Chapter 135: Steamed Buns from the South of the City
"Are you the new director of the mechanical factory?"
"Yes, it was just confirmed today."
Shen Que admitted it and looked at Jiang Cheng with a completely serious expression: It’s not that I didn’t tell you, it’s just really been confirmed.
Jiang Cheng felt like laughing at the earnest explanation in his eyes.
But with so many people around, she had to hold it in.
"Yes, Xiao Shen is making a lateral move."
Director Sun chimed in and then looked at Jiang Cheng, asking, "Jiang Cheng, when do you think we should go to the mechanical factory?"
Jiang Cheng first glanced at Director Lu, and seeing him nod, she spoke up.
"Now, there’s still a few hours before it gets dark, so I’ll go take a look first."
"Great! Thanks for your effort."
"No worries, I’m making money."
After Jiang Cheng said that, Director Sun laughed along, "That’s right! Have Xiao Shen calculate your wages."
Jiang Cheng looked at Shen Que, and Shen Que was looking at Jiang Cheng too.
Director Lu & Director Sun: These two... is there something off?
Jiang Cheng smiled lightly, first greeting Director Lu, then walked out of the food factory with Director Sun and Shen Que.
At the entrance of the food factory, they ran into a dilemma.
Director Sun had driven, and Jiang Cheng had come by bicycle.
Shen Que simply stood up and said, "I’ll ride Mr. Jiang’s bicycle, I start my position the day after tomorrow."
Shen Que looked at Jiang Cheng and said, "I’ll park the bicycle at the mechanical factory entrance, and when you’re done, you can ride it back yourself, okay?"
"Okay, thanks, Mr. Shen."
Jiang Cheng spoke earnestly, but her eyes were full of amusement.
Shen Que quickly lowered his head, turned the bicycle around.
Facing away from Director Sun, Shen Que’s face reddened slightly as he shouted, "Director Sun, I’ll go ahead."
"Alright!"
Director Sun and Jiang Cheng got in the car together, and Director Sun spoke candidly.
"I brought Shen Que today, thinking that with my formal introduction, he’d take you more seriously. Now that you know each other, it’s even better."
"Thank you, Director Sun."
Director Sun waved his hand, saying, "I should thank you, my family’s young Sun Jiandong, if it wasn’t for you leading him, he’d probably have a couple of broken legs by now."
"Now things are good, he reads and studies actively, attends night school more enthusiastically than anyone. He truly doesn’t let up on studying!"
Director Sun was genuinely happy.
A parent’s greatest joy is watching their child grow better and better.
Jiang Cheng naturally wouldn’t criticize Sun Jiandong, instead she followed the conversation saying Sun Jiandong is smart and progresses quickly when studying earnestly, etc.
They chatted casually, and Jiang Cheng learned that Director Sun would first go to the provincial capital, and the rest of the Sun Family would stay here for now.
The car soon reached the mechanical factory entrance, surprisingly Shen Que was already there.
He pointed to the bicycle, telling Jiang Cheng it was parked here.
Jiang Cheng rolled down the car window, nodded, indicating she understood.
Inside the car, Director Sun checked his watch, then looked at Shen Que.
"This... so much energy, and it’s wasted in the director position."
"Pfft," Jiang Cheng couldn’t help but laugh.
"You’re right."
Director Sun and Jiang Cheng shared a smile and reached the parking spot.
Jiang Cheng and Director Sun got out left and right, heading directly to the new production line.
Along the way, several people saw Jiang Cheng and Director Sun.
News quickly spread—Director Sun personally went to invite Jiang Cheng.
Previous contenders, upon hearing the news, regretted not inviting Jiang Cheng.
Similarly, Lin Chengyuan, who received the news, was momentarily dazed.
Since when did Jiang Cheng become someone invited by directors?
A trace of regret gnawed at Lin Chengyuan’s heart, but he didn’t want to truly admit it.
Admitting it would mean accepting personal failure.
His selfish nature made Lin Chengyuan reluctant to admit it.
*
Jiang Cheng was unaware of the impact she’d had on Lin Chengyuan, as she was already busy in the workshop.
She sought out mechanical factory professional books and found technical craftsmen, simultaneously learning and starting translation work.
Thanks to her previous work at the mechanical factory, Jiang Cheng was well-regarded among the workers.
Compared to the translators who came from the provincial city two days ago, she was more straightforward, without empty talk.
From senior technical masters to the cafeteria staff serving meals, everyone liked Jiang Cheng.
On the first day, Jiang Cheng worked until ten at night.
When she left the mechanical factory, she wasn’t surprised to see Shen Que waiting for her.
Jiang Cheng stepped forward.
"How long have you been waiting?"
"Just got here."
Shen Que’s words of having just arrived touched Jiang Cheng greatly.
However, she didn’t say much.
The two walked one behind the other towards the communal courtyard.
On the way, they engaged in casual chit-chat, mostly about insignificant things like what each had eaten and done.
The conversation was lightly comfortable, providing just the right sense of security.
Back at the communal courtyard, Jiang Cheng didn’t read.
She sat at her desk, pulled open a drawer, and inside was a new pen she’d bought.
A few days ago she thought, with all Shen Que had done, she should give him something in return.
The pen was her intended gesture, yet she hadn’t found an opportunity to give it.
Jiang Cheng stared at it for a while, then closed the drawer and went straight to bed.
She wanted to rest and have a clear mind.
Early the next morning, after hesitating for three seconds, Jiang Cheng took out the pen and put it in her pocket.
At 6:20, she went to the Shen Family for breakfast.
Grandma Shen was holding a pot of millet porridge, saying, "Just right, Shen Que just bought baozi."
"Baozi?"
"Yeah... insisting on spending money, got up early to go to the south of the city for them, when we could have made our own!"
Grandma Shen’s grumbling went unnoticed by Jiang Cheng’s rising smile.
Last night, Shen Que said they ate baozi from the south of the city for lunch, which she praised as delicious.
Jiang Cheng touched the pen in her pocket with her left hand, her smile deepening.
"Good morning."
Shen Que greeted, Jiang Cheng responded with a good morning.
Their glance created a strange atmosphere, Shen Xing and Shen Yue raised their heads, looking from one to the other, unable to comprehend.
The five of them enjoyed fragrant meat baozi, steaming millet porridge, along with salted duck eggs and pickles prepared by Grandma Shen.
Such a hearty breakfast was truly remarkable.
Grandma Shen felt a bit of heartache while eating.
"Shen Que, save some money even if you have it, there’s a long life ahead."
"Auntie, I’m just happy. My job is set, we can afford it every day later."
Grandma Shen’s attention was drawn away by Shen Que’s words.
"It’s set? At the mechanical factory?"
The words ’mechanical factory’ were spoken very quietly by Grandma Shen.
Shen Que nodded, calmly saying, "I’m the next director."
"What?"
The spoon in Grandma Shen’s hand clinked against the bowl, while Shen Xing and Shen Yue widened their mouths in surprise.
The title ’Director’ equated to a major leader in their eyes.
Quite unimaginable!
Shen Que put down his utensils, casually offering Jiang Cheng a baozi.
"Yes, Director, but I won’t start until tomorrow, so let’s keep it quiet for now."
Grandma Shen understood, advising Shen Xing and Shen Yue.
"Listen to your brother, don’t go flaunting around, alright?"
Shen Xing and Shen Yue nodded mechanically.
"Got it!"
"Understood!"