Aunt Wang couldn’t help but complain.

Xie Changning lowered her gaze and sighed softly. "From now on, there will be more and more trouble."

Word was that the Xie Family members had all been sent down to the Northeast, contributing to the nation in some unknown place.

If they found out she was doing pretty well here, they would almost certainly contact her.

Oh, and since Chen Weisheng was taking Xie Changyu back with him this time, he would probably find a chance to contact the Xie Family and tell them all about Xie Changning’s "glorious achievements."

Xie Changning frowned slightly, feeling a sense of disgust.

Chen Weisheng wasn’t some master criminal, but people who loved to take petty advantages were also infuriating.

She just hoped he would learn his lesson.

Those who chase small gains are bound to suffer great losses.

After dinner, Xie Changning went to bed early. The next morning, she brought the repaired machine components from her workshop back to the factory.

The printer production speed finally caught up, and the weight on Xie Changning’s mind was finally lifted.

Of course, this was also thanks to the help from the leadership.

When they returned from the Autumn Trade Fair, they had brought back the province’s best experts to help them repair and assemble the machinery.

Ultimately, under Xie Changning’s leadership, they had built two production lines.

With the printer situation on the right track, Xie Changning began researching a smaller machine.

"Are you saying that for this year’s Spring Trade Fair, we’re going to bring a mini model printer?" Yes, in the minds of the factory staff, a printer that was only forty to fifty centimeters in length, width, and height was considered a "mini model."

Xie Changning nodded. "That’s right. Based on our existing technology, we’ll work on miniaturizing the components. Time is tight, and the task is heavy."

This time, Xie Changning also brought the design schematics that her ’space’ had printed out.

There were dozens of schematics detailing the manufacturing methods and functions of various parts. Everyone pasted these drawings onto a black wall that had been painted for this exact purpose.

This was the wall they used for calculations.

Pasting them here made it convenient for them to see.

It had to be said, when they saw the finished diagrams, they were incredibly excited.

"Can we... can we really do this?"

"Of course!"

Xie Changning answered with certainty.

With Xie Changning leading the way, everyone threw themselves into a new round of research and development.

Word that the Anong County Machinery Factory was developing a new type of printer soon reached Director Zhao’s ears. He couldn’t resist contacting Xie Changning. "I hear you’re planning to develop a mini printer?"

"Director, it’s a portable printer. It’s more convenient."

Xie Changning’s answer made Director Zhao’s eyes light up.

He cleared his throat and said to Xie Changning, "Changning, as you know, the printer at the bureau is a bit old now, and the speed just can’t keep up..."

Hearing him say this, Xie Changning naturally understood what he was getting at.

"Director, would you like one of the big ones, or would you rather wait for a small one?"

"A small one! My office happens to need one!"

"Alright. Once I’ve developed it, I’ll send one over to you. That will also make it easier for you to introduce its features to the other leaders."

Director Zhao loved to hear what Xie Changning was saying. He smiled and agreed.

After hanging up the phone, Xie Changning turned around and held a meeting with the whole team.

As the new R&D project got underway, the Spring Festival was also approaching, and Xie Changning brought back the students who were studying at First Automobile Works.

Compared to when they had left, everyone had become much more composed.

Their technical skills had also improved significantly.

They could now answer many of Xie Changning’s off-the-cuff questions.

Seeing their growth, Xie Changning was very gratified. "Good job. Keep up the good work!" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Of course! We’re going to be the first batch of senior technicians at our machinery factory!" Everyone was fond of this title and full of drive!

When they got back to the factory, the students thought their families would be at the entrance to greet them.

But in the end, only their grandfathers and grandmothers were at the gate.

Their parents were nowhere to be seen.

Everyone was a little disappointed, but they also knew the factory was rushing to meet a deadline and it was a busy time. After a moment of sadness, they didn’t dwell on it.

’The factory’s orders were more important!’

"Aiyo, my granddaughter has gotten taller, but she’s gotten thinner too."

"Oh, my goodness, how can a nice young lady like you have biceps!"

An unknown grandmother let out a cry, her heart aching for her granddaughter.

Many of the students turned their heads and then burst out laughing. "You need strength to be a technician, there’s no way around it! Every one of us is much stronger than before!"

They were all incredibly proud as they said this.

They didn’t feel the least bit insecure about their "unattractive" appearance; in their eyes, having great skills was the coolest thing in the world!

"Go on, get some rest. We’ll eat at the cafeteria tonight." Xie Changning saw them off and then went to handle the final preparations before the Spring Festival.

With the Spring Festival drawing near, the atmosphere all around became festive and joyous.

Xie Changning was also swept up in the spirit, and she had the logistics team go purchase some necessities for the festival.

In this era, the holiday spirit was still very strong. Everyone eagerly anticipated preparing New Year’s goods and celebrating the Spring Festival. With so many people, it was especially lively.

Xie Changning thought they could have the students prepare some performances or something similar.

So, she called an impromptu meeting to ask for everyone’s opinion.

"We have no objections! That sounds great! We’ll do whatever the director says!"

And so, the students happily began preparing their acts. It wasn’t until two days before the Spring Festival that Xie Changning’s factory finally ceased operations, and everyone started putting up spring couplets and "Fu" characters.

Every workshop, machine, vehicle, and office was adorned with "Fu" characters, brimming with good fortune.

Xie Changning bought some to take home as well.

Because her own children were young, Xie Changning didn’t have the two aunties take them to join the hubbub at the factory. The factory’s gala was held the day before the Spring Festival.

"Hello everyone! I’m your host for the first-ever Anong County Machinery Factory Gala, Chen Tao. You can call me Little Chen, or you can call me Xiao Tao." Dressed in a Zhongshan suit with his hair slicked back, eighteen-year-old Chen Tao stood on stage with a microphone, addressing the crowd.

Sitting in the audience below, Xie Changning heard someone say, "My son! That’s my son!"

The proud tone made Xie Changning chuckle.

"Hello everyone, I’m the other host for the first-ever Anong County Machinery Factory Gala, Cheng Xiaolian. You can call me Lianlian." This time, the speaker was a girl wearing a red winter-style qipao and a large red flower in her hair.

The girl’s complexion was dark, her skin tone a match for Chen Tao’s beside her.

But her smile was full of confidence.

The gala was held outdoors. The two of them were dressed lightly, and you could see them shivering in the wind and snow.

"Next up, a crosstalk performance by Feng Jiao and Han Shan, called ’Reciting the Menu’!"

The acts were simple, but their strength lay in everyone’s enthusiasm.

During the show, the students also interacted with the audience, tossing out sunflower seeds and pieces of candy, and asking questions. All sorts of things.

The elders were happy to play along, and by the end of the two-hour gala, everyone had had a wonderful time.

As the crowd dispersed, everyone was still savoring the memory.