Chapter 40 Having a Prosperous New Year

What's frustrating for Factory Director Yu isn't just the setbacks with the new production line. There's also the tight cash flow. It's the end of the year, and everyone's after him, eager to collect payments. Several key suppliers need to settle accounts, even though they've been very polite and invited him for drinks several times.

What's infuriating is that a seemingly insignificant company, a food delivery service for the canteen, sent an elderly woman to his office to cry and wail. It's a terrible example. Even if they, as a state-owned enterprise, truly owe them money, it's only temporary. Do they think they can just embezzle their money? Don't they have any trust in the country at all?

I still haven't received my salary this month. And with the Lunar New Year approaching, I need to give everyone New Year's gifts.

After dinner, Geng, the purchasing manager, came to Yu Jun's house.

He was Yu Jun's confidant; Yu Jun brought him with him when he was transferred to this factory.

The study was filled with smoke as the two men smoked one cigarette after another.

Yu Jun thought he would first move the money for the truck to the bank account, add some money from the books, settle some accounts, and use the rest to pay wages. He decided to postpone buying the truck until the factory was more profitable next year.

Is this just a New Year's gift? With money so tight, Yu Jun is still hesitating whether to give it or not.

"If you ask me, we should just deduct it. Five yuan from each person. Just say that the business is not doing well, and everyone is responsible. Let's tighten our belts. They all wish they could work half a day every day. The factory supports them, so what's there to complain about? On the same day that wages are paid and the money is deducted, we'll distribute the New Year's gifts. After they receive the gifts, they'll calculate the total, and it won't be much different. They won't cause any trouble; at most, they'll just curse a bit. They won't dare to make a big fuss."

Director Geng was thinking that if he deducted five yuan from each person's account, and the factory put two yuan into the account, he would report seven yuan in the bill, buy four yuan worth of New Year's gifts, and he and Lao Yu could earn three yuan per person. If they also took some kickbacks from the suppliers, this New Year could be a very profitable one.

Director Geng: "At worst, we can hold a skills test to scare them."

The two smoked for a while longer before finally settling the matter.

Yu Jun: "What's going on with that vegetable supplier? Settle her account immediately, or switch to another one."

"I've already talked to them. They're from a poor family, ignorant, unsophisticated, and arrogant. When the old lady heard we owed money, she panicked. Their husband has already taught them a lesson, and he even asked me to bring you a pack of cigarettes. You're very magnanimous, sir."

Director Geng lit another cigarette for Yu Jun and changed the subject, "So, Director Yao, did she really get promoted?" Yao Fanghua must have given Old Yu some benefits, right? This Director Yao is quite something; young as she is, she knows her stuff. Not some clueless hothead.

Yu Jun took a sip of tea. "It's a time when we need people, and the pressure from above is immense." If it weren't for Zhao Aiguo's stunt, he wouldn't be in this situation. Little Yao actually benefited; hopefully, she can achieve results soon.

“Xiao Yao is indeed talented. Even if I don’t mention it, I can’t control her. Why not make a good connection with her?”

Besides, sometimes we need technical support like this in this factory.

Director Geng nodded. That's true. Neither he nor Lao Yu understood the technology, and they'd suffered a lot at Zhao Aiguo's hands. Zhao Aiguo always used the guise of technology to interfere in production. And whatever requirements they made about the products, they had to be mindful of Zhao Aiguo's attitude; the guy would often use technical jargon they didn't understand to embarrass them. Nine out of ten of their requests were rejected. He'd had enough of that old bastard.

Yu Jun stubbed out his cigarette hard. "As long as we can get the washing machine out, the factory will be revived." He had originally only planned to withdraw completely, but Yao Fanghua gave him hope, so he decided to take a gamble. Maybe at his age, he could even go further!

"Don't worry, sir, I will definitely give you my full support." Director Geng knew in his heart that Yao Fanghua was practically one of his own.

…………

Yao Fanghua was poised for advancement, and while there were bound to be those who tripped her up, there was also a lot of sycophancy involved.

A double room finally became available, and it was the same double room that Yao Fanghua was living in alone. Lin Qiu personally delivered the key.

Upon learning that Yao Fanghua had been assigned a new dormitory, Director Geng specifically instructed his subordinates to purchase a set of bedding and all necessary daily necessities for her, such as a washbasin, thermos, and water cup.

Even though she doesn't stay in the dorm at night, she can rest at noon. She won't have to slouch on a chair at noon anymore; she can lie down in the dorm, how comfortable!

Needless to say, these visible improvements in treatment have made Yao Fanghua even more motivated.