Chapter 218: You Are My Mentor
When Su He went out, she called Grandpa Ge along and treated everyone to a meal at the state-run restaurant.
Although the chef wasn’t as skilled as Master Jin, as long as there was enough oil and meat, the dishes were already a rare delicacy for people of this era.
After dinner, Su He took them to the cinema.
Grandma Zhao didn’t want to go at first—sitting in a wheelchair was inconvenient, and she didn’t want to cause trouble.
But Old Madam Su immediately got upset.
“If you don’t go, then I’ll have to send you back, and I won’t get to see it either. Are you trying to make things hard for me?”
Though rural villages sometimes had outdoor screenings, they were nothing like a real cinema!
She would be the very first old lady from Huangxi Village to watch a film in an actual movie theater!
Unable to resist her, or rather too afraid to, Grandma Zhao had no choice but to go.
Su He bought aisle seats on purpose. Once inside, Old Madam Su helped Grandma Zhao into her chair, tucking the wheelchair into a corner where it wouldn’t be in the way.
The two old ladies and Su Xiaoman watched with great interest, while Grandpa Ge and Su He both dozed off.
Coming out of the cinema, Su Xiaoman chattered nonstop, showering Su He with flattery. Old Madam Su wanted to interject but couldn’t find the chance.
*
The next day, Su He first showed her face at the machinery factory, then went to Qian Huifang’s office to call Director Luo of Huaihua Commune.
“Director Luo, the textile factory’s materials will arrive soon. You can start preparing for the next stage.”
Director Luo smiled. “Don’t worry, we already prepared in advance since we’ve worked together before. Same as last time—we’ll assign the tasks to each village, and every village will appoint a quality supervisor.”
“Director Luo, the export standards are stricter. We’ll also need a mobile quality inspection team. The leader should preferably be a woman—since it’s headwear, women understand better. She can’t be too old, or her sense of aesthetics won’t keep up. She should also have prior experience as a quality supervisor. If she has connections in the textile factory, even better. Do you have a candidate in mind?”
Director Luo: “…”
That sounds exactly like your mother, Zhao Cuier!
He coughed. “I’ll screen according to those conditions and let you know the results.”
“Oh, and one more thing, Director Luo. Don’t assign this headwear task to Zhangjia Village. They’re already well-off and don’t need the small income.”
In a flash, he understood her intention.
The third son of the Su family and his wife were from Zhangjia Village. If that village was excluded from the orders, the two of them would be blamed and scorned.
In the countryside, once the whole village turned against you, life would be unbearable.
This move was practically a death sentence without lifting a finger!
But Director Luo didn’t think Su He was being harsh. After all, what those two did was heartless and unforgivable—punishment was only right.
Not throwing them in jail was already sparing the Su family’s elders.
So he smiled and said, “Alright, I’ll arrange it.”
Su He liked working with people like him—responsible, sharp, much better than Factory Director Tian. Every time she met a good leader, she couldn’t help but use him as a foil to criticize Director Tian.
*
Two days later, the food production line from Shanghai arrived.
The accompanying installation and technical staff were all polite, especially toward Su He.
By now, Su He was somewhat of a legend at the Shanghai food factory. Moreover, Section Chief Wei from Sales had specially told them to treat her with respect.
Su He, ever considerate, had already arranged their food and lodging and even promised them a daily subsidy of two yuan.
Double pay—who wouldn’t be happy?
Though Director Tian was stingy, this was an expense he was willing to cover.
Watching the production line being assembled step by step, Director Tian’s chest swelled with pride.
“Little Su, I have a feeling our An County Food Factory is about to soar! I, Tian, will be remembered for bringing prosperity to the people!”
Su He knew he was fishing for praise, so she flattered him with a few honeyed words.
Director Tian was practically glowing with joy.
This was why he wanted to hold on to the top position—otherwise, Su He wouldn’t bother flattering him.
Just as he was basking in satisfaction, Su He said:
“Director, it would be best to manage instant noodles separately from canned goods and rice cakes. The latter are run loosely, with many people too used to slacking off. It won’t be easy to change that overnight.
Since the textile factory set up a branch, why don’t we too? I’m not that capable, but I’d like to volunteer as the branch director.”
Director Tian: “…”
I’m not even dead yet, and you’re already trying to seize the throne?!
He coughed. “Little Su, our situation is different from the textile factory. First, they have a solid foundation and plenty of money, so they can afford a branch. We, on the other hand, are dirt poor—barely scraping by on raw material costs. Second, their headwear business needs a lot of labor, so placing a branch in Huaihua Commune solves that. We don’t need that many workers, so there’s no reason to build a branch. Third…”
He rattled off ten reasons like he was reading a report.
Su He nodded. “Director, that’s exactly why you’re the leader—you think of things far more thoroughly than me. You’re right, building a branch isn’t suitable.
Then why don’t we just separate instant noodles into its own unit with a dedicated management team? You’ll still be the number one, and I’ll be the deputy. What do you think?”
Director Tian: “…”
Deputy? In your dreams!
With your ambition, if I made you my deputy, you’d kick me out in no time.
He thought for a moment and said, “How about this—just like Old Hu made you his secretary, I’ll make you my secretary too. But you’ll only be responsible for instant noodle affairs. Since you’re juggling many roles, I’ll have Yu Guodong share some of the routine tasks.”
Su He understood perfectly. It was just an honorary title. But she had expected this—her earlier proposals were just bait to push him into offering her something. Otherwise, he’d never give her this position.
“Director, I’ll follow your lead. They say fine horses are common, but a true mentor is rare—you are my mentor!”
Director Tian thought to himself: Yes, I’m your mentor… but I just hope this fine horse doesn’t one day kick me right off my seat!
