Chapter 252: How About the Deputy Factory Manager?

Chapter 252: What About the Deputy Factory Manager?

Su Taotao returned to the factory after her errands. Dong Shengping had taken a day off yesterday, so Su Taotao expected someone else to handle attendance today. To her surprise, Dong Shengping was still on duty.

"Weren’t you supposed to take your wife to the hospital for a check-up?"

Dong Shengping thanked Su Taotao first: "She had some of the pickled vegetables you sent last night, and they really agreed with her. She managed to keep down some porridge and stopped vomiting, so she said there’s no need to go."

Su Taotao smiled and said, "That’s great. She’ll feel much better soon; it won’t last forever."

Dong Shengping nodded: "I sure hope so."

Seeing that Dong Shengping’s complexion had also improved, Su Taotao added, "If she can handle other porridges, try making her pork bone and dried vegetable porridge. Fish paste porridge and egg with lean meat porridge are more nutritious, but the fishy smell might bother her. Pork bone porridge is easier to take. Just add a couple of ginger slices—most pregnant women can handle it."

Dong Shengping kept nodding: "Got it, thanks, Director Su."

"No need to be so formal," Su Taotao said with a smile. "Also, could you look into retired police dogs? We’re considering getting one for the new factory."

"Sure, I’ll check it out."

…

Su Taotao walked back to her office, greeted by a chorus of "Good morning, Director Su." Just then, Old Gao’s call came in.

—"Congratulations, Director Su! Expanding the factory already?"

Su Taotao smiled and said, "The higher-ups decided to ramp up production, and I’m just going along with it."

—"Don’t sell yourself short. I know how great your products are. Expanding production is no surprise. When are you free? I’ll adjust to your schedule."

Su Taotao: "I’m free anytime. It’s only about twenty minutes from here, so it’s quick. You pick a time."

—"Twenty minutes? Xiao Lu gave me the address, and I went there with Fu a few years ago. You have to go around a mountain—it’s at least an hour from your place."

Su Taotao: "I found a shortcut this time. Just cross the reed field by the road and follow the mountain edge. It’s only a few minutes."

Old Gao was quietly impressed.

—"Alright, I’ll swing by your factory to pick you up, and we’ll head over together."

Su Taotao: "Sounds good."

—"How’s tomorrow morning sound?"

Su Taotao: "Works for me."

…

After hanging up with Old Gao, Su Taotao called Xiao Lu into her office.

"What’s up, Sis Su?"

Su Taotao twirled her pen thoughtfully: "Old Gao just called. We’re heading to the new factory tomorrow morning."

Xiao Lu nodded: "No problem. Also, Old Gao introduced a few clients who’ve reached out, but I haven’t confirmed their orders yet."

"How’s the new staff settling in?" Su Taotao asked.

Xiao Lu nodded, "It's going well. It's all visible, hands-on work, and with the experienced staff guiding them, as long as they don't slack off, productivity can multiply several times."

Su Taotao gently tapped the table, "Make sure the orders are handled properly, and you can start looking for an assistant for yourself. You'll be spending most of your time at the new factory, so delegate as much of the work here as you can."

Xiao Lu was surprised, "An assistant for me?"

Su Taotao raised an eyebrow at him, "You don't want to work at the new factory?"

Xiao Lu shook his head, "Of course not. Maybe we should assign an assistant under your name?"

Su Taotao shook her head, "When the new factory recruits, I'll find another assistant. You'll be promoted one level, and someone will need to follow up on your work here, reporting directly to you.

If there are issues, I'll only come to you, and you only need to report to me."

Xiao Lu's face lit up with joy, looking at Su Taotao with admiration, "Don't worry, Sis Su, I've got this. So, what position are you planning to assign me?"

Su Taotao leaned back in her chair, looking at him seriously, "How about the position of Deputy Factory Manager?"

There was a loud clang...

Xiao Lu fell to the ground, "?"

He struggled to get up, looking at Su Taotao in disbelief, "Deputy... Deputy Factory Manager?"

