Chapter 28: Do You Know Who I Am?

For the remainder of the day, Shen Zhiyu was occupied with answering questions from the senior women in the office. These women acted like gossip columnists, conducting a thorough inquiry into Shen’s state of mind. As a result, Shen, the newly appointed Deputy Section Chief of the Publicity Department, had yet to officially report for duty.

Finally, Section Chief Gao Ming had to come to the office in person to retrieve her. Only then was Shen released from the older women’s enthusiasm. As she followed Gao to the Publicity Department, she felt even more pleased. The department was truly a small operation, staffed by only a handful of people.

The work was simple enough: it involved creating and writing propaganda slogans for the factory grounds, as well as handling preparations for any events held during the holidays. Naturally, the department was also responsible for a daily lunchtime broadcast. Previously, this task had fallen to Gao Ming, but now that Shen was the Deputy Section Chief, the duty shifted to her.

"Section Chief, I’m not familiar with this yet. Perhaps I should shadow you and learn the ropes first?"

A necessary show of humility was required. This was the 1970s, and one had to be careful about what they said. A slip of the tongue could lead to serious consequences. Shen had no intention of ruining her promising start over a broadcast.

"That works," Gao Ming agreed after a moment's thought.

Shen was currently the factory's model employee, and the leadership held her in high regard; she was even scheduled for newspaper interviews in the coming weeks. Gao felt he needed to set a good example for her. Shen breathed a sigh of relief. There was a famous idiom: "Follow the predecessor's rules." Not yet familiar with the nuances of the era, she had to be extra cautious. The fact that Gao Ming held his position suggested he had the necessary skills—if not for the work itself, then at least for surviving in these times.

Throughout the afternoon, Shen familiarized herself with the staff and the department's current operations. Gao Ming, who had previously handled everything, began delegating a significant portion of the work to her, while the clerks handled the specifics. The broadcasting station had two announcers, a man and a woman. Both were average in appearance, but their Mandarin was impeccable, characterized by a pure, professional broadcast tone.

Previously, Shen hadn't paid much attention to the broadcasts, but now that she was in the department, these matters required her focus. Her own Mandarin was quite good, but compared to theirs, the gap was clear. The male announcer was named Song Zhiyuan, and the female was Li Qinglan. They split the shifts, with one on air while the other assisted in the office. Shen found herself liking Li Qinglan, not just because they were both women, but because Li was genuine and unpretentious. Song Zhiyuan, on the other hand, carried an air of superiority, as if everyone else were beneath him.

"Little Yu, don't take Song too seriously. His father is the factory director!" Li Qinglan whispered, revealing his background.

Hearing this, Shen realized why Song acted so entitled; he clearly didn't consider himself on the same level as the ordinary workers. In this day and age, harboring such thoughts was truly reckless.

"Deputy Section Chief Shen, may I take you out to lunch?"

After learning about his status, Shen hoped to keep her distance, but to her surprise, Song approached her and insisted on a meal.

"I’m sorry, Comrade Song, but I go home for lunch."

"Then, how about dinner?" Song seemed determined.

Shen knew she was attractive, but Song’s persistence made her frown. She had already refused him; why was he still clinging on?

"I’m sorry, Comrade Song, but I believe I’ve made myself clear. We aren't that well-acquainted."

Since he chose to play dumb when she was being polite, she would be blunt. Let’s see how he handles that.

"Is that so?" Song remained calm. "Deputy Section Chief Shen, perhaps you aren't aware of who I am. I am—"

"I know you're the director's son. But do you know who I am?"

"Who are you?" Song was stunned. He had never encountered anyone who dared speak to him this way. In the Seventh Cotton Mill, who didn't know his father was the boss?

"Comrade Song Zhiyuan, you don't even know who I am, yet you speak to me like this?" Shen adopted an air of mystery and looked at him calmly. "I’ll let this slide this once out of respect for Director Song, but I hope this is the last time!"

Just because your father is the director, does that make you special? I am a recognized hero who stood up for justice! As for the Shen family, she had no intention of relying on them.

Song was genuinely intimidated by her demeanor. In fact, from his behavior, Shen could tell that this "second-generation" heir was all bark and no bite. Truly powerful people never needed to use their father's name to get their way.

"I'm sorry, Deputy Section Chief Shen. I just wanted to get to know you."

"That's alright, haven't we already met?" Shen replied generously. Song gave an awkward laugh and hurried out of the office.

Once he was gone, Li Qinglan leaned over, grabbing Shen’s arm in excitement. "Little Yu, you are amazing! You actually dared to talk to Song Zhiyuan like that. Do you know that another girl, a university graduate, was demoted to the spinning workshop just for offending him? She’s still there to this day!"

The spinning workshop was the most grueling in the mill, involving long hours of standing and high-intensity labor in both summer heat and winter cold. If a university student was exiled there for upsetting him, it seemed the factory director wasn't such a great person either.

"Little Yu, are you really going to be okay?" Li asked, worried.

Shen smiled. "Don't worry. He won't dare cause trouble for me in the short term. And in the long run? We'll see who ends up in trouble!"

"Woof!" (Master, that man just went to find someone to dig up information on you!)

Upon hearing this from Yuanbao, Shen realized she was about to do battle with the corrupt. Regardless of who it was, if they wanted to make her life difficult, she would ensure their own downfall first. And as for Director Song, if he was raising a son like that, he was ultimately to blame.