Chapter 215: Beggars Can’t Be Choosers
Factory Director Tian coughed twice. “Little Su, um, let’s go check on Old Jin. You don’t know how stubborn that old guy is! When he’s working on a formula, he won’t let anyone look, just tinkers by himself.”
Su He followed Director Tian to the lab.
The lab was indeed quite shabby, but for now, these were the conditions — no point demanding too much.
Earlier, Su He had suggested to Master Jin that besides the seasoning powder, they should also add sauce packets, preferably mushroom chicken stew and scallion bone broth flavors.
In the future, the best-seller would be the beef series, but at this time cattle were too precious. Developing a beef flavor wasn’t realistic. Mushroom chicken stew and scallion bone broth were both naturally savory and much easier to bring to market.
When Master Jin saw Su He, he grinned. “Little Su, you’re back? Just in time, try my mushroom chicken noodle formula!”
Director Tian felt sour inside.
That old guy always had a sour face when talking to him, yet when facing this young girl he smiled like a blooming flower!
Master Jin put the golden-fried noodle cake into a big bowl, added seasoning powder, spooned in a chunk of solidified sauce, sprinkled in some dehydrated vegetables, then poured in boiling water and covered it with a plate.
Three minutes later, he lifted the plate.
A wave of enticing aroma filled the air.
Su He sniffed — yes, this was the smell! Instant noodles often smelled even better than they tasted.
She picked up her chopsticks, ready to eat, but noticed Director Tian staring hungrily. With no choice, she scooped half a bowl out for him.
Su He took a bite of noodles and sipped the broth.
The noodles were chewy and smooth; the broth was rich and fragrant.
In this era of scarcity, this was a true delicacy!
Director Tian slurped his half bowl down in no time and drank every drop of broth. If not for a shred of restraint, he might have licked the bowl clean.
Stubborn as Old Jin was, the man really had skill! This was far better than the “Happy Brand” instant noodles Su He had once eaten in the big city.
He immediately decided — the mushroom chicken noodles would follow this formula.
Of course, samples and mass production were two different things. The production process still had to be worked out, and many challenges would likely arise.
Master Jin, delighted to have his work confirmed, chuckled. “I still need to fine-tune the scallion bone broth flavor. Once it’s ready, Little Su, you’ll come taste it.”
Then, glancing at Director Tian, he added, “Factory Director, you can come taste it too.”
Director Tian: “…”
What, like I’m just tagging along?
He changed the subject back to the instant noodle production line. “It should arrive the day after tomorrow. Push aside your other matters and come handle the handover.”
Su He nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll be on time. By the way, Director, the production line from the Modu factory has many flaws. But our food factory doesn’t have enough mechanical experts. How about asking the machinery factory to send over a few people? Later on, they can also help us upgrade the line.”
Director Tian shot her a look. Inwardly, he thought: this girl must have been bribed by Old Hu’s sugar-coated bullets! Look, she’s already funneling work to the machinery factory.
But he couldn’t refuse. The food factory only had one electrician and one mechanic, both amateurs with mediocre skills.
Still, he had to save face with Director Hu. “Leave that to me. I’ll talk to Old Hu.”
Su He understood his little calculations but didn’t expose him. “Alright then, you go negotiate. I’ll head over to the textile factory.”
Director Tian muttered in his heart: you seem busier than me, the actual factory director!
At the textile factory, Su He first showed her face at Director Feng’s office, then began “inspecting” each department.
Many people gritted their teeth at the sight of her but had to smile and greet her.
How could such a young girl be so shrewd?!
Luckily, she held no real authority — otherwise, she’d turn the whole factory upside down.
Leaving the textile factory, Su He went to Teacher Yuan’s house.
Since recognizing Teacher Yuan as her grandfather, she had completely stopped seeing herself as an outsider.
The moment she entered, she grabbed watermelon from the table and ate away, then chirped, “I like watermelons with sandy flesh. Next time, buy that kind!”
Teacher Yuan: “…Typical beggar — picky even when given food!”
Su He blinked innocently. “Oh, I called my grandma the other day. Guess what she told me?”
At first, Teacher Yuan thought she meant Old Madam Su, wondering why she’d call her when they were together all the time. Then he realized she meant Nie Wenjie.
The old man got excited at once. “You called Wenjie? What did she say?”
Su He sighed dramatically. “Ai, what can a beggar like me know? Don’t ask.”
Teacher Yuan: “…Fine, I’ll buy you the sandy kind next time.”
Only then did Su He smile and recount her phone call, then added proudly, “See? Taking me in as your granddaughter wasn’t for nothing. Your little magpie will build a bridge now and then, so you two lovebirds won’t have to suffer from longing…”
Teacher Yuan stuffed a chunk of watermelon into her mouth. “Enough out of you!”
A good child, but her mouth had no filter!
Lovebirds? At best, middle-aged lovebirds!
Su He stayed at Teacher Yuan’s until evening, had dinner there, then went to night school.
As soon as he saw her, Principal Chen beamed. “Little Su, that foreign donation has been approved! I thought it’d take longer, but it’s come through already.”
Su He’s eyes lit up. “Approved? Then I’d better write a letter to Old Master Gu to let him know.”
Principal Chen: “…”
Ever since that trip to Modu, he could tell from a single blink what she was plotting.
This girl definitely had an agenda — probably aiming for a booth at the Canton Fair!
He guessed right. Su He had already chosen what to exhibit: hair accessories and instant noodles.
Neither had any domestic exporters yet, and she had already secured a foreign trade order for the hair accessories. Old Master Gu would likely agree.
Her demand wasn’t high — just one booth for An County, even if it was in some corner.
Principal Chen reminded her, “Little Su, although Old Master Gu is approachable, mind your wording in the letter. Don’t say the wrong thing.”
Su He nodded. “Got it. Once I finish, I’ll have you look it over.”
Principal Chen felt a warm glow. Being trusted like this was a nice feeling.
Then he shared his plans: “First, repair the night school and add more classrooms. Then we’ll set up a mobile literacy class at one commune. If it works well, we’ll expand to others.”
Su He grinned. “Then pick Huaihua Commune!”
Of course she had to think of her hometown first.
The next morning, Su He strolled into the machinery factory.
She first stopped by Director Hu’s office to greet him, then sat at her desk and began drafting her letter to Old Master Gu.
She wasn’t worried about Secretary Yang snooping — their desks were far apart.
Secretary Yang glanced at her and teased, “Little Su, writing a love letter to some young fellow?”
Su He froze. Only then did she remember — she’d forgotten to mail her photo to Rich Fish!
