The four or five men hesitated for a moment before sitting down. When Carson took out cigarettes, handing a pack to each person, and brought out some fine liquor he bought to treat everyone, their eyes all lit up.
"Brother, what are you trying to find out?"
As Carson poured the drinks, he asked, "I’ve come back from the military, and my family has kicked me out to work. I want to know about the welfare and treatment at the pharmaceutical factory nowadays, and if they’re hiring new workers..."
Eating someone’s food and taking their gifts makes one soft-hearted; with Carson’s fine cigarettes and liquor, and hearing that he had returned from military service, these men let down their guard and began to talk one after another.
"The company’s treatment is pretty good, but management-wise, it’s not that great. Recently, the factory was sold to the Miller Group from Polgel. What the future holds, whether we can continue working here, is still uncertain."
"Didn’t the boss say that there’s a clause in the contract during the acquisition, that no more than 30% of the employees can be laid off?"
"That’s 30%, but what if you’re part of that 30%?"
"What’s there to fear? I was recruited, I didn’t mess around with the others. They can’t lay me off that easily."
"This time those guys are probably going to get axed. But it’s also hard to say, they all have people protecting them."
Carson didn’t rush to ask questions. He just drank with everyone. After a couple of drinks, and without Carson needing to ask, the group started discussing among themselves, as the change of ownership and the uncertainty of their jobs were naturally of great concern.
"As for workers, we’re currently fully staffed. Think about it, you’ll have to wait. If there are layoffs, then there might be openings. But since you’re discharged from the military, it might work out if you consider being a security guard. I’ve heard quite a few security guards left recently, and they’re hiring right now."
Carson’s eyes lit up, "That’s great. Actually, my family is well off, and I wasn’t really keen on working, but my family can’t stand to see me idle at home. They nag me all day long. A security guard has it easy daily."
"No wonder, looking at your cigarettes, your liquor, that’s half a month’s salary gone right there. So you’re not short on cash then."
Carson chuckled, "Big brother, could you introduce me?"
"Sure, after we’re done eating, I’ll take you to the Security Department. The head of the Security Department, Davis Bernard, likes small advantages. Give him a couple packs of cigarettes, and with your physical condition, there shouldn’t be any problems."
"Thanks, this one’s for you."
By the end of the meal, Carson had learned quite a bit about the factory. He planned to delve deeper into the Security Department next—after all, for news about what’s going on in the factory, from top to bottom, in and out, nowhere could conceal it better than from these well-informed security guards.
Filled with food and drink, Carson was taken to the Security Department where Davis Bernard was in his office alone, nibbling on a marinated duck and sipping wine while watching a TV series.
Carson took the initiative to offer fine cigarettes and liquor, which made Davis’s eyes sparkle; the value of these gifts was at least half a month’s salary to him.
After asking a few simple questions, Davis chuckled, "All right, young man, you’re decent. Here, have a drink."
Carson knew he had sealed the deal upon hearing that. He nonchalantly sat down and joined Davis in drinking.
Carson didn’t make any deliberate attempts to flatter Davis. This was very much in line with Carson’s character; his family wasn’t short on money. He was working not for the pay but to just find a job to satisfy his family.
During their conversation, Davis mentioned that he had also served in the military, which made them feel even closer. A couple of drinks later, not only had Carson secured his job for the following day, but he had also heard many internal secrets.
As soon as Carson got back to his hotel room, Shirley knocked on his door, casually dressed in a bathrobe that left her fair legs exposed.
"You smell like alcohol; who have you been drinking with?"
Carson chuckled, "I’ve found myself a job."
Shirley asked in surprise, "What job?"
Dressed in a bathrobe as well, and toweling his hair, Carson sat down opposite Shirley, "Security guard at the pharmaceutical factory."
Shirley laughed, "You’re quite efficient, aren’t you? A job within the span of a meal, and you’ve infiltrated the pharmaceutical factory’s inner workings. Are you planning to gather information from the Security Department?"
Carson nodded, "Exactly, what’s more comfortable than being an assistant than being a security guard?"
Shirley sat casually on Carson’s bed, leaning against the headboard, "Did you find out anything?"
Carson answered, "The sales department manager, Eithan Fuentes, has major issues. He frequently sells the factory products privately, and everyone up and down has formed a chain. The equipment department manager, Sam Reid, often takes advantage of his position to sell the factory’s equipment or pass off old as new, colluding inside and outside to earn company money. The head of the logistics department often takes some of the company’s materials to sell directly... This factory is almost rotten through and through."
Shirley was not surprised and even appeared very relaxed, "Your decision is right. Today I made contact with the higher-ups of the pharmaceutical factory. They speak well but show no substance, much less clear than what you’ve learned. I think, though, that replacing the factory director is the most urgent matter. But during the switch, there needs to be a genuinely knowledgeable and capable candidate; otherwise, we will always be at someone’s mercy."
Carson understood immediately and grinned, "You just hold on for now. We are building the road in the light and tunneling in the dark. Give me a week at most, and I’ll have it sorted out for you."