The Young Lady is a Bit Unruly [Fragrant Harbor] - Chapter 34 The Great Janitor Strike

Chapter 34 The Great Janitor Strike

Knock, knock, knock!

Someone was knocking on the door.

Ye Huaizhang glanced at the time—it should be Dong Jian coming to see him.

They had scheduled a meeting, but the power outage had unexpectedly provided an extra benefit, interrupting their plans.

After tying his robe, he opened the door to find Dong Jian standing outside.

Dong Jian said, Young Master, Xiao Dahai is here. He’s waiting downstairs.

Ye Huaizhang replied softly, Both of you wait for me in the study.

Alright. I’ll bring him up.

Ye Huaizhang turned back, walked to the bathroom door, opened it, and said to Ye Baoling who was showering inside, I have work to attend to in the study. You should rest first.

Oh, her voice was full of laziness.

Ye Baoling had finished rinsing off, her entire body flushed red like a blooming peony. It took tremendous willpower to suppress the urge to step forward and kiss her.

But his eyes and expression remained extremely restrained, as if he hadn’t noticed, smoothly glancing over before turning to leave.

He changed into pajamas in the walk-in closet, looking down at the bite marks on his chest. He felt quite helpless about her preferences.

He could only grin and bear it.

After changing, he went to the study, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

Xiao Dahai, around fifty years old, was a formidable figure who had worked for the Third Branch since his grandfather’s era, adept at navigating both legitimate and underworld circles.

He placed a stack of documents on the desk. Young Master Ye, please take a look first.

On top was a photograph of a Black man tied up with his hands behind his back, lying on the floor.

The man’s left eye was swollen from being beaten.

This was one of the accomplices in Ye Huaizhang’s kidnapping in South Africa.

He would never forget it until his dying day.

Xiao Dahai said, The person coordinating with him was a Chinese man nicknamed Zhong Kui. We traced the clues and found that this Zhong Kui was once a classmate of Lai Zhenglan’s son.

Therefore, it was basically confirmed that Lai Zhenglan and his son had orchestrated his kidnapping in South Africa to gain control of the diamond mine.

These are all the evidence. Lai Zhenglan wanted to use the kidnapping as cover to achieve murder. Without Young Master Ye’s competition, Lai Zhenglan could acquire the South African diamond mine at a low price.

Ye Huaizhang flipped through the documents and asked, Any news on that Vietnamese man called Shui Gou?

Xiao Dahai shook his head. Not yet.

Ye Huaizhang pinched his brow and remained silent.

Dong Jian suggested, Should we offer a reward to find Shui Gou?

Xiao Dahai didn’t quite agree. The name Shui Gou might just be a temporary code name. I’m afraid some people might bring all sorts of useless information just to claim the reward, which would only waste our time. It would be best if we could find this Shui Gou, but it doesn’t matter if we can’t. Based on what Lai Zhenglan and his son did to Young Master Ye in South Africa, they deserve to die.

Ye Huaizhang looked up at Xiao Dahai, waiting for him to continue.

Xiao Dahai said, First, reporting to the police won’t be very effective. Cross-border cases are difficult to prosecute, and the court may not fully adopt the witnesses and evidence. Reporting to the police and bringing everything into the open would actually make it harder to handle. If something were to happen to the Lai father and son, we would likely become the primary suspects.

Ye Huaizhang neither agreed nor disagreed.

Xiao Dahai continued, Why not have the branch issue a Martial World Assassination Order with a huge bounty on Lai Zhenglan and his son’s lives. Young Master Ye wouldn’t need to be involved at all.

This idea was feasible.

Ye Huaizhang didn’t want to directly engage in illegal activities. He glanced at Dong Jian, who immediately understood his meaning.

Brother Hai, we’ll discuss the specifics privately later.

Xiao Dahai understood. Then we’ll communicate in more detail later.

What would be an appropriate bounty amount?

He didn’t voice the question, but both parties understood.

Ten million. After saying this, Ye Huaizhang stood up and walked out.

He wanted those who sought his life to pay an equivalent price.

A ten-million Martial World Assassination Order was unprecedented.

