"What are you doing in the factory manager's office?" Mr. Song asked, somewhat frightened.
Song's father reached out to stop Song Yan from knocking on the door.
Is Mr. Song slow-witted? He only remembered to ask why when he was already at the office door.
"Knock, knock, knock." Song Yan knocked on the door.
Mr. Song couldn't stop him.
A voice inside said, "Come in." Song Yan went in, and Song's father had no choice but to follow suit.
"Hello, Factory Director. I am Song Huaren's daughter. My family is currently facing difficulties and we would like to ask the factory for help." Song Yan bowed to Factory Director Ge.
The boy was young, but very composed, and Factory Director Ge had a very good impression of Song Yan. Not every factory director remembered every employee. But he knew Song Huaren; he was Song Huadong's second elder brother. Over the years, they had only fired one employee, Song Huadong.
Song Huaren only had one daughter, and she was sent to the countryside. Factory Director Ge knew about this because the Song family members weren't registered separately; they were all on the same household register. When the quota for their family's rural assignments was being determined, the eldest son had three sons, only one of whom was married. The other two were eligible to go to the countryside, but neither of them went. Instead, a girl who wasn't even old enough took their place. This was quite a strange sight in the factory at the time!
This must be the girl who went to the countryside!
"Every employee in the factory is one of our brothers and sisters. We will do our best to help them when they encounter difficulties." That's how a leader speaks.
Song Yan: "My mother is sick. I want to use her salary in advance to pay for her medical treatment. I hope the factory can agree to this."
"You want to get an advance on your salary?" Mr. Song hadn't expected this approach.
"Yes, Dad. If we don't get an advance on my salary, how will you pay for Mom's medication tomorrow?" Song Yan asked his father frankly.
"Ninety percent of the medical expenses at the factory hospital are reimbursed. Only ten percent need to be paid out of pocket." Director Ge's implication was, "How could you not afford medical treatment at the factory?"
“My dad doesn’t have a single penny on him. When we went to the hospital today, they wouldn’t even see him. It’s because he still owes money for his previous medications.” It should be very shameful to talk about something like this. But Song Yan didn’t seem to feel that way. She lowered her head slightly, looking helpless and frustrated.
Feeling embarrassed, Song's father said, "Xiaoyan, let's figure out a solution to our family's problems when we get home! Don't cause trouble for the factory leaders."
"Can you think of a solution? You said you'd bring lunch to me and Mom. Did you? From morning till now, Mom hasn't eaten a single grain of rice or a single bite of food from home. You simply can't keep your word." That's the truth. Song's mother always eats Song Yan's food.
"Besides, my mother can't wait for you to come up with a solution. She fainted today and is unconscious."
My mom's cold has gotten so bad and they still won't treat it. If this continues, it could kill her. Since my family is reluctant to spend money on her, the only option is to advance her salary.
"Uncle Factory Manager, I want to get my mother treated. Her illness can't be delayed any longer." Song Yan turned to look at Factory Manager Ge.
These days, leaders are very unassuming. Would you see the director of a large machinery factory with thousands of employees so easily in the future? Director Ge is in his office; any employee can go to him.
Song Yan looked at Factory Director Ge with pleading eyes, which softened his heart. This Song Huaren was truly useless; such a beautiful and delicate girl. She wasn't even old enough, why was she sent to the countryside?
It's not uncommon for factory workers to receive advances on their wages when they face difficulties. Generally, as long as the factory manager approves, they can go to the accounting office to receive an advance on their wages.
Factory Director Ge: "If your mother's situation is true, we can advance her salary. First, you need to write an application and prepare the supporting documents proving your mother's illness."
"I can start writing the application materials now." Song Yan turned to the factory manager's secretary. "Excuse me, could you lend me some paper and a pen?"
The secretary didn't stop Song Yan and the others from knocking on the door; she simply followed them into the office.
Upon hearing that Song Yan needed paper and a pen, the factory director's secretary immediately went to fetch them. Writing an application was a piece of cake for Song Yan. The evidence of Song's mother's illness was in her hands.
Song Yan looked up and said, "Dad, are you willing to pay for Mom's treatment? If you're willing to spend money on Mom, I'll write an application for an advance. If you don't want to spend money on Mom, then forget it."
Factory Director Ge watched like it was a show. How could Song Huaren, such a simple man, raise such a cunning daughter?
Regardless of Song Huaren's intentions, if anyone dared to say in his office that he didn't want to pay for his wife's medical treatment, unless the factory manager was deaf and couldn't hear, Song Huaren would definitely be publicly criticized by the entire factory.
"Xiaoyan, how could I not want to treat your mother's illness? I...I..." Song Huaren was terrified. If his mother found out that his salary had been advanced, he didn't know what kind of chaos would ensue at home.
Factory Director Ge looked at the two applications that Song Yan had filled out in just ten minutes, along with Song's mother's lab results. The applications requested an advance on wages. Director Ge paused, "Six months?"
"My mom has a cold and also anemia caused by malnutrition. She needs nutritious food to help her recover. I can't do without an advance of six months' salary! Factory manager, I need an advance of six months' salary."
Actually, whether Director Song agrees to one month or six months is not a big deal. "Comrade Song Huaren, if you want to receive your June salary in advance, then sign here."
When Song Huaren advanced his and his wife's wages, no one could say anything else.
Song Yan also felt that receiving six months' wages in advance was not a big deal. The factory manager wouldn't be afraid of workers defaulting on their payments; these days, anyone who would run away just to earn a few months' wages was simply courting death.
Mr. Song signed his name; that means it was Mr. Song who applied. Director Ge simply signed "agree."
Song Yan thanked the factory director profusely. Leaders these days are so down-to-earth and endearing!
Song Yan took the application form with the factory director's signature to the accounting office. Since the factory director had already signed and approved it, the accounting office naturally wouldn't make things difficult for him.
Song Ma earns 24 yuan per month, and Song Ba, a technician, earns 28 yuan per month. For six months, that's 312 yuan.
Song Yan took the 312 yuan and led her father out of the accounting office.
Song Yan handed ten yuan to his father, saying, "Dad, a man can't be without a penny when he's out in the world. Here, take this."
Mr. Song took the money but hesitated to speak.
Judging from his anxious look, it was clear that he was afraid that Old Mrs. Song would cause a scene later.
Song Yan: "Listen to my grandma. When she's unhappy, she'll take it out on you too. If you don't listen to her, she'll still take it out on you. There's no difference."
Watching his daughter turn and walk away, Mr. Song was stunned. Yes, his mother always seemed to be yelling at him…
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