An Ning and Li Chengze barely made an appearance at the auto factory that day.

They spent the entire day in an office with the door open, drawing blueprints.

When they finished for the evening, An Ning looked at Li Chengze, whose nose was a little runny, and asked, "It’s so cold, and you’re still keeping the door open?"

"Heh, it’s better with the door open. Otherwise, it gets stuffy."

Li Chengze’s eyes darted away; he was clearly lying, but An Ning didn’t call him out on it.

’This is fine, too. Lin Cuihua had repeatedly warned her about maintaining propriety between men and women, telling her she absolutely had to be careful.’

"Teacher, I can walk back by myself. I’ll just follow the guys ahead of me; they’re from the men’s dorm."

"Alright."

An Ning didn’t insist and turned to head back to her own dorm.

Li Chengze followed the men in front, whining internally.

’I miss Jiang Xia.’

’I miss Jiang Xia lecturing me on an apprentice’s duties, taking the ’Three Obediences and Four Virtues,’ breaking them down, and drilling them into my head.’

It had left a deep impression on him—it was practically engraved in his bones.

’What’s Jiang Xia’s deal, anyway? Does she have a thing for my future teacher?’

’As her probationary apprentice, what can I do to help?’

Li Chengze himself was confused. Besides, it wasn’t like Jiang Xia had actually said anything.

’Forget it. I’ll wait and see if Jiang Xia makes a move.’ 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Li Chengze made it back to his dorm without a hitch and went to bed early. A very important meeting was scheduled for the next day.

Several people didn’t sleep well that night.

An Ning, however, slept soundly until dawn. She stretched languidly in bed before getting up to wash.

When she was ready, An Ning left the dormitory building and saw Wang waiting for her out front.

This was the same Wang who was always by Director Hu’s side, supposedly his confidential secretary.

"Comrade An Ning, the director sent me to show you the way to the conference room."

"Thank you for your trouble."

An Ning greeted him politely, carrying a long, cylindrical tube that held her blueprints.

She went to eat first. On the way, Wang dutifully filled her in with information about the various personnel.

"Ming Jun was invited back to the country from abroad. Our auto factory was the first place he came to. Today’s meeting will decide on the design blueprints for the factory’s next production project. It’s very important."

"Director Zhao is the highest authority here. He has veto power."

"Many of the factory’s own designers are also participating today. The best design will be chosen."

Wang’s explanations along the way gave An Ning a clear picture of the situation.

"Thank you."

"It’s nothing. It’s all part of my job."

Wang took An Ning and Li Chengze, who had successfully met up with them, to have breakfast together.

After breakfast, the three of them headed toward a large building.

"We’re on the third floor. This is our largest and most secure conference room."

When the three of them arrived, there were already people in the conference room.

The vast conference room was dominated by a conference table over ten meters long, with a leather surface in the center and a wooden frame.

Teacups were arranged neatly on it, and chairs lined both sides of the table.

At the front of the room, there was a small platform, one step high, with a long blackboard hanging on the wall.

Four large windows were covered by heavy curtains, allowing not a single sliver of light to pass through.

All the incandescent lights in the room were on. An Ning scanned her surroundings and noticed nameplates.

She found her name toward the back, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

"Does he not have a seat?"

An Ning asked, pointing at Li Chengze.

Wang immediately explained, "Accompanying personnel must sit at the back."

"Teacher, I’ll be right behind you."

Li Chengze didn’t seem troubled at all and obediently sat in the back. An Ning didn’t say anything either.

At nine in the morning, just as An Ning was starting to feel drowsy, all the meeting participants had arrived. Director Hu stepped forward to speak.

After welcoming everyone, he got to the main topic of the day.

At that moment, a designer from the auto factory unrolled his blueprint on the blackboard, secured both sides, and began his presentation.

The people seated below all understood mechanical design.

After the man on the stage finished, someone spoke up. "Overall, there’s no improvement. It’s almost identical to our current assembly line."

The man on the stage knew his improvements were minor and dejectedly left the platform.

One after another, they came and went. After three people had presented, the audience grew impatient.

"Hold on. We are looking for change, for progress. If what you’re presenting is just the same old thing in a new package, please don’t waste any more of our time."

"Our time is precious. If we can’t choose a suitable design today, we’ll have to find another way."

Everyone understood what that other way was.

It meant purchasing technology from abroad.

They needed new automotive technology. Everything from the engine, the tires, and the complete assembly line down to the smallest nut and bolt needed an upgrade.

"Indeed. Where is Comrade An Ning? Let’s just see hers."

Director Zhao had spoken.

"Director, I have a design as well. Why not look at mine first? You have to give me a chance to present. Save the best for last, right?"

Ming Jun stood up and said in An Ning’s direction, "I wonder if Comrade An Ning..."

"I don’t mind. Please, go ahead."

An Ning made a welcoming gesture, and Director Zhao didn’t object.

Ming Jun and his two colleagues were supposed to be the stars of the show today.

But because they had constantly praised An Ning, and with such sincerity, they had convinced Director Zhao of her exceptional abilities.

"Alright, begin."

Ming Jun stepped forward and unrolled his design blueprint.

He specialized in engines, so this was an engine design.

Ming Jun switched back into his mode as an elite overseas returnee, standing on the stage and speaking with eloquent confidence.

And he was indeed capable.

The technology he presented was ahead of the domestic standard, but it hadn’t reached the international level. It was somewhere in between.

That made sense. A Huaxia person would have no way of accessing another country’s confidential core technologies.

When Ming Jun finished his presentation, the people below were thoroughly impressed.

"Not bad. Now this is what I call progress."

"Indeed. Ming Jun’s skills are certainly impressive."

"I think we can implement this directly."

"Agreed."

The crowd’s praise made Ming Jun a little smug.

’He even started to feel a little regret. Had he gone too far in setting An Ning up for a fall?’

According to their plan, after finishing his presentation, Ming Jun was supposed to bring up An Ning.

But Ming Jun hesitated.

"Everyone, don’t be so hasty. Ming Jun is very skilled, but there’s someone even more skilled to come."

At Director Zhao’s words, Ming Jun, still on stage, truly began to regret his scheme.

"Director Zhao—actually—"

"No need to be modest. You’re already very impressive. Besides, you said it yourself—it’s normal for An Ning to be better than you."

"Come on, An Ning. Let’s see what you’ve got."

Ming Jun had no choice but to step down. He glanced at An Ning, a sense of unease growing inside him.

Their performance yesterday had been too convincing; Director Zhao actually believed it without a shadow of a doubt.

All eyes in the conference room focused on An Ning.

She rose gracefully and walked to the front with her tube of blueprints.

The moment An Ning stood on the platform, an aura of confidence and power washed over the room.

The return of a king—it was probably something like this.