Chapter 168: Priority Rights
After returning to the hotel, Su He sorted out the samples and design drafts. She also wrote detailed instructions and packed everything into a shopping bag from Jinxiang Hotel, ready to be sent back to An County the next day.
During dinner, Su He ran into Daniel. They found a seat in the lobby, and Su He sincerely thanked him. “Daniel, you’ve helped me a lot. In China, we have a saying: ‘Return a peach for a plum.’ I can’t let you go unrewarded…”
Daniel interrupted, “Su, you said we’re friends. Isn’t it normal for friends to help each other?”
Su He: “…”
Did I say that?
Ah… maybe I did once at No.1 Textile Factory to fool Grant…
You actually took it seriously?
Daniel smiled, “Su, if you really want to thank me, just give me priority access whenever you release a new product.”
Su He: “…”
I thought you were a good person. Turns out your scheming mind is more intricate than a honeycomb!
Priority access?
Every product I release will lead market trends. That kind of priority isn’t just about money.
But in truth, Su He was overthinking it.
Daniel just wanted a reason to decline any thank-you gift. On one hand, he genuinely admired Su He’s designs. On the other, he wanted to prove his own competence—Don’t look down on me!
As for “priority rights,” he really just said it in passing. He didn’t believe Su He could release anything groundbreaking anyway.
Su He considered it carefully and said, “Daniel, I can’t promise you priority rights for all products. But for food and clothing items, under equal conditions, you’ll have priority.”
Daniel didn’t think much of it and casually agreed.
—
The next morning, Su He went to the train station with Principal Chen.
At the station, the ticketing office and the administration offices were separate. When Su He reached the entrance of the office area, she was stopped by a staff member.
“I’m looking for Yue Zhongcheng, the conductor of train XXX,” she said.
“What’s your relationship to him?” the staff asked.
“I’m his eldest niece!” Su He replied without hesitation.
Principal Chen: “…”
If you’re going to make something up, at least make it believable. His surname is Yue, yours is Su—how can you be uncle and niece with different surnames?!
The staff member raised an eyebrow after hearing her name, but Su He blinked innocently. “I took my mother’s surname.”
Principal Chen: …I stand corrected.
As luck would have it, Yue Zhongcheng was at the station that day, sorting through work logs.
“Conductor Yue, your niece is here to see you.”
Yue Zhongcheng: “…” I’m an only child. Where did this ‘eldest niece’ come from?
Despite his doubts, he went to the door and was surprised and delighted to see Su He. “Little Su! So it’s you! What brings you here?”
Su He smiled sweetly. “Uncle Yue! Long time no see!”
Principal Chen: “…” Just… claiming a new uncle now?
Yue Zhongcheng didn’t find it odd. He was indeed old enough to be her uncle.
After a few pleasantries, he asked, “Little Su, did you need something?”
Su He, a little embarrassed, explained, “Uncle Yue, I helped our An County textile factory land a foreign trade order, and they urgently need the samples I designed. I wanted to ask if you could bring them to An County station for me. I know it’s a bit presumptuous, but Principal Chen said contributing to foreign exchange earnings is a national priority, and that you’d surely be willing to support us. That gave me the courage to ask.”
Principal Chen: …I didn’t say that! Not exactly!
Yue Zhongcheng laughed heartily. “Principal Chen is right! If I can help boost our exports, I’d be honored! You’ve always struck me as someone special, Little Su, but I didn’t expect you to make such big strides! Can I ask how big the order is?”
Su He smiled modestly. “Not much—just $30,000. Barely enough to fill the gap between my teeth!”
Yue Zhongcheng: …You must have a train running through that gap!
Still, he often had foreign passengers in First-Class cars and had heard about foreign trade matters. Thirty thousand dollars might not be a fortune, but for a small county, it was no small feat either.
“Well done, Little Su! But keep at it—I hope to hear soon that you’ve secured a $100,000 order!”
Principal Chen: …You don’t need to wait. You can hear it now.
Instead of saying anything, Su He just looked at him.
Principal Chen: …I get it.
Now it’s not even enough for you to brag—you want me to do the bragging for you?
He cleared his throat. “Actually, in the last few days, our Little Su also helped the S City food factory and No.1 Textile Factory land two big orders. Combined, it’s nearly $300,000! She’s got many great qualities, but her biggest flaw is that she’s too modest! If I weren’t there, she probably wouldn’t have even mentioned it.”
Yue Zhongcheng was stunned.
It hasn’t even been a week!
And Su He already negotiated three foreign trade deals across different industries?
With her speed, China wouldn’t need to worry about foreign exchange reserves at all!
He gave her a big thumbs-up. “Truly, ambition doesn’t depend on age. Little Su, you’re amazing! Compared to you, my forty years feel wasted!”
Principal Chen felt like he was just collateral damage. The more he thought about it, the more he felt like an old, useless man.
Su He said earnestly, “Uncle Yue, don’t say that. Without you, these samples couldn’t be delivered to An County. Without you, how would passengers travel? Without you, how would foreign guests enjoy First-Class cabins? We’re all shining in our own fields, contributing to the Four Modernizations!”
Yue Zhongcheng burst out laughing.
“Well said! There’s no noble or lowly job—everyone is serving the people!”
Su He blinked and added, “Uncle Yue, you can contribute to foreign exchange earnings too!”
Yue Zhongcheng was puzzled. “Me? Don’t joke—I wouldn’t know where to start!”
“Why not? Last time I took a sleeper train, I noticed the cabins lacked decorations. We could add handicrafts as embellishments—like our An County’s willow weaving and corn husk crafts. Who knows? A foreign guest might like them and ask you to connect them with the producers. Wouldn’t that generate foreign exchange?”
Yue Zhongcheng: “…”
So all this was just a pitch for An County?
Seriously, if An County doesn’t give you a “Model Citizen” award, it’s a crime!
Still, her words gave him an idea—maybe he could report this suggestion to his superiors. Who knows? It might really help boost the nation’s exports.
