Chapter 266: The Temple Is Too Small for a Great Bodhisattva

Chapter 266: The Temple is Too Small for a Big Buddha

Xiao Lu, who usually jokes and scolds without any boundaries, has the demeanor of a leader when he sternly reprimands people.

If someone destined to be the Deputy Factory Manager lacks this kind of courage, then Su Taotao must have misjudged him.

Seizing this opportunity to establish authority and openly showcase one's abilities is both resolving conflicts and clearing obstacles for the future position of Deputy Factory Manager.

She indeed misjudged, having previously underestimated Comrade Lu Shouxin's capabilities.

No wonder he was the "little follower" who spent the most time under Fu.

Su Taotao walked in slowly, smiling, and said, "Everyone, don't stop working and take the chance to slack off. If the quality inspection fails, your wages will be deducted."

In fact, no one stopped working; they even buried their heads in their tasks, not daring to look directly at Su Taotao.

Those who gossiped felt guilty.

Those with ill intentions who deliberately spread rumors began to panic, probably not expecting the leaders to make a big deal out of it.

After all, everyone talks behind others' backs, and everyone is talked about behind their back.

Su Taotao continued, "Did everyone hear what Assistant Lu said?

That's right, my standard for selecting and promoting people has always been capability, regardless of gender, background, or age.

Competitive hiring has been in place since the factory opened. I believe everyone remembers that during the first public recruitment, those who were unconvinced could volunteer themselves.

The standard remains the same now. If anyone thinks they are more suitable than Xiao Lu to be my assistant, I welcome self-recommendation.

But if it's just for spreading rumors and talking nonsense, then I'm sorry, the temple is too small for a big Buddha."

Replace Assistant Lu? Competitive hiring?

What a joke!

Not to mention anything else, just the ability to drive—no one in the entire factory can do it except Xiao Lu.

Oh, and Dong Shengping could also drive, but he's missing an arm and can't drive anymore.

It was only now that everyone realized that Assistant Lu, always smiling and sweet-talking, actually has very strong personal abilities.

So strong that he's irreplaceable.

"No one, is that right?" Compared to Xiao Lu's anger, Su Taotao's voice and expression were quite gentle.

Her bright and clear eyes swept lightly around, and she continued:

"The rumor spread from here, there's no doubt about that. Now I'm giving everyone a chance to confess and be lenient.

The first person to spread the rumor should step forward, admit the mistake publicly, and promise not to do it again.

This matter will be considered closed, and I will act as if it never happened.

But if it's found out, then I'm sorry, you will have to go back to where you came from."

Su Taotao paused for a while, and unsurprisingly, no one stepped forward.

Su Taotao looked at her watch: "No one, is that right? Good, everyone continue working, don't delay production."

Next, Zheng Xiumei, you will be the first to go to Director Zhong next. As for who’s next, you’ll find out once she’s done.

Su Taotao made a gesture to Auntie Zhong and said to Xiao Lu, "Assistant Lu, help Director Zhong track down the source of the rumors."

Xiao Lu replied, "Yes, Director Su."

After speaking, he turned and left.

Su Taotao remembered her name so clearly because it was the same as Auntie Zhong’s. Auntie Zhong's full name is Zhong Xiumei, and she is Zheng Xiumei.

People often teased her by calling her "Director Xiumei," though they were really referring to Auntie Zhong.

As it happened, she was quite the gossip herself.

The person Xiao Lu reprimanded earlier was also her.

Making her the first target wasn’t unfair at all.

Xiao Lu said, "Do you think we’re overreacting? It’s just some gossip, right? How bad could it be?

Well, let me tell you, it is serious! Director Su is the backbone of this factory. If the backbone of the factory is attacked, how can the factory survive? What’s the point of spreading these rumors?

If you’ve got nothing to hide, you’ve got nothing to fear. We don’t mind people talking about the truth, but we won’t tolerate baseless rumors."

"Did everyone hear that?" Auntie Zhong said, looking at Zheng Xiumei. "Come on, let’s head to my office."

Auntie Zhong then said to her two assistants, "You two keep an eye on things and make sure no one tries to coordinate their stories."

Zheng Xiumei nervously fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. She’d always been outspoken and never meant any harm. Why did this escalate into such a big deal?

"Sit down, just treat this like a regular chat, like when you gossip," Auntie Zhong said.

Zheng Xiumei became even more uneasy:

"Director Zhong, Assistant Lu, I really just said it offhand, without any bad intentions."

Xiao Lu sketched a diagram in his notebook, placing Zheng Xiumei at the center with an arrow pointing inward.

"So, when and where did you hear it? Don’t worry, I know you weren’t the first. Just tell the truth," Xiao Lu said.

Zheng Xiumei thought for a moment: "It was Aunt Zhang—Zhang Aidi—who told me. It was probably on Monday when she asked me if I had heard about it. I said no, and then she told me."

Zheng Xiumei kept waving her hands: "I didn’t mean any disrespect to Director Su or Assistant Lu. I was just chatting and gossiping like I always do, not realizing how serious it was.

But now I know better, and I swear I’ll never gossip behind someone’s back again!"

Xiao Lu jotted down a date and wrote "Zhang Aidi" at the end of the arrow.

Auntie Zhong also took notes and nodded, "Alright, go tell Xiao Lian to bring Zhang Aidi in. Don’t say anything else, and don’t try to coordinate stories."

Xiao Lian was one of Auntie Zhong's assistants.

Seeing they weren’t pressing further, Zheng Xiumei sighed in relief and nodded eagerly, "Yes, yes, I won’t say a word."

Auntie Zhong said, "Just tell Xiao Lian the name, you don’t need to go and call her."

Zheng Xiumei: "Okay, okay, okay."

After Zheng Xiumei went out, she walked up to Xiaolian, conveyed Auntie Zhong's message, and then silently returned to her desk.

When she returned, everyone naturally started asking her what had happened.

Xiaolian said, "Stop gossiping and get back to your tasks. You'll be called in when it's your turn."

Xiaolian walked up to Zhang Aidi and said, "It's your turn now. Go to Director Zhong's office."

Zhang Aidi was nervous and looked back at Zheng Xiumei.

Zheng Xiumei lowered her head, avoiding her gaze.

The same routine followed, and after Zhang Aidi came out, another staff member was called in.

After that staff member came out, two more were called, likely those who had spread the gossip at the same time.

This chain of summons continued, and as time went on, people grew more anxious. When only a few were left, they realized they were all from the same group, and everyone looked at each other nervously.

Finally, all eyes turned to Pangpang's mom.

When only three people were left, one of them couldn't help but whisper:

"Pangpang's mom, it's almost our turn. Where did you hear it from?"

Pangpang's mom was so nervous that her hands were sweaty. She looked at her calmly and said, "Didn't we hear it at the same time? You're asking me? Who should I ask?"

The person's eyes widened, staring at her in shock...