Song Ning quickly called out, "Factory Director Zheng! What brings you here today?"
Zheng Chunzhi turned around and saw Song Ning.
She visibly relaxed.
"Comrade Song! You're back! I-I came to check on Technician Song!"
Song Ning understood immediately.
"Did he miss work today?"
"He hasn't come in for two days! The thing is... we've already started brewing the second batch! You know our distillery... we can't afford even the slightest mistake right now!"
Song Ning nodded, stepped forward, and knocked on the gate.
With the second batch already brewing, the technician should have been keeping a strict watch over every stage.
One detail mishandled could affect the quality of the entire batch.
The gate opened, but it was Song Mei standing behind it.
"Song Ning! You're back? And this is..."
Song Ning invited Zheng Chunzhi inside as she explained, "This is Factory Director Zheng from Song Wang's distillery! Is Song Wang home?"
Song Mei glanced into the courtyard and lowered her voice.
"Comrade Song didn't come back until the middle of the night! I didn't see him go out this morning, but sometimes he leaves early! So... I'm not really sure!"
Song Ning invited Zheng Chunzhi to sit in the living room. "Song Mei, please get Factory Director Zheng a glass of water! I'll go check on Song Wang!"
Song Ning went to Song Wang's room and knocked for a long time.
Only then did Song Wang appear behind the door, looking utterly defeated.
He was still wearing last night's clothes, but they were badly rumpled.
Song Ning asked bluntly, "Song Wang! You haven't gone to work for two days? And you didn't notify the factory or offer any explanation! That's an unauthorized absence. Do you understand?"
Song Wang's eyes were bloodshot. He looked at Song Ning and, after