A little after ten, Li Ye finally arrived at the First Branch Factory with the inspection team from The Department.
They first visited the frontline workshops, then headed to the office area.
When they reached the office area, someone asked, "Eh? When we arrived earlier, weren't there lots of students waiting to register? Why are there only a few left now? Did we interrupt your work?"
Li Ye smiled and asked Zhou Ziqing, "Section Chief Zhou, where did everyone go? Where did you hide them?"
Only then did Zhou Ziqing answer with a smile, "There really were many students registering today, but we've basically finished arranging them. Only these few remain."
Someone from The Department asked, "Really? Then how many have you arranged altogether today?"
Zhou Ziqing answered precisely, "As of now, 127 College and Technical School Students have completed registration. Seventeen have not yet finished. The rest may live farther away, so they'll arrive later."
The people from The Department checked the time and said with feeling, "One hundred and twenty-seven? Your efficiency is quite high!"
"It was everyone pulling together."
Zhou Ziqing did not mention anything like starting work at seven. With Li Ye and Lu Zhizhang present, she would never say anything that sounded like claiming credit.
"Everyone pulling together. Well said."
The leader from The Department nodded, then said to Ma Zhaoxian behind him, "We've basically finished our tour. How about we borrow the First Branch Factory's meeting room now and discuss our impressions from today's visit?"
"Of course, of course. Director Qu, this way, please."
The group surrounded Director Qu and headed for the meeting room, while Li Ye deliberately lagged behind and gave Zhou Ziqing a thumbs-up.
Her words were crisp and efficient, her bearing graceful and composed. Though she was a woman, she