Chapter 20 The Opportunity Has Arrived
It wasn't until the end of April that the fan factory finally decided to add a washing machine production workshop.
Now that the project is confirmed, the next step is to select a site to build the workshop. The fan factory is not large in scale, but it has a large internal area and plenty of open space, which is more than enough to build a workshop.
The workshop needs to be built, equipment needs to be purchased, and staff needs to be trained. Given the fan factory's current pace of development, it would be good if production could begin in two years after all this work.
Director Zhao and Director Zhang were the first group to be arranged to visit and learn from other washing machine factories.
With the peak season approaching and the fan factory about to get busy, several key department heads were assigned to long business trips.
With the quality inspection department suddenly without a leader, Yao Fanghua's position immediately became apparent.
This trip would last two or three months, and Zhang Hua had to make a brief handover with Yao Fanghua before leaving on his business trip.
He both hoped that Yao Fanghua, this hothead, would make big mistakes and small ones, and that no matter how big the mistake, she would hold on until he came back.
In short, after his departure, the situation in the quality inspection department should ideally highlight his abilities and importance without creating a mess that would hinder his training opportunities. If the quality inspection department truly becomes unusable, allowing Yao Fanghua to steal the training opportunity, then that would be a net loss.
Before leaving, Zhang Hua treated Zhang Zhihui to a meal and told him to keep an eye on the phone on his desk, as he would call back. He also told Zhang Hua that he would give him his contact information as soon as he settled in at the Nanhua factory, and asked Zhang Zhihui to keep an eye on the quality control department and call him if anything happened.
As soon as Zhang Hua left, Yao Fanghua knew her opportunity had arrived. For the past two months, Zhang Hua might have been in the workshop or elsewhere; aside from seeing the director once in the morning, she was practically never seen during the day. Whether intentional or not, Yao Fanghua hadn't been involved in any work-related matters besides the daily reports in the office, and Zhang Hua hadn't assigned her any tasks. But Yao Fanghua's daily visits to the workshop weren't in vain; she had long since figured out the quality inspectors' daily work and inspection standards, and had even become acquainted with two of the quality inspection team leaders.
From that moment on, she was in charge of the quality control department for the next few months, at least on the surface. Before she could even get started, the next day was Labor Day, and the entire factory was given a day off.
During the handover, Yao Fanghua took notes, noting down the general work items. As far as she knew, Director Zhang's explanation was incomplete and not specific enough, so the specifics still needed to be learned through practice.
Taking advantage of the holiday, she decided to take the opportunity to organize her thoughts. She listed all the known tasks for the quality control department, adding notes on important points. After sorting everything out, she went to Wu Peng's house to relax. She planned to have a nice meal that evening, and that was how she spent her day off.
Early in the morning, Yao Fanghua directed Yao Fangyuan to take off the bed sheets and duvet covers to wash them, and to air out the quilts. She also told Yao Fangyuan to take out the clothes she had bought last week and wash them, since the weather was getting warmer and she might be able to wear them next week.
Upon hearing Yao Fanghua instructing her to do chores, Yao Fangyuan's eyes lit up. She jumped up and immediately climbed to the upper bunk to remove the sheets and duvet cover. She also grabbed a few pieces of clothing, intending to wash them first. Although she also coveted these clothes, she didn't have the money to buy them. She approached Li Chunying, who shrugged and said she could make them for her, but she would have to pay for the fabric herself. But Yao Fangyuan had some money on hand now; she had saved up over ten yuan.
Li Chunying now owns a sewing machine, and she resolutely refuses to buy ready-made products if she knows how to make something using a sewing machine.
Yao Fangyuan felt her life was miserable. Her own mother hadn't been like this before; now that she'd saved a little money, she was constantly nitpicking over everything. Sometimes, in a fit of pique, Yao Fangyuan even considered giving all the money from her secret stash to her mother and going back to the old days. But holding onto the money, she couldn't bear to part with it, especially since she was earning a few yuan every now and then. In short, she really couldn't bear to part with the money that was in her pocket!
Yao Fangyuan diligently washed the clothes, thinking that since she had earned this much money today, she would go and buy a piece of floral fabric. No, no, she should buy a plain one. Her sister's shirt was plain, with small blue and white checks. It looked really good with jeans, so fashionable, no less so than Yao Fangfang's flashy ones.
Her sister used a piece of floral fabric to tie her hair, it was absolutely amazing.
Yao Weimin said her sister knows a lot of foreigners. Could it be that she learned it from foreigners? When will her sister introduce her to a foreigner?
While washing clothes, Yao Fangyuan was lost in thought.
