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Chapter 10 - The Eye That Spots Jade​

Van's suggestion to organize the shelves and implement a labeling system was temporarily shelved by Hùng, dismissed with a curt "too busy." However, the unexpected value of his earlier paperwork sorting became apparent a few days later.

A construction site urgently needed specific expansion bolts. Hùng frantically searched through drawers, unable to find the requisition slip, sweat beading on his forehead, his temper flaring. Silently, Van walked to the newly organized folders, swiftly located the "Requisition Slips" section for the relevant date, and found the document.

"Brother Hùng, here it is," Van said calmly, handing it over.

Hùng snatched the slip, confirmed it, paused, looked at Van, then at the neat row of folders. He opened his mouth, then closed it, finally grunting, "Hmph," before turning to arrange the shipment. Though he said nothing, Van sensed a subtle shift in Hùng's gaze – the overt disdain lessened, replaced by a grudging sliver of recognition.

The daily grind in the warehouse remained relentless. Van and Minh repeated the cycle: receiving, counting, registering, dispatching, hauling. Sweat soaked their uniforms, dust coated their faces, the constant ache in their shoulders and arms gradually forging tougher muscle. But Van was no longer just a passive recipient of orders. He started thinking proactively.

Leveraging his night school accounting knowledge, he tried to grasp "inventory turnover." He noticed materials like a specific waterproofing membrane sat untouched for months in corners, gathering dust, tying up capital and space. Conversely, frequently used consumables like drill bits and cutting discs often ran low, requiring rushed, expensive emergency purchases.

He secretly recorded these observations in his notebook. He also noticed the pre-project chaos: massive, concentrated material demands overwhelmed the limited warehouse staff, leading to slow counting and dispatching, frequent delays, and site complaints.

"Minh," Van ventured during a lunch break, "what if... we cleared out those unused items, or told Procurement to order less? Save money to stock more consumables? Would that help?"

Minh, chewing a rice ball, offered a bitter smile. "Van, you think too much. What to order, how much – that's Procurement's job. We just receive and send. Clearing out? Hùng can't be bothered with 'dead stock.' Just leave it, it's not in his way. Overwhelmed? Grin and bear it. The sites yell at Hùng, not us."

Van fell silent. Minh's words were pragmatic, tinged with resigned numbness. He recalled Mr. Chen's "seeing value in the cracks." The warehouse's chaotic inefficiency was a massive crack. Improving it would save the company money, boost efficiency – create value!

He decided to act. Using breaks and spare time after work, he began a covert mission: inventorying the "dead stock." Avoiding Hùng's gaze, he took his notebook and tape measure, delving into warehouse corners, recording dusty, long-forgotten materials: outdated tile samples, odd-sized angle valves, discontinued glue, even a few rusting old water pumps...

He noted names, specs, quantities, estimated dates (if slips were found), and rough values. It was slow, laborious, but he persisted. He believed this data would prove useful.

The opportunity arrived sooner than expected.

One afternoon, Kim Hải arrived unexpectedly at the warehouse with several well-dressed individuals – clearly important clients. Hùng, flustered by the notice, rushed out to greet them, his face plastered with an uncharacteristic smile.

"Mr. Kim! Mr. Wang! Mr. Li! Welcome! Inspecting the warehouse? This way, please!" Hùng fawned.

Kim Hải nodded impassively, his eyes sweeping the slightly cluttered space. The clients frowned at the dust kicked up by forklifts in narrow aisles.

Hùng launched into his pitch: "Our warehouse management is highly standardized! Strict adherence to in-out procedures! Materials neatly arranged, clearly labeled! Guaranteed timely, accurate project supply!" He spoke while nervously glancing at faded labels on shelves.

Kim Hải remained silent, walking to a shelf and picking up an old requisition slip stuck to a post – dated two months prior. He frowned.

Just then, a client pointed to a pile half-covered by tarpaulin in a corner. "Mr. Kim, what are those? They look like they've been there ages?"

Hùng's heart sank. It was part of Van's "dead stock" inventory – obsolete plastic downpipes. He stammered, "Oh... that... some... reserve materials... for special projects..."

Kim Hải clearly disliked the answer. As he was about to press, Van, observing the frowns and skeptical looks, felt a surge. He knew this was a risk, but remembered Mr. Chen: "True strength lies in the courage to act."

He stepped forward, voice clear and steady: "Mr. Kim, gentlemen, those are DN110 PVC downpipes, 4-meter length, 32 pieces total. They were procured as spares for the 'Spring Hill Residence' project last March, unused after completion. The market now predominantly uses DN125. This material is obsolete, dead stock valued at approximately 1.2 million VND."

