Chapter 82

Zhou Ming and Su Han hurriedly followed Wang Fengqin to the factory manager's office. Upon entering, they saw Zhou Guoping standing inside. Zhou Ming, surprised, asked, "Dad, why are you standing there? Why don't you sit down?"

"That's your dad for you. He usually stands all day at the lathe in the factory, so he's long since gotten used to it. How could he sit down?" Wang Fengqin said.

Seeing Zhou Ming come in, Zhou Guoping also came up to him and said, "Zhou Ming, you might as well arrange for me to go back to the workshop. I'm not used to this office. It's more reassuring to be at my lathe."

"Dad, it's so comfortable here. You can spend the whole day with a cup of tea and a newspaper, how relaxing. And there's air conditioning," Zhou Ming said.

Wang Fengqin said, "Your dad is just a worker at heart. How could he stay idle? If you let him sit here and read newspapers, he might be relaxed, and it's cool here, but he'll feel uncomfortable all over."

"My dad is a model of hard work and prosperity. If the factory selects advanced models this year, it will definitely be him," Zhou Ming said with a smile.

In his previous life, since his father passed away early, Zhou Ming's memory of him was not as vivid. Now, with his mother's reminder, Zhou Ming suddenly remembered some things about his father, who was indeed such a hardworking person.

Since his father was unwilling to sit in the office, Zhou Ming had to arrange for him to return to the workshop, the same old workshop and the same old lathe.

Zhou Ming and Su Han accompanied his father to the workshop, while his mother stayed in the manager's office to call Zhou Ming if anything happened.

On the way to the workshop, Zhou Ming said to his father, "Dad, the whole factory is ours, and I have businesses in Nanjiang and Gangcheng. We don't lack money at home. There are so many people working for us in the factory, so don't push yourself too hard. You've had surgery, so if you feel uncomfortable, sit down and rest. Don't force yourself, okay?"

Zhou Guoping nodded and said, "Sure, I'll just do a bit. Otherwise, if you make me sit in the office, I really can't stay there."

Zhou Ming nodded with a smile. He understood that although the factory manager sat in the office every day, in this era, it wasn't easy for just anyone to sit in the office all day with a newspaper and a cup of tea.

Before they even entered the workshop, they saw Workshop Director Wang and a few others waiting at the entrance. Zhou Ming knew that Cai Zhongxian must have informed them.

"Mr. Zhou, welcome to the workshop for inspection," Workshop Director Wang said warmly.

Zhou Ming waved his hand and said, "I'm not here for inspection. I'm here to bring my dad to work."

"I didn't expect that even as the factory manager, you would still come to experience the life of a regular worker in the workshop. This spirit of putting the factory first is something everyone in the factory should learn from!" Workshop Director Wang said admiringly.

Zhou Ming didn't want to waste too much time on small talk and asked directly, "Is my dad's lathe still there?"

Workshop Director Wang nodded quickly and said, "Of course. Old Zhou has always been our workshop's advanced labor model. He was just wrongly accused. We all believed that Old Zhou would return, so his lathe has always been kept for him."

Zhou Ming nodded without saying anything and accompanied his father into the workshop. Zhou Guoping's original lathe was in the middle. As they walked, workers greeted his father and said, "Old Zhou, you're finally back. You're the best master in our workshop. If you weren't here, we wouldn't know who to turn to when we have problems."

Hearing this, Workshop Director Wang glared at them, "What are you all shouting about? Now Old Zhou is the factory manager!"

As the workshop director, his glare made the workers stop talking. Zhou Guoping then said to Workshop Director Wang, "Director Wang, don't be so angry. Compared to the factory manager, I prefer it when they call me Old Zhou. It feels more familiar."

Hearing Zhou Guoping say this, the workers were happy again, "I knew Old Zhou was a good person, someone who speaks for the workers and won't forget his old comrades in the workshop! Now that Old Zhou is the factory manager, it's what we all hoped for, a good manager who truly cares for us!"

"Uncle has a good reputation in the factory! Everyone is speaking up for him," Su Han whispered to Zhou Ming.

Zhou Ming nodded in agreement. In his limited memory, he remembered that his father was indeed such a person. He was usually quiet but meticulous in his work and always ready to help others. Any worker in the workshop who had questions would be taught by him until they understood. Moreover, Zhou Guoping had a good temper and had never had a conflict with anyone in the factory, so now that his father was the factory manager, the workers in the workshop were very supportive.

Coming to his father's lathe, his father patted the lathe and said, "Old friend, it's been two months. I wonder if you've rusted."

