The speaker appears to be in his forties, supposedly in the pri of life, but the noticeable white hair and prominent forehead lines suggest otherwise. Compared to others in the office, he seems slightly plumper, but that’s only because everyone else is rather thin.
In modern aesthetics, he is just another face in the crowd, unremarkable, prematurely aged from overwork, of average height, and of typical build—a pitiful middle-aged office worker.
"Vice Factory Director Li, our Sales Departnt has already done its best. Look, we only have this many people in the Sales Departnt, and it’s really difficult to sell silk nowadays. Ever since foreign buyers canceled orders a few years ago, Factory No. 1 and Factory No. 2 have been struggling, and our Silk Factory is getting worse by the year."
"Moreover, it’s not like we intentionally default on paynts for cotton yarn and silk. Factory No. 1 and Factory No. 2 haven’t settled their paynts with us either!"
"We were all counting on making a push at the exhibition in Guangdong Province this year. Now that the province has canceled our factory’s exhibition slots, no matter how hard the Sales Departnt tries, we can’t do anything."
"Look at Xiao Gong, he’s an only child, and his dad had a stroke and was partially paralyzed last month. Even when our Sales Departnt was short-handed, he gritted his teeth and took assignnts out of town."
"The fact that the deals didn’t co through is partly the fault of our Sales Departnt, but it’s not solely our responsibility. A few strong perforrs left our departnt after pulling strings to get transferred to the Cotton Mill. Vice Factory Director Li, we’ve really done our best."
Hearing Mr. Chen say this, Vice Factory Director Li couldn’t add much, scratching his already sparse hair and letting out a deep sigh.
"Try again," Vice Factory Director Li said helplessly, "Think of more ways. I know Xiao Gong is competent; he’s successfully closed several deals. But given his family situation... I’ve heard about it recently. Assign him less travel if possible. He’s a good prospect, don’t push him to the Cotton Mill."
Mr. Chen nodded.
Qin Huai then realized that Gong Liang was actually not in the office.
Just as Qin Huai thought of checking next door to see if Gong Liang was outside, the door opened. An obviously young man, still showing so youthful vigor and righteousness, rushed in, panting for breath.
Gong Liang was holding a package of traditional Chinese dicine in his hand.
"Xiao Gong, did you go to the hospital to get dicine for your father?" Mr. Chen spoke to Gong Liang gently and kindly.
Gong Liang nodded: "Western dicine is too expensive. The factory doctor said traditional Chinese dicine could work, but many dicinal ingredients weren’t available, so I bought them at an outside pharmacy."
Mr. Chen sighed: "I know the factory’s dical reimbursent hasn’t been released for a long ti. The factory has been struggling, so you need to understand."
"You don’t have to go to Jinling next week. I’ll go. The clothing factories there have stable suppliers and don’t deal much in silk clothing, so the chances of securing deals are slim. Now that reimbursents for travel are delayed and there are no subsidies, it might even cost you money for a trip; it’s better if I go." Mr. Chen directed this remark to Vice Factory Director Li.
Vice Factory Director Li awkwardly touched his nose, indicated he had other matters, and hurriedly left.
Mr. Chen glanced dismissively at the back of Vice Factory Director Li and, grabbing a briefcase that had four nded patches and two new holes, hurried out as well.
The office was left with one middle-aged man and one young man.
The young man looked older than Gong Liang.
Qin Huai rembered Huang An Yao telling him that Gong Liang joined the Silk Factory right after graduating from vocational school. After working for over a year and becoming a regular employee, he encountered a major setback in life, and eventually rose to beco the Sales Departnt head, leading the Silk Factory to glory.
This point in ti was the darkest mont in Gong Liang’s life.
The young man sidled up to Gong Liang and said: "Gong Liang, you weren’t here just now, but our departnt head and Vice Factory Director Li had a big argunt. It must be because our factory lost its exhibition slot, and Vice Factory Director Li was upset. But upset or not, he shouldn’t take it out on our Sales Departnt. If the silk doesn’t sell, it doesn’t sell. The unprofitability of clothing factories has nothing to do with us not being able to sell silk."
Gong Liang looked very downcast and said quietly: "There’s nothing wrong with our factory’s silk. It’s definitely our Sales Departnt’s responsibility that it can’t be sold."
The young man clearly didn’t want to continue discussing this topic or take responsibility. He changed the subject: "Last month’s bonus was canceled again, did you hear?"
Gong Liang didn’t want to talk.
The young man realized he had misspoken, quickly seeking to make ands: "But I heard that by the New Year, we might get a sum of money and even a pound of at each! But that’s only for those still working, not for retirees or those on dical leave."
Gong Liang still remained silent.
Only then did the young man rember that Gong Liang’s father had just retired due to illness under unfortunate circumstances two months ago. He covered his mouth regretfully and looked to change the topic again: "I also heard that the union is going to organize a matchmaking event next month..."
Qin Huai had already closed his eyes in despair; this young man had a knack for striking the wrong chord.
"Liu Hai, if you really have nothing to do, go make so calls and write letters. Check if there’re any clothing factories or bedspread factories in other provinces that need silk. Even those little silk fan factories with a few dozen people—ask them too." The middle-aged man in the office spoke up.
"Oh, okay." Liu Hai quickly dashed away.
"Gong Liang, don’t mind Liu’s nonsense. He’s the type who speaks without thinking. You secured a deal in Guangling last month, so you’ll definitely get a bonus next month. If your dad continues to take traditional Chinese dicine, I know an experienced herbalist. I’ll take you to et him one day to see if he can make a ho visit for your dad." The middle-aged man said.
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