FIMA Ch108: Action

Early this morning, Gu Siyuan, as usual, rode his bicycle to work in the county.

However, not far from home, he unexpectedly ran into Gu Lili, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Although Gu Siyuan felt he hadn’t touched him, Gu Lili directly sat on the ground and didn’t get up, pitifully calling out, “Third Brother…”

Gu Siyuan looked at him for a moment, his eyes slightly narrowed, then got off his bike.

He walked a few steps forward and asked indifferently, “Broken leg or about to die?”

“…” Gu Lili.

Can you speak any more harshly?

But, remembering his purpose, Gu Lili forcibly held back.

He continuously made hissing sounds, tightly hugging one leg, his eyes slightly red as he cried out in pain, “Third Brother, my leg hurts so much. You were riding too fast just now…”

Gu Siyuan’s expression remained unchanged as he lazily said, “Oh, then do you want me to take you to the county hospital for a checkup?”

Gu Lili’s heart leaped with joy, and he immediately pretended to be magnanimous, “No need for that. We’re country folks, no need to trouble the hospital for minor bumps. The brigade clinic is just ahead. Third Brother, just help me over there for a checkup.”

Gu Siyuan glanced at that place, a few steps away, it was indeed the educated youth point and the brigade clinic.

The location was chosen well.

Gu Siyuan smiled, parked his bicycle in place.

The next moment, Gu Lili found himself almost half lifted off the ground, being dragged and pulled towards the clinic by Gu Siyuan.

“…” Gu Lili.

His lowered eyes were filled with a deep gaze.

Hmph, Gu Siyuan could only be pleased for this little while.

Gu Siyuan handed him over to the doctor and came out of the clinic in just a few minutes.

He got back on his bike and casually touched the army green cloth bag hanging on the handlebars. Sure enough, it was much thinner.

Heh…

But he acted as if he hadn’t noticed and happily continued riding towards the county.

After he left, a figure slowly emerged from behind the wall of the educated youth point nearby, holding a stack of drawings.

Gu Siyuan arrived at the agricultural machinery factory at about the usual time. As soon as he entered the office, he followed his memory and redrew the engine diagram he had lost before.

This time, he didn’t wait any longer and took it directly to Section Chief Lu’s office.

Section Chief Lu was very pleased to see Gu Siyuan, even stopping his actions of going out. He smiled and said, “What a rare guest, you actually came to see me on your own?”

Gu Siyuan’s expression was calm, “I’ve recently come up with something and would like the Section Chief to take a look.”

“You came up with it?” Section Chief Lu raised an eyebrow, looking at the paper in his hand, “Well, bring it over.”

Gu Siyuan handed it over.

Section Chief Lu glanced at it and chuckled, “An engine, huh? Today is indeed a good day; you’re the second one to bring in engine drawings.”

“Oh.” Gu Siyuan narrowed his eyes slightly, showing no significant reaction.

Section Chief Lu didn’t look closely at it for the moment, turning around to place it on the desk, “I’ll check it when I get back. Experts from the city are coming tomorrow, I need to go to a meeting with the factory manager and the secretary first.”

Gu Siyuan followed Section Chief Lu out and returned to his office.

Fang Jie and Ling Zhi were sitting in their chairs chatting. As soon as they saw him return, they curiously asked, “Did you hand that drawing to Section Chief Lu?”

Gu Siyuan nodded casually, “Yes.”

Fang Jie asked curiously, “What did Section Chief Lu say?”

Gu Siyuan shook his head, “He’s gone to a meeting, hasn’t looked at it yet.”

Ling Zhi stretched his neck, gossiping, “I saw you drawing for almost a month. That’s the engine for our tractor, right? What’s the big difference from the current one? Why did you put so much effort into it?”

Gu Siyuan nodded slightly and truthfully said, “Yes, I made some structural changes. The engine’s energy efficiency and lifespan will be significantly improved.”

