Chapter 53:A slight change.
"You had a good time with her, didn't you?" Harate asked, breaking the silence in the car. "Something urgent came up, so I needed to go to the factory."
"There's no problem at all, so don't worry," Ren replied, his voice calm and reassuring.
"Let's visit them again next time. What do you say?"
"Yes, let's do that," Ren agreed with a small smile.
Ren and Harate were inside the car, heading toward Harate's factory. The car pulled up to the massive gates, and when Harate's butler, Luther, pressed the horn, the gates swung open, allowing them to enter.
The place was enormous, spanning at least 100,000 square meters. Ren gazed out the window, taking in the sight of the main factory and office buildings, his eyes wide with curiosity and wonder.
"Are you having fun?" Harate asked, noticing Ren's engrossed expression.
"Yes, I am having fun. Thank you for bringing me here," Ren answered, his eyes still scanning the area that was visible to him.
As the car moved slowly past the gates, Ren's eyes darted from one structure to another. Every detail imprinted itself in his mind with striking clarity. The main factory building stood tall, its large windows reflecting the afternoon sun. The office buildings, sleek and modern, contrasted sharply with the rugged industrial design of the factory.
'This place is huge,' Ren thought, his eyes widening at the scale of the facility. 'I've got to remember everything. You never know when it might come in handy.'
Inside the factory yard, workers moved about, some with focused expressions, others less engaged. Ren's eyes flitted from one face to another, capturing the nuances of their expressions, the way they carried themselves, and the rhythm of their movements.
'He seems so serious…' Harate thought as he observed Ren. He couldn't help but wonder why a child so young had such mature eyes.
"We're here," Luther announced as he stepped out of the car to open the door for them. Harate exited first, followed by Ren. They were greeted by the executive officers of the company.
"Welcome, sir!" they all chorused as Ren and Harate stepped out of the car.
As they walked towards the entrance, Ren's eyes met with his uncle's.
"....." Ren just looked at him and bowed his head.
'Time changes people's positions and intentions,' Ren thought as he walked inside.
As Ren entered the main building, his eyes continued to scan the environment. The reception area was grand, with polished marble floors and elegant chandeliers. The walls were adorned with framed accolades and photographs showcasing the company's achievements.
'A traitor, probably… but who?' he pondered, every detail of the surroundings being etched into his mind like a high-definition photograph.
*Creak!*
Ren's eyes shifted to the door as a man walked inside. Every movement, every subtle twitch of the man's face, was captured by Ren's keen observation.
'This guy... he is the reason behind the company's downfall...' Ren thought, narrowing his eyes.
"Sir, here are the files about this week's finances," the man said, placing a file on the table. Ren's eyes scanned him from behind, noting the slight hesitation in his step and the nervous darting of his eyes.
"Good job," Harate praised him, and the man left the room.
"Grandfather," Ren called, gaining Harate's attention.
"Yes?" Harate responded, looking up from the file.
'I can't outright say that there's a man who will betray this company, so... yes, let's do that,' Ren thought, formulating a plan.
"Is something the matter?" Harate questioned, sensing Ren's hesitation.
"Di-did you know that mold doesn't grow in just one place?" Ren said, almost stuttering, but he quickly composed himself.
"What do you mean?" Harate asked, intrigued.
"Well… when you run a laundry, you see there are many different types of clothes. Sometimes mold can be inside clothes as well. The owner of the clothes only cares about the outside while there can be mold inside as well. Even though it's only one piece of clothing."
This placed Harate in deep thought. 'Exactly. The rotten part quickly devours the healthy part as well. If neglected, then the entire piece of clothing will be destroyed. But why are we talking about such things all of a sudden?'
His eyes widened as everything clicked into place. While coming here, he had noticed Ren's keen observation of the people in the main factory.
'Did he actually see through everyone in that place? All 120 people in just one glance?' Harate was on the verge of being shocked but instead found himself amused.
