"Xie Sui, do you know what you're saying?"
Yan Xiaoliang narrowed his eyes, not expecting Xie Sui to be so tactless. He suppressed his anger.
"Of course, I do, Young Master Yan. I believe you know better than I do how this money was returned. I'm actually quite reasonable. If you truly want to be my friend, I won't let you suffer. But if you think Xie Sui is easy to bully, then I apologize, I won't serve you anymore. We'll go our separate ways, and never interfere with each other."
He glanced at the resentful eyes again, then smiled and continued, "Of course, you can feel offended. It's fine. I'll wait for your revenge, as long as you have the ability."
"Young Master Yan, the world is vast. The face and dignity you value so much are actually worthless. You should step out of your billiard hall and see the outside world. Ten years from now, people like you won't even have a place to beg on the streets."
"Xie Sui, you're going too far."
Yan Xiaoliang finally lost his temper. He slammed the table and stood up angrily, wishing he could punch Xie Sui in the face. Gu Lei quickly interjected, "What's wrong? Let's talk it out. Brother Xie, Brother Yan, you're both friends. Don't ruin the harmony."
Xie Sui glanced at him. "Gu Lei, don't forget whose bowl you're eating from, and who is paying you. If you think Mr. Yan has a brighter future than me, I won't force you to stay."
Gu Lei's expression soured. Was Xie Sui on medication? He was picking fights with everyone!
"I'm leaving. Xie Sui, you just wait. Don't fall into my hands. There will be a day you'll beg me on your knees."
"Heh, I'll say the same to you. You can beg me on your knees, and it won't work. I offered you respect, and you refused it. I'm not your father, why should I tolerate you!"
Gu Lei quickly escorted Yan Xiaoliang away. If a fight broke out, it would be even harder to resolve.
Lin Wanwan walked in and handed him a cup of water. "What are you arguing with people about? Harmony brings wealth. If you can't get along, just ignore them."
"Wanwan, you don't know. This scoundrel is a piece of work. I've tolerated him several times. I gave him face, and he didn't take it. If I don't hit him, he thinks I'm easy to bully. Harmony depends on who you're dealing with. Some people, if you're nice to them, they think you're a pushover, and they'll only respond to force."
Lin Wanwan: "Okay, as long as you have a good handle on things. How about we find someone to handle invoicing and payments? We could set up an accounting office. We'd need two people to work together, and we can't expect others to wait for us, can we?"
Xie Sui smiled. "Wanwan is so smart. I've been planning this, but I haven't had the time. Finding someone who can both invoice and account is difficult."
In those days, the general educational level was low, and most people didn't even finish junior high. Those who were truly educated went to university and were assigned jobs by the state, so they wouldn't come to their small factory.
"I might have someone in mind. Our village's former accountant, Uncle Xu, he'll definitely be suitable."
Xie Sui also knew of this person. He was one of the earliest educated youths. He married a village girl and later had the opportunity to return to the city. However, due to a change in his family's circumstances, he settled in the village and didn't go back. He was educated and had always served as the village accountant. After the household contract responsibility system was implemented, his family's life was not as good as others', as educated people were not good at farming, and they had many children, making things difficult.
"If Wanwan says he's suitable, then he is. We'll go find Uncle Xu right away. But no one is as good as my Wanwan. A true all-rounder, worthy of being my capable helper."
Lin Wanwan playfully chided him, "You talk too much. I'm going to get busy."
"Thank you, my dear wife. We'll have stewed meat tonight."
Xie Sui looked at Lin Wanwan's graceful retreating back with a hint of regret. The whole family could have meat, but when would he be able to eat meat? Poor little Sui Sui, as dry as a caterpillar, it was truly miserable. However, he didn't dare to push too hard. Since he was reborn, he wanted to make her truly fall in love with him and initiate intimacy, only then would it show the capabilities of the great Xie. A man who can't control his desires can't control his own life. Xie Sui could only ask his little Sui Sui to endure.
"Brother Xie."
Gu Lei returned, looking worried. "Brother Yan, no, Yan Xiaoliang has many connections in the county. It's not appropriate for us to confront him like this, is it?"
Xie Sui said sternly, "Gu Lei, your mistake today is very serious. You should know that the survival of our factory depends on those small vendors, not on him, Yan Xiaoliang. You abandoned customers to accompany an irrelevant person, and I am very disappointed."
Gu Lei was about to say something else, but Xie Sui raised his hand. "I know your thoughts. In the system, personal relationships are important, and outward appearances matter. Behind the scenes, everyone is ready to draw their knives, yet they still act like brothers. I understand the routines, but I don't want to be superficial or to pretend with him. I don't have the time." Su Dan Novel Network. "After work, I don't care how you interact with him, but in the factory, you do your job. Do you understand?"
Gu Lei's face darkened. "Understood."
Xie Sui didn't say any more. He had hired Gu Lei in the first place out of consideration for Sister Gu, to give him a hand. But if Gu Lei maintained this attitude, he wouldn't indulge him. Many of them, to some extent, possessed the arrogance and laziness of those in the system, content with their secure jobs for life. Wouldn't those people be the most miserable in ten years?
With Lin Wanwan's help, the butter was made faster, enough for the next three days. Xie Sui also tried making some small cakes. He didn't actually like the sweet cream in the middle; it was too sweet and greasy. But in this era, there was a lack of oil and sugar. This was probably why the egg yolk pies sold so well.
Lin Wanwan ate one and was very satisfied. "This is delicious! Should we start making it now?"
Xie Sui gave a bitter smile. "I'm afraid not. We don't have the space or the manpower. Things are just starting to pick up here. Let's wait."
"But the egg whites..."
"They won't go to waste. The texture won't be as good if we add them, but it won't matter. For now, we'll sacrifice a portion of the business. We'll be the ones dictating the taste." Monopoly was a good thing. With unique packaging alone, as long as Xie Sui didn't foolishly add chili peppers, they would all be sold.
Lin Wanwan liked this factory very much. It was more formal than her home and the space was ample. "When will we move here?"
"We need to arrange the children's schooling first and buy a house for us to live in. No rush."
"We can live in the factory!"
"No, work and life should be separate. I can live here alone, but you and the children can't be inconvenienced. I'll arrange it when everything is settled."
Lin Wanwan was silent, not saying anything. She couldn't deny being touched. He had truly changed for the better, always thinking of her, unlike his former self. She felt differently now, and Xie Sui seemed more handsome, a charming man with the unrestrained liveliness of youth and the steadiness and wisdom of adulthood. She wasn't heartless, how could she not be moved? But why didn't he pester her anymore? He hadn't even thought of coming to her bed at night. Could it be...