NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 27: Let's Go On Stage to Receive the Award
Chapter 27: Let’s Go On Stage to Receive the Award
As an ordinary college student on Earth, Lu Yuan had passed the CET-4 and CET-6 English proficiency tests. He’d watched plenty of movies from the Caribbean—no, not those kinds—just regular foreign films that helped his language skills.
Lu Yuan’s sudden appearance startled everyone. Before the leaders could speak, he addressed the foreigner in an accented but serviceable English. Though his pronunciation wasn’t perfect, communication wasn’t a problem.
Lu Yuan asked the foreigner what he needed to know. The man explained his inquiries, which Lu Yuan then translated clearly for the leaders.
From this closer distance, Lu Yuan realized that among the group were several high-ranking officials who didn’t appear to be factory employees. Perhaps they were from the bureau. Lu Yuan observed how the factory leaders nodded and bowed deferentially to these people.
What bureau? The Forging Bureau—the factory’s superior management department.
It was like how Qidian and QQ Reading belonged to Tencent. But more specifically, they belonged to China Literature Group, which was owned by Tencent. Similarly, while the factory belonged to the Ministry of Industry, it was under the direct management of the Ministry’s Forging Bureau.
Lu Yuan identified two men who appeared to be senior officials from the Forging Bureau. After his translation, the leaders’ expressions notably improved.
For the next few hours, Lu Yuan accompanied the group around the factory, translating continuously. He gradually understood why the leaders had initially looked so displeased.
First, there was the embarrassment over the young translator’s poor performance. Second, these foreigners represented a foreign company inspecting the factory for potential OEM manufacturing.
The Forging Bureau had annual profit targets to meet. There wasn’t just one Forging Bureau—several existed nationwide: the Jiangnan Forging Bureau, the Guangdong and Guangxi Forging Bureau, and Lu Yuan’s Imperial City Forging Bureau. Though all operated under the Ministry of Industry, they competed against each other.
Last year, the Jiangnan Forging Bureau had developed a mattress similar to Earth’s Simmons mattress. It had sold brilliantly, generated substantial revenue, and earned commendation from the Ministry. Meanwhile, the Imperial City Forging Bureau had introduced no innovations and suffered declining profits, earning criticism.
During the Chinese New Year, a special mobilization meeting had been held. The Imperial City Forging Bureau was determined to perform better this year.
This foreign visitor was significant—a potential OEM client. Securing this contract would ensure good revenue for the Imperial City Forging Bureau this year. If the translation failed to satisfy him, he might take his business to the Jiangnan Forging Bureau or elsewhere, bankrupting the Imperial City Forging Bureau for another year.
Lu Yuan translated tirelessly until noon, like a divine savior. When lunchtime arrived, the foreigner remained, requiring lunch at the factory.
Everyone proceeded to a private room in the cadres’ cafeteria. Generally, business was finalized at the dining table. As translator, Lu Yuan naturally accompanied them.
The cadres’ cafeteria differed considerably from the employees’ cafeteria. Authentic braised pork and white flour buns were served—all complimentary. The high-ranking official’s secretary even produced two bottles of white wine. Lu Yuan recognized the brand—each bottle cost more than 20 yuan, equivalent to his monthly salary.
Around one o’clock, the workers returned to their duties, and Lu Yuan’s translation work finally concluded.
The outcome remained uncertain. The foreigner needed to inspect, report back, and receive approval from his superiors before signing. Overall, though, he seemed satisfied with what he’d seen. The deal would likely proceed after his report.
That wasn’t Lu Yuan’s concern. With the foreigner escorted to his car and the meetings completed, Lu Yuan’s system reward materialized:
[Congratulations to the host for getting a great bargain, reward: “Craftsmanship”, 1,000 yuan.]
Another thousand yuan! Plus a special reward.
“Craftsmanship”? Lu Yuan initially thought it might be like his top-level physique—something to be activated in his system space. However, after clicking on it, he discovered “Craftsmanship” was actually a book.
He’d examine it properly when he got home.
As Lu Yuan’s consciousness returned from the system space, the young translator approached him gratefully.
“Brother Lu, thank you so much…”
The young man had heard Lu Yuan’s surname when he’d introduced himself to the foreigner, who had kept saying “Lu” throughout their conversation.
With the bureau and factory leaders conferring in the distance, Lu Yuan and the young translator waited aside.
Taking advantage of this moment, the translator came to thank Lu Yuan.
Looking at the young man’s earnest expression, Lu Yuan couldn’t help smiling. Look at him, feeling obligated to thank me when I’m the one who benefited.
This situation differed from the Wang Xu incident. Last time, Lu Yuan admitted he’d behaved selfishly—wait, no! What had he done wrong? Was pursuing his own happiness wrong?
Regardless, Lu Yuan acknowledged he hadn’t handled things properly last time. But this was different. This time was straightforward.
The situation had presented an opportunity to impress the big bosses. If someone lacked the ability to capitalize on that opportunity, they couldn’t blame others. Lu Yuan had seized the chance the translator couldn’t use—who could fault him?
Looking at the bespectacled young translator about his own age, Lu Yuan grinned. “Just a coincidence. You’re welcome.”
The young translator looked at Lu Yuan sincerely. “Thank you so much. If you hadn’t come, I don’t know how this would have ended… Thank you, Brother Lu.”
His polite demeanor, consistently addressing Lu Yuan respectfully, impressed Lu Yuan, who had initially planned to dismiss him. Instead, he asked curiously, “But why were you chosen? For something this important, wouldn’t they normally find someone more professional?”
The translator replied helplessly, “That foreign guy arrived unexpectedly. The professional translator wasn’t available, so I was temporarily recruited… I thought it was an opportunity, but when he arrived, he spoke too quickly for me to understand… When I saw the leaders’ expressions, I panicked and forgot everything I knew…”
Lu Yuan just smiled, saying nothing more. Opportunities were fleeting. If the young translator had seized this moment and performed well before the leaders… well, it was unfortunate—though Lu Yuan benefited from that misfortune.
Lu Yuan considered offering some consolation, but the distant leader waved him over.
Lu Yuan straightened his posture and took measured steps forward.
Time to go on stage and receive the award.