'Out of those 120 workers, only a few were actually putting their hearts into their work. The others were merely acting. After throwing some human trash out, the others will start to work seriously. But it's not like I—some 17-year-old kid—can suggest stuff like that. So I need help. But from who...?' Ren was lost in his own train of thought.
'Yes, I can do that,' he nodded to himself, coming to a decision.
"Grandfather, can I ask for a favor?" Ren said, breaking the silence.
Harate looked at him, intrigued. "What is it, Ren?"
Ren took a deep breath. "I've been observing the factory and the people working here. I've noticed that not everyone is as dedicated as they should be. I know it's not my place to say this, but I think we need to make some changes to improve the company's efficiency and morale."
Harate raised an eyebrow. "Go on," he urged, leaning forward with interest.
Ren continued, "I believe that there are a few individuals who are bringing the entire team down. If we can identify and address these issues, the rest of the employees will be motivated to work harder and more sincerely."
Harate sat back, pondering Ren's words. "You're very perceptive for your age, Ren. I'll look into it. But tell me, how do you propose we identify these individuals?"
Ren thought for a moment before replying, "We can conduct performance reviews and observe their work habits more closely. We can also gather feedback from their colleagues to get a better understanding of their dedication and work ethic."
Harate nodded, impressed. "You've given this a lot of thought. I'll speak with the managers and see what can be done. Thank you, Ren."
Ren smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "I just want to help, Grandfather."
Harate patted his shoulder. "And you have. Now, let's get to work."
As they delved into their tasks, Harate looking into his files while Ren was reading a novel on his phone, Ren couldn't shake off the feeling that he had just taken a significant step towards changing the future. He knew that the events of today would shape his future in ways he couldn't yet comprehend, due to the butterfly effect.
Harate, on the other hand, felt a renewed sense of hope. Perhaps with Ren's keen insight and their combined efforts, they could make sure the company is always onto the path of success.
As they did their own form of work through the afternoon, the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the factory. The light filtered through the windows, creating a serene atmosphere. One side of Ren's face was masked in shadow while the other part was illuminated by light.
In the end, Ren and Harate were united by a common goal: to save the company and build a brighter future. Ren knew that he might have to take unconventional measures, but having already committed himself, he understood that there was no point in backing down.
As they wrapped up their work, Ren felt a tug of urgency. He had plans to meet his friends later and needed to leave soon. Gathering his thoughts, he decided to make a request.
"Grandfather, I have one more favor to ask," Ren said, his tone shifting slightly.
Harate looked at him, curious. "What is it, Ren?"
"I was supposed to meet up with some friends later, and I don't want to be late. Could you arrange for Luther to drive me back home?"
Harate considered the request for a moment. "Of course, Ren. You've been a great help today. Luther can accompany you back."
Ren nodded, relieved. "Thank you, Grandfather."
Harate smiled, appreciating Ren's consideration. "You're welcome, Ren. Just remember, you can always come to me with anything."
With that, Harate signaled to Luther, who was waiting nearby. "Luther, please take Ren home and make sure he gets there safely."
Luther bowed slightly. "Yes, sir."
As Ren and Luther made their way back to the car, Ren cast a final glance at the factory. A sense of confusion lingered within him as he pondered why he had tried to make a difference. The ride back was steeped in quiet reflection, with the day's events replaying in Ren's mind.
As the car pulled away from the factory, Ren looked forward to meeting his friends. The day had been long and filled with different experiences, but he knew that it was only the beginning of his journey.
In the quiet moments of the car ride, Ren couldn't help but think about the future. He knew that the challenges he faced today were just a precursor to the ones ahead. But with his grandfather's support and his own experiences and knowledge, he felt ready to take on whatever came next.
And so, with the setting sun casting a golden hue over the city, Ren looked out the window with a renewed sense of purpose. This was just the beginning, and he was ready for whatever the future held.