A month later, the third sister, Chen Meihua, came home for a long weekend. Her smile was much more genuine, and she even took the initiative to talk about what was going on at school.

The eldest sister, Chen Chunhua, and the second sister, Chen Jinhua, went to Yucai High School together. After arriving at the dormitory, they took the initiative to greet the students warmly.

Chen Chunhua is getting better and better at talking. In her words, she only mentioned that her third younger sister usually has a bad temper and is a little spoiled. She asked her roommates to be more understanding and to point out any mistakes directly.

Chen Jinhua also showed a look of disdain at the right time, saying that San San was also disliked by her sisters at home, and it would be better to scold her to her face.

Finally, Chen Chunhua asked Chen Meihua to come out and formally introduce herself again, and apologize to her roommates, saying that she had not gotten along well with everyone before.

Since the girls in the dormitory were only fifteen or sixteen years old and didn't have any bad intentions, Chen Meihua took the initiative to communicate with them and shared the woven bags she had brought with her. As they chatted, they gradually became familiar with each other.

There seems to be a girl from a well-off family named Zhong Qian, who is one of the leading girls in the class. She takes a nap in the dormitory at noon and only goes home in the evening.

Zhong Qian really liked one of the pink bags, which was woven by Chen Xihua with some care and was the most special one among the dozen or so.

"I want this bag!" Zhong Qian said to Chen Meihua with a hint of arrogance, as if to say, "If you don't give it to me, you'll be sorry."

Chen Meihua had originally intended to give it to her, but Zhong Qian added, "My family is rich, I'll give you the money to buy it!"

The two argued about money, and in the midst of their tug-of-war, they both burst into laughter and cleared things up.

Chen Xihua was relieved after hearing this. The classmates in her third sister's class were relatively kind. At most, they would gossip behind someone's back if they didn't like them. It wasn't real school bullying.

Before they knew it, winter vacation arrived. In January 1996, primary and secondary schools were on holiday, but Chen Chunhua, a senior in high school, still had to attend a week of make-up classes.

After Chen Xihua started his vacation, he still went to Old Qin's house every morning to learn calligraphy. Old Qin had returned to the county less than a month after returning to Shanghe Village.

She had originally planned to visit the provincial capital before the Lunar New Year, but Wang Jun and Wang Ying came directly to Gaoyang County on the morning of January 16.

They said that Grandpa Wang and Factory Director Yang had sent them, so she didn't need to make an extra trip. Wang Ying brought the financial statements for the No. 2 Garment Factory and Fanghua Store.

From September to mid-January 1996, a total of four and a half months, the cash flow of the No. 2 Garment Factory and Fanghua Company reached 12 million yuan.

The net profit was 16%, and a total of 1.92 million was earned. In another six months or so, it could reach 4 million, at which point Chen Xihua would have achieved his goal.

Although the initial net profit was low, it included all the costs of the No. 2 Garment Factory, including all the factory buildings and fixed equipment, because these belonged to the No. 2 Garment Factory and were not included in Fanghua Company's costs.

Profits should start to pick up gradually next month.

At the workshop, Zhang Xiaolan also brought financial statements directly to Chen Xihua. She gradually figured out her own method for managing the workshop and finances.

In six months, the workshop had a cash flow of 500,000 yuan. Since the Fanghua store was the one that sold the products, the net profit was 45%, which earned them 225,000 yuan, which was not bad.

At this moment, Chen Xihua and the other three were in a private room on the second floor of Jing'an Teahouse.

"Little Fifth Miss, I shouldn't listen to any more about your Fanghua affair. I'll go for a walk first!" Wang Jun only stayed for a short while after arriving before standing up and looking at Chen Xihua first.

Then he turned to Wang Ying, "Little sister, I'm going to go talk to my cousin!"

“Okay, Brother Jun, do as you please!” Chen Xihua also stood up, smiling and nodding. She then remembered that Wang Jun and his sister’s cousin seemed to be the manager of Mingliang Department Store in Gaoyang County.

Wang Ying waved her hand and said, "Big brother, you go ahead. You should talk to my cousin properly. He's in his thirties or forties, and he's always making decisions on a whim!"