This would make numerous hyenas in society surround and hunt down Lai Zhenglan and his son, drawn by the strong scent of blood.

*

Ye Baoling organized her materials and prepared for the meeting.

Before the meeting, she went to brew a strong coffee. Wang Simin asked her, Do you need me to back you up?

I’ll call you if I need help.

Okay.

After downing half the cup of coffee in one gulp to refresh herself, Ye Baoling picked up her materials and entered the restroom of the cleaning department.

Ye Baoling scanned the room full of people and asked, Is everyone here?

Brother Hui hasn’t arrived yet, A Xia replied.

A Xia was slightly plump, under 40, and the youngest among the cleaners.

Where is he?

No one answered.

After a long while, Sister Tong said, Most likely in the restroom.

Ye Baoling pulled out a chair and sat down. Time waits for no one. Let’s start the meeting.

Liao Zhihui’s followers probably didn’t expect Miss Gu to start the meeting without waiting for their team leader. Someone raised their hand: Miss Gu, should I go to the restroom to hurry Brother Hui along?

Ye Baoling: Is he a child? Does he need you to remind him to use the restroom?

That person fell silent.

Ye Baoling opened her notebook. Two main matters. First, regarding the poorly cleaned men’s restrooms on the 7th and 9th floors from two days ago, and the cigarette butts not being promptly cleared behind the fire door on the 15th floor. I specifically inspected these three floors today and found the hygiene conditions average. According to our supervisor Zhang Laichi’s instructions—better corrections mean less deduction, insufficient or untimely corrections mean more deduction—the responsible persons for these three floors will have some wages deducted. The team leader bears joint responsibility and will also be deducted. That means Liao Zhihui will be deducted double, Qi Xiaofeng will be deducted single…

The men’s restrooms on the 7th and 9th floors were both under the responsibility of the troublemaker Cai Shu. He immediately stood up. Why? Why deduct my wages? Miss Gu, I talked back to you in the last meeting. Are you deliberately retaliating against me?

Ye Baoling slightly raised her head. When did you talk back?

…

Cai Shu was speechless. Don’t play dumb.

First calm down and sit.

I can’t calm down.

Right now, we’re discussing whether to deduct wages. The final decision hasn’t been made yet. It depends on the leadership’s decision.

Someone advised him: Ah Cai, sit down first and let her finish.

At that moment, Liao Zhihui entered. Someone immediately told him: Brother Hui, you’re going to be deducted double.

Ah Cai complained loudly: Someone’s wielding a chicken feather as a command arrow. Brother Hui, we can’t keep working this job.

Liao Zhihui had been secretly listening outside the window and knew the situation.

He raised both hands, pressing downward to quiet everyone. Let’s not rush. Let her finish speaking.

Ye Baoling: The cleaning department has never had a standardized reward and punishment system. This will take time to establish, but it doesn’t affect the current salary deduction for this complaint. Supervisor Zhang Laichi said: those who understand will receive smaller deductions, those who don’t will face larger ones.

The crowd was furious. How can this be?!

Ye Baoling ignored them and continued: The second matter is your feedback about not receiving a raise in two years. Two years ago, the administration and logistics leadership helped you apply to use Cardboard Money to offset part of your salary and benefits. We calculated yesterday that the Cardboard Money everyone has received over the past six months isn’t much, but it’s not too little either – it basically covers what a salary increase would have been. Of course, if the Cardboard Money doesn’t increase in the future, it definitely won’t be able to fully cover salary increases next year and beyond.

I’ve communicated with HR, and there are two options. First, continue using Cardboard Money to offset salary increases. Second, implement an overall 4% salary increase, with future adjustments according to company policy, but you’ll no longer get to sell cardboard from the company and Warehouse No. 2.

People immediately lowered their heads and began whispering among themselves.

Some even used their fingers dipped in tea to do calculations on the table.

A 4% salary increase, based on their current average salary of 2600, would be about 104 yuan more.

Some were immediately tempted, while others remained completely unmoved.

Liao Zhihui and Qi Xiaofeng were murmuring quietly, though no one knew what they were discussing.

A Xia raised her hand: Miss Gu, when would this take effect?

