Chapter 63 Forcing Cheng Shi to Step Forward

Several of the leaders felt a secret surge of anger. These people were always full of empty rhetoric when things were fine, but the moment a crisis hit, they all turned into cowards hiding in their shells.

A municipal committee leader lifted his chin toward Liu Jianshe and said, "Comrade Liu Jianshe, as the director of the machinery plant and a mechanical expert, why don't you share your thoughts?"

Liu Jianshe had originally planned to just drop by, sit for a moment, and leave; he had never expected the leadership to single him out directly, and panic washed over him.

His mind raced at lightning speed. He gave a dry cough and said, "While I am the director of the machinery plant, I have been away from the front lines for a long time. My expertise is not as sharp as that of the engineers. I suggest inviting Comrade Cheng Shi to attend the meeting to resolve this issue."

With that, he kicked Zhang Guohua, who was sitting right beside him, under the table.

Zhang Guohua immediately chimed in, "Yes, Comrade Cheng Shi has recently resolved quite a few difficult problems for various enterprises. He is young, promising, and possesses a high level of professional technical skill. It would be most appropriate to invite him to solve this. Am I right, Director Hu?"

That bastard was truly craftier than a ghost, unexpectedly kicking the ball right back to her.

Wasn't it all out of jealousy that she had provided Cheng Shi with living quarters and a workshop?

At this moment, she found herself caught in a dilemma.

If she insincerely claimed that Cheng Shi wasn't up to the task, not only would she damage his reputation, but people would also point fingers at her spine, calling her ungrateful and two-faced.

On the other hand, if she praised Cheng Shi as immensely capable, it would be equivalent to pushing him straight into a pit of fire.

Director Hu pressed her lips together and said, "Comrade Cheng Shi is indeed an expert in machinery. However, this boiler issue might not necessarily be a mechanical problem."

The directors and heads of the other factories could also see right through the dynamic, and for now, they simply adopted the mindset of spectators enjoying a good show.

This Cheng Shi had been creating quite a stir lately, and they were eager to see what kind of young talent he really was and how he would handle this crisis.

Cheng Shi belonged to neither any local enterprise or public institution nor any government department; he was an absolute outsider.

Besides, with a long list of experts available, it certainly shouldn't have fallen to Cheng Shi to come up with ideas.

The leaders were well aware of the schemes playing out in the minds of Zhang Guohua and Liu Jianshe.

Yet, no solutions could be extracted from this bunch of bureaucratic old-timers, and continuing the meeting like this was nothing more than a waste of time.

The municipal committee leaders held a brief, low-voiced consultation with the security department head and said, "Very well then. Secretary Shen, please invite Comrade Cheng Shi over so we can see what good ideas he might have. Let's take a short recess."

Director Hu hurriedly stood up and slipped out quietly. She borrowed a phone to call Cheng Shi, explained the situation to him, and concluded, "They definitely do not have good intentions. You must be extremely careful in how you handle this."

She knew that Cheng Shi was trapped in a difficult predicament as well.

After all, he was being summoned personally by the municipal committee. Young as he was, Cheng Shi was sophisticated in his dealings and certainly wouldn't dare offend the city leadership.

Yet, if he came, he was walking straight into a trap.

Cheng Shi replied, "Understood. Thank you, Director Hu."

In fact, Secretary Shen had already called earlier to say he was coming to pick him up and would arrive in ten minutes.

Cheng Shi hung up the phone and said to Zhang Ziqiang, "Accompany me on this trip."

Zhang Ziqiang felt a wave of trepidation, shrinking his neck and pulling back. "Huh? Do I have to go too?"

Cheng Shi patted him on the back. "Stand up straight. What are you scared of? You are my sales manager and a senior executive of a prominent private enterprise. In the future, following proper business etiquette, everyone will have to address you as President Zhang. Besides, with the directors of all the factories attending today, what a fantastic opportunity to build your profile. Of course I'm going to bring you along to make yourself known."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ziqiang perked up. "Right. I can't be a coward."

