Chapter 202

Today, his relationship with Liu Guangqi is no longer what it used to be.

From initially looking down, to later looking straight ahead, and now, he even needs to look up at the viewer with a sense of respect.

The reason is clear: although Li Huaide is the deputy director of the steel rolling mill, an administrative deputy director-general level position, which sounds impressive, he is ultimately just a leader of a large state-owned factory; while Liu Guangqi, sitting opposite him, is already a division chief in a ministry before he is thirty years old—that is the level of a higher-level ministry.

Not to mention that Liu Guangqi's age and experience are enough to astound many people.

Li Huaide knew perfectly well that if he could work his whole life to the end and finally get rid of the "deputy" in "deputy factory director," he would be done. But Liu Guangqi was different. With his age, achievements, and connections, he had risen through the ranks of the ministries by sheer luck.

His father-in-law, who was the vice minister of the Ministry of Metallurgy, privately advised him more than once to be on good terms with Liu Guangqi.

The implications are clear to anyone with discerning eyes. Everyone knows that if Liu Guangqi weren't still young and his achievements weren't being held back, he would likely have already secured the position of deputy director of the General Machinery Department of the First Ministry of Machine Building once he got a little older.

When the teacup was empty, Li Huaide smiled and spoke:

"Brother Guangqi, now that we've finished our tea, it's time to get down to business."

As he spoke, he gestured slightly to his secretary who was standing behind him.

The secretary gently placed a cloth bag on the stone table and carefully unfolded it.

Two tins of tea wrapped in oil paper lay quietly inside, next to a bag of candy printed with Mickey Mouse, and some biscuits and candies that could only be found in foreign exchange shops.

At the very top is a gold-embossed certificate and a thank-you letter.

The four characters "Industrial Pioneer" gleamed faintly.

Li Huaide picked up the certificate and spoke in a calm and deliberate tone:

"This is a small token of the factory's appreciation. The four-roll mill has increased the efficiency of the entire steel rolling mill several times over."

"The reason we were able to exceed our targets this year is entirely due to your skills."

Liu Guangqi smiled slightly and waved his hand:

"It was all figured out little by little by the factory technicians; I just offered an idea."

Li Huaide shook his head.

Research and development and imitation are never the same thing.

He leaned slightly forward, lowering his voice so that only the two of them could hear him clearly:

"Brother Guangqi."

"Given your current contributions, you're practically guaranteed a promotion to a higher position within the ministry in a few years."

At this point, Li Huaide's tone revealed a hint of undisguised envy.

His father-in-law was a vice minister in a ministry, so he knew the promotion path there very well.

To be honest—

Today, Liu Guangqi has everything: connections, achievements, and background.

Such a person has a solid foundation, and when they reach a certain age, it's almost a certainty that they will rise in rank.

Unlike him, who at best could only stay in the position of factory director.

After all, ministries control national-level resources, and their influence far surpasses that of a cadre in a state-owned factory.

Li Huaide understood perfectly well:

This young man before me has paved a path straight to the top with his many achievements.

Just like before, Liu Guangqi helped the steel rolling mill build a four-roll mill, which was not only technical support, but also helped Li Huaide to gain a firm foothold in the factory.

Now he is getting closer and closer to becoming the factory director.

This personal favor became the best bond to maintain this relationship.

Today's visit is not only to deliver the award certificate and thank-you letter, but also to reminisce and strengthen our bond.

During the subsequent casual conversation, Li Huaide also mentioned the changes that had taken place at the steel rolling mill over the past year.

Liu Guangqi listened attentively.

The Ministry of Metallurgy and the First Ministry of Machine Building were like twins in the field of heavy industry.

The First Ministry of Machine Building was a large-scale ministry that was once merged with the Second Ministry of Machine Building, which was in charge of the defense industry, resulting in a complex system.

Later, the First Ministry of Machine Building was reorganized, with the Second Ministry of Machine Building focusing on national defense—both were key departments at the forefront of the ministry hierarchy.

