69novels Chapter 969 Gu Nan goes to work
Chapter 969 Gu Nan goes to work
"Thank you so much, sister-in-law!" Gu Nan bowed slightly, the gratitude in his tone just right, not seeming overly warm, yet revealing a certain intimacy. "I'll have the kids' mother send sister-in-law some pickled vegetables. Her hand-pickled radish is a specialty, crispy and slightly spicy. Who in the factory hasn't praised its authentic taste after trying it? I guarantee sister-in-law will love it."
The two chatted back and forth, their conversation warm and natural, as if the awkwardness caused by the "death news" had never existed. The sunlight filtering through the high factory windows slanted down onto the ground, casting dappled light on the two men's faces, gilding the false politeness with a dazzling golden sheen, making their words seem more genuine.
Gu Nan's mind was as clear as a mirror, so how could he not guess Deputy Director Li's evasive tactics? He had spent all those years at the steel mill, having built up a few trustworthy associates through his hard work. He had been informed of Deputy Director Li's recent antics – after hearing about his "accident," the deputy director hadn't been idle. He'd been running to Zhong Yi's place every few days, offering cigarettes one after another, his subtle comments echoing the sentiment that "Gu Nan might not be coming back," and urging Zhong Yi to "partner up" with him. His eagerness to take over was obvious.
Now that he was standing there in the flesh, Deputy Director Li immediately put on a warm expression, calling him "Brother Gu" affectionately. Gu Nan, who had worked in the factory for many years and was no longer the intolerant young man he once was, naturally played along with him, smiling seamlessly, as if he truly believed his "concerns."
After a few pleasantries, Gu Nan changed the subject and looked at Deputy Director Li. "Then, Brother Li, I'll go talk to Director Yang first. I've been on leave for a while now, and although I called to let him know I'm safe, it would be more appropriate to report to the director in person. Otherwise, it would seem like I don't know the rules and I'd be picked on by my senior boss."
Deputy Director Li's smile grew even more earnest, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes gathering into a heap. He nodded quickly, "Of course, of course! Brother Gu, you have no idea how worried I've been about you lately. I've been having trouble sleeping at night. If I weren't so tied up with this business—a mountain of things waiting to be decided in the workshop, and several batches of parts stuck on schedule—I would have bought some fruit and visited you long ago. Please bear with me."
Gu Nan smiled and waved his hands, his tone sincere: "Brother Li, what are you talking about? How could I not know about our relationship? You are in charge of the factory, stabilizing this big business, which is more important than anything else. My little matter is not worth your trouble."
Deputy Director Li agreed, but a surge of indignation simmered within him. Director Yang had long been in failing health, plagued by high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and was already on the verge of retirement. Everyone in the factory knew the race for the next directorship was essentially between him and Gu Nan. He had assumed Gu Nan was in grave danger this time, and was contemplating how to smoothly inherit his technical team and connections. To his surprise, not only did this guy return alive, but he looked perfectly normal, his complexion rosy, without even a hint of the drowsiness of a wounded individual. How could he possibly have survived a near-death experience?
Suppressing the thoughts churning in his mind, Deputy Director Li still wore that warm smile on his face: "Okay, then you go find the director first. I'll go back to the workshop to take a look. There are still urgent parts waiting for inspection and acceptance. There is no time to delay."
Gu Nan nodded and watched Deputy Director Li turn and leave. His back looked a little hurried, as if he was rushing to do something important. The smile on his face faded a little, and a hint of understanding flashed across his eyes, but he didn't really take it to heart. Compared with Xiao Bao and his gang, Deputy Director Li's tricks were just childish play. It would be too easy to deal with him - all the little tricks that Deputy Director Li had done in private over the years to climb the ladder: falsely reporting consumables, withholding bonuses, and secretly taking kickbacks from suppliers... He had evidence in his hands. Even the most insignificant one, such as how the batch of substandard bearings got through last year, would be enough to make Deputy Director Li fall flat on his face and never recover in his life.
But Gu Nan didn't plan to do so. He didn't want to be the one who sticks out in the factory all the time. After all, the one who sticks out gets shot, and it's not easy to be in the spotlight. What's more... he knew in his heart that the higher-ups were already planning a major personnel change in the factory, and it was said that a new leader would be parachuted in from the main factory. It would be better to temporarily restrain his edge, be a stable "newbie", and guard his own technical position. As for Deputy Director Li who wanted to steal the limelight and make trouble, let him make trouble. After this wave of limelight has passed, it is still uncertain who will have the last laugh.
With this thought, Gu Nan straightened his shirt and headed towards Director Yang's office. His footsteps were steady, neither hurried nor slow, their patter against the terrazzo floor, revealing the steadiness of someone weathering storms. The sunlight cast a long shadow behind him, as if foreshadowing that this silent battle had only just begun.
Gu Nan did not return to the workshop, but went straight to the office building with a clear destination - Director Yang's office.
At that moment, Director Yang sat at his desk, his brow furrowed in knots, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the surface, his face a gloomy expression. He was deeply depressed: things were going south at the factory lately, and his position was steadily slipping. He had been counting on Gu Nan, his capable assistant, to help hold the fort, and to fend off the relentless pressure from Deputy Director Li. But then, at this critical juncture, Gu Nan was in trouble. Rumors said he was seriously injured and had been hospitalized for several days.
Director Yang had secretly visited the hospital twice, but each time, Gu Nan brushed it off with a smile. When asked about the injury, Gu Nan either deflected or offered irrelevant remarks, refusing to reveal anything. Director Yang had been around the factory for so many years, a seasoned veteran. How could he not see the ins and outs of this? Gu Nan, presumably, kept it a secret because the matter was so complex and Gu Nan didn't want to get involved.
Just as he was sighing with worry, there was a knock on the office door. Director Yang said in a gruff voice, "Come in!" Things had been going badly for him lately, and his tone was filled with anger.
The door opened, and Gu Nan walked in. He was dressed in clean work clothes, and although his face was still a little pale, he looked much more energetic. Seeing Director Yang with his head lowered and his brow furrowed, Gu Nan smiled and said, "Director Yang, what's bothering you? You're so worried that your face is almost wrinkled like a bun."