Ye Baoling: Starting from the second month after your decision. Of course, this is a collective decision – we can’t have some people using Cardboard Money to offset salaries while others request individual raises. Everyone needs to agree unanimously. If opinions differ, the minority should follow the majority.

Liu Jie, who had the loudest voice, said: Then they’ll definitely disagree! Their Group A always gets more Cardboard Money than us.

Aunt Jiang chimed in: Yes, we always get the least.

Someone from Group A retorted: More work, more pay. We put in labor to collect and move the cardboard, and we don’t get that much more than you.

Sister Tong shot back: We’d like the opportunity to earn more through work too, but unfortunately we don’t get the chance.

This was one of the core issues.

The room fell silent for a moment.

Taking advantage of the quiet, Ye Baoling said: Let me take a quick vote. Those in favor of using Cardboard Money to offset salaries, please raise your hands.

Cai Shu was the first to raise his hand.

Then most of Liao Zhihui’s team members raised their hands, except for one or two.

On the B Group side, Qi Xiaofeng and three or four of her close followers also raised their hands.

Ye Baoling counted – twelve people in total.

Those in favor of a 4% salary increase, raise your hands.

Seven people raised their hands.

Including the team leaders, there were twenty-two people total. The current count was 12:7.

Three people, including Liao Zhihui, hadn’t raised their hands for either option.

Ye Baoling looked at Liao Zhihui: Brother Hui, why haven’t you voted for either option?

Liao Zhihui smiled: Miss Gu, if you could get all of us a 4% salary increase while still letting us keep the Cardboard Money as a bonus, then I, Liao Zhihui, would be truly convinced and would follow your every command.

Upon hearing this, everyone wondered – could they have both?

Cai Shu was the first to applaud: Brother Hui is truly amazing!!

Faced with Liao Zhihui’s unrealistic demands, Ye Baoling smiled and said, I think that’s a great idea. Why don’t you lead everyone in writing a joint application to submit to the HR department? Reduce working hours to two, have the boss give each of you a house, two cars, and three or four Filipino maids…

…

Ye Baoling continued, Anyone can play to the gallery. The problem is, even if the boss were your father or grandfather, they might not grant your every wish, right?

No one spoke.

Ye Baoling glanced at those who had voted for a direct wage increase earlier. Besides Aunt Jiang, Liu Jie, and A Xia, there were also Sister Tong, Tao Ge, and others.

These seven people likely had no connections, weren’t the team leader’s close associates, and no longer wanted to keep their heads down.

Ye Baoling moved on to the next agenda item: Next, regardless of which wage method we choose, we’ll also be trying out a new system.

What system?

Ye Baoling replied, The Team Leader Rotation System. The team leader will be replaced every two months through voluntary registration. The team leader will be responsible for improving the reward and punishment system. If we continue using cardboard to offset wages, the new team leader will also handle cardboard sales and bonus distribution.

The team leader position was a lucrative one, and those with ambition couldn’t help but feel tempted.

Liao Zhihui questioned, Does upper management know about this system you’re proposing? Will they agree? This is just chaos.

Ye Baoling calmly responded, As long as Manager Zhang agrees, that’s enough. Upper management doesn’t get involved in these matters. Do you have any different suggestions, Brother Hui?

Liao Zhihui sneered and explained, It’s not that I’m clinging to this team leader position. It’s tough and thankless work—whoever wants it can have it.

Qi Xiaofeng chimed in, Yeah, it’s all effort with no appreciation.

Ye Baoling said, Well, that works out perfectly then. You’ve worked hard for so long; it’s time to let others take on the burden.

…

Those interested in becoming team leader, come to the office to register with me today. I’ll discuss with Manager Zhang and arrange the rotating team leader position accordingly. As for the wage increase method, everyone has one week to consider it. We’ll hold a formal vote in one week. Ye Baoling stood up. Meeting adjourned.

Back in the office, Ye Baoling finished her remaining coffee.

Wang Simin quietly asked her, What if no one registers to be team leader?

Impossible.

Being team leader meant handling cardboard sales—the potential benefits were huge.

Ye Baoling couldn’t explain too much to Wang Simin. She said, That won’t happen. I believe at least four or five people will register, maybe even more.

