Read Novel Full Chapter 106
Chapter 106 : Payroll
In the early winter weather, white mist rose with every breath. The workers in the food factory chatted as they worked.
“Oh my god, that gave me goosebumps.”
“Right? I couldn’t sleep at all after hearing about it.”
“How can something so horrifying happen? Why did she go mad?”
On the packaging line, a worker sneaked a glance to ensure the team leader wasn’t watching, then whispered, “I heard they had been dating for years. The female educated youth demanded an explanation, but the male educated youth refused to get a marriage certificate. That’s when she grabbed a knife.”
“Goodness, the male educated youth is in the wrong. Isn’t he like Chen Shimei?”
“Exactly! If my daughter ever encountered a man like that, I’d beat him to a pulp. He’s shameless.”
“Do you know what else? The female educated youth who committed the murder was sent to work in the production team next to our deputy factory director’s brigade.”
“Really?”
“How could it not be? My relative works there, so I heard it firsthand.”
He Cuicui overheard the gossip as she worked, and it sent a chill down her spine.
“Hey, all of you, no chatting while working!”
Li Yuejin, with his protruding belly and hands behind his back, strutted over, putting on an air of authority. “Sister Lin, Sister Yan, you’ve both been working here for years. How could you make such a basic mistake?
“Gossiping at work delays the production line, which affects the entire team. This time, I’ll let it slide, but don’t let it happen again!”
The reprimanded workers pursed their lips. After Li Yuejin walked away, they spat in disdain.
“Pah! Acting all high and mighty. He’s only been the team leader for a month, and he’s already bossing us around. Has he forgotten how he used to beg us to lend him money?”
“Exactly! If he were genuinely impartial, I’d respect him. But he’s late every day, leaves early, and pretends not to notice his wife slacking off. She spends half her morning in the restroom, and he turns a blind eye. It’s infuriating.”
“Did you know his team leader position was a gift from the workshop director?
Otherwise, with our seniority system, he’d never have had a chance. Even in skills and knowledge, he’s at the bottom of the barrel.”
“Typical of someone unworthy rising to power and letting it get to their head. Cuicui, don’t you think so?”
The two senior workers turned to He Cuicui, hoping for agreement. But Cuicui didn’t want to badmouth anyone, especially in a workshop where gossip traveled fast. Who knew if there were informants around? She simply smiled.
“Cuicui, you live next door to him. Is it true that Li Yuejin bribed the workshop director?”
He Cuicui shook her head. “I’m busy with work and taking care of my kids. How would I know anything about that?”
Disappointed by her lack of response, the women fell silent. Suddenly, a worker with bright red lipstick chimed in. Her sharp voice carried a hint of jealousy as she directed her words at He Cuicui.
“By the way, I heard the deputy factory director moved in next door to you. Have you seen his wife? She’s from the countryside, right? Must be so unsophisticated.”
The speaker, Yuan Lihua, was a well-known beauty in the workshop. She loved dressing up and spoke her mind bluntly. Her boldness won her admirers, but others found her tactless and entitled.
Nevertheless, her good looks earned her favor from most, and she had many suitors in the factory.
He Cuicui felt a flicker of annoyance. “Yuan Lihua, how can you mock someone like that? What’s wrong with being from the countryside? Two generations ago, weren’t most people from the countryside?”
Yuan Lihua paid no mind to Cuicui’s remark. She pulled out a comb to tidy her bangs and smiled smugly. “It’s just unsophisticated, that’s all. Sister He, I’m just being honest, so don’t take offense.
With the deputy director’s status, he could’ve married someone better. I just feel sorry for him.”
Cuicui clenched her fists, suppressing the urge to retort. She wanted to slap Yuan Lihua, but knew better than to create trouble. Yuan had many admirers, and who knew which one might retaliate on her behalf?
Instead, Cuicui rolled her eyes and replied coolly, “Well, I think the deputy director’s wife is quite beautiful.”
She emphasized the word “Beautiful”, sparking the curiosity of the other women. Some even asked deliberately, “How beautiful? Is she prettier than the flower of our factory?”
He Cuicui just smiled and avoided answering directly, saying instead, “The factory’s handing out wages this afternoon. Finally! If they delayed any longer, we wouldn’t be able to get by.”
The conversation quickly shifted to what everyone planned to buy after getting paid. After work, He Cuicui went to Jiang Li’s house and knocked on the door. “Come on, let’s go get your man’s pay slip.”
Jiang Li looked confused. “Huh? Payday’s today? So soon?”
“You stay home all day, so of course you don’t know. Oh, and you should dress up. Actually, never mind, you don’t even need to.”
He Cuicui had complete confidence in Jiang Li’s looks. Though Jiang Li hadn’t gone out all day and was wearing a slightly worn red cotton jacket, her time indoors had left her complexion rosy, with bright, watery eyes. Her delicate eyebrows, elegant nose, radiant eyes, and white teeth made her light up the dim room like a flame.
He Cuicui was pleased , a natural beauty doesn’t need any embellishment. Jiang Li’s effortless allure outshone Yuan Lihua’s carefully made-up appearance by far.
Jiang Li, having spent too much time studying, welcomed the chance to go out. “Perfect timing! The cafeteria’s serving braised pork today. If we hurry, we can still get some.”
On their way, Jiang Li realized why He Cuicui had been acting so unusually and couldn’t help but laugh. “Sister Cuicui, you’re really going through all this trouble. Does it even matter what they say? I don’t care.”
He Cuicui frowned, clearly upset. “I just can’t stand her attitude, looking down on people and calling them country bumpkins. What makes her so fashionable anyway?”
“And besides, with her saying things like that, who knows if she’s eyeing your man? This will shut her up for good.”
While chatting, they arrived at the accounting office, where a long line had already formed. At the front, a man waved toward the back. “Lihua, come over here! I saved you a spot.”
Jiang Li turned to see Yuan Lihua. She wore a trendy tweed coat paired with a bright red scarf. Her wavy hair was styled neatly behind her head, and she kept fussing with her bangs, adjusting them from time to time.