“…” Fang Jie and Ling Zhi looked at each other, shocked.

This kind of thing sounded like a fantasy, how could it be so casual in your mouth?

Although they had always known Gu Siyuan was drawing, and roughly knew it was an engine.

But they had always thought Gu Siyuan was just trying it out and didn’t take it seriously.

After all, Gu Siyuan had only been in the factory for two months and wasn’t a knowledgeable talent who had gone to a technical school or university.

The modification of this engine already falls within the field of research and development.

However, now that Gu Siyuan had said so, it became highly probable.

After all, they knew very well that the person in front of them was definitely not someone who spoke big words without any basis.

My God…

Fang Jie asked with difficulty, “So, the reason you said those things to Ma Jun yesterday was because you had the confidence of this engine design drawing?”

Gu Siyuan nodded, “That’s right!”

“……”

Okay.

Fang Jie and Ling Zhi fell completely silent.

……

The rest of the day went on as usual.

Gu Siyuan continued to do repair work in the workshop, and in his free time, he read books related to machinery.

However, the peace was eventually broken around 2 PM.

A colleague rushed into the workshop, shouting loudly, “Comrade Gu Siyuan, Comrade Ma Jun, Section Chief Lu needs to see you. Please go to his office immediately!”

Upon hearing this, Ma Jun abruptly raised his head. Since yesterday, his restless heart suddenly calmed down miraculously at this moment.

He slowly turned his gaze to Gu Siyuan, only to see that Gu Siyuan had already stood up and left, his expression as cold and stern as ever, his back as straight and firm as always, seemingly unaware of the impending storm.

Ma Jun suddenly smiled darkly: Right, Gu Siyuan this fool, doesn’t even know what’s coming.

Thinking about the interesting scene that was about to unfold, he immediately walked out in big strides.

Gu Siyuan and Ma Jun arrived at Section Chief Lu’s office almost simultaneously.

However, contrary to their expectations, it wasn’t just Section Chief Lu there. Two other leaders of the Agricultural Machinery Repair Factory, Deputy Party Secretary Qin and Section Chief Deng from the neighboring department, were also present.

As soon as they saw the two of them, the three leaders’ scrutinizing gazes immediately fell on them.

Section Chief Lu, known for his straightforwardness, got straight to the point, “I believe one of you already knows why I called you both here.”

As he spoke, he slammed the drawing in his hand onto the table, his anger evident.

“So, what’s going on here? Why are the engine drawings you both submitted exactly the same? Explain the situation to me right now!”

This morning, Section Chief Lu had attended a meeting with the factory director, the party secretary, and other section chiefs in preparation for the city machinery factory leaders and experts visiting tomorrow.

After the meeting, he had lunch with Deputy Secretary Qin and Section Chief Deng.

The three had known each other for many years and inevitably exchanged banter. Section Chief Deng, being from the neighboring department, naturally mocked the engine section’s performance this year, saying they had no substantial achievements.

The full name of the Agricultural Machinery Repair Factory is Agricultural Machinery Manufacturing and Repair Factory, which means they not only repair but also manufacture.

In recent years, the repair needs of tractors in the communes have been largely saturated. The factory director has been encouraging everyone to focus more on manufacturing to enhance the reputation of the county’s agricultural machinery repair factory.

However, the Agricultural Machinery Repair Factory is just a county-level factory. Whether it’s the workshop machines or the technical staff, they can only be considered average, lacking a complete production line.

If it were small parts, the factory might manage to manufacture them independently, but producing engines was a bit beyond their capacity.

How could the county’s agricultural machinery repair factory have the ability to produce engines?

So, his old friend had deliberately mocked them.

But Section Chief Lu, known for his tough temper, retorted on the spot, saying their section would love to manufacture, but does the factory have the machines for it?

Moreover, although they couldn’t manufacture, they hadn’t given up on progress and were even skipping the manufacturing step to strive towards research and development improvements.

