Chapter 154: Factory Intrigue and Family Bonds

The reception room.

After waiting about ten minutes, Xu Zhiquan finally returned with a warm, cheerful smile.

He stood in the doorway of the reception room without entering, just waving a hand at Xu Chen and the others.

Xu Chen and the group stood up and followed him out.

In the long hallway outside the reception room.

Xu Zhiquan looked at Xie Bingran and put on a warm, kindly smile as he said:

“I’ve been calling you Xie Bingran, which feels too formal. Should I call you ‘Ranran’ or ‘Bingbing’ instead?”

Xu Chen: “How about ‘Thank you’?”

Director Yang: “??”

Fang Jun: “……”

Xie Bingran glanced up at Xu Zhiquan and said quietly:

“Uncle Xu, you can call me whatever you like…”

Xu Zhiquan chuckled heartily a couple of times:

“Then I’ll go with ‘Ranran’ for now. If you don’t like it, I can change it!”

He paused, then continued:

“Ranran, I’m really glad you came today!

Not just because your visit helped out with our report, but I’m also happy to see you!”

Xie Bingran turned to glance at Xu Chen, still looking a bit awkward.

Xu Chen: “Dad, let’s head out first!”

Xu Zhiquan chuckled: “Alright, let’s go!”

Just then, two men hurried out from the nearby meeting room—it was the old secretary and the union chairman of the Mechanical Factory.

They walked straight up to Xu Zhiquan. The old secretary shook his hand and said:

“President Xu, I came after you to say this…

No matter what the city’s final decision is, as the old secretary and former factory director of the Mechanical Factory, I hope more than anything that you’ll be selected!

Your plan is the one that truly considers the Mechanical Factory and our five hundred workers and their families!

Though my opinion and Old Zhang’s might not sway the city’s decision, we’ll stand by it and keep voicing it to the leaders!”

As he spoke, the old secretary was clearly emotional, and the union chairman Zhang Minen looked equally resolute.

Xu Zhiquan gripped the old secretary’s hand and replied:

“Secretary Ji, don’t worry. If the city gives me this chance, I won’t let you down.

Back when I ran the Foundry Parts Factory, it really took off and started making money after we got a parts order from the Mechanical Factory through a third party.

I have real feelings for the Mechanical Factory and I’m grateful to it…”

The old secretary squeezed Xu Zhiquan’s hand firmly:

“President Xu, hearing you say that puts my mind at ease!

You go ahead and get busy. Old Zhang and I have to head back to the meeting!”

……

The old secretary Ji Yusheng and the union chairman Zhang Minen quickly returned to the meeting room.

At the same time, the door on the other side of the reception room opened, and the deputy director Jin Guiyuan and the chief engineer Zhao Jihong walked out.

They glanced at the backs of Ji Yusheng and Zhang Minen, then at Xu Zhiquan and his group, before turning and leaving without a word.

……

The team from Fengrong Commerce, all in suits, had already gone to the main conference room to give their report.

Xu Zhiquan’s group left the comprehensive building and walked through the factory grounds toward the exit.

Once they were sure no outsiders were around, Xu Zhiquan spoke:

“They kept me back alone and asked about some minor details.

But the main thing is, they’ve scheduled me to give another report to the city leaders tomorrow afternoon…”

Yang Congxin adjusted his black-framed glasses:

“Another report? What does that mean?”

Fang Jun: “It means we’re pretty much in the bag this time.”

Yang Congxin paused, then broke into a delighted smile.

Under a massive banyan tree in the factory grounds, Xu Zhiquan stopped and lit a cigarette.

“Let’s wait here a bit. Li Rui is on his way with the car.”

Only Director Yang smoked, so he joined Xu Zhiquan in lighting up.

Xu Zhiquan said:

“Everyone’s worked hard these past few days, especially you, Fang Jun, and Xu Chen—you were up late last night revising the plan.

And now our champion’s here too, so I’ll treat everyone to a meal!”

Xie Bingran didn’t speak but turned to look at Xu Chen.

Xu Chen: “Dad, you all go ahead and eat.

Xie Bingran needs to head back to school to handle some paperwork, so I’ll go with her!”

Xu Zhiquan laughed: “Okay, okay, you two can go!

But Director Yang and Fang Jun, you can’t skip out!”

He thought for a moment and added:

“Here’s the plan: Li Rui will drop Xu Chen and Ranran off at school first, then come back for us to go eat. It’s not far anyway.”

……

Fang Jun stood quietly to the side, glanced at Xie Bingran, and said to Xu Chen:

“You mentioned before…

that there’s this talent who doesn’t rely on family and just bursts onto the scene dominating everything—that’s her, right?”

Xu Chen laughed: “Yeah! Don’t you envy a prodigy like that?”

Fang Jun said nothing, reached into her backpack, and pulled out a fancy notebook.

She walked up to Xie Bingran, a bit hesitant, and asked:

“Could you… sign this for me?”

Xu Chen: “……”

Xie Bingran paused, coolly said ‘oh,’ and took the pen and notebook from Fang Jun to sign her name.

