Chapter 48: The Quick-Witted Liao Jingsheng

Hearing the two men’s words, Zhao Guoyang simply smiled. “There’s no need for further polishing, but powder coating is still necessary—after all, it’s to prevent rusting. We have no idea how long the receiving factory will leave these parts unused once they arrive.”

As he finished speaking, Zhao Guoyang happened to glance over and saw Ning Xiaohong staring at the part in her hands, her eyes blank with disbelief.

He suppressed a quiet chuckle and generously handed the workpiece to her. “Director Ning, what do you think? Is this piece up to standard?”

“This isn’t just up to standard—it’s flawless…” Ning Xiaohong was genuinely convinced, gazing at the part in her hands. She had never expected such a perfect component to come out of her own workshop.

Of course, while appearance was important, performance was always the true measure of a part. Yet after years of hands-on practice, her experience meant she could judge the hardness and rigidity at a glance—and this piece was clearly superior to anything she had ever produced herself.

“Perfect is still a long way off,” Zhao Guoyang thought to himself, though his face betrayed nothing.

“Engineer Zhao…” Ning Xiaohong finally relented, her cheeks flushing as she stammered, “I’m sorry for having doubted you earlier. That was my mistake…”

Zhao Guoyang responded with magnanimous wave of his hand. “No need to apologize, Director Ning. It’s only natural to have doubts when you see someone so young. However…”

“However what?” Ning Xiaohong asked, curiosity piqued.

As she spoke, Liao Jingsheng, Li Changhe, and Hu Ping had all gathered round. Liao Jingsheng looked at Zhao Guoyang, puzzled, and said, “Zhao, you and I hit it off from the start. The Company Commander and Old Hu are our own people too—just speak plainly.”

Seeing Ning Xiaohong’s curious gaze, Zhao Guoyang straightened up and cleared his throat. “Since you insist, Director Liao, Director Ning, I’ll be direct. I’m actually here to ask for your help. Our Hongda Machinery Factory recently received a trial order for motorcycle frames, and we may need to use a laser welding machine. I heard your factory just purchased one, so I’d like to borrow it if possible. Would that be convenient?”

Sensing he might not have made himself clear, Zhao Guoyang added, “We’ll transport the frames here for welding—there’s no need to move the laser welder.”

At this, Liao Jingsheng burst out laughing. “Oh, I thought you were going to ask for something big! Borrowing a piece of equipment is a small matter.”

“Especially after you helped us solve the quenching blemish problem—how could I possibly refuse? Just let me know when you need it, and I’ll clear the schedule for you!”

Ning Xiaohong nodded repeatedly. “Exactly—bringing the frames here for welding is no problem at all. If you need any help, just let us know!”

Zhao Guoyang beamed with delight, thanking Liao Jingsheng and Ning Xiaohong warmly. “Thank you so much, Director Liao, Director Ning. And you can just call me by my name, there’s no need for all this ‘Engineer Zhao’ business. I’m not used to it.”

“Right, Old Liao, Xiaohong, just call him by his name—it’s friendlier that way!” Li Changhe interjected with a wave of his large hand.

“Yes, exactly—no need to stand on ceremony. Just call him Xiao Zhao. And you, don’t call us Director Liao or Director Ning either. Call Liao ‘Big Brother Liao,’ and call Xiaohong by her name—or, as we do, call her Sister Xiaohong!” Hu Ping chimed in mischievously.

“Come now, who knows who’s older?” Ning Xiaohong, ever the firecracker, retorted without the slightest affectation.

Everyone laughed and chatted for a while, until Liao Jingsheng glanced at the sky and said with a smile, “Company Commander, Old Hu, Xiao Zhao, it’s getting late. Let’s go to dinner, shall we?”

Zhao Guoyang quickly declined. “Director Liao, I’ll pass on dinner. My home is quite close, and if there’s nothing else, I’ll head home first.”

“Oh, that won’t do—you must join us! This dinner is being held for you; the Company Commander and Old Hu are just tagging along,” Liao Jingsheng insisted emphatically.

“Yes, Zhao—Guoyang! You taught us such a brilliant technique today; we must thank you properly!” Ning Xiaohong added, a touch of admiration and anticipation in her voice.

“Exactly!” Liao Jingsheng clapped a hand on Zhao Guoyang’s shoulder. “You said yourself you live nearby. If you get drunk, Xiaohong can walk you home. You have no idea—my apprentice here can hold her liquor better than any of us!”

Zhao Guoyang eyed Ning Xiaohong doubtfully, struggling to picture such a petite and delicate young woman outdrinking a burly man like Li Heshan.

“Yes, yes, let’s drink! Tonight, we’ll really make Old Liao pay. Only the best Yanghe Daqu!” Li Heshan declared with a dramatic wave, shooting a sidelong glance at Liao Jingsheng.

“What, you don’t agree? If Old Hu and I hadn’t brought Brother Zhao, would you have learned so much today?”

“I agree, I agree—how could I not, Old Company Commander?” Liao Jingsheng had no defense against his old comrade and could only nod in acquiescence.

In the early 1990s, things were not as they are now; Yanghe Daqu was already the finest liquor in Jiangnan Province. It cost several yuan a bottle and required ration tickets to purchase. Ordinary people struggled to buy even a single bottle without connections.

Fortunately, the Xiangyang Machinery Factory was doing well enough to keep a small stock. Usually, Liao Jingsheng would only bring it out for important clients. If it were just Li Heshan and Hu Ping, he would never have agreed to open two bottles. But with Zhao Guoyang present, it was different.

Zhao Guoyang’s performance during the quenching process had deeply impressed Liao Jingsheng. Although a former soldier, Liao was sharp and adaptable—unlike most township factory directors.

To him, discovering and utilizing talent was an essential quality for any entrepreneur. Zhao Guoyang, regardless of his skills in other areas, had already displayed expertise in surface treatment that was nothing short of astonishing.

As a technician himself, Liao Jingsheng held technical personnel in high regard. Zhao Guoyang’s abilities had sparked his desire to recruit him.

In Liao Jingsheng’s mind, if he could bring Zhao Guoyang into his factory and pair him with Ning Xiaohong, the company’s performance would surely reach new heights.