Today is the summary meeting for the key staff of the steel rolling mill.

The meeting is set to commend the outstanding individuals of the quarter and announce the appointments of the deputy director of the second workshop and several other team leaders.

At that moment, Qian Lisheng sat up straight, eagerly awaiting the factory director to announce his name.

Recently, he had received a lot of support, and he was sure he was more suitable for the position of director than Tong Guoqiang.

However, when the candidates were announced, neither he nor Tong Guoqiang was chosen.

Instead, it was someone completely unexpected—Gu Changming, the production team leader who had been labeled as a hooligan several years ago.

Gu Changming, 35 years old this year, is a level six fitter.

A few years ago, he was reported by Widow Zhao from the family compound for being a hooligan.

He firmly denied it, but he was wrongly labeled as a hooligan by Tong’s father and others who led the charge.

As a result, he was transferred from the workshop to clean the toilets.

Jiang Weidong, as a former military man, was not one to follow the crowd.

In the four years since he came here, he had accomplished many things, including visiting and investigating in person to clear the names of wronged employees.

He wanted to bring capable and skilled workers back to their production posts, one of whom was Gu Changming.

Through his investigation and persistence, Gu Changming was reinstated to the first workshop to continue his work as a fitter.

Jiang Weidong worked hard to clear Gu Changming’s name, conducting investigations and talking to people in the family compound.

Everyone who knew Gu Changming thought he was a bookworm, focused entirely on his technology work, and was not at all interested in the accusations made by Widow Zhao.

Widow Zhao had no concrete evidence to prove that Gu Changming was the one who had behaved inappropriately toward her.

The accusations were purely a result of the chaos led by Tong’s father and others, and the factory’s management was disorganized.

Under these circumstances, the factory’s revolutionary committee had no choice but to punish Gu Changming.

Given that the conviction of Gu Changming at the time was hasty and based on insufficient evidence, it was right to restore his reputation now and let him focus on technical production.

Jiang Weidong reported this to the municipal industrial bureau, obtained directives for a factual investigation, and visited old colleagues from the family compound.

He ultimately convinced the factory revolutionary committee to restore Gu Changming’s reputation.

Although Gu Changming had been suppressed for years, he dedicated himself to technology without any fraudulent activities, and the factory manager and others saw this.

Despite some reservations from the factory office director, the factory revolutionary committee decided to appoint Gu Changming as the deputy director of the second workshop!

The new team leaders for several groups were also announced.

Lin Xia, who worked diligently and performed excellently, had also passed the level three electrician examination in the second half of the year.

The factory committee appointed her as the leader of the newly established third electrician group.

Apart from the two veteran workers, all other electricians in the steel rolling mill were young, and Lin Xia was undoubtedly the best among them.

The level-three electrician exam is very challenging; it requires not only technical skills but also boldness and attention to detail.

Lin Xia passed it on her first try, which surprised and delighted the factory leaders, making them eager to promote her.

Those chosen as deputy directors or team leaders are expected to speak on stage.

Lin Xia didn’t expect the factory to select her, which was an unexpected and delightful surprise!

She gave a brief speech on stage:

“Thank you, comrades, for your trust. I will work diligently and enthusiastically in production to live up to expectations.”

The auditorium erupted in applause.

Lin Xia glanced at Qian Lisheng in the audience, hoping for his encouragement.

However, he avoided her gaze and didn’t look pleased.

Not only was Qian Lisheng not happy for his wife’s promotion, but he was also suffering internally.

He overheard people murmuring around him.

“Didn’t they say Qian Lisheng was going to be promoted to deputy director? Why wasn’t he?”

“Yeah, Gu Changming was chosen instead. He’s a troublemaker.”

“So, does this mean Qian Lisheng… has some issues?”

The whispers pricked at him like thorns.

“Lin Xia is truly remarkable. She’s the only female electrician in our factory.”

“Exactly. She’s a great example for us women.”

“I heard she falsified some records. Is that true?”

“She had surgery. The hospital has records. There’s no falsification. Don’t spread rumors or you’ll get criticized by Factory Manager Jiang.”

“But isn’t that what her mother-in-law said? We don’t know.”

“Why does Factory Manager Jiang praise Lin Xia so much every time? It’s puzzling.”

…

“Hehe, Qian Lisheng didn’t get the deputy director position, but his wife Lin Xia became a team leader. How embarrassing for him.”

“A grown man, outshone by his wife.”

Qian Lisheng felt distressed.

He thought he had concealed his feelings well, but his face betrayed a stormy expression.

He had always had a sense of superiority in front of Lin Xia.

She came from the countryside to marry him; he admired and loved her despite her background.

Now, she was more successful and prominent, receiving more recognition from the leaders than he did.

He suddenly felt a fear that his sense of superiority in her presence was shattered, accompanied by shame and frustration.

