Chapter 28: Wiping Them All Out
Lin Yuanshu didn't dwell on Ah Chun's matter too much. She put the woven bag containing the mugwort into the room, tidied her clothes, and then went to the chemical plant with Zhou Xiangyang.
Because Lin Yuanshu has not yet received his work badge, he still needs to show his identification.
She first went to the logistics department, showed her identification, and received protective equipment such as work clothes, work shoes, gloves, and masks. Everyone else left after receiving their protective equipment, but Lin Yuanshu still needed to ask the logistics department to issue her an employment certificate. She also needed to go back to the production team to handle her household registration transfer procedures during her holiday.
The logistics staff knew that Lin Yuanshu knew Director Tang, so they didn't make things difficult for him and readily issued the employment certificate. If it were someone else without connections, they probably would have dragged their feet. It wasn't that they had any malicious intent; they were just trying to slack off.
Lin Yuanshu carefully put the employment certificate into her pants pocket before leaving the logistics department. As long as she transferred her household registration to Beijing, she wouldn't have to worry about starving to death even if she left the Zhou family.
Once she has an urban household registration, regardless of whether she has a job or not, she can be allocated a certain amount of "rations" every month.
On their first day of work, everyone hadn't been assigned to their positions yet, so there was no break room. They all gathered at the entrance of the workshop with their personal protective equipment.
Half an hour later, staff members came to the workshop entrance to take attendance. After confirming that everyone was present, they led everyone to the workshop's rest area, where employees from the safety department explained the importance of safe production in the chemical plant, requiring everyone to abide by the rules and regulations, and introducing the dangers of chemical substances, etc.
Lin Yuanshu listened very attentively, writing as she listened. Compared to her, she felt that others didn't take safety education as seriously, and she stood out among them.
Everyone had only one thought in their minds: "Sycophant."
If Lin Yuanshu knew what everyone was thinking, she would definitely cry out that she was wronged. She took safety education so seriously not to please the leaders, but for her own life. After all, the chances of dying in a chemical plant are much higher than in a clothing factory.
The morning passed quickly, and Ling Ke took Lin Yuanshu to the cafeteria for lunch.
Zhou Moli completely ignored Lin Yuanshu, as if their previous understanding was all fake.
Lin Yuanshu didn't shamelessly approach Zhou Moli; given their differing stances, it wasn't appropriate to force her.
Ling Ke chattered on and on about Mao Afen to Lin Yuanshu, “Her parents are really awful, forcing her to go to the countryside as an educated youth. I sympathize with her, but there’s nothing I can do to help her…”
Lin Yuanshu nodded perfunctorily.
In the afternoon, Director Xia took over and introduced them to the dangerous areas and safety measures in the workshop.
Everyone took notes this time, and Director Xia was very satisfied with their performance.
Before she knew it, it was four o'clock in the afternoon. Lin Yuanshu felt more tired than if she had been teaching all day. She was constantly on edge and exhausted. Others might not understand the importance of safety education, but she certainly did! After all, in a chemical plant, a moment's carelessness could be fatal.
"You all go and rest in the break room first. I'll go to the deputy factory director's office to get the group assignment list." A hint of dissatisfaction flashed in Director Xia's eyes.
Originally, the group division was their responsibility, but due to unspeakable reasons, these matters are now all under the deputy factory director's charge. He can only assist, and he can't even find a place to vent his anger, since his subordinate Wang Gang was also involved in this matter, so he can be said to have brought it upon himself.
It was supposed to be a chance to make a good impression, but he messed it all up. The only saving grace is that the other two people performed about the same as him.
"Understood," everyone said in unison.
The workshop foreman's assistant led them to the break room and then left. Everyone started looking for friends they were on good terms with and began chatting amongst themselves. After all, they were all going to be colleagues, so it was good to build a good relationship first.
Ling Ke leaned closer to Lin Yuanshu and said to herself, "I wonder which workshop I'll be assigned to? I'd like to go to the benzene intermediates production workshop, since benzene intermediates have fewer steps and are easier to control. Comrade Lin, which workshop would you like to go to?"
Lin Yuanshu shrugged indifferently and said seriously, "I'm fine with anything, it's all work no matter where I go."
