Chapter 394: Chapter 394: The Whole Family Must Be Together

After explaining the personnel changes in the factory, Qin Yao went on to commend all the stewards and the workers who had performed outstandingly since the stationery factory was established this past half year.

Her praise was straightforward and impactful: do well and you get paid!

The stewards and outstanding workers excitedly lined up to come to the stage, and Qin Yao directly had someone bring up a money box filled with exchanged Copper Coins.

The square money box was about as big as a water bucket, with a small round opening on top, just large enough for an adult’s arm to reach inside.

Qin Yao placed the heavy box on the platform and waved her hand grandly, “Come, grab a handful, and whatever you grab, you take!”

The onlooking villagers watched with envy. They truly witnessed something new today—first with two female stewards, and now this money grabbing event. She’s really generous!

“Liu Ji.”

A sudden call from the stage pulled Liu Ji out of his envious daze, where he had been tugging at straw, wondering what was happening.

Qin Yao beckoned, “Thanks to you, this year’s literacy classes were successfully launched according to the workers’ learning plan. Well done, I hope you will strive for even greater cultural progress in our stationery factory next year!”

Qin Yao pointed to the money box in front of her, “Please come up and grab your bonus.”

Liu Ji’s eyes lit up bit by bit. He couldn’t believe it and confirmed several times. Seeing Qin Yao seriously nod, he lightly smacked a nearby person’s face, “Does it hurt? Is this real? Did I really hear this right, that the General Manager praised me?”

The one slapped was Liu Qi, who was initially dumbfounded and angry, but upon realizing it was his third uncle, and seeing as he was an elder, he nodded and admitted, “It hurts!”

“But, why did you hit me, Third Uncle?” Liu Qi asked, feeling wronged.

Liu Ji felt a bit embarrassed and gently patted his younger relative’s face to soothe him. “Alright, alright, Third Uncle hit you because I like you. I’ll tell you the ending of Oiran and the oil seller; just for you. I won’t tell anyone else.”

Liu Qi instantly felt the pain disappear and nodded joyfully, “Mm mm!”

After comforting the poor young man, Liu Ji dusted off his clothes seriously, suppressing his joy, and slowly stepped to the front of the stage, showing a toothy grin to Qin Yao, “So can I grab?”

Qin Yao nodded affirmatively.

Liu Ji still couldn’t believe this good fortune. He had always thought the formidable woman was biased against him personally, targeting him at every turn.

So with today’s fairness, he couldn’t help but suspect if she was pulling his leg.

Thus, as he reached for the box, his hand suddenly withdrew, looking again into her eyes to ask, “Can I really grab it?”

Qin Yao’s brows furrowed, and she grunted an impatient “Hmm” from her nose.

Liu Ji felt a jolt of delight; it seemed real. He reached his hand inside.

“Whatever I grab is mine? It won’t be confiscated, right?” Liu Ji cautiously asked again, to prevent her from just putting on a just act in front of outsiders.

Qin Yao’s patience was never great; she already felt very displeased with Liu Ji’s repeated doubts and couldn’t help but shout, “Do you want it or not? If not, get lost!”

Liu Ji exhaled a long breath of relief; this felt more like it.

He quickly grabbed a large handful of Copper Coins, pulled out his hand, and jumped back three meters away.

He spread his coat and dropped the Copper Coins into it, the “clatter” producing a melodious sound, estimating over two hundred coins. Liu Ji’s mouth couldn’t help but stretch to his ears, letting out a “Hahaha” towards the sky, filled with joy~

Qin Yao’s mouth twitched slightly and, unwilling to see this embarrassing man, turned aside, signaling to Liu Zhong to prepare to distribute the year-end gifts for dismissal.

For the workers, this year-end summary meeting was all about commendation, awards, and bonuses, without the lengthy speeches from the General Manager, so everyone remained immersed in the joy of harvest.

The atmosphere in the factory was great, and even the villagers outside were envious.

Those with family members working at the stationery factory were okay, since they could enjoy some of the year-end gifts their relatives brought home.

But if no one in the family worked there, they were truly jealous, their hearts itching as they mumbled, “If only I’d known about these benefits earlier, I would’ve applied right away.”

However, the opportunity had already passed. Now, it was highly competitive to secure a worker position at the stationery factory, with far more seekers than available slots; who knew when one would become available.

“Meeting adjourned!”

With Qin Yao’s loud announcement, the first year-end summary meeting of the stationery factory concluded successfully.

The village head and Clan Leader also received a share of the year-end gifts, both elders warmly inviting Qin Yao to their homes before the new year for a meal. After Qin Yao accepted, they left joyfully carrying their gifts.

Liu Dafu also received a share, which wasn’t particularly precious in terms of rice, flour, oil, and salt for him, but participation was key. Holding something in hand immediately garnered countless envious gazes.

“Tomorrow, my family’s slaughtering a pig; bring the kids over for a pig-killing meal.” Before leaving, Liu Dafu deliberately went up to the busy Qin Yao, kindly reminding her.

Qin Yao nodded in agreement, “Sure, I’ll definitely come.”

Liu Dafu nodded, then called over the grandsons waiting outside the factory and left happily.

The workers gradually left the factory, and General Managers of each group gathered in front of Qin Yao. Qin Yao arranged their duties over the holiday period, two people per shift, one shift per day, whether day or night, to be discussed among their group.

In short, even if on holiday, attention must constantly be given to the safety of the factory’s property and the feeding of horses.

Once everything was arranged, the stewards dispersed, and Qian Wang, having packed his bags, embarked on his journey home, full of anticipation.

It wasn’t until then that the four Da Lang Brothers and Sisters, who had been playing outside, ran over to their parents.

“Where did you go?” Liu Ji plucked straw from Si Niang’s head, pointing at the yellow mud on her clothes, asking in irritation.

Si Niang sheepishly hid behind Qin Yao, speaking in a small voice, “Just catching bugs in the ditch, it was an accident.”

Liu Ji was speechless; he couldn’t count how many times he’d told them not to squeeze into muddy and watery places, yet not a word was remembered.

“Okay, then you wash these clothes yourself.” Liu Ji stated righteously.

Those who have never washed clothes don’t realize how much work it is to clean this mud.

Si Niang, too, had her pride, “I’ll wash them myself then.” It was no big deal.

Qin Yao raised her hand to signal them to stop arguing, leading the children and Liu Ji to clean up the venue.

The family of six returned to the factory, checked on the doors and windows, extinguished all fire sources and, after confirming everything was alright, locked the large gate of the stationery factory.

When the workers left, the whole village felt quiet, and the sound of birds from the mountain could be heard.

Occasionally mixed with the vague roars of wild animals.

Qin Yao looked up at North Mountain, its peak covered in a layer of white snow, with the persistent trees still retaining leaves, their withered yellow contrasting with the snow, creating a scene of winter desolation.

Watching the distant mountains for long brought a sense of solitude, so Qin Yao withdrew her gaze, looking at the father and four children playing in front of her.

Liu Ji flaunted the two hundred and eight coins he grabbed, the envy in the children’s eyes greatly satisfying his vanity, prompting him to generously give each a Copper Coin.

Casually, he didn’t forget to place two more into Qin Yao’s palm.

A family must be complete!

Second Lang felt wronged, “Dad, you’re so stingy, you might as well die!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep