The Young Lady is a Bit Unruly [Fragrant Harbor] - Chapter 32: Have You Fallen for Me?

Chapter 32: Have You Fallen for Me?

She was awakened by the chirping of birds outside.

Drawing back the curtains, she found the sunlight streaming brightly through the window, where several Little Vermilion Birds flickered in and out of view among the Cyclobalanopsis glauca tree in front.

She stretched, feeling a slight soreness in her waist, but having slept soundly, her body and mind were refreshed.

After washing up and heading downstairs for breakfast, she learned that Ye Huaizhang had left for Shencheng early that morning.

She visited the underground wine cellar again, meticulously searching every corner, but found nothing.

Standing at the entrance, she surveyed the area once more.

The gray-black walls bore no marks, and the floor was paved with small square tiles.

She had already inspected all the tiles in the open area, uncovering no clues.

That left only the wine racks before her.

Ye Baoling counted them: three columns and four rows, totaling twelve large wooden wine racks, each filled with bottles of red wine. Moving these racks would require both time and strength.

While the wine bottles could be removed one by one, she couldn’t possibly move such large racks alone.

She needed help.

Who could she ask?

Only two options came to mind: Ye Huaizhang and Chen Yulan.

She needed to think it through carefully.

*

Ye Baoling officially took over the management of Ye Qingtang’s cleaning department.

Previously, she had been a lone handyman; now, she was in charge of 22 cleaners.

By any measure, she was now a minor supervisor.

The cleaning department had a dedicated break room on the fourth-floor corner. Ye Baoling still worked from the logistics department but made a point to visit the break room regularly and occasionally inspected the floors above.

She kept a mask handy to wear in case she encountered any members of the Ye family.

However, she tried to avoid the 30th floor, minimizing the likelihood of running into them.

The first meeting was held on Monday afternoon.

Her main goal was to get to know the cleaners from each floor. To build rapport, she brought egg tarts and soda as afternoon snacks.

Those in cleaning roles were generally from the lower rungs of society, mostly older, averaging over forty years old, with a mix of men and women, though women predominated.

This group was quite polarized.

Some were honest and kind, struggling through life due to poor backgrounds, relying on their hands to support their families.

Others were slackers or troublemakers, having failed in various jobs and forced into cleaning to make ends meet.

The 22 people were divided into two groups: Group A covered floors 1 to 14, and Group B covered floors 15 to 30.

Each group had a leader.

During the brief meeting, Ye Baoling chatted with them while making mental notes to quickly familiarize herself with everyone.

She marked those who seemed ordinary and easy to get along with with a circle.

Those marked with a line were either troublemakers or slippery characters, more difficult to handle.

But these were just initial impressions; she wouldn’t treat her cleaning colleagues differently based on these marks.

Before adjourning the meeting, Ye Baoling said, If you encounter any work-related difficulties, feel free to report them to me promptly, and we’ll find solutions together.

Does not having a raise in two years count as a difficulty? asked the only person wearing glasses, Sister Tong.

Talking to her is useless! She’s just a greenhorn who doesn’t know the ropes! This crude remark came from a fifty-year-old man named Ah Cai, whom she had marked with a line as a troublemaker.

Ye Baoling glanced sideways at Ah Cai. So, you don’t need me to handle your salary issue, is that it?

Ah Cai was taken aback. He hadn’t expected the young girl to directly target him.

He didn’t believe Ye Baoling could solve the salary increase issue, so he just sneered, Suit yourself whether you care or not.

Fine. I’ll address the salary increase issues for everyone else. I won’t bother with Cai Shu’s. Ye Baoling closed her notebook and called the two team leaders outside.

The moment she stepped out, Cai Shu deliberately complained loudly to others: Thinks she’s so impressive! That brat! The new supervisor dumped her here as soon as they arrived—thinks it’s a promotion? Getting all cocky! She won’t even know how she dies when the time comes.

Sister Tong retorted, Keep your mouth shut! Your words stink!

*

Ye Baoling took the two team leaders to a small meeting room in the office area to chat.

She asked why there hadn’t been a salary increase in two years.

The A-team leader in charge of lower-floor cleaning was Liao Zhihui, a slick operator in his forties who knew how to toe the line.

His words were extremely smooth and leak-proof.

He said, We applied, but the company didn’t approve.

When did you apply?

During Chinese New Year this year.

What was the reason? Why wasn’t it approved?

Don’t know. No reason given.

Ye Baoling didn’t believe him. You didn’t ask when there was no reason?

Liao Zhihui sighed: They just passed the buck around—never got a formal response. We don’t have a say.

Liao Zhihui was definitely passing the buck too; he knew or guessed the reason but wasn’t telling.

