"Director Wang, why is my uncle suspended? I want to clarify things with the leadership. This incident has greatly harmed my uncle, not just professionally, but also his dignity. He's even become depressed and almost took his own life. We deserve an explanation!" Xie Sui stated righteously. Ye Yong nodded repeatedly. He was not good with words, and Xie Sui's every sentence struck a chord with him.
Ye Yang and his brother were so scared their faces turned pale. Ye Feng even hugged his father's arm and cried, "Dad, please don't do anything rash. Your son can earn money. Please, don't do anything foolish. It's their loss if the factory doesn't want you. We don't care to work there anymore!"
Ye Yong: "..."
What a foolish son. He had thought about it, but couldn't say it out loud. It would be too embarrassing.
"Shut up."
He was quite pleased inwardly. It wasn't in vain that he doted on this younger son; he was much better than the elder one.
Director Wang's face was grim. "I am the leader. The factory has rules. Don't come here threatening to die or make a scene. If you want to die, die somewhere else, not here. Be careful, or I'll have the police arrest you for disturbing the peace and obstructing the normal operations of the factory. This is already a crime!"
"Fine, go ahead and call them. If you don't, I will!"
Xie Sui was not intimidated. Did he even consider what he was saying? If someone with a more impulsive personality had done something foolish, this man would be responsible for their death. There had been cases of people jumping to their deaths due to layoffs. Losing one's lifelong livelihood in middle age was something few could endure. And this man was making light of it, his heart truly cold and dark.
By now, quite a few curious workers had gathered. Seeing that the situation was escalating, Director Wang became anxious. "Call the security department! Get them all out of here!"
"I'd like to see who dares!"
Xie Sui roared, his voice filled with anger. "This factory belongs to all of us workers, not to you alone. It belongs to the nation, to the working class. The workers gave you authority to serve them, not to lord over them and bully them. Don't you all agree? If he can treat Uncle Ye this way today, he can do the same to you tomorrow. We must get a clear explanation from the leadership!"
"Yes, we need a clear explanation. Old Ye has been with the factory for a long time. He can't just be suspended like this."
Everyone has friends, after all. Someone immediately spoke up for Ye Yong, and the momentum grew, alarming the factory leadership. Director Wang's face turned pale. He felt like tearing Xie Sui apart. All this trouble was caused by him!
"What's going on? Don't you all have work to do? Wang Cheng, come to the office with them. What kind of impact is this having?"
The factory director was alerted and asked his secretary to escort them to the factory's large conference room to handle the matter personally. The suspension of a workshop worker wouldn't normally alarm the factory director. After understanding the details of the incident, the director glared at Director Wang. "You mentioned buying and selling, theft of factory property, and damage to the factory's interests. Do you have any evidence?"
Wang Cheng said, "I saw this young man accept money from him with my own eyes. How could that be fake?"
Xie Sui was so amused he laughed. "That's the most ridiculous excuse for evidence I've ever heard! Is me giving him money damaging the factory's interests? Theft requires catching them in the act, with money and goods exchanging hands, that's buying and selling. Can't I lend money to my uncle?"
The factory director looked at him. "And who are you?"
"I'm Ye Feng's cousin. This is my uncle. I heard about this matter and it all felt wrong. I implore the factory to give my uncle justice." Su Dan Novel Network.
The factory director looked at Ye Yong. "You tell me, why did you accept his money? Don't tell me about lending money. This is a factory, and lying has consequences."
Ye Yong honestly replied, "He asked me to help him with some mixers. I bought the motors from the supply and marketing cooperative and made them myself at home. I didn't use any factory materials. If the factory doesn't believe me, I have the receipts. However, I admit I used the factory's welding machine to do some personal work. I am willing to accept punishment, but I cannot accept being suspended. I beg the factory to investigate thoroughly."
Using factory equipment was a matter that could be big or small. Who hadn't used a welding machine to do a little personal work? As long as it wasn't excessive, the factory wouldn't pursue it.
The factory director looked at Director Wang. "Is that so? You claimed he was reselling factory equipment. Where is your evidence?"
Director Wang was speechless. He could only say, "But he profited from using factory equipment. He admitted that. Shouldn't he be punished?"
Xie Sui nudged Ye Yong and gestured with his chin towards Director Wang. "Report him. What a great opportunity!"
Ye Yong quickly said, "Sir, I want to officially report Wang Cheng. He has been selling factory scrap iron, appointing unqualified relatives to the factory, withholding worker benefits, abusing his power for personal gain, and also accepting bribes, and so on. He has significant problems."
"You're talking nonsense. Do you have any proof?" Wang Cheng was furious, wanting to lash out. He hadn't expected Ye Yong to turn the tables.
Ye Yong sneered. "Isn't it easy to investigate? The mooncakes distributed by the district last time were all expired and moldy. The sheets distributed were all defective. Do you dare say you haven't accepted bribes? You squeezed me out not just to arrange for your nephew to enter the factory? Everyone in the workshop knows about this. Perhaps the paperwork is already being processed. Sir, I am an old welder, a Level 7 welder. My skills are second to none in the entire factory. If Director Wang's nephew has better skills than me, I will willingly step down!"
Ye Yong had absolute confidence in his craftsmanship. An experienced welder wasn't trained in a day or two; it was built over years of dedication.
The factory director's face darkened. "I will thoroughly investigate this matter. You go home and wait for news. If you were truly wronged, Wang Cheng will apologize to you and compensate you for your losses. However, the unauthorized use of factory equipment, this bad practice, cannot be encouraged. I will fine you one month's salary. Are you willing to accept this?"
"Yes, I accept. As long as I'm not suspended, I'm fine with it."
"You may leave for now. We will discuss it further after the investigation. Everything must be based on facts."
Xie Sui immediately showered him with praise. "The director is wise! Having such a good director is a blessing for us workers. We'll bring you a banner later, 'A Good Director for the Workers, Just and Honest Public Servant!'"
The factory director was almost embarrassed by the praise. "This is my duty. If you have any issues, come to the leadership to discuss them, but don't make a scene. And you are not allowed to do this again."
"We understand. It was this dog of a director who blocked us. We trust the factory and the organization. Please, you must be busy. We'll be going now."
"Yes, go. Work hard in the future."
Wang Cheng's face turned green. He wished he could kill Xie Sui. He even cursed him in front of him. Where did this reckless fool come from?
Wang Cheng was unwilling to give up. He walked out of the director's office and went directly to see Deputy Director Shao Wenjun. Shao was his patron, and he had often given him benefits. He needed Shao to plead for him in this situation. As long as he wasn't fired, fines were a minor issue. He feared dismissal. He had spent his whole life to reach the position of workshop director; he couldn't let it all go to waste.