Miao Yunwei’s usually approachable face grew a bit more serious as she nodded firmly. “Aunt Zhang, my older brother was honorably injured while serving the people, which is why he has lingering effects. His walking isn’t very smooth, but there’s definitely no problem with driving. Director Gao personally assessed him, so you can rest assured!”
Zhang Xiuqing’s smile faded slightly. Her eyes darted around twice before she continued asking, “Did the doctor say what exactly your brother’s injury is? Besides walking difficulties, are there any other effects?”
Miao Yunwei gave her a deep look. Considering that this person would later be working alongside Miao Pingkang, she would inevitably learn some things sooner or later. It might be better to give her a heads-up in advance. After a moment of thought, she said, “Actually, there aren’t any other effects. It’s just that his leg can’t bear weight, so he can’t carry heavy objects. Fortunately, he’s a driver, so it’s not a big issue.”
Zhang Xiuqing’s face instantly fell. She muttered a few perfunctory words before turning and hurrying away.
In the office, Director Gao looked at Zhang Xiuqing with a headache.
“Do you think the passenger transport unit is your family’s business?! Changing positions just because you say so! Do you know how many people are eyeing the ticket seller’s position?”
Zhang Xiuqing snorted shamelessly, emboldened and unafraid. “I don’t care. My brother-in-law said that my job on the bus is just selling tickets, and I don’t have to do anything else. Now you’re pairing me with a useless person who can’t move properly, can’t lift with his hands, and can’t carry anything on his shoulders. Who’s going to handle moving luggage on the bus in the future?”
Over the years of working with Miao Jianguo, all the dirty and tiring tasks had been done by Miao Jianguo. She only had to watch her bag and sit comfortably on the side. After more than ten years of good living, now she was expected to suffer and work hard? In her dreams!
Director Gao nearly choked on his anger, almost fuming. “Get out, get out! We’ll talk about this later!”
Just then, it was time for the bus to depart. Zhang Xiuqing could only leave reluctantly. At the doorway, she stopped and turned around to remind him, “Director, I’ve made it clear to you: besides selling tickets, I won’t do any other work, and I can’t do it either!”
Director Gao cursed at Zhang Xiuqing’s retreating back, “You might as well be lazy to death!”
Beside him, the personnel officer Xue Feng adjusted her glasses, her expression troubled. “Director, Zhang Xiuqing’s brother-in-law is our direct superior. If she says she won’t do it, we really can’t force her. Given the current situation, how should we adjust?”
Originally, Zhang Xiuqing was supposed to work in the office, but this woman was hopeless. After a month, she kept making frequent mistakes. Moreover, she had no ambition and was just there to pass the time, refusing all the more demanding and tedious tasks. In the end, she was assigned to Miao Jianguo’s bus, and finally, there were no more issues.
After so many years, they had almost forgotten about this troublemaker. Now that she suddenly caused a fuss, they really had no way to deal with her, but the problem still needed to be solved.
Director Gao sighed deeply, his brows furrowed into a tight knot. “I’m also having a terrible headache! She can’t do any other work, so she can only continue selling tickets. Besides Miao Jianguo, who would be patient enough to accommodate her? Also, if she doesn’t work with Miao Pingkang, we’ll have to find another ticket seller to pair with Miao Pingkang. When the bus returns later, go ask who’s willing to swap with Zhang Xiuqing.”
Xue Feng couldn’t think of any other solution either and sighed. “We can only handle it this way for now.”
Carrying her materials, she went out with a heavy heart to find Zhao Qiming. “Notify all the ticket sellers arriving today to come see me.”
Zhao Qiming didn’t understand the situation, but facing the sour expression of the office staff, he didn’t dare say a word.
Xue Feng dropped these words and stood in the parking lot for a while longer, originally intending to find fault. Seeing everyone busy, with one petite figure darting in and out of the luggage compartment, her brows instantly furrowed. “Zhao Qiming, what’s going on? Assigning a young girl such heavy work while the other loaders are having it easy—what do you mean by that?”
Zhao Qiming’s heart skipped a beat. He glanced in Miao Yunwei’s direction, suppressing his inner panic, and hurriedly explained, “Comrade Xue, I didn’t ask her to do this. She insisted on crawling inside to move the luggage, saying it’s more efficient this way. I swear to heaven, I really didn’t make her do it!”
Xue Feng shot Zhao Qiming a sharp look and strode toward Miao Yunwei. “Comrade Miao, busy at work! Is this job tough?”
Miao Yunwei finished arranging the luggage and poked her small head out of the luggage compartment, offering Xue Feng a shy smile. “Comrade Xue, what brings you here? I’m fine, it’s not too hard. I can handle it!”
As she spoke, her mind began racing, pondering Xue Feng’s purpose. Could it be that scoundrel Ke Youzhi was digging another pit for her behind her back?
Xue Feng watched her work briskly and nodded in satisfaction, then mused, “You’re Miao Jianguo’s daughter, right? And Miao Pingkang is your older brother?”
Miao Yunwei paused for a moment before nodding, looking puzzled. “Yes.”
Seeing her expression, Xue Feng sighed helplessly. “Comrade Miao, you know your father plans to give the job to your older brother, right?”
Miao Yunwei nodded again.
Xue Feng immediately grew troubled. “In principle, there’s nothing wrong with this arrangement. After all, your brother was injured defending the country, and it doesn’t affect his driving. We have to follow the regulations, and Director Gao has agreed. But the problem is that Zhang Xiuqing, who’s supposed to partner with him, isn’t happy about it. Do you know Zhang Xiuqing?”
Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Miao Yunwei quickly replied, “Comrade Xue, could you wait a moment? Let me finish the work at hand, and then I’ll come to the office to discuss this in detail with you. Is that alright?”
Xue Feng, aware of the tight departure schedule, readily agreed.
As soon as she returned to the office, she immediately huddled with Director Gao for a quiet discussion.
Ten minutes later, when Miao Yunwei arrived at the office, Comrade Xue beckoned her over and led her to a nearby tea room to talk.
As soon as she entered, she noticed Director Gao brewing tea inside and promptly greeted him respectfully.
Director Gao chuckled warmly, appearing relaxed. “Comrade Miao, come, have a seat! We’ve all seen your performance over this period—well done! We called you here today to learn more about your brother’s situation and prepare for the upcoming work arrangements.”
Miao Yunwei pursed her lips, perched on the edge of the chair, sitting upright and attentive. “Director Gao, my brother really has no issues with driving. He’s skilled and has driven on even tougher mountain roads during his time in the army. He can absolutely ensure the safety of the people and their property.”
Director Gao nodded with a smile. “I’m aware of that. After all, before hiring him, the unit also needs to understand his situation from the army. The main issue now is the partnering conductor, Zhang Xiuqing. As you know, she’s not the easiest to deal with. If she refuses to partner with your brother, we’ll need to find someone to swap with her. But who’d be willing?”
“They’re all part of the fleet. It would be best if Comrade Miao Jianguo could find a conductor willing to partner with your brother and swap shifts with Zhang Xiuqing. That would solve the problem.”
“Comrade Xiao Miao, go back and talk to your dad about it. If you can’t find a solution, we’ll think of something on our end.”
Miao Yunwei slowly lowered her eyelids. What a piece of work! This person didn’t want to play the villain themselves, so they were pushing her family to take the lead. Too embarrassed to speak directly to her dad, they were trying to trick her—a young girl with little worldly experience. How shameless!