September 16, 2005, Friday, the thirteenth day of the eighth lunar month.
"Want to go to the city for some fun? We've been here so long, and finally got two days off, we should go out and walk around."
"Yeah, everything about this damn factory is good, the pay is decent, the food is okay, but they just don't give holidays. I've been here for so long and barely had any rest."
"Haha, yeah, yeah, damn it, I heard the boss is only 20. For a 20-year-old to be so cunning, he's a true capitalist."
"You haven't worked in a factory before, have you? You'll know once you've been to other factories. This one is really decent, with overtime and benefits, it's almost 4000 yuan a month. Where else can you find that?"
"Sigh, you're right. Who told us we're uneducated and have no money at home, so we can only work in factories? This factory's treatment is actually quite good."
"You're right, I've really never encountered a factory that gives a box of mooncakes, a box of apples, and a bag of rice for Mid-Autumn Festival."
"Yeah, my previous factory boss was truly black-hearted. For Mid-Autumn Festival, he gave one mooncake and a can of Jianlibao, can you believe that?"
"One mooncake?"
"Yes!"
"MD, they're all damn black-hearted."
At six o'clock in the afternoon, at the entrance of Shanchi Auto, rows of workers were clocking out, while others were clocking in for the night shift.
For the Mid-Autumn Festival, all employees except those on duty would have two days off tomorrow and the day after.
While queuing, the workers also complained to each other about the various treatments at factories they had worked at before, and also grumbled about some dissatisfactions with Shanchi itself.
Currently, the biggest complaint workers have about Shanchi is the lack of holidays.
Due to tight production targets in the early stages, Shanchi currently implements a 28-day work system, with two days off per month.
Additionally, employees can choose to take two more days off without salary deduction, but if they don't take those two days off, they can earn 1.5 times their salary.
This rest policy only applies to frontline employees; office staff still have only one day off per week.
This is a last resort, as current production cannot keep up with market demand.
Every day of rest means a loss of several hundred thousand, and they also face pressure from terminal retailers to expedite orders.
If he could, Tan Jincheng would really wish for no days off for all 30 days of the month, but that is clearly unrealistic.
Therefore, frontline employees cherish these two days off for Mid-Autumn Festival, as National Day only offers four days of rest.
Shanchi's National Day holiday announcement for this year has also been released, with everyone resting from October 1st to 4th.
Some whose homes are relatively close can take advantage of the two-day holiday to go home and spend a traditional festival with their parents and family.
Although it's a bit rushed, it's better than nothing.
In the General Manager's office on the third floor of the Shanchi office building, Tan Jincheng was on the phone with Gu Qingqing:
"What are you doing for Mid-Autumn Festival? Do you want to come to Beicang? If you do, I'll pick you up tomorrow."
Originally, Tan Jincheng had planned to return to Yicheng for Mid-Autumn Festival, but his uncle had a car accident, and his aunt also came over, so Tan Jincheng gave up that plan.
"Isn't that a bit inappropriate? Didn't you say your uncle had a car accident and is in the hospital? Besides, don't you need to entertain clients for Mid-Autumn Festival? You probably won't have time, right?"
"Isn't Mid-Autumn Festival a day for family reunions? Who entertains clients on Mid-Autumn Festival? Besides, all the gifts that needed to be sent have already been delivered in advance."
Gu Qingqing's heart trembled.
Mid-Autumn Festival is a day for family reunions.
What did he mean by that?
"You said it yourself, Mid-Autumn Festival is a day for family reunions, so shouldn't you also reunite with your uncles?"
Hmm?
Tan Jincheng hadn't thought about this question.
Of course, he would have a meal with his uncles for Mid-Autumn Festival.
Should he bring Gu Qingqing to meet them?
Let's meet then.
It doesn't seem like a big deal, and it's not a formal occasion anyway.
Besides, some things require a boy to be more proactive.
After a moment of thought, Tan Jincheng said,
"Then how about we have a meal together? My uncle is a good person, and my aunt is also nice, just a bit loud."
A silence fell on the other end of the phone.
Tan Jincheng seemed to feel Gu Qingqing's heart racing.
"Is that appropriate? They are your closest relatives,"
Gu Qingqing whispered.
"There's nothing inappropriate. It's not a formal gathering. It's perfectly reasonable to visit an elder who's a good friend's relative in the hospital, isn't it?"
Another silence fell on the other end.
After a while, Gu Qingqing said,
"Let me think about it. I'll give you an answer tomorrow morning."
"Alright then, I'll go pick you up when the time comes."
"I haven't agreed yet."
"Hehe, slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue. Well, I'll hang up then."
"Mm, okay."
After hanging up, Tan Jincheng felt goosebumps all over.
How did he used to date his ex-wife in his previous life?
He needed to recall it properly.
Not dating for so long, he really was out of practice.
Gu Qingqing felt the same way, her face burning.
He was so bold today, actually inviting her to meet his relatives.
Why was this happening?
According to Manli, even if he liked her the most, shouldn't he confess first?
After standing on the balcony for a while, Gu Qingqing finally recovered her senses.
Putting away her phone, Gu Qingqing tried to enter the dorm as if nothing had happened, but as soon as she went in, she was met with teasing from her roommates.
