In Western expression, this might be thought of as being at the " Coal face ... of building something.

However, at the core or foundation of Chinese creation; we need to build:

Guānxi, Keqi  &  Lian

Guanxi    關係 or 关系  In Western sensibility would probably be simply represented by having a favourable relationship; either personal or business.

And it can further be expanded to describing a network of contacts, which can be called upon when something needs to be done ( perhaps even in Western logic - an old boy network ).

At the heart of all this though, there is little point, unless such a relationship is trusting; and the Chinese have an advanced concept in two further measures:

That of ganqing and renqing.

Ganqing being a measure reflecting the depth of feeling, in such a relationship. " Good ganqing."  感情

Renqing being the moral obligation, to maintain, such a relationship.

Then, once these cornerstones are in place and foundered; people will be able to exchange building blocks or favours, with those whom they have built up guanxi.   In Western terms this could be described as reciprocity.

Central to these is the Western translated qualities necessary to form such a structure; humility and modesty or in Chinese Keqi

No, hardly just what the face looks like...

In Chinese terms, it means lian & mianzi.

Lian 臉 or 脸 , which represents the confidence of society in a person's moral character; and

Mianzi  面子 , which represents the social perceptions of a person's prestige.

So, as we proceed; let us not forget to Give Face and to Save Face, by: