Everyone in the car burst into laughter, her. In some ways, Xie Sui was quite like his second sister. When he wasn't being a troublemaker, he was actually quite lovable.
Upon arriving at the factory, Xie Min marveled at everything. She had thought it would be a workshop like the one at home, but she never imagined a place so vast, with so many workers laboring together. It was far superior to their setup at home.
"Xiao Sui, you've done well! Second sister underestimated you."
"You can look around slowly later. For now, you'll work with Wanwan. This is our secret recipe, and no one else is allowed to see it. If you weren't my second sister, I wouldn't have brought you here."
Xie Sui pulled her into the house. The work was important, and she wasn't here for a casual stroll.
"Of course. Brothers fight together, and siblings are the same."
Liang Yutian came to find him to discuss some production matters. Wei Hao crept in, "Brother Xie, are you busy?"
"Haozi, what's up?"
Xie Sui followed him outside to talk. Wei Hao, in charge of sales, was quite the talker. He quickly befriended the staff at the supply and marketing cooperatives, even picking and choosing which girls to pursue.
Xie Sui had heard Ye Feng comically complain to him, which always made him chuckle. The saying "bad boys attract girls" seemed to hold true. With Wei Hao's looks, he could actually be selective?
Ye Feng, the honest, good-looking boy, was overlooked by everyone. Who could argue with that?
"Brother Xie, I shouldn't betray a brother, but I can't bear to see the factory you worked so hard to build ruined."
"What is it? You're so serious, you're making me nervous."
Xie Sui had a hunch what he was about to say. Indeed, Wei Hao continued, "Brother Xie, I saw Gu Lei colluding with Yan Xiaoliang and his gang. Yan Xiaoliang also opened a food factory, and he's approached Lei Zi. You can guess what he wants. He was also lurking outside sister-in-law's room. Brother Xie, you need to be on guard!"
Xie Sui looked astonished. "Really? Is that true? This Gu Lei, he's really disappointed me. I treated him with my utmost sincerity. Tell me, how did I ever mistreat him? For him to do something so disloyal."
Wei Hao replied, "I just saw them hanging out. They might not betray us, but I wanted to alert you to be cautious. It's better to be safe than sorry."
"I understand. Haozi, you did the right thing. When it concerns the survival of the factory, and so many people's livelihoods, this isn't the time for brotherly sentiment. If the secret recipe is lost, we'll all be out of work.
How about this: when you have free time, keep an eye on Lei Zi. We're just suspicious; we can't accuse him just because they hang out together, that would hurt our brotherhood.
Perhaps he's just being polite? We need evidence for everything. Help Brother Xie with this, and I'll give you a big red envelope at the end of the year."
Wei Hao patted his chest and promised, "Don't worry, Brother Xie. I'll keep a close watch on him."
"Good. If you need manpower or need to entertain, feel free to make decisions. Bring back the receipts, and we'll get reimbursed by finance."
Wei Hao beamed, "Brother Xie is generous. I'll be going now. I want to try selling our ice cream to the neighboring county. My aunt married into a family there, so we can make more money."
Xie Sui was overjoyed. "That's a great idea! I'll inquire later if we can open a branch factory in the neighboring county."
"Open a branch factory?"
Wei Hao's eyes sparkled, and he began to scheme. How much could he gain if he managed this?
"If you can find the right connections, you can try. If you succeed, I'll give you a 500 yuan bonus, and you can manage the new factory."
Wei Hao's heart trembled violently. "Really?"
"Does Brother Xie lie to you?"
Of course, he wouldn't lie. 500 yuan wasn't much if things went well, but if they didn't, there would be no bonus.
Xie Sui had nothing to lose; he could say anything he wanted.
Wei Hao fiercely stubbed out his cigarette, his mind made up. He left with his head down, eager to get back to his work.
Xie Sui was in high spirits. With these two people keeping each other in check, he felt even more at ease to leave.
He rode his bicycle to find Secretary Tang, wondering about the progress on the freezers. They were needed urgently.
He casually bought a bag of pears and handed one to every staff member he saw at their office. Owing to Secretary Tang's influence, they all greeted him warmly and accepted his pears.
"You rascal, you don't need to make such a fuss when you visit. Be a little more serious."
Secretary Tang called him into his office, not wanting him to disturb the young female clerk. Her job, after all, was just delivering mail and answering phones. Sudan Novel Network.
"Why be so serious? Can't we finish the work with a smile? Secretary Tang, have you made any progress?"
"You've come at the perfect time. The cold drink factory is phasing out some equipment. It's five or six years old and perfectly functional for your needs. Each freezer costs 200 yuan, and there are ten of them. Can you afford it?"
"200 yuan? That's too expensive! Secretary Tang, you think too highly of me. Do I look like someone who can casually come up with 2,000 yuan? Since they're being phased out, can't they be treated as scrap metal? Secretary Tang, if you do this, you're not helping me, you're ripping me off!"
Secretary Tang was displeased. "How am I ripping you off? How much can you offer?"
"Fifty."
Secretary Tang stood up and opened the door, ready to kick him out. Who haggles like that? He wanted 200, and Xie Sui offered 50?
Xie Sui quickly said, "Just kidding, I'll add a bit."
"How much?"
"Sixty!"
Secretary Tang's expression remained blank, and he continued to reach for the door. Was this kid playing games with him?
"Wait, Secretary Tang, how much do you want?"
"A minimum of a hundred..."
"Deal! I'll go get the money now. Cash on delivery."
Secretary Tang: "..."
He felt something was wrong, as if he had been tricked by this kid.
Xie Sui chuckled. "If you're not busy, Secretary Tang, why don't you accompany me? I'm afraid they'll kick me out if I go alone. Competitors are rivals, after all."
"You know that too? The leaders of the cold drink factory have already complained to the Party Secretary, causing their factory's production to be cut by half."
Xie Sui: "That's not my fault. They should find reasons within themselves for the production cut. The market decides. If the public doesn't want to buy their ice cream, they shouldn't blame competitors but look for their own shortcomings.
Why has the country developed a private economy? It's because these state-owned factories have become too comfortable, relying on passive income. Survival of the fittest; only competition leads to progress."
"Well said."
Secretary Liu entered the room at some point. Xie Sui immediately extended his hand to shake his. "Secretary Liu, I hope I'm not disturbing your work. I was just talking nonsense, please don't take it seriously!"
Secretary Tang was helpless. This guy really didn't treat himself as an outsider, saying anything to the Party Secretary?
Secretary Liu burst into laughter. This young man was truly amusing. "Your awareness is excellent. Your factory is doing very well. If the cold drink factory had your efficiency, they wouldn't need to apply for subsidies."
"Subsidies? Nonsense. If they don't focus on their products and only try to milk the system, such factory managers are only fit to be officials, not to run a factory."