Ling Ke glanced around and lowered her voice, saying, "You can't be so indifferent. You have a good relationship with Director Tang, who is in charge of managing the benzene intermediate production workshop. If you were assigned to one of the other two workshop directors, you would definitely suffer. They can't stand seeing Director Tang's people as friends."
Lin Yuanshu paused for a moment, then said uncertainly, "I should be able to be assigned to Director Tang's team."
Director Tang uses Tang Rong to control her, but isn't she also using Tang Rong to control Director Tang? Director Tang expects her to offer advice for Tang Rong, while she expects Director Tang's idea to benefit her.
"I hope so!" Ling Ke silently hoped in her heart that she could be assigned to Director Tang's team.
In the break room, those without connections all hoped to be assigned to Director Tang's team. If that wasn't possible, Director Xia would be fine too. They were willing to work in the naphthalene intermediate production workshop, but they absolutely could not go to the workshop managed by Director Zhou. The anthraquinone intermediate production workshop was the most difficult to operate, with high technical requirements, and they had to be extremely careful during transportation to avoid problems such as deterioration and decomposition.
Half an hour later, Director Xia returned to the break room with a stern face. He glanced at Lin Yuanshu before speaking, "The group assignments have been released. You can come and take a look. Tomorrow, go to the workshop you are assigned to according to your group assignments."
Director Xia placed the list on the table, and instantly the table was surrounded by layers of people. Lin Yuanshu did not rush to squeeze in to look at the list; she genuinely felt that she could go to any workshop.
Director Xia approached Lin Yuanshu without a word, and asked with a smile, "Aren't you curious about which workshop you were assigned to?"
Lin Yuanshu answered truthfully: "No matter which workshop I go to, I will work hard and strive for a bright future for the chemical plant."
Director Xia said with a half-smile, "Anyone can say nice things, but actions matter. You've been assigned to the workshop I manage. Now come to my office, and we'll have a good chat."
Lin Yuanshu paused for a moment, then tentatively said, "I suppose Comrade Wang Gang didn't get assigned to your subordinates either."
Director Xia raised an eyebrow and nodded, saying, "No wonder Director Tang has his eye on you; you're quick-witted."
The deputy factory director's grouping this time was targeted, shuffling all of his subordinates. His people went to Director Zhou's side, and Director Zhou's people went to Director Tang's side.
"I was merely showing off my limited skills in front of you," Lin Yuanshu said humbly.
It seems Director Xia has come with ill intentions! This conversation will determine her future work environment. If it goes well, everyone will be happy; if it goes wrong, she may face all sorts of criticism at work. She doesn't know what Director Xia wants to say to her, so she can only deal with whatever comes her way.
Ling Ke had intended to tell Lin Yuanshu that they had been assigned to the same workshop, but then she saw Lin Yuanshu follow Director Xia out of the break room. Remembering Mao Afen's words, she muttered to herself, "People with connections are just different..."
Whether it was good or bad, it caught the eye of the workshop director, unlike them, who didn't even have the chance to speak to the workshop director.
Lin Yuanshu arrived at the workshop director's office once again. Just as she reached the office door, she encountered Director Tang, who was about to leave. She couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Why did the workshop director's office have to be so close? It was impossible to keep any secrets. What was the difference between this and the Emperor's New Clothes?
Director Xia, as if nothing had happened, said with a smile, "Have you seen the group assignment list? Comrade Lin Yuanshu has been assigned to my team. I have to thank you for discovering such a talent. I won't bury Comrade Lin Yuanshu's abilities; I will make good use of her. Comrade Lin Yuanshu, don't you agree?"
Lin Yuanshu could only bite the bullet and say, "Yes."
Seeing Director Tang's grim face, she thought to herself, "I'm doomed."
Looks like I'll have to coax Director Tang a bit later.
Although Director Tang was furious, he still smiled and replied, "Providing excellent talent for the chemical plant is what I should do. You don't need to thank me, thank God! That you can work at the chemical plant and meet me."
"You..." Director Xia was so angry that her face turned red, but she didn't know how to refute it. Women are just sharp-tongued and never let anyone off the hook.
Director Tang sneered, glanced at Lin Yuanshu, and turned back into his office without hesitation.
Director Xia turned around, looked at Lin Yuanshu, forced a smile, and said in an attempt to save face, "I won't argue with a young lady like that. Let's go inside and talk."
