The others also comforted Curly, "Qiao En’s right. Anyway, we didn’t go together. What’s he going to do to us with so many people here? Can he fire us all? If he fires us, how will he keep the factory running? Don’t worry, it’ll be fine."
Although Curly was still very anxious, hearing the others’ reassurance, the fear and unease in his heart seed to be quelled quite a bit. When the ga reached its tensest and most intense monts, Curly completely forgot his earlier worries and focused all his attention on the match.
Even if Claude hadn’t sent people to investigate the complete factory shutdown, it wasn’t a trivial matter. Besides, there were quite a few people eyeing Xu Ke’s position, so the issue quickly made it to Claude’s desk.
"Young master, it’s not good to keep the shutdown going like this. Why don’t we send soone to help Mr. Xu?" The butler, serving in the study, asked softly when he saw Claude pick up the report and put it down again.
"No need. He can solve this matter on his own." Claude crumpled the report into a ball and tossed it into the trash can.
"But the loss from a complete factory shutdown is imnse. He’s just an insignificant person. We don’t need to bear losses we shouldn’t because of soone like him, do we?" The butler glanced at the discarded report, still insisting on his viewpoint.
"It’s not for you to decide whether he’s insignificant, but for . The factory under his responsibility is also under my na. Whether it makes a profit or a loss, that’s my business and has nothing to do with the Manson family. Please rember that. My business doesn’t need anyone else telling what can or can’t be done." Claude lifted his head to look at the butler beside him.
"In the future, I’d prefer you not to ddle in my affairs. I’m not a child and have my own judgnt. You were appointed by my mother before she died, intended to take care of my daily life, protect , and invite esteed teachers, not to control or turn into a slave of the Manson family. If you’ve forgotten what you promised my mother, forgotten who your master is, and only regard the Manson family as your ho, I’ll promptly hire another butler, after which you can hand over your duties and leave my estate to return to the Manson family fold."
Claude spoke harshly, piercing the paper wall that had always existed between them, causing the butler to freeze for a mont, then turn pale, "Young master, you misunderstand . I’ve always considered things from your perspective, with no ulterior motives. From the mont the lady entrusted you to , you’ve been my master."
"Oh really? No one’s a fool. You know exactly what you’re thinking, and so do I. But I’m willing to give you one last chance for my late mother’s sake. If you continue to disappoint , I’ll have no choice but to ask you to leave my estate. I don’t want anyone around who makes uncomfortable, do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand."
"I hope you truly understand. After all, you’ve been with since childhood. I don’t want our years of companionship to beco a joke." Claude adjusted his posture to slump in the chair, half-closing his eyes to look at his butler.
The butler paused in his steps to leave, though in the next mont, he walked out without any change in expression, but his face looked quite unwell.
Claude watched all of the butler’s actions, letting out a slight sigh upon seeing his reaction, knowing that, despite his words, the butler remained stubborn.
The strike at the factory continued for three days, but they still hadn’t received any call from Xu Ke pleading them to return to work, which made everyone a little unsettled. Among them, Curly was the first to falter, sneaking to the factory without his buddies only to find the gates locked and no one inside. Panic instantly gripped Curly, and he hurried to Qiao En’s house to report the situation.
"What should we do now that things have co to this?" Curly asked while biting his nails.
"What’s there to be panicked about? None of us have gone to work, and the factory’s empty. Isn’t it normal for the factory doors to be locked? Expect him to leave it open for people to sneak in and steal the machines?" Qiao En had no idea why Curly was so flustered. He had stayed up all night playing gas, and was now fighting off grogginess, sipping a cold beer from the fridge to clear his foggy head a bit.
Seeing Qiao En’s lack of urgency, Curly’s anxiety and restlessness only increased.
"True, but have you thought that the factory might be closed due to our strike? If it shuts down, what will we do? We’ll lose our inco, run out of money, and face financial deficits. I always spend every penny of my paycheck. Do you have enough savings to live on after losing your job?"
Curly’s words hit Qiao En’s sore spot. Like Curly, he lived by the motto "live for today," and had no savings to speak of. Qiao En’s hand froze mid-sip, and noticing this, Curly’s glance at Qiao En turned begrudging.
"You’re broke too, aren’t you? If so, why suggest this in the first place? Now look, because of our strike, the factory might close, and we could all end up unemployed. Are you happy now?" Curly shouted at Qiao En.
Hearing Curly’s shout, Qiao En felt bottled-up anger, and he hurled his beer can at the floor. Before the foam spattered on the ground, Curly was already pinned on the sofa with Qiao En choking him.
"Don’t pin all the bla on like you’ve done nothing wrong. Yes, I suggested the strike, but I didn’t force you to agree. Besides, it was you who first said you didn’t like an Asian boss. That’s why I made the suggestion. I rember you seed quite pleased with the idea then. And now, since the plan backfired, you’re trying to pin everything on . No way, this is everyone’s responsibility." Qiao En glared dangerously at Curly.
Curly’s earlier courage had evaporated when Qiao En lunged at him. Now, hearing these words, he retracted even further. In truth, he wasn’t naturally brave, and just uttering those accusatory words to Qiao En had already exhausted all of his guts.
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