Fated Deception: How I Accidentally Married a Nine-Tailed Fox

 Chapter 28: Recognition

“What’s this young comrade’s name?” 

The Forging Bureau’s director addressed Lu Yuan with unexpected warmth. Being called “comrade” by someone of his stature was no small honor.

Lu Yuan adopted a modest expression. “I’m Lu Yuan, workshop craftsman at Innovation Factory.”

The director nodded approvingly before asking, “And your parents?”

Lu Yuan understood the underlying question. In this society, family background determined opportunity. During the chaos and war that marked Lu Yuan’s generation, education had been a luxury reserved for those with means or connections. For someone his age to speak a foreign language suggested privileged origins—perhaps court officials, intellectuals, or those who had studied abroad.

“My parents were merchants,” Lu Yuan replied with a carefully crafted humility. “They were attacked by bandits in the south years ago and never returned. I taught myself English, though not very well, as you just witnessed.”

His response visibly surprised the assembled leaders.

“Self-taught?” The Forging Bureau director’s expression shifted to one of genuine admiration. “Remarkable. Such ambition in one so young.”

Turning to the factory leader, he continued, “Your Innovation Factory harbors impressive talent. This young man deserves recognition—a model for all your workers to emulate.”

The factory leaders nodded enthusiastically, basking in the reflected praise.

After the Forging Bureau officials and the young translator departed, Lu Yuan accompanied the factory leadership back toward Innovation Factory. Along the way, they inquired about his personal circumstances—his residence, his specific workshop assignment. The factory director made a point of mentioning that once the OEM agreement was finalized, Lu Yuan would receive a formal commendation at a factory-wide meeting.

Inwardly, Lu Yuan smirked. Classic opportunism—they wouldn’t celebrate him until they secured what they wanted. Still, he hadn’t stepped forward for recognition. The system reward was what truly mattered.

By the time they returned, afternoon break had begun. Workers from every workshop milled about, smoking and stretching in the fresh air. The sight reminded Lu Yuan of his workshop director—that perpetually dissatisfied older man who had been targeting him lately.

The workshop director embodied a common workplace archetype: the petty tyrant who treated minor authority like precious currency, manipulating subordinates through alternating criticism and sparse praise. His techniques—what modern Earth would call “workplace PUA”—aimed to extract maximum effort while dangling the possibility of advancement.

As someone transplanted from Earth, Lu Yuan had refused to play along. He worked precisely the required hours, no more. When told that the day’s quota wasn’t complete and the night shift would need proper handover, Lu Yuan would simply claim a stomachache and leave.

For the past two weeks since his arrival in this world, Lu Yuan had been the workshop director’s persistent irritation. Despite the director’s attempts to find fault, Lu Yuan managed to be just adequate enough in his work that no formal complaints could stick. The director resorted to sarcastic comments during roll call, which Lu Yuan pretended not to hear.

Today, however, was different. Lu Yuan had simply walked out without permission—a clear violation that the director could finally use against him.

“Sir,” Lu Yuan addressed the factory leaders, “I left this morning without requesting leave from my workshop director…”

The factory director immediately understood. “Don’t worry about that. Director Liu will explain the situation.” With a smile, he added, “Take the award certificate. While the formal commendation meeting depends on the bureau’s decision, our factory recognizes excellence immediately.”

Director Liu, walking alongside them, nodded. “Workshop 9, correct? I’ll head there as soon as I’ve settled some matters.”

Thanking them, Lu Yuan made his way back. By the time he arrived, break time had ended. As he approached the workshop entrance, the director physically blocked his path.

“You think you can do whatever you want?” the man spat. “Absent during working hours without permission!”

“Director,” Lu Yuan began innocently, “if you’d allow me to explain—”

But the workshop director had no interest in explanations. This moment of justified authority was too satisfying to dilute with excuses.

“Save your explanations! You’re done for today, miner!” With that, he slammed the workshop door shut.

Lu Yuan remained unbothered. In fact, being barred from work aligned perfectly with his preferences. His confidence stemmed from knowing what would happen next—Director Liu would arrive shortly.

Though both men held the title of “director,” they occupied vastly different hierarchical positions. Director Liu was a genuine department head, several levels above a mere workshop director.

Conventional workplace wisdom cautioned against appealing to higher management or antagonizing one’s direct supervisor. After all, Director Liu’s intervention was temporary—tomorrow, Lu Yuan would again answer to the workshop director, who would surely seek revenge for any perceived humiliation.

Yet as Lu Yuan stood there, a profound realization crystallized in his mind.

On Earth, he had been utterly ordinary—one unremarkable college student among countless graduates from prestigious universities. His skills and knowledge had been commonplace, his prospects limited.

But here, in this world? He possessed rare and valuable expertise. His knowledge made him exceptional, sought-after.

For the first time, Lu Yuan felt truly empowered. Here, he wasn’t just another replaceable worker—he was a resource worth competing for.

With newfound confidence, he smiled to himself. Let the workshop director try to punish him. Lu Yuan finally understood his own worth in this world.