E-Ladies: Navigating the Wired World
Chapter 148: Episode 148: United Efforts for Disaster Relief

Chapter 148: Episode 148: United Efforts for Disaster Relief

After refusing Zhang Lei’s invitation to collaborate, that person finally quieted down.

On May 12th, as Zhou Xueyin was out visiting clients and on her way back to the company, she noticed an unusual number of pedestrians on the streets. She was wondering what was going on when she heard the news of the earthquake in Sichuan from the taxi’s radio.

Back at the office, seeing everyone still working, she was a bit surprised, "An earthquake? Didn’t you feel it? There are so many people standing downstairs!"

"Eh? Is that so? I thought I felt dizzy for a moment." Yao Shanshan finally realized that what she had felt was not dizziness.

"It just felt like a slight shake, I even thought someone had fallen downstairs..." Kang Siyin’s response made Zhou Xueyin laugh and cry at the same time.

"It seems like there’s been an earthquake in Sichuan! And it sounds pretty serious!" Li Jinian saw the report from a news pop-up.

"Sichuan? Where in Sichuan? My hometown is in Sichuan! I need to call home and ask about the situation!" Zhao Caiyun anxiously dialed her family’s number, but no one answered, "What should I do? President Zhou? No one is answering at my home, could something have happened?"

Zhao Caiyun was so anxious that she was almost in tears.

"Don’t panic, don’t panic, try calling their cell phones..." Zhou Xueyin comforted her.

"Hehe! Hurry and post a safety message on the forum! Have our friends in Sichuan update us on the situation and report that they’re safe!" At this moment, Zhou Xueyin thought of her forum users and hoped none of them were in trouble.

"Yinyin, the magnitude has been announced..." Li Jinian continued to update on the disaster.

"8.0... No wonder it was felt in Beijing." Zhou Xueyin bit her lower lip, thought for a moment, "Alright, Little Taotie, check our inventory right now. See what can be taken out for donation to the disaster area..."

"Yinyin, should we coordinate with the group for disaster relief efforts?" Wang Anqi asked Zhou Xueyin with concern.

"We can’t bother with that now... This is a matter of life and death, are we going to wait for them? If we really wait for approval from above, it will be too late!"

Seeing only a few responses to the forum post for safety, and looking at Zhao Caiyun’s anxious face, she did not have the patience to wait for the group’s order to provide disaster relief.

Zhou Xueyin, along with Wang Anqi and Ji Xiaoxi, went down to the basement and took an inventory of sanitary napkins and various toiletry samples that had been previously accepted as a debt payment.

After the inventory, which finished at the end of office hours, the quantity was not exceptionally large, but it was enough to address some problems if sent to the disaster area.

"Okay, you’ve worked hard. When the group’s finance department starts work tomorrow, go and sign the release form. Then immediately send it to the disaster relief center!" Zhou Xueyin said with seriousness.

"Don’t worry! Leave this task to me!" Wang Anqi assured her confidently.

Back upstairs, Liu Feifei had not left yet. Surprised at the release form Zhou Xueyin was holding, she asked, "Are you organizing an event? Why are you taking out so many items?"

"An event? All of these items are being donated to the disaster area!" Zhou Xueyin gave Liu Feifei a disdainful look.

What was going on in her mind? At a time like this, she was still thinking about organizing events? Did she really think everyone was profiting from the disaster? It was simply unreasonable.

"Wow! So many sanitary pads? What lifetime are they meant for?" Liu Feifei glanced at the numbers on the release form and exclaimed in surprise.

"It’s not for just one person to use! There are so many people in the affected area, these are just a drop in the bucket, a tiny fraction... The number of people we can help is very limited!" Zhou Xueyin replied irritably.

"Xiaozhou, could we negotiate... would half a box do for me?" Liu Feifei approached Zhou Xueyin, whispering her inquiry.

"Sure! 5,000 yuan for half a box, pay up and take it." Zhou Xueyin gave her a look, "Didn’t we just say these are relief materials? Want it? Pay for it!"

"I’d rather go to a supermarket than pay you for half a box of sanitary pads... Can’t even take a joke, it’s no fun." Liu Feifei, seeing Zhou Xueyin’s unbending attitude, forcefully changed the subject.

"Sorry, I didn’t think you were joking! And is this something to joke about? With such a big disaster happening, you still feel like joking?" Zhou Xueyin scolded Liu Feifei, "Anyway, it’s time to get off work. Hurry home."

’Tsk, nice words, acting as if it’s national donations. Isn’t it just using the company’s resources for your own glory? Looks like you’ve forgotten the website has already been bought out, huh? We’ll see how you fare tomorrow when the supplies leave the warehouse!’ Liu Feifei smiled maliciously, not intending to tell Zhou Xueyin what issue she had overlooked; she just wanted to see her anxious expression when she struggled to get the supplies transported smoothly the next day.

Early the next morning, Zhou Xueyin was waiting at the finance department’s door of the corporation.

"Director Xu, I’m Zhou Xueyin from 51buy, you must sign off on these materials!" As soon as she saw the financial director Xu Chen opening the door, Zhou Xueyin hastened to meet him.

"Let me see... " Xu Chen took the dispatch note, which had a figure slightly beyond his control range, "Director Zhou, are these materials for disaster relief?"

"That’s right! They’re for disaster relief in the name of 51buy!" Zhou Xueyin confirmed with a nod.

"Okay! I understand... I indeed can sign, but there’s something I need to discuss with you." Xu Chen sat in his office, looking somewhat distressed at Zhou Xueyin.

"What’s the matter? You tell me!" Since he could sign, it should be approved; at worst it’s just a procedural issue, Zhou Xueyin thought nonchalantly.

"The situation is, the corporation hasn’t communicated a full intention for disaster relief yet, so your batch of supplies might have to wait for General Manager Chen’s directions... But don’t worry, I will discuss with General Manager Chen and try to expedite the delivery of supplies to the stricken area!" Xu Chen, although not completely sure he could persuade Chen Lu.

But after all, it was a national disaster of major significance, he believed Chen Lu would consider the corporation’s image and make a donation to the affected areas.

"Alright, then I’ll have to trouble you with that! Not just supplies, 51buy will also donate 100,000 yuan to the affected area in the company’s name..." Zhou Xueyin added.

"Good, I will discuss it with General Manager Chen at that time!" Xu Chen looked at Zhou Xueyin, full of confidence.

After leaving Xu Chen’s finance office, Zhou Xueyin passed by Wei Jingzhu’s station, but it seemed he hadn’t come to work yet.

Looking at the time, it wasn’t quite working hours yet. But he wasn’t someone who clocked in exactly on time – could something have detained him today?

Zhou Xueyin didn’t ponder it further and returned to the 20th floor, waiting for Xu Chen’s response.

"How did it go? Was it approved?" Liu Feifei, with her bulging belly, timed her arrival at the office to coincide with the start of the workday and asked Zhou Xueyin with a mocking tone.

"Waiting on General Manager Chen’s response... I won’t talk about this for now, I need to contact the manufacturers in Sichuan and see what their situation is..." Zhou Xueyin replied to Liu Feifei carelessly while leaving messages for the manufacturers on QQ.

[Yinyin, netizens in Sichuan have been reporting their safety one after another, everyone was just unable to contact each other in time due to communication disruptions! Now you can relax!] Liu He sent reassuring news.

"Buzz buzz buzz..." Zhou Xueyin’s phone also rang, it was Wei Jingzhu calling.

So strange, why would he call out of the blue? Zhou Xueyin picked up with suspicion.

"Hello! Yinyin! Finally got in touch with you..."