After Wang Jun left, Chen Xihua reviewed the report in detail and pointed out some key issues or problems. Then she asked Xiao Lan and the other woman to go back and hold a year-end summary and commendation meeting for the employees.

Employees who have performed well over the past six months will be recognized at the meeting and awarded bonuses or gifts. The best employee will be selected.

Chen Xihua doesn't need to manage the No. 2 Garment Factory much, because Director Yang has more experience.

The factory always gives out employee benefits during holidays and festivals, a tradition that dates back to the days of scarcity. Giving out in-kind benefits is more encouraging. It's still okay now, or maybe we can gradually change some of it, replacing it with bonuses or lotteries.

After lunch, Chen Xihua and the other two parted ways. She was free, but Sister Xiaolan and Sister Wang would be busy for a few more days before they could have a holiday for the New Year. So Chen Xihua held a brief meeting to keep things simple and not take up too much of their time.

Finally, she stood up and solemnly addressed Zhang Xiaolan and Wang Ying,

"Sister Xiaolan, Sister Wang, thank you so much for your hard work over the past six months."

Sister Xiaolan, you are serious, meticulous, responsible, and hardworking. In the future, you don't need to restrain yourself too much. Be bold and do things freely. I believe you will surpass yourself.

Sister Wang, with your straightforward personality and enterprising spirit, you're definitely a top sales performer! Wishing you continued success!

"Oh dear, hahaha... Little Fifth Sister, why do you sound like my grandpa? You're still a young girl, don't say such things! I'm happy to be the store manager!" Wang Ying burst into laughter.

"That's right, Little Fifth Sister, you don't need to be so polite, it's all what I should do!" Zhang Xiaolan said, still a little embarrassed, her face slightly flushed.

After spending more time with Xiao Wu and becoming familiar with Wang Ying, Zhang Xiaolan became less shy and reserved, and more confident and outgoing.

Chen Xihua looked at the two of them happily and chuckled softly. Before leaving, she said, "Sister Xiaolan, please give my regards to your grandfather and Grandma Hong."

"Sister Wang, you should also thank your uncle, Factory Director Yang, and your grandfather for me. Tell them to put their minds at ease and not worry too much. I won't ruin the factory he built with his own hands!"

Wang Ying: "Understood, little adult!"

Zhang Xiaolan: "Little Fifth Sister, I know."

After leaving Jing'an Teahouse and watching Zhang Xiaolan and Wang Ying leave, Chen Xihua wandered aimlessly by herself.

Chen Xihua walked when she left home. The weather was a bit cold and there weren't many people on the road. She strolled slowly and seemed quite content. It seemed like she hadn't visited Gaoyang County in a long time, and she needed to find some time to explore other suburbs.

As she turned onto the intersection of the North New District Road and headed towards the West District residential area, she saw several young men on the other side of the road, with hair of varying lengths and dyed in different colors, smoking.

At this moment, a crew-cut man who had finished a cigarette said mysteriously,

"Did you know? That Green Gang boss from Jiang City, Master Zhu, has driven to our Gaoyang County several times."

He always makes a point of stopping in front of several police stations! So cool! I heard he even parked his car in front of some special police captain once.

"Little mouse, you're just making this up! How do you know the person in the car is Master Zhu?" someone asked.

"Anyway, everything I said is true, I didn't lie to you!"

"Where did you hear this rumor? The police have been patrolling Gaoyang County frequently all year. Why would Master Zhu come here?"

"......"

Master Zhu of the Green Gang?! Hasn't he been arrested yet?

Didn't the police find any evidence on Brother Huang and his companion?

Chen Xihua was very puzzled. How could this Master Zhu from the Green Gang dare to come to Gaoyang County so openly and offer himself up for death?

No, how could she forget!

The guy called Brother Huang is related to Master Zhu, but nobody knew that before. The original book mentions that it was only discovered during interrogation after both of them were arrested!

Chen Xihua cursed herself inwardly for being so foolish; she had forgotten to tell the police about something so important.