Chapter 10: Getting Familiar with Work

Under Wu Yuxia’s puffed-up, angry gaze, Su Yue took the supply requisition slip and headed to the logistics department.

Seeing her arrive, Qin Mingyue smiled and said, “Su Yue, did you come to visit me? But it’s work time now. Why are you wandering around instead of staying at your post?”

Su Yue ignored her and handed the slip to a woman of about thirty nearby. “Hello, comrade. I’m from the archives room, here to collect office supplies.”

Before the woman could examine the slip, Qin Mingyue snatched it out of her hands.

“I’ll handle her supplies.”

She glanced briefly at the slip and lazily handed over only a pencil, a set of drawing tools, a bottle of glue, and a pair of scissors.

“Alright, Comrade Su’s materials are complete,” she said, shooting Su Yue a provocative look.

Back in their first year of high school, Qin Mingyue had introduced her brother to Su Yue, admiring Su Yue’s beauty and intelligence. But Su Yue had rejected him outright, and even after a month of chasing her, her brother had gotten nowhere—losing face in the process. Just now, Qin had greeted her warmly, but Su Yue had brushed her off. Today, she intended to teach her a lesson.

Su Yue smiled. “Comrade Qin, I’m a new employee. Please follow the requisition slip and provide all the listed supplies.”

Qin Mingyue rolled her eyes. “Comrade Su, you know how scarce supplies are these days. Just borrow the rest from your coworkers.”

Su Yue pressed, “Are you sure you’re not giving me the full list?”

Qin Mingyue raised an eyebrow. “That’s right. Not giving.”

Su Yue let out a laugh of disbelief. How foolish, she thought, then calmly took the items in hand and turned to leave.

Before she reached the door, she heard Qin Mingyue’s cold snort behind her.

Su Yue detoured straight to the logistics department head’s office. The sign on the door read: “Logistics Department Director – Wang Xuemei.”

She knocked.

“Come in.”

Su Yue entered and saw a woman around forty at her desk.

The woman looked up and asked, “What can I do for you, comrade?”

“Director Wang, I’m a new clerk in the archives room. My supervisor gave me a supply requisition slip, but when I went to collect the items, Comrade Qin only gave me a few and refused to provide the rest, even after I confirmed multiple times. I suspect she’s embezzling factory supplies for personal gain.”

Director Wang’s face turned grim. She stood up. “Comrade Su, this is a failure on our part in logistics. Please return to your post for now—I’ll have someone deliver your supplies shortly.”

Su Yue smiled. “Thank you, Director Wang.”

She turned and left the office.

Back at the archives room, Su Yue placed her supplies down.

Li Shufang was surprised. “Why only these few items?”

Su Yue didn’t hide anything and recounted the entire incident.

Wu Yuxia gloated. “That Qin Mingyue is the niece of Deputy Director Qin. Comrade Su, some people just aren’t worth offending.”

Su Yue replied calmly, “So what you’re saying is, the things Qin Mingyue embezzled were given to curry favor with Deputy Director Qin?”

“You—you’re twisting my words! That’s not what I meant,” Wu Yuxia stammered, quickly waving her hands in denial.

“Oh,” Su Yue paused, then continued, “Then what you’re saying is, Deputy Director Qin wants to pocket factory supplies, so he planted Qin Mingyue in logistics. Wu Jie, should we go report this to the union together? The Quotations say: ‘If we are indecisive and tolerate evildoers, we bring disaster to the people and alienate ourselves from the masses.’”

With that, Su Yue pulled out her Little Red Book and placed it on her desk.

She had been hired as a full-time worker through official exams. As long as she didn’t break the rules, not even the factory director could fire her easily.

Just as they were talking, a woman from logistics walked in carrying a basket. Su Yue quickly stood up with a smile and took it from her.

The woman introduced herself cheerfully. “Comrade Su, I’m Wang Qiuya from the logistics department. I’ve brought everything listed on your supply slip.”

Su Yue smiled politely. “Thank you, Comrade Wang.”

Wang Qiuya shook her head. “These are your rightful items. Comrade Su, I really admire your attitude. Mind if I just call you Su Yue from now on?”

“Of course not. Then I’ll call you Qiuya.”

“I’ve still got work to do, but let’s eat lunch together at the cafeteria,” Qiuya said.

Su Yue nodded. “Sure!”

Before leaving, Wang Qiuya turned to Li Shufang. “Supervisor Li, Director Wang asked me to let you know she will be handling this matter seriously.”

Li Shufang nodded, and Qiuya left.

Li Shufang casually remarked, “Little Wang really is Director Wang’s niece. That efficiency is just like her aunt’s.”

Su Yue’s eyes gleamed. She picked up the kettle and refilled Li Shufang’s cup. “Li Jie, have some tea.”

Li Shufang nodded and continued, “Actually, the logistics department has been short one clerk. Management said they’d bring in two temps for a month, and whoever performs better will become a full employee.”

Su Yue immediately caught the underlying meaning. “Thanks for the heads-up, Li Jie.”

Li Shufang nodded slightly. “Alright, let me walk you through your tasks.”

Su Yue took out a notebook and pen, carefully jotting down everything Li Shufang explained.

Watching her take notes so seriously, Li Shufang grew increasingly satisfied. If Su Yue could get the hang of things quickly, her own workload would lighten.

Two hours later, Li Shufang saw that Su Yue’s notes were detailed and nodded approvingly. “That’s enough for today. Review what you’ve written. Our archives room isn’t too busy.”

Su Yue replied, “Thank you, Li Jie.”

Li Shufang sipped her tea. “If you’re unsure about anything, always ask. Everything here must be properly recorded so it’s easy to locate later.”

Su Yue nodded, then poured her another cup of tea before returning to her desk.

After organizing her supplies, she sat down and reviewed her notes.

Soon, it was noon. Wu Yuxia stretched and finally woke up from her nap. She checked the time, grabbed her lunchbox and bag, and left.

Li Shufang pulled out her own lunchbox and turned to Su Yue, gently reminding her, “Our archives room holds important documents. Once everyone leaves, the room must be locked. I have the key—I’ll be back around 1:50 to open it.”

“Got it, Li Jie, I’ll remember.” Su Yue grabbed her lunchbox and bag and followed Li Shufang out. Just then, Wang Qiuya approached with her own lunchbox.

The three greeted each other and walked together toward the cafeteria. Outside the building, they saw a blackboard listing the day’s menu:

Braised Pork, Potato and Eggplant Stew, Shredded Potatoes, Cucumber and Egg Soup, and Pickled Vegetables.

Wang Qiuya’s eyes lit up. “They have braised pork today!”

Li Shufang explained, “Our factory has great benefits. Every fifth day of the month, we get meat dishes. No ration tickets needed—just 20 cents a portion.”

Su Yue, remembering her dinner plans with Li Xiangbei’s family, leaned toward Li Shufang and whispered, “Li Jie, can I buy two servings of the pork? I’m visiting my fiancé’s house tonight—can’t go empty-handed.”

Li Shufang was surprised. “You’re engaged already?”

Su Yue blushed slightly. “Yes, just got engaged yesterday. We’re planning to marry after the New Year.”

“Well, each person can only get one serving, even without ration tickets,” Li Shufang said after some thought. “But our portions here are generous. One serving should be plenty for your first visit.”

Su Yue nodded. “Alright then. Thank you, Li Jie.”

“Just don’t mind me being nosy.”

“Not at all. I know you’re looking out for me. I’ll need your guidance in the future.”