Chapter 49
◎ After feeding the pigeons, Bei Bitang walked to the outskirts of People's Square and passed by an English corner.
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After feeding the pigeons, Bei Bitang walked towards the outskirts of People's Square and passed by an English corner.
A girl with short hair asked her companion who was wearing a watch, and her face suddenly became anxious.
She turned around suddenly and bumped into Bei Bitang unexpectedly, and the book in her hand fell to the ground.
The short-haired girl looked apologetic and said hurriedly: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm really sorry..."
The moment she bumped into someone, Bei Bitang bent down to protect herself.
Listening to the other party's repeated apologies, she stood up and picked up the book on the ground casually.
Bei Bitang paused and looked at the words "Department of Mathematics, East China Normal University..." on the cover. She couldn't help but think with a smile that she was so lucky that all the college students were flocking to her.
Bei Bitang calmly handed the book to the short-haired girl and said, "It's okay."
Although she had completely finished with Xu Zeli, Bei Bitang felt inexplicably uneasy.
At noon that day, without any warning, Li Daqiang asked all the staff in the small vegetable market to gather in the open space in front of the management office for a meeting.
The sun is scorching and fierce.
What's more, everyone had been busy all morning and was standing under the scorching sun with empty stomachs. Everyone was whispering and in a state of agitation.
After waiting for a while, Li Daqiang slowly walked out of the office.
He was picking his teeth with a toothpick, looking like a wealthy landlord.
Bei Bitang looked up at him. After not seeing him for a few days, why did it seem that Li Daqiang had become more arrogant and pretentious? He used to be so polite to the old employees at the small vegetable market, but now he seemed to look down on everyone.
Li Daqiang stood in the middle of the steps, with his hands behind his back, and glanced down. His eyes fell on Bei Bitang for a moment, then he looked away.
He coughed lightly a few times and said loudly, "I called everyone here today mainly to discuss the development of small vegetable markets. Everyone knows that our small vegetable markets occupy a small area and don't have as many people as those large vegetable markets. Small vegetable markets are obviously located in residential areas, and they are located in the most densely populated Shikumen areas. Everyone, think about it, how can we attract more people to small vegetable markets?"
Li Daqiang's speech comes to an end.
Bei Bitang listened to the conversations next to her. They were discussing something, but the topic was about what kind of food she had brought today.
Many people were still grumbling, "Li Daqiang isn't even an official, and yet this isn't over yet. Is this really necessary? Just disperse and let them go to lunch."
The volume in the open space was quite loud, but no one raised their hand to speak.
Li Daqiang waited for a moment, feeling somewhat embarrassed, so he had no choice but to call on someone and said, "Then Jin Jianghai, you come first. Tell us what good suggestions you have to help our small vegetable market develop."
Jin Jianghai said nonchalantly, "Director Li, I'm just a fishmonger. How could I possibly understand the work you guys do in an office?"
The veteran employees at the market weren't afraid of Li Daqiang; they had a strong following and knew how to interact with customers. Without them, Li Daqiang would have been waiting around from morning till night, handling disputes at the market.
Li Daqiang turned his head helplessly and looked at another old employee who was buying dry goods.
The salesperson who was selling dry goods curled his lips and said, "Director Li, you see, I'm useless. I just want to go eat now. I can't think of anything else."
Li Daqiang said angrily, "As members of the small vegetable market, you all have no ambition. No wonder our small vegetable market doesn't even have a name when it comes to people outside!"
The old employees still looked indifferent, but the younger employees blushed.
A younger salesperson mustered up the courage to say, "Director Li, you have to set an example for us. We're just selling goods and collecting money. If you don't even mention any specific areas for improvement, how can we have any ideas?"
Li Daqiang looked a little embarrassed. He calmed down and said, "Let me first talk about how those famous large vegetable markets are doing it. They each have their own most distinctive characteristics."
"Some markets clean and chop the vegetables, and combine the meat and vegetables. You can just buy them and stir-fry them straight away, making it convenient for newlyweds. Others allow people to make reservations and pay a deposit a day in advance, allowing dual-income families to pick up their groceries after get off work without worrying about running out of food. And some large markets deliver groceries directly to your door, and if you need a large enough quantity, you can even pool with neighbors."
Someone praised out loud, "They really think well!"
