It seems there's no chance to pick up any more passengers tonight. I drove the car to the repair shop, where one mechanic patched the tire. Another mechanic, after inspecting the vehicle, shook his head and said,"Brother, this car's got some serious issues. You'll need to address them properly."
I replied,"As long as the brakes are working, it's fine. The rest can wait." Heh, the usual routine at a repair shop—I'll get a tire fixed, and you'll spin me a tale about a slew of other issues, just like at a gas station, where they wipe the exhaust pipe and show you,"Look, brother, your carbon buildup is quite severe. You should try our product, it'll get rid of all the buildup." It's the same old trick, isn't it?
I sat on the worn-out sofa in the shop, took out my phone, and scrolled through the news, quietly planning my evening. By the time the car was fixed, it would probably be close to ten o'clock. It seemed like the only thing I could do was make a bowl of instant noodles and play some games to pass the time. As I thought about this, I couldn't help but sigh, feeling a bit downhearted.
When I got home, it was indeed past ten. I dragged my tired body into the kitchen, opened the cupboard, and took out a pack of instant noodles. The water in the kettle hadn't boiled yet, but I could already hear the sounds of business being conducted from the neighbors. The noise was particularly jarring in the stillness of the night. Quickly, I put on earplugs, trying to block out the cacophony. This cheap rent house has terrible soundproofing. For someone like me, an unmarried young man, it's truly a test of patience.
The next morning, I arrived early at the office, organized the tasks for the day, and ensured the production line was running smoothly. Then, I walked to the smoking area and lit a cigarette. Amidst the swirling smoke, I overheard some office workers whispering about the company being sold.
"I heard the company's being sold. Is that true?" one voice asked quietly.
"Yeah, I've heard that too. The chairman's going to a big city to look after his grandkids," another voice responded.
My heart skipped a beat. Why would the company, which seemed fine, suddenly be sold? I quickly extinguished my cigarette and hurried to the manager's office. After knocking and receiving a response, I pushed the door open.
"Manager, I heard people in the workshop talking about the company being sold. Is it true?" I asked eagerly.
The manager looked up at me, sighed, and paused before replying,"The gossip spreads fast around here." After a brief pause, he continued,"Yes, it's true."
"Why so suddenly?" I asked, puzzled.
"The chairman's retiring and wants to go to a big city to look after his son's children," the manager explained helplessly.
I furrowed my brow."Even rich people need to take care of their kids personally? Why not just hire a nanny?"
The manager gave a wry smile."They're worried about the well-being of their next generation, both physically and mentally."
I nodded, but a sense of unease crept over me."Will the new owner lay us off?"
"They say they won't, but who knows? If anyone's going to be cut, it'll probably be us first. You should be fine, though," the manager said with a hint of melancholy.
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My heart sank. It was true—people like us, at the bottom of the hierarchy, wouldn't catch the new owner's eye. The manager's position was difficult to predict. With new leadership, there was always the risk of upheaval. Still, I tried to offer some comfort.
"Manager, maybe they won't let you go. After all, you have such valuable skills."
The manager patted my shoulder, speaking with a tone of earnestness."Work hard, and you'll have opportunities for growth."
I could sense the manager's helplessness and dejection. After all, he had worked with the old chairman for fifteen years, and the feeling of being abandoned weighed heavily on his heart.
Stepping out of the manager's office, I returned to my station, my mind in turmoil. The prospect of the company being sold loomed over me, and I couldn't help but wonder what the new owner would be like. What kind of attitude would they have toward us, the long-standing employees? These questions lingered, gnawing at me relentlessly.
After a long day of work, I returned home still uneasy. The noise from next door persisted, as jarring as ever. I put in my earplugs, attempting to find some semblance of calm. Yet, the anxiety and uncertainty gnawed at me, and as I pondered the uncertain future, I was overcome with a sense of helplessness.
In the days that followed, rumors of the company's sale only grew more rampant, and the atmosphere among the employees became tense. People whispered among themselves, some worried about losing their jobs, others anxious about how the new management might change their work and daily lives.
At last, the company called a full-staff meeting. I, along with Sandezi, tucked ourselves into the back corner, absorbed in our phones. Who cared about the new boss, as long as my paycheck wasn't in jeopardy? The chairman stood on stage, announcing the company's sale. He tried to calm the employees' nerves, but I could see the weariness and resignation in his eyes.
"Dear colleagues, I understand that this news has come as a shock, and it's difficult to accept. But please trust that this decision was made after careful consideration. The new owner is an experienced entrepreneur, and she has promised not to conduct mass layoffs. We hope you will continue to work hard and face the new challenges ahead. Now, please welcome your new chairwoman, Sophie Summers, to address the team."
"Dear colleagues, from today forward..." A clear, melodious voice interrupted my focus on the game. The voice seemed vaguely familiar. I looked up, and to my astonishment, it was Sophie Summers! How could she be here? To my further surprise, her boyfriend stood beside her, clearly accompanying her.
A colleague beside me urged quietly,"Hurry, someone's pushing the tower." I felt a surge of irritation, but I knew that, at this moment, the game no longer mattered. I closed the game, my mind consumed by the image of Sophie Summers. This was beyond unexpected. It seemed I would soon be job hunting again. I wasn't concerned about her withholding my paycheck, but the sheer awkwardness of the situation left me uneasy. It's a feeling you really have to experience yourself—it's simply dreadful.
After the meeting, I nervously made my way to the manager's office, my mind racing with thoughts of how to resign. I pushed the door open, only to find the manager on his way out, presumably for another meeting. Today, after all, was an important day for welcoming the new leadership. I cursed my bad luck internally—of all the times.
"Manager, I need to speak with you." I hurriedly spoke, hoping to seize the opportunity before he left.
"Wait a moment; I'm heading to a meeting," the manager responded briskly, not even turning his head as he rushed out the door.
Since I had already decided to resign, I saw no point in heading to the workshop. Whatever might happen, it no longer mattered. So, I settled into the manager's office to wait for his return. The office sofa was surprisingly comfortable, and after sitting for a while, I grew bored and decided to lie down for a quick nap. When I awoke, several hours had passed.
The manager finally returned, looking cheerful, his face glowing as though he had just won the lottery.
"Manager, you're back!" I quickly stood up, adjusting my clothes.
"You're here again?" The manager chuckled, clearly unaware of how long I had been waiting.
"Looks like you're in a good mood!" I remarked cautiously, hoping to ease the tension.
" It's not bad. The boss still let me manage production and logistics, saying it's flat management." the manager said proudly.
"Sounds like you got a raise!" I teased, my mind still calculating how to broach the subject of resignation.
"Yeah," the manager said, grinning broadly. It was clear he was thrilled with the promotion."By the way, what did you need to talk to me about?"