Chapter 119: Could Xu Changzi Actually Be from the Urban Construction Bureau?

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Seeing the head chef sneakily adding extra food to his plate, Shen Guodong smiled and shook his head. "Ah, there's really no need for that. We're all the same here."

The head chef lowered his voice conspiratorially. "Ah, but you can't eat the same as us now. You've saved the entire factory. Everyone here sees you as a great benefactor."

Shen Guodong looked confused. "Great benefactor? That's a bit exaggerated, isn’t it?"

"What do you think? You've basically given everyone in our factory a second lease on life."

"Otherwise, when the two factories merge, our factory's strength would be here. Many people would be laid off and sent home. If we get laid off, how would we support ourselves?"

Hearing this, Shen Guodong shook his head. "I only did what I could. Winning the bid was thanks to all of us. Once our factory renovation is complete, we’ll work hard to seize the opportunity for Shen City."

"Then we'll all be living the good life together."

"Even if the factory expands, it'll be others coming to join us, not us going to join them."

Shen Guodong's voice was neither loud nor soft, yet the head chef beside him was moved to tears.

The head chef had been at the first factory for some time. Recently, there had been talk of merging the factory into the second one.

At the time, the head chef was unhappy and even reported to the director, trying to voice concerns. But no one listened to him; he was just a lowly worker.

So when he heard yesterday that the factory had directly won the bid for Shen City, things were different.

That’s why today the head chef was trying to flatter Shen Guodong.

Seeing the chef’s genuine emotions, Shen Guodong patted his shoulder and said, "Look closely, our factory is still thriving."

The head chef nodded. "Alright, Director Shen, just eat to your heart’s content. If you can’t finish, I’ll help you get more."

Shen Guodong laughed heartily. "Don’t worry, I’ll eat my fill. Only with full strength can I work well."

Nearby, Zhou Meiniang saw Shen Guodong’s earlier confused expression and teased, "Our hero of Factory One is adapting quite quickly."

Hearing this, Shen Guodong shook his head. "Hero? I’m just doing my job properly."

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"Just hoping the factory develops well."

After saying this, the two shared a laugh. After finishing their meal, they headed straight to the Urban Construction Bureau.

At this moment, the Urban Construction Bureau was a massive institution.

When Shen Guodong and Zhou Meiniang arrived at the front desk requesting to see the director, they were turned away.

"Our factory? You think you can just see the director whenever you want? You didn’t make an appointment, and without an official notice, you think this is a place for just anyone to come?"

Hearing this, Shen Guodong frowned deeply. He hadn’t expected such poor manners from a mere receptionist at a modest Urban Construction Bureau.

He frowned and said, "We’re from the First Lathe Factory. We made an appointment with the director this morning."

The receptionist, a young woman, was initially indifferent, trimming her nails and admiring them.

Suddenly, upon hearing this was the First Lathe Factory’s director, her face turned pale.

She then said, "According to the appointment records, the director is free today. There are no other appointments."

"Then please notify him. We really did make an appointment."

The receptionist was stunned but quickly stood up, saying, "Please wait a moment," and hurried off towards the director’s office.

Zhou Meiniang watched Shen Guodong’s courteous attitude and remarked curiously, "Your attitude’s pretty good."

"Well, what else can I do? He’s just a worker like me. It’s normal not to know."

Zhou Meiniang was puzzled, thinking to herself that Shen Guodong had not been this polite with that bank clerk in Shen City last time.

Before she could say more, the sound of hurried high heels echoed down the hallway.

Following the sound, Zhou Meiniang spotted someone—it was Deputy Factory Director Xu Haishan.

"Why is Xu Haishan here?"

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Xu Haishan quickly approached and said, "Ah, it’s really you, Guodong."

Shen Guodong turned to see Xu Haishan standing before him.

"Director Xu, what are you doing at the Urban Construction Bureau? I heard you got promoted."

Xu Haishan sighed. "Promotion? No, they just transferred me to a sinecure position here."

"Ah, never mind. Let’s talk in my office."

Shen Guodong was bewildered. "Office? Are you the director of the Urban Construction Bureau?"

He had never heard Xu Haishan suddenly become the bureau chief.

Xu Haishan shook his head with a smile. "No choice."

"I was supposed to be transferred to work in the government, but probably because my personality didn’t fit, they just assigned me here."

Shen Guodong thought to himself, "Wow, I actually ran into someone I know here."

Xu Haishan probably didn’t realize just how important the Urban Construction Bureau director would be in the years ahead.

In the future, real estate would be a highly sensitive issue.

Having someone on the inside at the Urban Construction Bureau was invaluable.

For instance, if you knew in advance which areas were slated for development or demolition, buying property there could yield enormous profits.

Shen Guodong’s mind lit up. "Let’s go. Director Xu, it’s a pity we didn’t work together before. Now I’ve successfully led our First Factory forward."

Though a bit regretful, Xu Haishan patted Shen Guodong’s shoulder. "Guodong, I always knew you were a promising talent. It’s just unfortunate we didn’t stick together back then."