The news of Huichun Tang's collaboration with the state-run pharmacy spread.
Chen Qin couldn't fathom why the state-run pharmacy turned hostile before he even brought up the matter of extending the delivery deadline.
Two days later, Cheng You returned.
She had initially intended to inquire about the chapped skin cream, but upon hearing Chen Qin mention Director Jiang of the state-run pharmacy, she was taken aback.
"Before I could say anything, he lost his temper at me and kicked me out."
Even now, Chen Qin felt a pang of discomfort recalling the incident.
Cheng You was stunned. "How could this happen?"
Falling out with a state-run establishment was no trivial matter.
"I don't understand it myself. It happened so suddenly, and then they said they were going to collaborate with Huichun Tang!"
Before Cheng You could even ask about the chapped skin cream, she pulled Chen Qin and hurried out.
"Let's go talk to Director Jiang."
Qian Limei, upon hearing this, quickly chased after them.
"Cheng You, where are you two going?"
"To the state-run pharmacy. Is there something you need?" Cheng You replied.
"What are you going to the state-run pharmacy for?" Qian Limei asked cautiously.
"To see Director Jiang. We need to figure out what's going on."
If they were truly unwilling to extend the deadline, then the collaboration was off. However, they couldn't afford to offend them.
She didn't notice Qian Limei's expression as she left in a hurry with Chen Qin.
Qian Limei felt a twinge of guilt and quickly ran back into the pharmacy. Since she couldn't undo what she had done, she decided to try and secure some benefit for herself.
Meanwhile, Cheng You and Chen Qin arrived at the state-run pharmacy.
They recognized Chen Qin and did not offer a pleasant greeting.
Chen Qin said gravely, "Comrade, this is the owner of our Zhenshan Tang. There might be some misunderstanding between us. I hope to meet with Director Jiang to clarify things."
As the director of Zhenshan Tang, Chen Qin's words were sincere, and the receptionist, finding it difficult to refuse, went to inform Director Jiang.
Director Jiang agreed to see them, but his attitude was far from cordial.
"Everything that needed to be said was already said. Since you have found another collaborator, then we are done here."
Chen Qin said anxiously, "Director Jiang, what are you talking about? The last time I came, you threw me out before I could even say a word!"
Director Jiang gave a cold smile. "There's no point in pretending anymore. Before you came, a female comrade visited me. I recognize her too; she's from your Zhenshan Tang."
Cheng You stopped the impatient Chen Qin and asked sternly, "Director Jiang, what did she tell you?"
Director Jiang recounted the conversation, and as he spoke, his anger flared.
Cheng You and Chen Qin exchanged a look, their hearts burning with indignation. Who dared to speak such words on their behalf?
"Director Jiang, may I ask who it was?"
"I don't know her name, but I saw her at your pharmacy last time. She was wearing a colorful dress and even poured me a cup of tea."
Cheng You glanced at Chen Qin. From his expression, she had a good idea who it was.
Suppressing her anger for the moment, she said, "Director Jiang, regardless of whether our collaboration can continue, I believe it's necessary to clarify. We have never had any other collaborator. We simply encountered some temporary issues and wanted to propose an extension on the delivery."
Seeing her sincere attitude, Director Jiang's dissatisfaction eased considerably. However, an agreement had already been signed with Huichun Tang, and it was now too late to change course.
"Forget it, forget it. This is an internal matter for you to resolve yourselves."
Cheng You felt an indescribable disappointment. This meant the collaboration was likely dead.
She smiled. "Even if business doesn't prosper, friendship remains. This collaboration didn't work out, but there will be other opportunities. I hope we can work together in the future."
One doesn't strike a smiling face. Director Jiang naturally gave her face. He nodded with a smile. "Of course."
As they walked out of the state-run pharmacy, Chen Qin could no longer contain his anger.
"Director Jiang was most likely referring to Qian Limei!"
When they were discussing the collaboration, he had brought Director Jiang to Zhenshan Tang, and it was indeed Qian Limei who had served them tea. Afterward, she had complained a few times, which he had overheard and reprimanded her for.
Cheng You felt a complex mix of emotions. She had suspected many people but never Qian Limei. Perhaps it was Qian Limei's usual honest and reliable demeanor that had led her to dismiss the possibility immediately.
"Cheng You, Qian Limei isn't very dependable. I've wanted to tell you this for a while. You should reconsider whether to fire her."
Cheng You sighed mournfully, "Then it shall be so."
Her initial intention was to help Qian Limei out of kindness. Not wanting to deal with such matters, Cheng You handed the task over to Chen Qin and deliberately avoided Qian Limei.
Upon returning to the pharmacy, Chen Qin directly told Qian Limei to pack her things and leave.
"On what grounds are you firing me? Cheng You sent me here to work!"
"Now, Cheng You herself has said for you to get lost! I'm not wasting my breath, get out!" Chen Qin's eyes widened, and he nearly resorted to physical confrontation. The more he looked at Qian Limei, the more incensed he became.
Qian Limei snorted and felt the things in her pocket. Relying on this, Huichun Tang shouldn't treat her too badly.
Thus, clutching the copied prescriptions from Zhenshan Tang, she went to the Huichun Tang Pharmaceutical Factory to find Pei Kesheng.
Upon seeing them, Pei Kesheng immediately agreed to arrange a job for her at the pharmaceutical factory.
Qian Limei's eyes lit up, and she was delighted. She asked, "Director Pei, what's the salary?"
"Fifteen yuan a month."
Qian Limei's face fell. How could it be lower than the salary Cheng You offered?
"I brought you so much, and you're only offering me fifteen yuan? That's too little."
Pei Kesheng patiently tried to persuade her. "That's not little. Temporary workers are paid this much."
"Temporary worker? Why not a permanent position?"
Qian Limei felt she was being cheated; it would have been better to work for Cheng You, as she was at least a permanent employee and received bonuses.
Pei Kesheng scoffed. "This is a state-run pharmaceutical factory. Permanent positions have quotas. It's not something I can just give you. Those are prioritized for residents of Yancheng." He chuckled, thinking Qian Limei was overestimating herself. Getting her a temporary position was already generous. Who knew if she would betray Huichun Tang tomorrow, just as she betrayed Zhenshan Tang today?
Qian Limei said hesitantly, "But still, fifteen yuan is too little. I earned twenty yuan at Zhenshan Tang."
"Then go back to Zhenshan Tang. Anyway, our salary level is just this." Pei Kesheng would have been happier if she didn't come. After all, he had already obtained what he wanted.
Qian Limei's heart was filled with bitterness, and her face drooped. She had no way back now; she had already fallen out with Zhenshan Tang.
"Fifteen yuan it is, then. Director Pei, I've done so much for you, you can't treat me unfairly. If there's a chance to become permanent later, you must think of me first."
Pei Kesheng smiled and casually reassured her, "I understand, don't worry."