The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 826 - 825: Returning to the Workplace

Money certainly makes things easier.

From design to construction to project completion, the garage was built within three days and even equipped with strict anti-theft measures.

Besides reinforcing and heightening the gates and walls, Pei Yang had spent a considerable amount of money on installing three surveillance cameras.

In this era, spending so much money to build a garage for parking was beyond the neighbors’ understanding.

The Pei Family was indeed a wealthy household, yet rather than living in a large villa, they chose to squeeze into an old house on an old street.

Shen Mingzhu had thought about moving to a wealthier and more secure villa area, especially when the house encountered various minor issues due to aging pipes and wiring, making her wish she could move immediately.

However, often after a night’s sleep, looking at her warm, familiar home and recalling the past life spent there, she couldn’t bear to leave.

Compared to Shen Mingzhu’s emotional attachment and reluctance to part with the old house, Pei Yang’s reason for not wanting to move was simpler and purer — he wanted to be neighbors with Pei Wenping, making it convenient to look after the widow and her family.

As the garage was completed, it was also March, and Shen Mingzhu formally returned to the workplace.

In the previous few days, although she had been going to the factory on time every day, she did not participate in work but instead reviewed the production, management reports, and financial conditions of the past three years.

"Sister Shen, it’s almost time to head to the meeting room."

Five minutes before 9:20, Shen Mingzhu’s new assistant, Shen Wushuang, specifically entered the office to remind Shen Mingzhu.

Since her position had not yet been confirmed, Shen Wushuang usually addressed Shen Mingzhu as "Sister Shen."

"Okay, I know."

Shen Mingzhu picked up the ideas and plans she had organized over the past few days and stood up, heading towards the direction of the meeting room.

As an assistant, Shen Wushuang naturally also had to attend.

"Don’t be nervous, just treat it like a class, and just focus on taking good notes."

Seeing Shen Wushuang’s nervousness, Shen Mingzhu whispered comfortingly.

Shen Wushuang looked around to make sure no one was nearby before handing her pen to Shen Mingzhu like presenting a treasure:

"I write slowly and was afraid I’d miss some details, so I specially borrowed a recording pen from my brother. After the meeting, I’ll listen to the recording and fill in the missing content."

Shen Mingzhu smiled encouragingly, "That’s smart thinking. Hang in there for a few days. Once the ordered computers arrive, your expertise will come into play."

The girl, Xia Wushuang, had graduated from the Computer Science Department at Fengcheng University.

Not only was she proficient in using Word office software, but her typing speed was also top-notch.

A few days ago, Shen Mingzhu had called Lihua to order ten microcomputers.

So far, the food factory, including over 95% of companies and enterprises in the country, still used paper-based office practices.

Paper documents were cumbersome to manage, inconvenient to preserve, and searching for them was extraordinarily difficult.

Now, with the domestic computer applications and Word software becoming increasingly mature, Shen Mingzhu decided to take advantage of this return to upgrade both the office equipment and processes.

...

The conference room had not changed much from three years ago, and the management layer was mostly familiar faces, but the atmosphere was very different from before.

Awkwardness permeated through the unfamiliarity.

Although the news of Shen Mingzhu’s return had been received by the whole factory long ago, her specific position had not yet been clearly defined.

Even though the managers were eager to become closer, they didn’t know how to start.

"Hello everyone, I’m back, and I’m delighted to see all these familiar faces again."

The familiar voice, signature smile, and warm greetings seemed to instantly dissolve the barriers between them.

"We’ve all aged, but President Shen still looks as young and beautiful as before. It’s truly enviable."

Someone started, and the managers all followed suit, addressing Shen Mingzhu as President Shen.

Deputy Director Chen Cheng, who had just been promoted, even stood up to offer his seat to Shen Mingzhu, "President Shen, please take this seat."

"I didn’t come back to compete with you for a seat."

A humorous jest that made everyone laugh.

Shen Mingzhu took the opportunity to sit in another vacant seat, "Deputy Director Chen, don’t worry about me; I can find a place to sit myself."

Hearing her say this, Chen Cheng smiled and sat back down.

"President Shen, it’s good that you’re back. With your return, everyone feels much more at ease."

Shen Mingzhu humorously responded, "I didn’t even know I had the effect of a tranquilizer."

"President Shen, you don’t know how difficult the factory’s situation has been. Not only do we have to contend with the invasion of foreign snacks, but we also have to compete with others in the industry. If we don’t figure out a way forward soon, the factory might just collapse."

"Don’t worry, the factory won’t collapse."

"With those words from President Shen, we all feel reassured."

Soon, Du Juan, Shen Chaobei, and Pei Wenping, among a few other department managers, entered the meeting room.

As Du Juan took her seat, the noisy meeting room gradually quieted down.

"Younger sister, you’ve come too."

Though already a deputy general manager, Shen Chaobei was as warmly straightforward as ever, greeting Shen Mingzhu with a smile as soon as he saw her.

Shen Mingzhu nodded in response, "I just arrived too."

At this moment, the main seat’s occupant, Du Juan, spoke, "Before we start the meeting, let me say a few words off the topic. As everyone has seen, the former General Manager, Ms. Shen Mingzhu, has officially returned today. The specifics of her job and position will be announced soon. Now, let’s give her a round of applause to welcome her back."

Following Du Juan’s cue, warm applause filled the meeting room.

Today was just an ordinary morning briefing, and the process wasn’t much different from when Shen Mingzhu was around.

Department managers reported their work, discussed problems and solutions, and finally, Du Juan assigned tasks.

"Mingzhu, do you have any suggestions or additional comments?"

When Du Juan pointed her out, Shen Mingzhu smiled and shook her head, "No."

"Alright then, the meeting is adjourned. Everyone can go back to work."

The management layer gradually started leaving.

Du Juan stopped Shen Chaobei and Chen Cheng, the two deputy directors, and Pei Wenping, then walked over to Shen Mingzhu, "Should we have a small meeting here, or would you prefer the office?"

"Let’s stay here; it’s more spacious."

Du Juan nodded and turned to instruct Mai Qiu to bring in some tea.

Soon, only Du Juan, Shen Mingzhu, Shen Chaobei, Chen Cheng, and Pei Wenping remained in the large conference room.

Du Juan started, "Mingzhu, since you’ve decided to come back, you must have already planned and thought this through. Everyone here is on our side; feel free to speak openly."

Shen Mingzhu pondered, "You’ll still be in charge of the factory’s management. For now, I’ll handle the personnel and administration as a deputy general manager."

"I have no objections, what about you all?"

Pei Wenping, Shen Chaobei, and Chen Cheng also expressed their support.

Thus, Shen Mingzhu’s work content and position were settled.

Back in the office, Du Juan instructed Mai Qiu to convey Shen Mingzhu’s appointment notice to the HR department.

While Mai Qiu verbally complied, she remained standing still, "Director Du, if Deputy Director Shen wants to become the general manager after a while, does that mean you’ll have to step down?"