Chapter 159 - Successful Completion
There was no unfounded love in this world and neither was there unfounded hate.
Qin Xian obtained the evidence of Chi Jing-Qiu’s transaction with Xiang Hong-Bin and Xia Lei handed this evidence to Zhou Wei. This was not hitting her when she was down and neither was it a kindness to the authorities; he was just doing what he should.
What punishment would Ning Yuan-Shan and Chi Jing-Qiu receive? This all depended on the mood of the people at China Industrial Group. They might have a discussion and a weighing of benefits which would take a very long time to come to a conclusion. What could be said was that Ning Yuan-Shan would never be the chairman of Far East Heavy Industries again and Chi Jing-Qiu would never be a chairman’s secretary either.
Xiang Hong-Bin, the worker bribed by Chi Jing-Qiu, was not spared either and Zhou Wei’s men took him away.
Though they had arrested Ning Yuan-Shan, Chi Jing-Qiu and Xiang Hong-Bin, Zhou Wei did not let his guard down. He stationed four specialised professionals at Thunder Horse Manufacturing to keep a 24-hour watch on Xia Lei’s personal workshop. Xia Lei was glad he did, for it saved him the hassle of having his workshop guarded himself.
The days following the incident were smooth-sailing and Xia Lei threw himself into the building of the lathe. He was the earliest at work every day and the last to leave. He would sometimes stay overnight at the Liang household to practice Wing Chun and further his medical learning, or simply go home to solve the problems he’d encountered while building the lathe.
Xia Lei kept his promise and bought Qin Xiang a motorcycle. There were some extra charges for the taxes and he spent over 300,000. He thought it was fair though, as Qin Xiang had become an important helper and did some dirty work for him. How could he ask him for more help if he didn’t show his appreciation of his efforts? The relationships between people were never unchanging and needed to be maintained. Xia Lei had long understood this concept.
Xia Lei was also thinking of buying a gift for Jiang Ru-Yi but he hadn’t seen her in days. She’d reportedly gone for some special training. He called her but found that her phone was switched off. All he could do was to put his idea aside and wait for her to be back before he did something about it.
Time went by day by day and a month passed in the blink of an eye.
Early in the morning, some black Hongqi cars drove through the main gates of Thunder Horse Manufacturing. The cars stopped and Mu Jian-Feng stepped out of one of the leading cars.
Zhou Wei, who had been waiting at the entrance to the workshop, stepped quickly forward to greet him respectfully. “Good morning, Boss Mu.”
Mu Jian-Feng gave a small nod. “Where’s Xia Lei?”
Zhou Wei pointed at the workshop behind him. “He is in there. He worked overnight to do the final adjustments and trial processing.”
“Let’s have a look, then.” Mu Jian-Feng was anxious.
Zhou Wei, however, smiled wryly. “He won’t let us go in, Boss Mu.”
“Won’t let us in?” Mu Jian-Feng’s brows furrowed. “What is the meaning of this?”
“He said we’d disturb him if we entered,” said Zhou Wei.
“Does he know I’m coming?”
“He does.” Zhou Wei spoke awkwardly, “He said that even if you came you’d have to wait outside.”
Mu Jian-Feng paused, then smiled suddenly. “This little punk’s putting on airs. Whatever. I’ll let him act like this for the last time. As long as we have this machine we can build more intelligent lathes and not have to rely on him anymore. Let him put on his airs.”
“Boss Mu, not so loud, please. That punk has sharp ears and it won’t be good if he hears. The lathe is still in his hands,” said Zhou Wei nervously.
Mu Jian-Feng nodded slightly, walked to the doorway of the workshop and didn’t step closer. A large group of engineers from China Industrial Group stood quietly behind him, quiet as mice.
These engineers were there to test the intelligent lathe Xia Lei had built. They were also the elite group which had attempted to build the intelligent lathe. Every one of them looked calm but their hearts were beating with excitement. They could not wait to see the completed intelligent lathe and they looked forward more to seeing the mysterious machinist, Xia Lei.
Xia Lei was able to build something with his own two hands while they, the elite of China Industrial Group had failed, even with drawings. Just this impressed them all beyond measure!
In the office building, in Xia Lei’s office.
Liang Si-Yao looked down from the window and saw Mu Jian-Feng and a group of engineers from China Industrial Group and grew nervous. “Qin Xiang, do you think… What if Xia Lei fails? What will happen if he does?”
Qin Xiang seemed relaxed; he leaned on the wall next to the window and watched Mu Jian-Feng’s group. “Si-Yao, girl, what you worrying for? It’s not as if you don’t know Xia Lei’s capabilities. Relax. He’ll succeed,” he said in a thin voice.
“I’m saying ‘what if’. What if he fails?” Liang Si-Yao thought of the BMW M6 Xia Lei had bought for her and was nervous. “Almost all of the deposit has been spent. What will we do if we have to return it?”
Qin Xiang quirked his lips. “No use getting anxious, you. Just wait.”
“No. I have to go down and take a look.” Liang Si-Yao walked towards the door and said, “Come with me. Mu Jian-Feng is a bigwig. Lei has no time to spare even though Mu Jian-Feng came with a group. We have to greet him or we’ll be seen as rude.”