Wang Simin, unaware of the hidden advantages of the cardboard trade, shook her head slightly. Just for an extra 50 yuan per month as team leader? I doubt it.

To everyone’s surprise, soon after, about ten people came forward one after another to register as team leader!

After excluding those who were illiterate or couldn’t write, eleven qualified candidates remained.

At noon, after Ye Baoling returned from eating out, she noticed Ah Cai lurking suspiciously outside the office door. She couldn’t help but ask, What are you doing here, Cai Shu? Who are you looking for?

Ah Cai put down the wet towel in his hand, cautiously glanced around, and then said with a smile, Miss Gu, I’m here to register.

Oh? So he wanted to be team leader too.

Ye Baoling pretended not to understand. Register for what?

To be team leader, of course.

Ye Baoling teased with a smile, Wouldn’t that be a waste of your talents?

Miss Gu, give me a chance. I promise I’ll remember your kindness. After selling the cardboard… I won’t forget you. He stammered, unwilling to spell things out too clearly.

Who would have thought even a troublemaker could show humility.

It truly proved the saying: money makes the mare go.

Returning to her desk, Ye Baoling pulled out an application form: Fill out this form.

Still need to fill a form? I can’t fill it out. I only had two years of schooling and don’t know many characters.

If you can’t even write, how can you be a team leader?

Isn’t knowing how to count money enough?

Ye Baoling withdrew the application form, her refusal decisive. No.

Why not?

The team leader also needs to assist in drafting reward and penalty regulations. If you can’t write, how would you compile or draft anything?

Enraged, Cai Shu turned and left.

While walking away, he muttered complaints under his breath, not daring to speak aloud for fear others would hear he’d come to apply.

Qi Yuxiu had been quite busy these past few days. After spending less than half an hour in the office, she prepared to leave.

Zhang Laichi knocked and entered: Manager Qi, you wanted to see me?

Qi Yuxiu had just learned that Gu Baolin went to the 6th-floor product department to obtain output data from Warehouse No. 2. She suspected the other party might be calculating cardboard quantities.

Additionally, she’d heard from others that someone told Gu Baolin the B-team leader was her relative.

This was a ticking time bomb.

That Gu Baolin is about to complete her probation period. Should we keep her?

Zhang Laichi naturally understood Qi Yuxiu’s meaning: Her abilities are generally lacking. She tends to shift blame and currently doesn’t get along well with the cleaners. Everyone has significant complaints about her.

Alright, then let’s keep it simple. Write the probation assessment report clearly but ensure it’s well-reasoned and evidence-based. Meanwhile, maintain as gentle a tone as possible.

Tone should be gentle?

Correct. With a gentle tone, we can leave the failed probation confirmation to HR. No need for us to offend her personally.

Understood.

I have matters to attend to and must leave now. I’m taking tomorrow off, so I’ll leave things in your hands. After speaking, Qi Yuxiu picked up her handbag and exited the office with Zhang Laichi.

When afternoon work began, Ye Baoling immediately went to the supervisor’s office to report to Zhang Laichi.

Zhang Laichi said: The hygiene feedback seems mediocre. Shouldn’t we dock pay for the cleaners responsible for those three floors?

Ye Baoling: Supervisor Zhang, what amount do you think would be appropriate?

You’re asking me?

Yes.

Then what exactly is your job?

Everyone would struggle to accept large deductions. I was afraid you’d scold me if I suggested an amount.

Controlling his impatience, Zhang Laichi said: Go ahead, what’s your recommended deduction?

I calculated that with an average monthly wage of 2,600 yuan, based on 25 workdays per month and 8 hours daily, the hourly wage comes to 13 yuan. Cleaning two restrooms realistically takes under half an hour. If we double the penalty and deduct one hour’s wage – 13 yuan – that should be quite appropriate. She deliberately leaned toward a smaller amount.

Deduct 13 yuan? Sure enough, Zhang Laichi found it insufficient. That’s chicken feed! Far too little! Unacceptable!

Ye Baoling: It’s not little. Larger deductions could cause rebellion.

Zhang Laichi: Set a number.

Then deduct… two hours’ wages?