This excuse was something Section Chief Lu thought of on the spot, inspired by the two engine drawings submitted that morning.

As a result, the discussion led to the three leaders coming over to inspect the drawings and naturally discovering that the two drawings were almost identical.

No matter how he thought about it, Section Chief Lu still felt humiliated. Such a scandal had occurred in his section, and due to his pride, it was publicly exposed on the spot.

In the future, he didn’t know how many years his old friends would mock him for this.

So, he didn’t even have time to marvel at the advanced and excellent new engine before he immediately called the two of them over.

He fixed his gaze on Gu Siyuan and Ma Jun, his tone stern, “Have you thought about what you’re going to say?”

Gu Siyuan raised his eyes slightly, glanced at Section Chief Lu, and said calmly, “Do you mean to say that one of us plagiarized? It is quite a coincidence. Just yesterday at noon, my original design drawing went missing. The one I submitted this morning is a redraw.”

When it came to trust, Section Chief Lu naturally had more faith in Gu Siyuan. After all, with his perpetually cold and indifferent face and his attitude of disregarding everything, it was hard to imagine him being associated with something like plagiarism.

However, Section Chief Lu still looked at Ma Jun, “Comrade Ma Jun, do you have anything to say?”

Ma Jun was unusually calm at this moment.

Although he hadn’t expected Gu Siyuan to redraw a drawing so quickly, he didn’t care much, considering what he had obtained earlier.

He only looked at Section Chief Lu and righteously said, “Section Chief, I have nothing to say. It is evident that in my three years at the Agricultural Machinery Repair Factory, I have never done anything against the rules. I have been repeatedly rated as an advanced worker in the engine section. It is impossible for me to plagiarize someone else’s work, let alone steal Comrade Gu Siyuan’s design as he claims.”

Section Chief Lu glanced at the two of them, “So, both of you firmly claim that this drawing is your own work?”

They both nodded.

Deputy Party Secretary Qin, who was watching, fixed his gaze on them, “Are you sure about this? If you admit it now, it can still be dealt with leniently. Otherwise, our Agricultural Machinery Repair Factory will never tolerate anyone who falsifies like this.”

Deputy Secretary Qin was responsible for worker discipline and ideological development, so his words naturally carried weight.

Ma Jun glanced at Deputy Secretary Qin, then looked away, his expression still firm.

Gu Siyuan directly said, “It took me about a month to complete this engine design drawing, finishing just yesterday. My colleagues in the office can vouch for me.”

Section Chief Lu’s eyes lit up, “Really? Then let’s call them over to testify.”

Ma Jun narrowed his eyes, clearly seeing the trust Section Chief Lu had in Gu Siyuan.

He immediately spoke up, “Your office colleagues are your friends. They might give false testimony for you. Even if you prove that you drew this design over the past month, it doesn’t prove you didn’t plagiarize.”

His words were sharp and aggressive.

However, before Gu Siyuan could respond, Section Chief Lu gave Ma Jun a cold look and said, “Comrade Ma Jun, all members of the Agricultural Machinery Repair Factory are our comrades. Without evidence, how can you casually speculate that they would give false testimony?”

Deputy Secretary Qin nodded, his face also looking displeased.

Ma Jun, looking embarrassed, quickly explained, “I’m sorry, I misspoke just now. However, Section Chief, I can’t prove whether they would give false testimony, but I can prove that this design drawing is indeed mine because I kept all the preliminary drafts, including concept drawings and inspiration sketches, spanning over a month.”

Upon hearing this, the three leaders exchanged glances.

This was indeed solid evidence.

Section Chief Lu first looked at the still calm Gu Siyuan, then turned to Ma Jun and extended his hand, “It’s good that you have evidence.”

Ma Jun, who had been carrying a briefcase, immediately took out a stack of papers from it. A quick glance revealed various engine draft sketches.

