Chapter 94 94 She was very surprised
When the list of candidates for the class placement test came out, some were happy and some were worried. Jiang Lili's thoughts only lingered for a moment and then quickly withdrew because she had more important things to do.
Huang Xiaoxia looked at the names on the list with some joy. She was still in the same class as Jiang Lili. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Ke Sisi running up to Jiang Lili with an excited look on her face. "Lili, we're still in the same class! That's great."
"I think so too." Jiang Lili also smiled. This time, people she was familiar with, Ke Sisi, Huang Xiaoxia, and her former deskmate Zuo Xingwei were all in the same class with her. She was indeed happy.
"Wu Juyue and Ji Mingyue are in the same class, as is Zheng Gaoyang. They are lucky, eh? But last time I heard the teacher persuade Ji Mingyue to study liberal arts, and I don't know why she insists on studying science." Ke Sisi's tone was full of confusion. Although everyone thought science was good, the teacher's advice was more important. Besides, anyone with a discerning eye could see that Ji Mingyue was indeed more suitable for liberal arts, so she couldn't understand.
"Who knows?" Jiang Lili thought. Ji Mingyue's aura as a protagonist shouldn't have been weakened yet. Otherwise, how could all her capture targets be in the same class? Thinking that they would soon no longer be in the same class, Jiang Lili became cheerful again.
"Yeah, who cares? We're in the same class anyway. We can go to the bookstore together during the summer vacation. Can I call the number you told me last time?" Ke Sisi made an invitation for the summer vacation in advance.
"I don't think so. I should go to Beijing during the summer vacation, but please keep it secret in advance." Jiang Lili said in a low voice.
"Wow, are you going to Beijing?" Ke Sisi also lowered her voice like her, her tone full of envy.
"If nothing unexpected happens, I will bring you a gift." Jiang Lili's eyes were full of smiles. At this time, everyone was full of yearning for Beijing, after all, it was the capital.
"Okay, then I'll wait for your return." Ke Sisi said in a literary tone.
Jiang Lili was amused by her. After she left, she smiled and said to Huang Xiaoxia beside her, "It's great that we can still be classmates next semester."
"I feel very lucky too." Huang Xiaoxia smiled happily.
Lu Jiaze glanced at the list and quickly continued with his own work. As for the class list, he at least had a guess. Unexpectedly, he guessed it right. However, it didn't matter if they were not in the same class. Anyway, the time to go to and from school would not change because they were not in the same class, he thought.
The class list issue actually alleviated everyone's nervousness about the final exams. Everyone was getting to know their classmates for next semester in advance, and for a while, the whole grade was very lively.
Jiang Lili's daily routine remained routine. This Friday after school, she didn't go home but headed straight to the factory. The factory was busy, handling orders for the musical dolls, as well as the teether and tear-away books they'd been producing. As a result, they were short-staffed again, and Jiang Yulan planned to discuss hiring with Cheng Yuntian.
Jiang Lili also agreed with the idea of hiring people. After all, the order volume was too large now. She also discovered a problem. There was no stock of either teether or hand-torn books in the warehouse. So the issue of hiring people had to be put on the agenda quickly. By then, no matter which model it was, there would need to be a certain amount of stock in the warehouse so that when orders came, everyone would not be under too much pressure.
"The workshop feels too small now. I'm thinking that I should have just bought Yunmei back then." Jiang Yulan felt a little regretful. You know, she should have persuaded Cheng Yuntian to buy Yunmei a while ago. Now with various orders coming one after another, the production lines in the workshop are obviously not enough.
"Buying Yunmei is not the best solution. After all, there are conflicts between the couple, and buying her would easily lead to disputes. Since there are many orders now, we can first recruit a group of temporary workers and divide them into night and day shifts." Jiang Lili suggested. Previously, the orders in the factory were not enough to support the production of two shifts, but now it is completely possible to switch to this model.
"Oh, you reminded me that we can hire temporary workers." Jiang Yulan scratched her head. She had forgotten that there was such a solution. Maybe it was because she hated night shifts in the past, so she never thought of this.
"We're too busy, so it's normal to overlook something. When the time comes, we'll calculate wages based on piecework, and there's no need to worry about anyone slacking off during the night shift." Jiang Lili said with some excitement. If a two-shift system is implemented, the output will be doubled, which is enough to handle the recent increase in orders.
"Then I'll talk to Xiao Cheng about this in the evening and see what she thinks." Jiang Yulan nodded, indicating that she agreed with this approach.
"Well, is it time to get off work now?" Jiang Lili glanced at the wall clock while speaking. It was already past the usual time to get off work.
"There's still an hour left, why don't you go back first?" Jiang Yulan looked at her hesitantly.