Xu Chen sneaked a peek and quietly teased:

“Bing Ge, you might want to work on your handwriting—people will be asking for autographs a lot!”

Xie Bingran: “Do you want to die…”

Xu Chen burst out laughing and pretended to zip his mouth shut.

Fang Jun took the notebook back, examined it carefully, then tucked it away safely in her bag.

She suddenly remembered something and said to Xu Chen:

“Last time in Shanghai, did you go watch her competition the next two days?”

Xu Chen: “Yeah, it was Bing Ge’s first national championship.”

Fang Jun hesitated, then said quietly:

“Next time you go to one of Bing Ge’s competitions, can you take me along?”

Xu Chen: “Of course!”

He suddenly thought of something and added:

“You two chat for a bit. I need to talk to Dad about something.”

With that, he headed toward Xu Zhiquan under the banyan tree.

Fang Jun wasn’t particularly tall, and next to the 5’9″ Xie Bingran, she looked even smaller.

Though Fang Jun was seven or eight years older, she seemed a little awkward around the cool ‘Bing Ge’.

She wanted to start a conversation but didn’t know what to say, so she stayed silent.

Xie Bingran, with her stoic expression, suddenly said:

“Last time in Shanghai, were you with Xu Chen?”

Fang Jun: “Yeah, we went to Shanghai for a business trip.”

Xie Bingran: “Did you stay in the same place?”

Fang Jun: “Yeah, the same hotel.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Fang Jun felt the air around her turn icy cold…

A chill ran down her spine. She glanced at Xie Bingran, realizing what was up, and quickly added:

“Same hotel, but not the same room! Our rooms were far apart—he was on the 18th floor, I was on the 1st…

The hotel was booked by the client, just for convenience with meetings…

We only went together for the meetings, didn’t even eat meals as a group…

I only stayed one night there and never ran into Xu Chen at all!”

Fang Jun stammered nervously through her explanation, and only then did the air seem to warm up a bit.

Xie Bingran said nothing, just gave a low ‘oh.’

……

……

Xu Zhiquan stood under the big banyan tree smoking when Xu Chen walked over and said:

“Dad, if you come to the Mechanical Factory later, don’t come alone.

Bring at least Li Rui, and it’s better to have a couple more people—maybe call Fourth Uncle or Maternal Uncle…

Especially for the first few visits.”

Xu Zhiquan straightened up: “Why?”

Xu Chen pulled out his phone and showed his father the photos he’d secretly taken in the reception room:

“These two—one’s the deputy director of the Mechanical Factory, the other’s the chief engineer.

And these guys are with Fengrong Commerce…”

Xu Zhiquan took the phone, examined the photos closely, puffed on his cigarette, and narrowed his eyes:

“This looks like there’s something shady going on…”

As someone reborn, Xu Chen had seen plenty of related news in his past life—things like ‘selling off assets on the cheap’ or ’embezzlement.’

The deputy director and chief engineer clearly held real power in the factory.

Meanwhile, the soon-to-retire old secretary might not have much sway anymore.

And issues like the factory’s bankruptcy would likely fall on the old secretary’s shoulders…

Xu Zhiquan, the seasoned veteran, glanced at the photos on Xu Chen’s phone and quickly pieced together the implications.

“What are you thinking?”

Xu Chen said quietly:

“Cutting off someone’s income is like killing their parents…

If East Morning Star takes over the Mechanical Factory, it might block some people’s profits.

Better to stay cautious.

This morning when we entered the factory, that Zhao director showed clear hostility toward Fang Jun and Director Yang.

Once we actually take over the Mechanical Factory, there could be obstacles.”

Xu Zhiquan took a deep drag on his cigarette and said:

“I get it, Dad. We need to watch out for this sort of thing.

Better safe than sorry…”

Xu Chen: “Dad, besides Li Rui, how about I find a couple more people for you?”

Xu Zhiquan thought it over:

“That works.

The new company needs roles like ‘security’ anyway.

Driving skills would be a plus—they can rotate with Li Rui.

And if they’ve got other talents, the Seedling Company or the future Electric Vehicle Factory could have spots for them…”

Xu Chen smiled:

“I know how to handle the details. Leave it to me.”

Xu Zhiquan grinned and reached out to ruffle his son’s hair with a look of affection.

……

A short while later, Li Rui pulled up at the gate.

Yang Congxin went to the guard post to clear it, and the car drove in.

Li Rui jumped out and saw Xie Bingran, his face lighting up as he walked over and said seriously, “Bing Ge.”

He hadn’t expected her to be back in Tiancheng or show up here.

Fang Jun didn’t know about Li Rui and Xie Bingran’s connection or the real story behind ‘Bing Ge’…

She noticed how respectfully Li Rui acted around Xie Bingran, which struck her as odd.

After hearing about the plan to drop Xu Chen and Bing Ge at school first, Li Rui quickly opened the car door and came back to escort ‘Bing Ge’ and ‘Xu Chen’ inside.

Fang Jun still couldn’t figure it out—why was Li Rui even more deferential to Xie Bingran than to President Xu?