Chapter 70: “Sister Tao, I Will Work Hard and Never Let Taoyang Down”
Zhuang Wan was delighted and agreed immediately. She even tidied up the office behind her, asking Aunt Qi to send someone over to thoroughly clean it inside and out.
Su Tao then called Mother Qian to briefly explain the plan to hire Qian Rongrong and wanted to get her opinion.
On the other end of the line, Mother Qian was stunned for a moment, a surge of emotion welling up:
“Boss Su, if this is out of pity, there’s really no need. I can still support Rongrong, and we would never fall behind on the rent.”
Su Tao quickly explained, “No, no, that’s not what I meant at all. We genuinely need more hands. Wanwan is overwhelmed, and I’ll be leaving soon. Actually, I’ve always had a good impression of Rongrong. She’s obedient and smart. Wanwan mentioned several times that she’d like Rongrong to join, but back then, I saw that Rongrong was doing well at the plantation, so I didn’t bring it up.
“Now that there’s finally an opportunity, I wanted to talk to you. Please don’t misunderstand.”
Hearing this, Mother Qian’s emotions eased significantly, but she still couldn’t contain her gratitude, “Regardless of the reason, it’s Rongrong’s blessing to work at Taoyang. Thank you on her behalf. When Taoyang’s office building was first constructed, Rongrong would pass by several times on her way to and from work. I even found a simple sketch of the office building in her wardrobe, where she drew herself as a stick figure sitting inside… Rongrong will definitely be over the moon when she hears this.”
Su Tao felt deeply moved. After hanging up, she discussed Rongrong’s benefits and salary with Zhuang Wan.
Zhuang Wan suggested, “Start with 8,000 federal credits for the first three months, including three meals a day and a heat allowance. If she performs well after three months, we can increase it to 10,000. I heard from Mother Qian before that Rongrong earned 8,000 at the plantation, higher than other girls who joined at the same time. If the plantation’s situation wasn’t so poor, with her ability, her position and salary could definitely improve further.”
Su Tao agreed, “Let’s do that. Once we have more staff, we’ll also need to hire a finance or HR person to handle payroll and personnel matters. Right now, you’re practically Taoyang’s ‘head of the household,’ worrying about everything from food and housing to finances—it’s too much.”
Zhuang Wan began to imagine a future where Taoyang had more and more staff, each with their own responsibilities, managing the place in an orderly and thriving manner.
As soon as Mother Qian finished work, she rushed over with Rongrong.
Su Tao welcomed them to the reception room.
Little Rongrong’s eyes were red, both nervous and excited, looking at Su Tao as if she had a thousand things to say.
Zhuang Wan went over the salary and benefits with the two of them.
Mother Qian felt embarrassed and hesitated, saying:
“This is too much; it doesn’t feel right. She’s still young, and this is her first job.”
To her, finding a job for Rongrong was already a huge relief.
After searching for so many days, not a single place in Dongyang was hiring. She didn’t dare to hope her daughter could find a job with a salary close to what she had before.
Moreover, Taoyang even provided three meals a day and additional allowances for hot weather.
It was almost too generous to accept.
Su Tao advised, “In Dongyang, there was also a contribution point subsidy, which Taoyang doesn’t have. It’s only fair to convert that into federal credits. Besides, Rongrong used to handle meticulous and complex tasks at the plantation, which is quite similar to the work here. She’ll do just fine.”
In the end, Mother Qian had Rongrong stand up and bow to Su Tao.
Su Tao was startled, and then she heard Rongrong, her voice choked with tears, say, “Sister Tao, I will work hard. I will never let you down or let Taoyang down.”
Her words were full of resolve and determination, making Su Tao feel a bit embarrassed.
Zhuang Wan smiled and said, “Welcome! Taoyang will need your help in the future.”
Qian Rongrong almost saluted them right then and there.
After agreeing to start work the next day, Mother Qian took her teary-eyed daughter and left.
Zhuang Wan felt both amused and comforted, telling Su Tao, “Rongrong is truly a genuine person.”
Su Tao nodded, “Just like her mom. I’m even thinking, if we need more people in the future, maybe we could bring Mother Qian over too. It would be perfect if we had our own plantation—she could manage it directly.”
Zhuang Wan said ambitiously, “I don’t think that’s too far off.”
Su Tao admired her confidence, but she knew well that setting up a plantation required a lot of manpower, technology, and a large plot of land.
Taoyang was already packed to the brim, and there was no clear way to expand the land.
The dream of a plantation still seemed far away.
Suddenly, Zhuang Wan said, “By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask—do you think we could install a few security cameras in the apartment hallways? Recently, several tenants have reported to me that their personal belongings left in the hallway have mysteriously disappeared.”
Su Tao frowned, “A thief?”
Zhuang Wan nodded helplessly, “It seems like someone’s not keeping their hands clean. Tenants have lost shoes, umbrellas, even cardboard boxes left by their doors—gone the moment they turned back.”
“Some even said they put their clothes in the communal washing machine, only to find them missing when they came back.”
Su Tao asked, “How long has this been going on?”
“It’s been a long time. At first, it was just some small things, so no one paid much attention to it and no one told me about it.”
“It has just happened more frequently recently. Plus, Grandma Cen is old and her eyesight is not good sometimes. She accidentally threw away the dried mushrooms she just bought as garbage. When she was about to look for them in the garbage bag at the door, she found that the thief had taken the whole bag of garbage away with her.”
Zhuang Wan sighed, “As you know, mushrooms are ridiculously expensive now. It was Cen Lao’Er who brought them back from other bases for her. Grandma Cen was so distressed that she came to me to complain early yesterday morning.”
“Did the cleaning lady take it away for you?”
Zhuang Wan shook her head: “I asked Aunt Qi, and she also thought it was taken away by the cleaners at first, but the aunts said they didn’t see it. They also went to the garbage disposal point to look for it, but they couldn’t find it either. There is no surveillance, so it is impossible to determine who took it.”
Su Tao was having a headache. “I don’t have any surveillance equipment. If I had, I would have installed it long ago. I’ve asked Sister Pei and Major General Shi before. Surveillance cameras are too scarce. They are also in short supply. They are all used in high-security areas. There are really no extra ones. Please issue a notice and ask everyone to take good care of their belongings for the time being. Then ask Aunt Qi to help keep an eye on them.”
Su Tao returned to her room and began to study Taoyang’s built-in smart butler.
But this thing only has danger warning function and visit record function. After searching for a long time, she even found the word “add”
It is suggested that monitoring, fire prevention and extinguishing, earthquake prevention and other functions can be added.
However, when Su Tao clicked on “Monitoring”, she was told that she needed to install a camera.
Clicking on “Fire Prevention and Fire Extinguishing” requires installing smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, etc.
Very good, back to the starting point – complete hidden tasks and unlock hidden stores.
Su Tao lay on the bed with White Sesame in her arms. Forget it, go to bed early as she has to get up early tomorrow to prepare travel supplies.
Updates? 🙏