Especially since his sister-in-law’s visit, he felt Lin Xia had become increasingly… distant.

Her words and demeanor were sometimes unfamiliar.

A few unfamiliar terms popped up, and not only did she have a good relationship with Grandma Jiang, but she also was quite close to Jiang Weidong.

Every time he saw her talking to Jiang Weidong, it was like having a big ant biting at his heart.

He had told her to keep her distance from Jiang Weidong, but she insisted they were just discussing work and told him not to be so petty.

Just now, seeing the way Jiang Weidong looked at Lin Xia on the stage, Qian Lisheng swore there must be something going on between them.

As a man, he was very familiar with the kind of look Jiang Weidong gave Lin Xia—the admiration a man has for a woman.

That kind of look… hm!

As soon as the meeting ended, he didn’t wait for Lin Xia and turned to leave.

On the other side, Tong Guoqiang was still causing a fuss.

Regardless of Gu Changming being right there, he rushed to the front and complained to the factory director and others, “I and many employees are not satisfied with this election. In my opinion, Qian Lisheng has better character and skills compared to Gu Changming. He is more suitable for the position!”

He couldn’t brag about himself, but he could brag about Qian Lisheng.

The factory director said, “The workshop director should be chosen based on technical competence. Gu Changming is a level six fitter, which is superior to all of us.”

Lin Xia quickly walked out, and a group of colleagues surrounded her to congratulate her.

She responded briefly and headed outside.

Once outside the auditorium, she didn’t see Qian Lisheng.

Tong Ailian said sourly, “Lin Xia, you’re something else, becoming a team leader without making a sound. Who would have thought you’re so good at currying favor with the factory director and Director Jiang?”

The appointment of the production team leader had a lot of decision-making power from the factory director and Jiang Weidong.

Lin Xia replied, “It’s just that I didn’t have any children before and was dedicated to my work.”

She didn’t respond to Tong Ailian any further and hurried home.

She found Qian Lisheng lying on the small bed in his work clothes, so she quickly went over to pull him up, “How can you lie on the bed in your work clothes? It’s so dirty.”

Qian Lisheng turned over, hugged himself, and ignored her.

Lin Xia said, “What’s wrong, unhappy because you weren’t selected as deputy director? If we’re talking about it, Gu Changming should have been the director long ago. It was Tong’s family who…”

“Since when did you have such a good relationship with Gu Changming?” Qian Lisheng couldn’t help but speak sarcastically.

Lin Xia responded, “I’m just discussing the matter. Get up quickly, don’t dirty the bedding.”

Qian Lisheng asked, “Why are you so close with Jiang Weidong? He’s over at our place all the time, bringing canned meat?”

Lin Xia replied, “When have I been close with him? He didn’t bring it to me. Initially, it was Grandma Jiang who brought stuff for the third sister and the kids. Later, Director Jiang brought it for my brother-in-law. They’re military people, so it’s only natural they are friendly when they meet.”

Qian Lisheng asked, “Did he say anything to you?”

Lin Xia: “What’s wrong with you? If there’s work-related news, of course, he would tell me. If not, why would he need to say anything?”

Qian Lisheng frowned and said, “I think this person is not straightforward. They play dirty behind the scenes.”

Lin Xia laughed and said, “You’re just upset that they chose Gu Changming instead. It’s okay. The workshop director will retire in a few years, so you’ll have a chance then.”

Qian Lisheng had never found Lin Xia’s bright smile so glaringly irritating.

He said sourly, “Now that your salary has increased by six yuan, isn’t it reasonable to give a few yuan to our mother?”

Lin Xia was about to agree but then realized something was off.

She said, “Aren’t we supposed to save money for the children?”

Qian Lisheng: “Supporting the children and the elderly isn’t mutually exclusive.”

Lin Xia: “We should sit down and discuss how to handle elder care. Both elders will have pensions in the future. We should clarify how much we and the second family should contribute. It wouldn’t make sense for us to give money to the elders, only for them to give all their pensions and our money to the second family.”

Qian Lisheng looked at Lin Xia in disbelief and said, “Why are you… like this? You weren’t so calculative before.”

Lin Xia frowned, “How am I being calculative? You said you’d take care of your mother, and now you’re turning it against me? It’s always about you being upset over your mother’s job.”

Qian Lisheng: “I didn’t say that!”

He suddenly raised his voice, “Stop talking nonsense.” Then, he stood up and walked out.

Lin Xia: “It’s time to eat. Where are you going?”

Qian Lisheng: “I’m eating at the cafeteria. I’m going to work.”

Lin Xia watched his retreating figure, frowning deeply.

He was giving her the cold treatment again!

Ever since he returned from training, he had become increasingly moody.

Even though he didn’t pass the Level 6 fitter exam, he had caused trouble, and she had to appease him repeatedly before he calmed down.

Now, because he didn’t get the deputy director position, he was acting like this again.

She felt so tired.