Lin Yuanshu nodded.
The two entered the office, and an assistant brought them two cups of tea. Lin Yuanshu looked at the tea and her tense heart relaxed by half. The fact that they were willing to serve tea meant that they were trying to win her over, not to make things difficult for her. Otherwise, she would not have been greeted with tea, but rather with a show of force.
Director Xia sat in the chair next to his desk and said swaggeringly, "I dislike all those roundabout ways. I'll get straight to the point. Since you've been assigned to the workshop I manage, I expect you to work for me, listen to me, and forget about Director Tang. Don't pay any attention to anything Director Tang says..."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yuanshu stood up abruptly, looking troubled, and said, "After all, Director Tang has helped me a lot. I can't be so impolite as to ignore Director Tang. I'll say it again: no matter where I am, I will work hard."
Director Xia sneered, "Don't play dumb with me. You know what I mean: either work for me, or get out of the workshop I manage. I know you're a smart person. You should know what the best choice is. This job is your lifeline. You don't want to lose it, do you?"
Lin Yuanshu took several steps back and accused, "How could you do this?"
"I can do that," Director Xia said decisively, looking at Lin Yuanshu with a smug expression.
A flicker of struggle crossed Lin Yuanshu's eyes, and she said in a low voice, "I don't know what to do. My mind is a bit of a mess right now. Can I think about it?"
Director Xia nodded generously, then threatened, "You'd better decide quickly. My patience is limited. Don't keep testing my limits."
"Okay." Lin Yuanshu pretended to be scared. In her mind, she marked Director Xia wrong. He used threats and inducements, but he didn't even know how to use inducements. He only knew how to threaten. That wouldn't work. Maybe he didn't take her seriously at all! He thought crushing her would be as easy as crushing an ant.
When Wang Gang saw Lin Yuanshu come out, he didn't greet him and went straight into Director Xia's office. After all, he and Lin Yuanshu didn't know each other on the surface.
The moment Wang Gang saw Director Xia, he asked with a wronged expression, "Why is Comrade Lin Yuanshu here? Don't you want me anymore? Is it because I was assigned to Director Zhou's team?"
Director Xia rolled his eyes, and for the sake of Wang Gang's parents, he whispered to comfort him, "You're overthinking it. I just think Comrade Lin Yuanshu is a talented person and I want to recruit him into our camp."
Wang Gang frowned and asked, "Would Comrade Lin Yuanshu agree? After all, she's Director Tang's person!"
Director Xia smiled slightly and said confidently, "Whether she agrees or not, after today's events, I have already planted a thorn in Director Tang's heart. Director Tang can no longer trust Lin Yuanshu wholeheartedly as before. This is the result I want, not for her to be willing to join our camp."
As long as he acts like he has a good relationship with Lin Yuanshu, Director Tang will never trust Lin Yuanshu, and Lin Yuanshu will be useless. Women are best at being suspicious.
Wang Gang swallowed hard, looking at Director Xia's confident expression, he hesitated to speak. After all, Lin Yuanshu was a ruthless person, and Director Xia's crude methods might not be able to catch her off guard.
He dared not remind Director Xia, fearing he would offend Lin Yuanshu and not even know how he died. Lin Yuanshu was easy to deal with, but Director Tang behind her was not so easy to deal with. Lin Yuanshu also liked to use others to do his dirty work. The two of them working together would have an effect greater than the sum of their parts.
After leaving Director Xia's office, Lin Yuanshu did not go home, but instead knocked on Director Tang's office door. It was time for her to coax Director Tang.
Director Tang opened the door for Lin Yuanshu herself. She pretended to be nonchalant and asked, "Have you finished talking with Director Xia?"
Lin Yuanshu nodded and said, "Director Xia wanted to win me over. I neither refused nor agreed. Of course, I didn't refuse because I was tempted, but because I felt I could use this opportunity to join Director Xia's camp and help you gather information. I'm not under your command now, so I can't help you with work, but I can still help you in other ways."
She deliberately pretended to struggle just now to lessen Director Xia's suspicions. If she had agreed without hesitation, Director Xia would have been worried about her. A person who is prone to betraying others is also prone to betraying themselves.
