A wave of apprehension toward anything new was common in those days. People valued stability and instinctively avoided the unfamiliar things . That sentiment ran deep even within the factory walls. The R&D department, established only the previous year, had always felt like an afterthought—populated by two young college graduates transferred from the provincial capital. Though they were meant to support the factory’s development, their actual contributions had been minimal. Director Sun himself had never taken the department seriously—until Xu Ying arrived. Her unexpected presence had upended his assumptions and sparked a grand vision for revitalizing the place.
“Xiao Xu!” Director Sun’s voice rang through the R&D department as he strode in, with Deputy Director Qian trailing stiffly behind.
“Director Sun!” Zhou Yi and Yang Nan both greeted him with surprise and respect. Xu Ying turned at the sound, her brows lifting at the director’s sudden arrival. Had something happened?
“Xiao Xu, this is Deputy Director Qian,” Director Sun said, subtly winking at her. “I heard there was some… misunderstanding between you two earlier?”
Xu Ying didn’t catch the wink, but she let out a quiet snort. So the arrogant man from earlier was actually the deputy director of the factory? She crossed her arms with a mocking smile, her tone saccharine and cutting all at once.
“Oh? So you’re the deputy director?” she said, her voice laced with exaggerated respect. “I must have poor eyesight. I only know Director Sun—he’s kind, approachable, and treats his employees like family. I assumed all directors were like him. Clearly, I was wrong. Your haughty attitude threw me off. I never should have walked down the office road like a common employee… How could I, a mere cook, trespass on the same path as the almighty factory leadership?”
She paused dramatically, then bowed slightly with a fake expression of guilt. “I’m truly sorry, Deputy Director Qian. Please don’t hold it against me. Don’t send anyone to punish me behind my back!”
Deputy Director Qian’s face turned the color of brick as her words proceed . Her sharp tongue had rendered him completely speechless, his chest also heaving with indignation. But when he looked to Director Sun, who maintained a carefully neutral face, a cold sweat broke across his brow.
Inwardly, Director Sun was delighted. He had worried Xu Ying might be bullied by Old Qian, but it turned out this girl didn’t need anyone to speak on her behalf. Her words had not only flattered him but also shredded Deputy Director Qian’s arrogance with masterful precision. Still, he kept his expression stern and gave her a mock scolding.
“Xiao Xu, you mustn’t speak to Deputy Director Qian like that. He’s older than you. As a junior, you should show more respect and be less argumentative.” Then, as though it was an afterthought, he added, “By the way, since you’ve officially started work, I’m appointing you as the Director of the R&D Department. I’ll announce it formally at the Monday meeting.”
Xu Ying nodded coolly.
Yang Nan stifled a laugh, his eyes twinkling, while even the usually composed Zhou Yi cracked a smile. Deputy Director Qian looked like he was about to burst with anger. One scolded him; the other humiliated him—all in front of others. He was livid.
“Hmph!” he scoffed and stormed out.
Director Sun waved casually and followed. “Old Qian, don’t take it to heart. She’s young and reckless. No need to argue with her.”
Deputy Director Qian shot him a vicious glare but said nothing. As if he heard another word about her , and he’d truly explode. “Whatever you say. I’m not one to fuss over the younger generation,” he said, but the storm brewing in his chest was far from over.
Back in the department, Xu Ying surveyed the space that was now hers. Zhou Yi, however, still wore a concerned look.
“Director Xu, offending Deputy Director Qian isn’t wise. He’ll come after you with more force after this.”
Yang Nan nodded. “Even if the factory director backs you now, he’s retiring in a few years. Everyone says Deputy Director Qian is the next in line. If that happens… he won’t let you off easily.”
Xu Ying simply smiled. “Well, doesn’t that give us a few years to deal with him?”
Zhou Yi choked, stunned by her boldness. Yang Nan’s eyes widened in alarm. “You can’t say things like that! Deputy Director Qian has been laying roots in this factory for years. He’s built a solid foundation.”
Xu Ying’s eyes glinted with quiet mischief. “I was joking.”
But deep down, she wasn’t joking at all. Someone like Deputy Director Qian, who treated employees like disposable tools, would only hinder her plans. Letting him rise unchecked would be disastrous. She didn’t fear a little power play—in fact, she welcomed it.
After assigning tasks to Zhou Yi and Yang Nan, Xu Ying left the office.
“Yingying!” a voice called out as she exited the factory Third Uncle Xu jogged over her , looking both surprised and pleased to see her.
Xu Ying raised an eyebrow. “Weren’t you going to talk to the textile factory about work? Let’s go.”
“Go? Right now?” Third Uncle blinked. “Don’t we need to prepare?”
Xu Ying nodded. “Just like the food factory. I’ll talk to Director Niu for you. With the orders you’ve managed to secure recently, he’ll definitely be impressed by your skills.”
Immediately, Third Uncle Xu puffed out his chest. That’s right—he had landed contracts worth hundreds of thousands for food factory . That kind of record spoke for itself. The textile factory director would be floored to get him work there.
“Yingying, let’s hurry!” he urged, nearly skipping with excitement. The thought of flashing his work permit at those who once doubted him made his heart race with pride.
He dashed ahead enthusiastically, with Xu Ying trailing behind, half-laughing and half-breathless. “Third Uncle, I’ve never seen you this excited while actually working!”
“You wouldn’t understand,” he beamed. “This is a big moment for your uncle!”
Indeed, she didn’t. Xu Ying had never felt this level of enthusiasm for any job she had. “Hurry up!” he urged again, nearly dancing down the road.
Though the textile factory was quite a walk from the food factory, Third Uncle seemed tireless, while Xu Ying lagged slightly behind, exhausted. By the time they arrived at the gates, her feet ached, while he looked ready to conquer the world.
The gatekeeper, recognizing her immediately, greeted her with a broad smile. “Master Xu! Here for a new design? I’ll take you to see the factory director right away!”
The design drawings she had submitted recently had earned rave reviews from Director Niu. While the gatekeeper didn’t know the details, the director’s delighted expression had been proof enough—they were something special.