Chapter 62: Refitting the Production Line

Lu Yu spent his days running to the library, engrossed in reading, as time quietly passed by. He had assumed that Deng Qiang would need at least a week to procure all the equipment and materials, but to his surprise, just five days later, Deng Qiang called to say everything was ready.

It seemed the profit bonus pool he’d proposed last time was truly effective; the staff’s efficiency was through the roof. Deng Qiang, eager for his year-end bonus and full of anticipation for the new product, threw himself into the work with all his energy.

Lu Yu glanced at the time—it was just past ten in the morning—so he put away his materials science book and headed to Fenbai Daihei Company.

The company car he’d driven last time was still loaded with experimental materials, parked at the lot near Shu Yin University, where he lived. Since he didn’t usually drive when going to the library, he decided he’d pick it up the next day on his way.

…

Upon arriving at the company, he called for Deng Qiang and a team of employees, leading them to the newly outfitted production workshop.

Lu Yu inspected all the production equipment carefully, recalling each machine’s purpose until he was confident he understood every detail. Only then did he begin directing the staff on how to install the equipment according to his specifications.

Sometimes, several employees worked together to lift a machine; at other times, multiple small forklifts cooperated to move heavier devices. Soon, the four production lines were arranged just as Lu Yu had requested.

He then asked Deng Qiang to lead the employees out and secure the doors, leaving Lu Yu alone to modify the production line with the spare equipment.

…

Lu Yu stayed busy in the workshop for several hours, yet still hadn’t finished modifying even a single production line. As the end of the workday approached, he left the workshop and told Deng Qiang to arrange for someone to guard the area and ensure nothing was disturbed. He would return the following day to continue the modifications.

Deng Qiang nodded and went to make the arrangements.

Lu Yu didn’t wait for him. He left the company, caught a taxi outside the industrial park, and gave the driver the address of Shu Yin University.

He ate a simple meal at home, then went upstairs to his room and opened his laptop. He meticulously reviewed the equipment data, verifying his ideas to ensure there would be no issues with the modifications.

The next morning, after breakfast, Lu Yu drove the company car to the office. Upon arrival, he contacted Tang Zhiming, the laboratory supervisor, instructing him to sort the experimental materials from the car and store them in the lab’s small storeroom.

Lu Yu entered the production workshop alone and resumed the unfinished modifications from the day before.

…

By noon, the first production line was finally modified. Lu Yu had lunch with Deng Qiang, Tang Zhiming, and a few other executives. After a short rest, he asked Deng Qiang to arrange for the delivery of raw materials.

Once the staff had moved all the necessary materials—relevant or not—into the workshop, Lu Yu began operating the production line and adjusting the machinery’s parameters for trial production.

He repeatedly fine-tuned the machines, running batch after batch, until two hours later, the first sample successfully rolled off the line.

Lu Yu packaged the sample, shut down the equipment, and left the workshop, instructing the security guards outside to remain vigilant, allowing no one to enter or tamper with anything.

The guards took the boss’s instructions seriously and hadn’t relaxed their watch since the day before.

…

With the sample in hand, Lu Yu walked to the laboratory, briefed Tang Zhiming, and then entered to test the sample.

Throughout the experiment, Tang Zhiming waited outside, concerned that Lu Yu might need assistance and preferring to be close at hand. Later, Deng Qiang also arrived, and the two waited together outside.

The workday had long ended, yet there was still no sign of Lu Yu. When he finally emerged from the laboratory, it was already ten o’clock at night.

He found Deng Qiang and Tang Zhiming outside, being feasted upon by mosquitoes, and couldn’t help but laugh.

“Why are you two still here? Aren’t you off work?”

Deng Qiang grinned, “Lu, I just can’t rest easy without knowing the results. I’d rather wait here and hear the news firsthand.”

Tang Zhiming added, “There’s no one else in the lab this late. If you needed anything, at least I have some research experience and could help.”

Lu Yu smiled at their responses. “Alright, everything’s done. The tests are complete, and there are basically no issues. I’ll fine-tune the equipment a bit more tomorrow.”

…

Deng Qiang, clearly anxious, pressed on, “Lu, how effective is the product? Can you give me a definite answer so I can relax?”

Lu Yu was amused. “Old Deng, you’re only thirty-six—hardly an ‘old man’—yet as the general manager of Fenbai Daihei Company, you’re still so impatient?”

Tang Zhiming laughed as well; Deng Qiang was acting just like a student nervously awaiting the college acceptance letter, as anxious as could be. Earlier, while waiting, he’d been pacing back and forth, unable to stay still.

Deng Qiang managed a wry smile. “Lu, don’t tease me. Anyone in my position would be impatient right now.”

Lu Yu suppressed his laughter and patted Deng Qiang’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. The results won’t be any worse than our current two products.”

“To put it plainly, this product, once applied to the skin and allowed to dry, can be peeled off, and you’ll immediately feel the skin tighten and see a reduction in wrinkles.”

