B5SB -Chapter 207 Jealousy

Su Yonghong’s “red-eye syndrome” had flared up again. She and Sister Min had been working at the textile factory for over a decade—if not for any achievements, at least for the hard work they’d put in.

Yet, to their shock, someone like Gu Yihan, who had been on the job less than two years, was earning a higher salary than they were.

When personal interests were involved, Sister Min couldn’t help but confront Gu Yihan. “Xiaohan, why is your salary so much higher than ours?”

Gu Yihan looked at Sister Min, who usually got along well with her, and let out a small laugh. “Sister Min, maybe you should ask the factory leadership.”

She had finally figured these people out: their words were always sweet, but when it came to benefits, they immediately turned against her.

Seeing Gu Yihan’s calm expression, Sister Min thought about her and Su Yonghong’s salary—only 42.5 yuan.

Back when the three of them had the same salary, there had been no distinctions of higher or lower.

Why should doing the same work earn someone so much more?

She turned to Su Yonghong and shouted, “Sister Su, let’s go ask the factory director for a fair decision!”

Su Yonghong felt even more uncomfortable than Sister Min.

She had been one of the first employees at the textile factory; if anyone deserved a raise, it should have been her alone.

The two of them exchanged a glance, their silent understanding clear, and they left the office one after the other, shooting Gu Yihan a glare.

Hu Shan, sitting cautiously at her desk, watched Gu Yihan, who seemed entirely unbothered.

“Xiaohan… aren’t you angry?” she whispered.

Gu Yihan looked at Hu Shan, puzzled. “Why would I be angry?”

Hu Shan pulled her chair closer and sat down beside her. “Aren’t you worried they’ll try to mess up the raise you just got?”

Gu Yihan couldn’t help but laugh. “The factory leadership isn’t going to go back on their word.”

Meanwhile, at Director Yang’s Office, Secretary Jiang and Director Yang were seated on the sofa, discussing plans to increase the workshop’s production.

Creak.

Hearing the door open, Secretary Jiang didn’t even look up. Coldly, she said, “Ye Qingqing, have you caused enough trouble?”

Ye Qingqing carried a lunchbox and sat beside Secretary Jiang, looking aggrieved. “Brother Jiang, you’ve misunderstood me.”

She then pointed at Sister Min and Su Yonghong standing at the door. “They’re here to see you.”

Secretary Jiang glanced at the door, frowning. “Sister Min, Sister Su, do you have business here?”

The two women walked straight into the office, bypassing Secretary Jiang, and looked at Director Yang.

“We want a raise,” Sister Min said.

Director Yang froze, dug at his ear, and looked at the two women. “You want a raise?”

Both nodded repeatedly.

A trace of ridicule flashed in Secretary Jiang’s eyes.

Director Yang suddenly stood up, yelling at them, “I was still planning to give myself a raise!”

Sister Min was taken aback and speechless.

Su Yonghong, with years more experience than Sister Min, retorted, “If you’re not going to raise our salaries, then why give Gu Yihan a raise?”

Hearing this, Director Yang frowned, thinking for a moment before remembering who Gu Yihan was.

He turned to Secretary Jiang on the sofa. “Did you give Sister Gu a raise?”

Secretary Jiang glanced at Director Yang, realizing he hadn’t checked carefully when getting his signature.

Annoyed, he said, “Didn’t we already have your approval?”

Ye Qingqing’s expression turned cold at Director Yang’s question.

She had never cooked before, but to please Secretary Jiang, she had spent every day in the kitchen learning from the neighbor’s aunt.

Looking down at the burns on the back of her hand and the cuts on her fingers, she felt extremely aggrieved.

Su Yonghong said, “Secretary Jiang, Sister Min and I request that Gu Yihan’s raise be revoked.”

Director Yang sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, looking at Secretary Jiang with a glint of malicious amusement, enjoying how this young man always used the old master at home to pressure him.

Secretary Jiang looked up at the shameless Su Yonghong and laughed. “The raise was earned by Sister Gu’s own abilities.”

“But we do the same work!” Sister Min exclaimed anxiously.

She didn’t like others earning more than her—it would make her look inferior every time she met Gu Yihan.

Ye Qingqing could no longer hold back. She slammed the lunchbox onto the wooden coffee table with a clang.

Shouting at Sister Min, “Gu Yihan has a talent for seducing men—”

Smack!

Before she could finish, Secretary Jiang slapped her.

Covering her cheek in disbelief, she said, “You actually hit me over a married woman?”

Secretary Jiang glared at Ye Qingqing with disgust. “Shut up!”

Then he added, “I hate women who throw themselves at men… like they’ve never seen one before.”

Hearing this, Ye Qingqing staggered, almost losing her balance.

She hadn’t expected to be seen in such a degrading way.

Seeing the disdainful gazes from everyone in the room, she could no longer hold back and ran out.

Su Yonghong and Sister Min exchanged a glance, realizing that if they wanted to stop Gu Yihan’s raise, they would have to deal with Secretary Jiang.

Su Yonghong explained, “Secretary Jiang, Sister Gu has been with the factory less than two years. Giving her a raise so quickly will upset the old employees.”

“Exactly, it makes people question Sister Gu’s integrity,” Sister Min added.

Su Yonghong carefully watched Secretary Jiang’s expression, seeing no reaction, and decided to take a gamble.

She continued, “If this gets out, it will demoralize the old employees and hurt unity.”

Secretary Jiang listened quietly, then laughed. “Since Sister Su cares so much about the old employees, why not swap places with them?”

Su Yonghong awkwardly smiled. “My work is specialized… others probably couldn’t handle it.”

She gestured for Sister Min to back her up.

But Sister Min didn’t dare speak up anymore—she didn’t want Secretary Jiang to make her swap with the old employees either.

Secretary Jiang ignored the small gesture. “If Sister Su doesn’t want to swap, wouldn’t that upset the workshop women and hurt unity?”

Before Su Yonghong could reply, he added, “Don’t worry, your salary is for work any middle schooler could handle.”

Su Yonghong was about to refuse when Director Yang’s stern voice cut in: “Enough. It’s decided. You’ll work in the workshop for a month starting tomorrow.”

He waved them out, letting Su Yonghong and Sister Min leave. “If you keep causing trouble, just go home and rest.”

“You kid… why are you cracking down on the accounting department now?”

Secretary Jiang leaned back on the sofa, rubbing his head with a sigh. “The factory used to only have one or two production lines, so a loose accounting department didn’t matter.”

“Now we’ll be working long-term with the provincial office, so we need a capable accountant from above.”

Director Yang poured tea for Secretary Jiang, smiling. “You’re clever, giving Sister Gu a raise and making her work for it.”

Secretary Jiang smiled in response. “No choice. To make room for the two new people, sacrifices have to be made.”

At the Accounting Office, Gu Yihan was quietly talking with Hu Shan about the strange happenings in Gu Meng’s family.

Bang!

Both of them looked toward Ye Qingqing, who had just kicked the door open.