Fu Meili had just finished speaking when she immediately regretted it. Seeing Shen Meng’s somewhat cold expression, she wanted to back down, but couldn’t swallow her pride. After all, everyone in this office worked under her. Apologizing to her subordinates—what would that amount to?
"Eh, Director Fu, if you felt what I just said wasn’t good, why didn’t you come directly to the reporter? It would be best if they could write down every word about the bus company, Ning County’s bus company, and place the name in the largest, most conspicuous position. How about that?"
"Me, what are you saying? The reporter is here to interview you, why should I speak? Do they even know who I am?"
"Exactly, they are interviewing me, but what I can say isn’t just whatever comes to mind. We need to stick to the facts to let the reporters feel at ease writing down the story. Furthermore, Director, you do know why they are interviewing me, right? They ignored you—the leader—and didn’t even greet you. What did Comrade Hu Biao say to you just now? You should keep that in mind. If you have any issues with me, thinking I’m not doing a good job, feel free to report it to the higher-ups. I am open to some criticism and discipline."
Guan He finished speaking and then opened the window service to the public that had already entered, starting to serve the customers with tickets with a smile.
Fu Meili had been working for many years. She was always a tactful person. For those related to her, she was quite lenient, but being this harsh and stingy was a first.
A bit humiliated by Shen Meng’s comeback, she wanted to say something more but was pulled aside by someone next to her.
"Director, don’t say anymore. Comrade Shen Meng has considered our bus company a lot. The reporter was not this kind when they first started speaking. It was only after Shen Meng talked it up... flattered them for a while that they became polite. Even though Shen Meng didn’t mention our bus company, Director Fu, look what’s behind her."
Fu Meili’s position was exactly where the photographer had been standing earlier. From this angle, the photo would capture Ning County bus company’s sign behind what’s-her-name.
"The reporter had even mentioned changing locations, but it was Shen Meng who insisted on staying. Later, the photographer also praised the atmosphere, saying it was something that could inspire creativity. So that’s why... Director Fu, your words were too much. You, you should apologize to Shen Meng."
Fu Meili’s face turned somewhat embarrassed. She glanced at Shen Meng, who didn’t even give her a look, obviously holding a grudge. Observing the others, some focused on their work, pretending nothing happened, while others kept an eye on the situation quietly.
She was someone capable of standing tall and bending low. Knowing she had done something wrong, she naturally should apologize. Hu Biao had said that the bus company had picked up a treasure with Shen Meng, and to receive such praise and respect from the County Party Secretary’s son-in-law, if she still couldn’t read the situation, then her current position would really be in vain.
"Comrade Shen Meng, I was in a hurry just now and said something incorrect. I apologize to you, I’m sorry. I hope you can forgive me. We work in the same unit, and even though I’m your superior, we are actually equals. You don’t need to worry about me mistreating you in the future. I, Fu Meili, am not that kind of person."
Shen Meng slightly raised her eyebrows. It’s rare to see a director of the unit apologize so sincerely in front of so many people. Naturally, she was willing to let them save face.
"Director Fu, what are you doing? Although I haven’t been here for long, do I not know your character? Who in this office doesn’t respect you? There’s no talk of apology or not. I know you want to make our bus company well-known and appear in the Provincial City’s newspaper. It’s for the unit, not for personal reasons. There’s nothing to forgive or not forgive. You saying this makes me feel uneasy. We’re comrades of the same unit, let’s put this matter behind us. You shouldn’t dwell on it."
Fu Meili breathed a sigh of relief, lucky that Shen Meng was a sensible person. If she had been the type to rub it in and embarrass her, Fu Meili would have lost face today, both inwardly and outwardly.
"It’s good we can talk it out. We’re all here to work for the better. You get back to your work; I’ll head back."
"Ah!"
Lv Wenhua, the manager of the grocery factory, was a man who loved to make connections. When he learned that the flower workshop affiliated with the textile factory was supported by a document from the County Committee and turned into a factory, he suspected something fishy and inquired around, nearly fainting from shock.
It was inconceivable to him how such a humble workshop could earn foreign currency, and it was negotiated by an unknown rural woman. Back in his office, he couldn’t calm down for a long time, and every time he remembered the name mentioned by his relatives, he would space out, occasionally feeling some regret for bargaining with her. Little did he know, she would turn around and help the textile factory accomplish such a significant feat.
Although the Head Flower Factory and the textile factory would be separate entities in the future, the raw materials were always supplied by the textile factory, which also made a contribution to earning foreign currency for the county.
Their grocery factory’s products were selling well now, but how could that compare to earning foreign currency? Whether it was money or reputation, their grocery factory would always be a step below the textile factory from now on.
"Manager, people from the textile factory are here with reporters from the Provincial City. They want to conduct an interview. Do you have time?"
Lv Wenhua was stunned for a moment and then sprang up from his chair.
"What?"
"The comrades from the Provincial City reporters said they want to conduct an interview. It was recommended by Shen Meng from the bus company. They want to interview how our grocery factory plans to establish a workshop in Xiangyang Commune."
Lv Wenhua was overjoyed and with trembling hands, he instructed his staff to quickly invite the reporters in. This stroke of good fortune was finally coming to their grocery factory.
After getting off work, Shen Meng quickly sought out a deserted alley, took out ingredients for hot pot from her space, found a few bottles of juice that children could drink, stuffed them into her bag, and hurried to Uncle Guai’s ox cart.
With Lu Zhenping not at home and no one to look after the children, she felt restless all day in the county city. As she passed by the county hospital, she saw Yu Xueli coming out. Just as she was about to call out to her, a man suddenly ran up behind Yu Xueli, grabbing her arm, then panickedly let go, looking extremely nervous. Yu Xueli didn’t say much, retreating again and again, the intention to avoid any misunderstandings was especially clear.
Shen Meng retracted her hand and watched the two people not far away, raising an eyebrow. The man was clearly interested in Yu Xueli, but it looked like the situation was a case of unrequited love.
She stood for a while, turned and retreated in the opposite direction, and after a while, she came back. By then, Yu Xueli was already waiting for her, clearly indicating that the man from before was no longer there.
On the way, Yu Xueli was somewhat silent. Shen Meng didn’t ask any questions. As a single woman, she had the right to be pursued again. If this man was reliable and had good character, all she could do was wish her well.