Ye Baoling silently marked him with three stripes—a third-level slick operator.

She turned to B-team leader Qi Xiaofeng. With the surname Qi, she was somewhat concerned there might be some nepotistic connection with Qi Yuxiu.

After all, Ye Qingtang was a stronghold for connections.

Qi Xiaofiang was in her forties and had quite an honest face.

She also shook her head and said, I asked Sister Mei before. Sister Mei said she tried to fight for us but never succeeded.

Ye Baoling: I’ve reviewed our cleaning department’s personnel files. Over the past two years, only one employee left the entire cleaning department. That employee left due to illness. Since the company hasn’t given you a raise in two years, why hasn’t anyone resigned and left?

Moreover, Ye Qingtang’s cleaner salaries weren’t particularly high in the industry, and the workload was manageable.

So what charm did Ye Qingtang have that made everyone so loyal and unwilling to leave?

Liao Zhihui thought for a moment and said, Stability. As long as we work hard, the company doesn’t fire people randomly. It’s not easy for everyone to find a job to support their families.

Ye Baoling pressed further: No other reasons?

Qi Xiaofeng smiled: Maybe it’s relatively relaxed too.

Liao Zhihui: Your B-team upstairs naturally finds it relaxed. Our A-team downstairs has more people and more work—where’s the relaxation?

Qi Xiaofeng smiled awkwardly: Your A-team does have it harder.

Clearly, Qi Xiaofeng was yielding to Liao Zhihui in her speech.

Liao Zhihui also softened: We’re all working hard. How could cleaning work not be hard?

No results came from the discussion.

Ye Baoling returned to the office and quietly asked Wang Simin: Is there any relationship between cleaning team leader Qi Xiaofeng and Manager Qi?

Wang Simin smiled mysteriously and leaned in: You’ve asked the right person.

Ye Baoling quickly leaned forward to listen to what she had to say.

On the surface they don’t seem related, but actually, they’re relatives. Last year, I forgot my keys at the office after work and had to go back to get them. That’s when I saw Qi Xiaofeng bringing homemade rice cakes to Manager Qi’s office. Manager Qi was working overtime that day.

Isn’t it normal for subordinates to give rice cakes to their superiors?

That’s true, but when Qi Xiaofeng left, she thought nobody was around. She told Manager Qi, ‘If Auntie likes them, I’ll make more next time.’ Qi Xiaofeng was probably referring to Manager Qi’s mother as ‘Auntie.’ Anyway, they’re relatives. How close they are exactly, I don’t know.

Ye Baoling roughly understood.

It seemed her guess wasn’t wrong.

Ye Qingtang’s reputation as someone from the connections stronghold remained intact.

But earlier, Liao Qizhi had directly and bluntly retorted to Qi Xiaofeng, yet Qi Xiaofeng had yielded to him.

Why was that?

Could Liao Qizhi also be someone with connections? With an even bigger backer?

Ye Baoling asked, What about that Liao Qizhi?

Wang Simin was eating dried mango and shook her head. I don’t know about that. Want some?

Ye Baoling took the dried mango Wang Simin handed her and continued asking, On the first day of the meeting, they told me they haven’t had a raise in two years. Do you know why?

Wang Simin wasn’t very familiar with the cleaning department’s work. There seems to be a reason. Sister Mei knows about it. You should ask her.

Sister Mei wasn’t in the office at that time. She didn’t return until nearly the end of the workday.

Sister Mei had gone to the nearby market to buy groceries, carrying a plastic bag with half a chicken and a bundle of bok choy.

After handing over the cleaning department’s work to Ye Baoling, she had become quite idle.

This state of affairs was even more laid-back than in a state-owned enterprise.

Sister Mei was busy packing up to go home. When she heard Ye Baoling’s question, she said, Don’t bother with them.

Why not?

The company’s cardboard is given to them to collect. The money they make from selling it each month is more than a raise would be. Otherwise, why wouldn’t they resign?

So that was it.

Ye Baoling asked further, How much cardboard does the company have each month? How do they divide it?

Sister Mei put her keys in her pocket. I don’t manage that. The two team leaders decide how to split the money. Anyway, I’m leaving. I need to catch the bus.

After Sister Mei left, Uncle Yuan turned off his radio and quietly advised Ye Baoling, The best way to deal with these people is to turn a blind eye. When you have time, drink more tea and meddle less.

Ye Baoling gave him a thumbs-up. Uncle Yuan, you’re truly the voice of wisdom!

Uncle Yuan smiled proudly.

He picked up his radio and walked out. Take my advice: do less, make fewer mistakes.

Loaf around, drift through life waiting for death, and a lifetime will pass by.

