“If anyone drags us down, I won’t let it go. Even if I have to report it to the factory manager, I will kick these lazy slackers out of our fruit canning workshop.”
Wang Chuntao's words were both a veiled warning to Yu Yao, judging her from her appearance alone that she was incapable of the job, and even paving the way for how to fire Yu Yao in advance.
Hearing this, Fang Qiaoqiao smiled and said, "The military dependents are all hardworking and capable, so Squad Leader Wang doesn't need to worry about that. Squad Leader Wang should spend more time worrying about his niece. She doesn't seem like a capable worker. Just make sure she doesn't slow down our production team's progress."
Yu Yao glanced at Fang Qiaoqiao, smiled at her, and thanked her for speaking up for her.
Fang Qiaoqiao winked at her and silently said, "I'm also a military dependent."
Wang Chuntao felt embarrassed when she saw that Fang Qiaoqiao didn't give her, the class monitor, any face and even spoke up for Yu Yao.
He wanted to assert his authority as class monitor, but remembering Fang Qiaoqiao's status as the factory director's sister-in-law, he could only swallow his anger.
He was even more unfriendly to Yu Yao, the person who made him lose face in front of his group members.
"You two come with me."
Wang Chuntao led the two to the workshop. "Xiao Zhen, go and learn from Brother Zhao how to prepare sugar water. This is the most important position in our workshop, so learn well, understand?"
"Okay, Auntie, I'll study hard."
Although she already knew she would be assigned to learn how to make sweet soup, Wan Xiaozhen couldn't hide her happiness when it was finally confirmed.
This is the most sought-after job in the fruit canning factory, and the job where you're most likely to get a raise.
"As for you," Wang Chuntao said, after arranging for Wan Xiaozhen, she called out to the room next door, "Aunt Liu, this newcomer will be with you for pre-treatment."
Pre-processing and syrup preparation are both stages in the production of canned fruit, but the treatment is worlds apart.
Syrup preparers are skilled workers responsible for preparing syrups to ensure that the sweetness, concentration, and flavor of canned goods meet the requirements of the food factory.
In those days, industry wasn't as developed, and sugar syrup was made using pots and stoves. The mixologist needed to have enough experience to judge the concentration of the sugar syrup and adjust the sugar syrup ratio according to the sweetness and ripeness of each batch of fruit.
In contrast, pre-processing mainly involves manual labor such as washing, shelling, and cutting.
This is usually a job done by older women, and there's not much career advancement in it.
They are not as good as the sugar water dispenser in terms of housing allocation qualifications, monthly allowances, and promotion and salary increases.
Wang Chuntao was the class monitor, and Director Li asked her to assign tasks. Even if she had ulterior motives, no one could say anything if she assigned tasks this way.
After all, no job is inherently superior or inferior; if you look down on jobs, it means you lack awareness and understanding.
Aunt Liu felt some sympathy for Yu Yao.
This girl's life is going to be tough from now on.
If you offend the petty and narrow-minded Wang Jimao, you'll be bullied to death if you don't have any powerful backers.
After assigning the tasks, Wang Chuntao specifically instructed, "Aunt Liu, there's one more person. Your production quota for today will be calculated based on the new person."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Liu's expression changed slightly.
This girl doesn't look like she's good at manual labor; it's no wonder that the extra 300 jin of work fell on their shoulders.
"Squad Leader Wang, she just arrived and doesn't know anything yet. Isn't it a bit inappropriate to assign her an extra 300 jin of work?"
Wang Chuntao didn't care. "What's inappropriate about it? The factory's rule is that each person has a production quota of 300 jin. It wasn't me who set it."
"Everyone says that the families of soldiers on the islands are hardworking and travel thousands of miles to help build the islands. Comrade Yu Yao wouldn't fail to complete her basic tasks and bring shame to the families of soldiers, would she?"
"If the military leaders ask us, we won't know how to explain ourselves."
Yu Yao smiled faintly: "Squad Leader Wang is wrong. How could I, a single person, possibly represent the families of military personnel?"
Those in the know understood that Squad Leader Wang was admonishing the new recruits to work hard; those who didn't might have thought the cannery foreman was deliberately making things difficult for the military family members.
Wang Chuntao was surprised to be rebuffed by Yu Yao, and her face darkened.
"Yu Yao, don't make a big deal out of this. When did I ever make things difficult for you?"
“Squad Leader Wang, you’re wrong again,” Yu Yao sighed deliberately. “Which of my words was taken too seriously? I was just using an analogy.”
Does Sergeant Wang also think he's making things difficult for me, and that's why he broke down because he felt guilty?
Aunt Liu, standing nearby, didn't dare to utter a sound. Watching Wang Chuntao's discomfiture, she lowered her head and forced a smile to hide her embarrassment.
The others around were in similar situations.
Wang Chuntao glanced at the crowd who had stopped to watch the commotion and sneered, "You've got a sharp tongue, I hope you're just as good at your job."
Yu Yao smiled and said, "Of course, after all, I am a member of the military family. When the division commander cares about the military family and asks about the work situation, I can't just talk about how Squad Leader Wang advised me. I have to talk about work-related matters."
Wang Chuntao's expression changed upon hearing this. "Yu Yao, is that right? You're very good!"
"Thank you for the compliment. I wonder if the division commander will be happy to hear that Squad Leader Wang praised the military family so highly."
"You!" Wang Chuntao choked, afraid that Yu Yao would have more ammunition against her, so she didn't dare to say anything more and turned to leave.
Aunt Liu hurriedly asked, "Squad Leader Wang, what about the 300-jin task?"
Wang Chuntao dared not let Yu Yao take on a 300-jin (150 kg) task as soon as she arrived, and said unhappily, "Give her a week, and after a week, it will be calculated as 300 jin."
Aunt Liu breathed a sigh of relief.
At least we have an extra week to prepare. I just hope this woman named Yu Yao can handle it in a week, though it's unlikely.
After finishing her sentence, Wang Chuntao left in a hurry, giving Yu Yao a glare before she left.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
