Chapter 37
Yoda couldn't help but frown several times while communicating with customers. It was unclear whether the salesperson had made any promises during the signing process, but with every word Yoda spoke, the customer suspected that the project Yoda was introducing was a scam to rip them off.
But Yoda didn't want to just let it go. Some essential items in the customer's contract hadn't been done. The problem might not be apparent at first, but it would definitely become inconvenient to use over time.
Faced with both customer skepticism and an unwavering determination to avoid dishonesty, Yoda felt overwhelmed by difficulties.
Yoda patiently explained, "Before covering the pipes, wrap them with a layer of sound insulation cotton first; the soundproofing effect will be better. Your two secondary bedrooms are on either side of the public bathroom, so soundproofing is very important, whether you turn them into children's rooms or elderly people's rooms."
"Basic water and electricity work needs to be done from the beginning, as it is difficult to modify later. Therefore, we need to take into account the needs of future use. There are few changes to the circuit, and the existing points can basically be used. However, if you need the water system, it is best to replace it completely and redo it. This will also provide a warranty."
Seeing the other party's somewhat skeptical expression, Yoda assumed it was because they were worried about the budget and thoughtfully added: "If you want to save money, you can lay the lines point-to-point, which is more economical than laying them horizontally and vertically. I will also be there before the trench sealing work to draw up the water and electricity layout diagram, so it won't affect the later maintenance."
After the two customers looked at each other for a few moments, one of them said dismissively, "If you say so, then so be it. Show me the proposal first."
Although Yoda seemed to have barely gained approval in the end, he still felt uneasy.
As expected, Yoda was puzzled when he saw that he had been suspended from work. "Why?"
The person in charge said, "Customers have complained that you've been pushing projects and suspect you're trying to steal kickbacks."
Yoda was furious. Her gut feeling had been right. Even after explaining herself at length, the other person didn't believe her at all and had already formed suspicions in their mind. Yoda's sense of responsibility had become her weakness.
Yoda could only explain earnestly: "I just thought it would be better to add some items, so I made the suggestion. And at that time, I calculated the quote for the owner, and the additional cost did not exceed the contract by much."
The other party's suspicious gaze swept back and forth over Yoda: "Are you sure there was no malicious addition of items?"
The company's contracts all stipulate requirements for additional items, stipulating that the final cost cannot exceed 5% of the contract amount. Following Yoda's advice, the initial additions are already approaching this limit. As is customary, the final cost will undoubtedly exceed this limit once the project is completed.
Yoda said helplessly, "I really didn't."
Even though Yoda acted as if he didn't believe the complaint at all, the person in charge still coldly said, "You have multiple violations already. Last time you provided incorrect data, causing significant losses. This time, was it your own idea to negotiate additional items with the customer without authorization, or was it Designer Wang's?"
Yoda wanted to continue explaining that even if the customer felt that adding items was malicious, as a fellow professional, Yoda believed that if the other party carefully reviewed the records of the discussions with the customer, they would know that the items he suggested were very meaningful.
However, sensing the subtle malice beneath the other person's calm tone, Yoda abandoned the plan. "It has nothing to do with Designer Wang; it's just my own idea."
When Designer Wang returned, the matter had been resolved, and Yoda was temporarily suspended from following up on the company's projects.
Designer Wang never expected that Yoda would be suspended after only a few days at the company. After hearing Yoda's account of the process, even the usually taciturn designer couldn't help but get angry: "What's going on? This is outrageous! Which designer doesn't offer suggestions to the client when working on a project? According to them, offering suggestions is considered malicious addition of items. From now on, we should just avoid meeting them altogether, bury our heads in the contract and finish the work, and ignore everything else."
Yoda was also helpless. He heard that the homeowner had complained and was yelling at the company that he wouldn't install it anymore. Because of the negative impact, several other customers who came to inquire almost left. In order to appease the other party's anger, they decided to have Yoda stop work for the time being.
Yoda gave a wry smile, unsure of what to say.
Designer Wang looked at Yoda and spun around twice. "No way, I'll go talk to them. We can just give this project to someone else. How can they just stop people from working? How long will this stoppage last? Someone is definitely deliberately making things difficult for you."
Yoda quickly stopped the other person, saying, "Teacher, let it go. Things are hot right now. I'll apply to return to work in a couple of days." The other person hadn't had a proper rest during the past few days away, and upon returning, immediately spoke up for Yoda, firmly believing that he wouldn't do the things that caused customer complaints. This already touched Yoda deeply.
But Yoda knew that Designer Wang only wanted to work normally at the company; his family depended on him, and there was no need for him to make such a big sacrifice for her. Moreover, Yoda thought about what Zhou Liu had said that day, and wondered if it was targeting him again.
