Chapter Fifty-Five: Something Is Off

After Li Mu’s parents were convinced by his words, they went to Xiling Coal Mine the next day, ready to proactively apply for the first batch of layoffs this year.

However, when Li Mu’s father and mother arrived at the Xiling Coal Mine Union, before they could state their purpose, a union director greeted them, saying, “Ah, you two are here at the perfect time! I’ve been meaning to talk to you these past few days, but you were both on leave.”

Li Mu’s parents were somewhat surprised, and the director continued apologetically, “Daoping, Yunfang, you two have always been model spouses here at Xiling Coal Mine. The mine is facing hard times now, and there are issues that require you to set an example.”

The union director wasn’t sure how to phrase it. While they had been deliberating over the layoff list, they had always avoided putting both spouses from dual-worker households on the list for the first batch. According to the mine’s customary practice, dual-worker families would try to arrange for the woman to be laid off.

But two nights ago, the union vice-chair, Xue Guilan, called him at home, explicitly instructing him to add Li Daoping and Xiao Yunfang to the layoff list for this month. The director had no desire to offend anyone, but considering Xue Guilan’s status and her husband being the top leader at Xiling Coal Mine, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and comply.

He had waited several days for Li Daoping and his wife, and today they finally appeared.

Li Daoping was puzzled, “Director, there are plenty of dual-worker couples like us at the mine. What kind of example can we set?”

The director hesitated, avoiding their gaze, and said, “Well, there’s another round of layoffs coming soon, and with the reduction plan for the second half of the year, more and more workers will lose their jobs…”

Li Daoping frowned, confused by the director’s ambiguous words, and blurted out, “Director, just say what you mean. If you keep circling around, you’ll confuse us both.”

The director sighed, glanced at them, and finally said, “Alright, I won’t beat around the bush anymore. The union has decided to add you two to the layoff list for the end of this month.”

Li Mu’s father was somewhat surprised. He and his wife had come to apply for layoffs voluntarily, yet the union was also asking them to leave. What did that mean?

Besides, layoffs were a serious matter, not something to be casually added at the last minute. The list was usually announced well in advance, with staff consultations. There was no such thing as a sudden addition.

When Li Mu’s father voiced his doubts, the director seemed evasive.

When things don’t follow protocol, they’re hard to explain—especially such a dubious act as cutting someone’s livelihood. If Li Daoping made a fuss about it, he’d surely be cursed by all the mine workers behind his back.

So the director could only say, “Honestly, dual-worker layoffs are inevitable. If not this batch, then by the end of the year. If you don’t believe me, let me show you something.”

He pulled out a roster from his drawer and handed it to Li Daoping. “Look, this is the draft for the second batch of layoffs. All names marked with ‘s’ are dual-worker families. See how many there are.”

Li Daoping glanced at the list—though he didn’t count exactly, at least half were marked. He also found his and his wife’s names among them.

There was no falsification; Li Daoping and his wife were originally on the second batch list. They were simply moved up to the first batch.

After seeing the roster, Li Daoping still didn’t understand why their names had been shifted from the second batch to the first. His wife, Xiao Yunfang, reminded him, “It’s fine, Daoping. Don’t forget why we came.”

Li Daoping nodded. He and his wife had indeed come to apply for layoffs voluntarily. The odd and almost comical thing was that they ended up being directly arranged for layoffs.

But thinking it over, there was no need to dwell on it. They had already been persuaded by their son to venture into business, so why worry about such details?

Li Daoping put down the roster and said earnestly to the director, “Director, to be honest, we’re here today to voluntarily apply for layoffs. Since the union wants us out as well, we won’t say more. But you need to approve a long leave for us. Starting tomorrow, until the official layoff notice is issued, we won’t be coming to work.”

The director almost shed tears of relief. Regardless of whether Li Daoping was sincere, with this statement, he could claim they applied voluntarily and weren’t forced onto the list, saving himself from public condemnation.

As for the long leave, that was easy!

He immediately approved their leave, stamped it, and personally called their departments to inform their supervisors. Thus, Li Mu’s parents easily obtained their leave.

The director, ever shrewd, made sure to emphasize in the call that the couple had applied for layoffs voluntarily.

Thus, Li Daoping and his wife became famous at Xiling Coal Mine.

At a time when everyone feared the word “layoff,” the couple who volunteered became the talk of the whole mine.

…

While his parents went to the mine to apply for layoffs, Li Mu didn’t bother attending driving school. He stayed home, continuing to develop his Easy Listening website.

That morning, Zhang Kexuan sent Li Mu over twenty photos from their band’s performance, all carefully selected and edited. At first glance, they looked quite professional—especially Zhang Kexuan, who could truly be called cool and handsome.

Li Mu immediately forwarded the photos to Zhao Kang, assigning him his first “internet publicity” task: promote Simple Plan band across major provincial forums and websites, especially those in Jinling, with the Jinling University campus forum as the top priority.

Then, Li Mu instructed Zhao Kang to try contacting editors at current portal websites, to arrange for PR news articles promoting Simple Plan, focusing on two points: first, that the band was excellent, and their original song “Li Bai” was endlessly listenable; second, to subtly highlight the band’s youth and pop style, since overly rock music wouldn’t be recognized by the mainstream market.

After giving these instructions, Li Mu left Zhao Kang to handle the details, merely reminding him, “The fifty thousand yuan is operating funds, including your own PR expenses. If you think it’s necessary, you can visit Yanjing early and connect with portal site editors. Right now, editors are easy to reach, but once the portals become lofty online media platforms, it’ll be much harder to make contacts.”

So, that afternoon, Zhao Kang packed a few clothes and his laptop, went to Jinling, and before boarding the flight to Yanjing, messaged Li Mu: “I’m about to board, heading to Yanjing to get the job done.”

Li Mu replied, “PR costs money. Don’t be stingy. Contact every portal website editor you can. Spend as needed—it’s your call.”

After replying, Li Mu marveled at Zhao Kang’s efficiency. If his childhood friend could maintain this passion, he would surely become Li Mu’s best partner in the future.

Li Mu’s parents took only a morning to complete all procedures at Xiling Coal Mine. Before eating lunch at home, the phone and their cell phones were ringing nonstop.

Almost all the callers were colleagues, expressing concern after hearing the couple had voluntarily applied for layoffs. Such a move was truly extraordinary, and many believed they must have found a better path, probing for information under the guise of concern.

Li Mu was annoyed by the constant ringing, but still joked with his parents, “Dad, Mom, your voluntary layoff has stirred quite a wave at Xiling Coal Mine!”

Li Daoping smiled wryly, “What wave? The callers are just coworkers, curious why your mom and I volunteered. They all ask if we’ve found a better opportunity.”

Li Mu asked, “The mine leaders must be curious too, right?”

“They’re not.” Li Daoping was confused. “Strangely enough, when your mom and I went to the union to apply, before we could speak, the director vaguely said the leadership decided to add us to the end-of-month layoff list.”

He briefly recounted the odd events of the day.

Li Mu’s mother, unconcerned, said, “If they want us out, so be it. We’ve already decided to leave—why worry about it?”

“True.” Li Daoping laughed and waved his hand. “I guess after work, our house will be crowded with colleagues. Since we don’t have to work anymore, let’s take Xiao Mu to the countryside to visit my parents and enjoy a few quiet days.”

Li Mu’s mother nodded, “Yes, we should visit. Let me pack some clothes, and after buying a few things in town this afternoon, we’ll head over.”

Thus, his parents began preparing to return to their rural hometown after lunch, not dwelling on the layoff matter, though Li Mu sensed something odd.

——

PS: Today is New Year’s Eve. Nothing more—wishing everyone a happy New Year!