Reborn in 1985, starting from a machine factory

"Director Zhou, is it a big or small matter?" Chen Rui smiled.

"Not too big, not too small!" Zhou Rui took out a cigarette and lit it for himself.

"Then let's wait for Chen Mo to come back. He's out of town! I can make decisions on small matters, but not on big ones!"

"You know that!"

Zhou Rui nodded slowly: "Alright, a few more days won't make a difference!"

"Excuse me, did Chen Mo go to another city to expand the market?"

"I guess so!" Chen Rui said.

"Director Zhou, it seems we haven't discussed wages at all. You've seen the factory's profits; shouldn't you have some ideas about this?"

Zhou Rui took a drag of his cigarette: "You guys decide what to pay!"

"I agree to Lao Liu becoming the deputy factory director, but his salary must be the same as mine!"

"No!" Chen Rui shook her head. "He can't be like you, at least not this year!"

"What about the workers' wages of one hundred yuan at the end of the month?" Zhou Rui stared at Chen Rui.

"That won't work either!"

Chen Rui smiled and said, "We expect to weed out about 30% of those who didn't meet production targets by the end of the month. With this salary, hiring shouldn't be too difficult!"

"As for those who fail to meet production targets, they may receive a reduction in their wages!"

"Director Chen has such a spirit!" Zhou Rui threw the cigarette butt on the ground and stomped on it twice.

"Director Zhou, our factory is privately owned; we're all in it to make money..."

"Director Chen, I understand!"

"Today I'll have Lao Liu spread the word about the layoffs at the end of the month."

"At that time, these workers will definitely work even harder!"

"So you can make more money!"

Zhou Rui turned around.

Chen Rui didn't say anything more. It wasn't a shameful thing to talk about, but it was the best way to handle it right now.

Just as Chen Mo said, as long as there is sufficient personnel turnover, talented people will inevitably emerge.

Seeing the office door close, Chen Rui turned to Da Xue: "Da Xue, what do you think?"

When the snow falls silently, it's as if this person doesn't exist here.

Hearing Chen Rui speak up, Da Xue said, "Auntie, I think 30% is too high, 10% is about right!"

"I think so too, but that stubborn mule Chen Mo insists on 30%!" Chen Rui shrugged.

"Hey, how have you been feeling these past few days, Daxue?"

"Auntie, I feel like this is a complete mess!" Da Xue shook her head.

"The data for the finished products produced each day is almost always messed up. The warehouse will correct it separately the following morning and afternoon!"

"The delivered raw materials also had similar issues; production said they hadn't received the materials, while the warehouse said they had already been distributed."

"Anything else?" Chen Rui asked, twirling her pen.

"That's all, it just felt a bit chaotic!" Da Xue said, "I've seen people slaughtering pigs before, and it was a multi-person operation!"

"Some people are boiling water, others are removing the fur; the whole process is very quick!"

Chen Rui leaned back: "It's different! Chen Mo said he wants you to come to the new factory, so you can try this out then!"

Da Xue chuckled: "Auntie, I just heard you say Chen Mo went out. Where did he go?"

"He went to Zhongzhou. It's nothing serious. He'll be back in a few days!" Chen Rui said.

"Auntie, has no one ever told you that you can't lie?" Da Xue blinked.

"Huh?" Chen Rui hurriedly looked away. "Really?"

"It's true now!" Da Xue slowly said the second half of the sentence.

Chen Rui looked helpless: "It's really nothing. His uncle ran into some bad guys, and he went to rescue him!"

"They'll only spend a little money; maybe calling the police will solve the problem!"

Da Xue turned to look out the window: "Auntie, is she really alright?"

"I don't know anyone there! You think there might be bad people?"

Chen Rui rested her chin on her hand: "Chen Mo is cunning, but it's alright, don't worry!"

"Take a look at the shipment status when you have time today, to prevent those people from causing trouble."

The snowflakes nodded gently, and the sunlight streaming through the window fell on her face.

The wrinkles between her brows never faded!

...

Besides!

Besides!

Besides!

Besides!

Twenty-odd hours on the train.

Along the way, there was the smell of feet, snoring, and loud laughter.

I can't eat or sleep well!

The three of them staggered as they walked out of the station.

Chen was full of vigor when he got on the bus, but now he's completely dejected.

"Uncle-in-law, what should we do now?"

After leaving the train station, Chen Mo randomly picked a restaurant, ordered three servings of stir-fried noodles, and then spoke up.

"Call the police!" Chen Gang exclaimed, half his body slumped over the table. "We don't even know where they are!"

My aunt's husband shook his head: "We can't call the police!"

"Why?" Chen Gang asked, his eyes filled with confusion.

"Xiaogang, Xiaomo, now that we're here, let's talk things out!"

"What if your uncle really is having an affair with a woman? If we call the police, he could really go to jail!"

What do you think?

"Once he goes in, this family will fall apart completely. Now it's just a matter of when he has a child and they'll be a beautiful family again."

"It's better to tear down ten temples than to break up one marriage," my uncle-in-law said, staring at the table.

Chen Gang turned to look at Chen Mo, and Chen Mo nodded.

My aunt's husband makes a lot of sense.

People are prone to confusion and uncertainty; if they are truly unsure, something bad might happen.

"Uncle-in-law, what do you suggest we do?" Chen Mo asked.

"Let's find a hotel and ask my aunt if there's any news. Let's ask her first!"

The noodles were served. My uncle picked up a noodle, blew on it, and couldn't wait to take a bite.

The same applies to Chen Gang and Chen Mo.

I've eaten noodles.

It was already past 3 p.m. when we arrived at Changqing Hotel.

This is one of the more upscale hotels here; every room has a telephone!

The three of them stood in front of the phone, and Chen Mo pressed the numbers one by one.

Almost as soon as it rang once, a familiar female voice came from the other end of the phone: "Hello!"

Chen Mo said, "Auntie, we've arrived. Have you received any calls these past two days?"

Chen Gang stared at the phone without blinking.

My aunt's husband quietly lit a cigarette for himself.

"Xiao Mo, it's good that you've arrived!" Auntie's voice was a little hoarse.

"They called last night."

"How so?"

"There's a building next to the memorial tower. The last house on the east side of the second floor. It's 3 PM the day after tomorrow. You'll get the money and the person in one hand!" Auntie said.

"Aunt, have you heard Uncle's voice these past few days?" Chen Mo asked.

There was a sudden silence on the other end of the phone.

"Aunt, tonight, no matter what, you must get them to let my uncle say a few words!"

"If your uncle speaks, call us. The three of us will keep an eye on this phone today!"

This time, it took quite a while before a voice came from the other side.

"Okay!" Auntie's voice was already trembling with suppressed sobs.

Chen Mo silently hung up the phone.

Uncle-in-law took a deep drag on his cigarette and looked at Chen Mo: "Xiao Mo, you're saying this is about making money, but it doesn't have to be... you know?"

"It's not that bad!"

Chen Mo and Chen Gang spoke at the same time.

The two brothers didn't look at each other, but instead looked at the window at the same time.

"Uncle will be alright, Uncle!" Chen Mo said. "Don't worry!"

"Should we call the police?" Uncle turned to her. "Even if Zhiqiang has to stay in jail for a few days, it'll be good for him to reflect on his actions!"

"It's not a big deal, Uncle!"

"We definitely need to call the police, but not now."

"When was that?"

"We'll find out when the time comes!" Chen Mo didn't answer directly; he pushed the phone further inside.