Chapter 125
"Earn it! That three thousand yuan is just several years' wages for us. It's not worth it at all!"
Qi Xiyu and others also spoke out indignantly.
Three thousand yuan?!
Liang Ying was both surprised and angry.
She was someone who had been a leader, so she knew all too well how greedy the factory leaders were for embezzlement. They could pocket hundreds of thousands of yuan, yet the layoff compensation distributed to the workers was only three thousand yuan.
Zhang Xing’er and her colleagues are skilled workers who have been doing this job for over twenty years. Even these workers only earn three thousand, let alone others.
"Grandma, what are those aunties and grandmas doing outside?"
Gu Yousi had already finished her homework and was looking at a comic book when she saw He Chunlian reciting her lines in the room. She casually asked her a question.
He Chunlian said, "Grandma doesn't know either, but she overheard that the Textile Factory is laying off people."
"Layoffs?"
Gu Yousi paused in her book-turning motion. "There were so many people at the Textile Factory, were they all laid off?"
He Chunlian said, "I don't know for sure. Ask your mother after they leave."
Although Gu Yousi didn't have a good impression of the Textile Factory's leaders, she thought the people in the factory were quite nice.
People like Auntie Zhang have taken good care of Gu Yousi. Sometimes when they meet her on the street, they insist on buying her some snacks.
Gu Yousi and He Chunlian waited for more than an hour before they heard movement from the living room, as if the person had left.
He Chunlian figured it was about time and came out with Gu Yousi.
Liang Ying was starving and asked, "Mom, is there anything to eat at home?"
"Oh dear, you haven't had dinner yet?"
He Chunlian was taken aback and quickly went to the kitchen to reheat the leftover food.
Liang Ying had been starving all day, so she wolfed down her dinner. Although she had eaten a lot of fruit earlier, fruit was not enough to fill her up; she needed proper rice and grains to feel full.
"Ouch, eat slowly, don't choke."
He Chunlian poured her a glass of water. "You're too honest. Why didn't you say you hadn't eaten? You should have waited until you were full before talking about anything."
Liang Ying ate two bowls of rice before she felt a little full. She put down her chopsticks and said, "Mom, I'm too embarrassed to talk about what happened just now. I really didn't expect our factory leaders to be so inhumane!"
"What do you mean, are we all really going to lose our jobs?"
He Chunlian said with concern, "Your factory has several hundred people. If layoffs cause a major incident, will the leaders dare to take responsibility?"
Liang Ying looked thoughtful, and Gu Yousi asked, "Mom, what are Auntie Zhang and the others here for?"
Liang Ying touched Gu Yousi's hair. "They heard that I opened a factory and wanted to ask if I needed any help."
"Zhang Xing’er and the others are all seasoned veterans; we shouldn't miss out on this opportunity." Although He Chunlian had never done business before, she was very shrewd.
Liang Ying said, "That's what I think too. Experienced people like Sister Zhang are hard to find outside. Now that they're in trouble and come to us for help, why should we refuse?"
Actually, there are quite a few capable people in their factory, but unfortunately, they don't know how to flatter, so they naturally don't get promoted.
This round of layoffs will likely affect those who are laid off.
Liang Ying was able to take in Zhang Xing’er and her group because, although they worked in a textile workshop, every household had a sewing machine and knew how to make clothes.
But Liang Ying couldn't help the people in the other workshops, since their garment factory didn't need that many people.
Although Liang Ying had been away from the factory for a while, she still couldn't let go of her worries after this incident.
She thought for a moment, then made a phone call to Old Master Lan and arranged to ask him for advice the next day.
Lan Yeping was not surprised at all that the Textile Factory was going to be sold.
He poured Liang Ying a cup of tea. "This kind of thing has actually been quite common in the South for a long time. I inquired about it this morning; your Textile Factory is going to be sold to a foreign company."
"Selling it to foreigners, wouldn't that be making money off them?"
Liang Ying thanked them first, but then paused when she heard that it was sold to foreigners. She almost spilled the cup in her hand and quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe the table.
Lan Yeping handed her the cloth on the table and said calmly, "That's how it is sometimes in China. They'd rather sell the best things to foreigners than let their own people benefit."
