"Increase the speed to 55 minutes per batch." General Manager Zhu threw the form back onto the workbench.
"But Engineer Ma said yesterday that we must guarantee an hour of synthesis time, otherwise there will be undecomposed medicinal materials, which will cause the product to be substandard," the man replied.
“We already have enough samples in the city center. What we’re producing now are all for sale. The amount of medicinal herbs added is small; it’s mostly flour and bone meal. If it were up to me, I could make a batch in half an hour.” General Manager Zhu snorted, expressing his dissatisfaction.
"Um... yesterday, Engineer Ma only lowered the dosage of material No. 1, but didn't touch the others," the man said in a low voice.
"What's wrong with this old Ma? Does he really think he's producing some kind of prodigy? It's one thing to add some aphrodisiac herbs to the samples to fool the tourists in the city, but to do the same to the products? How are they going to control costs? Are all the people who work so hard going to starve?"
"I need to have a serious talk with Lao Ma at tomorrow's morning meeting. The adulteration of medicinal herbs must be reduced immediately!" Upon hearing what the man said, General Manager Zhu was immediately displeased.
After speaking, General Manager Zhu circled the large metal barrel once more, carefully inspecting each instrument before preparing to leave.
"Mr. Zhu... Mr. Zhu..." But unexpectedly, the naked man called out to Mr. Zhu from behind.
"Is there anything else?" Mr. Zhu took out a tissue to wipe the sweat from his neck, looking slightly impatient.
"Um... I've been working here day and night for almost five years, and my salary hasn't increased at all. Could the company... could it..." the man stammered.
"Can I give you a raise?" General Manager Zhu picked up where the man left off.
"Yes...yes." The man nodded and bowed, smiling obsequiously at General Manager Zhu.
“Sure, no problem,” General Manager Zhu said decisively, but before the man could even show a happy expression, his tone quickly changed. “But… I need a reason for giving you a raise, right? Tell me, why should I give you a raise?”
“Five…five years…I did it…” The man stared at President Zhu in astonishment, his stammering becoming even more pronounced.
"Five years? You're the same age as the company, but seniority is the only condition for a raise?" General Manager Zhu chuckled dismissively. "Li Xiaolong, I'm not trying to be mean, but you should really thank our company. Think about it, how much technical skill is required in your job? Anyone could do the same thing."
“The company has supported you for five years. You must earn at least 30,000 to 40,000 yuan a year, right? That’s nearly 200,000 yuan in five years. The company also provides you with food and drink. Without the company, where would you earn this money? Of course, I’m willing to give you a raise, but you have to create value!”
Mr. Zhu shook his head at Bruce Lee with a look of disappointment and frustration.
"I'd like to promote you to assistant technician, where you can earn over 4,000 a month, but can you handle it? You need to study more and improve yourself as soon as possible. Only by improving yourself and keeping up with the company's development can your income continue to increase!"
"Think about it, you can get more than 200,000 yuan while you're sleeping every day. Where else in the world can you find such a good deal? If you want a raise, don't sleep. You'd be better off using that time to read some professional books," Boss Zhu said earnestly to Li Xiaolong.
“But… I sleep because I don’t get any rest. The boss promised me I could sleep at work… If… if someone could switch hands with me… I… I could… of course… I could too…” Bruce Lee was clearly unconvinced by what Boss Zhu said.
"What do you mean you can do? This job is meant for one person! If two people do it, do you think you can earn over 200,000? No rest? During the Spring Festival, there were no orders, how long did you rest? And how much of what you're supposed to do have you actually done?" General Manager Zhu interrupted Li Xiaolong and asked a series of questions.
“Back then, it was quiet, but the salary was low. I was so anxious staying at home. Now it’s good that I’m busy, but… who can stand not sleeping for days and nights in a row…” Li Xiaolong was also anxious after hearing what Boss Zhu said.
"Low wages? There's still a wage, right? Bruce Lee, the company has it tough. Even when there's no work, we still have to pay your wages and social security. Think about it, what will you do if the company goes bankrupt one day? If you don't work hard today, you'll have to work hard to find a job tomorrow. This is not a joke."
"Who told you to go without sleep for days and nights in a row? You were sleeping when I came in, weren't you? Did I punish you? But you can't sleep during work hours, can you? You have to do your work, and you also have to keep up with your studies, don't you think?"
"Opportunities in this society are only for those who work hard! Sleep less, study more, you won't die from exhaustion! Instead of reaching out to me for a salary, why don't you work hard to improve yourself? I'll have to consider how much salary I need to pay you to keep you..."
As General Manager Zhu was patiently and earnestly instructing Bruce Lee, a red warning light on the large metal barrel suddenly flashed, accompanied by a rapid and piercing buzzer, which startled everyone.
"Alright, this pot's ready. You get back to work. I'll think about your salary." Seeing this, General Manager Zhu stopped talking, gave Li Xiaolong a brief instruction, and then turned and left in a hurry.
"Mr. Zhu, you...you...sigh!" Li Xiaolong was about to say something more, but saw that Mr. Zhu had already walked away. He turned his head and looked at the metal barrel that was making noise there, and couldn't help but sigh.
He walked to the control panel and pressed a button. The buzzer immediately turned off, and the large metal drum spun rapidly, making a "whooshing" sound, as if it was expelling something. After about three to five minutes, the warning light on the metal drum turned from red to green.
Bruce Lee then pressed another button on the control panel, and the metal barrel stopped. Then, with a "whoosh," a lid on top of the barrel opened, steaming out.
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