r18novel Chapter 1008 Factory Director Yang is Dismissed
Chapter 1008 Factory Director Yang is Dismissed
Another, younger doctor shook his head, clutching several lab reports in his hand, his tone certain: "It shouldn't be faking it. We tried pricking the soles of his feet with needles to stimulate nerve reflexes, and we also did electromyography (EMG) monitoring. All the data indicated that his muscles were indeed in a state of deep paralysis, completely uncontrolled by the nerves." He sighed, his brow furrowing, "But the problem is, we can't find any cause. It's neither a stroke, nor poisoning, nor any external injury... This situation is too strange. Perhaps... we should consult with the senior specialists in the hospital again? Maybe they can figure something out."
This was Xiao Bao's third day in the hospital. The hospital mobilized almost all the key personnel from various departments to examine him, from neurology to endocrinology, and even invited senior doctors from the traditional Chinese medicine department. After taking his pulse and frowning for a long time, they could only shake their heads and say, "His pulse is weak and floating, but there is no real disease." The conclusions were all the same: there was nothing wrong with his bodily functions, but he was unable to move, and he couldn't even eat on his own. He could only be kept alive by receiving liquid food through a nasogastric tube.
Xiao Bao lay there, his ears ringing from every word the doctor spoke. His heart burned with anxiety, as if his internal organs were being scorched to ashes—was he faking it? Who would fake such a miserable state! This was clearly Gu Nan's doing! After being captured by Gu Nan in the abandoned warehouse that day, the other man had used some underhanded methods, and when he woke up, he was like this. He wanted to shout, to curse, to scream Gu Nan's name, but his mouth felt glued shut; he couldn't even bend his tongue. He could only let the hatred surge in his throat, unable to utter a sound.
What drove him to despair even more was that death had become a luxury. Last night, he tried to bite his tongue to end it all, but the moment his tongue touched his teeth, he lost all strength and couldn't muster the strength to bite down. He could only let despair wash over him like ice water. Gu Nan was deliberately wearing him down! Leaving him lying there conscious, watching his life slowly drain away, without even giving him a quick end.
Xiao Bao's gaze slowly shifted to the window, watching the drifting clouds. An overwhelming sense of regret welled up within him—how could he have been so blinded by greed, so determined to oppose Gu Nan? If only he had stopped sooner, taken that money with Zhang Du and fled to some unknown place, starting a small business and living a peaceful life, he wouldn't be in this predicament today. But there's no going back. Zhang Du had vanished without a trace, most likely dead. He himself was trapped on this bed, like a fish out of water, waiting for his life to end. The water stains on the ceiling slowly spread, like a grinning, mocking face, reflecting the despair in his eyes, sinking deeper and deeper.
Days slipped by amidst the roar of the steel mill's machines. Molten steel reflected the workers' sweat, and the rhythm of the gears seemed to beat the clock. Lu Jia, using the pretext of frequently consulting Ran Qiuye about accounting issues, began visiting Gu Nan's house more often. When the two huddled under the lamp to check reports, they would occasionally chat about everyday matters—from the baby's milk intake to market prices, from fabric patterns to anecdotes from the factory. Their relationship quietly warmed, though Gu Nan, busy with workshop affairs all day, remained unaware of this subtle change.
Meanwhile, a sudden uproar erupted at the steel rolling mill. According to seniority, Deputy Factory Director Li was poised to succeed Factory Director Yang, and even his office desk and chairs had been quietly replaced. However, no one expected that Gu Nan, based on his success in resolving several production problems, would also be promoted to deputy factory director, in charge of safety and technological innovation. It was clear to everyone that the position of factory director was about to be the subject of a fierce power struggle.
That day, Gu Nan had just finished a tour of the workshop, reminding the workers to pay attention to the operating procedures of the new machine tools, and was about to return to the office to organize reports when a sudden screech of brakes came from the factory gate. Three military green jeeps came to a steady stop in front of the office building. The doors opened, and a group of people in uniforms got out. Their epaulets gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and their expressions were as serious as ice. Without waiting for the gatekeeper to come forward to ask any questions, they walked straight towards the factory manager's office.
In the office, Factory Director Yang, wearing his reading glasses, was reviewing the third quarter's production reports, his finger lightly tapping the "Steel Rolling Qualification Rate" column. Hearing hurried footsteps, he looked up and saw the group, but his face showed no surprise—rumors had been circulating for days that someone had submitted his materials to higher-ups, and he had a premonition. He put down his pen, snapping the cap back on, and calmly looked at the leader: "Gentlemen, what brings you here?"
The group entered the office and closed the door behind them. They whispered amongst themselves, the conversation muffled by the door, except for the occasional raised voice of Director Yang, which sounded like he was arguing or explaining. About fifteen minutes later, the door opened again, and Director Yang was "invited" out—though the two men flanking him made it clear he was to be taken away.
As they passed by Gu Nan's office, Director Yang suddenly stopped and looked at the leader: "Comrade, I'd like to say a few words to Comrade Gu Nan. It won't take more than a few minutes, is that alright?"
The group exchanged glances, and the leader nodded: "Okay, but please do it quickly, we still have a mission to complete."
"Just two sentences, then I'll go with you." Director Yang smiled, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes crinkling together, his tone as calm as if he were going to a regular meeting.
Not far away, Deputy Factory Director Li was peering through a pillar in the corridor. Seeing this, he felt a tickling sensation in his heart—he wanted to come closer and listen to what Factory Director Yang had to say, hoping to find some leverage about "economic issues" that would greatly benefit his bid for the factory director position. But he had only taken two steps forward when he was stopped by a man carrying a briefcase.
"Comrade, please wait." The man's tone was calm, but his gaze pressed down on you like a weight, carrying an unyielding authority.
Deputy Factory Director Li knew these people were sent from above, so he didn't dare to act rashly. He opened his mouth, but ultimately couldn't say anything. He could only stand there awkwardly, craning his neck like a goose, his eyes constantly glancing towards Gu Nan.
Xu Damao, standing nearby, was completely bewildered, still clutching the newly printed screening schedule in his hand. He leaned closer to Deputy Factory Director Li and cautiously asked, "Deputy Factory Director Li, what... what happened? Why was Director Yang taken away? Has something serious occurred?"
Deputy Factory Director Li was already annoyed at being stopped, and when he heard Xu Damao's rambling, he glared at him irritably: "How should I know? If you're curious, go ask him yourself! What are you babbling about? Is the projection team too idle and bored? If you keep nagging, you can forget about your bonus this month!"