The moment Xie Changning appeared, a buzz went through the crowd about the exceptional young workers from the Chuncheng Machine Tool Factory.

She had a composed demeanor, and for someone so young, she showed no signs of nervousness under the gaze of the large crowd. It was no wonder she was the team leader.

"The first round of the competition will consist of theoretical questions proposed by the president of the Industry and Trade Fair. The staff will now distribute the test papers to all contestants."

The exam questions varied for each trade, so several staff members were needed for the distribution.

Xie Changning’s exam was quite comprehensive, covering topics like mechanical drafting, material science, and cutting principles.

Clearly, the judges believed that anyone capable of being a team leader must possess a wide range of knowledge.

That was why they had prepared such a test.

When Xie Changning received the paper, she didn’t find it daunting. She first scanned the entire exam before she began to answer the questions.

The paper and pens were provided by the event staff.

The calm way Xie Changning sat down to answer put pressure on many of the other contestants. As for her own team members, they all thought: ’That’s our team leader, all right!’

’She’s incredible!’

Xie Changning’s expression was perfectly composed. Even while reviewing the questions, she didn’t show the slightest hint of nervousness. She answered at a steady pace—not too fast, but not too slow.

It was as if she was completely confident she could answer every question within the time limit.

Time ticked by, and Xie Changning’s pen finally came to a stop. She didn’t raise her hand, instead waiting quietly for the allotted time to run out.

Xie Changning’s composure earned a satisfied nod from both Wang Lisheng and Director Li.

"Composed and patient, not desperate to show off. Truly excellent."

Even the officials from Beijing, who had been watching her closely, couldn’t help but nod in approval.

Xie Changning could feel the eyes on her, but she paid them no mind. The very moment the time was up, she raised her hand for a staff member to collect her paper.

After the theory test came the practical skills competition, a chance for the technicians to truly showcase their abilities. The organizers had collected broken machine tools from all over the country, and the task was to repair them.

However, the organizers had been very deliberate in their preparations.

For each tool required, they had prepared five versions, all of which looked identical on the surface.

This was part of the test: tool selection, which required a good feel and a sharp eye.

The workers on Xie Changning’s team knew the moment they saw the tools that there would be subtle differences between them. Their job was to select the one that felt best in their hands and was the best match for the machine.

Their team leader had specifically emphasized this during training.

Tool selection is a fundamental skill for any technician.

After all, how could you ever hope to become a senior technician if you couldn’t even choose your tools?

They had all taken their training seriously. So, when it came to tool selection, they carefully compared and weighed their options, cautiously picking up the ones they felt were the most suitable and had the best feel.

As time ticked by, other teams were already well into their repairs, but Xie Changning’s group had yet to even begin. This made the onlookers frown in confusion.

Her team was still selecting their tools!

Director Li grew a little anxious. "This..."

"Don’t be anxious. Tool selection is part of the test," Wang Lisheng reassured Director Li. "The kids Changning trained are top-notch. Remember, good things come to those who wait."

He knew that if he were in Director Li’s shoes, he’d be just as nervous.

But he had absolute faith in Xie Changning. He watched as her expression remained unchanged while she quietly waited for her team to make their selection. Only after they had finally chosen their tools did the corners of her mouth lift in a slight smile.

With their tools selected, the technicians still didn’t begin repairs. Instead, they gathered around the machine, carefully diagnosing the problem.

Each member proposed an idea, and they worked together to verify each hypothesis.

Only when they were fairly certain of their diagnosis did they begin to dismantle the machine for repairs.

A team moving this slowly was bound to attract attention, and soon, all eyes were on the group that was lagging the furthest behind.

Some teams had already completed their repairs, while this one was just getting started. It made the spectators frown.

"The director of the Chuncheng Machine Tool Factory seems to think he’s got this in the bag. I’m not so sure..."

"Exactly. At this pace, how can they possibly win?"

"That young team leader looked so impressive, but who knew her team’s practical skills were this terrible?"

Director Li overheard the whispers, and his face flushed red—not from exertion, but from pure anger.

He desperately wanted to argue, to yell at them for not understanding the technical process.

But who among them didn’t have a technical background?

Even those who hadn’t started out in a technical role would have apprenticed with senior engineers after joining. Otherwise, how could you manage a large factory without understanding the work? You’d be a laughingstock.

Xie Changning didn’t miss the disdainful looks from the crowd.

Her team members had been a little nervous when they first started dismantling the machine, but Xie Changning watched them with a steady, encouraging gaze. Gradually, their confidence began to build.

’Our team leader trusts us so much. We can’t let her down!’

Filled with a new drive, their hands moved quickly and methodically.

Several professional technicians were assigned as judges for each station. They stood by with their scoring notebooks, waiting for the workers to begin.

Naturally, only senior technicians were qualified to serve as judges.

Their eyes lit up when they saw Xie Changning’s team members meticulously selecting their tools. Their patience—focusing on preparation rather than rushing the diagnosis—was a mentality that already deserved extra points.

And as the judges watched with anticipation, Xie Changning’s team did not disappoint.

They cooperated seamlessly without any commands from Xie Changning, clearly the result of countless hours of practice.

The team leader could afford to be completely hands-off.

"Team Leader, we have a diagnosis." Just when the judges thought Xie Changning wouldn’t get involved, her team members went to report their findings to her first.

Then, they heard Xie Changning speak.

"Just do it exactly like we practiced. Don’t feel any pressure."

She sounded less like a team leader and more like an academic advisor—the kind who guides master’s or doctoral students.

The team members nodded, and their roles already clearly defined, they got to work.

As they began, the judges moved closer. The file selected by the team’s fitter immediately caught the eye of a senior fitter among the judges, who jotted down a score on his notepad.

Next, the judge observed his posture and his movements.

The young worker’s posture looked a bit green, as if he hadn’t been practicing for long, but it was textbook-perfect!

With a single stroke of the file, the problem was more than half-solved!

A flash of astonishment crossed the senior fitter’s eyes. ’Impressive!’

He bent his head and wrote another score on his paper, even making a special note explaining the reason for the high mark.

It was a similar story for the welder. When it was their turn, the young welder’s technique was so good that the senior welder judging them wanted to give a thumbs-up on the spot!