Chapter 40: Familiar Faces Everywhere
When they arrived at the supply store, Director Luo and the others felt a bit at a loss.
“Xiao Su, so… where do we start? Do we just go in and talk?”
Although they were commune leaders, the people at the supply store might not treat them as anyone important.
Su He said immediately, “I know a saleswoman inside. Let me go in first and see if their manager is around.”
Everyone had the same thought—how does Su He know someone everywhere she goes?!
Su He entered the store and waved to a short-haired saleswoman, “Sister Yan, I need a favor.”
The woman came happily from behind the counter, “Girl, back again to buy groceries for the He family?”
Su He had helped Grandma He buy groceries several times before, subtly giving the impression that she might be related to a worker from the textile factory, which had helped her build a rapport with this Sister Yan.
“Sister Yan, our Director Luo from Huaihua Commune wants to discuss some business with your manager. Can you help introduce us?”
“Don’t mention it! I’ll take you to the backyard to find Director Sun.”
Director Luo and the others followed Sister Yan through the back door of the supply store and into the courtyard, where the storage and office were located.
Sister Yan, with her loud voice, shouted as soon as they entered, “Director Sun, a few comrades from Huaihua Commune are here to see you!”
Director Sun, a slightly balding middle-aged man, was puzzled. Why would people from Huaihua Commune want to see him? Still, he came out to meet them.
Sister Yan had to return to her sales post, so after introducing both sides, she left.
Director Luo looked at Su He, silently indicating for her to take over.
Su He: “…”
She had no choice but to smile and say, “Director Sun, we came to ask if your store is interested in purchasing wild dried vegetables.”
Director Sun frowned and said vaguely, “We’ve never sold wild dried vegetables before… tell you what, I’ll look into it over the next few days.”
Which basically meant a rejection. Director Luo and the others instantly deflated.
Understandably so—vegetables, unlike staple grains, weren’t essential to survival. A shortage of veggies wasn’t the end of the world.
Just as Director Luo was about to say goodbye, Su He suddenly added:
“All right, you take your time looking into it—but we’ll need a response soon. The Mechanical Factory has already ordered a batch of wild dried vegetables as part of their Dragon Boat Festival benefits, and the Textile Factory’s cafeteria is also considering a partnership. We need to coordinate deliveries to avoid scheduling conflicts.”
Director Sun froze, “You’ve already signed contracts with the Mechanical and Textile Factories?”
Su He nodded, “Yes. We actually planned to visit you this morning, but were delayed by contract signings with those two factories. Director Gao from the Textile Factory even insisted on treating us to lunch, so we got here later than expected.”
Director Sun’s attitude flipped like a switch—he suddenly became much warmer.
“What you said just reminded me—Dragon Boat Festival is around the corner. We do need to ensure steady food supplies. It is necessary to procure a batch of wild dried vegetables.”
Director Luo and the others: “…”
From there, the negotiation went smoothly, and soon both sides had signed a procurement agreement.
As they left the store, Director Luo asked Su He, “The Textile Factory cafeteria wants to buy wild dried vegetables too? How come you didn’t mention that earlier?”
Su He smiled, “I just made it up. If I didn’t say that, Director Sun wouldn’t have taken us seriously!”
Director Luo: “…”
After chatting a bit more, Director Luo and the others went to find the guesthouse, while Su He went to visit the He family.
She took Grandpa and Grandma He downstairs to get some sun, chatted with them for a while, helped prepare dinner, and then returned to Su Yongshi’s home.
Su Yongshi and Cao Hongmei were home and just having dinner.
When they saw Su He arrive, Cao Hongmei quickly brought out an extra set of chopsticks and bowl.
After dinner, Su He finally told them about the Mechanical and Textile Factory deals.
The couple was stunned speechless for a long time before they recovered.
“Xiao He, are the cushions you mentioned made from scrap fabric—the same kind I sew?”
When Su He nodded, Cao Hongmei immediately perked up.
“Xiao He, your second aunt has plenty of free time. How about I sew some too to help support the family?”
Su He refused flatly, “Auntie, you can’t get involved. Otherwise, people might use it against us.
Besides, the money isn’t much. You’d be better off spending that energy going to night school with Second Uncle to improve your education.
Once you get a permanent position, you could even work in an office instead of doing shift work.”
Both Cao Hongmei and Su Yongshi burst out laughing.
“Xiao He, don’t joke! Us, working in an office? We’re way too old for night school!”
Su He’s face turned serious: “Be serious! I mean it!
If you want to climb the ladder, you have to learn. And not just you—even my grandma and grandpa are learning from Xiao Man now!”
Su Yongshi’s eyes nearly popped out. “What?! Grandma is studying too?”
Su He nodded, “She already knows over a dozen characters.
I told everyone at the last family meeting—our Su family is like a flock of migrating swallows. If you can keep up, great. If not, get left behind! Whether you go to night school or not is up to you!”
With that, Su He left them behind and went next door to Old Man Ge’s house.
“Old man, you home?”
Old Man Ge grumbled as he came out, “Didn’t you just leave yesterday? What are you doing back again? Weren’t you supposed to bring me some wild vegetables? Where are they?”
Su He laughed, “I came with commune leaders to handle business today—didn’t have a chance to bring anything. Next time!”
Old Man Ge was puzzled, “Business? What kind of business?”
When Su He finished explaining, he was stunned.
Could this girl actually turn the sub-factory idea into reality?
He definitely didn’t want to end up with a young boss lady.
That’s what he was thinking—but out loud he said, “I thought you were handling some big deal. Turns out it’s just a few scraps? That’s a long way from opening a branch factory!”
Su He chuckled, “You’re absolutely right. I still have a lot of work to do! That’s why I’m trying to stay close to you—I can learn so much from you!”
Old Man Ge glared at her, “All you do is talk big!”
But he was smiling. He pulled out a basket of medicinal herbs and asked Su He to help sort them. As she picked through them, they chatted.
Eventually, Old Man Ge brought up the long-lost medical text Qing Nang Shu (The Blue Pouch Book), sighing over its disappearance. He even recited a poem from Romance of the Three Kingdoms:
“Hua Tuo’s divine skill rivaled that of Chang Sang, His insight was like peering through a wall.
Alas, the man is gone, and the book lost too, No one since has seen the Blue Pouch!”
Su He paused—Qing Nang Shu?
She could’ve sworn she’d seen that title in the Exchange Pavilion before!
