Volume One, Chapter 20: Recklessness

The conference room door clicked shut behind Du Yuze, sealing off everything from the outside world.

Inside, the air seemed to have solidified into lead.

A deputy factory director cleared his throat, attempting to break the suffocating silence. "Director Zhou, isn't this... a bit rash? What if that 'vortex stability equation' is just him being pretentious? Wouldn't we be..."

"Rash?" Zhou Zhenhua cut him off, his tone devoid of warmth. "Without any technical verification, relying solely on an anonymous tip-off letter to mobilize the security department, seal off a core workshop, and arrest a key technical backbone—tell me, does that count as rash?"

The deputy director immediately clamped his mouth shut.

Zhou Zhenhua turned his gaze toward Tian Weijun, who had been standing there like a statue. Tian’s uniform was soaked with cold sweat, clinging tightly to his back.

"Section Chief Tian, you said earlier that you don't need to understand the technology, only the regulations." Zhou Zhenhua spoke slowly, each word landing like a heavy rivet. "Then, according to the regulations, what is the first step after receiving a report involving major technical safety concerns?"

Tian Weijun’s lips trembled, but no sound came out.

"It should be to report to the Technical Committee for an initial technical risk assessment!" Zhou Zhenhua answered for him. "Not for you, an administrative section chief, to take a group of security guards and haul people off the production line as if you were catching thieves! Who gave you that authority?"

"I... I was thinking of the factory's safety..." Tian Weijun’s voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum.

"For the factory?" Zhou Zhenhua took a step forward, the sheer pressure forcing Tian to instinctively retreat. "Your report on importing a second-hand foreign production line was rejected by the Technical Committee just last week. The rejection comments were written by Du Yuze. Then, you received an 'anonymous report,' and the person being reported just happens to be Du Yuze. Tian Weijun, do you take everyone here for a fool?"

These words peeled back the veneer of "acting impartially" layer by layer, exposing the ugly selfishness underneath.

The color drained completely from Tian Weijun’s face.

"Your report," Zhou Zhenhua tapped the table, the sound dull and heavy, "must not only detail the process of this operation but also clarify the source of this 'anonymous letter' and every contact you had with that source. Not a single word can be omitted. Go and write it."

As if his spine had been removed, Tian Weijun moved with a hollow, defeated gait and shuffled out of the conference room.

Zhou Zhenhua did not spare him another glance. He picked up the phone and dialed an internal extension. "Send the head of the security department to me."

...

Du Yuze walked back toward Workshop 207.

In the corridor, those who had been peeking quickly retreated when they saw him, and whispers rippled behind him like a rising tide.

He ignored them. The draft papers in his pocket, creased with footprints, felt like burning hot iron, searing his skin through the fabric.

Pushing open the heavy iron door of Workshop 207, a familiar scent of machine oil and metal rushed out to meet him. There was no roar of machinery inside, only dead silence. His team of young technicians, usually fearless and bold, were gathered in small groups, looking utterly dejected, like frost-bitten eggplants.

Seeing Du Yuze enter, everyone crowded around him.

"Brother Yuze!"

"Engineer Du, what happened?"

The youngest technician, Liu Chuang, asked with reddened eyes, "Engineer Du, are we... are we being disbanded? I heard from people in the next workshop that we’re all going to be disciplined."

Du Yuze looked at them—at these faces, most under the age of twenty-five. They were the most vibrant, daring group in the entire Red Star Factory. He wanted to say something, but any words of comfort felt pale and powerless.

He could only shake his head. "Wait for the results."

These two words caused the tiny spark of hope that had just ignited to dim rapidly.

Just then, with a loud "clang," the workshop door was flung open.

Zhou Zhenhua strode in, accompanied by several factory officials. Behind him followed the head of the security department, whose expression was no better than Tian Weijun’s.

Everyone in the workshop held their breath.

Zhou Zhenhua’s leather shoes clicked crisply and powerfully against the concrete floor. He walked straight to the center of the workshop and stood before the "Kongzhong Likui" prototype, which had been sealed off.

He cast a glance around, sweeping over every nervous and fearful face.

"Just a moment ago at the meeting, someone said that Workshop 207 is unorganized and undisciplined, that this thing in your hands is a violation of protocol, a major safety hazard, and a disgrace to the factory!"

Zhou Zhenhua’s voice echoed in the cavernous workshop, each word striking the hearts of those present. The young people, Liu Chuang included, lowered their heads even further.

"They suggested immediately sealing Workshop 207, destroying this prototype, and severely punishing everyone involved!"

A collective gasp sucked the air from the room. Despair spread like a plague through the crowd.

"However," Zhou Zhenhua’s tone shifted, rising sharply, "Du Yuze told me that this thing is the future of our nation’s aero-engine technology! It can increase our engine thrust by 12% and improve stability by 30%!"

He turned abruptly, pointing at the silent steel beast.

"I don't care about regulations, and I won't listen to those clichés! At Red Star Factory, technical issues should be settled by technical results!"

He turned back to the crowd, his resolve unquestionable.

"I am putting my personal reputation on the line to give Workshop 207 one last chance!"

Everyone held their breath.

"One month! Starting today, I am giving you one month!" Zhou Zhenhua held up a single finger. "Within one month, the 'Kongzhong Likui' prototype must complete its ground taxiing test!"

The entire workshop was so quiet that a needle drop could be heard.

One month? Everyone was stunned by the deadline. Under normal procedures, the various inspections required after final assembly alone would take more than a month. To complete all debugging and advance to ground taxiing tests within a month was an mission that was simply impossible.

"Director Zhou, this..." an elderly master technician couldn't help but speak up, "The time is too tight, it’s simply not enough..."

"Whether it's enough or not, you have to make it enough!" Zhou Zhenhua’s tone left no room for negotiation. "This is an order!"

He looked at Du Yuze, and he looked at everyone else.

"If you succeed, the 'Kongzhong Likui' project will immediately be upgraded to the factory’s highest priority project! All resources will be channeled to you! As for everyone who participated in the reporting and framing today, I will lead the investigation myself, and I will see it through to the end!"

His words carried a sharp, ruthless edge.

"If you fail..."

Zhou Zhenhua paused, and the air in the entire workshop seemed to be sucked away.

"I, Zhou Zhenhua, will resign in disgrace. Workshop 207 will be disbanded immediately!"

The final word was cast!

Everyone was frozen in place. No one had expected Zhou Zhenhua to stake his own future to fight for this one chance for them. This was no ordinary task; it was a high-stakes gamble where everything was on the line. On one side of the table lay the fate of Workshop 207 and Zhou Zhenhua’s career; on the other, unknown technical risks and countless eyes waiting to see them make fools of themselves.

The pressure, like a tangible mountain, crashed down onto everyone’s shoulders.

Zhou Zhenhua finally walked up to Du Yuze.

"Kid, this is all I can do for you." He patted Du Yuze’s shoulder, his grip heavy. "This is your last stand, and now, it is mine as well."

With that, he didn't look at anyone else, turned around, and led his party out of the workshop.

The heavy iron door closed once more.

Du Yuze stood where he was for a long time without moving. He slowly raised his hand and stroked the cold metal shell of the "Kongzhong Likui."