Su Taotao looked at him speechlessly, "Look at you. What? Can't handle it?"

Xiao Lu took a deep breath, shaking his head frantically, "No, no, it's just too sudden. Are you kidding, Sis Su?"

Back then, he had stubbornly insisted on working under Su Taotao, only aiming for the position of transport team leader, never dreaming of being a Deputy Factory Manager.

Now, he had only been Su Taotao's assistant for a few months, and suddenly he was being promoted to Deputy Factory Manager. Even a rocket couldn't ascend this fast!

How could he believe this?

Su Taotao, "When have I ever joked with you? If you can handle it, give it your all. If you can't, I'll find someone else."

Xiao Lu confirmed that Su Taotao wasn't joking, and his expression immediately became serious, "Sis Su, with you, there's nothing I wouldn't dare to do! But jumping so many levels at once, I'm afraid it will be hard to earn everyone's respect."

"Then who can earn everyone's respect? Someone like Liu Zaitian, the nephew of the ex-Director Liu?" Su Taotao retorted.

Why 'ex-Director Liu'?

Because Director Liu had been forced into early retirement.

As for his nephew Liu Zaitian, he was now just an ordinary worker, sent back to his original unit to coast along.

Xiao Lu shook his head vigorously, "Of course not. That old fox isn't here to work; he's just here to stir up trouble, full of bureaucracy, only interested in profit, with seniority but no brains, totally out of sync with our factory's style."

Su Taotao, "You're not that dumb. I don't care about seniority, age, or background when I hire people. I only want those who do practical work and are committed to the factory's progress.

Lack of experience doesn't matter; you can learn. I'm not experienced either as the factory manager, and the factory has just been established. We're all growing with the factory."

Absolute authority in personnel appointments was one of the conditions Su Taotao proposed when establishing the factory.

When she hired Auntie Zhong, there were many doubts, but the facts proved that Auntie Zhong did a great job.

She was well aware of the consequences of nepotism and leaders trying to place their people in her factory.

She did everything she could to stop it.

She made a point of letting everyone know where Liu Zaitian came from and where he was going back to.

The goal was to make an example of him and discourage any leaders from trying to place their people in her factory.

See how quiet it is now?

Xiao Lu took a deep breath and nodded firmly: "Sis Su, don’t worry. I’ll do whatever you ask without hesitation."

Su Taotao: "Just remember that and give it your all. Your position is future Deputy Factory Manager, but of course, it won’t happen overnight. Before that, you're still my assistant.

How to establish authority, earn the trust of others, and make sure that when my appointment letter comes out, everyone supports you instead of questioning you.

This is your first challenge on the road to becoming Deputy Factory Manager. I hope you can give me a satisfactory answer."

Opportunities always go to those who are prepared. Xiao Lu is bold, hardworking, smart, and above all, reliable and trustworthy.

Su Taotao couldn’t think of a single reason not to give him a shot.

Xiao Lu's expression was unprecedentedly serious:

"Sis Su, don’t worry. If one year isn’t enough, I’ll take two. If two aren’t enough, I’ll take three. I’ll make sure to become a Deputy Factory Manager no one questions, and I won’t disappoint you."

Xiao Lu felt that questioning him was minor; he couldn’t let others doubt Su Taotao’s judgment in people.

Su Taotao still said: "Don’t make a fuss. Just remember it. When the factory grows, there’ll be at least two Deputy Factory Manager roles—one for production and one for sales. Personally, I think sales is more your thing. Figure out your path."

Xiao Lu nodded firmly: "Okay, I understand, Sis Su."

After leaving Su Taotao’s office, Xiao Lu’s clenched fists were still shaking a little.

He raised them to his mouth and bit down hard.

It hurt; he wasn't dreaming!

Only a manager like Sis Su would give someone like him—no background, no experience, but full of passion—a shot at becoming Deputy Factory Manager.

Even if it was just to thank Sis Su for recognizing his potential, he would definitely work his hardest!