Chapter 56: My character has collapsed! We're on the news with the factory manager!

In the days after the joint investigation team withdrew, the Li Family Toy Factory seemed to return to its former tranquility, yet something had fundamentally changed.

The most direct change was reflected in the workers' faces.

Everyone subconsciously straightened their backs while walking, their brows brimming with an irrepressible sense of pride. Worries about the future were no longer heard in the factory area; they were replaced by hearty laughter and yearning for a new life.

This change was most vividly displayed in the completely renovated factory cafeteria.

Li Jiajun was a practical man. After the massive sum of money arrived in his account, the first thing he did wasn't buying himself a luxury car, but rather pouring money into renovating the entire factory's infrastructure. The cafeteria, in particular, had undergone a total transformation.

Not only were all the tables and chairs replaced with new ones, but the kitchen equipment was also upgraded to restaurant standards. What the workers talked about most enthusiastically was the occasional 'seafood buffet.' Regardless, he wouldn't admit it was just because his own cravings for pork had kicked in.

Boston lobsters, king crab legs, abalone, sea cucumbers... these expensive ingredients that they had only seen on TV in the past were now piled on the buffet tables as if they cost nothing, allowing the workers to eat their fill.

At 6:30 PM, the cafeteria was brightly lit and bustling with noise.

Li Jiajun carried a tray piled high with food and found an empty seat, squeezing onto a table with several Master Craftsmen. He munched on a large garlic steamed split lobster while listening to them brag and joke around.

“Old Zhang, your use of those pliers is no good; you've crushed that lobster leg.”

“Get lost, what do you know? This is called the Powerful Vajra Finger. Let me tell you, back in the day...”

On the cafeteria wall hung a brand-new seventy-inch LCD TV, which was currently broadcasting the nation's most authoritative news program on time—'Xinwen Lianbo'.

Accompanying that familiar, solemn opening music, the clear and resonant voices of the two Streamers echoed through the cafeteria.

“Good evening, viewers.”

“Today is...”

But at this moment, few people in the cafeteria cared about what was being said on TV. Everyone's attention was entirely on the seafood in front of them and the coworkers beside them; the entire cafeteria was filled with a happy atmosphere.

Li Jiajun was also eating until his mouth was oily, feeling quite pleased with himself.

He felt that life now was very good; the factory was on the right track, and the workers were full of drive.

When the time came, he would rely on his God-tier Comprehension to create a few serious toys, and then perhaps he really could become the world's Godfather of Toys.

'Perfect.' This thought surfaced in his mind.

Just then, the news content on the TV switched.

“Next, a brief news report,” the female Streamer's voice rang out clearly. “Recently, through the concerted efforts of relevant departments and social forces, our country has achieved a major breakthrough in a key technology within the field of cutting-edge drones. This technology possesses a high degree of intelligence and collaborative operational capabilities. Currently, it has been successfully applied to relevant fields of our national defense, injecting new and powerful momentum into the modernization level of our national defense.”

Along with the broadcast, the TV screen began to play some video materials that had undergone strict declassification processing.

In the rapidly switching shots, a familiar corner of a factory workshop could be seen, but that brand-new production line was heavily blurred; the busy backs of workers wearing uniform blue work clothes could be seen, but their faces and the ID badges on their chests were all a blur; there were even fleeting glimpses of warehouse shelves, but the packaging boxes printed with cute cartoon bears were also processed so their details couldn't be seen clearly.

The workers in the cafeteria still didn't pay much attention, except for one young worker who had just finished eating and was picking his teeth, looking up at the TV out of boredom.

Just as the news segment was about to end and transition to the next topic, an unblurred shot flashed by quickly.

In the frame, the gate with the sign 'Li Family Toy Factory' flashed past, and the camera also paused appropriately for less than an instant on that huge silk banner. Although it added up to less than two seconds, the eight gold-embossed characters 'Model of Supporting the Army, Pioneer of Technology' remained clearly visible under the sunlight.

This image was as familiar to the workers, who entered and exited dozens of times every day, as their own bedside lamps.

“Eh...?”

The young worker picking his teeth froze, and the toothpick in his hand fell. He rubbed his eyes hard and pointed at the TV somewhat uncertainly, stammering out a shout:

“That... isn't that our factory gate?”

This shout was like a ladle of cold water being poured into a calm pan of hot oil.

The entire cafeteria instantly fell silent.

Hundreds of pairs of eyes turned in unison toward the TV on the wall.

Although the screen had already switched, the scene from a moment ago was deeply etched into everyone's minds.

A deathly silence lasted for three seconds.

Then.

“Holy crap! It really is our factory!”

“We're on TV! Our factory is on 'Xinwen Lianbo'!!”

“Awesome! The Director is awesome!!”

After a brief moment of confirmation, the entire cafeteria was instantly submerged in deafening cheers and shouts, like a volcanic eruption. The workers' faces were flushed with excitement; they slammed the tables hard and hugged each other. A massive sense of pride and honor made everyone's chest swell with pride.

Li Jiajun was also stunned by this sudden turn of events.

He was just picking up a piece of succulent braised pork to put in his mouth when he heard the shouts; he just stared blankly in the direction of the TV, even forgetting to close his mouth.

Standing not far from him, the 'Big Smart One' manager Wang Dachui, who was holding a tray and preparing to get more food, reacted the fastest. He slapped his thigh in excitement, slammed his tray onto the table, and rushed to Li Jiajun's side in three steps, shouting with a face full of admiration:

“Director! You are too amazing! Did you see? We're on 'Xinwen Lianbo'! Now the people of the entire Eastern Country know how formidable our factory is! You really were hiding your light under a bushel!”

The surrounding workers also crowded around, expressing their warmest congratulations and admiration to their Director in the most simple and honest way.

However, Li Jiajun, surrounded by the crowd, did not show a look of wild joy as everyone expected after his initial daze.

On the contrary, his face slumped at a speed visible to the naked eye.

He slowly put down the chopsticks in his hand, his expression becoming more bitter than if he had eaten goldthread.

'It's over... it's over... it's all over now...'

A desperate thought echoed frantically in his heart.

He wasn't worried about anything else, but rather that the 'honest and simple toy factory director' persona he had worked so hard to establish in his live stream room had completely collapsed this time.

'Just two days ago, I solemnly guaranteed to those loser Netizens in the live stream room that we are just an ordinary, law-abiding toy factory and have nothing to do with national affairs.'

'I even said that we only produce happiness and nothing else. Now that this news has aired, haven't I been slapped in the face? Isn't my persona completely ruined?'

He could even imagine what kind of 'bloody storm' of mockery would be in the bullet chat the next time he started a broadcast.

“Main Streamer, you old fogey is truly wicked! Still saying you're an ordinary toy factory? You have no shame!”

Thinking of this, Li Jiajun only felt his heart go numb, rendered speechless.