Although Chi Ge was very famous, in Manager Ma's heart, he was nothing special.
Even though Chi Ge was a highly respected great scholar in the capital, how many years had passed since then?
Times change, and circumstances shift; he no longer held the same status as before.
Calling him Elder Chi was already showing him respect!
This young girl, could she not see her master's current standing?
Su Xiaotian was unaware of Manager Ma's thoughts.
After she finished speaking, she continued to watch Manager Ma with a cold gaze.
While she couldn't fathom Manager Ma's thoughts, instinctively, she felt that Manager Ma was not someone easy to deal with.
This Manager Ma was different from the leaders at the electronics factory.
When he looked at people, there was not a trace of respect in his eyes, only arrogance.
Leaders like this were generally not easy to approach.
It was possible that after doing the work, they would still receive a lot of blame.
"You have a point. If that's the case, please put in a good word for me with Elder Chi!" Manager Hu politely smoothed things over.
He had known Manager Ma for more than just a year or two; after so many years of dealing with each other, they understood each other well. How could he not see Manager Ma's thoughts?
Manager Hu couldn't help but feel resentful.
This Old Ma, really, this was not the time to throw his weight around as a leader!
When asking for help, one had to appear to be asking for help!
Putting on an air as if others owed him money would surely ruin things.
However, given Old Ma's personality, he couldn't say these words.
Su Xiaotian quite liked Manager Hu and Director Li.
For their sake, Su Xiaotian was willing to ask Chi Ge if he wanted to meet.
"I will go and ask Grandpa Chi's wishes tomorrow, but I cannot guarantee that Grandpa Chi will agree!"
To avoid future trouble, Su Xiaotian did not make any definitive statements.
"Thank you, Xiaotian. Please help me with this. I'll come back tomorrow evening."
Director Li, also afraid that continuing would lead to further complications, quickly said this and prepared to leave.
Su Xiaotian did not continue to pester them, nor did she even glance at Manager Ma again.
The meal cost quite a bit of money, as all the dishes were expensive specialties.
When Director Li was paying the bill, Su Xiaotian took the initiative to offer a 5% discount.
"Xiaotian, you're too kind. It's not easy for your small business to make money, so you don't need to give a discount."
Compared to Director Li's politeness, Manager Ma, perhaps because he was feeling uncomfortable, spoke much more harshly.
"At such high prices, even more expensive than state-run restaurants, a discount is only right. Old Li, I have to say a few words to you. Even if you're paying with the factory's money, you can't be this extravagant?"
Su Xiaotian rolled her eyes in a corner where no one could see.
Did this kind of person have their eyes on their foreheads?
Director Li's expression also turned unpleasant. He couldn't help but mutter under his breath that he had been bitten by a mad dog today!
Did this Manager Ma really think of himself as someone important?
Manager Hu also felt awkward and quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "There's still work at the factory, let's go!"
He also found it strange. Although Old Ma had always been a bit difficult to deal with, he wasn't like this before.
Today, his behavior seemed particularly odd.
As a business owner, Su Xiaotian didn't want to get entangled with such a person. She put on a perfunctory smile and saw them out.
Director Li deliberately walked beside Su Xiaotian.
"Xiaotian, I'm sorry about today. Manager Ma is just like that, please don't mind him!"
Su Xiaotian smiled, "It's fine!"
When doing business, one couldn't be too picky about customers, could they?
As soon as Su Xiaotian finished speaking, they had arrived at the entrance of Yiming Pavilion.
Su Xiaotian was truly exhausted and wished she could send the Uncle-like Manager Ma away immediately.
But just then, Su Xiaotian's sharp eyes spotted Chi Ge approaching.
She hesitated slightly.
She wondered if she should step forward and introduce Chi Ge's identity now.
She had a premonition that if she introduced him now, things might develop in an even worse direction.
While she was hesitating, Chi Ge spoke.
"Xiaotian, why aren't you greeting people? Have you gone silly?" Chi Ge did not focus his gaze on anyone else.
This was a restaurant, and there were many customers coming and going.
Since Chi Ge had spoken, Su Xiaotian could no longer pretend to be a shrinking violet.
She grinned and walked forward, holding Chi Ge's arm, "Grandpa Chi, what are you saying? How could such a smart child like me be silly?"
"Not silly, not silly!" Chi Ge also treated Su Xiaotian like a child, so he spoke casually and relaxed.
Manager Ma looked at how familiar Su Xiaotian and Chi Ge were, and with Su Xiaotian calling him Grandpa Chi, he instantly understood.
The old man in front of him must be the legendary Chi Ge.
Director Li and Manager Hu also keenly sensed that the person in front of them was the Elder Chi they were looking for.
They hadn't expected it to be so effortless.
Moreover, the relationship between the two families was indeed good; Elder Chi had come to visit in person and was so doting on Su Xiaotian.
It was evident that Su Xiaotian, his little disciple, was indeed favored by Elder Chi.
Director Li quickly gave Su Xiaotian a look, signaling her to make an introduction.