"But... our factory just bought a lot of new equipment last year, and that equipment cost a lot of money. Are you suggesting we sell the equipment along with it?!" Liang Ying said, as if she suddenly understood something.
Her face first turned pale, then flushed red, and her hands gripped the handkerchief tightly, her knuckles turning white.
The equipment is certainly very expensive and valuable, but it's public money.
But if you sell it to someone else, you'll benefit from the proceeds.
Liang Ying immediately understood why they were still purchasing equipment last year, but this year they suddenly said the factory was not doing well, was in debt, and wanted to sell the factory.
Lan Yeping sighed, "Liang Ying, I've seen this kind of thing many times. I think your factory's Director Xu must have a lot of connections and be very resourceful. I heard that when your factory leaders were reported for embezzlement and bribery, everyone else went to jail, but he was the only one who got away scot-free. This guy's methods are extraordinary."
He tapped the table. "We're just ordinary businessmen. The common people can't fight with the officials. Besides, this has nothing to do with us. How about this: if your colleagues really can't find work, they can come to my place. Our factory is short-staffed. Although the wages aren't as high as at their old factories, the more you work, the more you earn. You might not be unable to make money."
Liang Ying knew that Lan Yeping meant well by saying those words.
Indeed, she had already resigned from the factory long ago, and nothing in the factory had anything to do with her anymore.
Indeed, that Director Xu must have a powerful background; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to control everything so effectively.
After leaving Old Master Lan's office, Liang Ying rode her bicycle and unknowingly arrived at the entrance of the Textile Factory.
The gatekeeper recognized her and greeted her as she arrived, "Xiao Liang, would you like to come in for tea?"
Liang Ying waved her hand and got out of the car. She stood at the door and looked inside. The buildings were usually noisy with the constant sound of motorcycles running, but today they were quiet.
She asked, "Uncle, I won't go in. Why is the factory so quiet today? Is it closed for a holiday?"
Hearing this, the gatekeeper sighed, patting his palm-leaf fan on his knee. "What holiday? There haven't been many orders at the factory lately. To save costs, the management only kept a few people working; everyone else went home. Xiao Liang, you made the right decision to leave. If you hadn't, you'd be home eating your own food now."
Hearing this, Liang Ying felt a pang of sadness.
Just as I was about to ask a few more questions, I saw Director Xu and others crowding around several foreigners, their attitudes incredibly attentive and their actions incredibly affectionate.
Director Xu and the others led the foreigners into the dyeing workshop. Liang Ying hurriedly asked, "Why are those foreigners in our factory?"
"They're here to buy out our Textile Factory!"
The security guard was furious. "Do you know what? Our factory has such a large plot of land, so many machines and production lines, and it only sold for ten million!"
Ten million?
Liang Ying was taken aback. "Is this real? This is too cheap!"
"It's not true, would I lie to you?" the gatekeeper said angrily.
Liang Ying quickly explained, "Uncle, I didn't mean you were lying to me, but how did you know about this?"
The gatekeeper snorted, his face showing annoyance and helplessness. "We're the gatekeepers, who's going to be on guard against us? I overheard their leaders discussing the price. Xiao Liang, you said our factory makes a lot of money every year, how come it suddenly starts losing money and selling off like that?"
The gatekeeper's eyes were filled with confusion and resentment.
He may be ignorant, or he may be uneducated.
But he's no fool. The factory has been running for over twenty years, and it was doing well for the first few years. But in recent years, it has suddenly started to decline, yet the factory keeps buying machines one after another. Nobody would believe there's nothing fishy going on.
Liang Ying knew she couldn't offer the security guard any comfort.
She thanked the old man and pushed her cart away.
But anger was burning in her heart. Such a large factory, so much equipment, so many workers, and they sold off state assets for ten million, leaving the factory's employees with nowhere to go.
After Liang Ying returned home, she ran into Gu Yinxing and Yan Ren. Thinking that two people could make a decision, she asked Yan Ren about it.
After listening, Yan Ren paused for a moment, then said, "Sister-in-law, this matter is ultimately just our speculation. I've also heard about the Textile Factory being sold, but without the approval of the higher-ups, it's difficult to handle."