Someone came to hurry Zhang Laichi upstairs for a meeting. He snapped irritably: You should deduct at least one day’s wages! For the cigarette butt incident, deduct half a day’s pay.

Having successfully made Zhang Laichi set the penalty amount himself, Ye Baoling smiled and nodded. That works. Additionally, to enhance everyone’s sense of responsibility, I’d like to implement a rotating team leader system. While rotating, the team leaders can gradually refine the reward and punishment policies.

Without giving Zhang Laichi time to consider rejecting the rotating team leader system, Ye Baoling directly handed him the list. This is the list of applicants for team leader positions. Manager Zhang, who do you think would be suitable? We need to select two.

Replace both team leaders?

This aligned perfectly with Zhang Laichi’s desire to escalate conflicts. As a newcomer, he didn’t know whether these team leaders had influential backers—but if they did, even better. He could leverage their connections to oust Ye Baoling.

There was no need to tread carefully, as Qi Yuxiu had suggested.

Moreover, the rotating system was a good concept. It would provide an opportunity to refine the various regulations in the cleaning department, which would count as an achievement in his role as manager.

However, Zhang Laichi didn’t recognize any of the names on the list and couldn’t help asking, Who should we replace them with?

Anyone is fine. Since it’s a rotation, everyone will get their turn eventually. We could also follow the order of applications for the rotation.

Then you decide.

Ye Baoling nodded. Alright.

In the end, A Xia was appointed as the leader of Group A, and Sister Tong as the leader of Group B.

Ye Baoling had observed carefully: A Xia was well-liked and warm-hearted, while Sister Tong was more educated and tough—likely able to withstand criticism. Both were suitable for the roles.

Returning to her desk, Ye Baoling called A Xia and Sister Tong separately into the meeting room to discuss their appointments in detail.

Neither A Xia nor Sister Tong had held leadership positions before, and both were delighted.

A Xia smiled and said, Thank you, Miss Gu, for giving me this opportunity. I’ll work hard.

Sister Tong asked, When do we start?

The day after tomorrow. Starting then, only the two of you will be authorized to handle the cardboard in Warehouse No. 2. I’ve already submitted the application, and the notification will be sent to the warehouse tomorrow.

They were surprised by Ye Baoling’s efficiency.

We’re not prepared yet.

Ye Baoling replied, That’s why I’ve given you a day to prepare. Please keep this confidential for now.

Of course, of course. We won’t say a word.

Ye Baoling then asked, Do you know anyone else who could work as cleaners?

Sister Tong shook her head slightly. I don’t know many.

A Xia said, I know plenty. Our neighborhood used to be a shantytown, and most people there work as cleaners. Miss Gu, are we hiring more cleaners?

Not certain yet, Sister Xia. Please help line up some people, preferably those available for part-time work.

Part-time?

Ye Baoling explained her requirements, and A Xia took note of them all.

The next day, before leaving work, Ye Baoling went to the cleaning department to post two announcements.

The first announcement detailed the penalties for failing hygiene standards; the second announced the appointments of A Xia and Sister Tong as the new team leaders.

On Thursday, the storm arrived as expected.

The cleaners went on strike!

Liao Zhihui and Qi Xiaofeng stayed out of sight, remaining in the break room, while the others sat on the floor at the entrance of the logistics department, refusing to leave or work.

Their demands were clear: revoke the two announcements from the previous day and fire Gu Baolin.

Sister Mei, encountering a strike for the first time, tried to reason with them loudly, If you have disagreements, you can voice them, but you can’t go on strike. Do you realize how important your work is…

That Gu Baolin is arrogant and rude, irresponsible in her work, making reckless changes and trampling on our dignity!

Gu Baolin, get out of Ye Qingtang!

As Zhang Laichi emerged from the office, Cai Shu and others rushed forward excitedly, Manager Zhang, please stand up for us!

Others in the office tried to hold them back, Calm down! Everyone step back!

Zhang Laichi put on a show of comforting them: I am Zhang Laichi, head of the logistics department. I’m already aware of your demands. Please trust me, this matter will definitely be resolved satisfactorily.

Just as he was speaking, the phone rang.