"Director Yao, is this Director Yao's house?" Li Lian's husband knocked on the door at just the right time. If he came too early, he was afraid the person hadn't gotten up yet; if he came too late, he was afraid the person had already left. So he had been lingering in the alley since seven o'clock. He guessed that the person should have had breakfast by now, and finally knocked on the door of the tenement courtyard around eight o'clock.
Honestly, giving gifts requires much more thought than receiving them, a conclusion Li Lian's husband reached after profound experience.
"Director Yao? Director!?" Upon hearing the word "director," everyone in the courtyard perked up and looked towards the gate. What was going on? When did a director appear in the courtyard? Had they called the wrong person? They should be looking for Section Chief Yu.
Just as Zhong Huai was about to point to the Yu family, he saw the man stop his bicycle with a big smile and head towards Yao Fanghua, who was walking out the door.
Apart from Bai Hui hearing her daughter mention it briefly, almost no one in the compound knew that a section chief had emerged from their compound. Yao Weimin, having been instructed by his sister, dared not boast about it openly.
"You must be Director Yao. I'm Li Lian's husband, Wang Chaoyang." Wang Chaoyang had already found out the location of Yao Fanghua's house, and seeing that the person matched his wife's description, he easily recognized her. Upon meeting her, he realized that she was even more elegant than his wife had described.
Seeing that the visitor was empty-handed, Yao Fanghua's expression softened, and she smiled as she extended her hand to shake hands. If he had brought something, she feared the whole alley would have heard about her arguing and declining, and even if she publicly refused, people would probably still gossip about her behind her back. She always felt that no one truly wished others well, especially not someone they knew who had suddenly become friendly; they would always harbor a great deal of malice. Jealousy is a devil, absolutely true. She didn't want to be accused of secretly accepting bribes by everyone.
Seeing that Wang Chaoyang was sensible, Yao Fanghua asked Yao Weimin to make tea. The two went into the main room to talk.
"I've heard Li Lian mention you before, and I've been meaning to visit you," Wang Chaoyang said, accepting the tea and expressing his gratitude.
Yao Weimin moved a stool and sat down next to her. It was the first time he had encountered someone visiting him like this, and he forced himself not to show any fear so as to save face for his sister.
Li Chunying and Yao Deyi didn't dare to approach, especially Yao Deyi, who sat at a distance like a quail; anyone who didn't know better would think Wang Chaoyang was his section chief. Of course, Wang Chaoyang was indeed a junior staff member in the organization, and his speech was quite presentable.
Yao Fanghua: "You're too kind. What brings you here?" Li Lian is about to give birth; it's probably about this.
“As you know, Li Lian is about to give birth.” Wang Chaoyang took out a hospital prenatal checkup report. “This was done yesterday, and her condition isn’t good. Sigh, she’s getting more and more anxious and keeps having nightmares. During yesterday’s checkup, the doctor told her to rest in bed and not to overthink things.”
Wang Chaoyang looked worried, his complexion somewhat sallow, clearly indicating he hadn't rested well lately. He knew it wouldn't be good to ask for leave at a time like this; if people misunderstood, thinking they were deliberately opposing her, the newly appointed department head, that would be disastrous. Asking for leave right after she took office—what did that mean? Was he deliberately sabotaging her? Making things difficult for her? Or was he dissatisfied with her taking power? Wang Chaoyang felt a little uneasy, so he needed to appear genuinely sincere.
Yao Fanghua took a sip of tea, seemingly wanting to take early leave. Yao Fanghua didn't mind; she knew Li Lian's job inside and out, and could finish it in half an hour, or even less, each day. Besides, Li Lian usually only worked half-days anyway. Whether she came or not made no difference to her, and she didn't intend to make things difficult for Li Lian. Of course, she also didn't think Li Lian was trying to make things difficult for her, since she knew a little about Li Lian's pregnancy, which wasn't looking too good. However, Wang Chaoyang still needed to ask for leave himself.
Seeing that Yao Fanghua remained silent and showed no signs of dissatisfaction or anger, Wang Chaoyang carefully considered his words and said, "I'm thinking of letting Li Lian take half a month of sick leave."
Two months of maternity leave is far from enough. Not only should Li Lian take leave for the two weeks before giving birth, but she should also take leave after giving birth. He wants her to take a full six months off. Nothing is more important than the child. The child must be taken care of first and raised properly.
Taking sick leave or personal leave will definitely result in a pay cut, but the pay cut is secondary. The key is not to offend this deputy director, and also to keep my job. That's Wang Chaoyang's main purpose in coming today. Now that Zhang Hua is not here, we'll see what kind of person Director Yao Fanghua is, and whether she'll cover for me during this period.
"Yes, your health is the most important thing. Take good care of yourself at home. Don't forget to let me know when Sister Xiaolian gives birth; I'll definitely go to congratulate her."
