Transmigrated as a Stepmother: Time to Bring the Family to Prosper!-Chapter 389: Always Suspicious

In just half an hour, the accounts were sorted out.

Qin Yao then wrote a simple share withdrawal document, and both parties had no objections to the content. They signed and stamped, and the matter was thus concluded.

The moment the fingerprints were pressed, Liu the carpenter’s eyes slightly reddened.

Now that it was time to completely leave the stationery factory, what flashed before his eyes was the years of hard work he spent with Qin Yao, starting from a small waterwheel blueprint.

At first, it was just to make an efficient small water mill. Who would’ve thought that in just a year, they managed to co-found such a large stationery factory?

Liu the carpenter never imagined that the things he crafted would become so widely known and spread across the world.

Waterwheels, book boxes, stationery gift sets—all engraved with ’Made by Liu Family Village Stationery Factory,’ a sight that filled him with immense pride every time he saw them.

However, now that Qin Yao could continue to carry this pride forward, he felt quite assured.

While putting away the document, Liu the carpenter said with some anticipation, "Yao Niang, I am somewhat looking forward to seeing what kind of blueprint you’ll present next time."

Qin Yao stood up and accompanied him out, "I originally thought of organizing a farewell ceremony for you before the holidays, but since you are eager to leave, how about you join me to say goodbye to everyone in each workshop in a bit?"

Liu the carpenter nodded, "Alright."

Thus, the two of them went to each department, bidding farewell to all the workers.

The workers did not express much reluctance or nostalgia, merely curious about who would take over Liu the carpenter’s position.

Apart from Liu the carpenter, who else in the factory could assume the position of General Manager?

Does Manager Qin plan to appoint someone from outside, or will he select from among the factory’s stewards?

Moved by the atmosphere, the stewards secretly nurtured a sense of anticipation.

Liu Bai and Liu Zhong felt they had a strong chance since the stationery factory now solely belonged to Qin Yao, and they were family. She always mentioned trusting only kin, so wouldn’t she hand it over to a family member to trust?

However, they also knew they probably couldn’t handle such responsibilities. They were both anxious and secretly hopeful.

But Liu the carpenter’s position was not something they could truly undertake. Qin Yao’s shortlist didn’t even include them.

She had an important criterion: the new steward must be skilled in woodworking.

Among the stewards in the factory, only Yun Niang met this criterion.

But she was indeed too young, whereas Liu the carpenter could suppress the hot-headed young workers with his elder status.

If it were Yun Niang, there were plenty of workers older than her.

Liu the carpenter was eager to leave; after bidding farewell to the workers, he packed his tool-filled wooden box and returned home.

Qin Yao escorted him to the riverbank, where the village’s collectively built water mill was already constructed. They were just waiting for the first day of the New Year for the entire village to unveil the red cloth, hoping for a good omen and officially put it into use.

"Yao Niang, you should head back." Liu the carpenter raised his hand, gesturing Qin Yao not to see him off any further, and dragged his toolbox, crossing the newly built stone bridge funded by his family.

Qin Yao stood at the same spot for a while, sorting through the chaotic thoughts in her mind. After organizing her thoughts, she turned and headed straight to the paint workshop.

"Manager Qin!"

A youthful girl with a single braid stood up from among the busy female workers, looking at Qin Yao who walked in with surprise and admiration in her eyes.

"Are you Yang Fang?"

Qin Yao looked at the lively girl in front of her with astonishment; it had been a long time since she’d seen Yang Fang. The girl in her memory seemed a bit fierce, but not as bright as now.

Yang Fang nodded enthusiastically, "Yes, yes, Manager Qin, you still remember me! I’ve come to work at the factory."

"Do you really like it here?" Qin Yao asked with amusement.

Yang Fang nodded fervently, saying directly, "I love it here, absolutely love it!"

At the factory, she learned many things and received care from the sisters, aunts, and older women. There was endless knowledge to absorb, keeping her very fulfilled.

Working in the factory was much more interesting than working the fields or hunting with her grandmother and mother all day at home.

Most importantly, she could now earn money independently and no longer rely on her parents or brothers to support herself.

Though she had just started and had yet to receive her wages, she saw the female workers receiving last month’s pay, with a minimum of 300 coins!

The factory also provided breakfast and lunch—being young, she could eat more at noon and save dinner. If she was frugal, she could save 300 coins each month!

Thinking of earning her wages next month, Yang Fang’s smile grew even brighter, suddenly recalling to ask Qin Yao whether she was looking for Manager Yun.

Qin Yao nodded with a smile, but she did not see Yun Niang, "Where did she go?"

Yang Fang replied, "Master went to the warehouse to inspect the newly arrived paint. She said this batch is much thicker than before, making it difficult to apply color."

"But it might also be because of the cold weather; it’s still being examined."

Qin Yao noticed Yang Fang’s address; she called Yun Niang ’Master’?

Did Yun Niang accept an apprentice?

And a young girl who had just joined the factory and knew nothing about woodworking?

These matters typically didn’t concern Qin Yao; she encouraged everyone to continue working diligently, following Yang Fang to the warehouse.

Liu Qi and Liu Zhong were present. The materials were procured by Liu Zhong, and since Yun Niang pointed out issues with the paint, Liu Zhong naturally wanted to prove himself innocent.

Liu Qi was responsible for warehouse management; he had to verify inventory as well as handle any deterioration issues of stored items.

When Qin Yao arrived, the two men squatted beside Yun Niang as she checked the new paint supplies.

Dozens of clay jars were lined up on the ground; Yun Niang remained calm, methodically sampling and comparing without haste.

The three did not notice anyone approaching. Yang Fang wanted to inform them, but Qin Yao gestured to stop her, signaling her to remain silent.

She wanted to see how Yun Niang handled the matter.

Once she finished inspecting the jars of paint, Yun Niang breathed a long sigh of relief, "Fortunately, it’s just slightly coagulated due to the cold. We can just heat it with charcoal before using it."

Hearing this, Liu Qi sighed deeply in relief.

Liu Zhong, though reassured, couldn’t resist commenting to Yun Niang:

"I acquired the paint exactly as per your requirements. Since the county has no paint store, I got it through a connection introduced by the coffin shop owner in Lin County. We’ve been using them for months without issues; there’s no way they’d provide substandard goods now."

Yun Niang used to help sell general goods at home and experienced dishonest vendors—sending good quality initially and later mixing inferior ones. So she remained skeptical.

She clarified, "In the literacy class, I learned that the words ’no merchant without dishonesty, human nature easily changes, caution is always wise.’ Without caution, who would be responsible if it affects the factory’s profits?"