Yu Zhou himself wasn't too concerned about how people referred to him. What did it matter if they called him a spendthrift? He wouldn't lose a single piece of flesh.
Besides, he was never one to care much about his reputation.
However, while others were one thing, it was rather disheartening that his neighbors, with whom he'd lived for decades, were also saying the same thing.
After all, if you really thought about it, those elders had practically watched him grow up. Back in the factory housing compound twenty years ago, the neighbors were genuinely close.
It was completely different from the communities of today. When anyone had a problem, people would spontaneously offer help, even looking after children or assisting with chores – that was considered normal.
So, for these neighbors whom Yu Zhou still held affection for to now be calling him a spendthrift, and for such matters to be spilling over to their children, it was somewhat dissatisfying for Yu Zhou. Say what you will about him, but why involve the children?
"You know about this too, don't you?"
In the kitchen, Yu Zhou looked at Jiang Jie, whose expression was one of evasion, and immediately asked directly.
It was clear that Jiang Jie knew, otherwise she wouldn't have that look.
She had only been trying to shield Yu Zhou from getting upset over such trivial matters, which was why she had kept it from him.
Unfortunately, it seemed even she couldn't keep it a secret anymore.
She looked at Yu Zhou somewhat nervously and finally said, "If I tell you, you can't be angry."
Clearly, there were hidden circumstances behind this.
This made Yu Zhou a bit confused. It shouldn't be like this. He didn't know about things happening within his own household, yet everyone else seemed to be aware?
"What exactly happened?" Yu Zhou finally asked. Perhaps it was due to his business trip to Wanghai, or perhaps his mind hadn't been at home during this time.
Therefore, it was normal that he was unaware of some information.
However, this didn't mean he would tolerate others continuing to stir up trouble, especially the neighbors. If they talked about him, or even cursed him to his face, it wouldn't be a big deal. But to bully a child, that was going too far.
Did he not know his own daughter's character? She was a total foodie, and she got along well with other children around.
Now, according to the little girl's account, she was almost being isolated. He absolutely refused to believe this was just children playing on their own and that the parents weren't involved.
Sometimes, adults had their disagreements and even plotted against each other.
But to use children to accomplish such things was rather underhanded.
So, the moment he saw Jiang Jie like this, Yu Zhou felt a surge of anger.
Jiang Jie seemed to sense Yu Zhou's emotions and didn't know how to comfort her husband.
After a moment of silence, she finally said, "The Second Factory issued a notice, dismissing both of us and a few other troublemakers from our public positions. They didn't even wait for the layoff list after the New Year."
As she said this, Jiang Jie sighed.
Fortunately, she was now working at Tailong Light Industry. Even if it was just a nominal position, at least she had a job.
In this era, especially in the Second Factory's residential area, such things were commonplace.
In people's hearts, no matter how successful you were in business, it was still not as good as the stable job at the Second Factory.
Because that stable job not only provided a steady income regardless of good or bad times, but it also represented dignity for these workers.
Being dismissed from one's public position, something like this, if it had happened a few years ago, would have been considered absolutely impossible, a genuine major news story.
After all, they were all employed staff members. Even the factory director would find it very difficult to dismiss someone.
Whose family hadn't contributed for generations at the factory? Moreover, these positions couldn't just be taken away at will.
Upon hearing this, Yu Zhou's expression grew even more grim.
Clearly, he hadn't expected Liu Dalong to act so ruthlessly.
Dismissal from public office. By rights, even with Liu Dalong being the deputy factory director, such a thing would be hard to achieve.
But unfortunately, he had a brother-in-law who was a deputy district mayor. If he was determined, he could make it happen.
To the extent of such a complete breakdown in relations, it was equivalent to acting completely on his own accord.
With both of them from one family dismissed, it was not hard to imagine rumors gradually replacing cordiality among their relatives and friends.
"What does Liu Dalong want? He can't even wait a month?"
"Are they trying to isolate us from the entire residential area? After all, most people here are employees of the Second Factory. Even with the upcoming wave of layoffs after the New Year, layoffs and dismissals are still two different concepts!"
Yu Zhou's eyes darted around, clearly surprised that Liu Dalong harbored such deep hatred for him.
He had originally planned to deal with his matters after the New Year, even having thought of waiting for the first batch of winning numbers for the subscription certificates before coming back to deal with him.
Who would have thought that this guy would strike first so decisively?
This was clearly an attempt to leave their family with no way out.
Layoffs were an inevitable trend. Even Yu Zhou couldn't change the overall situation, but Liu Dalong's blatant disregard for decency was excessive.
"Excuse me! Is this where Yu Zhou lives?"
"I'm from the Second Factory's Logistics Department Reform Office! Is anyone home?"
Just as Yu Zhou and Jiang Jie were discussing these matters, a clear, resonant, and confident voice was heard over the sizzle of cooking oil.
For a moment, Yu Zhou frowned. Logically speaking, his family no longer had any connection with the so-called Second Factory.
Even after being dismissed from their public positions, why would they come looking for him now?
Could it be that they regretted it and were afraid of retaliation?
This possibility was almost nonexistent for Yu Zhou. After all, he was arguably the one who had most offended Liu Dalong.
If Liu Dalong didn't continue to target him, he'd be lucky.
"I'll go take a look..."
Even knowing that the visitor was not well-intentioned, Yu Zhou didn't evade the issue at this moment.
Because no matter what, his family, his own father, had come from that factory.
When he took over his father's position, he had inherited over twenty years of his father's seniority.
Completely severing ties with the Second Textile Factory was not an easy matter.