Wang Chaoyang was delighted. This Yao Fanghua was easier to deal with than Zhang Hua, and she wasn't as pedantic. After all, she was new to the workforce and very honest! Seeing that Yao Fanghua readily agreed to the leave without showing any anger or dissatisfaction, Wang Chaoyang finally felt relieved. His wife was right; this Director Yao was a good person.
"Definitely, definitely. I'll treat you to the full moon celebration then." After drinking a cup of tea, Wang Chaoyang got up to take his leave.
He shook hands with Yao Fanghua.
Yao Fanghua felt a foreign object in her palm as soon as she grasped it. A small pancake.
"Please take good care of Li Lian's matter, Director Yao. She always tells me that the people in the Quality Inspection Department are all very nice, and she is very reluctant to leave the Quality Inspection Department."
Yao Fanghua tried to push, but instead the other party skillfully pulled her hand away, allowing her to hold the item.
A room full of eyes...
A yard full of prying eyes...
At this time, no abnormality should be shown.
Wang Chaoyang had already stepped over the threshold and left the house.
Yao Fanghua saw him off with a blank expression.
"Director Yao, please go back now. I'll visit you again when I have the chance."
The entire courtyard was once again stunned by the name "Director Yao".
Yao Fanghua went back inside, and everyone in the yard surrounded Yao Weimin. Zhong Er, in particular, hooked his arm around Yao Weimin's neck and demanded that he tell him what had happened, or they could forget about being buddies.
Yao Weimin's shoulder ached from the pressure, and he quickly begged for mercy, "Deputy Director, Deputy Director, my sister said it's Deputy Director." Anyway, it's all out in the open now. This isn't him showing off; everyone knows. He only told people when they asked.
"You become a deputy director as soon as you enter the factory?" Zhong Er asked incredulously.
"Mmm." Yao Weimin felt relieved; he'd finally peed, he'd been holding it in for so long. He even wagged his tail afterward, "Tsk, my sister was always a good student, very smart. Humph, back then you all said school was useless, studying was useless." What good is being good at studying? What good is being pretty? You still have to toil in the fields for food, that's fate. He'd heard them say that behind his back. It was as if his sister deserved her miserable life.
"Damn it, is it even too late for me to catch up with my studies now!" Zhong Er wailed. He'd better be more respectful to Sister Hua Hua from now on. Which bastard told him Sister Hua Hua worked in the factory?!
Zhong Er scanned the area, finally settling on Yao Fangyuan, who was equally shocked.
The Yao family was stunned for a long time, let alone others.
Yao Fangyuan burst into tears. She didn't want to work to earn money anymore; she wanted to study and go to university!
Li Chunying was still a little dizzy. Her eldest daughter had become a leader? She became a leader just by going to university? Recalling the scene of Yao Fanghua interacting with people just now, she felt that her daughter had become a completely different person. Indeed, her daughter was no longer the same as before. At this moment, she felt that Yao Fanghua's figure had become taller and more imposing.
Hearing Yao Fangyuan's wailing, Li Chunying immediately stepped forward, "Then you should go study quickly, Mom will wash these. Your sister gave you a few yuan, give the money to Mom as well." If you don't earn this money, Mom will.
Yao Fangyuan: ...She's really going to cry this time. Is this her own mother? Instead of comforting her, she's even stealing her money!
Clutching the clothes tightly, Yao Fanghua continued washing, tears streaming down her face. Studying wasn't urgent; she needed to earn those three silver dollars first.
Besides, studying is too difficult. Yao Fangyuan was about to cry again.
Not only was Yao Fangyuan a little angry and cried, but Yao Fangfang was also so angry that she didn't eat much lunch, threw down her chopsticks, and went back to her bedroom.
Fang Guizhi muttered under her breath, "So what if he became a section chief? He's just a deputy section chief at a small factory, nowhere near as good as the machinery factory. What's there to hide? He's so petty! What future can he have? I think that's the end of his road."
Uncle Yao glared at her. "Eating won't shut you up. Be more polite to your sister-in-law in the future, don't say whatever comes to mind. And when you see Hua Hua, you have to smile, even if you have to fake it." His Yao family were all ordinary workers in the machine factory, and no one in two generations had ever risen through the ranks. A department head—that was someone who could decide their fate. So what if it was a small factory? They were still department heads; so what if they were deputy department heads? They were still leaders. And then there was Wei Liang, who was still unemployed. He was so worried about finding a job that he might have to ask Hua Hua for help.
When Grandpa Yao learned that Yao Fanghua had become a section chief, he immediately smiled and gave her a ten-yuan red envelope.
He gave it all outright. Anyone who was jealous could come to him. Although he lived with the eldest son, he cooked for himself and covered all his expenses; he didn't rely on anyone or depend on anyone's whims. The money was his, and he could give it to whomever he wanted. It has to be said, wealthy old people live with dignity.
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