Workshop Director Wang said, "Factory Manager Zhou, your lathe is regularly maintained. I just adjusted it when I heard you were coming. It's definitely fine."

Zhou Guoping thanked Workshop Director Wang and began to adjust the lathe. Seeing that everything was running normally, he had the crane lift a mold onto the lathe. He looked at the blueprint, adjusted the cutting tool, and started the lathe.

As the lathe started, the machine's roar sounded, and Zhou Guoping found the familiar feeling.

Seeing his father's happy expression, Zhou Ming said, "Dad, you work here. If anything happens, find Director Wang. Just do what you want to do. If you don't want to do it, don't. It's fine even if you make a mistake."

Zhou Guoping said he understood and waved for Zhou Ming to leave, "It's too noisy here. You can go back now."

Zhou Ming nodded and said okay. Then he pulled Workshop Director Wang aside and said, "Director Wang, my dad will be working here. You're the workshop director, so please take care of him, whether it's safety or anything else."

Workshop Director Wang nodded and said, "Mr. Zhou, you can rest assured. You saw the situation just now. Factory Manager Zhou has always been the most respected master in our workshop and the first labor model since the workshop was built. Now that he's the factory manager and still comes to the workshop, I will definitely take good care of him for you."

Zhou Ming patted Workshop Director Wang's shoulder and said, "Thank you, Director Wang."

After saying this, Zhou Ming thought for a moment and then said, "Director Wang, I know your family is having some difficulties. I'll give you some private compensation when I get back, an extra 200 yuan a month."

Hearing this, Workshop Director Wang's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly, "An extra 200 yuan a month? Mr. Zhou, are you serious? That's a three-level promotion in terms of salary. Will there be any problems with this?"

"Since you call me Mr. Zhou, what could be the problem?" Zhou Ming said, "And this allowance is not part of your salary. It's a private bonus I'm giving you to take care of my father, which is not included in your salary and does not violate any regulations."

Workshop Director Wang was taken aback. He understood that Zhou Ming was now the owner of the entire 760 Factory, and his status was not comparable to the previous factory manager, who was still subject to county control. Now, Zhou Ming had the final say on everything in the 760 Factory. If he wanted to increase someone's salary, it was just a matter of a word.

But even so, Zhou Ming still followed the rules. He was willing to pay 200 yuan a month out of his own pocket to take care of his father in the workshop, to avoid giving others a reason to criticize him. This meticulousness was worthy of a big boss who had returned from Gangcheng.

Thinking of this, Workshop Director Wang suddenly had a deep respect for Zhou Ming, "Mr. Zhou, please rest assured. I will take good care of Factory Manager Zhou!"

Zhou Ming hummed in acknowledgment. Although Workshop Director Wang's promise sounded similar to before, Zhou Ming could tell that this time he was genuinely willing to take care of his father.

After all, in this era, a worker's monthly salary in the factory was only a little over 100 yuan. Even as the workshop director, Wang's monthly salary did not exceed 300 yuan. Now, Zhou Ming was offering to add 200 yuan a month, which was almost equal to his monthly salary. How could he not be grateful, especially when his family was in need of money?

But for Zhou Ming, 200 yuan was nothing. Even if it were 200,000 yuan a month, as long as it could ensure his father's safety and happiness, Zhou Ming would not hesitate.

"Director Wang, as long as you work hard and do things down-to-earth like my father, I won't let you down."

After saying this, Zhou Ming was about to leave, but then he heard a commotion at the workshop entrance. Zhou Ming felt a bit strange and asked Workshop Director Wang, "What's happening there?"

"It's nothing, probably some workers are having a dispute. This happens often in the workshop. I'll go check it out," Workshop Director Wang said.

Although he said this, Zhou Ming noticed that his expression was a bit unnatural. Zhou Ming had reason to believe that the matter was not as simple as a worker dispute.

So Zhou Ming waved his hand and said, "Alright, let's go see what's happening."

Workshop Director Wang hesitated and tried to dissuade Zhou Ming, "Mr. Zhou, you shouldn't go. These are workers, and they're dirty and unreasonable. If anything happens to you, I won't be able to take the responsibility!"

"What's wrong with workers? My dad is also a worker in the factory. If I weren't in school, I would also be a worker in the factory," Zhou Ming said. Seeing that Workshop Director Wang still wanted to say something, he made a decision, "Alright, don't say anything more. Since I'm the boss of this factory now, I have the right to know what's happening in the factory. Let's go."

Workshop Director Wang finally nodded and said okay.