Chapter 47: Turning Decay into Magic

To Cheng Shi's surprise, Li Zhigang also sent a floral basket.

Currently, getting a private telephone installed cost five thousand yuan, which was sheer extortion. Cheng Shi originally planned to wait a few years until his business expanded before considering it. However, Factory Director Hu routed an extension line from the factory's phone to him, completely resolving the issue.

Cheng Shi placed an opening announcement in the newspaper. Although there were only two official employees—himself and Cheng Yongjin—the small company was officially open for business.

Factory Director Hu even specifically called the newspaper office to mention how Cheng Shi had repaired their spinning machine. Upon hearing that this high-flying young man had achieved yet another remarkable feat, a reporter rushed over to interview both Director Hu and Cheng Shi. After all, the public loved such uplifting stories, and the leadership enjoyed reading them as well.

The next day, the news was published. The accompanying photo featured the freshly repaired spinning machine operating at full speed alongside a picture of Cheng Shi's new company. This practically served as another round of free advertising for him.

Cheng Shi couldn't help but sigh with admiration: Director Hu truly knew how to handle human relations, managing matters with both substance and grace. With such tact and capability, whenever she asked anyone for a favor in the future, they would undoubtedly agree.

That day, when Cai Aiping returned, she intended to retrieve the items Cheng Shi had previously thrown away, only to find a disheveled person sitting downstairs sobbing bitterly. Everyone gave him a wide berth.

Upon walking over to take a closer look, Cai Aiping was startled to discover it was Zhang Ziqiang.

"Ziqiang, why are you crying here?"

The moment Zhang Ziqiang saw Cai Aiping, he leaped up. "Auntie Cai, it's so good to see you! I thought Cheng Shi had run away and abandoned me. It took a tremendous amount of effort, but I finally gathered everything he asked for."

Auspiciously amused yet heartbroken, Cai Aiping wiped his tears. "Oh my goodness, look at you so heartbroken. You came straight from the train station, didn't you? You haven't gone back to ask Factory Director Zhang yet, have you? We've moved."

Cheng Shi had called Zhang Guohua to inform him about the move, instructing him that future purchases of parts should be ordered here first, after which someone would be sent here to pick up the components and make the payment. Since Zhang Ziqiang hadn't had the chance to return home yet, naturally, he had no way of knowing.

Zhang Ziqiang blinked in astonishment: "Ah?"

Cheng Shi was busy processing parts when he suddenly saw Cai Aiping walk in with a bearded, unkempt figure. Surprised, he stopped the machine and straightened up.

Zhang Ziqiang's eyes were still red. He raised a hand toward Cheng Shi and said, his voice choked with emotion, "I'm back."

Cheng Shi walked over and patted him on the shoulder. "My friend, how did you get so exhausted? You've truly worked hard."

Cheng Shi then began inspecting the parts, instruments, and equipment Zhang Ziqiang had brought back. And honestly? It was simply remarkable.

Zhang Ziqiang usually behaved in a frivolous and slipshod manner, yet he had handled this task exceptionally well. These parts, instruments, and equipment strictly matched the requirements Cheng Shi had listed. Furthermore, the procurement list and invoices for every single item were crystal clear.

The boy was indeed capable of being taught.

As he checked the items, Cheng Shi showered Zhang Ziqiang with endless praise. Zhang Ziqiang grinned from ear to ear, instantly feeling that all his hardship over the past few days had been completely worth it. Moreover, he had never felt as confident as he did at this moment.

It turned out that he, too, had the ability to pull off a task brilliantly. Taking the first step wasn't nearly as difficult as he had imagined.

After finishing the inventory, Cheng Shi took Zhang Ziqiang to his room to rest, telling him that once things quieted down in the evening, he would work on the magnetic core memory.

Cheng Shi went back downstairs and resumed machining parts. After a short while, Yu Dadong walked in carrying a bed on his back.

Cheng Shi asked, "What's this? Are you moving in with me?"

Yu Dadong replied, "What on earth are you talking about? I noticed your bed was about to fall apart, so I made you a simple fir-wood frame bed. Once we get some better materials, I'll build you a nicer one."

