Qiao Lanshu, of course, was not nervous. After all, she was a formal employee, and she had planned to resign anyway.
The reason she didn't show it was simply that she didn't want Tian Hemei to celebrate too early.
After all, Tian Hemei didn't look like a sick person at all. There was no need to yield to her on this matter.
Tian Hemei was indeed terrified of losing this position, so she worked incredibly hard all day, not letting Qiao Lanshu lift a finger.
She bustled about all by herself, and when chatting with other colleagues, she subtly hinted at how proactive she was and how beautifully she completed her tasks. Unlike Qiao Lanshu, who just lay inside sleeping on her first day back—how could that be acceptable?
The first three days of Qiao Lanshu's return to work were actually meant for handing over tasks with Tian Hemei. As for which of them would be transferred, the HR department hadn't issued a notice yet, so it remained uncertain.
Normally speaking, however, the one to be transferred would definitely be Tian Hemei.
Therefore, Tian Hemei had been trying her best these past few days to find a way and pull strings to stay in the warehouse.
Unfortunately, when she asked the HR staff, they stated that things had to be done according to standard procedures.
When Tian Hemei asked what the standard procedures were,
HR's reply was to have her quickly hand over the work to Qiao Lanshu. In three days, Tian Hemei was to return to the pickle workshop to cut vegetables. Now that summer was approaching, the pickle workshop was extremely busy. They were short on female workers for chopping vegetables; making pickles every day would leave one's hands covered in calluses!
Tian Hemei went back and discussed it with her technician husband, only to realize that relying solely on connections, she definitely couldn't beat Qiao Lanshu.
After all, the factory manager was Qiao Lanshu's cousin. Everyone knew this.
If it were purely about connections, whose could be stronger than Qiao Lanshu's?
Thus, Tian Hemei figured she had to find a fault at work, make Qiao Lanshu make a mistake, and then use that opportunity to get Qiao Lanshu transferred away.
So the next day, after lunch, when it was time for the afternoon shift, Tian Hemei deliberately made an excuse and arrived half an hour late.
Right at that moment, the staff from the logistics and finance departments responsible for warehouse inventory and stock verification came to Qiao Lanshu with a form: Comrade Xiao Qiao, is Tian Hemei not here?
Qiao Lanshu was sitting on the wooden bed furthest inside, reading a newspaper.
She hadn't brought any books with her these past few days, afraid someone might report her for reading during work hours.
Having nothing else to do, she read newspapers every day, finishing a thick stack of them that she had missed recently.
Hearing the voices, she stood up, walked to the door, and said, Comrade Tian Hemei hasn't returned since lunch. Do you need her for something?
The logistics and finance staff came over with the inventory form and said to Qiao Lanshu, This is the confirmation sheet for our warehouse inventory, which requires the signature of a warehouse keeper. Since you're here, why don't you sign it first? This form needs to be submitted this afternoon.
The warehouse required regular inventory checks; Qiao Lanshu knew this.
However, when Qiao Lanshu used to work here, she always personally followed up on the inventory. She knew exactly where each item was placed, what was stocked, and how much inventory was left.
Therefore, back then, she would definitely sign the forms for the inventory she had personally checked.
But now, she hadn't followed up on this form. Although she could sign it, there was no need to.
Besides, she didn't trust Tian Hemei's character.
Ever since Qiao Lanshu returned to work, Tian Hemei had been very proactive, never arriving late or leaving early.
But today she was dragging her feet. Who knew what she was plotting?
Smiling, Qiao Lanshu said to the finance colleague, I'm sorry, I can't sign this. Although I've started work, Comrade Tian Hemei hasn't handed over the tasks to me yet. To ensure the work goes smoothly and accountability is clear, I cannot sign on her behalf.
Saying that, she walked out of the small wooden cabin and told the two of them, How about this: you wait here for a bit. She'll probably be back soon. I need to go talk to the factory manager about something, so I'll be leaving for a while.
With that, Qiao Lanshu left.
The two comrades held the form and exchanged a glance. What else could they do?
One of them could only wait for Tian Hemei to return, while the other hurried off to look for her.
Tian Hemei had assumed Qiao Lanshu would sign it for her because the form was urgent and had to be submitted that afternoon.
As a result, when she slowly sauntered back to the warehouse, she found that Qiao Lanshu wasn't at her post at all.
Meanwhile, the finance comrade was already fuming. Catching sight of her, she scolded her for quite a while:
Comrade Tian Hemei, during working hours, you should stick to your post! It's been almost an hour, where on earth did you go? Are we going to get any work done or not? Do you expect all departments to revolve around you? You know this inventory work has strict requirements and the accounting must be completed by tomorrow! The form still hasn't been submitted. Are you trying to get me in trouble?