Section Chief Lu and Deputy Secretary Qin quickly flipped through them. The drafts were meticulous, the techniques skillful, and each sheet was dated and numbered, with neat lines and elegant designs, far from mere rough drafts.

After a moment, Section Chief Lu looked up, “These drafts are indeed quite good, and they can be considered evidence.”

Ma Jun’s face lit up with joy.

At this moment, Gu Siyuan raised an eyebrow and said indifferently, “These drafts are mine too. Ma Jun, you even stole my drafts.”

The three leaders were taken aback and looked at Gu Siyuan in unison.

“You…you say these drafts are yours?”

Gu Siyuan nodded, “That’s right. These drafts were originally kept at my home in the village. After my design drawing was stolen yesterday, I brought them to the factory this morning to redraw a new one, but they were stolen again.”

Ma Jun sneered, “That’s absurd. First, you say your design drawing was stolen, and now you claim the drafts were stolen too. Following this logic, next, you’ll say the bank stole your money? Up until now, can you provide any substantial evidence instead of just talking nonsense?”

Section Chief Lu also asked, “Comrade Siyuan, this is quite unbelievable. Do you have any evidence to support your accusation against Comrade Ma Jun?”

Ma Jun scoffed, “Of course he doesn’t.”

“Section Chief, to my knowledge, Comrade Gu Siyuan’s education is only at the elementary school level. He was lucky to get into the Agricultural Machinery Repair Factory. With just an elementary school education, he probably doesn’t even understand the working principles of an engine, let alone design one. And now he’s accusing me? Secretary Qin, Section Chief, our factory cannot tolerate such a troublemaker.”

Hearing this, Section Chief Lu’s eyes widened in surprise, “Comrade Gu Siyuan, your education is only at the elementary school level?”

Gu Siyuan nodded and straightforwardly admitted, “That’s right.”

Section Chief Lu and Deputy Secretary Qin fell silent.

Their nation, formed by the alliance of workers and peasants, did not discriminate against workers or farmers from the lower strata. However, it was even harder to believe that a person with only an elementary school education and two months in the Agricultural Machinery Repair Factory could design such an excellent new engine.

Ma Jun, always observant, immediately understood the leaders’ thoughts and knew he had essentially cleared himself.

A barely concealed smile appeared on his face.

At this moment, a cold voice rang in his ear, “Ma Jun, did you seriously look over those drafts after you stole them?”

Ma Jun’s head snapped up, his eyes blazing as he looked at Gu Siyuan.

What did he mean by that?

An extremely bad premonition arose in his heart.

Gu Siyuan, his brows furrowed, his tone indifferent, said, “It seems you didn’t. Otherwise, you would know that these draft drawings contain my unique markings.”

Impossible!

After stealing Gu Siyuan’s original drafts yesterday, fearing someone would notice the difference in handwriting, he copied them all over again. However, these drafts had only been brought to him at noon today. He glanced over them, saw no problems, and didn’t redraw them due to lack of time.

Unexpectedly…

Ma Jun’s face changed dramatically. He urgently shouted, “What nonsense are you spouting? How could my drafts have your markings? What does this have to do with you?”

He turned to Section Chief Lu, filled with anxiety and indignation, “Section Chief, Secretary, stop listening to this rural thief’s nonsense. He should be expelled immediately to maintain discipline in our factory.”

This almost hysterical attitude made Secretary Qin and the others frown.

This really was a reversal…

Section Chief Lu gave Ma Jun a look, then turned to Gu Siyuan, and said sternly, “You say these have your markings. Where are they?”

Gu Siyuan raised an eyebrow and calmly said, “I habitually write the time and code on the draft paper. Just follow the dates: May 13th’s draft paper… May 14th’s draft paper… and finally, June 15th’s draft paper…”

After a while.

In front of Deputy Secretary Qin, Section Chief Lu checked each draft one by one according to the sequence. He confirmed that each draft indeed had markings, and the positions and styles were exactly as described.

