Chapter 205: Sharing Joy with Old Master Gu
Su He was secretly delighted. When it came to dealing with stubborn old men like this, reverse psychology never failed.
After Master Jin finished his long lecture, Su He said, “Master Jin, the food factory’s R&D workload is heavy. You definitely won’t be able to juggle both sides. What about your job here at the state-run hotel?”
Master Jin snapped, “What about it? I’ll quit, of course. A single radish can’t hog several holes!”
The old man had already realized he’d fallen into her trap, so naturally he wasn’t looking too kindly at Su He.
Su He flashed her little white teeth, “However you decide, that’s how it’ll be! When you have time, I’ll take you to meet Director Tian at the food factory.”
“Meet him or not, it’s no big deal. Isn’t he just Little Stingy Tian?!
Every time he comes to the hotel, if it’s his treat he pinches pennies and won’t order good dishes. But if it’s someone else’s treat, he always goes straight for the meat dishes.”
Su He: “…”
—
Su He turned and went to find Director Tian at the food factory.
Lately, Director Tian was so busy he felt like his feet were kicking the back of his head. His entire line of thought now followed exactly along Su He’s guidance.
He had mixed feelings about her—
He loved that the girl really had talent.
He hated that she had too much talent.
At this rate, his director’s seat was getting shaky!
Seeing Su He come in, he asked, “Little Su, what brings you here?”
“Director, I’ve got good news to report. I finally found someone suitable for the flavor consultant role!”
Director Tian’s face lit up, “Who? Where?”
“Master Jin from the state-run hotel…”
Before she even finished, Director Tian slapped his forehead, “How did I not think of that! Old Jin’s ancestors were imperial chefs, and I heard he even ran a restaurant in the capital. Having him as a flavor consultant is perfect. But that guy’s stubborn—will he even agree?”
Su He smiled, “At first he didn’t, of course. I went several times, coaxed and pressured him, even dropped your name. Only then did he agree. He said you’re a man who does big things, and that following you is a sure bet.”
Director Tian: … I know you’re making this up, but I sure like hearing it.
Su He continued, “Director, Master Jin is crucial to us. Since product quality is top priority, so—”
Before she could finish, Director Tian cut in, “No need to say more, I understand. Respecting talent, I’m best at that. Tonight I’ll bring some gifts, and you’ll come with me to visit Old Jin at home.”
What a joke. If I have to sweet-talk even a little wolf cub like you, then of course I’ve got to properly pamper this old treasure.
Su He thought to herself—though Director Tian’s vision was limited, when it came to social dealings, he really was quite skilled.
That evening, she and Director Tian went to Master Jin’s house with gifts.
Master Jin wasn’t unreasonable. Seeing the director show such respect, the last bit of displeasure in his heart vanished.
—
The next morning, Su He went around the textile factory departments for “heart-to-heart talks.”
In the afternoon, she strolled over to the machinery factory to show her face before heading to Teacher Yuan’s.
As soon as she arrived, Qian Huifang handed her a letter and a remittance slip for 300 yuan.
The signature read: Gu Chiyan.
Su He clicked her tongue—this rich fish really did have money!
She wondered whether it was saved wages or just deep family pockets.
She went to the secretary’s office. Secretary Yang and Director Hu were out at a meeting, so only she was inside.
Su He tore open the envelope, and out fell a color photograph.
In this era, a color photo was still a rarity.
Looking at Gu Chiyan in the picture, Su He was very satisfied.
Sword brows, starry eyes, refined and handsome.
With looks like this, he could debut straight into showbiz in later generations!
Her taste was spot on!
She had casually reeled in such a high-quality rich fish!
Putting down the photo, she started reading the letter:
“Comrade Su He,
Meeting you through this letter.
I’ve already received the gift you sent and like it very much.
Recently the weather in the capital is getting hotter, it must be the same in An County? Please take care of your health while working…
I have a friend from Qing Province who told me about the local customs there…”
After rambling about Qing Province for a while, he wrote:
“Comrade Su He, enclosed is a photo of me. Would you consider sending me one of yours in return?”
Then, as if suddenly remembering Old Man Ge, his tool person, he added:
“How is Old Ge’s health lately? Please let me know in your reply.”
…
Su He couldn’t help but laugh—this rich fish’s probing was really subtle!
So he wanted to treat photos like tokens of exchange, eh?
Alright then, it had been a while—time to give him a sweet little bait before reeling him in!
She called Gu Chiyan.
It was Little Wang who answered, telling her Gu wasn’t in the office.
Su He smiled and said, “Then please pass on a message. Tell him I’ll send my photo tomorrow. Also, I won’t be at the factory this afternoon, so he doesn’t need to call me back.”
Little Wang nodded quickly, “Alright, alright, I’ll be sure to tell him when Engineer Gu returns.”
Near the end of the workday, Gu Chiyan came back.
Little Wang immediately relayed Su He’s message.
Gu Chiyan was stunned at first, then overjoyed.
Comrade Su He agreed to send back a photo—didn’t that mean she agreed to be in a relationship with him?!
And she even made a special call. Was it because she didn’t want him to suffer waiting anxiously for a letter?
Just the thought that he and Su He were now a couple made his face bloom with smiles.
Little Wang looked at the blissful expression of this usually stern, unsmiling Gu and started doubting life. Was this really their Engineer Gu?
Since Su He had said not to call back, Gu went straight home.
Of course, such joy had to be shared.
So, the only one in on the secret—Old Master Gu—had the honor of sharing it.
The old man nearly choked to death!
He was furious both that Gu Chiyan was rubbing salt in his wound, and that Gu was so useless!
So after all that effort, that country girl was only now agreeing to date you?
Wasn’t this just a one-sided crush the whole time?!
Even the next morning, Old Master Gu still hadn’t cooled off.
That country girl, still putting on airs?!
She probably couldn’t even recognize all her characters—a half-illiterate!
Muttering as he spoke, he picked up today’s Huaxia Daily.
Old Master Gu had the habit of reading the newspaper carefully, not skipping even the corners.
As he read, his eyes fell on a report in one small corner:
“Ideological Work Blossoms, Women’s Federation Achieves Fruitful Results.”
Old Master Gu nodded repeatedly—the article was well written. Not only was the theme good, but the wording and phrasing were spot on.
Then he saw the byline:
Special Correspondent, An County Radio Station, Beiliao Province — Su He.
