Chapter 62: Those Who Harm Others Only Harm Themselves
Su He smiled.
“First, you know better than anyone what kind of person Meng Yanjiao is. Are you really at ease letting your daughter work under her?
Second, for this plan to succeed, not a single step can go wrong. I may not be that capable, but I’m definitely good at stirring trouble.
Lastly, Director Shen, don’t you want to climb the ladder too?
I have a decent relationship with Technician He and Director Gao. Maybe one day, I can be of help to you.
Director Shen, wouldn’t it be better for us to work together and both benefit?”
Shen Gang’s expression shifted a few times, then he laughed.
“Xiao Su, I was just joking earlier. There’s no way I could handle something this big on my own—we’ll have to work together.
Besides, getting that cashier position won’t be easy. Even if Zhou Xiangcao has connections, she’ll still need to work hard to get it.”
Su He blinked. “You could start with Wang Bailing. Though she’s been acting as both accountant and cashier, the factory hasn’t made an official appointment—something must be holding that up.
She and Zhou Xiangcao could work something out that’s mutually beneficial. If they both push for it, it’s almost guaranteed to happen.
Also, if Meng Yanjiao is removed, the spinning workshop director position will be open. That’s another opportunity for you…”
Shen Gang nodded continuously, deeply impressed. This Su He might be young, but her methods were sharp and precise—he couldn’t match her.
Meng Yanjiao really had bad luck. What did she have to gain by crossing someone like this?
Director Gao had been pacing outside for a while. Seeing that Shen Gang still hadn’t come out, he grew puzzled. What could they be talking about for so long?
Well, Shen Gang was a sly old fox. It wouldn’t be easy for Su He to convince him to approve Su Yongshi’s permanent employment.
Finally, Shen Gang came out.
The two exchanged a few polite words, and Director Gao returned to his office.
He probed, “Xiao Su, did the talk go well?”
Su He nodded. “Very smoothly, thanks to your help. By the way, Director Gao, the embankment construction starts tomorrow. Could I hitch a ride on the delivery truck?”
Director Gao didn’t think it was a big deal and readily agreed.
Su He left his office and hadn’t walked far before she saw a large crowd gathered ahead.
“Cao Hongmei, your dismissal is already set in stone. Stop embarrassing yourself here! Go buy a hoe and head home to farm!
And that niece of yours, always flirting—today this guy gropes her, tomorrow that guy gets fresh with her. You’d better take her back to the countryside before she seduces another man!”
“Lu Xiaohua, don’t get cocky! Even if I’m fired, I’ll still live better than you!
You’re the kind of gossiping backstabber that’s bound to get what’s coming! Don’t go out in the rain—you might get struck by lightning!”
…
Su He pushed through the crowd and saw Cao Hongmei in a shouting match with a woman with sharp, narrow eyes. The woman had a whole group backing her, while Cao only had Lu Xiang—who Su He had met yesterday—trying to hold her back.
“Second Aunt, if a dog bites you, why bother biting back?” Lu Xiang was pleading.
Seeing Su He, Cao Hongmei finally felt she had backup. Her eyes turned red.
Just moments ago, Meng Yanjiao had told her there was no shift scheduled for her and she should go home and wait for further notice.
Wait for what? Obviously, a termination notice!
Cao had begged, but it was useless.
Worse, when she stepped outside, Lu Xiaohua and the others followed to jeer at her. That’s when the argument erupted.
Lu Xiaohua shouted at Su He, “Who are you calling a dog, you shameless little tramp? Always flirting around—should’ve taken you and Cao Hongmei back to the village ages ago!”
The others chimed in with harsh insults, pushing Director Cao to the brink of a fight.
Su He looked at them coldly and said evenly, “If I’m not mistaken, it’s work hours right now, isn’t it? You’re all off post without reason. If your precious Director Meng finds out, she might just suspend you like my second aunt.”
Lu Xiaohua scoffed, “Director Meng loves us. Skipping work? Even if we went on vacation, she’d cover for us!”
“Exactly! Unlike your second aunt, nobody likes her. People aren’t treated the same. Same fight, we walk free, and she gets fired.”
“You country bumpkins should just crawl back to your fields. Stop being such eyesores.”
…
Su He didn’t argue, letting them run their mouths.
She found it amusing—Shen Gang was probably still trying to figure out how to get at Meng Yanjiao, and these idiots had just handed him the perfect excuse on a silver platter.
So the louder they got, the better.
Cao Hongmei didn’t understand Su He’s strategy and felt frustrated. Usually, the girl was sharp-tongued. Why so quiet now? Must be because she’s still young and scared of these shrews.
At that moment, a woman in her forties approached—it was none other than Meng Yanjiao, the spinning workshop director.
She frowned at Lu Xiaohua and the others. “What are you making all this noise for? Get back to work, now!”
Then she looked Su He up and down, a mocking smile on her lips. “You sure like to stir things up, little girl. Seat cushions, hair accessories… Let me give you a word of advice: keep your head down. Otherwise, you might just end up hurting yourself.”
Su He met her gaze, voice meaningful. “I have some advice for you too: those who harm others only end up harming themselves. Careful you don’t drop a rock on your own foot.”
Then she turned to Cao Hongmei. “Come on, Second Aunt. Let’s go home.”
On the way back, Director Cao sighed over and over, wiping away tears.
Su He had always responded better to softness than force. Seeing her like this, she tried to comfort her. “Don’t worry, Auntie. Meng Yanjiao doesn’t have many days left in that position. Once she’s gone, your issue will be resolved.”
Cao Hongmei looked at her in disbelief. “Xiao He, what do you mean? Are you saying Meng Yanjiao is going down?”
Su He blinked playfully. “Guess.”
Cao Hongmei was elated at first, then skeptical. “You’re not joking, are you? Did you talk to Technician He and Director Gao?
But they’re not involved in production—why would they help?
Even if they did step in, they might just ask Meng Yanjiao to let me off the hook, not take her down entirely!”
Su He smiled. “Auntie, nothing’s impossible. You’ve got a few days off now, so just rest. I need to head to Huaihua Commune tomorrow.”
Cao asked casually, “Missing home?”
Su He shook her head. “Not really. I borrowed four small trucks to help Huaihua Commune build a dam. I’ve got to go supervise.”
Cao Hongmei gasped. “You what?!”
Su He repeated herself, sighing, “Two trucks would’ve been enough, but both the textile and machinery factories were so enthusiastic, they insisted on sending one extra each. They’ve really made it hard for me!”
Cao Hongmei: “…”
