Chapter 336: It’s All a Science
Amidst his lingering amazement, Director Tian asked Su He, “You bumped into him on purpose, didn’t you?”
Su He shook her head. “Look at what you’re saying, Director. Am I that kind of person?!”
Director Tian: … Since you put it that way, you definitely did!
“Of all the people wearing uniforms, why did you pick him?”
Su He explained unhurriedly, “There is a massive science to this. You have to look for middle-aged people; they have wider networks and are easier to talk to.”
“Maintenance workers are close to the grass-roots level, which makes them easier to interact with and more likely to empathize with you.”
“Take those young girls doing reception work, for instance. They carry themselves with high pride. Even if I wanted to build a connection with them, it wouldn’t be something achieved in just one or two attempts.”
“Furthermore, our Anxin County joint delegation consists entirely of either top leaders or elderly veterans. I have to find a few strong, robust laborers! Otherwise, who is going to do the heavy lifting when the time comes?”
Director Tian couldn’t help but nod. It really was all a science!
Wait a minute, what does she mean by ‘either top leaders or elderly veterans’?
It’s true that County Chief Lu is a top leader, but did you just categorize yourself as a top leader too?
Instead of returning straight to their booth, Su He made her way to the food zone service counter.
Standing inside the service counter were two female comrades wearing sashes. They were tall and carried themselves with poised dignity, revealing eight teeth in uniform smiles.
Su He inquired about a few minor issues, then drew two bags of Little Rabbit Milk Candies from her briefcase. “Comrades, thank you for your hard work in this intense heat. Replenishing a bit of sugar will help maintain your stamina.”
When the other party tried to decline, Su He added, “I know you have strict rules, but with so many people in the venue, someone might experience symptoms of low blood sugar from skipping breakfast. It’s always good for you to be prepared.”
“Besides, these were produced by our Shanghai Food Factory specifically to be given away as promotional gifts. Look, the words ‘Promotional Gift’ are even printed right on the bag!”
The two female comrades looked closely and saw that the words were indeed printed on the packaging. Only then did they accept the candies, asking with a smile, “Comrade, are you from the Shanghai Food Factory?”
Su He nodded. “Yes, I am a sales representative for the Shanghai Food Factory.”
“Because the Shanghai Food Factory and the Anxin County Food Factory are brother units, I also hold a concurrent position as the secretary to the director at the Anxin County Food Factory.”
“I came along this time as a member of the accompanying personnel for the Anxin County joint delegation.”
Only then did a realization dawn upon the two female comrades. No wonder this young girl carried herself with such easy confidence—it turned out she was a core sales backbone dispatched by the Shanghai Food Factory to support a brother unit!
Director Tian, who had been acting like a quiet quail the entire time, thought to himself: Language truly is an art form!
After leaving the food zone service counter, Director Tian asked, puzzled, “Those Little Rabbit Milk Candies actually have specialized promotional gift packaging? How come I’ve never seen them before?”
“I had them custom-make a batch and mail them specifically to me.”
Director Tian: “…”
Su He was telling the truth. She possessed an immense sense of professional integrity. Since she accepted a part-time salary from them, she naturally had to offer ideas and strategies during a critical juncture like the Canton Fair.
Thus, she had suggested that the Shanghai Food Factory produce a batch of promotional gifts, utilizing candy wrappers distinct from the standard retail packaging, to be given away exclusively.
This operated on the exact same principle as bundling the instant noodles with custom enamel mugs.
After pitching the idea, Su He had requested a carton of the promotional Little Rabbit Milk Candies for herself, claiming it was under the high-sounding pretext of helping them vet the quality control.
It wasn’t just the Shanghai Food Factory either; over at the Shanghai No. 1 Textile Factory, Su He had also put forward a great many suggestions tailored specifically toward their autumn and winter fabrics.
She fully deserved every single cent of her part-time salaries.
At this moment, Director Tian remarked, “Little Su, I initially thought you would try to cozy up to the other exhibitors, but I didn’t expect you to cozy up to the venue staff instead.”
“Director, never look down on these staff members. As the saying goes, ‘the duck is the first to know when the spring river warms.’ They are the very first to know about any shifting winds, and they possess the most well-informed news.”
“Besides, establishing a good relationship with them makes handling many matters far more convenient down the line.”
“If nothing else, we need hot water to brew our instant noodles, right?”
“If we were to queue up at the hot water station, who knows how long it would take to get our turn!”
“But now, we can just head over to the maintenance department to fill our thermoses, and we can fill as many kettles as we please!”
“Furthermore, these staff members can enter the venue ahead of schedule and leave later than everyone else. If an emergency arises, we can ask them to lend a hand…”
“As for those other exhibitors, there’s no rush to get to know them. After all, the Canton Fair lasts for half a month!”
Director Tian had nothing left to do but nod, completely stripped of any words to offer back.
Su He strolled around a bit longer, even taking a turn to look at the exhibition booths of the Steel Mill and a few other units, before her brows knitted slightly.
“Little Su, what’s wrong?”
“I overlooked one matter. The area of the exhibition venue is far too massive, and the distance from the industrial zone to the food section is exceptionally far. When the time comes, the Machinery Factory’s display must have a person stationed there constantly. If that’s the case, our manpower is highly likely to fall short.”
Director Tian suggested, “When the time comes, let Old Hu head over there, and you’ll still be on our side!”
Su He shook her head. “It’s impossible for me to constantly watch over a single booth’s business; I need to wander around. When my attention is split across multiple places, we must have another solution.”
“How about this? I’ll have County Chief Lu, Uncle Luo, and Little Yu all do some work for us. Although they lack professional expertise, their redeeming quality is that they are all quite articulate. A bit of brief training should allow them to cope!”
Director Tian: … You truly dare to dream!
County Chief Lu was one thing—he was, after all, the top leader of Anxin County, so it was only natural for him to pitch in a bit of effort.
But on what grounds would Luo Dongchuan and Officer Yu help them?
Su He had no choice either. Section Chief Gao and his team couldn’t get inside, so she could only excavate their internal potential.
Ceasing her casual strolling, Su He said to Director Tian, “Go over to the booth and give Principal Chen and the others a heads-up. I’ll go find Old Gao and the team to have the goods delivered over.”
Director Tian offered a few careful reminders before saying, “Once the items arrive, come inside and call us out to do the hauling.”
Su He waved her hand. “No need, I’ll directly ask the people from the maintenance department for help.”
Director Tian: … You just cozy up to them today and use them immediately, is that really appropriate?
At around two o’clock in the afternoon, the personnel from the maintenance department pushed a flatbed cart to deliver the goods straight to Anxin County’s booth. Furthermore, they didn’t take their leave immediately, staying behind instead to help set up the display structure.
Principal Chen and the others: “…”
Meanwhile, Tong Zhen, the deputy delegation leader of Capital North Province, had been feeling incredibly stifled in his heart. Having largely settled his administrative tasks for the day, his thoughts drifted toward Su He.
He thought to himself: Anxin County brought four old men along. If nothing else, setting up displays and climbing high structures will surely be a difficult problem for them!
He might as well lead a few people over right now. First, he could watch the spectacle; second, he could sell them a favor; and third, he could seize the opportunity to push Luo Dongchuan into a corner.
Thus, with high spirits, he took two subordinates along, turning multiple corners before finally arriving at Booth No. 5358.
Then, his eyes fell upon Su He directing the operations, while several individuals wearing official Canton Fair uniforms were busily working up a storm on her behalf.
Tong Zhen: “…”
