Chapter 200: Another Autumn Trade Fair
’If he thought he could make me compromise like this, he was far too naive!’
’I’ll just wait and see what kind of trouble he can stir up.’
After learning that Xie Changning refused, Yue Yang’s father’s expression twisted. He muttered a curse at her under his breath and turned to leave.
He completely ignored the fact that Vice Factory Director Lin was present.
Vice Factory Director Lin frowned, watching the man leave.
He suddenly understood why Xie Changning wouldn’t compromise. ’You can’t give in to people like that.’
’Otherwise, he’d just cause all sorts of trouble down the line.’
’It would be better to use this opportunity to kick him out of the factory. Things would be more peaceful, and he wouldn’t cause trouble for the leadership team!’
As he thought this, Vice Factory Director Lin was suddenly struck by how truly wise Xie Changning was.
’Before, I didn’t think there was anything seriously wrong with Yue Yang’s father—just that he had some minor flaws. But now I see that by not correcting those minor flaws, his ambition has gradually grown and become inflated!’
’If he’s not taught a lesson, he’ll cause a major incident sooner or later.’
A cold sweat broke out on Vice Factory Director Lin’s back.
’Thank goodness Xie Changning is the one in charge this time,’ he thought. ’She has plenty of ways to deal with Yue Yang’s father. If... if it had been me, I probably would have thought, "We’re all from the same factory, might as well let him do it"...’
’And then the trouble would have become even bigger!’
At that thought, he looked in Xie Changning’s direction.
’Having a highly capable director is just so important for a factory!’
-
After the vice factory director left, Xie Changning picked up the phone and made a call to Chuncheng.
She was checking on Yue Yang and Huo Xiaoqian’s academic progress.
The two girls had been studying in Chuncheng for some time. She had always entrusted their academic matters to her older sister, so she was calling her sister this time as well.
"Those two kids are working very hard. In just a few months in Chuncheng, they’ve already caught up on a full year of studies."
When speaking of Yue Yang and Huo Xiaoqian, Xie Changyi’s voice was filled with admiration.
’I really admire girls like them.’
’When faced with hardship, they seize opportunities like this to pull themselves out of their difficult circumstances!’
"Especially Yue Yang. She’s studying with such fierce determination, treating one day as two. She’s constantly buried in her books."
"Yes, Yue Yang’s family favors boys over girls. If I hadn’t discovered she was a Xiang Bi Zi, she probably would have been trapped by her family..." Xie Changning told Xie Changyi what had happened with Yue Yang’s father.
When she heard that Yue Yang’s father had threatened Xie Changning, Xie Changyi’s tone immediately darkened.
"In his dreams! He should go take a piss and look at his own reflection!" Xie Changyi rarely cursed, but it was clear that Yue Yang’s father had infuriated her.
Xie Changning let out a muffled laugh.
"Don’t worry, I didn’t agree. I’m just waiting for him to report me."
’When he does, the factory workers will turn on him.’
’After all, I was the one who revived this whole factory. If I hadn’t come, the wood products factory would have already declared bankruptcy—the official documents had even been issued.’
’Any of the smarter workers in the factory knew they needed to stick with me.’
’Only Yue Yang’s parents held a grudge against me for taking Yue Yang away.’
"Anyway, let’s not talk about that. I mainly wanted to ask how their French studies are coming along. I’m thinking of sending them abroad, and it won’t do if their French isn’t up to par."
There were very few places in China to learn French at the time, and even if you found one, the cost was exorbitant.
But Xie Changning was willing to spend the money to train them, and the two girls did not disappoint her.
"They’re learning exceptionally well. Huo Xiaoqian, in particular, has a real talent for languages. She learns very quickly, and at night she helps Yue Yang review and fill in any gaps..."
Xie Changyi described how the two girls got along to Xie Changning.
"It sounds like they can be sent abroad after the New Year," Xie Changning said with a smile.
After talking about the two girls, Xie Changyi asked Xie Changning, "The Autumn Trade Fair is coming up again. Does your factory have any new products?"
Without new products, the machinery factory’s sales figures would be fine, but the sales for the wood products and daily chemical factories would likely drop.
"Nothing brand new, just our basic models," Xie Changning answered without hiding anything from Xie Changyi.
’China has no shortage of skilled artisans right now.’
’What I’m working on now are dining chair and table sets. Of course, the colors will be more in line with mainstream foreign aesthetics.’
’I’d be happy if others can effectively imitate them and make money.’
’Only when the domestic economy is stimulated will people have the money to research and develop new things. With new domestic products, the novelty of foreign goods will decrease.’
’This will block the advance of foreign investment.’
’After all, before she died in her past life, in every single province of China, there were hundreds of companies in which the Japanese alone held shares, not to mention those from other countries.’
’In this life, I can’t let those people come to China and muddy the waters!’
Unable to get any information out of Xie Changning, Xie Changyi didn’t give up. She decided she would come over to Xie Changning’s factory for a look around another day.
’After all, I am Chuncheng’s Director of Foreign Trade, and Anong County is under Chuncheng’s jurisdiction. It’s within my purview. There’s no problem with me coming to inspect the products ahead of time, right?’
Xie Changning had no idea her sister now had her sights set on her.
After hanging up the phone, she took the design drawings she had prepared and went downstairs to see the vice factory director. She asked him to bring the senior craftsmen over; she was going to hold a meeting about the products for the Autumn Trade Fair.
With the current orders nearing completion, it was time to put the new products on the agenda.
The moment the products were mentioned as being for the Autumn Trade Fair, everyone grew instantly excited.
They were waiting in the conference room early.
By the time Xie Changning arrived, all the senior craftsmen were already there. She took the design drawings of dining chairs and various furniture and decorative pieces, all rendered in colored pencil, and taped them to the blackboard behind her.
"I trust these things aren’t unfamiliar to you."
Of course they weren’t unfamiliar. These were the very things they used to make by hand. How could they be?
"Our theme for this year’s Autumn Trade Fair is ’new wine in old bottles,’" Xie Changning explained, laying out her ideas for the workers.
Everyone had immense trust in Xie Changning. Whatever she said, the workers would do.
Only after Xie Changning finished explaining her ideas did it dawn on them what she meant.
"Director, we understand what you’re saying, but about the rattan weaving for that rattan sofa... we don’t have any workers in the factory with rattan weaving skills."
They used to have some, but they were poached by other companies.
"Don’t worry. For that, there should be some older folks nearby who know how to weave this kind of pattern. Leave this matter to me," Vice Factory Director Lin interjected, taking on the task before Xie Changning could speak.
With his assurance, the workers raised no further objections.
Xie Changning scanned the room and spoke seriously, "If our wood products factory wants to stand out at this Autumn Trade Fair, we need to find a different path. After all, our country has a great many artisans."