Chapter 170: Let the Fat Stay in the Family’s Field
Director Hu chatted a bit with the county leader before suddenly recalling something. His eyes lit up. “Leader! Look at me, I almost forgot to report this to you. Before leaving, Little Su told me that the most important accessory for the textile factory’s headwear production is hair clips. Previously, they’ve always sourced them from southern manufacturers. She said she’d bring back some samples from S City so we can replicate and produce them ourselves to supply the textile factory.”
Supplying the textile factory means we’re basically contributing to export earnings too!
No problem at all!
As for the fact that he had flat-out rejected the proposal to start a hair clip production line in the past? Well, he selectively forgot about that.
The county leader nodded. “Looks like Little Su had a clear plan even before her trip to S City. She’s an exceptional talent! Since that’s the case, your machinery factory needs to cooperate fully with the textile factory and help complete this export order with both quality and quantity guaranteed.”
Director Hu felt a sour pang in his heart. Clearly, the machinery factory was supposed to be the top dog, but now they were being reduced to a supporting role for the textile factory.
He bitterly regretted not roping Su He in earlier.
After leaving the county leader’s office, Director Hu rushed to the textile factory to get Su He’s contact information from Director Feng.
Why not go to Director Tian instead? Simple—he thought Director Feng was an honest man, while Director Tian was a slick old fox.
At that moment, Director Feng was in conversation with Director Gao, who had booked a train for the next day and was finishing up some handovers.
Director Hu entered with a beaming smile, “Old Feng! Congratulations, congratulations! I just heard from the county leader—your textile factory is about to earn export revenue. This is the first of its kind for our An County!”
Director Feng was feeling very pleased.
The textile factory had long wanted to dethrone the machinery factory as the county’s leader—and now, the dream was finally coming true.
“Much appreciated! Old Hu, you’re a busy man. What brings you to our humble textile factory today?”
Director Hu grinned. “I’d like to get Little Su’s contact info. She said she’d call me from S City, but I haven’t heard anything yet.”
Director Feng thought: Who do you think you are? Why would she call you?
Still, he signaled for Director Gao to hand over Su He’s contact info.
Director Gao jotted it down and passed it over.
Director Hu’s eyes nearly popped out when he saw the words Jinxiang Guesthouse.
“Little Su’s staying at Jinxiang Guesthouse? But isn’t that reserved for foreign guests and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Trade?!”
Director Feng and Director Gao both looked dumbfounded.
Director Hu grabbed a newspaper from the rack and pointed to it as evidence.
All three of them were stunned.
How did she manage that?!
Just then, the phone on Director Feng’s desk rang.
He picked it up, and a clear, cheerful voice came through the line.
“Hello? Director Feng? It’s Little Su! Greetings from S City!”
Director Feng, who had been sitting, jumped up as soon as he heard her voice.
“Ah, ah, Little Su! On behalf of the entire textile factory staff, thank you so much! This export order means a great deal—”
“Director Feng, don’t mention it. I’m part of the textile factory—it’s my duty.”
Director Feng’s affection for Su He skyrocketed.
This young comrade wasn’t just highly capable—she had top-notch ideological awareness!
After a few more words, Su He continued, “Director Feng, I’ve asked Conductor Yue Zhongcheng of Train No. ××× to bring the samples back to An County for us. The train departs this afternoon at 3:05 and should arrive around 5:00 p.m. the day after tomorrow. Please arrange for someone to pick them up at the station.”
Director Feng: “…Alright.”
He had thought the samples were being shipped—but they were being personally entrusted to the train conductor?!
How on earth did Little Su know even the train conductor?!
Director Gao whispered, “The guesthouse… ask about the guesthouse.”
Director Feng shot him a look but still asked, “Little Su, you’re staying at Jinxiang Guesthouse? That’s for foreign guests, right? How did you get in?”
Su He casually replied, “I met a Ministry of Foreign Trade official on the train. He arranged it for me.”
Director Feng nearly dropped the receiver.
A Ministry official?!
Even the county leader couldn’t get access to someone at that level!
And Little Su just happened to meet one on a train ride? And even got a room arranged at a state guesthouse?
Was this a dream?
As he stood there dazed, Director Hu snatched the phone from him.
“Little Su, it’s Old Hu from the machinery factory! Take care of your health while you’re away. Don’t overwork yourself. If you need anything, call me anytime. My number is…”
Director Feng was so furious he almost burst a blood vessel.
If you want to talk to her, call her from your own office! Why are you stealing my phone call?!
Director Hu didn’t care. He went on warmly, “Little Su, that idea you had about starting a hair clip production line at our factory—I think it’s very feasible! Bring back more samples from S City, and I’ll arrange production right away!”
Su He found it amusing but didn’t bother pointing out how he had previously dismissed the idea.
She simply replied with a smile, “Director Hu, once the samples for the textile factory arrive, you can take a look at those first. When I get back, I’ll report a new project to you.”
Director Hu immediately perked up.
“Great, great! Little Su, I knew you were a top talent at our machinery factory. I just knew you’d be thinking of us! By the way, Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon—we’ve prepared a little holiday gift for you at the factory. Don’t forget to pick it up when you return!”
Director Feng: We just finished celebrating Dragon Boat Festival, and now you’re talking about Mid-Autumn Festival?! You’ve thrown away your pride just to curry favor with Little Su!
He snatched the phone back.
“Little Su, the factory has decided to promote you to Deputy Director of the Sales Department. Your salary and benefits will match Director Gao’s.”
Director Hu: …Foiled again!
He opened his mouth to protest, but Director Gao stepped in front of him, blocking any chance of snatching the phone again.
Director Feng then told Su He about Director Gao’s travel plans before finally hanging up.
He looked at Director Hu and sneered, “Old Hu, we’ve always sourced our hair clips from the south. Even if your machinery factory makes them, we’re not buying!”
Director Hu just laughed, “Old Feng, I know you’re joking! We’re brother factories—how could you go far when there’s a local option? After all, ‘fertile water shouldn’t flow into outsiders’ fields’! We should keep the benefits in-house. Let’s all celebrate tonight—my treat!”
Director Feng had no choice but to let it go. Even if he wanted to source clips from out of town, the county leader wouldn’t allow it. Not to mention… they all shared one very capable “employee” now—Su He, the shared asset.