Li Daqiang felt embarrassed again, so he simply stopped talking about the advantages of those big vegetable markets.
He paused and continued, "I've said so much, what do you want to say? You can't have none, right?"
How could there not be? The people below exchanged glances with the person closest to him in the small vegetable market.
We all eat the same food, do the same work, and have similar intelligence.
Even if you don't have any ideas, you can always just copy others and learn from those big vegetable markets that are doing well, right?
But this would make everyone's workload even more tedious. According to Li Daqiang, even without any additional bonuses, the monthly pay would still be the same.
What's the point of talking about that? Whether there are many or few customers, what does it have to do with these front-line salespeople?
Everyone kept silent, and Li Daqiang couldn't pry their mouths open.
Seeing Li Daqiang's grim expression, a salesperson who was not very experienced said, "Director Li, those big vegetable markets you mentioned can do it, but our small vegetable market doesn't have enough staff to do it."
Others also echoed, "That's right, Director Li, we are short of people and can't spare anyone, so we won't do that."
Li Daqiang snorted coldly and said with some disdain: "I knew you guys were unreliable. What about the young people? You are the future backbone of various industries."
Bei Bitang listened and had a bad feeling in her heart.
Sure enough, the next second, Li Daqiang said, "Bei Bitang, you are the youngest, you tell me something."
Bei Bitang's mind raced, trying to figure out how to get away with it.
She could have expressed her thoughts if she had them, otherwise she would have offended her colleagues. But if she didn't, Li Daqiang would be petty, and if he took it to heart, he would make things difficult for her, and she would have to accept it.
Bei Bitang thought of her friendly colleagues and decided to offend Li Daqiang.
Bei Bitang raised her head, looked at Li Daqiang, and said apologetically, "Director Li, I'm stupid and can't think of it."
After saying that, Bei Bitang lowered her head and acted introverted and timid.
Li Daqiang kept on rambling and trying to find trouble for them, and everyone's stomachs were rumbling with hunger. Some of the experienced people looked angry, and the next second, they were about to open their mouths and scold Li Daqiang.
In order to avoid embarrassing himself, Li Daqiang quickly got to the point of the day. He said proudly, "I have a good idea."
After saying that, Li Daqiang looked at everyone, waiting for someone to hand him a ladder.
There was silence and no one responded.
Li Daqiang cleared his throat awkwardly. His eyes fell on Bei Bitang and he said, "Our small market has no money and no staff. I heard that some markets have people who clean the public toilets every hour. There are only two small toilets in our small market, so I was thinking if we could assign someone to learn how to clean them once an hour. That would be the easiest thing for our small market to do."
The public toilets in the small vegetable market are cleaned only once at night by cleaners from the corresponding street.
In addition to the internal employees of the small vegetable market, there are also many customers who use the public toilets, which is a dirty and tiring job.
Bei Bitang felt an overwhelming sense of crisis and she wished she could find someone to stand in front of her so that Li Daqiang couldn't see her.
Someone objected, saying, "Director Li, I don't accept your proposal. Who would buy groceries just for a clean toilet?"
If this suggestion is implemented, younger people are afraid that this task will fall on them.
There was more than one person who objected.
Li Daqiang's face darkened and he shouted coldly, "Quiet!"
The young man fell silent, but after a few seconds, the sound of light talking could still be heard.
Li Daqiang said confidently, "Do you think I'm just sitting around holding this meeting? Our small market has the fewest staff and the worst benefits. It's been tough on everyone these past few years, and I see it with my own eyes, and I'm worried. So, I invited my old classmates to dinner at Wang Baohe, and they told me that they're allocating a significant amount of special funds to expand the market's operating area and alleviate the food and drink needs of the growing urban population."
Li Daqiang patiently offered guidance, "Think about it! If we improve the sanitation of our restrooms, people will praise them and want to visit. Or if our reputation spreads, everyone will want to use the restrooms in our small vegetable market. Then we'll have people and a reputation, and we won't have to worry about not getting the word out to higher authorities. Even if our small vegetable market gets just a small share of this funding, it will be enough to open a few more stalls and create a dozen permanent jobs."
Upon hearing this, everyone's previous sullen expression changed, and their faces lit up with eagerness. That was a highly sought-after, hard-to-find official job. What household didn't have an unemployed young person these days? Sometimes there were more than one.
