Chapter 343: Promotion to Manager

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation               Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Lin Dahua had earned one silver tael just for a month’s work. The villagers did not even dare think about earning that much in the past.

Thump, thump, thump!

Many felt their hearts beating like drums. They felt like it was about to burst out of their chests.

Su Binglan continued calling out names, “Li Mei.”

Li Mei heard her name and quickly went to Su Binglan’s table.

Then Su Binglan counted 150 coins before her. “Your basic salary is 150 coins, and your bonus is one silver tael. Take them and write your name here to show you’ve received this month’s salary.”

Li Mei became teary-eyed when she received her pay. “Thank you so much!”

She choked up because one silver tael and 150 coins could last her family an entire year. However, she had earned that much in a single month’s salary. She no longer had to worry about not having enough food to grow, freezing, or starving to death during winter.

When she got home, she could use that money to buy cotton and cloth to make a thick blanket. With a thick blanket, it would not be too cold during the winter.

She could also buy charcoal from Su Fengzhi since she had heard that he sold his charcoal at a lower price. She would just buy a little charcoal and burn them during the winter so that it would not be too cold.

Li Mei’s parents passed away when she was a child, so she had to raise her two younger sisters and younger brother.

She always feared being unable to raise her younger siblings and would sometimes cry under her blanket in the middle of the night. However, she could do better with the money she had earned.

She felt like her life was full of hope, and she could take better care of her younger siblings. According to most people, she was young and weak, so the Su family second-guessed hiring her.

Ultimately, the Su family finally hired her, and that was when she knew that the Su family had done that to care for her. Li Mei would remember their kindness and would always work diligently.

Shen Qiuhua patted Li Mei’s arm and said, “Good girl, you’ll have a good life in the future. Our tofu factory’s business will improve, and you’ll have more bonuses. Go home and eat something good.”

She looked at Li Mei, her heart aching. The little girl was sallow and emaciated, and it was evident that she did not have enough to eat. Shen Qiuhua would be heartbroken if her daughter were like that.

“Y -Yes, Miss Shen. I’ll make you proud. I’ll go home and be able to eat more now.” Li Mei was a little concerned. She was afraid she was too thin and that Shen Qiuhua would think she was weak and not hire her. Now, she knew she had to eat more to make herself stronger.

Su Binglan called the workers’ names one after another. She paid almost everyone one silver tael and 150 coins. However, two workers had to take a day or two off because of family matters, so she had to deduct five to ten copper coins from their pay.

One of the workers held 145 coins and one silver tael, while the other held 140 coins and one silver tael. The two felt uneasy. They knew if they often took leaves, they would not be able to work at the factory for long.

Still, they had no choice because they had emergencies at home and had to take leave.

One person had an urgent message from her family, so she had to be away from work for three days. She had asked someone to take over for a while and made up for it when she returned. Su Binglan considered it as a day or two off.

Zhou He whispered, “I’m sorry for taking a day off, Miss Shen and Miss Su. I-I didn’t do it on purpose. I didn’t want to take a day off, but…”

She was afraid of leaving a wrong impression on Shen Qiuhua and Su Binglan for taking leave and that they would fire her.

Only the tofu factory would pay its workers 150 coins a month, was located in the village, and would not interfere with the workers’ family affairs. One could even take a break and ask for leave. Other places would never allow that.

Su Binglan said gently, “Zhou He, our factory makes things convenient for everyone. You have your reasons for taking leave. You didn’t slack off or skip work, so it’s okay. Don’t worry.

“I’ll only deduct your salary this time, not your bonus. Next time, we must deduct your bonus accordingly to time based on the rules.”

She knew Zhou He had no choice but to return home because her grandmother had passed away.

It took Zhou He at least a few days to return to her mother’s house. She had only taken a day’s leave and made up for it. She had been very attentive.

Everyone did not know what they would do without the tofu factory when they heard Su Binglan’s words. To earn that much money a month was a blessing. Moreover, the workers only worked half a day, which would not affect their housework.

Everyone was excited and wanted to do a good job. With so much money every month, the villagers could afford to have plain noodles for every meal.

At that time, plain noodles were good for the villagers because no one would bear to eat steamed bun on regular days. They were only willing to make steamed buns during Chinese New Year or other festivities.

The villagers typically ate coarse-grain flatbread, and it sometimes hurt their throats. They thought it was good enough to eat their fill and could not care whether or not the food was good.

Zhou He felt relieved when she heard Su Binglan’s words. She continued, “Yes, thank you, Miss Shen. Thank you, Miss Su.”

She felt ashamed as she held her money. After all, there was always a possibility that Su Binglan would have deducted more from Zhou He’s salary.

Zhou He decided to do more the following month.

Immediately after, Su Binglan called for Liu Qiaoshi.

Lio Qiaoshi walked forward with her head lowered as Su Binglan said, “You’ve done well this month, Qiaoshi. Besides finishing your work, you also helped me note down how many beans you used and how many tofu products you made. You helped me jot down everything. That’s why I’m giving you a bigger bonus.”

When Liu Qiaoshi’s grandfather was still alive, her family was relatively well-off. Her brother had been in a private school for a few years, and she had also learned to read and write, so she could record things.

When Shen Qiuhua was busy, Liu Qiaoshi would take the initiative to help during her break. Liu Qiaoshi also never let anything delay her work.

When she helped out, she never thought much about it. She only wanted to do her job well since the Su family had allowed her to work at their tofu factory. Moreover, she could remember things well, so she helped Shen Qiuhua make notes.

Still, Liu Qiaoshi felt she could do more. She never expected her bonus to be so high because of it.

Liu Qiaoshi was always quiet and rarely had exaggerated expressions on her face. However, when she saw Su Binglan giving her one silver tael and two hundred coins, her mouth opened so wide that she could swallow an egg whole.

“I-Is that for me?

Su Binglan said smilingly, “Yes, your performance this month was outstanding. Also, your literacy will be of great help. So, you’ll be a manager next month, and I’ll give you a raise.”

Many people worked at the tofu factory, and the factory sold many products.

Therefore, the business would only continue expanding. Although Shen Qiuhua had Qiu He as an assistant, she still had to manage many people and products. After all, Shen Qiuhua could not handle everything.

Su Binglan wanted someone to be a manager, but she needed to observe who performed best and was most suitable for that role. Then she would promote that person.

She realized how capable Liu Qiaoshi and Yao Cuihua were, but Yao Cuihua could not read or write, so she appointed Liu Qiaoshi as the manager..

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