Chapter 304: Setting the Rules

The exam lasted for three full days, and the final subject was mathematics; An Yinan handed in her paper as soon as the time was up, then returned to the dormitory.

Today was the day for the workshop workers' meeting; she really didn't have time at school to handle the recruitment of workers, so she had called her eldest aunt to explain the situation.

The eldest aunt recommended someone, who was Liu Jiumu.

Today was for meeting with Liu Jiumu, and also for holding a meeting with the workers Liu Jiumu had found.

"Nan Nan, you're so early." Jiang Yun Duo returned to the dormitory and was very surprised to see An Yinan.

When they were taking exams, they had been assigned to different exam halls, which was why she didn't know the situation on An Yinan's side.

"Mm, I have something to do today." An Yinan smiled.

She had already explained the situation to Zhou Ruo Ran and Liu Er Ya in advance, and after the two of them finished their exams, they returned directly to the dormitory.

"Let's go," An Yinan said.

The two of them nodded excitedly.

Jiang Yun Duo thought for a moment and roughly knew what the few of them were going out to do, so she didn't speak, nor did she suggest joining them.

Whatever her friends were doing, she would just silently support them.

The three of them walked quickly to a house; the house was not far from Beijing University, one reason being to facilitate An Yinan's management, and the other to facilitate the distribution of goods.

After all, the first shop was set at Beijing University.

"Nan Nan is here?" Liu Jiumu smiled kindly and walked up when she saw An Yinan.

Ever since that time she helped Liu Jiujiu's family, Liu Jiumu had treated her like her own daughter, even delivering meals to Beijing University several times, just for fear that the cafeteria food wouldn't be good and she would go hungry.

"Liu Jiumu," An Yinan also called out affectionately.

Hearing An Yinan's voice, Liu Jiumu smiled even more brightly.

"I've selected the people for you; go into the courtyard and take a look. The materials for today's assessment are all prepared," Liu Jiumu said.

Afterwards, she whispered in An Yinan's ear, "I used my connections to buy the sewing machines; I bought fifteen to start with."

"Thank you, Liu Jiumu; it's my shop, yet I've made you go to so much trouble and effort."

Liu Jiumu pinched her little cheek, "What silly things are you saying."

Not to mention that she had liked this young girl since the first time they met.

Just the fact that Nan Nan had helped her family a great deal—if it weren't for Nan Nan appearing and discovering the problem with that letter, it was uncertain whether her family would be broken apart in the future.

The two were talking as they walked, with Zhou Ruo Ran and Liu Er Ya walking behind them; seeing the two interacting so affectionately, they didn't speak.

When the four of them entered the courtyard, ten women were already standing there.

"Sorry to have kept everyone waiting," An Yinan said.

Liu Jiumu walked behind An Yinan and gave up the main position; although she was the one who found the people—some she knew, some she specifically recruited—

In her heart, everything was centered on Nan Nan.

This positioning also allowed some people to see the dynamic.

Zhou Ruo Ran and Liu Er Ya walked into the middle of the group; in the dormitory, they were roommates, but in this setting, they were Leader and workers. Only by recognizing their own identities could they last long.

"No need for much small talk; I will first state the rules of the workshop." An Yinan scanned the circle, her gaze sharp and carrying a look of appraisal.

The twelve people straightened their expressions one after another.

"First, the rules: two people are responsible for one step, then we form an assembly line model."

"Wages are calculated by piece; you make one, you get paid for one."

"Each person can take two days of leave per month, but you must apply one day in advance; emergency leave is not accepted."

"The rules above are finished; now I will talk about the punishments."

An Yinan looked at everyone, a smile on the corners of her mouth, but her eyes didn't look like those of someone in her twenties at all, carrying scrutiny and sharpness.

"If anyone is found stealing, I will fire them immediately and never hire them again."

"If any substandard quality is found, the piece-rate pay will be deducted directly, and there will be a fine for the cost of materials."

"If anyone is found telling others about the patterns, they will never be hired again for life, and I will report it to the Public Security Bureau."

"Believe me, I am not a person who holds grudges; after all, I take revenge the moment I have a grievance."

An Yinan looked at everyone's faces, and finally, her stern tone turned soft.

"With me, I won't treat everyone unfairly. As long as you work well and have a good heart, there will be holiday gifts during festivals, and the piece-rate pay will also make you happy."

"If anyone wants to quit now, there is still time." After An Yinan finished speaking, she moved away from the doorway.

The meaning was very clear: if you want to quit now, leave.

It is very difficult to find work now; many state-owned enterprises are starting to lay off staff, and some of these people were laid off from state-owned enterprises.

They had finally found a job, so how could they be willing to leave?

Everyone remained still; even though they had been startled just now, they still didn't move.

"Since you have decided, you must follow my rules," An Yinan said finally.

She then took out a drawing; this drawing was a very simple style, a Square Scarf.

"The fabric is here; follow my drawing and sew it by hand," An Yinan said.

Watching the few people select the fabric and take the drawings, they sat down behind the tables one after another.

An Yinan was very satisfied with these people; it was likely that Liu Jiumu had spent a lot of effort to find them.

"Begin," An Yinan ordered.

Everyone began to work with their needles and thread.

The first test was hand-sewing; although she had bought sewing machines, hand-sewing was the most basic skill. One could see a person's stitching, and when the sewing machine couldn't achieve the desired effect, hand-sewing had to be used.

Compared to those who came from state-owned factories, the others were much slower.

Twenty minutes later, a woman checked her work and stood up.

An Yinan walked over, took her Square Scarf, examined it carefully, then checked the stitches, and nodded at her, "Sit down."

The second, the third, the fourth...

Zhou Ruo Ran was the last one.

An Yinan checked her handkerchief and simply nodded.

"Seeing everyone's craftsmanship, I can feel a bit more at ease," An Yinan said with a smile.

"Zhou Ruo Ran, pass your Square Scarf around for everyone to see," An Yinan said.

With her child strapped to her back, Zhou Ruo Ran stood up and handed the handkerchief to Liu Er Ya beside her.

When Liu Er Ya saw the Square Scarf, her eyes brightened, and she then passed it to the woman beside her.

It was passed around one by one, and the first person handed the Square Scarf back to An Yinan.

"First place, Zhou Ruo Ran; if any of you are unconvinced, you may stand up."

And the person who had finished sewing the Square Scarf first stood up.

"I am unconvinced."

An Yinan smiled; she liked straightforward people.

"Oh? Why?"

That woman said, "In terms of needlework speed, mine is faster, and my stitches are finer; she only added colored thread edging, but that step was not on the blueprint."

An Yinan nodded, "Do you all agree?"

Two people tentatively nodded.

An Yinan smiled, "I am a person who likes those who speak face-to-face; you are all in the same workshop, which means you are family. I will never employ people who stab their family in the back for the rest of my life."

"I will ask one more time, do you all agree?"

Besides the two from just now, two more older women stood up.

"Liu Er Ya," An Yinan called out directly.

Liu Er Ya stood up, "I have no objections."

An Yinan almost couldn't help but laugh out loud.