Gu Yinxing gnawed on a rib, quickly swallowed the meat in her mouth, and said, "Can't we ask Grandpa and Grandma for help?"
Yan Ren looked troubled.
He Chunlian immediately understood and said, "The two elders also have their difficulties. Besides, when Director Xu came down to investigate, he was able to get out unscathed. Just think how powerful his backing is!"
"So we're just going to watch those hundreds of workers lose their jobs?!"
Gu Yinxing was furious and indignant. "How can these people take any kind of money? Aren't they afraid that their sons won't have enough money to live on?"
"You're pregnant, don't say such things, lest you corrupt the child!" He Chunlian scolded.
Gu Yinxing snorted, "People like this deserve to be scolded. If my child doesn't know what's good for him, then I've given birth to him for nothing."
She tugged at Liang Ying's sleeve, "Sister-in-law, if you need my help with this, just let me know!" (This work is provided online by SiTu. com)
Liang Ying never expected that Gu Yinxing would be the most indignant.
But thinking about it, it makes sense. Her sister-in-law has always had a strong sense of justice and righteousness, so it's only natural that she would stand up for what's right.
But she dared not let Gu Yinxing get involved in this matter, as she was still pregnant. "Okay, okay, don't worry about these things. Eat more. Your hospital is closed for the next few days. Why don't you go and visit Grandpa and Grandma Yan Ren?"
Gu Yinxing never expected Liang Ying to distract her; in fact, she thought it was a pretty good idea. Yan Ren gave Liang Ying a grateful look.
Gu Yousi to the side, seemingly lost in thought.
She lowered her head and ate without saying a word.
The next day at school, Lan Lin saw Gu Yousi coming up the stairs from afar. Just as a smile was about to appear on his face, he saw Gu Yousi walk right past him, apparently going to find Song Chaohua.
The smile on Lan Lin's face froze instantly.
"You... you were looking for me?" Song Chaohua was somewhat flattered.
Gu Yousi nodded. "Let's talk outside. It's not convenient here."
"Okay, okay." Song Chaohua quickly put down her pen and hurriedly followed her out.
Still on the rooftop, Gu Yousi looked at Song Chaohua and asked, "Do you know that the Textile Factory is going to be sold?"
"Textile Factory?" Song Chaohua frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "I have some recollection of it."
"Do you know any secrets that could stop Director Xu from selling the Textile Factory?"
Gu Yousi got straight to the point and asked directly, without beating around the bush.
She had thought it over, and if there was anyone who could help with this, it really was Song Chaohua.
Even if her father, Gu Jinshui, were here, there would be nothing he could do about it.
The Song Chaohua's mouth was open in an "o" shape.
She looked at Gu Yousi with surprise, as if she had seen a ghost, "Why... why do you want to know about this?"
"To rid the people of harm and to do good deeds and accumulate virtue."
Gu Yousi put her hands in her pockets. "Your mother used to work in Textile Factory. Don't you want to help her former colleagues?"
To be honest, Song Chaohua didn't want to.
But she was always too embarrassed to say those words to Gu Yousi.
Song Chaohua lowered her head, trying hard to recall her memories of her past life. Just as the school bell was about to ring, she suddenly remembered something. "Oh right, it seems like someone broke into Director Xu's house on the 12th of this month. The thief stole a lot of money, but... but Director Xu didn't dare to call the police."
Gu Yousi frowned. "The 12th of this month, isn't that just a few days away?"
Song Chaohua nervously clutched her trousers and nodded.
"Okay, it's for tonight, right?"
Gu Yousi asked.
Song Chaohua was taken aback. "You... you really believe me?"
Gu Yousi gave her a speechless look, her eyes seeming to say, "You really know how to talk nonsense."
Song Chaohua scratched the back of her head, feeling both embarrassed and somewhat pleased. "I can assure you it's true, because the person who stole the money was my aunt's lover, that Zhang Dabiao who used to be involved in organized crime."
Zhang Dabiao?
Gu Yousi felt that the name did sound somewhat familiar.
She thought about it carefully, and then she remembered—wasn't this grandson the one...?