2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 154 Mid-Autumn Festival Full Moon
September 16, 2005, Friday, the 9th day of the eighth lunar month.

"How about going to the city for some fun? We've been here for so long, and we finally have a couple of days off, we should go out and explore."

"Yeah, this dog factory is great in every way. The wages are good and the food is okay, but the damn thing is that they never give holidays. I've been here for so long and I've basically never had a break."

"Haha, yeah, yeah, damn it, I heard the boss is only 20 years old. A 20-year-old is already so cunning, what a capitalist."

"You guys have never worked in a factory before, right? Once you've been to other factories, you'll see. This one is really generous. With overtime and other benefits, you can earn about 4000 yuan a month. Where else can you find that?"

"Well, that's true. We're uneducated and poor, so we have no choice but to work in factories. This place really offers pretty good benefits."

"That's true. I've never encountered a factory that provides a box of mooncakes, a case of apples, and a bag of rice for the Mid-Autumn Festival."

"Yeah, the factory owner I worked for before was really heartless. He gave out a mooncake and a can of Jianlibao for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Can you believe that?"

"A mooncake?"

"Correct!"

"Damn it, they're all heartless."

At 6 p.m., at the entrance of Shanchi Auto Industry, rows of workers were lining up to clock out. There were also some workers lining up to clock out for the night shift. Except for those on duty, all employees will have two days off for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

While queuing, the workers would complain about the treatment they received at the factories they had worked at before, and also complain about some of the things they were unhappy about at FlashCheap. The thing that the workers were most dissatisfied with at FlashCheap right now was that there were too few holidays.

Due to tight production schedules in the early stages, FlashCare is currently operating on a 28-day work week with two days off per month. In addition, employees can choose to rest for two days without any deduction in wages, but if they choose not to rest, they can receive 1.5 times their normal wage for those two days.

This rest rule only applies to frontline employees; office staff still only get one day off per week. This is a last resort, as current production capacity cannot keep up with the market. Every day off results in a loss of hundreds of thousands of yuan, and they also face pressure from retailers to expedite deliveries.

If he could, Tan Jincheng would really like to work 30 days a month without rest, but that is obviously unrealistic.

Therefore, frontline employees cherish this two-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, because after all, the National Day holiday is only four days off. The holiday schedule for this year's National Day holiday has also been announced, with everyone taking a break from October 1st to 4th.

For those whose homes are relatively close, they can take advantage of the two-day holiday to go home and spend a traditional festival with their parents and family. Although it may be a bit rushed, it's better than nothing.

In the general manager's office on the third floor of the Flashpoint office building, Tan Jincheng was on the phone with Gu Qingqing: "What are you going to do for the Mid-Autumn Festival? Do you want to come to Beicang? If you do, I'll pick you up tomorrow."

Tan Jincheng originally planned to return to Yicheng for the Mid-Autumn Festival, but his uncle was in a car accident and his aunt came over, so Tan Jincheng gave up this plan.

"That's not a good idea. Didn't you say your uncle was in a car accident and is in the hospital? Also, don't you have to entertain clients during the Mid-Autumn Festival? I'm afraid you won't have time."

"Isn't the Mid-Autumn Festival a day for family reunion? There's no need for socializing during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Besides, the gifts that should have been given have already been sent in advance."

Gu Qingqing's heart skipped a beat. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family reunion. What did he mean by that?
"You said it yourself, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a day for family reunion, so are you going to reunite with your uncles too?"

Hmm? Tan Jincheng hadn't thought about that question. He would naturally have a meal with his uncle and his family during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Should he take Gu Qingqing to meet them?
Let's meet then. It doesn't seem like a big deal, it's not a formal occasion.

Besides, boys need to take the initiative in some things.

After pondering for a moment, Tan Jincheng said, "How about we have a meal together? My uncle is a nice person, and my aunt is also a good person, but she has a rather loud voice."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, and Tan Jincheng could almost feel Gu Qingqing's heart racing.

"Is it appropriate? They are your closest relatives," Gu Qingqing said softly.

"There's nothing inappropriate about it. It's not a formal gathering. It's perfectly reasonable to visit a good friend's elderly relative who is in the hospital, right?"

There was another silence on the other side.

After a while, Gu Qingqing said, "I'll think about it and give you an answer tomorrow morning."

"Okay, I'll come pick you up then."

"I haven't agreed yet."

"Hehe, slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue. Okay, that's all for now, I'll hang up."

"okay."

After hanging up the phone, Tan Jincheng felt goosebumps rising all over his body. How did he date his ex-wife in his past life? He needed to think about it carefully. He really couldn't keep up with dating after not dating for so long.

Gu Qingqing felt the same way, her face burning hot. He was so bold today, inviting her to meet his family. Why would he do this? According to Manli, even if someone likes you the most, shouldn't they confess first?

After standing on the balcony for a while, Gu Qingqing finally came to her senses. She put away her phone and tried to pretend nothing had happened when she went into the dormitory. However, she was immediately teased by her roommates.