"I haven't agreed yet."
"I'll think about it."
Xu Manli and Zhao Wenjia mimicked what Gu Qingqing had just said, one after another, while Chen Yanan next to them smiled silently.
Ever since Xu Manli saw her last time, Gu Qingqing had confessed upon returning to the dorm that she had also worked a summer job for Tan Jincheng during the summer vacation.
This matter couldn't be kept a secret at all; as soon as they ran into Qin Siyu or Zhao Xianbo, they would know immediately.
Rather than being exposed and embarrassed later, it was better to confess herself.
Yes, she indeed had a good impression of Boss Tan, and after two months of getting along, she was even more certain.
Gu Qingqing said somewhat annoyed,
"You guys are so annoying, eavesdropping on other people's calls, that's so immoral."
"It's fine, it's fine. When we fall in love later, we'll let you eavesdrop too,"
Xu Manli said nonchalantly.
Chen Yanan, who hadn't spoken before, then asked,
"What did your Boss Tan say that you need to think about before agreeing?"
"He invited me to Beicang for Mid-Autumn Festival."
Chen Yanan pondered for a moment,
"It's not just that, right? You've been there often before, going to Beicang for fun is no big deal. Let me guess, are you also going to meet his relatives?"
That's why they say university students are quick to react.
"Yes, his uncle is also here, and he said we might have a meal together for Mid-Autumn Festival."
Xu Manli's eyes lit up and she said,
"That's good! What's there not to agree to? If a guy is willing to introduce you to his relatives, he definitely likes you. Now you don't have to worry."
"That's true, but isn't it a bit too fast? These two haven't confessed to each other yet,"
Zhao Wenjia said.
"Hey, those are two different things. Qingqing also said that Boss Tan's uncle had a car accident and is hospitalized. It's perfectly normal for a friend to visit him. It's also good to see what his relatives are like first."
"Oh, that's true. It's his maternal uncle. They say nephews resemble their uncles, so you might be able to get a general idea of Boss Tan's personality from his uncle, and perhaps even learn some stories about Boss Tan's childhood."
"Hehe, what you said makes sense. This reason is indeed plausible. When I'm home, I sometimes visit my parents' friends for them or something."
"Should we bring a gift? After all, it's Mid-Autumn Festival, going empty-handed might not be very good, right?"
"Just buy some fruit or something. If not, add a bouquet of flowers. Isn't that how you visit patients?"
Seeing her roommates chattering away and making decisions for her, Gu Qingqing weakly said,
"I haven't agreed yet."
"Why wouldn't you agree to such a good opportunity? This isn't like you. Besides, Boss Tan probably hasn't made it explicit, so just treat it like usual."
"That's right. If you think it's a bit early, then just treat it like going to Beicang for work as usual, no big change?"
Chen Yanan smiled and said,
"There are still some differences. Think about it, two days off for Mid-Autumn Festival, they certainly won't stay in the hospital the whole time. The two of them will have to find somewhere to have fun, right? Maybe Boss Tan will confess then?"
Clearly, among Gu Qingqing's three roommates, Chen Yanan was the most rational one.
She could always offer different perspectives from the others.
Chen Yanan's words plunged the previously lively atmosphere into silence.
They say three mediocre cobblers are better than one Zhuge Liang, but these three, apart from Xu Manli who had a relationship in high school, were all just theorizing.
Even Xu Manli's high school relationship had recently ended without a clear cause.
She thought about it and realized it probably wasn't very suitable for the situation Qingqing was currently facing.
If he really did express himself, how should Qingqing respond? Accept or not accept? If she accepted, their statuses were quite disparate, one a big boss, the other a student, which would inevitably lead to some gossip.
If she didn't accept, it also seemed a bit unreasonable.
Qingqing liked Boss Tan, and from Boss Tan's actions, he also had a good impression of Qingqing.
"Then what do you think we should do?"
Zhao Wenjia asked Chen Yanan.
Chen Yanan didn't have a perfect solution, but she still said,
"You definitely have to go. Since Boss Tan invited you for the two-day holiday, and you've often gone before, it seems impolite not to go."
"As for encountering the situation we discussed, you can only react spontaneously. Whether to accept or not depends on Qingqing's true feelings. If you think it's too early, then don't accept, but you can say it more subtly. If you do want to accept, there's actually nothing wrong with it; you don't need to care too much about what others think."
"Qingqing, what do you say?"
Zhao Wenjia then looked at Gu Qingqing and asked.
Gu Qingqing gently twirled a strand of hair by her ear and smiled,
"Actually, there's no need to worry too much. I think he's a person who knows his boundaries. Having known him for so long, he has always been very considerate and respectful of women."
After a brainstorm, Gu Qingqing actually understood that whether he confessed or not, Tan Jincheng would help her resolve any worries, just like with going to Hushi and the summer vacation.
She believed he could do it.
As for the rest, she would just improvise and let things take their course.
Restored to her normal state, Gu Qingqing didn't hesitate and began composing a text message.
"Let's hang out together for Mid-Autumn Festival. Remember to pick me up tomorrow morning!"
(End of Chapter)
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