Director Liu thought about it quietly for a moment. The rumor about getting the foreigners so drunk yesterday, and the workers spreading it like wildfire as a joke, was definitely distorted and had a bad influence.
He nodded to Xing Baohua and said, "During this period, you will be working with the factory office to handle reception and translation. As for receiving guests as friends, I cannot answer you now; I need to report to the factory leadership before I can reply to you."
"Okay, Director, I already agreed. I wouldn't feel comfortable refusing if the factory refused. How about we discuss it with the leaders and arrange for them to meet at the maintenance department tonight? I've already decided what to eat for dinner," Xing Baohua said quickly.
The meat had already been cut, but the person still couldn't get through. Wouldn't this interfere with his important business? He was getting a little anxious.
“You agreed to this so hastily. Go and stay with them. I’ll report this to the higher-ups right away. You’ll have to take some disciplinary action this time, otherwise it’ll be hard to explain,” Director Liu said.
Xing Baohua was well aware of this. Regardless of whether his actions were good or bad, criticism was the least of his worries; a disciplinary action could quell many controversies. These were common tactics used by leaders. He was lucky; at least he wasn't a temporary worker. Otherwise, no matter how much he tried to cause trouble, the final outcome wouldn't be good.
After Xing Baohua returned, Su Ya came over with concern and asked, "Are you alright?"
"It's nothing, what could possibly happen? Can a meal really cause you trouble?" Xing Baohua reassured himself, though he actually regretted handling the matter hastily.
I had previously considered sneaking into the guesthouse to meet some foreigners, but if I had done that, I probably would have committed an even greater sin.
He now realizes that damaging an international image is also a crime, and if that label were attached to him, it would be a serious matter. Back then, it wasn't the factory that dealt with him, but rather the city or a higher-level authority that came to receive him.
His feigned composure was also for Su Ya's benefit; the female translator beside him glanced at him again. In truth, Liu Li didn't know how to handle the situation either; she had only been temporarily seconded as a translator.
Xing Baohua greeted the foreigners, continued watching, and occasionally translated while Su Ya took notes.
Half an hour later, Director Liu returned and went to the duty room alone to speak with Xing Baohua: "In principle, the factory has agreed. It's all within the factory area, and besides, your place is very close to the guesthouse, just a few steps away. Security is guaranteed. Now, is there anything the factory can support you with?"
"Beef, lamb, chicken legs, chicken wings, fish—oh, the fish can't be too big—and some vegetables too." When Xing Baohua heard the agreement, he thought to himself that he had hit the jackpot this time.
Once you start taking advantage of deals, you have to keep pulling hard.
Director Liu's face began to fall, but he continued to let Xing Baohua speak, wanting to see how much Xing Baohua could ask for. He was keeping this score in mind.
"It would be best to get an advance of two or three hundred yuan; there are some things I need to buy," Xing Baohua said as he thought. The money was mainly to reimburse the cost of Xu Shuai cutting his flesh. He could also keep some of the other funds.
Director Liu, thinking of the bigger picture, didn't argue back. He said to Xing Baohua, "Write down a list, and I'll have Xiao Hou help you. It should be all kinds of meat, no more than two jin of each. I can only give you 150 yuan. You need a receipt to reconcile the accounts. If there's a shortfall, you'll have to make up the difference yourself."
"Okay. Director, I'll head over now. If I'm too busy to come, you can tell Secretary Hou to send it to my shop; someone there will receive it," Xing Baohua said with a smile.
As for reconciling the bills later, that was too easy for Xing Baohua.
He recalled an old joke about someone who relied solely on their company's expense reimbursement system, living a very comfortable life without spending a single penny of their own money. They could earn money whenever there was a business trip opportunity.
Even when using a public restroom, you can get a receipt or invoice from the person in charge.
Xing Baohua only managed to get small benefits from the factory.
Who told him to have nothing now?
He walked up to Su Ya and said, "Give me a piece of paper and a pen, I want to write something."
After Su Ya gave it to him, she watched him write down what he needed. Curious, she asked, "Did the factory agree?"
"Yes," Xing Baohua nodded in response.
"Then, can I go tonight?" Su Ya asked softly.
"Of course I can! It's a pity the meat quota is set, otherwise I could get two more pounds just from your addition," Xing Baohua joked.
"No, I'll only eat a little over one or two ounces at most. Do you need meat coupons or grain coupons? Or I can just give you the money directly," Su Ya asked softly.
"You don't need to give me anything, just send yourself. We'll all benefit this time, the factory will cover all the expenses," Xing Baohua said.
"Oh, I thought it would be like the cafeteria?" Suya said.
After Xing Baohua finished writing, he turned around and looked for Hou Liwei, only to find him chatting with the workshop director.
He walked over and handed him the order, saying, "Thank you, Secretary Hou. Please get the food from the cafeteria and send it to my shop as soon as possible. I'm still busy here."
Hou Liwei snatched the order form in a huff and went to the cafeteria without even glancing at it.
The cafeteria manager, holding a bill in one hand and slamming his hand on the table, shouted, "Two pounds of chicken legs, two pounds of chicken wings! How many chickens would it take to make that? What a spendthrift! Give him two chickens. Just two, take it or leave it."
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