Xu Ying cast a quick, grateful glance at Secretary Zhang, a flicker of amusement crossing her mind at the thought of Director Sun’s reaction if he knew his confidant’s heart leaned towards her. She swiftly made her way to the factory director’s office. As she reached the door, she saw Director Yang, who had clearly been waiting for a long time. Her eyebrows rose slightly.
“Director Yang.”
“Xiao Xu, I… I’m truly sorry to you,” Director Yang stammered, his face etched with guilt. He hung his head, unable to meet her gaze. He genuinely felt he had wronged Xiao Xu. She had trusted him implicitly, not only resurrecting their struggling factory but also continuing their exclusive partnership. He hadn’t anticipated Director Wu’s treacherous actions. Though he hadn’t directly participated, Director Yang felt the weight of culpability. If only he hadn’t been so soft-hearted, so easily swayed by Director Wu, none of this would have transpired.
Xu Ying regarded Director Yang with a serene smile. “Let’s go in first and talk there,” she suggested.
Director Yang offered a grateful smile and followed her into Director Sun’s office. Director Sun was ostensibly engrossed in writing. Upon seeing the two enter, he immediately put down his pen, a broad smile gracing his face. “Xiao Xu, Director Yang, you’re here. I’ve just finished my work here. What can I do for you?”
Xu Ying’s mouth twitched. Hadn’t he just summoned her? Secretary Zhang’s face also held a strange expression; their director had clearly been feigning work. Only Director Yang looked at him with utmost respect, believing that managing such a large enterprise naturally involved countless daily tasks.
“Director Sun,” Director Yang began, bowing deeply, “I am here to apologize on behalf of our factory. Our leaders have dismissed Director Wu from his position. From now on, I will continue to cooperate with you on behalf of our factory. I am truly sorry.”
Director Sun gasped, quickly rushing to help Director Yang rise. “Director Yang, you don’t have to be like this. Those things weren’t done by you and have nothing to do with you. It was all Director Wu. He’s truly too black-hearted.”
Director Yang nodded anxiously, finding it difficult to articulate his thoughts. “Director Sun, our factory has just been built. When Xiao Xu first came to us, our factory was on the brink of collapse, and we still owed our employees wages. If it weren’t for Xiao Xu, our factory employees wouldn’t have received any pay. I heard Director Wu say the liquidated damages are 200,000 yuan. Director Sun, it’s not that I don’t want to pay, but our factory simply doesn’t have that much money! Can you see if you can accept less, or perhaps we can pay it back slowly?” After uttering these words, Director Yang was so mortified that his head almost touched the ground.
Director Sun looked visibly embarrassed. “Director Yang, this matter has nothing to do with you, and you shouldn’t be held solely responsible. However, if this matter is simply swept under the rug, the tens of thousands of employees in our factory will certainly not agree. Because of this incident, tens of thousands of employees in our factory almost lost their jobs, as did the people in your factory. If we just let it go, they might do the same thing next time. There must be rules. Since a mistake has been made, there should be punishment.”
“Yes, yes!” Director Yang nodded frantically.
Director Sun pondered for a moment, then looked at Xiao Xu. “Xiao Xu, what do you think?”
Xu Ying knew this wouldn’t end well. Seeing both factory directors looking at her, she felt a profound sense of pressure. “Director, perhaps it would be better to follow Director Yang’s suggestion and let them pay it back slowly. But 200,000 is simply too much. Director Yang and I have known each other for almost a year now and are friends. Our factory director is the most generous. Why not just lower the price of all the duck meat from their factory?”
Director Sun almost had to bite his lip to suppress his laughter. This girl was truly a master of manipulation! The duck meat factory, dissatisfied with the current price, had caused a fuss, demanding an increase. Now, this girl was directly lowering the price, denying them any opportunity to raise it. If the employees of the duck meat factory learned of this, they would be furious. But this maneuver was brilliant. The duck meat factory would have to swallow it, even if it meant breaking their teeth, because they couldn’t possibly pay 200,000 in liquidated damages. And the food factory would gain a good reputation. If the price of duck meat dropped even a little, the profit gained would far exceed 200,000 yuan.
Director Yang was not entirely blameless, but Xu Ying knew that when Director Wu wanted to increase prices, the factory employees had been highly supportive. She, Xiao Xu, simply couldn’t tolerate such betrayal. Since they had treated her this way, she would present them with a grand “gift.” It was just a lower price, and it wouldn’t impact the employees in the factory significantly. After all, small profits with quick turnover would mean their factory would need more and more duck meat. But Xu Ying simply wanted to make them regret their actions.
Director Yang’s face was grim, but he finally accepted the terms, immediately amending the contract and the price. He was quite relieved that he wouldn’t have to pay 200,000 yuan in liquidated damages. He thanked Xu Ying profusely, promising that such an incident would never happen again. Xu Ying, however, didn’t believe it for a second. There were no permanent friends, only alliances driven by mutual interests. Yet, she smiled and nodded. At that moment, Factory Manager Yang also held a higher opinion of Xu Ying. This girl was incredibly shrewd for her age.
As Director Yang departed, Director Sun erupted in laughter, covering his mouth and grinning from ear to ear. This girl, Xiao Xu, was truly formidable. He doubted anyone would ever gain an advantage over her.
“Director,” Xu Ying said, a hint of disdain in her voice, “although there are no outsiders now, you still need to maintain your image!”
Director Sun immediately stopped laughing, scowled at Xu Ying, and was about to dismiss her. “Director, I’m really worried about the factory this time. This bonus is, ugh…”
Director Sun’s mood soured instantly. He glared at Xu Ying, his face contorted in a displeased expression. “Tell me, YOU girl is good at everything, but you’re just so ` obsessed with money! Bonus, bonus, all you know is bonus! Don’t worry, the bonus is yours. Go, go, go aside. I feel sick just looking at you!” Director Sun looked heartbroken. This girl’s salary had already caught up to his.
Secretary Zhang secretly covered his mouth, stifling a laugh. Their factory director was good at everything but was far too stingy. Any small profit he made, he couldn’t wait to hand it over to the higher authorities as a contribution.
Xiao Xu, knowing he was joking, left with a smile. “In a few days, Director, I will take my third uncle to other provinces to begin tasting activities. Give me a few days off to prepare.”
“Okay, okay,” Director Sun grumbled with feigned disgust. “Just don’t let me see your money-hungry face!”
As soon as Xu Ying left, Factory Manager Sun turned to Secretary Zhang, a look of enlightenment on his face. “Tell me, why is Xiao Xu so powerful? I want to crack open her forehead and see if her brain is much larger than ours. Oh dear, I don’t know how this food tasting event will go. Can we actually make it to the Diplomatic Conference and have a good time?” Director Sun mused to himself, filled with both anticipation and apprehension.
Secretary Zhang stood by. “I think there’s nothing Director Xu can’t accomplish, and this tasting event will definitely cause a stir. Who knows, our food factory might actually go to the Diplomatic Conference. Director will have to promote our food factory’s products well and show off his skills at the Diplomatic Conference!”
Director Sun felt somewhat embarrassed by Secretary Zhang’s words.