The onlookers were in an uproar. They had previously thought it was just a case of favoring sons over daughters, but now it seemed like they were out of their minds!
What kind of parents are these?
Factory Director Ma, who had initially been somewhat hesitant, immediately became resolute.
Xu Yinlai was someone I recently promoted because I valued him. I chose him because he was quick-witted, capable, and had a keen eye for talent; out of so many leaders in the factory, he only recognized my abilities.
I plan to nurture him further!
Looking at him now, he's just not very bright. His family relationships are a complete mess and he can't figure things out. How can we expect him to be able to work smartly in the future?
Once the decision was made, Factory Director Ma said sternly, "Xu Yinlai, no matter what you say, you still have serious problems with your thinking! Your handling of matters is not comprehensive or mature enough. I think the responsibility of being the foreman of the machine repair team is still beyond your capabilities! Let Lao Fang temporarily take over as foreman. You and your wife will write a self-criticism and a report on your thoughts every day after returning to the factory, and give a report on your thoughts at the staff meeting every week!"
Those around him applauded, expressing their satisfaction and appreciation for Director Ma's handling of the situation.
Xu Yinlai panicked, grabbing onto Factory Director Ma's sleeve and refusing to let go: "Factory Director Ma, I am your—"
Factory Director Ma frowned and said coldly, "Comrade Xu Yinlai, you must recognize your mistakes and have the courage to criticize yourself, otherwise your thinking is very dangerous—"
Xu Yinlai's hand trembled slightly as he understood what Factory Director Ma had left unsaid, and he swallowed the rest of his words.
Shen Yue'e, on the other hand, felt as if the sky had fallen, and cried as she tried to stop Director Ma from leaving.
Factory Director Ma, with a stern face, was about to speak.
Xu Ningyan made his move: "Director Ma? I've heard them mention you!"
Factory Director Ma raised his eyes in surprise: "You mentioned me? What did you say?"
Xu Ningyan pretended to think for a moment and said, "When they went back to their hometown for the New Year, they said that the new factory director, Ma, was like a stinking rock in a latrine, impervious to reason, only knowing how to follow the rules and regulations, showing no leniency whatsoever, and deducting half a month's salary for the slightest mistake! He really takes a chicken feather as an arrow, he's a real skinflint! He made it so that they couldn't have a peaceful New Year."
Although Factory Director Ma's expression remained unchanged, the look in his eyes as he swept towards Xu Yinlai was filled with coldness.
He even smiled and explained, "A country has its laws, and a factory has its rules! As a Party member and cadre, if we don't follow the rules and regulations, wouldn't that create chaos? How can we face the country and the people?"
This declaration of love drew another round of applause.
Factory Director Ma looked coldly at Xu Yinlai and his wife: "You two go back to the factory now and write your self-criticisms!"
After saying that, he smiled slightly at Xu Ningyan, took out a large denomination bill and a few tickets from his pocket, handed them to her, and then made some self-criticisms, saying that as a leader, he had not cared enough for the employees' families, which led to this incident, and that they would definitely strengthen their work in this area in the future.
Having won over the onlookers, they finally dragged Xu Yinlai and his wife away.
The middle-aged man who had been standing next to him without saying a word observed Xu Ningyan with great interest for a long time without uttering a sound.
Seeing that Director Ma had left, he gave Xu Ningyan a thumbs-up and followed him away.
The main figures in this gossip have all left, leaving only Xu Ningyan. A few middle-aged women came out to comfort her, advising her to think positively and that she would find a good family to marry into after a few years.
Xu Ningyan knew that these aunties meant well, so she held back her rebuttal, thanked them for their kindness, and said that she needed to buy something before turning around and entering the department store.
He wiped away his sweat, squeezed the extra ten-yuan notes and bills in his hand, and curled the corners of his mouth.
As for Xu Yinlai and his wife, they did say those words, but they were unsure if they said them in their hometown.
But if he hadn't mentioned it back in his hometown, how would Xu Ningyan have known?
So they simply shifted the blame onto the other party, accusing them of being a blabbermouth. They almost got into a fight on the way, but that's another story.
The department store has two floors. The lower floor sells ordinary daily necessities, and the upper floor sells bicycles, sewing machines, and the like.
Xu Ningyan's behavior outside had attracted a crowd of onlookers, including the sales clerks.
Anyway, all the customers went to watch the excitement, and no one cared. They all crowded at the entrance and watched for a long time.
When Xu Ningyan entered, the sales clerks' eyes were filled with sympathy.
Someone then asked, "Young lady, what would you like to buy?"
Xu Ningyan had already made a shopping list. Although there was everything in the space, she couldn't just leave it empty-handed.
We still need to buy something to cover it up.
She didn't have many tickets; she estimated she could buy a set of clothes, some snacks, soap, and the like.
Although she had Xu Siya's memories, Xu Siya had never been to the supply and marketing cooperative, and she didn't know how to use those coupons.
Seeing the sales clerk's friendly attitude, he laid out all the tickets that Factory Manager Ma had given him and the tickets he had stolen from Miao Cuihua on the counter, and humbly asked, "Miss, I've never bought anything before, and I don't know what these tickets can buy! Could you please help me take a look?"
The saleswoman, who was in her thirties, was overjoyed to be called "Miss" by a teenage girl.
Five points of enthusiasm immediately turned into ten points of enthusiasm.
After looking at the tickets on the counter, he first asked Xu Ningyan what she needed.
Xu Ningyan smiled wryly: "Miss, you must have heard me arguing with someone outside just now. To be honest, after I separated from the family, I had nothing but a little money and food rations. Our brigade leader and the Party Secretary are good people; they gave me a room, so at least I have a place to stay! I have nothing else! Apart from that kind-hearted Factory Director Ma, the rest of these tickets were collected by kind people in our brigade!"
Several nearby sales clerks heard this and gathered around.
After a few chattering discussions, the group quickly came up with the optimal solution.
These tickets can buy a set of clothes and a bar of soap.
Food coupons can be used to buy White Rabbit milk candy or fruit candy.
They also suggested that Xu Ningyan keep the food coupons, as she would need them for meals.
There are two industrial tickets, enough to buy a six-print iron pot.
Xu Ningyan then took out the doctor's certificate, which didn't require a receipt and could be used to buy a pound of brown sugar and a can of malted milk powder.
As for that liquor ticket, it can only buy one bottle of ordinary liquor.
All these items added up, the iron pot was the most expensive, costing eight yuan, and a set of clothes cost six yuan. All in all, it came to a total of nineteen yuan and eighty cents.
After the sales clerk calculated the bill, Xu Ningyan readily took out her money: "I don't know anything about this, but my sisters know more than I do. I'll listen to them and buy everything!"
The sales clerk felt relieved after hearing this.
They quickly issued the invoice, collected the money, and even packed everything up so Xu Ningyan could easily carry it away.
The oldest sales clerk noticed that Xu Ningyan seemed to have plenty of money and wasn't stingy.
She rolled her eyes, and seeing that no one was around, she whispered in Xu Ningyan's ear, "There are some defective products that don't require tickets. They're an internal perk. Do you want them?"
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