Chapter 055: The Factory Director

Chen Lan gave Zhao Feng a smack on the head. “You rascal! The girl’s made herself clear—aren’t you going to say something?”

Zhao Feng clutched the back of his head and pulled a dramatic face, baring his teeth in exaggerated pain.

Chen Lan rolled her eyes. “You’re just like your father, always tricking girls like this!”

Awkwardly, Zhao Feng rubbed his nose.

Chen Lan pressed on, “Xiao Feng, what do you think of Xiao Ying?”

Chen Ying watched Zhao Feng, her gaze a mix of nerves and hope.

Zhao Feng glanced at her, hesitated, then said, “Xiao Ying is a wonderful girl. If there’s a chance, I wouldn’t mind being her best friend.”

Everyone blinked in surprise.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Yeah, what does he mean by that?”

“Isn’t he being too slippery?”

“Exactly! That’s such a vague answer!”

Even Chen Ying was puzzled, unsure what Zhao Feng was getting at.

Zhao Feng only smiled. “Alright, this isn’t important. Let’s hear Xiao Ying continue.”

A collective sigh swept through the crowd, tinged with mockery.

“Zhao Feng’s luck is unbelievable, isn’t it?”

“Who could argue with that?”

“Truly blessed!”

“Absolutely!”

Everyone turned to look at Chen Ying.

“Xiao Ying, Zhao Feng is just a sly one. He’s let you down!”

“That’s right! Don’t pick him!”

“Yes, don’t!”

Chen Ying sighed inwardly, a little disappointed. But now wasn’t the time to dwell on it; she needed to get through the day’s inauguration ceremony.

Taking a deep breath, she recovered her usual brisk and decisive demeanor.

She smiled. “Some of you have concerns about the compensation for the land expropriation. I’d like to clarify!”

Everyone pricked up their ears, listening attentively.

She chuckled. “The reason the compensation is two thousand short isn’t because I pocketed it! It’s because—”

“Because what?”

She smiled again. “Because once the factory is built, everyone can work there. And after passing the assessment, you can even become a manager!”

A stir rippled through the crowd at her words.

“You can become a manager? That’s quite the opportunity!”

“It sure is!”

“Wow! That’s a great deal!”

“No doubt about it!”

The mood soared, and everyone began to look forward to the future.

But then, a discordant voice broke in.

“Don’t listen to her nonsense. The management positions are already predetermined!”

“That’s right!”

The speakers were Aunt Wang and Zhao Xiao. Sensing the crowd’s excitement, they seemed intent on spoiling it, stirring up trouble wherever they could.

Hearing their words, the villagers’ expressions shifted, and they began whispering among themselves.

“Predetermined?”

“It’s possible!”

“Yeah! Didn’t they say Zhao Jun would be the factory director?”

“Hush! I see now—this factory is just for Zhao Jun’s family!”

“That’s right! It’s a private business for Zhao Jun!”

“Exactly!”

Their murmurs reached Chen Ying’s ears, and her expression darkened.

She tried to defend herself. “Don’t believe their lies. This factory belongs to everyone!”

But Chen Ying, after all, was still an outsider, and her words carried little weight. The looks the villagers gave her were cold and indifferent.

Only now did Chen Ying realize just how thorny the situation was.

Bang, bang!

Uncle Zhao banged on the table, his face furious. “Anyone spreading rumors will be disqualified from working at the factory!”

At his words, the crowd fell silent. Yet their eyes remained cold as they stared at Chen Ying.

“Everyone…” Chen Ying’s face was strained; she didn’t know how to continue.

“I don’t see any reason for this meeting to go on,” Aunt Wang scoffed.

“Exactly! There’s no point!” Zhao Xiao chimed in.

Seated at the table, Chen Ying was at a loss. On her very first day in office, she’d run into such trouble. How could she continue as village secretary after this?

Just then, a voice rang out. “Everyone, I think we all know who really benefits from this factory, don’t we?”

All eyes turned, surprised to see that it was Zhao Feng who’d spoken.

Chen Ying felt a surge of emotion as Zhao Feng spoke up for her. The injustice she’d endured welled up inside her.

“At last, someone’s standing up for me!” she whispered to herself.

But the villagers frowned at Zhao Feng.

“What business is this of yours, Xiao Feng? This is for adults—what right do you have to speak?” Wang Dajiao sneered, her tone dripping with disdain, as if belittling Zhao Feng and trying to hurt his pride.

“Hmph!” Zhao Feng retorted, “You’ve lived all these years and learned nothing!”

“You—!” Wang Dajiao was so angry her lips trembled and her face turned purple.

Zhao Feng stood up, hands clasped behind his back. “As for why my father was appointed factory director, I think everyone understands!”

“It’s because he’s run a tea processing plant before. He knows how to manage things, and he has connections for sales.”

The villagers considered this and realized Zhao Jun really was the only suitable candidate.

Zhao Feng continued, “No one knows how to run the place or manage it better than my dad.”

He paused, then added, “To be honest, my dad doesn’t even want the job. It’s only because I wanted to support Xiao Ying that we reluctantly agreed!”

He put on a show of reluctance, as if he were the one making a great sacrifice, leaving the villagers bewildered.

They blinked.

“He’s right; only Brother Zhao Jun can do the job!”

“Yes! He’s the only one with the right connections!”

“And he’s got management experience!”

“That’s true!”

Chen Ying watched as Zhao Feng solved her dilemma in just a few sentences, and her admiration for him grew.

Zhao Feng chuckled. “Honestly, I was against it—my father should be enjoying his retirement! But to support Chen Ying’s work, and to help everyone prosper, our family had no choice but to make this sacrifice!”

“You’re shameless!” a voice snapped. It was Zhao Xiao, his face livid, glaring at Zhao Feng.

“Zhao Feng, you’re shameless!”

Zhao Feng blinked innocently. “How am I shameless? I’m just doing what’s best for everyone!”

“That’s right! Xiao Feng is thinking of everyone!”

The crowd voiced their agreement, standing firmly behind Zhao Feng.