Of course, in her heart, she was not Director Tang's person; she would always be loyal to her own desires.
These people were all just passersby in her life.
Director Tang looked at Lin Yuanshu with a serious expression, pondering the truthfulness of his words. She hesitated and asked, "Should I trust you?"
Lin Yuanshu replied without hesitation, “Of course, there are no eternal friends, only shared interests. In the eyes of Director Xia and others, you promoted me, and I need to repay you. But we all know that this is just a transaction. I helped Comrade Tang Rong, and you helped me. We are equals, so there is no such thing as betrayal. My request is not high. I just want my sister to be able to get into the factory established by Comrade Tang Rong. And I am more than happy to help you deal with Director Xia…”
Director Tang couldn't help but laugh out loud. How could she have been fooled by Lin Yuanshu's sweet words? She forgot that Lin Yuanshu was the kind of person who would follow whoever offered the best deal. As long as she offered enough benefits, Lin Yuanshu would be her most loyal ally.
Director Xia and the others looked down on Lin Yuanshu, so they were naturally unwilling to offer any benefits. Suddenly, she thought of something amusing. Director Xia had always felt that women were prone to suspicion, and if he lost this time because he trusted others too much, it would be quite funny.
"If Director Xia and the others offer even greater benefits, will you betray me?" Director Tang asked bluntly.
Lin Yuanshu smiled slightly and said softly, "If you value me as a person and are willing to offer greater benefits than those given to Director Xia, then I will never betray you."
If she said she wouldn't betray them, Director Tang probably wouldn't believe her. What connects the two isn't trust, but shared interests, which avoids the possibility of being suspected.
"Alright, I understand your thoughts." Director Tang looked at Lin Yuanshu with a complicated expression. What a smart kid! It's a pity he's short-sighted and can only see the immediate benefits.
If Lin Yuanshu knew what Director Tang was thinking, he would definitely say that he would never accept the empty promises made by the leaders, and that the real benefits were those that could be obtained immediately.
"Then I'll have to put on a show for me. Angrily kick me out of the office and pretend to be breaking ties with me." Lin Yuanshu made his request after he had convinced Director Tang.
Actually, she didn't want to be a double agent, but the current situation forced her to. To get promoted, the best thing she could do was to make Director Tang think she was one of his people, and Director Xia also think she was one of his people. Only then could she work with peace of mind and not worry about being schemed against by others.
She was unlucky; she happened to be there when the deputy factory director was about to retire and the workshop directors were engaged in a fierce infighting. At other times, no one would care about small fry like them.
Director Tang nodded thoughtfully, then shouted, "I never expected you to be this kind of person! You're heartless and ungrateful! Get out of my office now, I don't want to see you..."
Lin Yuanshu answered loudly, "Director Tang, you've misunderstood. I never intended to betray you..."
Director Tang ignored Lin Yuanshu's words and pushed him out of the office without hesitation, saying with a serious face, "I don't welcome fence-sitters here."
Without waiting for Lin Yuanshu's reply, he closed the office door.
Hearing the arguing next door, Director Xia smiled smugly. He shook his head and sighed, “That’s the downside of women. They’re easily swayed by emotions and their moods are very unstable. To be a good leader, you have to stay calm no matter what happens.”
Wang Gang frowned in thought. He felt that Lin Yuanshu wouldn't be so easily tricked, but then he thought, if Lin Yuanshu wouldn't, then it's hard to say about Director Tang! Maybe he was overthinking it.
"Then you can go out and take Lin Yuanshu under your wing now. It just so happens that Director Tang has given up on her," Wang Gang suggested.
Director Xia shook his head and said seriously, "Now is not the critical moment. Not just anyone is qualified to be my subordinate. Lin Yuanshu has been abandoned by Director Tang. Once her future colleagues know that I don't like her, you can imagine what kind of life she will face. If she has the ability, I can step forward again, and she will naturally be extremely grateful to me and do whatever I ask. That is taming. People who do not have the ability are not worthy of being tamed by me and can only be abandoned."
Wang Gang swallowed hard, his heart pounding. He felt that the Director Xia in front of him was not quite the Director Xia he had imagined. He was here to work, not to engage in intrigue. "Director Xia, I feel that Comrade Lin Yuanshu is not someone who can be easily tamed. Be careful not to raise a tiger that will cause you trouble."
