Huo Xiaoqian hopped out of the car, speaking excitedly.

In contrast to Huo Xiaoqian’s cheerfulness, Yue Yang didn’t seem very happy. She had no fond memories of this place.

Xie Changning knew this, so she didn’t have them linger at the entrance for long, instead leading them directly to the lab.

As Xie Changning returned, all eyes instinctively turned to her.

Everyone was pleased to see the two young women walking beside Xie Changning. It was only because Huo Xiaoqian looked the same that they recognized her.

"Hey! Aren’t those Old Huo’s and the Yue family’s daughters?"

"You know, it really does look like them."

"That girl, Zhaodi... she’s changed so much..."

Hearing the surrounding chatter as she passed, Xie Changning’s brow furrowed. She corrected the factory staff, "There is no Yue Zhaodi, only Yue Yang. From now on, you’re to call her Technician Yue, understand?"

The title "Technician Yue," coming from Xie Changning, left the factory employees stunned.

It was simply because they had watched both Huo Xiaoqian and Yue Yang grow up.

Now they were being told to call Yue Yang "Technician Yue." It was hard not to be taken aback.

In their memory, Yue Yang was a pitiful child, exploited by her parents. They never imagined that after less than a year away, she would transform into Technician Yue!

’If only we had known, we would have pushed our own kids to work that hard too!’

Who doesn’t want their own child to have a bright future?

Of course, that was just wishful thinking. They hadn’t forgotten the selection criteria Xie Changning had set.

Their children hadn’t met the requirements...

It was a matter of innate talent; there was nothing to be done.

For a moment, they suddenly felt a pang of jealousy toward Yue Yang’s and Huo Xiaoqian’s fathers.

But it was only for a moment. More than anything, they felt admiration.

"Yue Yang is really making something of herself."

"I watched that girl grow up. She’s always been a hard worker. She taught herself embroidery, you know. A child that determined is bound to succeed at whatever she does."

The older folks expressed their goodwill toward Yue Yang.

Yue Yang held no ill will toward the people around her. Her name had come from her parents; it had nothing to do with the various ’aunts’ and ’uncles’ at the factory.

There was no need for her to take her resentment out on innocent people.

"All right, back to work, everyone. We’re heading to the lab."

Xie Changning nodded to the crowd, then led the two young women away, heading straight for the lab.

After Xie Changning and the others left, the workers broke off in twos and threes, chatting about the changes in the two young women.

The young women themselves might not have noticed, but for those who hadn’t seen them in a long time, the transformation was obvious. This was especially true for Yue Yang; she was now so bright and cheerful, a stark contrast to the insecure, gaunt, and dark-skinned girl she once was.

"Old Huo, your daughter’s back! Aren’t you going to go see her?"

Just as they were chatting, they saw Huo Xiaoqian’s father returning from outside.

They started to tease him.

As Yue Yang’s father came through the gate, the first thing he heard was that his daughter was back with Huo Xiaoqian.

He knew his daughter was receiving a monthly stipend for her studies, and in his mind, every penny Yue Yang received should be his.

So, without a second thought, he stormed off toward the lab.

Seeing Yue Yang’s father’s reaction, everyone frowned.

"Just let him go. The director’s there, so he won’t be able to get away with anything."

"He’s just stubborn. His daughter is so talented—if she’s properly trained, her future is limitless. But he insists on backing that lost cause. *Sigh*..."

They’d all heard about Yue Yang’s talent; it was one in a million.

You might not find one person with her talent in ten thousand.

Honestly, they were truly envious that Yu Laoer had such a daughter. By the same token, they didn’t think Yue Yang—who had gone so far as to change her name—would ever forgive her father.

For him to go looking for trouble now would only make him look even more pathetic.

When Wang Daqiang arrived, his expression was grim. His voice was low as he asked, "Where’s Yu Laoer?!"

Everyone immediately stopped their chatter and looked at Wang Daqiang.

"Deputy Director, what’s wrong?"

"Yeah, what’s gotten you so angry?"

"It’s that business with the director hiring a technician from a partner factory to help out. Yu Laoer reported her! He accused our director of engaging in capitalist activities and asked the leadership to punish her!"

Wang Daqiang looked like he was about to burst from anger as he spoke.

The workers had been in a good mood just moments before.

But at Wang Daqiang’s words, everyone fell silent.

They were only just learning that the director had previously been looking for a carpenter. It was one thing for Yu Laoer to feel slighted that she hadn’t hired him—the director could hire whomever she wanted, after all.

But to go and report her to the leadership? Wasn’t that just vile?

Was he trying to bring down the whole factory?!

The thought that he could bring ruin upon them all made everyone want to go and confront Yu Laoer, but unfortunately, they had work to do.

"Deputy Director, he went to the lab to find the director! You should hurry over before he causes some real trouble!"

Hearing that Yu Laoer had gone to the lab to cause a scene, Wang Daqiang immediately broke into a run toward it.

-

「Inside the daily chemical factory’s laboratory」

Xie Changning was helping the two young women into spare protective suits she had prepared, getting them ready to enter the main lab.

In the distance, she saw someone jogging toward them. Assuming it was factory business that needed her attention, she had the two girls go into the lab with her junior, Sheng Jiaojiao.

She, meanwhile, went to the door to see who it was.

But as soon as she opened the door, she was met with a repulsive face.

"Where’s Zhaodi? Where’s my daughter?" Yu Laoer completely disregarded Xie Changning. In his eyes, she’d be stripped of her position sooner or later, so there was no need to curry favor with her.

Thus, his tone was imperious.

Xie Changning knew what kind of person Yu Laoer was, so she didn’t get angry. She simply stood in the doorway, blocking his entry to the lab. "You’d best stay right where you are. Don’t make me get physical."

Yu Laoer was about to say something, but then he remembered that Xie Changning actually knew how to fight, so he stayed put.

"I want to see Yue Zhaodi! Tell her to come out and see me!"

"If you want to see her, contact her yourself. The people I brought back are key technical staff for our factory. They don’t have time for your useless chatter."

Xie Changning refused.

Hearing this, Yu Laoer grew furious. He pointed a finger at Xie Changning’s nose. "I’m asking you, are you going to move aside or not!"

"I’m not."

"You—! Then don’t blame me for what happens next!"

"This lab is worth five hundred thousand US dollars. Go ahead, do whatever you want. When you’re done, I’ll make sure you rot in prison for the rest of your life. Oh...

And that precious son of yours who’s supposed to bring glory to the family? He’ll be saddled with massive debt."

"You bitch, say that again?!"