Chapter 312: High Praise

After spending several days in the village, Zhou Yimin realized he hadn’t visited the steel plant for some time and decided it was time to make an appearance.

Upon reaching his office, he was summoned by the factory director.

Reluctantly, he headed to the director’s office and knocked on the door.

“Come in!”

Zhou Yimin opened the office door and walked in.

Director Hu couldn’t help but complain upon seeing him, “Yimin, you finally showed up. If you had stayed away any longer, I was about to report to security to find you.”

“I was busy securing materials recently; that’s how we managed to send so much pork back to the factory,” Zhou Yimin explained, sensing the director’s dissatisfaction, and offered a quick explanation.

Director Hu didn’t dwell on it. He opened a drawer and took out several items: “Yimin, these are rewards from the leaders for you. Your invention of the airbag has generated substantial foreign exchange for the country.”

Initially, hearing this news had shocked him. He hadn’t anticipated that a simple airbag could be so valuable, earning the country over a billion dollars annually, a staggering figure that nearly tripled the foreign reserves.

Zhou Yimin accepted them without hesitation, knowing that modesty might be misconstrued: “Thank you, Director.”

He then prepared to leave.

However, Director Hu wasn’t going to let Zhou Yimin leave just yet. With a look of envy, he said, “Yimin, there’s also a letter for you.”

He then handed Zhou Yimin a carefully prepared letter with great importance.

Zhou Yimin was puzzled about the contents of a letter that warranted such meticulous attention from Director Hu. Nonetheless, he accepted it cautiously.

Director Hu assured him: “Yimin, you’re well-deserving of this. Understand that your airbag invention brings in over a billion dollars annually—imagine what a billion dollars means.”

“So that’s it,” Zhou Yimin remained composed.

With this letter, other rewards seemed insignificant.

After leaving the director’s office, Director Hu enlisted the help of the broadcasting room staff to disseminate the news.

Back in his office, Zhou Yimin couldn’t put the letter down.

At that moment, there was a knock on his office door.

Zhou Yimin found it odd someone was seeking him at this time: “Come in!”

Wu Tian entered.

Seeing Wu Tian was unexpected, Zhou Yimin asked, “Wu Tian, is there something you need from me?”

Wu Tian was an employee in the purchasing department under his supervision, but their interactions were limited due to Zhou Yimin’s frequent absence from the factory.

“Director Zhou, I need your help with something,” Wu Tian said, somewhat embarrassed.

He had failed his tasks for two consecutive months, and if he didn’t fulfill them this month, he would be transferred to the workshop.

To avoid being moved to the workshop, he sought Zhou Yimin’s assistance, hoping it was his only way out. Though a purchasing agent’s salary wasn’t as high as a workshop worker’s, the hidden benefits often outweighed them, and sometimes it was even higher.

Although Zhou Yimin was curious, he needed to understand the situation before deciding: “Wu Tian, what is it exactly?”

“Team lead Zhou, I’ve been unable to complete my tasks for the last two months. If I fail again this month, I’ll get transferred to the workshop,” Wu Tian admitted, voice tinged with embarrassment.

Relieved it wasn’t as serious as expected, Zhou Yimin asked, “How much short?”

“I’m ten units short,” Wu Tian replied.

After considering, Zhou Yimin said, “I’ll help just this once; don’t expect it again. After work, go to XX place, say I sent you, explain your needs, and they’ll assist you.”

Despite having the ability to fulfill the entire purchasing department’s tasks, Zhou Yimin believed it wasn’t right, otherwise, the department would only need him.

“Thank you, Team lead Zhou,” Wu Tian expressed gratitude quickly.

He hadn’t expected it to work; he approached with the mindset of taking a chance, pleasantly surprised by the outcome.

There was no alternative since securing materials had become increasingly difficult compared to earlier times when tasks were easily completed.

(End of the Chapter)