Director Xia sneered and said disdainfully, "You're really useless. What's there for a country girl to worry about? You're so hesitant and indecisive, that's why you can't accomplish anything great. You're not even as good as Director Zhou's niece."
Wang Gang pursed his lips and silently replied in his heart, "Because you didn't see the expression on her face when she said she smashed the chessboard. She didn't look like a simple and kind country person at all."
At the same time, Lin Yuanshu rubbed his nose, pretending to be sad, and was about to leave when he saw Director Zhou walk back to the office alone.
She rolled her eyes, followed behind Director Zhou with a smile, and kindly helped close the door.
Director Zhou was completely bewildered. He looked at Lin Yuanshu, who had just entered the office, and asked, "What do you need?"
Lin Yuanshu looked at Director Zhou with a sad expression and said with great conviction, "Director Zhou, we really regret not meeting sooner! Of the three workshop directors in the chemical plant, I admire you the most. You are fair and warm-hearted, unlike Director Xia, who likes to play dirty tricks, and unlike Director Tang, who is too soft-hearted and easily compromises in his work. If you don't become the deputy director, who else is qualified?"
Director Zhou was a little embarrassed by the praise. He said modestly, "You're exaggerating. But Director Xia is indeed like a fly, making a lot of annoying moves, while Director Tang is indeed indecisive and acts on impulse. You're so young, but you're quite good at judging people."
Lin Yuanshu sighed and said sadly, "I've always wanted to be assigned to the workshop you manage. I felt that only in your workshop could I truly showcase my abilities. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. Now I'm working under Director Xia. But don't worry, although my body is with Director Xia, my heart will always be with you. It's not for any other reason than that I admire your character. I believe that only you can make the chemical plant thrive and develop even better."
Director Zhou coughed lightly and said with a smile, "I'm not as capable as you say, and I don't need you to do anything for me."
Lin Yuanshu looked heartbroken and refused, saying, "No, please, you must let me work for you. Otherwise, I won't have the motivation to continue working at the chemical plant. I must contribute to your success."
Director Zhou thought for a moment. Lin Yuanshu's help would not cost him anything, and he would also be able to plant a little informant by Director Xia's side. "Okay, then you can keep an eye on Director Xia for me for the time being and see if he makes any unusual moves!"
"Great." Lin Yuanshu looked excited. Selling the same information twice is a huge profit! He can also sell Director Zhou's information to Director Xia and Director Tang, perfectly completing the closed loop.
Director Zhou had no idea what Lin Yuanshu was thinking. Seeing Lin Yuanshu's energetic appearance, he couldn't help but sigh that his personal charm was still too great. He had so easily won over the talent that Director Tang had his eye on. It was a pity that not everyone had the foresight of Lin Yuanshu.
After deceiving Director Zhou, Lin Yuanshu left the office and went ahead to the naphthalene intermediate production workshop to observe the workers' operations.
If she remembers correctly, the production of naphthalene intermediates still uses the excess sulfuric acid sulfonation method. It's not that this method is ineffective, but the sulfuric acid utilization rate is only 60%, which seems too wasteful.
The waste acid left over from distillation contains a large amount of naphthalenesulfonic acid impurities, which can only be disposed of by landfill, polluting the land and wasting materials.
She has a better method for producing naphthalene intermediates, but now is not the crucial time to bring it out. She hasn't established a firm foothold yet, and if she does bring it out, no one will believe her. A method that can't be implemented is the same as having no method at all, and she also has to guard against unscrupulous people trying to take advantage of her.
There's plenty of time in the future; she doesn't need to rush. She has all the time to take her time.
Lin Yuanshu left the naphthalene intermediate production workshop not long after leaving and went back to the previous rest room to get her work clothes.
When Ling Ke saw Lin Yuanshu return to the rest room, she quickly went over and asked, "I saw you and Director Tang walk out. What did you talk about?"
Lin Yuanshu smiled and said perfunctorily, "We didn't talk about much, they just told me to work hard and contribute to the chemical plant."
As Ling Ke pulled Lin Yuanshu toward a small group, she muttered, "So you've caught Director Xia's eye. Anyway, you're Director Tang's man. No matter how arrogant Director Xia is, he won't dare to openly slap Director Tang in the face."
