Chapter 37

Other groups naturally noticed Wu Xiaoxiao’s team’s astonishing speed. While they were still arguing over the ownership of a single component, Wu Xiaoxiao’s team had already sorted an entire box of parts down to the last piece.

Before them, piles of components were neatly categorized. Wu Xiaoxiao turned to Clerk Li and asked, “Clerk Li, how should these sorted parts be stored? Do we need boxes and shelves? We’ve finished sorting this box—where should we move on to next?”

Each team was assigned one box to sort. Since they had completed theirs, they couldn’t just take over someone else’s work.

Clerk Li was equally shocked by their speed. During their initial discussions, they estimated that sorting these parts would take at least three days—maybe even a week. Who would have thought that Wu Xiaoxiao’s team would finish in less than a morning?

“Also, these parts here—I don’t think they match anything in our blueprints,” Wu Xiaoxiao pointed out. “There are some subtle differences. I think we might need the factory’s technical staff to verify them carefully.”

Not only had they finished sorting, but they had even identified discrepancies in the blueprints!

Clerk Li took the blueprints and compared them against the few components placed in the “miscellaneous” section. Although his work was more administrative, he had seen enough factory blueprints and parts to have some knowledge.

When the components were all mixed together, the differences weren’t obvious. But now that they had been separated, and with Wu Xiaoxiao’s explanation, the discrepancies became clear. These differences were minor—some parts were structured in reverse compared to the blueprints, while others were missing certain side structures.

Such errors wouldn’t just affect sorting; they might go unnoticed until the assembly stage, possibly leading to rework or even post-production failures.

Clerk Li looked at Wu Xiaoxiao with newfound respect. This young woman—her ability to understand blueprints was probably better than the factory’s own technicians!

“What does your family do?” he asked curiously.

Wu Xiaoxiao replied, “We farm. I’m from Wu Village, Team Three of Brigade Two.”

She wasn’t even a sent-down youth? Clerk Li had assumed she came from a family with a mechanical background. But she had no such training at all?

While he was still in shock, members of other groups couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Comrade, your team is sorting so fast. Can you teach us how to do it too? We look at these blueprints, and it’s all just a blur—we have no idea how to sort anything.”

“Yeah, yeah! These parts all look the same to us. We thought we’d start with the easier ones, like nuts and washers, but even those are confusing. The blueprints make them all look identical!”

People had been watching for a while, eager to ask, but Wu Xiaoxiao’s team had been so focused on sorting that they didn’t want to interrupt. Now that her team had finished, they rushed over, asking questions one after another.

Some even turned to Clerk Li.

“Clerk Li, can you arrange for this comrade to teach us? We’ve been struggling all morning. We can’t even understand the blueprints, so how can we possibly complete our task?”

“Exactly! Let Comrade Wu teach us. She’s fast, but we can’t just rely on her alone. If we all learn, we can contribute as well!”

Clerk Li agreed. He had noticed earlier that Wu Xiaoxiao had a clear method and thought process for sorting. If she could share her approach, the whole process would go much faster.

Before he could even ask, Wu Xiaoxiao nodded and said, “No problem! If we all work together, we’ll be able to sort even faster.”

Clerk Li felt relieved. He had been worried that the young woman might not want to share her methods, fearing that others would surpass her. But she was a true team player.

Not that he thought anyone could catch up to her skills that easily. Even among her own teammates, the other educated youth still needed ages to compare a single part against the blueprint.

“Alright, everyone, go eat lunch first. Afterward, we’ll have Comrade Wu give us a lesson on sorting!”

Everyone cheered and clapped.

—-

That day, everyone in the cafeteria ate unusually quickly. Some even went out of their way to buy meatballs and chicken drumsticks to give to Wu Xiaoxiao as thanks. She had to repeatedly decline their offers.

Wang Qifang, Tian Zhuang, Gu Zhenghong, and Zhao Xiaoyan—her closest companions—felt especially proud. They were closest to Xiaoxiao, so her success felt like their own. Well… maybe they couldn’t quite claim credit, but still! They were brimming with pride.

“I don’t care if you refuse, I bought extra. If you don’t eat, it’ll just go to waste.” Zhao Xiaoyan placed a box of chicken drumsticks on the table. The rich, glistening sauce-coated drumsticks emitted a mouthwatering aroma.

Buying this box of chicken had been no easy feat. Each drumstick cost a hefty 0.8 yuan, and demand was high. She had to queue up multiple times to get six pieces.

“Everyone gets one. Your team was amazing this morning.”

Zhao Xiaoyan had planned this from the start. If she gave only Wu Xiaoxiao a drumstick, Xiaoxiao would feel awkward. So she bought enough for the whole team.

Tian Zhuang, knowing Zhao Xiaoyan’s family background, didn’t hesitate and grabbed one. “Thanks, Sister Xiaoyan! This smells amazing.”

Gu Zhenghong took one too. “Thanks! My treat next time.”

“Get lost. You think I need you to treat me?” Zhao Xiaoyan pushed Gu Zhenghong playfully.

Only then did Gu Zhenghong realize that while a treat wasn’t a big deal for him and Zhao Xiaoyan, it might be burdensome for others at the table. He hadn’t meant it that way and quickly corrected himself.

“Alright, then I won’t argue. Xiaoxiao, you should eat too.”

Wu Xiaoxiao chuckled. Zhao Xiaoyan might seem a bit arrogant, but she wasn’t actually a bad person. She was just used to being the center of attention and sometimes spoke bluntly.

Seeing Wu Xiaoxiao take a piece of chicken, Zhao Xiaoyan finally relaxed.

At first, she had felt competitive toward Wu Xiaoxiao. But after just two days, she realized Xiaoxiao wasn’t just beautiful and kind-hearted—she was also incredibly smart.

She no longer saw her as a rival. Instead, she just really wanted to be her friend.

Thinking back to how she had judged Wu Xiaoxiao on the train, assuming she was just putting on an act… Zhao Xiaoyan now understood.

With her talent and skills, Wu Xiaoxiao didn’t need to act.

She would shine wherever she went.