“Okay, I’ll go with you.” Qin Xiang exited the office too and followed Liang Si-Yao. His bottom swayed even more nicely than hers.
The people in the research and development department were leaning over the railings watching what was going on out in the corridor. All gazes swung to Liang Si-Yao and Qin Xiang as soon as they walked out.
“If Qin Xiang were female there’ll be quite a few guys wooing him. Look at his ass! So sexy,” said Yin Hao.
Han Bo spoke quietly, “Lower your voice. It’ll be so awkward if he hears.”
Qin Xiang suddenly turned back and made a lotus flower-hand, pointed at Yin Hao and said, “Pew!”
The boys of the research and development department froze as if a cold wind had blown across their faces.
Liang Si-Yao went straight to Mu Jian-Feng downstairs. She was all smiles steps away from him as she greeted, “Hello, Boss Mu.”
Zhou Wei whispered to Mu Jian-Feng, “Her name’s Liang Si-Yao, Xia Lei’s assistant. He trusts her a lot.”
Mu Jian-Feng looked at Liang Si-Yao and said, “There’s no need to play host to us, Miss Liang. Go about your day.”
“Boss Mu, how about you all come have a seat in the guest room? I’ll make some tea,” said Liang Si-Yao.
Mu Jian-Feng did not speak to Liang Si-Yao again. He looked at the tightly closed door of the workshop and waited quietly for it to open.
Liang Si-Yao shrugged in embarrassment and did not speak either.
Qin Xiang stood next to Liang Si-Yao and also watched the door of the workshop.
Further off, the workers in the workshop were also looking over and discussing the situation amongst themselves.
“What are these guys here for?”
“To look around, definitely. Our Chairman Xia is so awesome. If only I were like him.”
Zhou Xiao-Hong hit a metal sheet with the hammer in her hand and said loudly, “What are you all looking at? Gossiping? Did you forget what happened to that punk, Xiang Hong-Bin? Don’t poke into business that isn’t yours! Get back to work!”
The gossiping workers dispersed and went back to their stations.
Xiang Hong-Bin’s example was no small deterrent; nobody wanted to repeat that mistake.
At that moment, the workshop door opened. Xia Lei appeared in the doorway, dressed in work clothes and covered in grease. He looked exhausted, as if he hadn’t slept in days. His gaze, however, was sharp and held a look of excitement.
After 38 days, he’d finally done it.
Last night, he had finished the installation of the CNC and successfully debugged the program and machine steps. He processed several complicated high precision parts - there was no waste and no failed part.
“How is it, Xia Lei?” asked Mu Jian-Feng nervously.
The group of engineers behind him also gathered closer; they were not through the door yet but they were eager to look at the intelligent lathe behind Xia Lei.
Xia Lei stretched and smiled as he said, “Success. Let your people test it out. Oh, right, don’t forget my thing.”
Mu Jian-Feng laughed. He pointed at Xia Lei and shook a finger at him. “You little punk - worried that I, Mu Jian-Feng, will not pay up? Don’t worry, you won’t get one cent less as long as the lathe has no problems.” When he was done speaking, he looked back at the group of engineers behind him and they entered Xia Lei’s workshop.
Xia Lei walked out and squinted at the sun high in the sky. That look at the sky made his legs bend and he collapsed to the ground.
“Careful!” Liang Si-Yao shot forward and caught Xia Lei by the waist.
Xia Lei fell into Liang Si-Yao’s embrace and he felt like his world had become soft and fragrant.
“What’s wrong? Are you all right?” Liang Si-Yao asked in concern.
“I’m fine, just tired,” replied Xia Lei weakly.
He’d been working overtime almost every day recently, and he had overused his eye, especially last night. His body had long surpassed its limits.
“Lei, I’ll carry you to your office sofa. You can rest there,” Qin Xiang volunteered.
“No need for you to do that. Just watch over them.” Liang Si-Yao bent and carried Xia Lei in her arms, then walked to the office building. Xia Lei was like a giant teddy bear in her arms.
Qin Xiang smiled wryly and shook his head. “I’m not snatching your man from you. Why do that?”
Xia Lei didn’t see an audience but he could feel their gazes as he lay in Liang Si-Yao’s arms. He was mortified. “Please put me down. I can walk.”
Liang Si-Yao, however, gave him a glare. “Be obedient and stay still. I’ll fight whoever who dares spread rumours.”
Xia Lei was speechless.
Who else in the whole of Thunder Horse Manufacturing would dare to go up against Liang Si-Yao other than Xia Lei?
Xia Lei jumped out of her hold. Liang Si-Yao was willing but he was not; he could not let a woman carry him upstairs.
“Then you go rest, and I’ll keep watch over those people. I won’t let them ruin your machine,” said Liang Si-Yao.
“Don’t worry, they cherish that machine more than I do. It’s theirs now. When I’m all rested up I’ll make one that will belong to us,” said Xia Lei with a smile.
Liang Si-Yao smiled. “I’ll follow you up then and give you a massage.”