But Manager Ma couldn't wait any longer. He stopped, looked at Chi Ge, and then spoke.
"Are you Chi Ge, Elder Chi? Allow me to introduce myself, I am Ma Wanguo, the Deputy Director of Qili Silk Factory."
Manager Ma seized the opportunity to step forward and introduce himself, but as he introduced himself, there was a hint of arrogance in his tone.
It was not surprising that Manager Ma was so arrogant. Qili Silk Factory was a major factory in the capital.
The key point was that due to its good cooperative relationship with Germany over the years, Qili Silk Factory generated a considerable amount of foreign exchange for the country annually.
Let alone the deputy director of Qili Silk Factory, even a worker from Qili Silk Factory walked with pride on the street.
But who was Chi Ge?
Chi Ge was a scholar at heart, and his aloofness was ingrained in his very being.
He merely cast a casual glance, not even saying a word, just nodding to acknowledge the greeting.
People like Chi Ge were like this: you respect me, I respect you; you are arrogant, I am even more so.
Chi Ge's reaction clearly exceeded Ma Wanguo's expectations.
His expression turned very unpleasant in that instant.
This old man, he was truly...
He thought, perhaps this old man had been in the northwest for too long, to the point where he didn't know which factories were doing well in the capital now.
Moreover, at this moment, Ma Wanguo's mind became a little more rational. He was asking for a favor, so he still needed to maintain some decorum.
With that in mind, Ma Wanguo decided to swallow his pride.
"Elder Chi, it's like this. I have something I'd like to discuss with you. Our factory is about to negotiate a deal with Germany, but our factory's translator has suddenly run into some problems and cannot be present. I hope you can help."
Although he was asking for a favor, Ma Wanguo's attitude was not at all like someone asking for help. Instead, it was like a superior assigning work to a subordinate.
Su Xiaotian was dumbfounded. What kind of talk was this?
Your factory's translator has a problem, what does that have to do with others?
Your translator has a problem, so others should go and help?
Why?
Was he that audacious?
Manager Hu and the others from the electronics factory were also very surprised.
They had previously thought that Manager Ma looked down on Su Xiaotian, a young girl, and that was why his attitude was so arrogant.
But now it seemed that was not the case at all.
Manager Ma did not show much respect to someone like Chi Ge.
On what grounds?
Just because he was the deputy director of Qili Silk Factory?
If not for his good upbringing, Manager Hu would have wanted to curse him out.
Someone like Elder Chi, let alone a deputy director, even a director, no, even the leaders of their superior departments, would have to show respect.
At this moment, Manager Hu decided that he should stay away from Ma Wanguo if at all possible in the future.
Director Li couldn't help but glance back at Su Xiaotian.
He happened to see Su Xiaotian's surprised expression.
How could he not understand what the young girl was thinking!
He couldn't help but curse inwardly, "Ma Wanguo is such an idiot! When asking for help, you need to appear to be asking for help. He doesn't even understand such a simple principle!"
Especially when asking someone like the great scholar Elder Chi!
He was so clueless!
He wondered how such a person managed to climb his way up!
Chi Ge pretended not to hear and continued talking to Su Xiaotian.
Su Xiaotian was also happy and chatted with Elder Chi with great delight.
Ma Wanguo lost face and became even more displeased. He loudly repeated what he had just said.
This time, Chi Ge could not pretend not to hear.
Chi Ge looked up at Ma Wanguo.
The moment he looked up, the smile he had when looking at Su Xiaotian vanished entirely, leaving only coldness on his face!
"Oh, I am old and perhaps cannot bear such a great responsibility. Please, Director Ma, or rather, Deputy Director Ma, find someone else!" Chi Ge's expression was very cold, and his voice was even more indifferent.
After speaking, Chi Ge did not want to stand at the door and argue with this muddled fellow. He took Su Xiaotian's hand and prepared to walk inside.
Since becoming the deputy director of Qili Silk Factory, Ma Wanguo had always been fawned over wherever he went. When had he ever been treated with such disdain?
His face darkened, and he said indignantly, "How can you be like this?"
Chi Ge let out a cold snort and did not reply.
Ma Wanguo continued, "Do you know how much loss the factory will suffer if this business deal falls through?"
Chi Ge looked at Ma Wanguo with a cold face, showing no intention of speaking.
After saying so much and not hearing Chi Ge's reply, Ma Wanguo felt even more humiliated. He even felt that the gazes of the people around him were not right.
Just then, Su Xiaotian's clear voice rang out. Although not loud, it was enough for everyone around to hear clearly.
"Leader, whether the factory is profitable or at a loss is your own problem; it has nothing to do with us."
Su Xiaotian thought, this Manager Ma must not be an idiot, right? What was he thinking?
Ma Wanguo, not hearing Chi Ge's words, instead heard the reprimand from Su Xiaotian, a young girl, and became even more displeased.
"What do you know, you child? Do you know how much foreign exchange our country lacks? Our Qili Silk Factory earns foreign exchange for the country. By helping Qili Silk Factory, you are helping the country create foreign exchange!"