Cheng Shi added, "Besides, I also need a secretary with a strong presence."

Zhang Ziqiang cracked a wide grin. "Got it. Carrying bags is my specialty."

Secretary Shen arrived shortly, picking up Cheng Shi and Zhang Ziqiang, who had changed into crisp shirts and dress trousers.

Cheng Shi asked Secretary Shen, "I wonder what was discussed in the morning session."

Secretary Shen smiled. "Nothing of great importance. The leaders and experts have simply been waiting for Comrade Cheng Shi so the meeting could continue."

This seemingly innocuous statement actually conveyed everything.

It was essentially telling Cheng Shi: No one dares to offer any solutions, and you are the sole scapegoat. Everyone is waiting for you, so you had better think of a strategy on the way.

Cheng Shi nodded. "Thank you."

Taking advantage of the conversation, he carefully sized up Secretary Shen.

After all, anyone capable of remaining by a leader's side, regardless of rank, was an important figure. They might cross paths frequently in the future.

Secretary Shen possessed delicately painted brows and eyes, a fair and handsome complexion, and an innate scholarly air.

Although he was only twenty-three or twenty-four years old, his demeanor was remarkably calm and steady.

A faint, elusive smile always lingered at the corners of his lips, making anyone who met him feel as though they were basking in a gentle breeze.

In truth, Secretary Shen was taking the opportunity to size up Cheng Shi as well.

His eyes were narrow, long, and profound, and his facial features were three-dimensional and striking.

There was a touch of the scholar in him, a touch of the renegade, and a touch of upright righteousness.

Though his appearance was still that of a youth, his gaze was deep and seasoned.

It was as if this youthful exterior existed merely to conceal an ancient soul that had seen through everything.

Upon entering the conference room, Zhang Ziqiang caught sight of Zhang Guohua, and he instantly understood another layer of Cheng Shi's intentions.

It was to let him flex some authority in front of his biological father, making Zhang Guohua realize that Zhang Ziqiang was no longer just a minor helper in some small workshop, but someone now capable of attending the exact same high-level meeting as him.

The moment Zhang Guohua saw that Zhang Ziqiang had come along and was even carrying Cheng Shi's bag, his face darkened instantly.

Someone whispered to Zhang Guohua, "Director Zhang, isn't that your second son?"

Zhang Guohua let out a cold snort and gave no reply.

The leaders and experts quickly took their seats.

Some of them had never seen Cheng Shi before, and seeing him in person now, they felt he looked even more youthful and handsome than he appeared on television and in newspapers.

Could a wet-behind-the-ears kid like this, a pretty face, really not be here just to cause trouble for everyone?

Those two plant directors certainly harbored hidden motives...

Cheng Shi introduced Zhang Ziqiang to the leaders. "This is my sales manager and partner. I asked him to come along to help me take notes. I hope the leaders don't mind."

Zhang Guohua and Liu Jianshe couldn't help but inwardly sneer: You really are putting on airs.

A municipal committee leader said, "It's fine. Let him sit down and listen."

The security department head outlined the agenda and asked Cheng Shi, "Comrade Cheng Shi has a high level of professional technical expertise. Do you have any good suggestions?"

Cheng Shi thought for a moment and said, "Normally, with so many factory directors and experts present, it wouldn't be my place as a junior to speak out of turn. However, since the leaders hold me in such high regard and specially invited me here, I am compelled to summon the courage to say a few words. If anything I say is incorrect or inadvertently offends any leader, please forgive me."

With this single remark, he elevated the status of everyone present above his own while managing not to sound overly humble.

He also subtly reminded certain people that, after all, he was a guest specially invited by the municipal committee; even without a professional title or official position, he was carrying the prestige of the leadership. Along the way, he also secured himself a metaphorical "immunity token."

The two municipal leaders exchanged a meaningful glance: Look at that situational awareness and emotional intelligence; it left the vast majority of the people present trailing far behind.