Lin Yuanshu retorted, "No, I don't belong to anyone. I'm here to work."
Ling Ke forced a smile. She felt that Lin Yuanshu was getting the better deal and acting innocent. She didn't even have a chance to get to know the workshop director!
“They are all from the same workshop as us. This is Comrade Qian Xiang…” Ling Ke introduced them to Lin Yuanshu one by one.
Lin Yuanshu greeted everyone with a smile.
Everyone knew that Lin Yuanshu and Director Tang had a good relationship, so they chatted with Lin Yuanshu warmly. They weren't stupid; they couldn't possibly offend someone with such connections right away. The relationships between leaders were very delicate. They might be arguing today, but tomorrow they would be like brothers. The best approach was to not offend anyone.
When the bell rang to signal the end of the workday, everyone left the break room one after another. Lin Yuanshu went to the cafeteria to wait for Zhou Xiangyang.
The canteen was packed with people. The workers on the night shift were getting their meals there, while those on the early shift had left the chemical plant to go home for dinner, since eating at home was cheaper.
Zhou Dafu spotted Lin Yuanshu in the cafeteria and went over to ask, "Why haven't you gone home to cook yet?"
Lin Yuanshu explained, "I'll wait for Xiangyang to go home together."
Zhou Dafu muttered to himself, "From now on, go home earlier after get off work to help your mother with housework instead of lounging around in the cafeteria. Learn from your sister-in-law; you can't compare to her in this respect."
"Okay," Lin Yuanshu readily agreed.
She agreed, but she wasn't going to work like a workhorse, going home to continue working after finishing her shift at the chemical plant.
After seeing that Lin Yuanshu had agreed, Zhou Dafu's expression was no longer so serious. He said in a solemn tone, "You can leave the cafeteria now."
"I know, Dad, I'll be home right away. Hurry up and get the food! If you don't go soon, all the good dishes will be gone. You're on the night shift tonight, so you need to eat well to have the energy to work," Lin Yuanshu said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Dafu didn't think much of it and ran to queue up. After getting his food, he saw Lin Yuanshu still sitting in the same spot.
His colleague, noticing Zhou Dafu staring intently at Lin Yuanshu, asked with a smile, "Is that your daughter-in-law?"
Zhou Dafu nodded, looking helpless, and said, "Yes, Xiangyang's wife won't listen to us when we tell her to go home early. She insists on waiting for Xiangyang. What's that word again? Right, it's 'outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant'."
My colleague gave me a mischievous grin and whispered, "When you first got married, you wanted to stick close to your wife, didn't you? We've all been there, why are you trying to break them up?"
Zhou Dafu thought about it and it seemed to make some sense, so he stopped worrying about it.
After finishing their meal, Zhou Dafu and his colleagues returned to the workshop and ran into Director Zhou at the entrance of the canteen.
The two quickly greeted Director Zhou, who looked at Zhou Dafu thoughtfully and said, "I remember you are Comrade Lin Yuanshu's father-in-law. You have a good daughter-in-law."
Zhou Dafu was stunned for a moment, pondering the meaning of Director Zhou's words. Was it a compliment or an implied meaning? Had his daughter-in-law offended Director Zhou? Unfortunately, before he could figure it out, Director Zhou left the cafeteria entrance.
He could only put the matter out of his mind and walk while chatting with his colleagues.
As they passed the naphthalene intermediate production workshop, Director Xia came over, patted Zhou Dafu on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "I know you. You're a family member of Comrade Lin Yuanshu. Your son has married a good wife. Your family is lucky."
Hearing this, Zhou Dafu felt uneasy. His daughter-in-law had a good relationship with Director Tang, but Director Tang's relationship with the other two workshop directors was not so good. Now that these two workshop directors were praising Lin Yuanshu, he had a strange feeling about it.
A colleague said with great admiration, "Your daughter-in-law is something else! Even the two workshop foremen know her. I remember you said that today is your daughter-in-law's first day at work."
Zhou Dafu nodded, looking worried, and said, "Yes, I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing!"
My colleague said confidently, "Of course it's a good thing. They didn't say anything bad about your daughter-in-law. They must admire her abilities. You're going to have a good life from now on."
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