Chapter 12: Deputy Director Qin’s Threat

After tidying up, Su Yue looked at her watch—it was already 1:40. She locked the dormitory door and strolled leisurely toward the records office.

When she reached the third floor, she noticed that the records room door was wide open. She walked in and saw Ling Shufang holding a thermos, about to fetch hot water.

Su Yue smiled and said, “Sister Ling, let me take care of fetching water from now on.” As she spoke, she placed her satchel into the desk drawer and locked it.

Ling Shufang didn’t refuse. She put the thermos on the floor and said, “Then I’ll trouble you, Xiao Su.”

Su Yue replied cheerfully, “Don’t mention it, Sister Ling.”

She picked up the thermos and left the records room.

Just as she reached the staircase, she ran into Qin Mingyue.

“Troublemaker,” Qin Mingyue muttered under her breath as she brushed past Su Yue.

Su Yue pretended not to hear. After fetching the hot water and returning to the records room, she saw that Director Wang and Qin Mingyue were already there.

Director Wang looked at Su Yue, her expression a bit stern. “Comrade Xiao Su, Deputy Director Qin has asked to see you in his office.”

Su Yue’s lips curled into a composed smile. “Of course, Director Wang.”

After placing the thermos in its usual spot, Su Yue followed Director Wang and Qin Mingyue to Deputy Director Qin’s office.

Deputy Director Qin was around forty years old, overweight, and carried an intimidating presence.

When he saw Su Yue enter, he cleared his throat and said, “Comrade Xiao Su, it’s only your first day at work, and you’re already creating conflict with a colleague. That’s not good. Here at the steel plant, we value unity above all. You must not disrupt the harmony we’ve established.”

These words were sharp—if this accusation stuck, being fired would be the lightest punishment.

Qin Mingyue, standing nearby, gave a proud little snort, her face full of schadenfreude.

But Su Yue remained fearless. She met Deputy Director Qin’s gaze and replied, “So in our steel plant, the words of Deputy Director Qin are as absolute as imperial edicts? Able to convict someone at will?”

Before he could respond, Su Yue continued, “The Quotations from Chairman Mao clearly state: ‘No investigation, no right to speak.’ The incident this morning was witnessed clearly by the staff in the logistics office. The Chairman encourages the masses to speak the truth and values the opinions of the people. Or… is Deputy Director Qin intending to abuse his position to silence the truth?”

She paused and then added firmly, “I seriously question Deputy Director Qin’s level of political awareness. It seems necessary to report this to the plant’s Workers’ Union.”

Deputy Director Qin narrowed his eyes and stared coldly at Su Yue. However, she met his gaze calmly, without backing down.

After a moment, he suddenly forced a smile and said, “Comrade Xiao Su, your awareness is quite high—very good!”

His secretary, catching on, quickly applauded and chimed in, “Comrade Xiao Su, our Deputy Director Qin was just testing you. Congratulations—you passed his test!”

Suppressing her disgust, Su Yue forced a faint smile and replied, “A test? I’m truly flattered.”

Her tone was thick with sarcasm.

Director Wang glanced between Deputy Director Qin, Su Yue, and Qin Mingyue. “Deputy Director Qin, since both Comrade Xiao Su and Comrade Qin are here, let’s talk about what happened this morning—how Comrade Qin misappropriated office supplies assigned to Comrade Su. We can’t let our new comrade be wronged like that.”

A flash of panic crossed Qin Mingyue’s face. She quickly tried to explain, “I didn’t misappropriate anything. I was just trying to save resources for our steel plant.”

Su Yue calmly responded, “Comrade Qin, if you truly wanted to save resources, you could have started with your own. There was no need to take mine. Besides, those supplies were distributed to me according to factory policy. If you had a problem with that, you could’ve raised it with leadership.”

She turned to look at Deputy Director Qin. “Deputy Director Qin, don’t you think Comrade Qin’s behavior is a bit like those landlords of the old society—exploiting the working people and plundering their property? At least those landlords gave tools to the workers. Comrade Qin just came and took all of mine.”

Deputy Director Qin’s face turned red, then pale. He picked up his teacup and took a small sip. With a forced smile, he said, “Comrade Xiao Su, let’s not go that far. Comrade Qin Mingyue had good intentions, but perhaps her methods were inappropriate.”

Qin Mingyue eagerly nodded in agreement. “Yes, yes, I just wanted to contribute to the factory. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

Su Yue didn’t let it go. “Deputy Director Qin, if having good intentions is enough to justify taking other people’s things, then who’s going to protect the rights of factory workers? Good thing you didn’t assign Comrade Qin to the finance department. Otherwise, our factory’s funds would likely all end up in the Qin family’s pockets.”

The atmosphere in the office immediately turned tense.

Director Wang also stepped forward, her expression serious. “Deputy Director Qin, Comrade Xiao Su is absolutely right. The factory has clear rules. If everyone acted like Comrade Qin, the place would fall into chaos.”

Deputy Director Qin put down his teacup. After weighing his options, he said, “Very well. Let’s handle it according to factory policy. Comrade Qin will receive a formal demerit and must submit a written self-criticism.”

Qin Mingyue looked at him in disbelief and muttered, aggrieved, “Uncle…”

“That’s enough,” Deputy Director Qin cut her off, irritation flashing in his eyes. “You made a mistake, and you have to face the consequences. And remember, even if you’re my niece, while you’re in the factory, I’m your deputy director.”

He then turned toward Su Yue with a cold smile. “Youth is a great asset. But still, young people should be careful and weigh their actions… wouldn’t want to bring trouble to themselves or their families.”

Su Yue smiled and replied, “Thank you for the advice, Deputy Director. But I should get back to work. After all, I’m here to do my job, not to pass your tests.”

As they walked down the hallway, Director Wang turned to Su Yue, her tone admiring, “Comrade Xiao Su, you handled yourself very well today. The factory needs young people like you—neither arrogant nor servile, and firm in principles.”

“Thank you, Director Wang.”

Back at the records room, only one staff member came in all afternoon to retrieve a document. The rest of the time, the three women chatted. Su Yue learned that Wu Yuxia was already the mother of four children. Her husband had worked in the factory’s security department and had died two years ago protecting factory property. The factory had not only given her compensation but also offered her a job.

Suddenly, Su Yue understood why Li Shufang, the supervisor, insisted on doing everything herself.

Wu Yuxia noticed Su Yue’s expression and frowned. “Don’t pity me. I’m doing better than you.”
Su Yue shook her head and explained, “I wasn’t pitying you. I just didn’t expect that someone as young as you already has four kids.”

Wu Yuxia rolled her eyes. “Can’t help it. My womb is just too productive. Two pregnancies in three years—and both times, twins.”