Cheng Shi was deeply surprised. Although he knew this fellow was rough around the edges yet actually possessed a sensitive and delicate mind, he hadn't expected him to go to such lengths for him.

"Thank you, brother."

With an expression of feigned disgust, Yu Dadong hoisted the bed up to the room, muttering under his breath, "So mushy it gives me goosebumps. This was just some casual labor I could knock out effortlessly." He remembered an idiom Cheng Shi had used previously and decided to put it into practice.

Suddenly, a sharp scream echoed from upstairs.

A moment later, Yu Dadong dragged someone down.

Gnash-toothed with irritation, Yu Dadong growled, "I don't know how this bastard snuck up there, acting all sneaky in your room."

Zhang Ziqiang shouted indignantly, "Where did this lunatic come from? Unbelievable!"

Realizing the two hadn't met yet, Cheng Shi chuckled out loud. "It's a misunderstanding. Let me formally introduce you two."

When Zhang Ziqiang and Yu Dadong were introduced by Cheng Shi as good friends, each felt a fleeting sense of smug satisfaction, followed by an immense reluctance as they exchanged a symbolic handshake while cursing each other out in their minds.

*Broad shoulders and a thick waist; one look and you can tell he's no good. He must be getting close to Cheng Shi for some ulterior motive.*

*A sharp chin and sunken cheeks; one look and you can tell he's a pervert. He must be getting close to Cheng Shi just to peep at Cheng Juan.*

Cheng Shi said to Zhang Ziqiang, "Go back and get some rest for now. Come pick me up tomorrow at this time, and I'll go help you install the CNC machine tool."

He counted out two hundred yuan and handed it to Zhang Ziqiang. "Among the parts you purchased, some are for my own personal use."

Zhang Ziqiang protested, "You don't need to pay for those."

Cheng Shi insisted, "I must. Business is business and personal is personal; otherwise, it won't be easy for you to report back to your father."

Early the next morning, Zhang Ziqiang arrived. However, Cheng Shi wasn't in a rush to leave, saying, "Wait for someone."

After a short while, a stunning woman arrived.

She wore a tastefully tailored plain dress, possessing a medium build with a slender waist, standing tall and poised. Her shoulder-length hair was dark, glossy, and draped softly over her shoulders, with a few stray strands playfully brushing against her snow-white cheeks. Her forehead was smooth and open, and her eyes resembled clear autumn pools, sparkling with wisdom and alertness. Her nose was straight and delicate, and the corners of her lips curled into a smile.

She was a rare intellectual beauty.

A wave of sour envy washed over Zhang Ziqiang: *Why are there always beauties hanging around Cheng Shi?! It's simply too much to envy, hate, and be jealous of.*

After giving Cheng Yongjin a few final instructions, Cheng Shi got into Zhang Ziqiang's car along with the beautiful woman.

Zhang Ziqiang leaned in and whispered to Cheng Shi, "Who is this?"

Cheng Shi answered, "A friend of mine."

Factory Director Zhang and the others were already waiting in the workshop.

Cheng Shi instructed the engineers to remove the integrated circuit board, and then he installed the magnetic core memory he had crafted onto it. Holding Cheng Shi's creation, the engineer felt deeply skeptical inside: *It really does look identical.* He just wondered if it was all for show or actually functional.

As soon as the circuit board was reinstalled and the power turned on, the engineer tested it by machining a small component himself.

He confirmed that the machine tool had returned to its pre-breakdown performance level.

Astonished, the engineer looked at Cheng Shi with absolute reverence. "Comrade Cheng Shi's technical skills are truly extraordinary."

Zhang Ziqiang exclaimed in awe, "Wow, bro, you really do have the magic touch to turn decay into wonder."

Zhang Guohua praised, "Splendid! Many thanks to Comrade Cheng Shi."

Cheng Shi replied, "A major reason we were able to repair it smoothly this time is thanks to Comrade Zhang Ziqiang, who promptly and accurately procured all the components and materials I needed."