Even if there is a glimmer of hope, it is worth a try.
Someone immediately asked, "Director Li, are we going to take turns cleaning the toilets? Or are we going to draw lots to assign someone?"
Someone else said, "Director Li, this is a job for women. If we men went into the women's restroom to clean it, we'd be dragged off to the police station by the old ladies."
The female comrades became angry when they heard this and started cursing.
The atmosphere became lively, and Li Daqiang smiled proudly.
He pressed his hands down, signaling, "Everyone, be quiet. I've already had some ideas about who to choose. This job needs to be done by young people. Young people, after all, endure hardships first and enjoy happiness later. Otherwise, how can we build the country?! Besides, some of them haven't started families or even partners yet. After get off work, they have a much easier time than those of us who have elderly parents and young children to support. So, this job should be done by young people. Don't you agree?"
At this time, don’t worry about the relationship between master and apprentice, this is a real benefit.
The old employees all said yes, but the young people dared not speak out.
Some masters and apprentices who have a bad relationship even take the initiative to ask their own apprentices to come, while the apprentices look at their masters with hatred.
Bei Bitang couldn't help but look at Jin Jianghai. Jin Jianghai frowned, but didn't say anything. Bei Bitang felt relieved.
Li Daqiang stroked his chin and said loudly, "Since they're young, of course we have to choose the youngest one. Then let Comrade Bei Bitang do it! If everyone agrees, then it's settled! After dinner, Bei Bitang will start her post."
Bei Bitang felt dizzy and when she came to her senses, everyone was looking at her with different expressions.
Some are sympathetic, some are grateful, some are gloating, and some are worried.
Bei Bitang stared at Li Daqiang above him, but Li Daqiang was not afraid of the powerless Bei Bitang.
He waved his hand and said, "Okay, the meeting is over. Let's all go eat. It's easier to get back to work after dinner."
The crowd dispersed, and even Jin Jianghai left without saying anything.
There were fewer and fewer people around Bei Bitang, until she was the only one left.
Li Daqiang walked over to her and said with a smile, "Bei Bitang, you must do a good job and clean both toilets spotlessly. This is a task assigned to you by the organization, and it reflects my trust and importance in you. Please don't let me down and disappoint everyone's expectations."
Bei Bitang twitched her lips and said in a hoarse voice, "Thank you so much, Director Li."
Li Daqiang said shamelessly, "Then I'll take this thank you. Actually, Comrade Xiaobei, there's another person you should thank."
Bei Bitang stared at Li Daqiang without moving her dark eyes.
Li Daqiang straightened his body and said with a smile, "Do you remember Miss Zeng who came to the small vegetable market that day?"
Bei Bitang remained silent.
Li Daqiang snorted coldly and said, "The person you should be most grateful to is actually Miss Zeng. It's a pity that you will never have the chance to say thank you to her in person in this lifetime."
Li Daqiang told Bei Bitang everything he needed to say.
Bei Bitang seemed to feel no pain. She bit her lips so hard that her tongue bled.
Bei Bitang was the last one to eat that day, but the first one to finish eating.
Bei Bitang went to the sink, quickly washed the aluminum lunch box, spun it dry, closed the lid, and walked out.
She wanted to find a place to be quiet and calm down.
Just as she was about to turn the corner, she heard voices in front of her and heard them mention her name.
Bei Bitang couldn't help but stop and stand in the corner, out of sight, to listen to what they wanted to say.
Someone stood up for Bei Bitang and said, "Li Daqiang must have something going on. He wants to punish Bei Bitang."
Someone said disapprovingly, "That's just how Li Daqiang is. He acts a bit arrogant from time to time, but he doesn't dare mess with us. He can only mess with the younger generation. Bei Bitang just happened to run into him. It's no big deal."
Someone chuckled a few times, then lowered their voice and said maliciously, "Bei Bitang is so beautiful, and she doesn't have a man. Could it be that Li Daqiang wants to take advantage of her, but Bei Bitang doesn't want to, so Li Daqiang is angry that she doesn't appreciate his kindness and wants to use some tricks to make her submit?"
Someone sneered and said, "Have you heard too much opera? You think Li Daqiang is an ancient bully who forcibly snatched women? He is also a master, and he has a tigress at home. It's not worth it just to touch her hand."
