📍 Inside the employee cafeteria…
The cafeteria was massive—bright, clean, and simple in design. But what stunned the visiting officials wasn't the layout.
It was the food.
At the table in front of them, Wang Cheng, Chang Yaohui, and the MIIT delegation stared in disbelief.
Braised pork balls in brown sauce.
Spicy stir-fried clams.
Steamed perch.
Chicken, duck, seafood, beef, lamb, vegetables, fresh seasonal fruits, regional desserts…
Even Sichuan hot pot and grilled lamb skewers were available—hot and freshly served.
"Big Brother," one official whispered, glancing at Haifeng,
"Didn't you just say your company couldn't afford to treat us?"
"This is what you call 'simple'? This is more luxurious than a five-star hotel!"
According to Xu Zhilin, everything was free if you didn't waste food. The canteen ran 24/7, ensuring employees working late would never go hungry.
And this wasn't the only one.
There were five or six canteens like this across China Star facilities.
The officials began to question reality.
They had seen official state units with worse setups than this.
The young, short-haired woman from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology glued her gaze to Haifeng.
This man built a cafeteria-like this… for his staff?
Who even does that?
Haifeng noticed their hesitation.
He frowned slightly, assuming the food wasn't to their taste.
Really? You're this picky with hundreds of dishes?
Still, he offered politely:
"Sorry about the simple setup.
No alcohol is in the cafeteria, so let's skip drinks today.
Next time you visit, I'll host a proper banquet."
Wang Cheng blinked and laughed.
"President Lu, if this is 'simple,' then everything I've ever eaten counts as dog food."
Finally giving in to hunger, he picked up his chopsticks.
Soon, the others followed.
📁 After Lunch – Office Conversations
Once the meal was over, Xu Zhilin took Wang Cheng to his office.
He handed over a thick folder of materials on the HX888 turbocharged engine there.
Wang was heading back to Yanjing that afternoon to report to the higher-ups.
Before he left, Haifeng approached with a warm handshake.
"Old Wang, we just met today, but I already feel like we've known each other for years."
"Our company's small conditions are modest, so please forgive any lack of hospitality."
"These are just some local specialties from Piaocheng—nothing big, just a small gift for you all."
"Next time you visit, you must see the new factory site.
And of course… whether we can build it depends on you putting in a good word upstairs."
It sounded heartfelt. Genuine.
But to the sharp-eyed, short-haired woman nearby?
It was a masterclass in psychological manipulation.
She nearly burst out laughing.
"He's not reluctant to let Uncle Wang go—he's reminding him he's eaten the food, taken the gifts, and now has to do the job."
"What a sly operator."
Wang Cheng felt a little awkward—but also moved.
Haifeng's sincerity wasn't fake.
He might exaggerate. He might be shameless. But he wasn't pretentious. And people could feel that.
"Ahem… right. I'll get going then, President Lu. No need to see me off."
He turned to Xu Zhilin.
"Teacher, I'll visit again soon."
Xu Zhilin nodded.
"Give my regards to your old man."
"Will do."
Wang Cheng left with a mix of laughter and disbelief.
He knew that the higher-ups would flip when they read Haifeng's message.
🧑🏭 Back at the Office
Haifeng returned to his desk.
I need to start recruiting. Fast.
The Audi assembly plant was almost ready. But they were short on staff.
Employees were already sleeping at the company, working overtime like mad.
Haifeng had even limited overtime to 4 hours max per day to protect their health.
Still, it wasn't sustainable.
To make matters worse, Xu Zhilin refused to give up on something else.
"Xiaofeng," he said, sipping tea,
"I've been meaning to talk to you about my granddaughter."
Haifeng blinked.
Here we go…
Xu leaned forward, completely changing from engineer to matchmaker mode.
"My granddaughter is a rare gem. It's top-tier in every way.
Many came to propose, but I drove them off."
"Only someone like you deserves her."
"What do you say I arrange a meeting?"
Haifeng chuckled helplessly.
"Uncle Xu, I'm buried in work until the New Year.
Can we… talk about this later?"