Chapter 175: Walking Someone Else’s Path
Su He’s voice choked slightly, “Director Tian, thank you so much for the promotion! I’ll work hard from now on and do my part for the growth of our food factory. I won’t let you down…”
Director Tian was rather smug. Just as he thought, no matter how sharp Su He was, she was still only eighteen. If he showed her a little kindness, she’d give her whole heart to the food factory.
Sooner or later, her main focus would be here, and the food factory would become her true workplace!
Night school assistant? Textile factory? Machinery plant? They’d all take a backseat!
Using both favor and authority—this was what he was best at.
Once he arrived in S City, he’d give her a good “talking to” so she wouldn’t get too full of herself and forget who the real boss was.
After a few more pleasantries, they hung up.
Su He blinked. Director Tian’s tone was warm and his words were flattering, but she knew exactly what kind of person he was.
Unlike Director Feng, who was genuinely honest, Director Tian was the type to use you while trying to keep you under his thumb. If he got the upper hand, he’d find all sorts of ways to squeeze you dry.
And instant noodles had great potential—she needed to maintain control.
So… she had to strike first!
With someone kind-hearted like Director Feng, she really couldn’t bring herself to manipulate him. But with a seasoned fox like Director Tian? No need for courtesy.
After paying the phone fee, Su He walked with Principal Chen back toward the hotel.
Principal Chen asked, “What did old Tian want? Is the instant noodle production line a done deal?”
“He’s coming to S City the day after tomorrow to inspect things. If all goes well, the project should be finalized. Also, he told me some other news—I’ve been promoted to deputy director of the food factory’s sales department, with full director-level benefits. Salary and perks start from New Year’s Day. Didn’t you used to call him ‘Tian the Stingy’ behind his back? I think he’s quite generous—reimbursed our travel, gave me a raise, what a great guy!”
Principal Chen: “…” Even an iron rooster would shed feathers if it met you, let alone someone just stingy!
The old man felt a little bitter. If he stayed much longer, he’d probably turn into a jar of pickled mustard greens.
He did some quick mental math—Su He’s monthly wages were already close to 400 yuan, not including all her benefits!
That was more than many workers earned in a year!
And this… was just the beginning.
He was genuinely worried the girl might get addicted to making money and skip college altogether!
—
At dinner, Su He took a little notebook and went to chat with the foreign guests, asking for feedback on the Little Bunny Milk Candy’s pros and cons.
That evening, she returned to her room and compiled the research into a report.
The next morning, she called a rickshaw, grabbed Principal Chen, and headed to the food factory to find Section Chief Wei.
Seeing Su He, Wei beamed, “Little Su, I heard you helped the textile factory land a big export order again? You’re really something!”
Su He responded modestly. As much as she liked a little humble bragging, she knew how to read a room.
After some polite small talk, Su He handed over her research report.
This kind of market report was commonplace in later years, but in this era, especially in China, it was still a novelty.
So Section Chief Wei was quite surprised.
“Chief Wei, the sample size in this survey is a bit small—it may not be representative. Think of it as just a spark—our factory could do a larger study abroad to boost our competitiveness.”
Section Chief Wei nodded, “You make a good point. Honestly, I had a vague idea like this too, but hadn’t gotten around to putting it on paper. Little Su, why don’t you just stay in S City? You can discuss things with them over the phone, right?”
Principal Chen: “…” Am I invisible?! You’re poaching her right in front of me?!
Su He smiled, “Chief Wei, I do like S City, but there’s no place like home. My focus will still be in An County. By the way, I actually came to tell you—the instant noodle project is moving forward. Our food factory’s Director Tian is coming the day after tomorrow for a site visit. If everything checks out, the project will be confirmed.”
Section Chief Wei’s face lit up. The S City food factory had already shifted focus to the milk candy. The instant noodle project had become a burden, and they couldn’t wait to offload it.
“Then bring him over the day after tomorrow. I’ll make the arrangements.”
Even though Director Tian was the buyer, S City’s factory was rich and powerful—they’d never go out of their way to greet him.
Su He rubbed her hands together, “Chief Wei, can I borrow Master Xu and the sedan the day after tomorrow? I want to pick up Director Tian myself. It’s not about showing off—I just want him to see me in a better light.
I’m not looking for promotions or riches; I just want a little more say in things, so I can push this instant noodle project forward and bring real benefits to the people back in An County.
You haven’t been to An County, so maybe you don’t know… folks there are still eating coarse grains and salted greens. My grandma once chased me around the village ten times over a poached egg, and scolded me for three straight days…”
Section Chief Wei: …Your grandma really had some stamina!
Still, when he saw the tears welling up in Su He’s eyes, he was genuinely moved.
“Little Su, say no more—I’ll lend you the car and the driver! And I’ll make sure to show up in person that day, give you a strong backing, so that Director Tian won’t dare look down on you. Honestly, with your abilities, his little operation might not even be able to hold you.”
Principal Chen silently stood by like a quail, lighting a candle for Director Tian in his heart.
He thought, Tian the Stingy, you promoted her and gave her a raise, but you still don’t know how to handle people!
You must’ve said something that rubbed her the wrong way!
Out of all the people you could offend, why her?
Serves you right! If I had known, I would’ve taken hundreds of photos just to expense them to you!
—
Su He and Principal Chen had lunch at the factory before heading back to the hotel.
Principal Chen asked, “Little Su, did Tian the Stingy piss you off?”
“Not yet.”
“Then why are you…”
“Strike first, that’s why! Walk his road and leave him no way forward!”
Principal Chen: “…”
—
Back in her room, just as Su He sat down, the Trading System popped out excitedly: “Host! Great news—huge news!
There’s a new special-offer skin in the store: the Lucky Koi skin! It’s pretty and auspicious! Not 99, not 88—only 9.8 yuan!”
Su He figured it wouldn’t hurt to buy it—after all, the Trading System had been performing well lately.
Still, she didn’t want it to get too cocky, so she decided to remind it who’s boss.
“Doggie, at this stage, you should focus on hitting your KPIs! If you deliver results, you can run around naked and still be the flashiest thing out there! But if you don’t perform, even if you change into eight skins a day, you’re still just a wilted little cabbage! But hey, since you’re so excited, I’ll buy it for you.”
Just as she was about to make the purchase, the Trading System’s display twisted into a digital pretzel: [Host, forget it! You’re right—I shouldn’t indulge myself right now. I need to focus on my KPIs! Now I finally understand why you bought me the Ninja Turtle skin—it was to motivate me! Ancient King Goujian slept on firewood and tasted gall to seek revenge; now I, System, wear a turtle shell to inspire greatness! I shall proudly bear my green shell and strive ever forward!]
Su He: “……”
