Chapter 16: A Personal Plea
Li Tang sat on the edge of a flowerbed by the roadside, watching bicycles and "vintage" cars pass by. His mood was as mixed as the traffic in front of him.
After thinking for a while, he stood up. "Wait here for me. I'm going back up to ask what's going on."
"No need," He Runqi said gloomily. "It's useless."
"It's fine. I'll just ask casually."
Li Tang took both his contract and He Runqi's and returned to Wukuang Exploration Company's office building. After inquiring at reception, he knocked on the door of Qin Jianshe's office.
Peeking inside, he saw Qin was still discussing something with another person. Li Tang was about to back out and wait.
But Qin caught sight of him and his face lit up with surprise and delight. "Li Tang! You're just in time—come on in!"
Aside from Qin, the room also held a rotund middle-aged man.
"This is Li Tang, one of our new university graduates this year—top of his class. He's got an exceptionally strong technical background in geology!" Qin introduced enthusiastically.
He then gestured to the heavyset man. "And this is Zhao Hepu, General Manager of Wukuang Mining and Metallurgy Co., Ltd."
When Zhao smiled, the fat on his face rippled like blossoming petals. His grin was radiant as he got up and shook Li Tang's hand. "Nice to meet you—welcome to the Wukuang family! Director Qin and I go way back. We're like family."
He didn't quite know why Qin was introducing a new employee so formally, but treating subordinates with warmth was second nature to him.
Qin, clearly comfortable with Li Tang, invited him to sit down and resumed the earlier discussion. "We were just talking about the Demen Copper Mine in Jiujiang Province. You're just in time—give us your thoughts."
They were actually asking a brand-new employee for technical input. Zhao looked genuinely surprised now and took a mental note of Li Tang.
"Li Tang knows a fair bit about the copper mines in Jiujiang?" he asked.
"A little," Li Tang replied modestly.
Jiujiang Province was famous for its copper resources—home to Huaxia's largest copper producer, Jiujiang Copper.
On the coffee table was a large engineering layout of the mine, showing the mining area, the processing plant, and other details.
Qin cut to the point. "The Demen Copper Mine has been operating for many years under Wukuang Mining and Metallurgy. But now it's nearing resource depletion. Stripping ratios are rising, costs are increasing, and it's nearing shutdown. They've brought in a geological team to explore deeper layers and came up with some findings. Director Zhao is here today with the report to discuss the mine's future."
"It's a complicated situation, not something I can explain all at once," Zhao added. Though unsure of Li Tang's background, he respected the attention Qin gave him.
"I'll leave a copy of the exploration report here. Please look it over when you have time and offer any advice. I'd really appreciate it."
He stood up and pointed toward the ceiling. "Li Tang, my office is just upstairs. Come by for tea anytime—I've got two great jars waiting."
"Absolutely!" Li Tang nodded quickly.
"Well, I'll leave it at that. We'll talk more later."
Zhao left the room.
Qin didn't even bother to stand—a sign of how casual and close their relationship was.
"Sit down, help yourself to tea—it's still hot," Qin waved him over, eyeing the papers in his hand. "Signed the contract?"
"Yes," Li Tang replied, sitting down again.
"Got your meal card, bank card, and dorm arrangements sorted?"
"Not yet. They said the dorm assignments will happen this afternoon."
"You look a little off—was there something else you wanted to ask me?" Qin noticed Li Tang seemed a bit low.
Li Tang handed him both contracts.
"Why do you have two?"
Qin, of course, was aware of the third-party contract system.
The company needed more technical staff, but in order to keep costs down, some hires were placed on external contracts.
"I've already signed mine. The other contract is my friend's—He Runqi."
Li Tang was here to ask for a favor, so he was being careful with his words.
"Oh, right. I almost forgot your classmate is in the Mineral Department," Qin said. He understood Li Tang's intentions now but still asked, "So what exactly are you hoping I'll do?"
"I believe He Runqi has the ability to create value for the company," Li Tang said after a pause. "I think he deserves a formal contract."
Qin saw the firm look in Li Tang's eyes. He thought for a moment, then said slowly, "The company grows step by step every year, all based on pre-set plans. Staffing is especially critical and is overseen directly by the General Manager. Hiring quotas are strict. Giving He Runqi a formal contract would mean someone else would lose that spot."
Li Tang had seen that some new hires with formal contracts only held associate degrees. In comparison, He Runqi was clearly more qualified.
With his past experience and mature outlook, Li Tang knew full well how complicated the world was.
He wasn't indignant, nor did he expect to change the world.
Everyone is born equal—but positions, ranks, and salaries are not. Obedience to superiors is the rule of the game.
"I'm just asking you to give him a chance. He'll repay the company with everything he's got." He knew that in times like this, logic didn't matter—only sincerity did.
Qin remained silent for a long time, then finally looked up and said earnestly, "Because of your performance in the Qianshan coal project, I was planning to nominate you for this year's Outstanding Contribution Award. I've also heard that there's been a major breakthrough at the Guanling project—you deserve credit for that, too. You should know that with this kind of record, your starting point is high. Your future's bound to be bright."
"I'm still young," Li Tang replied, pausing as he realized the truth of his words. He accepted his identity with calm. "I believe there will be more opportunities ahead."
"Since you're set on this, I'll talk to Director Zhou. HR decisions ultimately rest with him," Qin said, standing up. "But forget about that Outstanding Contribution Award for this year."
As Qin turned away, Li Tang smiled and said sincerely, "Thank you, Director Qin. I'll work hard."
He picked up the contracts from the desk and walked out of the office in the opposite direction down the hallway. Quickly, he exited the building and stepped back out into the street.
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