Su Xiaotian wanted to snort like Chi Ge.
To accuse unrelated people so groundlessly, and even shift the blame for not being able to create foreign exchange onto unrelated people, this must be unique to him.
"If you cannot properly handle emergency situations and fail to sign the contract, that is a problem with your silk factory leaders' capabilities; it's not anyone else's fault!"
Her little face was icy cold as she spoke such sharp words, causing everyone around to look at Su Xiaotian with a new perspective.
Even Director Li, who was most familiar with Su Xiaotian, had not expected Su Xiaotian to have such a side to her.
The Su Xiaotian he had seen before was gentle and sweet, like a cute girl. But the current Su Xiaotian, with a cold face, was actually very imposing.
Director Li immediately decided that he would absolutely not provoke Su Xiaotian in the future.
This little girl was not someone to be trifled with easily.
Su Xiaotian's words made Ma Wanguo even more unhappy.
"What do you know, you child? I won't talk to you, a child. Let the adults speak." Ma Wanguo rebuked angrily.
Adults?
Su Xiaotian was amused to the point of laughter. Wasn't this saying that Grandpa Chi should speak?
But Grandpa Chi was an aloof person; would he engage in a war of words with someone as clueless as Manager Ma?
With a glint in her eye, Su Xiaotian wondered if she should ask her grandmother to step in.
Before Su Xiaotian could find Grandma Su, Manager Hu spoke.
"Forget it, forget it, Manager Ma. The young lady is right; she's not an employee of the factory!"
This foolish fellow, who gave him the confidence to think that everyone should help with the factory's affairs? If that were the case, shouldn't everyone receive a salary when it was time to pay?
Su Xiaotian smiled at Manager Hu. Manager Hu was indeed a good person to step in and help her at this moment.
"Manager Hu, you are right. Whether the factory is doing well or not truly has nothing to do with me!"
Ma Wanguo glared at Manager Hu with great dissatisfaction, his expression so pained as if Manager Hu had committed some heinous crime.
Manager Hu felt a shiver down his spine, beginning to doubt if he had done something terribly wrong.
"Don't you have any sense of responsibility? You enjoy everything the country gives you, so why don't you think about contributing to the country?"
Ma Wanguo's accusation momentarily stunned Su Xiaotian.
What did this mean?
How was she not thinking about contributing to the country?
These words made her sound like a heinous criminal.
Or rather, everyone present, except for Manager Hu, was a bad person!
"As a citizen of this country, how can you only think of yourself? Shouldn't your first thought be the country's interests?"
Ma Wanguo felt that what he was saying was very reasonable, so his voice grew louder and louder.
A million alpacas galloped through Su Xiaotian's mind, but her face showed no hint of anger.
"So, not being a translator for your factory means not considering the country's interests?"
"Isn't that the case? Little girl, I won't talk to you, a child. I will only speak to this renowned Elder Chi Ge. Elder Chi, I address you as Elder Chi, you must live up to that title, mustn't you? You clearly know that our factory has the task of earning foreign exchange, yet you refuse to help. Are you going to stand by and watch this foreign exchange be lost?"
Chi Ge was speechless.
How had this escalated to such a serious accusation?
Not helping was no longer an option?
Was there such a principle in the world?
Su Xiaotian wanted to spit.
She had seen shameless people, but never someone this shameless.
She could have tolerated it if they had spoken ill of her; after all, she was just a child. But to slander Grandpa Chi, who gave him the right?
"You receive your salary from the country and earn foreign exchange for the country, isn't that what you should be doing? When did the responsibilities that originally belonged to people like you get forced upon unrelated people like us?"
Su Xiaotian silently complained. With such an attitude when asking for a favor, one could imagine how they treated others.
It was not easy for Qili Silk Factory to last this long.
Manager Hu saw that Manager Ma's situation was not looking good and, fearing that Manager Ma might say something offensive again, quickly advised, "Manager Ma, please calm down."
Unexpectedly, with just this one sentence, Ma Wanguo's barrage of criticism turned towards Manager Hu.
"Old Hu, you are also an experienced person. How can your thinking be as narrow-minded as these people?"
Manager Hu was utterly bewildered. What had he done to be labeled narrow-minded?
Did not supporting him, Mr. Ma, mean he was narrow-minded?
But to support you, you must be in the right first!
Now, it was clear that he was in the wrong but still insisted on stirring up trouble.
How could there be such a person in the world?
Manager Hu regretted it immensely at this moment.
He regretted why he had to be so superfluous!
It would have been better to pretend not to know!
Hearing no objection from Manager Hu, Manager Ma felt quite smug, believing that Manager Hu had acknowledged his words.
He was even thinking of discussing the matter with Manager Hu separately later.
After all, he was a factory leader, and it wouldn't be good to lose face in front of so many subordinates.
[Author's Note]
Today is 4600 words, babies. Don't forget to click "Urge Updates" and vote. Also, leave comments for Jiuguangyin. Can the number of "Urge Updates" tomorrow exceed 800? If it does, there will definitely be a surprise. Mwah, love you all!