Chapter 36: Took the Minibus Back to the Village
Although Su He didn’t have much experience in romance, she was an expert when it came to reading people.
The harder something is to get, the more it’s treasured.
Gu Chiyan clearly had a crush on her—if she appeared too eager, that crush might lose its charm.
Only this kind of hot-and-cold dynamic could make him keep thinking about her.
Su He quickly tossed Gu Chiyan to the back of her mind. Right now, making money was far more important!
With money, she could go on a shopping spree at the Exchange Market System and build the capital to go head-to-head with Shen Ruyi.
Since the bus wasn’t leaving yet, Su He took out some paper and began sketching cushion designs based on the product displays she’d seen at the Exchange Market System.
By the time the bus departed, she had already drawn several designs.
“Hey, girl!”
Su He looked up and saw the ticket collector, Gao Hong. She quickly smiled and said, “Sister Gao! I was just worrying you might not be on duty today. Looks like we really are fated!”
Even Su He felt a little guilty saying that. There were only two ticket collectors in total—running into Gao Hong was completely normal!
But Gao Hong was delighted and started chatting with her.
“Girl, why are you always running to the county lately?”
She was genuinely curious—visiting relatives shouldn’t be this frequent.
Su He smiled and took out her work permit. “I’m here on business.”
Gao Hong opened it, gasped loudly, and startled a few passengers nearby.
“Girl, you—you’re amazing! It’s only been a few days and you’ve already joined the commune?”
Su He replied shyly, “I just got lucky, that’s all.”
Gao Hong glanced at her shoulder bag. “What are those other documents?”
“Visitor passes for the machinery and textile factories. The comrades there got them for me so I could get in and out easily.”
Su He had deliberately let those two passes show when she took out her work permit earlier.
Now Gao Hong looked at Su He completely differently!
She had thought the girl was just pretty and socially smart—but who knew she was also so capable?
Not only was she working at the commune, but she also had connections at both factories.
Gao Hong instantly became more flattering: “Girl, if you ever need help, just say the word! Don’t be shy!”
Su He smiled modestly: “Sister Gao, I’m the kind of person who won’t hesitate to ask, so I’ll definitely trouble you in the future.”
Gao Hong playfully scolded: “I’d be honored! So, you’re heading back to the village today?”
“I’m going to the commune first to report to Director Luo, then back to Huangxi Village. Actually, I messed up a little this time—I should’ve left my bike at the commune. Now I’ll have to walk back.”
Gao Hong’s eyes flashed, and she whispered, “When we get off, wait a bit. I’ll talk to Uncle Yu and have him give you a ride back!”
Su He panicked slightly: “Oh, that might not be appropriate… What if the transport company finds out…”
Gao Hong waved it off: “Everyone has personal errands—people just keep quiet about them. It’ll be fine!”
Su He declined a couple more times, but seeing how persistent Gao Hong was, she finally reluctantly agreed.
Sure enough, when they reached Huaihua Commune, Gao Hong whispered something to the driver, Yu Dajiang, and then smiled at Su He: “Girl, go take care of your business—we’ll wait at the stop for you!”
Su He expressed her thanks and happily headed to the commune.
No way was she walking back to Huangxi Village—way too exhausting!
Besides, going back by car helped her build some prestige, which would make her future work easier.
Soon, she arrived at the commune.
This time, she had a work permit, so she passed through without any trouble.
Director Luo was surprised to see her—hadn’t she just gone to the county two days ago? Why was she back so soon?
Then he figured she must’ve hit a wall and returned after realizing her bold promises were a bit unrealistic.
Young people… always unreliable.
So, Director Luo wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic as last time. He didn’t even offer her water.
“Xiao Su, just got back from the county? How’d it go?”
Su He sighed: “Starting a branch factory is indeed difficult. I underestimated the challenge before.”
Director Luo thought, Knew it!
Then he heard her continue: “Although the branch factory is still uncertain, I’ve brought in two business deals for our Huaihua Commune.
The machinery factory wants to purchase eggs and wild vegetables from local farmers for the Dragon Boat Festival. And the textile factory gave us a contract for 5,000 scrap-fabric seat cushions.
It’s a small start, but next time I’ll try to land bigger deals…”
Director Luo shot to his feet: “What did you say?”
He thought he’d misheard her. She’d only been in the county for two days—two days!—and she’d already brought in business?
And from two major factories?
Combined, these two deals were worth nearly 3,000 yuan!
This is a ‘small’ deal?!
Director Luo personally poured her a cup of tea: “Xiao Su, have some water and tell me everything in detail.”
Once Su He finished recounting everything, Director Luo was stunned.
How is this possible?
Wasn’t this the classic case of “empty-handed wolf-taming”?
Wait—she even lied!
When did their Huaihua Commune ever say they were going to open an agricultural machinery factory?
Su He guessed what he was thinking and said, “Director Luo, I was indeed a bit reckless about the agri-machinery factory. But it was all to lay the groundwork for a future branch. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”
Director Luo thought about the deals she’d landed and the potential for a branch factory. He waved it off: “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures—no problem! The commune leadership is all here. I’ll gather them so we can discuss this.”
He acted quickly and called everyone together.
After hearing the story, they were all dumbfounded.
Su He really was a talent!
No wonder she’d been able to borrow that tractor—she had the brains to match.
Sister Wu suddenly said, “Xiao Su, the eggs are no problem. But wild vegetables don’t keep for long, and they’re seasonal. By the time the Dragon Boat Festival comes, they’ll be old and inedible.”
Everyone realized she was right!
Wild greens stayed fresh for two days at most—by day three, they’d wilt.
Su He smiled: “Sister Wu is right. Supplying fresh wild greens has its challenges, so I negotiated for dried ones with the machinery factory.
It’s a shame refined salt is so expensive—otherwise we could also offer pickled vegetables.”
Everyone nodded and gave her a thumbs-up. Despite her youth, Su He had considered everything thoroughly.
Director Luo smiled: “Since everything checks out, let’s discuss which production teams we’ll assign these tasks to.”
Su He grinned: “Can I play favorites and include our Huangxi Village? We’re near the mountains—easy to pick wild greens.”
Director Luo chuckled: “No problem!”
…
After setting a date with Director Luo to go to the county again the next day, Su He finally left the commune.
When she arrived at the stop, she apologized: “Uncle Yu, Sister Gao, sorry to keep you waiting! Director Luo insisted on holding a meeting—it took a while.”
When they heard she’d prompted a special meeting, both Gao Hong and Yu Dajiang were even more impressed.
Their attitudes became even more respectful.
Gao Hong pulled Su He up into the vehicle by the hand.
Thinking about how the villagers would react, Su He couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips.
What could she say—she was a little vain and loved making a grand entrance.
