Chapter 169: Congratulations All Around
The more Yue Zhongcheng thought about it, the more he felt Su He’s suggestion was workable—and his impression of her improved greatly.
“Little Su, from now on, if you ever need to send things, come straight to me. If I’m not around, you can tell the others. I’ll give them a heads-up in advance.”
Su He beamed. “Thank you, Uncle Yue! As a token of appreciation, when I return to An County, I’ll give you some handicrafts for free to decorate your train compartment.”
Yue Zhongcheng: “…”
Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to!
Isn’t this just another way to promote An County?
What kind of treasure land is An County, to have produced someone like her?!
—
Meanwhile, in the office of An County’s top leader, Director Tian was passionately pitching his idea.
“If we can introduce an instant noodle production line, it will definitely boost An County’s economy—and may even stimulate related industries. Right now, there’s still a gap in the domestic market for instant noodles. If we move fast and gain a foothold, we can become the market leader…”
The county leader looked at the project proposal in his hands and listened to Director Tian’s enthusiastic chatter, but his heart was filled with uncertainty.
No doubt about it—this was a gamble.
100,000 yuan! That’s no small amount. If the product doesn’t sell, most of that money would go down the drain.
But if what Director Tian says is true and instant noodles become a hit, then An County’s economy could potentially double.
Just as he was caught in indecision, the secretary entered to report, “Director Feng from the textile factory is here. He says it’s urgent—extremely urgent.”
Director Tian scoffed. Extremely urgent?
He probably caught wind of my recent visits here and is trying to sniff out some information.
Come to think of it, Su He is a salesperson from the textile factory too—but now her heart clearly belongs to us at the food factory!
That thought gave Director Tian a smug sense of superiority.
The county leader, hearing that Director Feng had an urgent matter, said, “Let him in.”
Director Feng burst into the office, his face glowing with excitement, practically bouncing as he walked.
County Leader: “…”
Director Tian: “…”
Is… is he drunk?
Director Feng entered with a loud laugh, “Hahaha! Old Tian, you’re here too—congratulations to both of us!”
Director Tian stood up in alarm, “Old Feng, are you okay?”
Ignoring him, Director Feng turned to the county leader and announced, “Our textile factory’s Su He just secured a foreign trade order in S City—over $30,000! I came here to share the good news—and also to ask about how to apply for import/export credentials. We plan to conduct foreign trade directly in the future. It’s no longer convenient to operate under S City No.1 Textile Factory.”
The county leader lifted his big teacup, tried to drink through the lid without removing it, and ended up drinking… nothing.
In Beiliao Province, Jin County had always been the most prestigious thanks to its jade exports. The other counties didn’t have foreign exchange projects, but at least they had strong economies.
But An County?
They had nothing. Every year, they had to beg higher authorities for relief grain. At provincial meetings, his seat was always in a corner, and he never had a strong voice.
Yet now…
An County had a foreign exchange project!
They were finally on the map!
His only wish since transferring to An County had been that the people could live peacefully, just as the county’s name (“An” meaning peace) implied.
Maybe now, that wish was within reach.
Meanwhile, Director Tian was practically turning into a jar of pickled vegetables.
He had thought Su He favored him—but clearly, she was spreading the love.
Wait, that doesn’t sound right. Either way, his heart felt sour.
Why didn’t Su He help his food factory get a foreign trade order? Foreigners might love things like traditional pastries or hawthorn preserves!
The county leader finally calmed down, removed the lid from his teacup, and took a real sip. Ah, the tea tasted especially good today.
He asked Director Feng about the details of the trade order and then asked in surprise, “Su He arranged this too? Isn’t she a teacher at the county night school? Why is she helping both your factories with business deals?”
Director Tian quickly answered, “All of Su He’s other jobs are part-time. Her work at our food factory is her main job.”
Director Feng immediately objected, “Old Tian, that’s not fair! Su He was originally a salesperson at our textile factory—no, she’s Deputy Director of the Sales Department!”
The county leader tapped the table. “Alright, stop arguing. No matter which unit she’s with, she’s a model comrade of An County!”
Director Feng hesitantly added, “She’s also a part-time salesperson for both the S City Food Factory and S City No.1 Textile Factory. So technically, she’s not completely ‘ours’ anymore.”
County Leader: “…Well, at least 80% of her still belongs to An County!
Comrade Su He clearly has high ideological awareness. I believe she will stay rooted in her hometown and won’t be blinded by the glamour of S City.
As her leaders, you must always care about her thoughts and well-being. If she encounters any difficulties—of any kind—you must help her resolve them…”
The county leader then shifted tone, “Since the instant noodle project was Su He’s idea, I’m inclined to think it’s trustworthy. Let’s do this—Old Tian, I’ll hold a meeting to discuss it. Go back and wait for the results.”
Director Tian now felt 80% confident in the project’s success. His sour mood began to ease.
As he and Director Feng left the office, they immediately started bickering again.
At the entrance, they ran into Director Hu from the machinery factory.
The machinery factory was the biggest in An County. Even if others didn’t like to admit it, it was the top dog.
So Director Hu was used to being greeted respectfully by the other factory directors.
He spotted Director Tian and Director Feng from afar, expecting a greeting— But the two walked right past him without even a glance.
Director Hu: “…”
He had come to report to the county leader and felt confident—after all, his factory was the leading enterprise.
But after he finished his report, the county leader frowned.
“Old Hu, I have to say—compared to the textile and food factories, your machinery factory is falling behind! If you keep marching in place, you’ll be left behind!”
Director Hu was stunned. The textile factory he could understand—at least they ranked second in the county.
But the food factory? They only made canned goods and pastries! What major moves could they make?
When the county leader explained it all, Director Hu was completely floored.
What?
The food factory is bringing in an instant noodle production line?
The textile factory signed a foreign trade order?
And Su He was behind both?
Director Hu looked at the county leader with a complicated expression, “Su He is also one of our senior employees! I’m sure she’s arranged something for us too—we just haven’t heard about it yet. I’ll call her when I get back.”
County Leader: “…Isn’t Su He only eighteen? How is she everyone’s ‘veteran employee’ now?”