Silence fell over the warehouse. All eyes turned to Van. Hùng's face flushed crimson, glaring at Van with fury and warning. Kim Hải blinked, his sharp gaze focusing intently on the dusty young man in work clothes.

"Your name?" Kim Hải asked.

"Nguyễn Văn, Warehouse Assistant," Van replied, standing straight.

"How do you know this so precisely?" Kim Hải pressed.

"I... I've been organizing the warehouse, noticed some long-stagnant materials, so... I compiled a simple inventory." Van pulled a crumpled notebook from his pocket, offering it respectfully. "This is a partial list of dead stock with estimated values."

Kim Hải took the notebook, flipped through it. Inside, in slightly awkward but neat handwriting, were records of various obsolete items: names, specs, quantities, estimated dates, values. Not professional, but logical and detailed. He glanced up at the young man – eyes clear, nervous but mostly earnest.

"Are these figures accurate?"

"Mostly based on existing slips and physical counts, some estimation, possible minor errors, but... largely correct," Van answered honestly.

"Total value of this dead stock?" Kim Hải closed the notebook.

"I... haven't finished tallying, but the recorded portion... roughly... seven to eight million VND," Van estimated.

Kim Hải handed the notebook to his secretary. "Make a copy." He turned to Hùng, his tone flat but carrying weight. "Hùng, this much dead stock, tying up capital, wasting space – you were unaware? Or aware but inactive?"

Hùng broke into a cold sweat. "Mr. Kim... I... knew some, but... busy with project supply... neglected handling... and some items... troublesome to deal with..."

"Troublesome means neglect? Let money rot here?" Kim Hải cut him off, voice turning cold. "Seems you're too 'busy'! Too busy to know your own warehouse's assets!"

Hùng hung his head, silent.

Kim Hải turned back to Van, gaze softening slightly. "Nguyễn Văn? Chen Qiming's referral? Good work. Refine this list. Get me a full report soon, including disposal recommendations."

"Yes, Mr. Kim!" Van's heart leapt with suppressed excitement.

Kim Hải nodded and left with the clients.

Once they were gone, Hùng whirled on Van, grabbing his collar, hissing furiously, "Nguyễn Văn! What the hell was that?! Showing off?! Undermining me in front of the boss?! You asking for trouble?!"

Van, choked slightly, met Hùng's furious gaze without flinching. "Brother Hùng, I wasn't undermining you. I just... stated facts. That stock is wasting money. The boss asked; I couldn't lie."

"Facts?! You know nothing!" Hùng spat through gritted teeth. "Warehouse business is none of your concern! Who do you think you are?! Chen Qiming's boy, so special?! I can have you fired tomorrow!"

"Brother Hùng," Van's voice remained calm, "Mr. Kim wants the report. If I do it poorly, or not at all, when he asks... it might reflect worse."

Hùng's grip loosened. He stared at Van, eyes blazing. He knew Van was right. Kim Hải personally demanded the report. Could Hùng block it? Or if Van botched it, Kim Hải's wrath would fall on him too. This quiet kid was shrewd! Using the boss as leverage!

"Fine! Fine! Fine!" Hùng shoved Van back. "Do it! Do it fucking well! Let's see what masterpiece you produce! Any errors, any delays in warehouse work, you'll pay!" He stormed off.

Van straightened his collar, exhaling deeply. His back was drenched in cold sweat. He knew he'd made an enemy of Hùng. But he didn't regret it. He'd seized the moment, caught Kim Hải's eye. That was worth it!

He picked up his notebook, its pages dense with notes, his resolve hardening. This report had to be impeccable. It wasn't just for Mr. Kim; it was proof of his value!

The following days were grueling. Warehouse duties, night school, and squeezing in time to refine the dead stock report consumed him. He used every spare moment: lunch breaks hiding in corners to count and record; staying late; sacrificing weekend rest to work at the warehouse.

He expanded the list, cross-referenced available purchase slips for dates and prices, researched current market values online (using the night school lab), estimated depreciation, and analyzed causes (over-purchasing, design changes, supplier issues). Drawing from night school "5S" and "Visual Management," he drafted disposal suggestions: 1. Negotiate returns or find alternative uses for items with residual value. 2. Sell useless scrap. 3. Implement regular inventory checks. 4. Optimize procurement through better project communication.

He wrote meticulously: neat handwriting, verified data, objective analysis, practical suggestions. This was his first "answer sheet" for Kim Hải.

A week later, Van submitted the neatly copied report via Kim Hải's secretary. Anxiety gnawed at him. What would this effort yield?

Days later, Kim Hải's secretary appeared at the warehouse.

"Nguyễn Văn? Mr. Kim wants to see you in his office."

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