As for the Ministry of Metallurgy, it goes without saying. Steel is the lifeblood of the machinery industry; without it, heavy industry would be impossible.

The steel rolling mill, an awkward department-level factory under the Ministry of Metallurgy, used to be nothing more than a second-rate player, barely managing to stay afloat.

It wasn't until the year Liu Guangqi was seconded there that he managed to push this second-rate factory onto the list of advanced factories thanks to his cutting-edge technological innovations.

Then came the four-roll mill that suddenly appeared last year—

This completely made the steel rolling mill stand out in the Ministry of Metallurgy, turning it from a follower into a leader, and dragging a second-rate steel mill into the ranks of the first-rate.

Most of the credit should go to Liu Guangqi.

Li Huaide took a sip of tea, then subtly changed the subject:

"Brother Guangqi, besides bringing these certificates and thank-you letters, there's something else I'd like to ask you for a favor."

"The factory's technical department plans to optimize all the machines in each workshop and create a dedicated metallurgical system, so that we no longer have to use cobbled-together machine tools."

"But Corey and his team have absolutely no clue how to do this kind of high-level technical engineering. Could you take some time after the New Year to go to the factory and give them some pointers?"

As soon as he finished speaking, as if afraid that Liu Guangqi would refuse, he quickly added:

"Of course, if you're busy, the work of the ministry is more important!"

"I can have the key personnel from the factory's technical department come and ask them for advice—wait at the ministry's gate, and whenever you have time, you can meet with them, say a few words, and it won't interfere with important business."

The core technical staff of a large, provincial-level factory collectively camped out at the ministry's gate, just to ask for a few words of guidance—

If this gets out, probably no one will believe it.

But Li Huaide spoke with great seriousness.

Looking at his anxious expression, Liu Guangqi understood perfectly.

Clearly, the steel mill has tasted the sweetness of success and can no longer stomach coarse grains.

Once you've been a top student, who would want to go back to being at the bottom of the class?

After all.

If steel rolling mills want to make further progress, they can no longer do without his technical support.

He hesitated for a moment, then agreed:

"I'll have some free time after the New Year, so I'll just go to the factory to meet up. It's not a big deal."

This is true.

Giving technical guidance to a steel rolling mill wouldn't really cause any stir in his eyes.

Moreover, this is mutual assistance between brother units.

To put it in a higher sense—

From an official standpoint, metallurgy is the lifeblood of industry. Even a slight increase in the output of steel rolling mills can make life a little easier for downstream sectors.

Everyone benefits, who wouldn't be happy?

To tell you—

For me, there's no reason to turn away a credit that's been handed to me willingly.

Despite his current qualifications,

These fragmented achievements were insufficient to elevate him from a section chief to a deputy director-general level position.

But you have to take it one step at a time, and eat it one bite at a time.

These seemingly insignificant achievements will all become valuable assets on your resume.

Silently building steps to higher places.

When the time is right, he will be able to rely on these impeccable achievements, one after another.

To rightfully step into a more distant position.

So why refuse?

Soon,

Li Huaide was satisfied and left with his assistant.

He walked briskly, a relaxed smile on his face.

This visit

This undoubtedly adds another debt of gratitude to our friends.

But for someone as adept at maneuvering as Li Huaide, the thing he fears least is owing favors.

What he was truly afraid of was...

One day, he won't even be able to find anyone willing to owe him a favor.

That's when you truly reach the end of your rope.

In his philosophy of life, human relationships are like the fine threads that string beads together.

Debts must be repaid.

This is why the relationship becomes more and more intertwined and vibrant.

therefore,

Even though he owed Liu Guangqi another time today,

But this favor—it's worth it!

Too much value!

Stepping out of the courtyard gate, the cold winter wind hit him in the face, making Li Huaide's mind even clearer, and he couldn't help but smile.

