadre members welcomed Zhou Ming at the bottom of the building, and Cai Zhongxian personally led Zhou Ming and his family to their respective offices.

The offices of the four factory directors and deputy directors had been vacated. Zhou Guoping and Wang Fengqin were assigned to the former factory director’s office, Su Han to the former office of Ma Jianjun, and Zhou Ming’s office was the one vacated by Cai Zhongxian.

Zhou Ming looked at him and said, "Director Cai, you are a veteran cadre of the factory. My parents used to work under your leadership. Even though I have taken over the factory, I still hope everything remains the same. Since this is your office, it should still be yours. There’s no need to move, as it would be troublesome and delay work."

"How can that be? What will Boss Zhou do? Is Boss Zhou dissatisfied with my office?" Cai Zhongxian asked in surprise.

"Of course not," Zhou Ming shook his head. "I did return from Gangcheng, but I haven’t picked up any bad habits from there. I really don’t need it. As for my office..."

Zhou Ming pointed to Su Han’s office and said, "I think the former office of Ma Jianjun is quite large. I’m afraid Su Han might be scared being alone in such a big office, so I’ll be with her."

Cai Zhongxian immediately smiled, "I see, Boss Zhou had already planned this. I acted without thinking."

Cai Zhongxian didn’t doubt that Zhou Ming and Su Han had a relationship. On the contrary, he would be surprised if they didn’t. After all, seeing Su Han in her business suit and high heels, with a light professional makeup, even he, the famous veteran cadre, felt a bit itchy. Not to mention Zhou Ming, a young and energetic guy, who had been childhood sweethearts with Su Han. It was no surprise.

Now that Zhou Ming had proposed to share an office with Su Han, it was fine for the couple to have their private time. After all, the 760 Factory was no longer a collective unit of the county but a privately contracted factory. Since it was his territory, he could do as he pleased, and Cai Zhongxian could only comply.

Zhou Ming didn’t bother to explain further to Cai Zhongxian, letting him guess as he pleased.

After Cai Zhongxian left, Zhou Ming entered Su Han’s office. This was originally the office of Deputy Factory Director Ma Jianjun, now assigned to Su Han. It had been slightly tidied up but largely retained its original layout and decoration.

Zhou Ming looked around the office and nodded silently. Although Ma Jianjun wasn’t a good person, he had good taste. The office wasn’t overly flashy, with a simple and practical design. There was a reception area with a sofa and a coffee table, and a painting of galloping horses hung on the wall. Inside was a large desk, a boss’s chair, and a bookshelf with many books and a box of high-end tea.

Finally, Zhou Ming’s gaze fell on Su Han. Seeing her standing by the desk, he asked, "Xiao Han, why are you standing there? Why don’t you sit down?"

"Zhou Ming, you are the boss, so this position is only for you," Su Han replied.

That was the reason.

Zhou Ming helplessly went over to Su Han and said, "Xiao Han, this office will be called the Manager’s Office. As the General Manager of the 760 Factory, it’s naturally for you to sit here."

As he spoke, he helped Su Han sit down, but she immediately stood up again.

Facing Zhou Ming, she shook her head vigorously, "No, I can’t. I feel more at ease if you sit here."

"If you feel at ease, I won’t," Zhou Ming said. "Xiao Han, think about it. I’m taking on a lot right now. I have a fund company in Gangcheng, a real estate company in Nanjiang, and now I have to manage this 760 Factory. I’m afraid I’ll overextend myself. Can’t you let me rest a bit?"

Su Han lowered her head, "I’m sorry. I’ll sit here and do my best as the General Manager, helping the uncles and aunts manage the factory."

Zhou Ming smiled, "That’s my good Xiao Han!"

At this moment, Su Han suddenly thought of something and gave Zhou Ming a playful glare, "But what did you mean by ‘overextending myself’? That’s so vulgar!"

Zhou Ming was momentarily stunned, not because of Su Han’s complaint, but because of her shy and beautiful appearance. Her lips were moist and plump, and her cheeks were flushed, making her look like a ripe, adorable little apple, tempting him to take a bite.

Seeing Zhou Ming’s expression, Su Han’s heart raced. She nervously asked, "Zhou Ming, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Xiao Han, you are so beautiful. I can’t take my eyes off you," Zhou Ming said.

Hearing Zhou Ming’s direct words, Su Han’s face turned even redder. She tried to lower her head, blushing and said, "Zhou Ming, what are you saying? It’s embarrassing!"

Su Han’s voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, but it was sweet and made his heart itch. If it weren’t for the fact that it was their first day at the factory and Cai Zhongxian might come at any moment, Zhou Ming would have embraced and kissed Su Han.

Zhou Ming swallowed hard, trying to shake off his thoughts, and said to Su Han, "Xiao Han, since you are now the General Manager of the factory, I won’t joke around. You need to quickly adapt to your role and think about revising the outdated rules and regulations of the factory."

Switching from the embarrassing topic to work, Su Han calmed down. She nodded and said, "Of course. The factory has always been a place where everyone gets paid regardless of their effort. There’s no motivation for the workers. The reform plan you proposed at yesterday’s thousand-employee meeting is good. It will eliminate the old system and introduce a piece-rate system to calculate the workers’ wages based on their efficiency, which will boost their motivation."

Zhou Ming nodded and said, "Then, Xiao Han, think about it from this angle and come up with a practical reform plan as soon as possible."

"I understand. I’ll take care of it and come up with a plan quickly," Su Han said.

At this moment, there was a knock on the door of Su Han’s office. Zhou Ming and Su Han turned their heads to see Wang Fengqin push the door open.

Zhou Ming secretly sighed in relief: It’s a good thing I held back. If my mother had caught us, it would have been troublesome.

However, the first words Wang Fengqin said stunned Zhou Ming and Su Han.

"Your father is not used to it!" Wang Fengqin said.