What do you think, Master Tang?

An Ning’s little ears couldn’t help but perk up.

’Did Jiang Xia’s bluff work?’

"Hehehe, it would be my honor."

Jiang Xia immediately stood up and gave Mr. Tang a traditional bow.

"Thank you, Master Tang."

The two seemed to have reached an agreement, leaving An Ning, who was listening from behind, completely baffled. ’What did they even discuss to get this done so quickly?’

"I’ll see you out, Master Tang."

"No need. Just come find me in three days."

That Master Tang stood up and left.

Jiang Xia humbly and respectfully saw Master Tang off, while behind him, An Ning covered her face with one hand, hiding herself.

After Master Tang left, Jiang Xia stood next to An Ning, his eyes full of amusement.

"Playing gopher today?"

An Ning, who had been hiding her face, lowered her arm. Her eyes were wide and round, her cheeks puffed out.

"Oh, my mistake. Like this, you look more like a squirrel."

Jiang Xia, his smile unwavering, sat down opposite An Ning without a hint of ceremony and reached for a pastry.

"Enjoy the gossip?"

"Gossip? Didn’t hear any. I just witnessed the momentous occasion of Da Huang becoming a man."

"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH—" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Jiang Xia choked on a crumb, startled by An Ning’s words.

"My Da Huang is a pretty smart dog, you know."

An Ning rested both her arms flat on the table and tilted her head slightly.

"Does Housekeeper Huang have a good appetite these days? And when are you going to settle the bill for hiring a teacher for your ’cousin’?"

Across from her, Jiang Xia watched her smug little expression and played along. "How about some hush money, then?"

"I suppose I could. Since you’re offering so graciously, it would be hard to refuse. I’ll force myself."

The two continued their childish banter, and Jiang Xia completely relaxed.

"Wait, why are you here? Didn’t you go to the auto factory?"

At this, Jiang Xia leaned forward slightly and said, "I heard some news. The day after tomorrow, some people are coming to the auto factory for a very important meeting."

A single look from An Ning was all it took for Jiang Xia to guess. "You already know? Are you participating?"

An Ning nodded.

"Yes. I’m curious how *you* know. How do you know everything?"

The prideful Young Master Jiang was back online. He leaned back against his chair, a smug look on his face. "Of course. You’re forgetting who I am."

A mischievous smile played on An Ning’s lips.

"You’re right. Mr. Jiang is from a very prominent family, after all."

With that one sentence, all of Jiang Xia’s bravado deflated.

An Ning didn’t press him about Master Tang’s identity. They just chatted idly, and after they had nearly finished the pastries, she prepared to leave.

"Aren’t you going to ask me why?"

An Ning, already standing, frowned and shook her head.

"You’re not a child. Why should I meddle in your affairs?"

"Goodbye."

An Ning left with a carefree air, leaving Jiang Xia behind with a complicated mix of feelings.

’So I’m not a child, and I’m not someone she cares much about, huh?’

"Sigh... The road ahead is long and arduous. The revolution is not yet won; I must keep striving."

Jiang Xia waved to settle the bill and went to take care of his own business.

Meanwhile, An Ning took a bus back to the auto factory, a few bags of pastries in hand.

When she returned to the office, Li Chengze was still in the exact same spot, in the same posture, drawing his designs.

"I brought you some pastries. I’ll give you two more hours, then we’re leaving."

"Where are we going?"

An Ning thought she saw a certain light in Li Chengze’s eyes. Clear, yet foolish.

"To take you back to your dorm. Where else?"

"Heh, I forgot."

Li Chengze had genuinely forgotten about his habit of getting lost.

He lowered his head, feeling a bit guilty, and continued with his design.

An Ning, on the other hand, had nothing else to do, so she also took out some blueprints and began to draw.

At this, Li Chengze found he couldn’t draw at all anymore.

The sound of An Ning’s pencil scratching across the paper—SHHH, SHHH—and the rustle of her flipping through pages were exceptionally loud.

It was just like... the sound of a top student flipping through their test paper in an examination hall.

The kind of sound that makes you suspect you aren’t even taking the same test.

Two hours later, An Ning had finished another three drawings. She called over to Li Chengze to pack up, then escorted him back.

The next day, An Ning had just stepped out of her dorm when she saw Li Chengze waiting outside.

"Teacher, I made it here by myself today."

"An improvement."

An Ning headed for the cafeteria, and Li Chengze hurried to catch up. "Teacher, some people have arrived at the factory. They’re supposedly here for the meeting tomorrow. Three men in suits. I made contact with them yesterday."

"Mm."

An Ning didn’t react, so Li Chengze said no more.

Absolute skill was their source of confidence.

The two reached the cafeteria entrance just as a few people were coming out, and they ran right into each other.

Brother Jun’s eyes lit up, and he immediately made an introduction for the person beside him.

"Director Zhao, this is the Comrade An Ning I mentioned to you."

"Oh? The mechanical design genius you were talking about?"

Director Zhao was a mature and steady man with brown, ornate-framed glasses. He didn’t put on airs because of his status; instead, he spoke to An Ning with great enthusiasm.

"Comrade An Ning, hello."

"We need talent like you. We truly do."

Director Zhao extended a hand. An Ning shook it and asked, "This esteemed director must have heard quite a bit of praise about me, I take it?"

Director Zhao nodded with a smile. "I have indeed heard a lot," he said to An Ning. "If one person had said it, I might have needed to think it over. But along the way, so many people have said it that I think it must be true, nine times out of ten."

"I’m truly happy. We need talent like you all—not only brilliant, but also of good character and quality. You are all good comrades."

"Coming to this auto factory, I’ve learned that the academic atmosphere can be so rich, and the relationships between everyone can be so harmonious. It’s truly wonderful."

"If you ask me, every region should learn from you. Only by uniting as one like this can we achieve great things."

Director Zhao was genuinely moved. He was wholeheartedly dedicated to contributing to the country and saw the bigger picture.

Seeing the people under him so united, working together toward a common goal, filled him with pride.

An Ning wasn’t the least bit embarrassed. On the contrary, Brother Jun, standing to the side, blushed a little at the praise.

’Did I... do something wrong?’

’I came back to the country to help build my hometown.’

’But when did I change?’

Brother Jun’s existential crisis hadn’t even truly begun before he heard An Ning speak.

"Everything you’ve seen and heard is true. You can rest assured."

An Ning’s utterly unmodest statement made Director Zhao laugh heartily.

"Excellent! Heroes emerge from the young. The youth should have this kind of sharp spirit, this ’if not me, then who?’ attitude!"

"You’re right. If not me, then truly, who else?"

An Ning and Director Zhao had a very pleasant conversation.

In the end, An Ning went into the cafeteria to eat. Director Zhao had other plans on his schedule, so the two agreed to see each other in the conference room the next day.

An Ning politely agreed and watched them leave.

"Let’s go. Eat up, then we’ll go back so I can guide you on your drawings."

"Yes!"

Li Chengze was thrilled.

This was the first time An Ning had said she would personally guide him with his drawings.