Chapter 199: Variable
Yue Yihan did not want this to happen.
At this, Xie Changning’s brow furrowed slightly. "I don’t really have an opinion on his career change. If he has his own plan, then as his wife, all I can do is support him."
"Yes. He’s going to be a security guard at your factory."
Xie Changning: ? ’So my husband wants to skip forty years of hard work...’
’He’s jumping right to the finish line, isn’t he!’
Seeing Xie Changning look stunned, the Han’s parents chimed in. "You think it’s a bad idea too, don’t you? Even if he waited a couple more years to change careers, anything would be better than being a security guard, right?"
For a moment, Xie Changning was at a loss for words.
In reality, they all knew Yue Yihan wanted to be a security guard at Xie Changning’s factory for one reason: to be closer to her.
However, Xie Changning didn’t want him in the same work environment.
It would only lead to arguments.
"He can decide for himself." After thinking it over, Xie Changning decided not to share her opinion. She would wait for Yue Yihan to return and talk to her about it himself.
The Han’s parents understood what she meant and didn’t press the issue further.
"It’s getting late. We should all get to bed."
Xie Changning wasn’t used to calling her in-laws "Mom" and "Dad," so she simply stood up politely and wished them good night.
Xie Changning hadn’t called them "Mom" and "Dad," but the couple didn’t pick on her for it.
’Instead, they felt her attitude simply mirrored Yue Yihan’s. Their own son didn’t even call them Mom and Dad, so how could they possibly expect their daughter-in-law to?’
After watching Xie Changning return to her room, the old couple went back to theirs.
The old couple had felt a profound sense of bliss living here. They never imagined life could be so peaceful, so... pleasant!
And so, they decided then and there to spend their retirement here.
They had money. If their son didn’t want them around, they could simply buy a house nearby, live close to the family, and just visit their grandson occasionally.
Not having to worry about their children’s futures, manage their relationships, or clean up their messes—the feeling was absolutely fantastic!
「The next day」
When Xie Changning got up, the four elders were already awake.
However, she hadn’t heard a sound from her room. They had all been quiet, as if by silent agreement, wanting to let her sleep in.
Xie Changning thought that Yue Yihan’s biological parents were decent enough, unlike her adoptive parents, who had no sense of boundaries.
A better impression was one thing, but Xie Changning wasn’t about to say anything that would encourage them to stay permanently.
The Han’s parents knew this as well, which was why they had already bought a suitable house when they found one.
It was currently undergoing renovations.
Over the meal, the Han’s parents brought the matter up with Xie Changning.
"Changning, our house will be renovated soon, and we’re getting ready to buy furniture. We were hoping to order it from your factory. Is that possible?" ’It didn’t matter to them where they spent their money, and giving business to their daughter-in-law’s factory would help her sales figures.’
’It was a win-win.’
Xie Changning frowned slightly. She looked at the two elders before her and said, "Our factory isn’t really making furniture these days. However, I can ask our master craftsmen if they’d be willing to do me a favor."
’The factory had urgent orders that had to be completed first.’
’As for whether the workers took on private jobs after hours, that was none of her business.’
’As long as they didn’t use the factory’s timber, it was fine. After all, private enterprise wasn’t permitted back then; side jobs couldn’t be done out in the open, only under the guise of ’helping out.’’
Hearing this, the two elders understood what she meant: her factory was too busy to take on the work.
"We’ll have to trouble you, then." The two elders exchanged a glance before thanking her.
’If the wood-product factory workers took the job, they would have to do it after their regular shifts. It would take longer, which meant they could spend more time with their grandson.’
The thought made the old couple quite happy.
Since the two elders had no objections, Xie Changning nodded. "Alright. I’ll ask them when I go to the wood products factory today."
"Yes, yes, that’s wonderful."
After her meal, Xie Changning headed to the wood products factory.
When she arrived, the workers were already inside, hard at work.
She had the vice factory director call over the more skilled furniture makers and asked them patiently, "Are you free after your shift?"
The workers looked at each other, confused.
"Here’s the situation," she explained. "My parents-in-law just bought a new house, and it’s completely empty. They need some help, so I wanted to see if you were available."
Xie Changning was being tactful, but the quick-witted ones knew she was offering them a side job.
If they accepted, they would receive a "token of gratitude."
One sharp worker quickly raised his hand. "Director, I’m free after my shift! I can come help!"
Some were hoping to curry favor, others were after the "gratitude," but by the time she was done asking, five or six carpenters had agreed to help.
Xie Changning thanked them and told them to wait for her at the gate after their shift so she could take them with her.
The workers all agreed.
Vice Factory Director Lin turned to Xie Changning. "Director, are you sure... this is okay?" ’Isn’t this just brazenly giving workers a side job?’
Xie Changning cleared her throat.
"Well, my elders at home need it urgently, you see. Otherwise, I wouldn’t want to trouble our own workers. But what can I do? Our workers are just too fast and do too good a job."
Vice Factory Director Lin: "..." ’Yeah, right,’ he thought.
He didn’t say any more, though.
This was the kind of thing you just had to turn a blind eye to.
Word of Xie Changning hiring people for a side job didn’t get out.
’Everyone involved was smart. The director had chosen them because she trusted them. To cause trouble for her now would be going too far.’
So, they kept their mouths shut tight.
If anyone asked why the vice factory director had called them over, they would just laugh it off and say he was reminding them to focus on quality, not just speed.
The others were skeptical.
But since the workers wouldn’t talk, there was nothing anyone else could do.
Only a few people went to Vice Factory Director Lin to ask about it.
Of course, this didn’t include Yue Yang’s father. He had used the excuse of going to the restroom to follow the group when Vice Factory Director Lin called them over.
He’d eavesdropped and heard Xie Changning offering them the job.
After they had all left, Yue Yang’s father cornered Vice Factory Director Lin. "Director, I heard everything. Since the Factory Director needs help, I want to help too!"
The expression on Yue Yang’s father’s face clearly said to Vice Factory Director Lin, ’If you don’t let me go, I’ll report all of you!’
Vice Factory Director Lin frowned.
"It’s not my call."
"You just need to pass the message on to the Factory Director for me."
Afraid the man would actually report them, Vice Factory Director Lin did as he was told and brought the matter to Xie Changning.
Upon hearing the request, Xie Changning refused without a second thought. "We have enough people."