“But that’s just the surface effect. It also stimulates the dermal cells to absorb and produce collagen. As long as you eat more collagen-rich foods, you’ll effectively replenish collagen and truly eliminate wrinkles.”

Both Deng Qiang and Tang Zhiming were stunned by Lu Yu’s words. This wasn’t just a question of effectiveness—it was almost too good to be true.

…

Deng Qiang was speechless for a long moment. “So the results are immediate?”

Lu Yu considered. “If you only look at the surface, yes—you’ll see some wrinkles diminish right away. But it’s not as miraculous as you imagine. A fifty-year-old’s wrinkles won’t vanish instantly; it’s more that the skin contracts more noticeably.”

“It’s like ironing a wrinkled shirt—you’ll see improvement, but it won’t look brand new.”

“To truly replenish the skin’s collagen, you need to use it regularly and eat foods that are rich in collagen.”

Deng Qiang paced, digesting Lu Yu’s explanation, and finally spoke with excitement, “Lu, we’re going to hit it big! Once we launch this product, everyone over thirty will be scrambling to buy it.”

“And this time, the customer base isn’t just women—many men will want it too. More importantly, their purchasing power is strong!”

“I think four production lines won’t be enough. With our plans to enter the international market next year, even eight lines may be too few!”

Tang Zhiming, listening on the side, grew more and more amazed. Though Fenbai Daihei’s previous two products were impressive, nothing compared to this. A formula that could remove wrinkles and stimulate collagen production was practically the secret to youth itself.

As someone with research institute experience, Tang Zhiming was naturally curious about the underlying principles. But he quickly realized Lu Yu wouldn’t disclose them—not even Deng Qiang knew. So he suppressed his curiosity, feeling increasingly satisfied with his job at the company. Who wouldn’t want their organization to thrive?

…

Lu Yu said, “Expanding production lines is easy, but the real issue is raw materials. If you can’t secure enough herbal ingredients, expanding production is useless. Focus first on resolving the supply of raw materials.”

Deng Qiang sobered up. “Right, right. Tomorrow, I’ll call our suppliers and arrange to sign new contracts. We’ll take as much as they can produce, as long as it meets our standards.”

Lu Yu nodded. “Rest assured, for the next six months I won’t be pulling funds from the company. Don’t rush to expand production lines either—use all available capital to stabilize the supply chain.”

“If you don’t have enough raw materials, how can you expand to foreign markets?”

Deng Qiang nodded repeatedly. “You’re absolutely right, Lu. I got carried away; it’s just that this new product is too incredible—it’s like turning back the clock!”

Tang Zhiming chuckled, “I was just thinking the same thing. When the new product launches, my wife will probably threaten me with a kitchen knife, demanding I call Deng for help getting it. It’ll be almost impossible to buy online.”

Lu Yu and Deng Qiang both laughed heartily. Afterward, Lu Yu said, “When the first batch comes off the line, every employee will receive some as a benefit.”

Both Deng Qiang and Tang Zhiming agreed enthusiastically.

Lu Yu then suggested that since it was late and they hadn’t eaten, they should go out for a late-night snack. Deng Qiang and Tang Zhiming readily agreed, and the three of them left the industrial park together.

They found a nearby barbecue restaurant, eating grilled skewers and drinking ice-cold beer—a perfect way to cool off on a summer night.

They ate and drank until past midnight, then each took a room at a nearby business hotel. How Deng Qiang and Tang Zhiming explained their absence to their families was a mystery Lu Yu didn’t trouble himself with.

…

The next morning, the three washed up and had breakfast together before heading to the company.

Tang Zhiming returned to the laboratory, though his workload was light—he mostly oversaw a few employees maintaining the lab and had little else to do.

Deng Qiang went back to his post and first convened a management meeting. After stressing the importance of confidentiality, he briefed the managers on the new product.

The executives were stunned into silence for a long time before the news sank in, after which heated discussions erupted.

Once the managers had discussed for a while, Deng Qiang laid out the work plan for the rest of the year, emphasizing the crucial task for the procurement department: renegotiating contracts to ensure a stable supply of raw materials for expanded production and international market entry.

Finally, he hinted that starting next year, 0.9% of the company’s total annual profit would go into the bonus pool. How much each manager received would depend on their contributions, and the detailed reward mechanism would be announced soon.

The managers, knowing better than anyone how competitive the company’s products were, were fired up by the news. With the addition of a new anti-wrinkle product, next year’s profits were bound to soar, and 0.9% was a significant bonus.

All pledged to work even harder and not slack off.

After assigning tasks, Deng Qiang ended the meeting, and the managers eagerly returned to their duties.

…

Lu Yu returned to the company and went straight to the production workshop. He fine-tuned the first production line until it was perfect, then began modifying the other three lines.

With the experience from the first, the subsequent modifications went much faster, but even so, by day’s end, he had only completed one more line, leaving the rest for the following day.

After finishing the modifications tomorrow, each line would need a trial run and sample testing. Once all samples passed inspection and the quality control equipment was calibrated, large-scale production could begin.

…