Tian Hemei was merely a family worker, not a formal employee, and could be fired at any time.
The finance comrade wasn't holding back at all while reprimanding her.
There was no helping it; this inventory check was primarily the responsibility of the finance department. If the work wasn't completed on time, they would have their work points deducted.
Feeling nervous, Tian Hemei stammered, Oh, I... I just had something to do...
The finance comrade said sternly, During working hours, staying at your post is your most important duty! Stop talking nonsense and sign this right now!
Tian Hemei: ...
Trying to shirk responsibility, Tian Hemei said, While it's true I should stay at my post, I only left for so long because there was someone else in the same position here. If you were in such a hurry, you should have just asked Qiao Lanshu to sign it for you. Why are you being so fierce?
The finance staff also wanted Qiao Lanshu to sign it, but given what Qiao Lanshu had said, she couldn't exactly put a knife to her neck and force her to sign, could she?
After all, Qiao Lanshu wasn't the one who handled this particular warehouse inventory.
Last year, whenever Qiao Lanshu was in charge of the inventory, the finance staff never had to rush her. She would sign the forms early on and deliver them herself.
She never waited for them to come and press her for it.
The finance staff truly had no time to argue with Tian Hemei anymore.
She tapped the form and urged her, Look at the time, what are you still arguing about? Hurry up and sign.
Tian Hemei: ...
Tian Hemei didn't dare to sign.
She couldn't sign it either. She had deliberately made a small mistake on this form during the inventory check.
The finance department would discover it when they did the accounting.
She had changed the data for one of the items from 11 to 1.
It looked like a casual slip of the pen, but on the financial side, it would result in a loss amounting to hundreds of yuan.
This was no minor error.
After hesitating for a moment, Tian Hemei quickly said, I forgot to double-check it. I'll go verify it one more time, and if there are no problems, I'll sign it for you.
Saying that, she grabbed the form and was about to head into the warehouse to check again.
The finance staff was absolutely furious.
What time was it already?
Where was the time for Tian Hemei to double-check?
She snatched the document back and said angrily, These are the inventory counts you did, what more is there to review? If you won't sign, a fingerprint will do. I don't have time to argue with you here.
Saying that, she grabbed an inkpad, grabbed Tian Hemei's hand, pressed a red fingerprint onto the paper, and then aggressively ran off with the document.
Tian Hemei was speechless.
Panic set in for Tian Hemei, and she quickly chased after her, shouting, Hey, I didn't sign it! A fingerprint doesn't count!
Of course, a fingerprint definitely counted.
After all, in this day and age, many of the deliverymen, porters, and security guards working under the food factory were illiterate.
Sometimes, when a signature was required, they opted for a fingerprint instead, which was convenient, quick, and saved time.
How was Tian Hemei supposed to know the finance department would pull such a trick?
She regretted it to death. If she had known earlier, she wouldn't have tried to pull these stunts.
Meanwhile, Qiao Lanshu went to the factory manager's office. She had already somewhat guessed what had happened with Tian Hemei.
Since she hadn't signed, the finance department would definitely seek her out for a signature. Tian Hemei had probably made a minor mistake.
It was harmless overall, but the impact wasn't great.
Furthermore, she was a dependent worker. This time, she might get fired or possibly demoted to a temporary worker, but her chances of becoming a permanent employee were likely gone.
Qiao Lanshu shook her head and sighed.
Tian Hemei was just too impatient. Qiao Lanshu had indeed been planning to resign and leave, so Tian Hemei wouldn't have had to do anything and still could have stayed at the warehouse.
But now, she probably wouldn't be able to keep her job.
When Yang Wenyan saw Qiao Lanshu come in, he smiled and said, I heard from Yuanzheng that you're planning to resign? Have you thought it through? Jobs aren't easy to find these days.
For a military spouse like Qiao Lanshu, finding a job was actually quite easy; what was difficult was finding a relaxing job that also allowed her to take care of her family.
Being a warehouse manager at the food factory was a great gig!
Yang Wenyan added, Why don't you think about it some more?
Qiao Lanshu shook her head. No, Manager, I've still decided to resign.
If she hadn't known that the college entrance examination would be reinstated next year, she would have continued working as a warehouse manager here.
But since she knew, she absolutely had to take the exam.
She had studied from primary school through high school, spending over a decade in education, and she truly loved reading.
She wanted to test into a university, become an honorable college student, learn more knowledge, and experience a broader world.