Wang Simin quickly picked up the receiver, Hello, logistics department… Which floor? Okay, we’ll send someone right over!

No sooner had she hung up than the phone rang again. Logistics Department… Your toilet’s clogged too? Which floor? Got it! Understood!

Wang Simin hung up and reported, Supervisor Zhang, the restrooms on both the 27th and 28th floors are clogged.

Sister Mei grew tense. Of all times, why did it have to clog on the 28th floor now? That’s practically blocking the heavens!

Zhang Laichi scanned the room and asked loudly, Where’s Gu Baolin?

No idea, Uncle Yuan replied innocently, spreading his hands. He wanted to cover for Ye Baoling. She must have been busy since early morning. She’s had a lot on her plate recently.

Zhang Laichi snorted coldly. How irresponsible of her to disappear at a time like this!

Wang Simin slipped out quietly to find Ye Baoling and see if she could help.

Sister Mei picked up the phone to call a plumber, but Zhang Laichi pressed down on the receiver. What are you doing?

I’m calling someone to unclog the toilet, Sister Mei explained.

Zhang Laichi refused to let her. Get Gu Baolin to do it! This is her job!!

Sister Mei and the others in the office exchanged glances, not daring to say another word.

The phone rang once more. Sister Mei answered it. What? Yesterday’s trash hasn’t been collected? Which floors? Several floors? Oh, I’ll be right there.

Cai Shu and the person beside him exchanged looks, their lips curling exaggeratedly. Now you see how important us cleaners are, don’t you?

Sister Mei swallowed her anger and didn’t retort. She was about to go upstairs to see what was happening when Zhang Laichi stopped her again.

The striking cleaners shouted, We demand Manager Qi uphold justice for us!

Uncle Yuan whispered, Is Manager Qi in today?

Someone replied, She is. She’s in a meeting on the 26th floor, I think.

Meanwhile, in the large conference room on the 26th floor, Vice President Cai Yongming, who oversaw the Administration and Human Resources departments, was listening to work reports from various divisions including HR, Administration, and Logistics.

Zhang Laichi entered and stood behind Qi Yuxiu, whispering a few words in her ear.

Qi Yuxiu was surprised. While she wanted Ye Baoling gone, this cleaners’ strike wasn’t doing her any favors either.

It would only make the higher-ups think she was incompetent.

She shot Zhang Laichi a glare, then quickly briefed the Administration Director beside her in a low voice.

Noticing their hushed conversation, Cai Yongming asked, What’s going on?

Knowing he couldn’t hide it, Director Wang from Administration hurriedly explained, The company’s cleaners have gone on a massive strike. The toilets on the 27th and 28th floors are clogged, and the trash still hasn’t been collected…

How did a strike happen? How is this being managed?

Director Wang looked at Qi Yuxiu.

Qi Yuxiu forced an awkward smile. A new female employee mishandled interpersonal relationships and provoked collective anger.

Manager Li from HR immediately caught on. That would be the girl surnamed Gu, right?

Qi Yuxiu nodded. Exactly. Our Logistics Department was short-staffed. Zhang Laichi originally intended for Gu Baolin to gain some experience, but it ended up causing major trouble.

Manager Li added, When I recruited her, I found her typing and translation skills were excellent. If she’s not a good fit, we can terminate her contract early.

Cai Yongming questioned, If her translation skills are so good, why did you put her in Logistics?

Manager Li smiled awkwardly and explained, She was originally slated for the Secretarial Office, but there were no openings there. We had to place her in Logistics on a trial basis, and she agreed to it herself.

Cai Yongming showed slight impatience: The chairman might bring guests to the company today. Go resolve this matter quickly. Don’t make any mistakes.

Zhang Laichi bowed apologetically: I share responsibility for this matter. Gu Baolin had good intentions initially – someone complained about hygiene issues, but she handled it too aggressively. The cleaners now insist Gu Baolin must be fired before they’ll return to work.

Manager Li volunteered: Should our HR department handle Gu Baolin’s termination? She’s still in her probation period – we can settle this in just 10 minutes.

Author’s note: Ye Baoling: Thank you for giving me the chance to make contributions [let me see]