"Can't it be done?"
Xie Sui drew out his tone, his eyes sharp, devoid of the amiability he had when he entered. It was as if he could see through Zheng Xinhe's inner thoughts.
Zheng Xinhe instantly felt the pressure. He clutched his abdomen with both hands, leaned back in his chair, and adopted a defensive posture. "Yes, this isn't something I can decide alone. This is the factory's business, and it's the country's business."
He was adept at bureaucratic talk. Was he still going to be intimidated by a young whippersnapper?
So what if he broke his word?
"Director Zheng, don't get agitated. Isn't there still righteousness in business? Excuse me, I've bothered you. I'll take my leave now. I still have to deliver some pickles to Secretary Liu tonight, and it's getting late.
Alas, Secretary Liu also has it tough, traveling halfway across the country to serve our county, yet he can't even have a taste of home cooking.
As for me, I happen to know a thing or two. I can't do much else, but I can contribute a little by letting the county's magistrate have something palatable. "
Zheng Xinhe abruptly stood up, his eyes wide. "Wait a moment, are you that young man who makes Sichuan cuisine?"
"It's me. The secretary is a good person and doesn't want special treatment. Pickles are fine to eat. They're not worth much. Director Zheng, is there anything else?"
Zheng Xinhe's mouth twitched fiercely. Although what he was doing wasn't technically against regulations, he couldn't withstand someone stirring up trouble. It would be bad if the secretary got the impression that he went back on his word.
"Let's discuss the affiliation matter again. We can negotiate."
Xie Sui said, "No, thank you. I can approach the county's cold drink factory. I'm mainly in the business of cold drinks and ice cream now, so I'm sure the cold drink factory would be interested.
Oh, right. Although I haven't worked in a state-owned factory, I've heard that affiliation also requires certain qualifications, bringing benefits to the factory, and creating tax revenue. What if a shell of a factory, with nothing at all, is affiliated under our factory's name? Wouldn't the leaders suspect some people of money laundering?
Or perhaps of embezzling state interests? The country has its laws, and I believe Director Zheng understands them better than I do, so I won't worry about it."
Zheng Xinhe broke out in a cold sweat. He had indeed been too hasty in this matter.
"Xiao Xie, don't rush off. Sit down, let's talk it over properly. Have some tea."
Zheng Xinhe personally poured him tea. Xie Sui sat down like a master, completely in control of the situation.
"Your factory is doing very well. I've heard about it. The last time I attended a meeting with Director Ma, he mentioned you. You're quite talented."
Xie Sui smiled, "You mean Uncle Ma? He's my benefactor. When I go to deliver pickles to the secretary tonight, I'll go with Uncle Ma."
Zheng Xinhe: "..."
Damn it, he'd been set up by that guy surnamed Yan. Who would have thought Xie Sui had this connection?
Ma Jianguo had made a good impression on the secretary and would definitely think of him when an opportunity for promotion arose. He was the same age and had similar experience. He couldn't let Ma Jianguo get ahead. He quickly said, "Xiao Xie, Uncle Zheng has tasted your ice cream. It's delicious, but the color isn't vibrant enough. The factory is purchasing some food additives, and I can give you some. Adding some coloring will make it look even better."
Xie Sui smiled, "Director Zheng is indeed thoughtful. How did I not think of that? It would be even better if we had cocoa powder. Chocolate ice cream is still a gap in the market."
Zheng Xinhe wanted to slap himself. Chocolate was an imported item, very expensive, and more importantly, impossible to buy even with money. Their food factory only received a few dozen catties each year, used only for making high-end pastries for leaders to give as gifts.
"Xiao Xie has excellent taste!"
Xie Sui continued, "I'll have to trouble Director Zheng with the affiliation matter. I trust Director Zheng will handle other matters according to regulations. While relationships are important, ruining your own future because of them won't earn you a penny. They might even kick you when you're down and gloat." Su Dan Novel Network
Zheng Xinhe understood he was referring to the Yan family and began to have second thoughts. Was Old Yan really trying to set him up?
The rest of the matter proceeded smoothly. Xie Sui paid the money, and a year-long contract was secured. Zheng Xinhe personally escorted him out of the factory. Only after Xie Sui promised to bring him along when he visited Secretary Liu did Zheng Xinhe breathe a sigh of relief and let him leave.
The factory gatekeeper was very surprised. Who was this young man? The factory director personally saw him off, looking reluctant to part. He didn't look at his wife with such lingering affection.
Xie Sui hummed a tune, riding his bicycle with one hand on the handlebars and the other waving vigorously. Damn it, he'd been held by an old man's hand for so long, it was all covered in his sweaty smell, disgusting!
Secretary Liu's influence was truly useful. He should send him more pickles later, and perhaps some chili sauce and beef paste. Eating only pickles wasn't nutritious enough.
Back at the factory, the workers had already left. Xu Siman had finished organizing the account books and was counting money with Lin Wanwan. Piles of small bills truly embodied the saying "counting money until your hands cramp."
"Xiao Sui, you're back. We need to buy a safe. All this money needs a proper place to be kept, lest it gets stolen."
"This little bit of money isn't worth a safe. Let's just throw it in a sack and put it on the roof. The less you seem to care, the less likely someone is to steal it. When the factory gets new equipment, this money won't even be enough."
"Take the big bills with you. We'll count them again tomorrow. It's time to go home."
Xu Siman chuckled, "You're quite carefree, but you have a point. You hide it, and I'll see if Zhang Wenfeng has finished his work."
He was avoiding suspicion by not watching Xie Sui hide the money. Lin Wanwan rolled her eyes at him. "Are you really just going to hide it anywhere? You sound like you're putting on an act, so flippant and unreliable."
Xie Sui felt wronged. "I'm really not acting. Is it worth it for me to pretend with this little bit of money? There's a ventilation window on the office ceiling, let's put it there."
Lin Wanwan knew where he was referring to. It was quite hidden, a place most people wouldn't think of, and it was sheltered from the rain, so it wouldn't get wet. She went with him to hide it.
There was also a stack of ten-yuan bills. Xie Sui tied them up and stuffed them into his waistband. With his clothes covering it, nothing was visible.
Seeing his practiced skill in hiding money, Lin Wanwan didn't want to say anything more. How much experience did it take to hone such a skill?
This time, Lin Wanwan had wronged Xie Sui. This was from his previous life, when he traveled by train while going south to buy goods. He had to hide his money like this because of the many pickpockets on the train. If he wasn't careful, everything he had could be stolen.
The Xie Sui of the past couldn't even earn much through deception. "What's wrong, wife? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing, let's go home."
Zhang Wenfeng started the tractor. Xu Siman, being observant, sat on the front passenger seat, squeezing in with Zhang Wenfeng, allowing Xie Sui and Lin Wanwan, the young couple, to sit in the back and talk intimately.
Unfortunately, his arrangement didn't work out as planned. The tractor's chugging sound was too loud, and the bumpy ride made it too easy to fall asleep. Xie Sui swayed back and forth until he was sleeping soundly, leaning on Lin Wanwan's lap.
Lin Wanwan didn't sleep. She supported his head, afraid he would fall and hit his head. Xie Sui, asleep, had handsome features and a face similar to his sons', which softened Lin Wanwan's heart. If only he could always be this well-behaved!