Chapter 95: Are you two interested in working with me?

Chapter 95: Are you two interested in working with me?

Auntie Zhong kept admiring her enamel cup, then after a moment, she said mysteriously, "You wouldn't know this, would you? Did Little Su go to your workplace today? She said there's news about job openings and asked me to go with Xia Zhiqiu next door to her place for a meeting."

Mo Gong's temple twitched for no apparent reason, and suddenly, he had an idea, recalling what Su Taotao had said in the car at noon:

["Do you handle all the logistics, administration, finance, sales, and documentation by yourself? Can you manage all that?"]

"The leadership team is already set, and we're not taking outside hires anymore."

Mo Gong looked at his wife in surprise—

Leadership team?

No way?

Auntie Zhong hit him again: "Hey, Old Mo, what do you mean? What's with that look? Can't I apply for the position?"

Mo Gong steadied himself and took a deep breath: "Do you know about Su Taotao's plan to start a factory?"

Now it was Auntie Zhong's turn to be shocked, her mouth agape as she shook her head: "No, when did this happen?"

Old Mo: "The proposal was submitted yesterday and approved today. I reckon she wants to talk to you about it."

Auntie Zhong's heart was pounding: "So, she's calling me to a meeting for..."

Mo Gong, still looking at his wife in disbelief, nodded: "She likely wants to team up with you and Xia Zhiqiu. I was thinking of calling Jiji this afternoon to come back for the production worker recruitment. But if she's forming a team with you, it might not be appropriate for Jiji to join the recruitment."

There are more people than jobs available, the job opportunities on the island are limited. Just having one family member in is enough to make others jealous, especially since his wife is likely slated for a leadership role. It would be really awkward for their eldest son to join the recruitment now.

Auntie Zhong's mind was still reeling. She couldn't have guessed in a million years that Su Taotao wanted to start her own factory and team up with her.

"What should we do? Can we ask Little Su to let Jiji take my place?"

Mo Gong shook his head: "No, you really shouldn't say that. Little Su is a calculated person. If she picked you and Xia Zhiqiu, she's got her reasons. If you can do it, do it; if not, don't. You mustn't suggest swapping positions."

Although Mo Gong had only interacted with Su Taotao a few times, he could tell she was capable and particularly resolute, not someone who would change her decisions based on others' opinions.

Strictly speaking, she and Fu Zhengtu are cut from the same cloth.

Auntie Zhong also calmed down and nodded: "Yes, Little Su is so capable, she must have a plan. If she's chosen me, she must think I can help her. I definitely can't let her down."

Auntie Zhong was desperate to work, having waited over a decade for this opportunity. She would do anything to seize it.

His wife was a good person, kind-hearted, good with people, and a smooth operator. Although Mo Gong didn't know about her work capabilities, he fully supported her chance to contribute.

Calmed down, Auntie Zhong felt a lingering fear: "Thank goodness you reminded me, or I might have messed up in front of Little Su. I'll ask her about Jiji. If she agrees, we'll let Jiji come back for the recruitment. If not, then forget it."

Mo Gong nodded: "That works. If Jiji gets in on his own merit, we won't have to worry about gossip. Nothing is more important than family reunion. It's good to ask."

With that, Auntie Zhong felt more assured.

When she went to see Xia Zhiqiu, Xia Zhiqiu was just as clueless as she had been earlier, with no idea what Su Taotao wanted.

Since things weren't set in stone yet, it was better to let Su Taotao explain it herself.

With that thought, Auntie Zhong kept her mouth shut and didn't say a word to Xia Zhiqiu.

When Xia Zhiqiu arrived at Su Taotao's house with Dongdong, she still didn't know what was going on.

Auntie Zhong's treasured enamel cup was just washed and put away for later, not actually brought over.

The two children were thrilled to see each other again after a hurried meeting in the morning.

Chenchen patted Bai Bai's little white head and introduced it to his little friend: "This is Bai Bai... my good friend."

Chenchen then introduced Dongdong to Bai Bai: "Bai Bai... this is Dongdong, my big brother."

Dongdong widened his eyes: "Bai Bai, you're so cute!"

Dongdong didn't think it was odd at all that a black dog was named Bai Bai.

He then asked Chenchen: "Can I touch it?"

Chenchen asked Bai Bai seriously, "Bai Bai... Dongdong wants to pet you. Is that okay?"

Bai Bai nuzzled Chenchen's hand, and Chenchen nodded: "Bai Bai says it's okay."

Dongdong: "Then I'll touch it, I'm really going to touch it..."

The two children were so adorable that the two mothers and Auntie Zhong burst out laughing.

Su Taotao served everyone bowls of mung bean soup and let the kids sit on small stools to drink.

Auntie Zhong and Xia Zhiqiu felt a little awkward; they’d eaten Su Taotao’s cake last time without returning the favor, and now they were having her mung bean soup.

Su Taotao said, "Cool off first, and then we’ll get down to business."

Hearing this, Auntie Zhong quickly drank her mung bean soup.

Xia Zhiqiu didn’t hesitate either, and after finishing the soup, she washed the bowl and put it back in the kitchen. Only then did Su Taotao get straight to the point:

"Have you all heard about my application to open a factory?"

Auntie Zhong nodded frankly: "After you left, Old Mo mentioned it to me."

Xia Zhiqiu shook her head in confusion.

Zhang Chuncheng thought it had nothing to do with Xia Zhiqiu, so he really didn't mention a word to her.

Su Taotao handed each of them a notebook and a pen, then took out the approval document from a kraft paper bag and placed it on the table.

"Talking about a factory now is a bit premature, for now it's just a small workshop making coconut candy, but in the future, it will be a factory."

Even a group, a listed company, Su Taotao thought to herself.

Of course, it's still too early to say.

Su Taotao pointed to the approval document: "Zhiqiu, come and be my secretary, at first you might also have to help me with purchasing and finance;

Auntie Zhong, help me manage logistics and personnel, how about it, are you two interested in working with me?"

Auntie Zhong had already prepared herself, but hearing Su Taotao say it out loud, her heart couldn't help but race, and she clenched her fists in excitement, finding it a bit hard to believe.

In the family area, there are actually many capable young family members like Xia Zhiqiu, and she still can't believe that an old comrade like her could still step into a work position and have a day to shine.

Not to mention managing logistics, even if Su Taotao arranged for her to clean and sweep toilets, she would do it!

Auntie Zhong’s passion, built up over more than ten years, was now bubbling over.

"Hell yeah! Little Su, no, Director Su, from now on, I'll follow your lead without question. Whatever you ask me to do, I'll do it! I, Zhong Xiumei, may not have many skills, but I can handle personnel and odd jobs."

Su Taotao nodded: "Good, with your word, I can be at ease. I'll leave the back office to you, and you need to come up with a solid plan to keep things running smoothly."

Though the workshop is small, it's fully equipped. Though small, it still qualifies as a factory. Calling her Director Su isn't off the mark; it's just a title, and Su Taotao doesn't mind.

Zhong Xiumei clenched her fists and nodded firmly: "Absolutely!"

Su Taotao turned to Xia Zhiqiu: "And you, Zhiqiu? What do you think?"

...