Chapter 125: Fatten Them Up Before the Slaughter
Factory Director Hu had always thought he had pretty thick skin—at least among all the factory directors in An County, only Director Tian of the food factory could be a match for him. But now, even he felt ashamed in comparison.
This girl Su He—thick-skinned? That’s not the issue. She’s downright shameless!
In the end, Director Hu still signed off on the requisition slip for Su He. Since he’d already agreed to let her go on a business trip, there was no point offending her over something so trivial.
After leaving Director Hu’s office, Su He went to find Qian Huifang—not for anything urgent, just to say hi.
When Qian Huifang saw her, she smiled and said, “Someone named Comrade Gu called for you earlier. He asked you to call him back when you have time. I was going to tell you after work, but since you’re here now, perfect timing. I need to run an errand—mind watching the place while you make your call?”
Su He smiled politely. “Thanks, Aunt Qian.”
Of course, she knew Qian Huifang was deliberately stepping out to give her privacy for the phone call.
Once Qian Huifang left, Su He dialed the number Gu Chiyan had left.
“Hello, comrade. I’m looking for Gu Chiyan. My surname is Su.”
Gu Chiyan’s voice came through the receiver. “Hello, Comrade Su He.”
He had just called earlier, and for some reason had a hunch Su He would call back soon—so he’d waited by the phone. Now, hearing her voice stirred a warmth in his chest.
Were their hearts really that in sync?
He didn’t know what to say next, but Su He spoke up in her clear voice: “The performance report was a great success—all thanks to your previous guidance. If you ever come back to An County, I’ll treat you to a meal!”
Gu Chiyan’s lips curved in a faint smile. “Mm.”
Once he wrapped up his current work, even if knives fell from the sky, he was going to An County—to… visit Old Man Ge, of course.
They chatted a bit more about the performance, then Su He added, “Several departments in An County are sending me to S City on a business trip. Is there anything you need my help with?”
Gu Chiyan paused. “Not for now. If anything comes up, I’ll let you know. Oh, and if you run into any trouble in S City, don’t hesitate to call me. Do you have enough money? If not, I can wire some to the Yangxiang Post Office in S City—you can pick it up when you arrive.”
Su He’s heart fluttered a little, and her tone softened. “Thank you, but no need. I’ve already gotten a travel advance from the machinery factory.”
Gu Chiyan’s hand trembled slightly as he held the phone. His ears flushed red.
“Ah, then… if you ever need money, just tell me, don’t be shy.”
Little did he know—Su He didn’t even know the meaning of being shy!
Su He replied softly, “Okay. Oh, by the way, I haven’t received your letter yet. It’s probably been delayed in the mail.”
Back then, it wasn’t unusual for a letter to take ten days, or even months to arrive.
Gu Chiyan quickly said, “Then I’ll write you another one. You’ll definitely get it after you return from S City.”
“Mm.”
Since she was using the machinery factory’s phone, Su He didn’t stay on too long. After a few minutes, she hung up.
On the other end, Gu Chiyan held the receiver in disappointment. If he weren’t in the middle of a critical research phase, he would’ve found a way to assign himself a business trip to S City already.
After chatting with Qian Huifang for a while, Su He left the factory and headed home.
Even though she could squeeze some benefits from the other work units too, from a sustainable development perspective, it was better to fatten them up first.
Then slaughter.
*
The next morning, Su He went to see Director Gao.
“Little Su, our Director Feng said that if you can find customers in S City, we’ll proceed with mass production of the premium hair accessories, just as we discussed. But if you return empty-handed, the project will be shelved for now.”
Which made sense. After all, the textile factory’s main business was fabric—hair accessories were just a side gig. They had to be sure there would be sales before starting production.
Su He nodded. “What about travel expenses?”
“They’ll be reimbursed when you return.”
“Director Gao, I’m broke. I don’t even have money for a train ticket, or food, or to stay at the guesthouse. Can I get an advance?”
Director Gao: “…”
What about your runaway face? Has it not returned yet?
In the end, Su He still managed to get a 300-yuan advance from the textile factory.
Originally, Director Gao had only planned to give her 150. But Su He did the math: “A sleeper ticket from An County to S City is 55 yuan. Round trip, that’s 110. I still need money for food and a guesthouse. This much doesn’t even cover the basics.”
Director Gao: “We usually take hard seats!”
“You guys only go as far as the capital. Going to S City takes two full days and nights. If I take a hard seat, I might die of exhaustion!”
Director Gao really wanted to say: Then go die far away!
But in the end, he still approved 300 yuan.
As soon as Su He left, he slapped his forehead.
Wait a minute!
Didn’t she already take a business trip assignment from the food factory? Why is she claiming expenses from us, the textile factory?
Su He left the textile factory and went to the supply and marketing cooperative.
She bought a plain and rustic travel bag, and even that attracted plenty of envious glances as she walked along the street.
In this era, goods were scarce, and people’s aesthetics were limited.
*
The next day, Su He took a minibus back to Huaibai Commune. She first went to see Director Luo to discuss the hair accessory order.
Director Luo was all smiles—he figured appointing Su He as the commune’s liaison had been the best decision of his life.
But the thought of splitting her with Xiangyang Commune in the future made his heart ache.
Su He borrowed a bicycle from Director Luo, rode to the supply coop to buy some things, and returned to Huangxi Village—just in time for lunch.
Su Xiaoman clung to Su He like glue, even more than Su Jinbao.
Clearly, the Su family was thoroughly indoctrinated in the philosophy of “whoever gives you milk is your mom.”
That evening, after a nap and dinner, Su He called the family together for a meeting.
The whole Su family brought out stools and sat in a row.
Su Xiaoman shook the little cowlick on his head and chirped, “Sis, want me to summarize everyone’s performance lately? I wrote it all down in my little notebook!”
Su He: “…”