"No hurry, I'll go to the workshop and take a look." Jiang Lili came here today just to check out the production line of the musical mimicking dolls. Quality control is the most important thing. When she arrived at the workshop, everyone was very busy. Production was linked to wages, and everyone wished they had three heads and six arms. Jiang Lili patrolled the workshop slowly and finally stopped at the plush toys.
Yes, it is already early July, and the students taking the college entrance examination have almost finished their preparations. If this is not launched soon, no one will buy it, so we have to produce it quickly.
Jiang Yulan came up behind her at some point and said with a smile, "Manager Liu called me this morning to urge me to place an order. He said the lucky dolls we received the day before yesterday were sold out, so he asked us to start production quickly!"
"Is there no movement from Manager Zhang?" Jiang Lili asked casually.
"Manager Zhang just placed the order today, so there has to be a first-come, first-served order," Jiang Yulan said with a smile. Manager Zhang had been unethical in the incident in Quan City, so he'd received the lucky doll samples later than Manager Liu. Normally, Jiang Yulan wouldn't do this, but with the factory's limited production capacity, she naturally prioritized the one with better credibility and reputation.
"Then we have to recruit people quickly. We are racing against time now." Jiang Lili stared at the three cute little ones. She thought that if family conditions allowed, everyone would probably choose to buy all three little ones. After all, they were equally cute and it was difficult for people to choose.
"You're right, this is really a race against time, and it's our fault for not thinking it through." Before, they only thought that there would be enough time for production in late June, and they didn't consider the problem of sudden orders at all. Ultimately, it was because they lacked experience. Fortunately, with this lesson, they also understand the importance of inventory in the warehouse for each product.
"Next time I'll do it in advance." Jiang Lili nodded. She was too conceited and thought that the technology for plush toys was already mature and only needed slight changes. She completely ignored the fact that there was a large demand. She made a note of this incident in her mind as a reminder for her future self.
"Today's production line produced 100 more units than yesterday, and everyone is becoming more and more familiar with it." Jiang Yulan stared at the production record sheet over there, and the upturned corners of her lips showed her good mood.
"We must ensure quality while maintaining speed," Jiang Lili reminded.
"Don't worry, the quality control is very strict. Let's go, it's time to get off work." The machines on the production line have stopped working. Although they have to work overtime, everyone has a happy look on their faces. This is all money.
Glancing at the smiles on their faces, Jiang Lili was also infected by their emotions. When the two of them came out of the workshop, she turned to look at Jiang Yulan and said softly, "Mom, after Sister Cheng agrees to recruit people, will you take the initiative to tell Aunt Huan and the others?"
"No, the recruitment instructions will be posted at the factory gate." Jiang Yulan shook her head. She still understood the principle that it is easier to invite a god than to send him away. Now they are only recruiting temporary workers, and she is not sure how long they can work. Then they will be laid off again. She is not sure whether they will cooperate, so it is better not to cause herself unnecessary trouble.
Jiang Lili was surprised but also felt that it was as she expected. The last incident with Qiao Juan was a lesson for Jiang Yulan. It was just one position, so how could she take care of all the laid-off people in the family compound? Just because she didn't introduce them to someone, they began to resent Jiang Yulan. So this time, too, there were always people she couldn't take care of, and she would never do thankless work again.
"I think so too. If they need a job, they should be more proactive in looking for one instead of waiting to be introduced." If they had a grateful heart, she thought things would not have turned out like this.
"Yeah, let's see what Xiao Cheng says." Jiang Yulan nodded. She was really sad about what happened last time. She just gave the opportunity to the person she thought was most suitable, but she didn't expect it to cause so much resentment.
"Well, there's no rush." Jiang Lili took Jiang Yulan's arm and returned to her office, urging her to pack up quickly: "My uncle and the others must be waiting for us for dinner."
"I got it. I'll be there soon." Jiang Yulan tidied up her desk, changed all the open pages on the computer screen, and then clicked the shutdown button. She left the office only after making sure that all the screens were off. Jiang Lili curled the corners of her lips, and it was obvious that she took good care of her computer.
"Mom, you can type really fast now, right?" Jiang Lili thought. Maybe it was time for a computer at home, but it was a bit useless. Computers were too expensive these days, so it would be better to borrow one from the factory whenever she needed one.
"Okay, do you want to type?" Jiang Yulan asked.
"No, I just asked casually. Let's go back first." Jiang Lili shook her head.
Sure enough, everyone in the family was waiting for them to come back for dinner. Jiang Yulan explained, "There are too many orders at the factory right now. I guess we have to work overtime every day. Just save some time for me next time."
Tomorrow is Saturday, and they still have to work overtime. Hearing her words, Jiang Jianyi said, "From now on, working overtime is actually a good thing. You may not know that someone at the cotton mill is going to be laid off again."