Someone agreed, saying, "Li Daqiang and I entered the small vegetable market at the same time. I know him well. He has no ulterior motives, he just wants to be flattered, likes to hear compliments, and is obsessed with promotion."
Someone said disdainfully: "What a promotion! He'll end up being the manager of a small vegetable market in his lifetime."
Someone sighed and said, "Comrade Bei is weak and young. I heard she has three sisters and a widowed mother. She has no support. Wouldn't Li Daqiang be able to bully her?"
Someone smarter said, "I think this is more complicated than that. Bei Bitang must have offended someone. That person is probably someone powerful and is using Li Daqiang to seek revenge."
Someone suddenly had an idea and said, "Hey, now that you mention it, I remember that young woman who came to our place to give us some money. Li Daqiang was so enthusiastic towards her that day. It was really unbearable to look at her. Tsk, tsk, could it be her?"
Someone said, "Your apprentice, Xiao Xu, gets along well with the people in the office. Ask him to find out."
…
After hearing this, Bei Bitang felt that there was no need to continue eavesdropping.
She tiptoed, took a few steps back, and then walked heavily on purpose, making footsteps.
At the noise, the voices died down.
They looked back and saw Bei Bitang coming out from behind. Someone asked with a smile, "Bitang, have you finished your meal so soon?"
Bei Bitang nodded slightly and said with a smile, "Yeah, I'm done eating."
Bei Bitang had never used the toilet in the small vegetable market, and she always waited until she got home from get off work to go to the toilet.
Wearing a thick gauze mask and holding a broom, Bei Bitang came to the public toilet and realized what real dirt was.
The area selling chicken, duck, fish and meat was nothing compared to the public restroom. Bei Bitang didn't even have the courage to enter the men's restroom.
She borrowed an extra hood from her colleague and covered her hair tightly without leaving a single strand exposed.
Bei Bitang entered the women's restroom first, overcame difficulties, flushed what needed to be flushed, picked up what needed to be picked up, and swept what needed to be swept.
After all this, Bei Bitang was sweating profusely and retching in the ventilated area outside the toilet.
After getting a little more comfortable, Bei Bitang waited at the men's restroom door for a moment. She then shouted into the restroom, "Is anyone else in there?! I'm going in to clean up! If anyone's there and doesn't say anything, I'll call the thugs and call the police!"
Bei Bitang waited for a while, but no one responded from inside.
She closed her eyes, gritted her teeth and rushed in.
The next second, Bei Bitang rushed out of the men's restroom again. She tore off her mask, held onto the wall, and vomited continuously.
This vomiting made Bei Bitang's face pale and she felt weak and powerless.
But luckily there was really no one in the men's restroom and no one teased her.
Bei Bitang finally stopped vomiting. With tears in her eyes, she looked up at the sun, guessing that the afternoon customers were about to arrive. If she didn't go into the men's room to clean it, things would be troublesome.
Bei Bitang held her breath tightly and went back into the men's restroom with a fearless attitude.
When Bei Bitang came out of the men's restroom, sweating profusely and with dull eyes, as if she had died once, she was shocked to find Li Daqiang waiting for her outside with a smile on his face.
Li Daqiang firmly remembered Bei Bitang's miserable appearance in his mind, and would call Miss Zeng later to let her remember his contribution.
Bei Bitang didn't bother looking at Li Daqiang. She wasn't afraid of offending him anymore. What could he do to her if he offended her again? She had already been reduced to sweeping toilets.
Bei Bitang walked past Li Daqiang expressionlessly and wanted to go to the bathroom to wash her hands.
Li Daqiang called her over, but arrogantly didn't even turn around. He said, "Bei Bitang, stop. I need to tell you something. Remember your mission: clean two toilets once an hour. Don't cut corners. Our small market can't compete with the big ones. If you slack off and mess this up, and we can't get the funding, I'll hold a criticism meeting for you. Also, I'll supervise you and make sure you complete this job meticulously. Didn't you hear me clearly?!"
Li Daqiang shouted the last sentence.
After a long time, there was no response from Bei Bitang.
Li Daqiang looked back angrily.
Where are the people?! I can’t even see Bei Bitang’s back!
The work content has changed, but everyone seems to have remained the same. They still talk to her with a smile and treat her the same as before.
Bei Bitang felt much better.
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