"I haven't agreed yet." "I'll think about it."

Xu Manli and Zhao Wenjia followed Gu Qingqing's words and said them one after the other, while Chen Yanan smiled silently. Ever since Xu Manli caught them, Gu Qingqing had confessed back in the dormitory that she had also been working a summer job at Tan Jincheng's place.

This matter cannot be kept secret at all; they will find out immediately as soon as they encounter Qin Siyu or Zhao Xianbo.

Rather than being embarrassed by being exposed later, it's better to be honest; yes, I do have feelings for Boss Tan, and after two months of getting to know each other, I'm even more certain of that.

Gu Qingqing said angrily, "You guys are so annoying. Eavesdropping on other people's phone calls is so immoral."

"It's okay, it's okay. When we start dating, we'll let you eavesdrop too," Xu Manli said casually.

Chen Yanan, who hadn't spoken before, asked, "What did your boss, Tan, say that you need to think about it before agreeing?"

He invited me to visit Beicang during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Chen Yanan pondered for a moment and said, "It's not just that, is it? You used to go there often, going to Beicang is nothing to you. Let me guess, are you going to meet his relatives?"

That's why they say college students react so quickly.

"Yes, his uncle is here too. He said they might have dinner together for the Mid-Autumn Festival."

Xu Manli's eyes lit up and she said, "That's great! Why can't you agree to that? If a man is willing to introduce you to his relatives, he definitely likes you. You don't have to worry anymore."

"That's true, but isn't it a bit too fast? These two haven't even confessed their feelings to each other yet," Zhao Wenjia said.

“Hey, these are two different things. Qingqing also said that Boss Tan’s uncle was in a car accident and hospitalized. It’s normal for a friend to visit him and see what his relatives are like.”

"That's true. He's the uncle, after all. They say a nephew resembles his uncle, so you can get a general idea of ​​Mr. Tan's personality from his uncle. Besides, you might even know something about Mr. Tan's childhood."

"Hehe, what you said makes sense. That reason is indeed plausible. When I'm at home, I sometimes visit my parents' friends on their behalf."

"Should we bring a gift? After all, it's the Mid-Autumn Festival, it doesn't seem right to go empty-handed."

"Just buy some fruit or something, or if that's not enough, add a bouquet of flowers. Isn't that what we do when visiting a patient?"

Seeing her roommates chattering away and making the decision for her, Gu Qingqing said weakly, "I haven't agreed yet."

"Why not take such a good opportunity? That's not like you. Besides, Boss Tan probably didn't say anything. Just treat it like any other time."

"Yeah, if you think it's a bit early, then just treat it like you're working in Beicang as usual, nothing's changed?"

Chen Yanan smiled and said, "There are still some differences. Think about it, during the two-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, 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 his feelings then?"

Clearly, among Gu Qingqing's three roommates, Chen Yanan is the most rational one, and she always manages to offer opinions that differ from everyone else's.

Chen Yanan's words plunged the previously lively atmosphere into silence. It is said that three cobblers are equal to one Zhuge Liang, but apart from Xu Manli having a relationship in high school, the other three are all just armchair strategists.

Even Xu Manli's high school romance recently ended without a trace, and after thinking about it, it didn't seem quite suitable for Qingqing's current situation.

If she really does show it, how should Qingqing respond? Should she accept it or not? If she accepts it, the two of them are quite different in status—one is a big boss, and the other is a student—which will inevitably cause some gossip.

If she didn't accept it, it would seem a bit unreasonable. Qingqing liked Boss Tan, and judging from Boss Tan's behavior, he also had feelings for Qingqing.

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Zhao Wenjia asked Chen Yanan.

Chen Yanan didn't have any good ideas, but she still said, "You definitely have to go. Since Boss Tan invited you for the two-day holiday, and you've been going there often before, it doesn't seem right not to go."

"As for Cheng Yi encountering the situation we mentioned, we can only deal with it on a case-by-case basis. Whether to accept it or not depends on Qingqing's true feelings. If she feels it's too early, then she can refuse, but she can say it in a more tactful way. If she accepts it, it's really not a big deal. She doesn't need to care too much about other people's opinions."

"Qingqing, what do you say?" Zhao Wenjia asked Gu Qingqing again.

Gu Qingqing gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled, "Actually, there's no need to worry too much. I think he's a sensible person. In all the time I've known him, he's always been a very considerate person who respects women."

After a brainstorming session, Gu Qingqing realized that whether she confessed her feelings or not, Tan Jincheng would help her resolve any worries, just like going to Shanghai and the summer vacation.

I believe he can do it; the rest is up to us to adapt to the situation and let things take their course.

Once back to normal, Gu Qingqing didn't hesitate and started composing a text message.

"Let's have fun together for the Mid-Autumn Festival! Remember to pick me up tomorrow morning!"

(End of this chapter)