The next morning, Xie Sui and Lin Wanwan were scheduled to return to the county town. Hu Pan also decided to go with them. The elder aunt, with a displeased expression, grumbled to Xie Chen, "What's her deal? She's not close to us, but she's chummy with Xie Sui. Is she your friend or their friend?"
Xie Chen was the typical scholarly type, proud yet insecure, and very concerned with appearances. He preferred others to guess his thoughts rather than express them, and if they guessed wrong, he'd get angry.
If such a person were a beautiful girl, men would surely flock to pursue her, and it would be considered charming, a touch of adorable pride.
But for a man, it was rather problematic. He'd fumble everything, feel awkward, yet have no idea where he was going wrong.
Xie Chen was in precisely this state. He wanted Hu Pan to stay but didn't want to say it outright. He only saw them off. After Hu Pan looked at him several times, he finally spoke, "Pan'er, you should stay here. My cousin and his wife are busy with their own affairs and won't have time to look after you."
Hu Pan's eyes brightened slightly. "Then will you have time to spend with me?"
Xie Chen honestly replied, "I need to go to town to familiarize myself with the environment. It might be inconvenient to take you along. You should stay home and keep my mother company."
Hu Pan glanced at her aunt's greasy, insincere face and shivered. "I think I'd rather go visit Sister Wanwan's factory. I studied economics, and I want to put my knowledge to use. I feel the factory is where I should be. Goodbye. If you have time, come see me."
She scurried off. She had realized that since she wasn't studying agriculture, why should she linger in the village?
There was no heating, and it was freezing. It wasn't the farming season either. Her brain was practically frozen solid to have chased after the Xie family.
Xie Sui was right to scold her; her parents would surely be heartbroken and disappointed.
She suddenly felt homesick.
Xie Sui drove, and Lin Wanwan rode in the truck bed with her. Along the way, they encountered villagers heading to the county town and gave them a ride.
Xie Sui was somewhat displeased. His wife was being monopolized by Hu Pan. A proper young lady from a wealthy family, what was she doing causing such a fuss?
No, since she was a university student and the mayor's daughter, she had to be made to do something. Xie Sui had lived two lives and never engaged in a losing business.
Upon returning to the factory, Xie Sui shed his winter lethargy. He proactively gave Hu Pan a tour of his two factories: one for egg yolk pies and the other for pickles. Both businesses were doing very well, with demand exceeding supply. Su Dan Novel Network.
After tasting his egg yolk pie, Hu Pan immediately lost interest in steamed cakes. This was more fragrant and sweet, with cream too. It felt more sophisticated.
Twenty years later, she might find the cream too greasy. But in an era lacking sugar and fat, a mouthful of cream was a luxury. Eating it brought immense happiness.
Lin Wanwan watched Xie Sui smile like the Big Bad Wolf. What was he scheming now?
As expected, during the meal, Xie Sui asked, "Comrade Hu, what are your thoughts after seeing my factories?"
Hu Pan replied naively, "They're great. You're so smart, having two factories at such a young age. I really admire you."
Xie Sui: "Never mind that. You studied economics. I'm asking you, can factories like these make money in other counties?"
"Of course, they can. Your products are delicious, so they'll surely sell well."
Xie Sui enticed her, "The biggest benefit of this factory is that it creates jobs. I've provided employment for hundreds of laid-off workers in the county. Our county secretary even praised me.
Think about it, if all the counties in our city had factories, how many jobs would that create? It would be a great achievement for your father!"
Lin Wanwan held her forehead. She knew this was coming.
Xie Sui had his sights set on Hu Pan's father being the mayor. Missing such a golden opportunity would be a failure for a shrewd businessman.
Hu Pan found his words quite reasonable. "You're right. I'll tell my father when I get back."
Xie Sui slapped his thigh. "What are we waiting for? Time is money, and it concerns the fate of countless laid-off workers. We must act now!
Haven't you graduated? You studied economics; this is perfectly suited to your major. I'll provide everything, and you provide the manpower. Let's cooperate and open our factories in all the counties. First, we'll cover the entire Changzhou City, then the whole province, and finally, the entire country. Imagine how many broken families you could save!"
Xie Sui's flattery left Hu Pan stunned. Was she really that important?
Lin Wanwan couldn't bear to watch her being deceived. "Pan'er is still young. Can she handle such a heavy burden? Young girls should be dating and enjoying life. Don't lead her astray."
If she truly worked for her own family, Lin Wanwan knew for a fact how sour the faces of the elder aunt's family would be.
Xie Sui: "That's not the right way to put it. Leaders nowadays say women can hold up half the sky. In their prime, they should contribute to the nation's construction. If they're solely focused on romance, has the country wasted all those years training them?
Which is better, dating or pursuing a career? Wanwan, if you had a choice, would you marry me, have children, and become a weary housewife focused on daily chores?
Of course, now you're the factory owner's wife, and I, your husband, am very reliable. You're not a weary housewife. But for most women, their lives are over once they enter a family."
Lin Wanwan shook her head. If they had a choice, perhaps eight out of ten women would regret it.
Hu Pan asked, "Can I do it?"
"With me backing you, what can't you do? Let's start with the neighboring Chen County. I had a popsicle factory there before, but it stopped operating due to improper management. It's an existing setup. As long as you can achieve profitability by the end of the year, your father will be proud of you when you return."
Hu Pan had previously been solely focused on Xie Chen and had no plans for her career. Young people need a life mentor, and their lives can be vastly different. Xie Sui was now acting as that mentor.
Lin Wanwan suggested, "Why don't we tell Xie Chen? After all, she's his friend."
Hu Pan suddenly showed a strong will. "No need. I want to give him a surprise. Besides, he's just taken office and must be very busy. I don't want to bother him."
"Ah, that's right. Men like sensible women. Focus on your career first. When you become outstanding, your cousin will like you even more."
This time, Xie Sui personally accompanied Hu Pan to open the branch factory. Calculating his finances, he had over a hundred thousand yuan, which was enough to open a pickle factory.
After it was running smoothly, he would open a cake factory. Tomorrow, he would continue selling ice cream, which would be perfect.
To avoid suspicion, Xie Sui brought his second sister and Ye Feng. One would manage sales, and the other accounting. Hu Pan would be more of a mascot. As long as she was present, being the mayor's daughter, who in the county wouldn't show some respect?
Lin Wanwan stayed home to look after the two children. Xie Sui was very reluctant to be separated from his wife again. This wasn't the life he wanted after his rebirth!
He was truly reluctant, but Lin Wanwan kicked him out. He just wanted to slack off and continue his winter hibernation!
Xie Min found him utterly annoying. This brother, sometimes serious, sometimes playful, and so clingy, she found it embarrassing.
Xie Sui thought she was jealous. A woman without love was truly pathetic. This earned him a beating from Xie Min, and he immediately behaved himself.