He glanced back towards the depths of the courtyard wall, inwardly scoffing:

"Old Yang, oh Old Yang,"

You're just going to live your life clinging to your shallow, short-sighted schemes! I want to see how long you can hold onto that position!

"I should thank you for warming the chair for me before I sit down!"

Behind the moon gate in the front yard,

Yu Haitang quietly sat on the stone stool, watching Li Huaide's departing figure.

Even Li Huaide's obsequious smile and polite tea-pouring manner...

She saw it all without missing a single detail.

It was only at this moment that she truly understood why her brother-in-law, Yan Jiecheng, held this young ministerial leader in such awe.

After Li Huaide left

Liu Guangqi did not refuse the gifts he brought this time.

Since this was not a gift exchanged privately,

If it is delivered along with the certificate and thank-you letter, then it can only be considered an incidental material reward, not a private gift exchanged as a favor.

of course,

Liu Guangqi also knew that Li Huaide might have had some personal motives involved.

But it would never come to the point of bribery.

Since it's a reward that came with the official letter, we should accept it.

His gaze swept over the objects—

As expected, they were all ordinary choices of etiquette. Li Huaide was a sensible man who knew how to behave appropriately.

Especially that bag of candies with Mickey Mouse printed on it,

It was clearly a small gift for the child.

This name may be unfamiliar to some, but if you use it in another way, everyone will know it:

White Rabbit Creamy Candy.

That's right, it's the White Rabbit candy that's often mentioned in time-travel stories.

"Seven sugar cubes equal one glass of milk"

That being said, such rare items are simply unavailable to ordinary people, and are extremely difficult to find, at least in Beijing.

It was a special supply item during a time of scarcity.

It is a scarce commodity within the planned allocation system.

In those years when sugar was rationed,

The Shanghai Food Factory produces only 800 kilograms of White Rabbit milk candy per day, and it only supplies the local market.

The backyard gradually quieted down.

Li Huaide's visit was like a gust of wind, it passed by and then disappeared.

"elder brother--"

Liu Guangtian's voice came from outside the door, sounding somewhat weak.

Seeing that Liu Guangqi didn't turn around immediately, he raised his voice, revealing a hint of nervousness:

"Big brother, I have something I want to tell you."

Liu Guangqi raised his eyes.

The snow fell silently, leaving a thin layer of white on the blue brick ground in the courtyard. Liu Guangtian stood under the eaves, rubbing his hands together, his breath forming puffs of white mist. His hesitant expression resembled that of a sparrow with rain-soaked wings.

A soft laugh came from inside the room. Zhao Mengyun was placing several packets of pastries wrapped in red paper on top of the cabinet when she heard the sound. She turned around, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons. "Look at how he's stammering. Anyone who didn't know better would think you're usually a fierce and ruthless person."

Liu Guangqi simply shook his head, his gaze falling on his younger brother: "Speak your mind. Why be so coy in front of your own brothers?"

Liu Guangtian seemed to have received a pardon, taking half a step forward, his voice brimming with joy: "Brother, isn't tomorrow the 29th of the twelfth lunar month... I'm thinking of bringing Zhou Juan back to show our parents and you all." He paused, then quickly added, "She's the one from the factory's propaganda department, the one I mentioned to you before."

These words made Liu Guangqi chuckle for a moment. Leaning against the doorframe, he said with a hint of mockery, "You should ask your parents for their opinion on this. What difference would it make if I agreed? Besides, you've already taken them to the propaganda department; do you think you can't get past your parents' objections?"

Liu Guangtian paused for a moment, then scratched the back of his head and chuckled, "I'm not used to this... I always want to ask my brother about everything, big or small." He said this so easily that he forgot that marriage was ultimately not something his brother could decide.

"It's your own destiny, you should seize it yourself." Liu Guangqi waved his hand, his expression softening. "As long as the girl is kind-hearted and good-natured, I won't say a word."

***