Chapter 81: The New Leader

In the evening, in a private room at the factory's guesthouse, Zhou Ming brought his parents, along with Su Han, to attend a dinner hosted by Cai Zhongxian and several factory cadres.

This dinner was organized by the factory cadres to celebrate Zhou Ming's family becoming the new owners. Cai Zhongxian had the guesthouse serve the best food and drinks, and then he raised his glass first: "Master Zhou, or rather Director Zhou and Director Wang, as well as Boss Zhou and Manager Su, on behalf of all the factory workers and their families, we toast to you. Congratulations on becoming the new leaders of Factory 760!"

After saying this, Cai Zhongxian took the first drink. Zhou Guoping and Wang Fengqin, being honest and simple people, instinctively drank along when they saw their former factory leaders toasting them, politely responding that Director Cai was being too kind.

Seeing this, Zhou Ming and Su Han could only follow suit and drink with Cai Zhongxian. After that, Cai Zhongxian poured another drink and said, "In recent years, the factory's performance hasn't been good, and paying the workers' wages has always been a difficult issue. But today, Boss Zhou, you solved a problem that has plagued our factory for years as soon as you arrived. You truly are a savior sent to us by the heavens! On behalf of all the factory workers and their families, I deeply thank you, Boss Zhou. You are like a sweet well in the desert, and like someone who delivers coal to the people in the coldest winter. We toast to you again, Boss Zhou!"

Zhou Guoping and Wang Fengqin were not used to such flattery, especially coming from their former factory leaders. The two of them quickly waved their hands and said, "Director Cai, you're being too kind. We're just part of the factory, and this is what we should do."

At this point, Zhou Ming also spoke to Cai Zhongxian, "Yes, Director Cai, my parents and Su Han can't really drink, so you don't need to keep toasting."

Hearing this, Cai Zhongxian's expression briefly stiffened, clearly surprised that a former ordinary factory worker would be so dismissive. However, he quickly realized that since the factory had been restructured, Zhou Ming was now the supreme owner and didn't need to show him any deference.

Understanding this, Cai Zhongxian put on a smile again and said, "You're right, Boss Zhou. I wasn't thinking clearly for a moment. Director Zhou has had surgery before, and Director Wang and Manager Su are both women, so they likely have some restrictions."

Cai Zhongxian, a veteran factory leader, was indeed skilled at saving face for himself.

Zhou Ming followed his lead and continued, "But let's put it this way: even though my parents have dietary restrictions, I'm fine. All of you here are the backbone leaders of the factory. Even though the factory has been restructured, its overall management and operation still depend on you. As long as our factory performs well, I promise not to shortchange anyone on their wages. I believe our wage levels should at least match those in Nanjiang."

Hearing Zhou Ming's promise, everyone present brightened up. "Boss Zhou, you're too generous. Don't worry, we'll do our best to fulfill our duties and work with you to create a bright future for Factory 760!"

"Then let me thank you all in advance!" Zhou Ming said, raising his glass and toasting with them on behalf of his parents and Su Han.

...

The next day was Zhou Ming's first official day after taking over Factory 760. He, along with his parents and Su Han, got up early to go to the factory. This had been their daily routine, but today was different because, instead of going to the workshop, they went directly to the office building.

Cai Zhongxian and several factory cadres greeted them at the entrance of the building. Cai Zhongxian personally escorted them to their respective offices.

The offices originally assigned to the factory directors and deputy directors had been vacated. Zhou Guoping and Wang Fengqin were assigned to the former office, Su Han to the office that used to belong to Ma Jianjun, and Zhou Ming was given the office that Cai Zhongxian vacated.

Zhou Ming looked at Cai Zhongxian and said, "Director Cai, you've been a senior leader here at the factory for a long time. My parents used to work under your leadership. Even though I've taken over the factory, I hope everything can stay as it was. Since this office is yours, it should remain yours. There's no need for you to move; it would just cause unnecessary disruption."

"How can that be? Then what about you, Boss Zhou? Or do you find my office unsatisfactory?" Cai Zhongxian asked in surprise.

"Of course not," Zhou Ming shook his head. "I may have returned from Hong Kong, but I haven't picked up any of those capitalist bad habits. When I say I don't need an office, I really don't need it. As for my office..."

Zhou Ming pointed to Su Han's office and said, "I see that the office Ma Jianjun used to occupy is quite spacious. I'm worried Su Han might be scared being alone in there, so I'll share it with her."

Cai Zhongxian immediately smiled in understanding. "So Boss Zhou had this planned all along. It seems I acted without thinking."

