Siheyuan: I just came across and wanted to chase me away

Chapter 1012 The First Thing Xu Damao Did

Zhong Yi looked at Gu Nan, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes—he hadn't expected his master to be so concerned about this matter, even giving detailed instructions. He nodded vigorously, his tone carrying the unique certainty of a young man: "Master, don't worry! Leave this to me, I guarantee I'll handle it perfectly, without the slightest mistake."

Gu Nan patted him on the shoulder, said nothing more, and turned to walk towards the office when he heard a slightly ingratiating footstep behind him. Xu Damao quickly approached, his face plastered with his usual shrewd smile: "Deputy Factory Director Gu, busy? I just heard something at the workshop entrance that I felt I had to tell you about."

Gu Nan paused, turned to look at him, and asked calmly, "Oh? What is it?"

Xu Damao looked around, lowered his voice, and said mysteriously, "Here's what happened. Deputy Factory Director Li has been quite busy these past few days, privately inviting several workshop directors to dinner at that 'Jufulou' restaurant outside the factory. I reckon he's campaigning for the factory director's position—after all, the news of the old factory director's retirement has been circulating in the factory for a while now."

After listening, Gu Nan nodded noncommittally, his fingertips lightly rubbing together in his pocket. "I understand. You've done a good job noticing these things." He then changed the subject, looking at Xu Damao, "Did he invite you to this dinner?"

Xu Damao's face showed a hint of smugness, mixed with a touch of flattery: "Please, please! As you know, Deputy Factory Director Gu, I'm quite good at smooth talk. Deputy Factory Director Li said I should go and keep the atmosphere lively. But don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I'll remember everything they say and plan, and report back to you exactly as it is!"

Gu Nan hummed in agreement, then waved his hand without saying anything more: "Okay, I understand. You can go ahead and get busy."

Seeing that he didn't ask any more questions, Xu Damao tactfully replied "Yes" and turned to walk towards the workshop. In his heart, he thought to himself: It seems that the competition for the factory director position is more exciting than I imagined. I have to choose the right side and not make the wrong move.

Gu Nan watched Xu Damao's departing figure, his gaze deepening. Deputy Factory Director Li acted swiftly, but matters in the factory were never settled over a few meals. He withdrew his gaze and walked steadily towards his office, his steps firm, as if he had already made his decision.

Deputy Factory Director Li climbed the creaking wooden stairs and entered the private room by the window on the second floor of the restaurant. Three or four people were already seated inside, all his trusted confidants planted within the factory—Old Wang from the Equipment Department, Xiao Zhang from the Labor and Wages Department, and Old Zhao from the Logistics Department. Though few in number, they were all capable of speaking up and relaying messages at crucial moments.

Xu Damao was tiptoeing to set the wine glasses on the table when he saw Deputy Factory Director Li come in. He immediately stopped what he was doing and put on a smile: "Deputy Factory Director Li, you've arrived? The wine is all prepared for you. It's the same 'Erguotou' that you usually drink. I specially asked the shopkeeper to find a freshly opened bottle."

Deputy Factory Director Li nodded, glanced around the room, and then said to Xu Damao, "Damao, go to the kitchen and see how the dishes we ordered are cooking. Especially that braised pork knuckle, tell the chef to stew it a little longer until it's tender. I'll call you in when all the dishes are ready."

Xu Damao was puzzled—were they treating him like a gofer? But he also knew that he wasn't even considered a big shot among these people, not even close to being one of their confidants. He could only awkwardly reply "Okay," turn around and leave, not forgetting to sneak a glance into the room before he left, wanting to hear what they had to say.

As soon as the door to the private room closed, Deputy Factory Director Li sat down in the main seat, picked up his teacup, took a sip of hot water, and got straight to the point: "I called you all here today for one thing—Gu Nan." He put down his teacup and his sharp gaze swept over everyone. "Has he spoken to you recently? What did he say to you? Don't hold back, just tell me everything."

The people in the room exchanged glances, their faces showing embarrassment. Old Wang cleared his throat and spoke first: "Deputy Factory Director Li, Deputy Factory Director Gu called me to his office a few days ago. He just asked about the progress of the new equipment's commissioning and the safety hazard investigation in the workshop. It was all about production, nothing else."

Xiao Zhang nodded in agreement: "Me too. He just checked the attendance sheet with me last month and said that there were some discrepancies in the overtime records of a few workers, and asked me to check them again. He didn't say anything else."

Old Zhao added at the end: "He talked to me about the warehouse inventory, saying that the raw materials have been consumed a bit quickly recently, and asked me to keep a close eye on the inbound and outbound records to avoid any mistakes."

The group chatted amongst themselves, discussing only official business, without mentioning a single word about the "factory director's position."

Deputy Factory Director Li listened, his face expressionless, only a cold smile playing on his lips. Inwardly, however, he was seething—nobody believed it! Gu Nan seemed honest, but he was a cunning fellow. How could he only talk to them about production? Most likely, he had already won them over and was now deliberately keeping it from him!

He grew increasingly furious—these were all people he had personally promoted, and now they were betraying him? If he couldn't even rely on them, how could he possibly compete for the factory director's position?

But he still had a smile on his face, and even nodded: "Oh? I see. I thought he wanted to talk to you about something else. It seems I was overthinking it."

He paused, leaned forward, and said with a hint of seriousness, "Since we've come this far, I won't hide it from you anymore. You've all seen what happened with Director Yang; he probably won't be coming back. Sooner or later, someone will have to take over the position of director, and then it will be between me and Gu Nan."

His gaze swept over the crowd, carrying an undeniable implication: "I hope you all understand and choose your sides. You know I have connections above me; in truth, Gu Nan is still a step behind. Follow me, and you'll reap the rewards in the future."

The people in the room exchanged glances again. Old Wang was the first to stand up, his face plastered with a fawning smile: "Vice Factory Director Li is right! We've followed you for so many years, so naturally we're on your side. Don't worry, if anything happens in the factory in the future, we'll definitely stand by your side!"

“Yes! Director Li (they deliberately omitted the word ‘deputy’), we are all your people, and we will definitely support you!” Xiao Zhang and Lao Zhao quickly echoed, their voices full of eagerness to show their loyalty.

Deputy Factory Director Li's anger subsided somewhat, and a hint of satisfaction appeared on his face: "Good, I trust you. We're all on the same side; we'll share the good times together from now on."

Just then, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open, and Xu Damao walked in carrying a tray with the bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) and several empty glasses on it. He had intended to use the excuse of delivering the liquor to eavesdrop, but as soon as he entered, he was met with several people in the room staring at him with wary and displeased looks. The lively conversation that had just taken place instantly came to an abrupt halt.