"The entire family compound of the Hardware Factory?"
Wang Jin and Fang Zhongtian were both startled.
In those days, any larger factory would provide housing as employee benefits. Even if they didn't have houses, they would at least offer a place to live, like dormitories.
Such places were generally called family compounds. Wang Yu was currently in a family compound, and as the factory director, he had been allocated a two-bedroom apartment before the automobile factory was privatized.
When Wang Jin and Fang Zhongtian heard that the family compound of the Hardware Factory had caught fire, they couldn't sit still any longer.
The Hardware Factory was also a large factory with a considerable number of employees, so its family compound was naturally not small.
Moreover, this was unlike an office building; it was densely populated, with various living necessities and complex conditions. If a fire broke out, it would be a major disaster!
Especially since Lu Fangquan, the acting deputy director in charge of the Hardware Factory, was one of their own, closely aligned with Fang Zhongtian!
How could they not be anxious?
"Damn it, what happened?"
Fang Zhongtian jumped up and roared at the innocent employee.
"I... I don't know! I heard that an employee from the Hardware Factory bought our electric kettle, and it caught fire while boiling water, which then triggered a chain reaction! The fire has already spread and is uncontrollable. The county fire brigade has been dispatched!"
The employee spoke hastily, afraid that the enraged Fang Zhongtian would vent his anger on him.
"What? It caught fire? Are the workers at the Hardware Factory pigs?" Fang Zhongtian cursed. "And why do you say it was the electric kettle that caught fire? Perhaps they accidentally started it themselves?"
As he spoke, Fang Zhongtian glared fiercely at the employee from the department store, as if he would beat him to death if he dared to refute.
"This... this... I'm afraid it's unlikely."
The employee stammered, "Many people in the family compound saw the electric kettle we sold self-ignite. But because the fire spread so quickly, they couldn't put it out before it engulfed everything. And with the strong winds tonight, so..."
The fire was now raging, and the fire brigade was working hard to rescue.
"With so many workers from the Hardware Factory, dozens of pairs of eyes are watching, claiming that our product has serious quality issues! I suspect that after this is resolved, the public security bureau will come looking for us!"
After the employee finished speaking, Wang Jin slumped to the side, collapsing feebly.
It's over, my future!
He never expected the electric kettle to have such quality issues?
Were the people at the Metallurgical General Factory raised on excrement? When a product is manufactured, there should at least be a basic quality inspection process!
It should be safe to sell only after meeting safety standards, that's common sense!
Little did he know that the Metallurgical General Factory had rushed production, cutting corners to circumvent the opposition of Director Xu.
Besides, Wang Yu's products had been selling for so long without any issues; what else did they need to worry about?
Moreover, Fang Zhongtian, eager to mass-produce and sell the products quickly for his own illicit gains, had relentlessly pushed for completion, so no one paid attention to potential problems!
"What are you panicking about, you coward!"
Fang Zhongtian kicked Wang Jin fiercely. His narrow face, with a mole on his chin, made him look even more ferocious.
"The public security bureau hasn't come looking for us yet, have they?"
Fang Zhongtian sneered, grabbed Wang Jin by the collar, and lifted him up.
"The incident today was caused by the Hardware Factory employees' own negligence, leading to the fire. Our electric kettle is completely blameless! No matter who asks, we will only give this one answer! As for the faulty electric kettle, it was destroyed in the fire!"
Fang Zhongtian's words clearly indicated his intention to shirk responsibility and deny everything, leaving no room for evidence.
"But, so many workers at the Hardware Factory, so many eyes saw it?"
Wang Jin asked cautiously.
"There are no buts. Eyes seeing something doesn't mean their mouths will say the same thing! Tell Lu Fangquan to make sure those workers keep their mouths shut and honestly tell everyone that they accidentally started the fire!"
"Director Fang, do you mean for those workers to give false testimony? What if they refuse to cooperate?"
Wang Jin asked again.
"You pig-headed fool! If they refuse, have Lu Fangquan deduct their wages, assign them to harsh positions, or simply fire them! If Lu Fangquan can't even do that, he'll never be promoted to deputy director in his life!"
Fang Zhongtian spoke unceremoniously, which immediately brightened Wang Jin's eyes.
"I see..."
"Hmph, by the time this is all over, who will still be talking about it?"
Fang Zhongtian continued, his tone very forceful.
"That's absolutely right. Thanks to your guidance, Director Fang, let's have a drink! You two, keep your mouths shut too. Don't go blabbering around later, understand?"
After instructing his subordinates to remain silent, Wang Jin, feeling relieved, raised his wine glass again and toasted Fang Zhongtian.
Fang Zhongtian unceremoniously accepted and drank it down in one gulp.
The scene, once again, returned to feasting and merriment...
At the Automobile Factory, in the new factory office, Wang Yu looked up slightly. He saw that the distant horizon was a patch of red.
A fire?
Wang Yu's heart sank. In this era, there were no neon lights, at least not in Jiangyang County. At night, such a large area of sky illuminated red could only mean a fire!
"Little Factory Director, great news!"
Han Jun walked into Wang Yu's office beaming and shouted, "The family compound of the Hardware Factory is on fire, and I heard it's because they bought those counterfeit, inferior electric kettles that imitate ours!"
Han Jun was naturally delighted. The Hardware Factory had previously attacked his procurement department members for supplying substandard parts, which led to Wang Yu terminating their cooperation and vowing never to work with them again.
Now, it seemed like heaven was on their side; their family compound had caught fire. Tsk tsk, it was as if heaven itself was avenging old grievances!
Han Jun couldn't help but gloat.
"The fire brigade is rushing there now, but the fire is too fierce, and it's close to the Hardware Factory's warehouse, which is causing a lot of smoke. There's nothing that can be done about the fire for now!"
"What's so funny about this? Your mindset is wrong!"
Wang Yu's brow furrowed tightly. For the first time, he reprimanded Han Jun.
Or rather, it was the first time he had reprimanded a subordinate. Previously, he had always been cheerful and amiable, earning respect and admiration, so his commands were naturally followed without question.
But unexpectedly, Wang Yu had actually spoken out and reprimanded someone this time? This was truly unprecedented!
"Gather everyone, all the workers who are working overtime, stop the production line, and help organize the firefighting."
Wang Yu suddenly issued an order!
"What? Little Factory Director? Are you joking? Why should we help our enemies? The Hardware Factory is our enemy!"
"Enemy? Hmph!" Wang Yu was noncommittal.
"Lu Fangquan is indeed an enemy, but the innocent employees and families of the Hardware Factory are not. Let's lend a hand and help put out the fire!"
"Yes... Yes!"
Han Jun, unable to defy Wang Yu's order, reluctantly went to relay the command.
Immediately, the entire Automobile Factory was mobilized. Production stopped, tools were stored, and everyone prepared to go and help with the firefighting.
Meanwhile, while everyone was busy, Wang Yu walked alone to the trial production warehouse and opened a locked door.
"I didn't expect... your first appearance would be to repay enmity with kindness and help the enemy."
Wang Yu looked at the dark shadow before him and murmured to himself.