Section Chief Lu raised his head, looking sternly at Ma Jun, “What do you have to say about this?”

Ma Jun gritted his teeth and said, “Chief, my drafts indeed have these markings. It’s my drawing habit, but it seems Gu Siyuan noticed and copied it.”

“Tsk…” Gu Siyuan couldn’t help but sneer.

He raised his eyelids and looked at Ma Jun nonchalantly, “Your habit? If it’s your habit, then you should have no problem repeating the marking styles and positions I just mentioned. As the person who made them, you should remember them better than someone who supposedly copied them, right?”

“You…”

Ma Jun’s breathing halted, and sweat began to form on his forehead.

Deputy Secretary Qin, observing their reactions, understood the situation immediately and sternly said, “Comrade Ma Jun, I think Comrade Gu’s suggestion is appropriate. Please repeat the markings on the drawings now.”

“I…” Ma Jun looked up, pleadingly at Secretary Qin and then slowly at Section Chief Lu.

His mind was in a haze, and he couldn’t recall anything clearly.

Why did this madman Gu Siyuan put markings on every single draft and remember them all?

Section Chief Lu’s face turned cold, “You are usually very articulate, but now you are stammering. It seems you don’t intend to defend yourself anymore.”

Ma Jun’s face turned pale instantly, his lips trembling, “Chief, no, it’s not like that, I…”

Section Chief Lu mercilessly said, “Falsification is an issue of ideology and conduct, but stealing is a legal matter. If you don’t want to explain, I’ll directly call the police to handle this.”

“Chief!” Ma Jun suddenly stopped hesitating and rushed forward to stop him.

Section Chief Lu pushed him away, “As an experienced worker in the factory, how dare you do such a despicable thing and expect leniency?”

Ma Jun staggered a few steps but continued to beg, “Chief, please don’t call the police. I didn’t do it on purpose. I just accidentally picked up that design drawing. Thinking that the city experts were coming tomorrow, I thought I could use it to make an impression, hoping to learn from the experts and contribute to the factory. I was just momentarily confused…”

“Hmph, momentarily confused?” Gu Siyuan’s cold voice drifted over, “A thin sheet of design drawing could have been accidentally picked up, but what about these drafts? This whole pile, did an east wind blow them all to you too? Chief, as the victim, I request the police handle this.”

Ma Jun’s face was bitter, but upon hearing a particular sentence, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he quickly explained, “No, don’t call the police. I really didn’t steal them. The design drawing was picked up, but someone gave me the pile of drafts. Really, someone gave them to me. I didn’t steal.”

“Someone stole them and gave them to you, and you’re not lying?” Gu Siyuan squinted at him, his eyes deep.

Ma Jun nodded repeatedly, “Yes! Someone else stole them from you. It has nothing to do with me. The drafts were given to me by two people at noon today. I can help you identify them with the police. They even told me about your elementary school education.”

He spoke rapidly, fearing Gu Siyuan wouldn’t give him a chance.

Section Chief Lu and Deputy Secretary Qin looked displeased, realizing someone was deliberately framing the factory employees.

Deputy Secretary Qin gently said, “Comrade Gu, in that case, you are granted a half-day leave this afternoon to handle this matter.”

Section Chief Lu added, “Yes, if you encounter any difficulties, just mention our factory’s name. The county police will give us some face.”

Deputy Secretary Qin nodded in agreement.

A police tricycle followed Gu Siyuan’s tractor, causing a commotion when it entered Yunxi Village.

Many people working in the fields stopped to watch, and curious children ran after the tricycle.

A motorcycle was a rare sight.

The tractor and motorcycle finally stopped at the production team’s entrance.

The educated youth point was nearby, and Feng Keng and Gu Lili came out to see what was happening.

Ma Jun, sitting in the tractor, pointed at them with reddened eyes, “It’s them. They stole your drawings and gave them to me!”

