Chapter 150: A Mutual Understanding
Chief Wei was clearly stunned by Su He’s response.
Part-time?
Although the term wasn’t new, their food factory in the S City had never entertained the idea of part-time employment.
But what shocked him even more was Su He’s level of awareness and sense of responsibility!
If it were an average young woman, hearing she could work in the S City would have thrilled her—she’d jump at the chance. Who would still be thinking about helping her hometown out of poverty?
Chief Wei gave Su He a newfound respect. This was a comrade with grand ambitions and admirable political consciousness!
“Little Su, although we don’t have any precedent for part-time roles at the factory, I’ll do my best to make it happen. Go back and wait for my good news.
Also, you helped us secure that order and even contributed a fabric design. There will be a reward for that once the paperwork goes through—I’ll call you once it’s finalized.”
Su He nodded politely and added, “Also, please keep an eye on the instant noodle production line. Once there’s confirmation, I’ll need to contact the An County Food Factory.”
“Understood.”
…
As usual, Chief Wei asked Master Xu to drive Su He and Principal Chen back to their hotel.
Once outside the factory, Su He smiled and said, “Master Xu, could you drop us off at the S City No. 1 Textile Factory?”
“Sure thing!” Master Xu grinned. “By the way, that textile factory is one of the oldest and most reputable. People come from all over the country. You need to make a reservation at least a day in advance to enter—did you make one?”
Su He nodded. “Yes, I did.”
Principal Chen: “……”
When did you make a reservation? How come I don’t know anything? Are you just blatantly lying now?!
When they arrived at the textile factory’s gate, Su He deliberately lingered in the car for a bit before getting out.
“Master Xu, you don’t need to wait for us. We’ll find our way back to the hotel after we’re done.”
Master Xu gave a few polite words before driving off.
A few security guards at the gate craned their necks to get a better look—after all, cars were still a rarity, let alone a brand-new sedan like this.
Seeing Su He and Principal Chen step out of the car, the guards instinctively assumed these two were people of importance.
Su He carried a shopping bag from the Jinxiang Hotel as she walked up.
“Comrade, I’d like to speak to your sales department head about fabric exports. Is he in?”
There was a hint of assertiveness in Su He’s tone.
The guards originally wanted to ask if she had an appointment, but her presence and demeanor completely overwhelmed them—they didn’t dare question her.
She arrived in a sedan, was staying at the Jinxiang Hotel, and came to discuss foreign trade—who would dare challenge that?
Not only did they hold their tongues, one of them even responded eagerly:
“Director Yu is in the factory, second floor of the office building.”
“Thank you,” Su He nodded and walked in with the stone-faced Principal Chen.
Principal Chen had mastered a unique skill: keeping a poker face whenever Su He was doing her “hustling.”
But as soon as they entered the building, the old man couldn’t keep it up.
He cautiously glanced around to ensure no one was paying attention, then whispered:
“You’re bluffing again? Aren’t you afraid someone will see through it?”
Su He replied calmly, “Principal, I’m hurt! I have foreign contacts and I’m kindly trying to broker a deal between them and the textile factory to earn foreign currency for the country—and you call it bluffing?”
“Then tell me,” Principal Chen asked, “which foreigner wants to buy fabric?”
“I’ll bring them samples first—maybe someone will be interested! And if no one is, that’s fine too. No one said every deal must go through, right?”
Principal Chen still felt like something was off, but he couldn’t figure out what Su He was really planning, so he chose to keep playing the “quiet old quail.”
They entered the office building, went to the second floor, and found Director Yu’s office in the sales department.
Su He knocked.
“Come in!”
She and Principal Chen entered, and upon seeing Director Yu at the desk, Su He nearly burst out laughing.
Not because of anything he said, but because his hairstyle was identical to Principal Chen’s—those few remaining strands of hair were carefully combed over the top of his head in an attempt to cover more area.
Director Yu also glanced at Principal Chen’s head, and a subtle sense of mutual sympathy flickered in his eyes.
“Old comrade, which unit are you from? What can I do for you?”
Principal Chen was still silently sympathizing—he hadn’t started losing hair until after fifty, but Director Yu looked barely over forty and was already balding.
So young and already bald. Poor guy!
Su He quickly introduced them:
“Hello, Director Yu. I’m Su He from Beiliao Province County Night School, and this is Principal Chen from An County Night School.”
Director Yu was briefly confused—what was someone from a remote night school doing here?
Still, he politely invited them to sit.
Su He smiled and got straight to the point:
“Director Yu, I’m sure you’re curious why we’re here, so I’ll be frank. I’m trying to connect foreign guests staying at Jinxiang Hotel with your factory, to see if there’s potential for collaboration.”
Director Yu had already noticed the Jinxiang Hotel bag Su He was holding, but her words still sounded a bit far-fetched.
He took a sip of tea and said, “Comrade Su He, first of all, thank you for your kindness. But all the foreign guests staying at our city’s foreign affairs hotels have already visited our factory. None have shown any interest in working with us, so I’m afraid your efforts might be in vain.”
Principal Chen’s heart sank. See? Didn’t I say this bluffing would catch up to you eventually? They’re already offering you tea and showing you the door—time to leave with some dignity before it gets awkward!
But Su He simply smiled, “Director Yu, I firmly believe that where there’s a will, there’s a way! Just because the foreigners weren’t interested before doesn’t mean they never will be. They weren’t interested in Little Bunny Milk Candy either, but with my help, we just signed a purchase order for 16,000 boxes this morning…”
Before she could finish, Director Yu choked on his tea and broke into a coughing fit—so violent that his carefully styled hair was now a complete mess.
“What did you just say? You helped the food factory secure an order for 16,000 boxes of milk candy?!”
Su He nodded. “Yes. If you don’t believe me, you can call Director Wei from the sales department—I have his number.”
Of course, Director Yu wouldn’t call. And even if he did, he certainly wouldn’t do it in front of Su He. Besides, he didn’t think she’d have the guts to tell such an outrageous lie.
He quickly stood up and poured tea for them both.
“Hot day like this—have some tea, refresh yourselves. Little Su, you’re absolutely right. In sales, persistence is everything. Maybe if we push a little harder, something will come through.”
Principal Chen: Everyone’s got talent, huh? That switch was fast—face, pride, all thrown out the window without hesitation!
Su He chatted a bit more, then said:
“Director Yu, in order to better introduce your products to the foreign guests, would it be possible for me to visit your workshop?”
“Of course! I’ll take you there myself!”
Director Yu agreed so enthusiastically, it was as if Su He had asked to tour his house—he’d have said yes to that too.