Cai Zhongxian had no suspicions about the nature of Zhou Ming's relationship with Su Han. In fact, it would have been more surprising if there wasn't anything between them! After all, seeing Su Han in her formal suit and high heels, with light makeup, even someone as experienced as Cai Zhongxian couldn't help but feel a twinge of attraction. Let alone Zhou Ming, a young man in his prime. Besides, he had heard they had grown up together, so it wasn't surprising at all.

Now that Zhou Ming had suggested sharing an office with Su Han, it was only natural for them to enjoy some time together as a couple. After all, Factory 760 was no longer a collective unit under county control; it was now Zhou Ming's private enterprise, and he could do as he pleased. All he could do was comply.

Zhou Ming didn't bother explaining anything to Cai Zhongxian and let him think whatever he wanted.

After sending Cai Zhongxian away, Zhou Ming walked into Su Han's office, which had previously belonged to Deputy Director Ma Jianjun. The office had been slightly rearranged but mostly retained its original layout and decoration.

Zhou Ming looked around the office and nodded quietly. Although Ma Jianjun wasn't a particularly admirable person, he did have good taste. The office wasn't overly decorated, keeping things simple and straightforward. At the entrance was a reception area with a sofa and a tea table, and a large painting of galloping horses hung on the wall. Inside, there was a big desk and a boss's chair, with a bookshelf behind it that held several books and a box of high-end tea.

Finally, Zhou Ming's gaze fell on Su Han, who was standing by the desk. He couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Han, why are you standing here? Why don't you sit down?"

"Zhou Ming, you're the boss. Only you should sit here," Su Han replied.

So that was the reason.

Zhou Ming walked over to Su Han and said, "Xiao Han, from now on, this office will be called the Manager's Office. As the general manager of Factory 760, you should be the one sitting here."

As Zhou Ming spoke, he guided Su Han to sit down, but she immediately stood up again as soon as she touched the chair.

Facing Zhou Ming, she shook her head vigorously. "No, Zhou Ming, I'll only feel at ease if you sit here."

"If you're at ease, I won't be!" Zhou Ming said. "Xiao Han, think about it. I'm taking on a lot right now—there's the investment company in Hong Kong, the real estate company in Nanjiang, and now I have to manage Factory 760 as well. I'm afraid I'll overextend myself. Can't you give me a break?"

Su Han lowered her head. "I'm sorry. I'll sit here and do my best as the general manager to help Uncle and Auntie manage the factory."

Zhou Ming smiled. "That's my good Xiao Han!"

At that moment, Su Han suddenly thought of something and playfully glared at Zhou Ming. "But what was that about 'overextending yourself'? That's such a crude and vulgar thing to say!"

Zhou Ming froze for a moment, not because of Su Han's complaint, but because she looked incredibly beautiful in her shy state. With her small, moist lips pouting and her cheeks blushing like ripe apples, she looked so adorable that he couldn't help but want to take a bite.

Seeing Zhou Ming's expression, Su Han's heart began to race. She nervously asked, "Zhou Ming, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Xiao Han, you're so beautiful that I can't take my eyes off you," Zhou Ming said.

Hearing such a direct compliment from Zhou Ming, Su Han's cheeks flushed even more. She shyly lowered her head and whispered, "Zhou Ming, what are you saying? You're embarrassing me!"

Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, but it was so sweet that it reached straight into Zhou Ming's heart, making him feel itchy inside. If it weren't for the fact that today was their first day at the factory and that Cai Zhongxian might drop by at any moment, Zhou Ming would have loved to pull Su Han into his arms and give her a passionate kiss.

Zhou Ming swallowed hard, forcing those thoughts out of his mind. He then said

 to Su Han, "Xiao Han, now that you're the factory's general manager, I won't joke around anymore. You need to quickly get into your role and think about how to revise the factory's outdated rules and regulations."

Switching from romantic matters to work, Su Han quickly calmed down and nodded. "Of course. The factory has always been operating on a communal work ethic—whether workers do more or less, they still get paid the same, so there's no motivation. Your proposal at yesterday's mass meeting was great. We should completely dismantle the communal work system and adopt a piecework system, where workers' pay is based on their productivity. This will definitely boost everyone's enthusiasm."

Zhou Ming nodded in agreement. "That's right. Xiao Han, you should think carefully from this angle and come up with a practical reform plan as soon as possible."

"I understand. I'll take care of it and have a plan ready as soon as possible," Su Han said.

Just then, there was a knock on the door of Su Han's office. Both Zhou Ming and Su Han instinctively turned to see Wang Fengqin entering.

This made Zhou Ming breathe a sigh of relief: Thank goodness I held back earlier; it would have been a disaster if my mom had caught us.

However, Wang Fengqin's first words upon entering left Zhou Ming and Su Han stunned.

"Your dad isn't used to it!" Wang Fengqin said.