Moreover, Qin Yuanzheng was continuously moving up in the ranks. He would be a division commander in the future, and perhaps, when he was old enough, he could climb even higher.
When that time came, she hoped to have her own career achievements, at least enough to match him.
She didn't want to be a dependent dodder flower who could only rely on a man.
Hearing Qiao Lanshu's words, Yang Wenyan nodded and said, Alright then. Fill out a resignation application, give it to me to sign first, and then take it to the personnel department.
After all, Qiao Lanshu had been recommended by Yang Wenyan, so upon her departure, she needed his signature as the factory manager.
Qiao Lanshu nodded. She didn't mention Tian Hemei's situation, but instead brought up another matter. By the way, Manager, I have a friend I'd like to recommend as a temporary worker. Would that be okay?
Qiao Lanshu explained Zhong Mei's situation to Yang Wenyan.
Yang Wenyan was silent for a couple of seconds before replying, Although she went to a labor camp, since her case has been overturned and cleared, it's fine. It just so happens we are busy this summer and have a quota for temporary workers. Bring her to the personnel department to report for duty tomorrow.
Qiao Lanshu's eyes instantly lit up. She smiled and thanked Yang Wenyan before leaving the factory manager's office.
Upon returning, she didn't see Tian Hemei, so she filled out the form herself, handed it in to the personnel department, and as soon as it was time, she immediately got off work and went home.
As for Tian Hemei, she was currently in the finance department's office, arguing with the staff over the data error.
Qiao Lanshu returned home a little after five o'clock, planning to tell Zhong Mei about the job.
Even though it was only a temporary position with a low salary and no housing benefits, at least having a job meant her daily meals were secured, which would allow her to gain a foothold here.
As for future plans, they could take their time figuring that out.
However, when Qiao Lanshu got home, she only saw Auntie Shi and An'an; Zhong Mei was not there.
Surprised, Qiao Lanshu asked Auntie Shi, Where did Zhong Mei go?
An'an was on the sofa playing with a stuffed doll Auntie Shi had sewn, while Auntie Shi was mopping the floor. She replied, That girl Zhong Mei went out this morning. She said she wanted to familiarize herself with the surroundings outside. I was looking after the child and couldn't go with her, but she said she'd be back before dark.
It was only past five o'clock, and the summer days were long; the sun hadn't even set yet.
Qiao Lanshu picked up An'an, teased him a bit, and said helplessly, She's just like that, lacking a sense of security. No matter where she goes, she has to wander around and check things out, saying it's so she can run away if she encounters danger.
Auntie Shi found this amusing.
She tentatively asked Qiao Lanshu, By the way, Xiao Qiao, how old is this friend of yours? She looks quite young, not even as old as my second child.
Auntie Shi had three children: her eldest son was 20, her youngest son was 18, and she also had a daughter who was fifteen or sixteen.
By asking this, Auntie Shi had likely taken a liking to Zhong Mei and wanted to introduce her to her son.
Qiao Lanshu felt it was inappropriate.
As for why it was inappropriate, it was a long story.
It wasn't that Auntie Shi was a bad person; in fact, Auntie Shi was very good, which was why she and Qin Yuanzheng were planning to raise her salary and employ her until An'an was three years old.
Pretending not to understand Auntie Shi's underlying meaning, Qiao Lanshu let out a soft sigh and said, Meimei, she's the same age as me. But don't let her young age fool you; when she was little, she used to fight with the boys all the time. She's much tougher than I am.
The details about Zhong Mei were kept secret by Qiao Lanshu and the others; after all, for the sake of Zhong Mei's reputation, these things were better left unsaid.
They hadn't even told Auntie Shi, only briefly mentioning that she had been framed and almost sent to a labor camp.
So Auntie Shi didn't know the full story.
But now, hearing this, she completely forgot about mopping the floor. Looking shocked, she said, Ah? She fought with boys when she was little? She's that fierce?
Holding An'an, Qiao Lanshu smiled and said, Yes, she's the eldest child in her family, with three younger siblings below her. As the eldest sister, she had to be tough. Look at my cousin-in-law, isn't she really fierce too?
Auntie Shi was speechless.
Thinking of Deng Xiaozhen, Auntie Shi gave an awkward smile and didn't continue the topic about Zhong Mei.
Fighting with men, and being as fierce as Deng Xiaozhen...
Auntie Shi automatically placed herself in the role of a mother-in-law, worrying that if her son really got together with Zhong Mei, he might end up getting beaten by her every day.
As a mother-in-law, she would also be completely suppressed by Zhong Mei.
She definitely wouldn't be able to handle that.