After saying this, Jiang Jianyi sighed deeply. When he was the director of the cotton mill, it was the heyday of the mill. He did not expect that the once glorious mill would begin to decline. He could not accept it for a while.
"This is the current norm for state-owned factories. When the cotton mill is gone, there will be other factories standing up to replace it. This is the changing times, and it will happen sooner or later, so you don't need to be sad." Jiang Aiguo, who usually opposed him drinking, took the initiative to pour him a glass of wine today.
"That's the truth. It's normal that I can't accept it for the time being." Jiang Jianyi said as he picked up the wine glass in front of him and drank it all.
Seeing this, the others stopped talking about this topic. Jiang Lili took the initiative to talk about the class division. She didn't mention it before because she thought it was insignificant, but this time it was appropriate to use it to change the subject.
"If the classes are re-divided, won't the teachers have to be changed as well?" Jiang Yulan was a little worried. She had been a student before and knew the impact that changing teachers would have on students.
"Probably, but I'm fine. I'm still in Teacher Pu's class, so there shouldn't be much change." Jiang Lili guessed.
"Is Jiaze still in the same class with you?" Jiang Jianyi looked up at her. It was very convenient for them to be in the same class. For example, he often showed off her grades in front of Lao Lu.
"No, he and I are not in the same class." Jiang Lili shook her head.
"If the classes are re-assigned and re-arranged, the other class teachers will definitely not be happy that the top two students in the grade are in the same class." Zhou Qingfen is a teacher and naturally understands the rules here.
"That's right. This concerns the average score of a class." Everyone else nodded in understanding.
"Even if we are not in the same class, we are in the same school, which is also good." There is no class ranking but there is still a grade ranking. Thinking of this, Jiang Jianyi became happy again.
While everyone was chatting, Jiang Yulan went to the living room to call Cheng Yuntiao to discuss hiring. Cheng Yuntian, who was on the other end of the line, was eating while answering the phone. There were so many things to do in the new factory that she was really busy. When she heard Jiang Yulan bring up hiring, she nodded at first, and then said, "After hiring, we'll arrange the shifts and add night shifts, otherwise we won't be able to schedule any more people in the workshop."
"I was just about to mention this to you. I think we should hire temporary workers first this time? After all, the orders for auspicious dolls are booming now because the college entrance examination is approaching. After the college entrance examination, we can see how many people we need to keep based on the orders?" Jiang Yulan suggested.
"Sister Jiang, you are really thoughtful. Let's do this for now. Lili will have her final exams soon, right?" Cheng Yuntian couldn't help asking. She really wanted someone to come to Jing City. Not only was she busy, but she also didn't have anyone around her with whom she could confide.
"There's still more than half a month left." Jiang Yulan could probably understand what she was thinking, and couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips.
"Okay, then remember to book her a plane ticket in advance. The factory will reimburse the money." Taking the train is too slow and uncomfortable, so a plane is faster.
Jiang Yulan was stunned for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay, then I'll buy her a plane ticket and let her come over."
"Okay, contact me if you have anything. I'm busy here, so I'll hang up first." Cheng Yuntian still has to continue supervising the decoration in the workshop after finishing his meal.
After Jiang Yulan hung up the phone, Jiang Lili finally spoke: "Buy plane tickets, Mom, are you buying them for me?"
"Yes, Xiao Cheng told you to buy a plane ticket directly when you go to Beijing." Jiang Yulan nodded.
"Wow, taking a plane to Beijing, Sister Lili, can I go with you?" Jiang Qitong's tone was full of envy. She was envious whether it was taking a plane or going to Beijing.
Before Jiang Lili could speak, Zhou Qingfen rubbed her head and said, "No, your sister Lili didn't go to Beijing for fun. She went there for work."
Seeing Jiang Qitong's disappointed face, Jiang Lili had a new idea in her heart. She looked up at them and said, "Let me go to Beijing City to make arrangements first. Grandpa and aunt can also bring Tongtong to play together."
As for Jiang Yulan and Jiang Aiguo, they have to continue working, but it is different for others. Jiang Jianyi has retired, Jiang Qitong is on summer vacation, and Zhou Qingfen is a teacher and is also enjoying her summer vacation, so it would be nice for them to go on a trip together.
"Forget it, it's too far." What Zhou Qingfen didn't say yet was that everything required money to go out and have fun, and their savings were all used to buy a house in Jincheng.
Jiang Qitong's originally bright eyes dimmed again. She wanted to go, but she was also a sensible child.
"Lili is right. Dad has retired and it's just right for him to go to Beijing for a visit. Qingfen, you are the only one free at home, so please take care of Dad." Jiang Yulan knew her concerns, so she decided to pay for the expenses of the trip to Beijing.