Designer Wang sighed helplessly: "I told you before, you always think too idealistically. In the company, completing the design to satisfy the customer is more important than creating a design that you think is perfect."
If it were someone else, they probably wouldn't say anything more once they saw the customer's personality. Anyway, according to the contract, finishing the project, getting paid, and moving on to the next one is the most cost-effective approach and avoids getting into trouble.
Yoda felt somewhat wronged, but she knew that this incident was indeed caused by her own personality. However, she couldn't bring herself to say, "I've learned my lesson and will never do it again."
Designer Wang waved his hand: "Forget it, you go back and get some rest. In a couple of days, when things have calmed down, I'll talk to you and ask you to come back and continue working for me."
"Um."
Yoda packed his things, unsure when he'd be back. He tried to be optimistic; after all the busyness, a break was welcome. But as he walked to the place where he'd parted ways with Zhou Liu that day, he couldn't help but sigh.
Suddenly, I felt empty inside.
Having his first vacation since graduation, Yoda simply stayed home to rest. He wandered around during the day and waited for Yoming and Yoli to get out of school in the evening, then pulled them aside to help them with their homework.
Even though elementary school students now have after-school extended learning programs and basically no homework to do at home, in order to meet Yoda's need to pass the time during his downtime, they had to make something up out of nothing. However, when it came to actually tutoring him, it actually looked quite professional every day, and the three of them gradually enjoyed it.
Yoda lay lazily on the sofa, watching Yo Ming and Yo Li recite their lessons. Their courses were different, and Yo Li finished reciting quickly, put away his textbook, and was free.
You Ming's memory wasn't as good as You Li's to begin with, and seeing that the other person could play after memorizing it made him even more eager to try. He memorized the short sentences in a very fragmented way.
He had to turn around and glance at You Li after reciting each line. You Da coughed, summoning You Ming's spirit back: "What are you doing? What's the next line? Keep reciting."
Yu Ming, looking pale and sickly, turned around and continued speaking haltingly.
Yoda swayed her head, following the rhythm, and her phone rang as the sound was drawn out. Liu Si's voice came through, her tone somewhat melancholy: "Sister Yoda, why haven't you come to the office these past few days?"
Yoda felt a little guilty. He hadn't told anyone about being suspended from work, not even his parents. He'd just told them he was on annual leave and resting at home. In reality, how could someone in this line of work possibly have annual leave? His parents, however, didn't understand and were thus fooled by Yoda.
To avoid being discovered by Shi Xing, Yoda simply stopped going to the agency altogether. They had already agreed to keep their distance for the time being.
Yoda cleared his throat: "Oh, I've been a bit busy lately. I'll go in a couple of days. What's up?"
Looking at everyone busy in the office, Liu Si looked worried: "You have no idea, things haven't been going well for the office lately."
Yoda asked in surprise, "Why?"
Liu Si: "Didn't a lot of designers leave before? As a result, they left a lot of unfinished projects, and now many clients are asking us to finish them. Everyone in the firm is extremely busy now. They not only have to do their own projects, but also finish the projects left by their former colleagues. Only I have time to catch my breath."
Yoda frowned: "It shouldn't be that whoever did it is responsible for it. Even if the person is gone, the follow-up work should still be completed."
Liu Si sighed: "That's how it should be, but who knows what those people are thinking? Leaving some projects behind for each one is either a big deal or just annoying. Besides, President Shi said that these projects left over from before, no matter what, were indeed signed during the establishment of the firm, and the internal affairs of the firm have nothing to do with the clients. The clients are innocent. So now everyone is busy doing these things."
Seeing that Yoda seemed a little distracted after answering the phone, Yu Ming's little eyes darted around. After reciting the last few sentences, Uru Uru immediately rushed over and hugged Yoda happily: "Sister, I've finished memorizing too, can we go play now?"
Yoda snapped out of his daze, looked at Yoming's expectant expression, and pinched his chubby cheeks: "Don't try to get away with this. What were you mumbling about at the end?"
Yu Ming pouted, his lower lip sticking out high. Yu Da handed him the book: "Okay, here you go play."
Originally, it was just to pass the time and incidentally help his younger brothers catch up on their studies. Now Yoda has a new idea, and he's going to do it.
"So, is that all we need to do for now?" Yoda made up his mind and headed straight to the office. Everyone who remained was familiar with him and was extremely busy; no one had any doubts about Yoda's joining.
Yoda blended in seamlessly, and having one more person meant having more strength. After discussing it, everyone decided that since they had already started, they might as well issue a public notice to all clients with similar situations, informing them that the firm would take over the finishing touches on projects previously handled by the designers.
It also served as a form of publicity for the firm. I don't know if it was just good luck, but right after the firm sent out the notice, a design company ran away with the money and made headlines. The two events were quite popular.
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