Ye Baoling also wished she could live such a carefree life, but neither her circumstances nor her abilities allowed it.

Today, Gu Man’er was working overtime, so the two couldn’t go home together.

Ye Baoling organized her documents and planned to return directly to the mansion at No. 3 Qing Tang Street.

Out of habit, she took the stairs after work. When she reached the third-floor landing, she ran into Aunt Jiang, a cleaner from Group B, collecting trash from the bins.

Aunt Jiang called out to her, Miss Gu! Miss Gu!

Ye Baoling stopped and asked, What is it, Aunt Jiang?

I know it’s hard to get a raise, but could you transfer me to Group A?

Why do you want to go to Group A? Ye Baoling was curious. Wasn’t Group A more demanding?

Aunt Jiang said somewhat awkwardly, Group A may be tougher, but they get a bigger share.

A bigger share of what?

The money from selling cardboard. Every month, Group A gets more money than our Group B.

Ye Baoling seized the opportunity to ask, How much money does the cardboard sell for each month?

Jade Dragon Mansion had no supermarket or shopping mall—it was just an ordinary office building. How much cardboard could office supplies generate? Even with other recyclables like bottles and cans, it wouldn’t amount to much. For everyone to be so devoted to staying here, the sum must be substantial.

Aunt Jiang replied, I don’t know the exact amount. Last month, I only got 80 yuan. I heard Group A gets at least 30 more than us. The group leaders get even more—at least two thousand in cardboard money every month.

How much per jin for cardboard?

About half a yuan. I heard they take it directly to the recycling station, where the price is higher.

If it were half a yuan per jin, that would mean selling 4,000 jin of cardboard to make 2,000 yuan.

Did Jade Dragon Mansion produce 4,000 jin of cardboard every month?

Impossible.

Absolutely impossible.

Ye Baoling frowned slightly. How could our building have so much cardboard?

Aunt Jiang explained, You’re new, so of course you don’t know. We’re also responsible for cleaning Warehouse No. 2 in the West District. We take turns each month, everyone goes once. Warehouse No. 2 is a raw materials warehouse—there’s always a lot of cardboard every month.

So, the company doesn’t give you a raise, but instead, they offset your wages with the cardboard from Jade Dragon Mansion and Warehouse No. 2.

Exactly, Aunt Jiang muttered quietly. I wish the company would just give us a raise directly. How much the cardboard sells for is up to the two group leaders. They say 50, it’s 50; they say 100, it’s 100. During the off-season, when there’s less cardboard, we get even less. Liao Zhihui has connections—he’s more powerful than our group leader. Anyway, Group B employees get the short end of the stick.

Ye Baoling had a rough idea now. She asked, Who is Liao Zhihui related to?

Aunt Jiang glanced around and whispered, I’ve only heard this, but they say Brother Hui is a cousin of the Administrative Director.

Understood.

Previously, Manager Qian had even tried to report the Administrative Director and Qi Yuxiu for having some shady relationship.

In the end, it all came down to interests.

Ye Baoling said, Aunt Jiang, regarding your request to transfer groups, I need to first understand the specific arrangements for staff on both sides. I’ll get back to you in a while.

Okay, okay, thank you, Miss Gu.

*

As the sun set in the west, Zheng Junni stood by the bedroom window, talking on the phone.

On the other end of the line, A Feng said, My dad and my sister watched them learning how to pick locks, and they think the young lady and that thug have an unusual relationship.

Zheng Junni snorted coldly. She managed to slip through this time. She even got a car out of it. As for the old man, he’s afraid of actually catching her red-handed. A warning is enough—if things blow up, it’ll damage her reputation, and everyone’s worried she won’t be able to marry.

A Feng asked, What do we do now? Should we find someone to…

Zheng Junni cut her off. Leave it be. I’m further along in my pregnancy now—we should focus on ourselves first. Actually, your going back is even better. You’ll have more freedom and flexibility to handle things. Have you checked on that side?

A Feng replied, I went this afternoon. Her due date might be a few days later. I’ve already spoken to the doctor. When the time comes, we’ll arrange for that woman to be hospitalized first, and both will have C-sections at the same time.

Zheng Junni felt a twinge of unease. Let’s hope nothing goes wrong.

A Feng reassured her, Don’t worry, Sister Yun and I have arranged everything. The woman will return to the mainland after giving birth. When the time comes, Sister Yun will take the unhealthy one—if it survives—and send it to Southeast Asia.

Zheng Junni’s eyes welled up with tears. She licked her lips and said, It’s all because I have such a wretched fate. If only he could have been healthy, how wonderful that would have been.

A Feng comforted her, Sister Junni, don’t be sad. When the opportunity arises in the future, we can still arrange for you to meet.