Jiang Jianyi was a little hesitant at first. He really wanted to go to Beijing, but he felt it was too expensive. But when he saw Tongtong's dim eyes, he quickly changed his mind: "Yulan is right. I've never been far away. Lili probably doesn't have the time to show me around. I can only trouble you, Qingfen." After saying that, he lowered his head and rubbed Jiang Qitong's head: "Grandpa will take you there, okay?"
"Really? Will it cost a lot of money?" Jiang Qitong was a little worried.
"It doesn't matter. Grandpa has a pension and he will treat you to a visit." Jiang Jianyi said with a smile.
"Is it okay, Mom?" Jiang Qitong turned to Zhou Qingfen, asking for her opinion.
"Okay, let's go." Zhou Qingfen agreed while constantly calculating the expenses in her mind. Although the old man said he would treat them, it was impossible for him to do so.
"Dad, just save your retirement salary. You raised us, and I should have been the one to take you there, but I can't leave. I have to trouble Qingfen. You have to let me show some appreciation for other things," Jiang Yulan said.
So the family began to discuss who would pay for it. Jiang Lili's eyes flashed with a smile. She pulled Jiang Qitong to the living room to watch TV, and then whispered, "Wait until I go over there and settle everything. I'll book tickets for you. Where do you want to go?"
"Anywhere is fine?" Jiang Qitong said as she began to rack her brains to think of famous places in Beijing, and mentioned many places in one breath.
"Of course, since we are going out to play, we should have a good time." Jiang Lili nodded, and then asked her to write down the places she wanted to go so that she could make a plan.
The family argued for a long time, and Jiang Yulan won by a narrow margin and agreed to cover the cost of the trip. After the discussion, Jiang Jianyi spoke again: "From what you said just now, your factory is still hiring?"
"Well, the orders for lucky dolls have been booming recently, so we need to hire some temporary workers." Jiang Yulan nodded.
"I came back from fishing today and met Lao Yang. Although Factory 1 is still maintaining normal production, the orders for costume dolls are getting fewer and fewer. I guess some workers will be laid off soon." Jiang Jianyi felt a little emotional. He didn't expect that the same toy factory would have completely different directions. It turned out that no matter which industry, constant innovation is needed.
"Speaking of which, it's the Factory No. 1 that should be thanking Lili. If there weren't the cross-dressing dolls, they would probably have laid off several batches of people just like the cotton mill." Jiang Aiguo said.
"Didn't Factory 2 sell off? It's a relief that Factory 1 has managed to hold on until now."
"I guess they didn't expect Tongqu players to grow to the scale they have today. Following this trend, it will definitely get even better in the future."
"But are they only looking for temporary workers this time? My colleague's wife was laid off a few days ago. I'll talk to him tomorrow and see if she wants to give it a try." Jiang Aiguo remembered what his colleague said two days ago.
"Okay, there will be a notice posted tomorrow, just let them contact each other themselves." Jiang Yulan nodded.
"Ever since the news that I'm the deputy factory director spread, many people have come to Dad, hoping that I'll arrange a job for them. Should I tell them that we need workers this time?" Zhou Qingfen said hesitantly.
"There is such a thing? Dad, why didn't you ever tell me?" Jiang Yulan was a little surprised.
"I sent them all away. I told them that although you are the factory director, you are also the deputy director. We are all neighbors. How can you help one without helping the other? You don't have to worry about the recruitment this time. I will tell them and let them rely on their own abilities." Jiang Jianyi signaled him not to worry, he had his own way.
"Okay then." Jiang Yulan thought, he has been working in a factory all his life, so he should be better at handling these things than herself, so it's better to leave it to him.
When the mother and daughter returned home, Jiang Yulan thought about her original decision and couldn't help but look at Jiang Lili: "Lili, when I didn't plan to tell them that the factory was hiring, did you think I was selfish?"
"Of course not. Not everyone is Aunt Qiao who knows how to be grateful. You did the right thing. Before helping others, we must first ensure our own safety and interests, just like what happened in He Jian's family before." Jiang Lili specifically mentioned He Jian's matter to tell her that sometimes indifference is not a bad thing.
Hearing her mention He Jian's family affairs, Jiang Yulan's mind flashed back to He Jinsheng's crazy appearance, and soon the self-blame that rose in her heart disappeared completely: "You are right."
"Let's do this as grandpa said. Those who are willing to come can follow the procedures. Whether they can be hired depends on their abilities. After the order is completed, we will conduct an assessment to decide who will stay. This way, no one will have any objections." Jiang Lili suggested.
"Well, anyway, this matter has nothing to do with my current job, so let the people in the office take care of it." Jiang Yulan nodded.
The next day, Tongqu Players quickly posted a job posting. Jiang Jianyi also informed the cotton mill family compound, and everyone there learned about the news, so many people signed up. Jiang Yulan had said she wouldn't get involved, and she meant it. But she wasn't expecting to see those two people among the applicants, and she was quite surprised.
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