Chapter 17: Resistance and Results
The morning sun cast long shadows across Ruihua Motorcycle Factory's main yard. Inside, the factory workers shuffled in, eyes lingering on the new schedule posted on the wall.
"Brake Disc Production – Line B
Clamp Bracket Prototyping – Line C
Trial Production Phase Begins: Today"
The whispers had turned into murmurs. Some were angry. Others confused.
"That kid's trying to turn us into engineers now?"
"I came here to assemble, not to gamble on experiments."
"He's not even out of high school yet!"
In the middle of the unrest, Chen Rui walked in with calm, calculated steps. He pinned a final chart to the board:
📊 Weekly Efficiency Report: Pre-System Parts vs. Post-System Brake Disc
Assembly Delay Reduction: -22%
Supplier Cost Savings: ¥1,240
Defect Rate: 0.8% (vs. 1.3%)
He turned around to face them.
"These are the results from one prototype. Made in-house. Using our old machines. This isn't theory — it's fact."
Silence.
"I know change is uncomfortable. But that comfort nearly bankrupted this factory in my last life—"
He caught himself.
"—I mean, it will bankrupt this factory if we don't adapt. Suppliers can be squeezed. Orders can be stolen. If we don't produce key parts ourselves, we'll always be vulnerable."
One of the older workers, Master Huang, stepped forward.
"And what if your little experiments fail?"
Chen Rui nodded respectfully.
"Then we learn. Then we fix it. But we don't sit still. That's how we already failed once. Not again."
Huang stared for a long moment.
Then gave a short nod.
"You've got two weeks. Impress me."
[SYSTEM NOTICE – Managerial Pressure Challenge Accepted]
💼 Mid-Level Staff Buy-In: 30%
💼 Senior Worker Buy-In: 10%
Goal: Reach 70% Total Staff Buy-In Before Expansion Plans Begin
Reward: Unlock Team Leadership Skill Tree
That Afternoon – Clamp Bracket Room
Li Wei knelt beside a steel mold, face smudged with oil.
"The first batch is cooling. Should be ready in a few hours."
"Good," Chen Rui said. "After that, we run it through the vibration rig and tensile tester. No excuses. I want this one perfect."
"You think the old guard will come around?"
Chen Rui exhaled.
"Eventually. When they see the factory improving… when they realize we're not chasing fantasies but building a future — they'll follow."
Flashback Fragment – Previous Life
The scene flickered before his eyes — the factory yard covered in silence. Rusty machines. Shuttered supply lines. His father sitting alone in the office, staring at unpaid invoices.
No one had helped.
Not the relatives.
Not the suppliers.
Not the loyal workers.
Only silence.
Back in the present, Chen Rui clenched his fist.
"This time, I'll make sure that silence never comes again."