Back to the 1970s: Building My Fortune Through Time Trading-Chapter 282: The Detergent Factory Director Arrives
Nothing comes for free; there’s always ulterior motives.
Su Xiaoxiao thought cynically, but the person was her immediate supervisor. No matter how much she disliked him, she had to put on a good face.
"Sister Zhang, Shuangshuang, you two head back first."
Su Xiaoxiao said to them. Zhang Yulan gave her a worried glance, certain that Manager Liu had no good intentions, but couldn’t say so aloud. She could only use her eyes to signal Su Xiaoxiao to be cautious, unsure if Xiaoxiao understood.
The two left, turning back every few steps.
Su Xiaoxiao followed Manager Liu to his office, closing the door behind them. Manager Liu looked at her with a sly smile, his small eyes curved, resembling a fox eyeing a chicken.
"Xiao Su, I heard that the sewing machine sales channel for our department store was provided by you?"
Manager Liu sat leisurely in his chair, taking a sip of water, and smiled at her with a facade of kindness.
If one didn’t know his character, they might think he was easy to get along with.
Su Xiaoxiao forced a smile: "Yes, I have distant relatives at the sewing machine factory, there’s an internal channel. I was just doing them a favor by connecting them."
This was her standard explanation to the outside world.
Manager Liu put down his enamel cup and said with a smile: "Xiao Su, you need to understand that we are part of the same department. If there’s anything, you should report it to me first. Even though I was away for a while, you should have informed me over the phone instead of directly contacting Manager Wang."
"See, as your direct supervisor, I had to hear about this from others."
His words implicitly blamed her for bypassing him to go to Manager Wang.
Su Xiaoxiao frowned involuntarily. Selling things was her personal freedom; why should she report to him? It’s not even the department store’s channel.
Manager Wang and the general manager didn’t mind; why does it bother him?
The sewing machines were initially provided by her. Who she sells them to is her business.
Seeing her remain silent, Manager Liu tapped his fingers on the desk twice: "Xiao Su, as a member of our sales department and an advanced employee, you must set an example..."
Before he could finish, Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but interrupt: "But Manager Liu, my role is a sales clerk. Those other matters aren’t related to me, especially since the sales channel belongs to my relatives. I’m just connecting them to Manager Wang. What’s the problem?"
"I haven’t neglected my main job nor made any mistakes at work. How haven’t I set a good example?"
Manager Liu was surprised she dared to challenge him, his face turning stern as he slapped the table hard: "Comrade Xiao Su, I think your mindset as a member of our sales department is problematic. Thinking like that is wrong. Since you’re earning this wage, you should prioritize our department store in everything."
Su Xiaoxiao held back and held back, finally unable to restrain herself: "Manager Liu, the Qing Dynasty has been dead for years. Were you not informed? I’m just here to work, not to sell myself into slavery. Why should I report everything to you?"
"This little comrade, how are you talking?"
Manager Liu slammed the table in anger, not expecting this seemingly timid girl to speak so provocatively.
As her immediate supervisor, does she not think to report anything to him first, siding with outsiders? Where’s the sense in that?
"If you continue like this, our sales department can’t keep you."
Emotional appeals didn’t work, so he resorted to threats?
But Su Xiaoxiao wouldn’t be swayed. She was legitimately employed at the department store; who was he to dismiss her like that?
"Manager Liu, I believe I did nothing wrong in this matter. If you have objections, go ahead and report to the general manager. If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back to work."
She finished speaking and, without waiting for Manager Liu’s response, opened the door and walked out.
Manager Liu was so furious that he threw his enamel mug out. What was this girl? Dare to challenge him; she’ll regret it later.
He went to find Chen Meilan, puffed up with anger.
Even though he wanted to directly fire Su Xiaoxiao, he couldn’t do it himself because that girl had just provided the sewing machine supply channel to the department store, and he didn’t want to be the villain.
It was said that Chen Meilan also got in through connections; she might be eager to do his bidding.
Chen Meilan had just finished a round of inspections in the hall when she ran into Manager Liu.
"Manager Liu, is there something you need from me?"
Manager Liu greeted her with a smiling face: "Nothing much, just came to ask you about something."
A sales manager like him asking her, a mere storefront director, for information? What could he want to know?
"Manager Liu, if there’s anything you want to know, just ask. I’ll tell you everything I know."
Although surprised, Chen Meilan still maintained her outward manner.
Seeing her attitude, Manager Liu nodded with satisfaction: "It’s about Comrade Su. How’s her work performance? I noticed today she wasn’t at her post a few times."
He didn’t speak directly but hinted that Su Xiaoxiao wasn’t working properly during office hours. If Chen Meilan was sharp, she would surely try to gain his favor by helping to get Su Xiaoxiao fired.
Unfortunately, he was wrong.
Initially, Chen Meilan held a low opinion of Su Xiaoxiao, but after time spent working together, she began to see her differently.
"Comrade Su must have stepped away for a reason. She’s scheduled for a temporary assignment to Lin City these days, probably busy with a lot of things. I hope you understand."
Instead of siding with him, she defended Su Xiaoxiao.
Manager Liu was fuming inside. Just how capable was this girl, not only Manager Wang sided with her, but even Chen Meilan was backing her up.
Wait... a temporary assignment?
What was so special about a front-line sales clerk getting a temporary assignment?
Seeing him confused, Chen Meilan kindly explained the situation to him.
Unexpectedly, this girl was quite capable. It would be even harder to get rid of her now.
Manager Liu’s frown deepened. He thought she was an insignificant character, unexpectedly, this girl’s quite capable.
However, no matter how capable, she’s still a sales clerk. Can she really turn the world upside down?
For now, it seems hard to fire her, but that’s okay. He has ways to make her resign voluntarily.
Manager Liu’s mouth curled into a cold smile. Just then, someone approached looking for Chen Meilan.
"Director Chen, the factory manager from the city’s First Detergent Factory is here. Says he’s delivering sponsorship gifts."
Only then did Chen Meilan remember that Su Xiaoxiao had mentioned the detergent factory agreed to sponsor them.
At that time, she thought it was bragging, but they actually came.
This increased her admiration for Su Xiaoxiao even more.
Comrade Su, truly impressive.
Manager Liu, unaware of the situation, straightened his clothes: "Director Chen, I’ll join you in meeting the factory manager."
Such an important occasion, he, as the sales department manager, must be present.
Chen Meilan glanced at him, hesitant to speak.
Thinking to herself, the factory manager likely came to see Comrade Su, what does it have to do with you?
But with his thick skin insisting on going, it wouldn’t be right to refuse him. She had to bring him along.