Zheng Junni didn’t want to meet. She wished she could smother the child right then to spare him from suffering in this world.

And what if it turns out to be healthy? A Feng added another remark.

Impossible. This doctor was her classmate—would her classmate deceive her?

Moreover, she had secretly gone to other hospitals for checks, and there was no hope.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Ye Baoxin emerged from the underground vault and happened to see Gong Jiahua carrying a paper bag, heading toward Yilan Residence.

Hey! she called out to him.

Gong Jiahua turned and, seeing it was Ye Baoxin, quickly smiled. Hey! You just got back?

Yeah, just got off work.

Gong Jiahua glanced at her foot. Is your foot better now?

All healed. Are you here to see our Le Qiong again?

Gong Jiahua replied, I’d actually like to come see you, but you’re always at work and never home. Want to come? I brought some drinks—let’s go out for a drink.

Ye Baoxin asked, Are you with a big group again?

About seven or eight people, most of whom you know. We’re playing cards, having a BBQ, and drinking! Come on, it’s more fun with a crowd.

After a moment’s thought, Ye Baoxin set aside her reservations and followed him.

Let me see how lively you all get.

Yilan Residence had a separate side entrance for access from the other side. As they entered, they found a group of people already waiting in the RV.

It was rare for Ye Baoling to return to the third branch for dinner, and there weren’t many people dining together today.

The men were all out working overtime or attending social engagements, leaving only the elderly, women, and children at home.

Since helping Ye Huaizhang resolve the issue with Granny Tong last time, Yang Pinxian had been in high spirits. Of course, this was largely thanks to Ye Baoling’s clever idea, so her affection for Ye Baoling was entirely genuine.

She couldn’t resist serving her daughter-in-law more food. You should come back for meals more often. It’s too tiring to shuttle between two or three places. And you still have to work during the day.

Auntie Tang Jing was curious. Bao Ling, I heard you’re working as a clerk at Ye Qingtang. Why didn’t you ask your grandfather to arrange a better position for you?

Guan Lao Taijun interjected, She relies on her own abilities, working steadily and starting from the bottom. Her grandfather has no idea about it. Don’t go spreading rumors outside.

The old lady wasn’t worried about her eldest or second daughter-in-law—she was concerned that the fourth daughter-in-law might gossip.

Tang Jing laughed. Mom, don’t worry. How could we possibly go around talking about it?

Although Aunt Ye Jinliu hadn’t worked since getting married, she was quite knowledgeable. She said, There are advantages to starting from the bottom. There are many things those in middle or upper management might not fully understand. Only by spending time at the grassroots level can you truly grasp the underlying logic of the company.

Ye Baoling nodded repeatedly. Auntie makes a good point.

Ye Yongqi chimed in with a smile, After I graduate from university, I want to start from the bottom at Hongtong Industry too.

Tang Jing teased her, Oh, can a young lady like you handle such hardship? Would your mother let you suffer? I’m afraid she’d be following behind you with a handkerchief, wiping your sweat.

Ye Yongqi pouted playfully. I’m not that fragile.

Everyone was amused.

Wiping the watch with a towel, he glanced at her and didn’t keep her in suspense: Our Gezhi Jewelry’s cost price is over five million. I don’t remember the exact figure.
On the market, it would be even more expensive.

How much would five million in this era be worth decades later?

Ye Baoling’s eyes widened. This was how her threshold was being raised step by step.

Have you fallen for me? she laughed.

Otherwise why would he give such expensive jewelry?

His hand paused mid-motion, his eyebrows barely containing his reaction. Did he like her?

He’d never considered this question,

Ye Huaizhang cleared his throat and said, Thank you for finding a way to help me persuade Grandma. The investment in Dapeng Port is crucial for both my future and the future of the Third Branch. This diamond set is what you deserve.

Ye Baoling beamed. Although Dapeng Port’s future valuation was only in the tens of billions, the benefits it would bring to shareholders far exceeded that amount. This was the winning weapon that would allow the Third Branch to defeat the Li Family.

Then I’ll gladly accept it.

If he had said he liked her, she might not have taken it. But if this was merely a token of gratitude, she had to accept it—it was something she had earned through her wits.

A new problem arose. Husband, such valuable jewelry—I have nowhere to keep it.

You can put it in the safe.

Where is the safe?

Ye Huaizhang set down his towel. Haven’t you been in and out many times already?

She had been in and out many times…

Author’s Note:

Ye Baoling: Let me sort this out.

Ye Huaizhang: It’s fine, it’s all yours.

Today’s update is a bit short. Leave a comment in this chapter for a small red envelope giveaway, valid until the next update.