Chapter 50: Walked Into a Tree
Early the next morning, Su He went to find Director Gao of the State-owned Mall’s Sales Department.
Director Gao assumed she had come to talk about the cushion project. “Xiao Su, is there a problem with the scrap cloth cushions?”
Su He smiled. “The cushion project is going smoothly. I actually came today to talk about another potential collaboration.”
Director Gao raised an eyebrow. Another collaboration?
He couldn’t think of what else Huaihua Commune could collaborate on with their textile factory. To be honest, the scrap cloth cushions were only approved because the machinery factory happened to be giving out benefits; otherwise, he probably wouldn’t have agreed. The profit was minimal and the logistics were troublesome—barely worth the effort.
Could it be something like scrap cloth table mats or curtains this time?
Su He, who could more or less guess what he was thinking, slyly didn’t take out the hair accessories right away. Instead, she said, “This new collaboration also has to do with scrap cloth.”
Director Gao’s expression said, I thought so. He sipped some tea and finally said, “Xiao Su, honestly, there’s limited profit in reprocessing scrap cloth. It’s better used for employee benefits. So, our factory isn’t planning to take on more scrap cloth projects.”
Su He put on a regretful expression and took a hair accessory from her small satchel. “That’s a shame. I thought making something like these hair flowers from scrap cloth could be a win-win collaboration. But since that’s the case, I’ll take my leave…”
“W-wait a second!”
Director Gao jumped to his feet and snatched the hair flower from her hand.
If it had been anyone else in the factory, they might not have reacted so strongly, since they wouldn’t see the business opportunity. But Director Gao was different—he frequently traveled across the country for business. Even in the capital, he’d never seen such a novel hair accessory.
Had Su He not told him it was made from scrap cloth, he’d never in a million years have guessed that something this attractive was crafted from leftovers.
He turned it over in his hands for a while, admiring it before beaming, “Xiao Su, what I said earlier only applies to others. You’re different—we’ve worked together before, we’re old friends now! What kind of collaboration do you have in mind?”
Su He didn’t call him out. Instead, she smiled and said, “Director Gao, these hair flowers may not be technically complex, but they are time-consuming to make. Why not do it like the cushions—have the Huaihua Commune members make them, and your factory pays for the labor? What do you think?”
“And how would the labor cost be determined?”
“I did some market research. In the Stated-owned Mall, similar hair clips and accessories sell for 0.5 to 1 yuan each. Our hair flowers can definitely be sold for 0.5 yuan.
For this type of accessory, labor accounts for roughly 30% of the cost—that’s about 15 cents. Including transportation and incidental losses, 10 cents per piece in labor is reasonable.
But if that’s too hard for you to justify to your superiors—since the profit margin would be thin—then since we’re old friends, I’ll cut it in half. Five cents per flower. How’s that?”
If Su He had just said five cents up front, Director Gao would have thought it was expensive—after all, the cushions were complicated and only cost eight cents in labor. One could make several flowers in the time it took to make one cushion.
But after her detailed breakdown, he now saw five cents not as expensive, but as a great deal.
Sure enough, Director Gao made a prompt decision: “Alright then, five cents it is! Once I report to the leadership, we’ll sign the contract.”
Su He grinned. “Straightforward! I love working with decisive people like you.”
After a few more polite exchanges, Su He added, “I came up with the designs for these hair flowers myself. But I’m all thumbs, and it was only thanks to my second aunt that the samples got made.
Speaking of which, my second uncle and aunt have had it tough—almost three years in the factory and still only temp workers…”
Director Gao was no fool. He instantly understood what Su He was implying.
Wasn’t she asking him to help get her aunt and uncle formally hired?
He weighed it for a moment. Not a big deal. He laughed, “Xiao Su, as it happens, I have two open slots for permanent staff. Since your aunt and uncle qualify, I’ll give the spots to them!”
Su He’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, Director Gao! I won’t say anything more—let our future work speak for itself!”
Director Gao thought to himself, This girl is young, but she really knows how to handle people and situations. She’d be great in sales!
He even started thinking about poaching her and tested the waters: “Xiao Su, what are your long-term plans? Do you intend to stay as a liaison in Huaihua Commune, or have you considered developing your career in the county?”
Su He replied seriously, “To be honest, Director Gao, the machinery factory offered me a position as a workshop statistician, and I was tempted.
But when I think about how poor and struggling Huaihua Commune still is, how my fellow villagers are barely scraping by, I can’t bear to leave. I want to stay and give my all to help them live better lives.”
Director Gao nodded repeatedly. Comrade Xiao Su really has a high level of ideological awareness!
This proved her character was solid—reliable and trustworthy. The more he thought about it, the more warmly he regarded her.
After leaving Director Gao’s office, Su He didn’t leave the factory right away. Instead, she headed to the warehouse to find the custodian, Fu Li.
From a distance, Su He called out sweetly, “Auntie!”
Anyone who didn’t know might think Fu Li was her real aunt!
Fu Li saw it was Su He and smiled, “Xiao He, here for business?”
“Mm, had a chat with Director Gao.”
Seeing no one else around, Su He pulled out ten pounds’ worth of food coupons and five pounds of meat coupons. “Last time, Brother Dayong helped me, and I never got the chance to thank him. Please give these to him for me.”
She winked after she spoke.
Fu Li, a seasoned pro, immediately understood—these coupons weren’t really for Zhou Dayong. They were a thank-you gift to her for choosing the best scraps for Huaihua Commune last time.
She tried to politely refuse, but Su He simply stuffed the coupons into her coat pocket and changed the subject.
When Su He eventually left, Fu Li was visibly reluctant to see her go. If she hadn’t been tied to the warehouse, she probably would’ve walked her all the way to the factory gate.
Su He strolled over to the textile factory’s family quarters, planning to “spread some love” at Grandma He’s house.
As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw an old man, nose buried in a book… walk straight into a tree!