Feng Keng and Gu Lili recognized Ma Jun and immediately looked alarmed.

The two policemen by the motorcycle rushed over and restrained Feng Keng and Gu Lili upon hearing Ma Jun’s accusation.

“You are reported for stealing state secrets. Please come with us to the police station for investigation.”

Gu Lili looked like he was struck by lightning, his eyes wide in shock, struggling desperately, “What state secrets? I didn’t… There must be some misunderstanding!”

Feng Keng also said, “Officer, there must be a misunderstanding.”

But Ma Jun, desperate to clear himself, added decisively, “No misunderstanding. They stole Gu Siyuan’s design drawing. That drawing is about engine upgrades and improvements, which will significantly enhance our country’s transportation industry. It is a state secret. When they secretly gave it to me, the shoe repairer on the street saw it.”

Feng Keng and Gu Lili were furious.

They had never seen someone betray their comrades like this.

And how did a bunch of ordinary drawings suddenly become state secrets?

The police immediately detained them, sternly saying, “Come with us to the station for interrogation.”

Gu Lili’s face turned as white as a sheet. He looked pitifully at Gu Siyuan and pleaded, “Third Brother, there must be a misunderstanding. Please explain to the officers that I didn’t steal your drawings, let alone any state secrets!”

Gu Siyuan sneered, “If you’re truly innocent, the officers will investigate and clear your name.”

As he finished speaking, two figures rushed over from the fields not far away. It was none other than their parents, Mother Gu and Father Gu.

Seeing Gu Lili being held by the police and hearing it had something to do with their third son, they immediately shouted at Gu Siyuan, “What’s going on? Lili is your own brother! How can you treat him like this? Even if there’s a misunderstanding, can’t the family talk it out? Why did you call the police to scare him?”

“Who has the interest to scare him,” Gu Siyuan replied coldly, glancing at them indifferently.

Mother Gu, knowing that this son was heartless and couldn’t be swayed, quickly turned to the officers and pleaded, “Officers, officers, this is a misunderstanding. Please let my son go. We’re all family. Even if something was lost, it was just a joke between brothers. There’s no need to take it seriously…”

Father Gu, with a wrinkled face, also implored, “Officers, it’s just family playing around. No need to trouble you. Lili is still young!”

“Yes, they’re all family. Why involve the police?”

“Lili is always so gentle and well-behaved. How could he do anything wrong?”

The onlookers, seeing the pitiable appearance of Gu’s parents, couldn’t help but whisper among themselves, clearly puzzled by Gu Siyuan’s seemingly heartless actions.

At that moment, a sharp voice called out.

“Sorry, sorry, officers! I admit my guilt and turn myself in!”

Everyone’s attention shifted to the source of the voice, only to see the village’s most despised scoundrel, hands raised in surrender, his face full of fear.

What’s going on?

The villagers were puzzled.

Gu Lili and Feng Keng, upon seeing him, felt a chill run down their spines, sensing impending doom.

The officer narrowed his eyes and asked coldly, “You said you’re turning yourself in. What crime did you commit?”

The scoundrel glanced at Gu Siyuan’s tall figure, recalling the man’s fearsome appearance last night. His legs nearly trembled.

Swallowing hard, he stammered, “I’m turning myself in. I shouldn’t have taken benefits from Gu Lili and then followed his orders to harass his third sister-in-law, Xie Yiyang. I wasn’t doing it on purpose… Can I get a lighter sentence for turning myself in now?”

The scene fell silent.

Xie Yiyang? Isn’t that Gu Siyuan’s wife?

What kind of grudge does Gu Lili have against Gu Siyuan, stealing his things and then sending a thug to harass his wife?

This is unbelievable…

“Hey, what’s going on here? Why is everyone gathered around?”

A clear voice rang out.

Gu Siyuan looked up and saw his little wife standing on tiptoe, trying to see what was happening.

A slight smile tugged at his lips as he waved him over and said, “Come here.”