When She Stops Being Dramatic

Chapter 64: Chapter 42: The 1950s’ Wife of Humble Beginnings (42)_2

”Master, just give the order. I’d be willing to carry bags of rice for a lifetime!”

Everyone voiced their resolve.

Zhu Yun smiled and nodded. ”Alright. You must remember that in our line of work, you won’t last if you’re not prepared to endure hardship.”

”If you can’t, you’d be better off transferring to a different post sooner rather than later. Don’t waste your time and block your own path to success elsewhere.”

”I only have two requirements for my apprentices. They’re simple, but sticking to them for a lifetime is difficult. First, stay true to your original intentions. Second, never forget the value of hard work.”

”If you can abide by these, then starting today, I am your master!”

Everyone froze for a moment, then was overcome with joy. They had to struggle to maintain their military posture, their ecstatic expressions so constrained they looked like they were caught in a net—perfect material for a reaction meme.

Wang Simi’s face flushed red, her eyes shining. ”Master, should I tell my dad to prepare the apprenticeship ceremony, then?”

In those days, people placed immense value on skilled trades. Taking a master was a major event, considered as significant as a couple getting their marriage license. It was a bond that provided security and mutual obligation for both master and apprentice!

’Now I have to be the revered elder, and I’ve suddenly gained a flock of ”big boys” and ”big girls.” It’s like I’ve been promoted to a mother. What a strange feeling.’

Zhu Yun gave a calm nod and went back to making the frozen treats.

The second shipment of refrigerators and freezers had arrived, along with five large, double-deck ovens, several stand mixers, dough makers, water boilers, and other equipment. They crammed the two-hundred-plus-square-meter room to the brim.

Director Wang had just heard the good news from his daughter. He came over, list in hand, and said with a grin, ”Congratulations, Director Yun, on taking in twelve fine apprentices. We parents have had the apprenticeship gifts ready for a while now; we were just waiting for you to give the word.”

”Let’s all have lunch together on the second floor. We should invite Mr. Chu, too. It’ll be a celebration.”

Zhu Yun agreed. ”It’s all thanks to you for screening them, Director. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have gained so many wonderful apprentices all at once.”

Director Wang chuckled. ”To be honest, I had my own selfish reasons. Anyone who’s going to be my daughter’s fellow apprentice can’t be a bad apple. I’ve pretty much watched all of them grow up. They might be a little spoiled, but their characters are sound. With you teaching them, I’m sure they’ll amount to something!”

With that, he handed her the list. ”Director Yun, we’ve drafted the employee incentive system. Performance will be tallied daily and evaluated monthly by team. We have to make sure the rewards provide the maximum possible motivation!”

Zhu Yun smiled and nodded again and again. ”Even though the teams are small, the rewards will be spread out across many of them. That should definitely encourage some friendly competition.”

Director Wang added, ”There’s only a week left in this month, but the incentive program is already active. Starting next month, employees will be able to claim their summer heat-relief benefits. We’re counting on you, Director Yun!”

”This is the cafeteria’s plan for the summer heat-relief program. Could you take a look and see if it needs any changes?”

Zhu Yun studied the list. A sufficient quantity of mung bean soup was to be provided to each factory zone at set times every morning and afternoon. Employees and managers of a certain rank in the main office and the engineering department would receive a set ration of frozen treats.

They also had to supply the factory’s commissary with frozen treats and pastries daily.

And starting next month, the quantities for the employees who earned rewards would be added on top of that.

Director Wang felt a bit apologetic and said with a smile, ”The volume of frozen treats and pastries is quite large, but by the same token, the bonus you’ll receive will also be quite substantial, Director Yun.”

Zhu Yun posted the list on the wall. ”No problem. It’s only for three or four months out of the year. I can handle it with my apprentices.”

”Oh, right, Director, could you have two service windows opened for me here?”

”That way, our cafeteria can also sell some of the frozen treats and pastries.”

She gestured toward a wall as she spoke. ”As long as the other cafeterias have a fridge or freezer, they can sell them on our behalf, too.”

Director Wang was open to any idea that could expand the cafeteria’s business.

”I’ll go put in the application right now.” He turned to leave as he spoke, but then paused at the door and came back. ”Director Yun, don’t forget about lunch!”

Zhu Yun wasn’t making many types of popsicles at the moment, and the cafeteria’s kitchen staff helped with much of the prep work, like stewing the mung beans and red beans.

So she quickly poured the mixtures into the molds and put them in the freezer.

Just as she finished up, changed her clothes, and grabbed her mess tin to leave, she ran into Chu Shenyu, who was coming over with food. Their eyes met, and they both burst out laughing.

”Well, look at that. I’m the one running the cafeteria, yet Mr. Chu manages to get a meal before I do,” Zhu Yun said, leading him to her office.

The office was incredibly cozy; no one would ever associate it with a head chef.

Breakfast was simple: fried bread cakes with eggs and a savory meat-and-grain porridge, served with crispy pickled cucumbers.