I Became a Vicious Supporting Role in the '70s-Chapter 243: The Deputy Factory Director from Now On

Those who had just slapped themselves felt somewhat ashamed and kept their heads down, not daring to speak anymore. Lu Debang was even more ashamed; initially, to manage the Head Flower Workshop, they had specifically called a meeting. Now looking back, that meeting seemed laughable, with many harsh words said, but putting them into practice proved to be no small feat.

"I understand, Xiao Meng, no one knows better than I do how much suffering you went through when you first set up your workshop. So many relationships aren’t built with just a word or two. Asking for favors is like warmly pressing one’s face to another’s cold buttocks. I know you faced much scorn back then, so it’s unreasonable for me to still manage the workshop’s affairs after you’re gone, don’t you think?"

As Director Guo spoke, tears fell from her eyes. Before, her interaction with Shen Meng did have some pretense, but the hardships within were clear to her. When she went to county meetings before, she would encounter those who would flatter or belittle others—it was you who would stand with a smile for a long time, while they wouldn’t give you a single glance. Shen Meng went through so much to establish such a workshop, enduring countless grievances.

The more she observed the crowd behind her, the more stifled and teary she became.

Shen Meng: "...."

What was supposed to be an act had gotten a bit too genuine!!!

"Director Guo, please don’t be like this. I still have a job now, and I still have to manage Shenji’s workshop. I really don’t have the capacity to spare, but if everyone doesn’t mind, you can go to Shenji and give it a try. The village chief is personally recruiting. As long as you qualify, the remuneration will not be shabby."

Upon hearing this, everyone became anxious—how could that be the same as working in one’s own village compared to working in someone else’s village? Besides, it was their own that had caused the workshop to fail. If they really went there to seek work, wouldn’t others laugh them to death?!

Over there was Shen Meng’s maternal home. Once they were over there, how could there be any good fruit to eat?

"Xiao Meng, please reconsider, can you think about it again?"

"Yes, yes, we truly recognize our mistakes, from now on we’ll listen to you. Please put in the effort, take over the workshop’s operations, okay?"

"No one but you can handle this; who else has the ability you do?"

Shen Meng felt it was time to take control and sighed, looking at the crowd: "Since that’s the case, I’ll take on the Head Flower Workshop. However, Director Guo must not leave. I have so much work on my hands. Without your help, I don’t know how to properly manage in the future. As for those who caused trouble, I’m sorry, but I can’t get past this hurdle in my heart. Sister-in-law Hua, I truly can’t dare to employ you. However, those sisters who just sincerely apologized, I’ll give you one more chance. If there’s any mistake again, just leave on your own accord, to avoid upsetting everyone."

"Yes, yes, yes, thank you Xiao Meng, thank you xiao Meng."

"We will definitely work well, definitely work well."

"Who do you think you are, it’s just a job. If you won’t give it, then fine, I don’t care for it. You think I want to come? I’m not the least bit willing to work for you. Saying you won’t dare to use me, even if you wanted to, I wouldn’t let you!"

x

Sister-in-law Hua’s face turned somewhat pale. She hadn’t expected Shen Meng to specifically call her out; the others who caused trouble initially were able to stay, but only she was left out. Wasn’t this a slap in Jiaojiao’s face?

And those who, like her, had been loud and aggressive during the disturbances, were now cowering, shameless creatures. They couldn’t earn much in a day, yet they so easily condemned her, truly disgusting.

Shen Meng didn’t care in the least about what she said. After all, this was Sister-in-law Hua in a state of desperate flailing.

Aunt Hua was about to speak, when suddenly she saw someone hurry into the courtyard.

"Comrade Shen Meng, Comrade Shen Meng, I’ve finally found you, your home was quite hard to locate, I had to ask several people before I found it."

"Secretary Guan, what brings you here? Please have a seat."

After smiling and taking a seat, Secretary Guan glanced at the people in the courtyard and cast a puzzled look at Shen Meng.

"Secretary Guan, please have some water. These are all people from our workshop, they came over wanting to ask me to manage the workshop again, but we haven’t finalized anything yet."

Secretary Guan was indeed thirsty, picked up the teacup and gulped down the water, and once he felt relieved, he smiled and said, "It seems that public opinion is clear, Comrade Shen, the Secretary has already sternly reprimanded Director Feng of your Xiangyang Commune. From now on, the Head Flower Workshop of your commune will be fully under your control. The County Committee has had a meeting, the workshop will no longer be called a workshop but a factory, Xiangyang Head Flower Factory, Comrade Li Qianqian is the factory director, and you are the deputy director. Your appointment letter and salary details are all written on it. Furthermore, any matters concerning the Head Flower Factory can be directly reported to the County Committee without going through the commune."

Shen Meng looked at the appointment letter and another document handed over by Secretary Guan, which stated that her salary was one hundred and fifty yuan, including generous bonuses and benefits.

"Isn’t this too much? And as for deputy director, I..." freewebnσvel.cøm

"Comrade Shen Meng, you deserve it. You made such a significant contribution to the County during your trip to the Provincial City. The comrades of the County Committee all remember your hard work. It’s not just the County, the commendation from the Province will be sent to you soon. Tens of thousands of dollars in foreign currency a month, who else could achieve that? If it weren’t for you, even the Secretary would not dare to say he could have secured the deal."

The crowd watched this person who had suddenly appeared, not understanding a word he said. What about the Head Flower Factory, the factory director, the appointment letter, foreign currency, and so on? What exactly was he talking about?

Before coming, Secretary Guan had probably heard a mouthful from Feng Si, and he really disliked the mischief caused by the villagers. It was true that the poorer the place, the more backward the thinking, and the more trouble they caused.

"Perhaps everyone isn’t aware, but Comrade Shen, while at the Provincial City negotiating the contract for the vice food product factory, encountered a foreigner who liked how well the village’s Head Flower Workshop was doing. After many visits, a large order was secured. From now on, there will be a steady stream of goods going out every month from the Head Flower Factory, even overseas. The head flowers produced by your Lu Family Village Xiangyang Head Flower Factory will be worn on the heads of foreigners. Hehehe, Comrade Shen Meng is really broad-minded. Although the people in your village wronged her, she still bore no grudges and thought about the workshop even when she was out. Such great love, such kindness, such selflessness."

Shen Meng: "...."

Although you are speaking up for me, what you’re saying is quite exaggerated. Really, why does it feel so moving?

Secretary Guan’s words hit like a thunderbolt, exploding directly in everyone’s minds. Shen Meng had actually secured such a large order for the Head Flower Workshop without their knowledge, and it was even bringing in foreign currency. The products they were making would now be for export.

"Xiao Meng, is this, is this really true?"

Director Guo looked at Shen Meng incredulously, with his mouth twitching as he spoke, while the others also turned their gaze towards Shen Meng, filled with anticipation.

Shen Meng nodded, and suddenly a gust of wind blew, she squinted her eyes, and her eyes instantly turned red.

Seeing Shen Meng suddenly cry, everyone’s guilt reached its zenith, and Sister-in-law Hua just collapsed on the ground, completely numbed.