Song Yan: "When private enterprises impact state-owned food factories, they will not remain silent."

Furthermore, state-owned factories tend to view privately owned factories as inferior, and they might try to belittle or pressure you, which is perfectly normal. They couldn't possibly remain silent, could they?

Otherwise, Chang Xiaohu would admire his second sister-in-law so much. His second sister-in-law's prediction was absolutely accurate. "I think the first few companies that placed orders with us were already unhappy."

Later, the factory's increased orders didn't affect them much, since they had already ordered mooncakes from them. However, they felt it was embarrassing.

They demanded that the grain and oil processing plant supply them with white sugar and soybean oil first.

This is an attempt to create a shortage of raw materials for us.

"As for the sugar, I've already received the goods. Even if I don't restock for another three months, I'll have enough sugar."

Song Yan had prepared plenty of grains, beans, eggs, and peanuts—essential for making fillings—for Xiao Hu, but not white sugar. Therefore, she instructed Xiao Hu to make sure to stock up on white sugar.

"Second Sister-in-law, I plan to cooperate with several more grain and oil processing plants. We will establish long-term cooperative relationships with the factories that are trustworthy and have good product quality."

This incident shows that some factories are not up to par.

They were originally producing in fixed quantities, but because of our orders, their income increased. We were quite happy at the time.

When the state-owned food factory contacted them, the No. 3 and No. 4 grain and oil processing plants immediately turned their backs and dumped our orders.

We signed an agreement before, but they said that since we are a private company, we would definitely work for state-owned factories first. They also made excuses, saying that state-owned food factories need large quantities, while we need much less, so we would definitely produce only the large orders.

I asked Deputy Factory Director Deng, and he said that even if we went to court, we might not win.

Song Yan understood this; the planned economy system couldn't be dismantled overnight. It was inevitable that they would prioritize supplying state-owned enterprises. One reason was that they had long-standing connections with these enterprises; another was that they were naturally envious of the thriving private businesses.

They're making money off you while simultaneously hoping you're not doing well.

If it goes to court, it can't be said that officials protect each other, but the inherent mindset is that the public interest comes first, then the individual.

It's still a bit difficult to take on this challenge for now.

There's no way we can cooperate with factories like that. Even if they come back begging and crying when state-owned factories have no orders, Xiaohu won't pay them any attention.

There's no such thing as an 8-hour workday anymore; workers can work 10 hours a day and they can't complain at all.

But Song Yan wouldn't let Xiao Hu do that.

Song Yan: "Overtime pay must be given when people work overtime."

Don't work when you're tired!

Chang Xiaohu: "Don't worry, Second Sister-in-law, I will definitely do what you said."

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, their salaries all doubled this month. Everyone was overjoyed!

The military dependents who came also earned some pocket money and were quite happy.

The new factory has been fully completed and the machinery has been installed.

We still need to consider the opening date, and also, the opening ceremony requires a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Which leaders should we invite?

Xiao Hu discussed many details with Song Yan and also formulated a general direction for the factory's development.

The new factory has started producing cookies, which requires a lot of raw materials. Initially, Song Yan is providing the raw materials.

Xiaohu needs to find stable supply channels in the future.

Especially the eggs.

It's impossible to keep all military dependents in factories, as some are physically unable or completely illiterate. Song Yan suggested encouraging them to raise laying hens.

Chang Xiaohu thought it was a good idea. As for technical support and venue arrangements, those weren't his concerns. He could talk to the people in the military, and they would find a way to coordinate.

Cheng Youfu was getting anxious listening to his sister and Xiao Hu talking so excitedly.

Cheng Youfu: "Sister, the roast duck is selling very well, and the duck products are also selling well."

I think roast duck workshops should expand production; perhaps they could also produce other varieties.

Song Yan: "What are your thoughts?"

"I don't have any ideas yet. But when they were cutting off the food factory's raw materials, I wondered what I would do if I were cut off from those supplies one day?"

The roast duck workshop only offers a limited variety of ducks. Who stole our ducks that day? For example, whoever offered the highest price, they would definitely sell their ducks to.

We haven't signed sales contracts with the farmers. Even if we did, there would still be certain risks involved in raising ducks. If we're talking about "what if," I mean, what if the duck supply runs out...

"I was thinking it would be better to have more varieties!" Cheng Youfu said.

Speaking of increasing the variety of products, Song Yan really remembered a few things.

For example, spicy strips, which are a generation's memory. And dried tofu too.

Especially the dried tofu, with its five-spice, spicy, and barbecue flavors...

It can be said to have endured for a long time, and its main ingredient is soybeans.

There are also salted duck eggs and braised eggs.

There are many other food products with a large market, but for now, this is relatively easy to achieve.

Song Yan gave a general direction and asked Cheng Youfu to lead a team to study it.

Both the food factory and the roast duck workshop have their own dedicated seasoning chefs.

The food research and development team has already reached a certain scale.

...

The house gets lively after the children get out of school.

Yin Chunmei is a hard worker, and Aunt Wei likes her very much. It's been three months now, and she can't leave yet. So, they've asked her to bring Yin Chao home.

Yin Chao was taught very well by Yin Chunmei.

When it's time to eat, he helps set out the chairs and get the bowls and chopsticks. He only starts eating after everyone else has started.

The food in his bowl was all put on his plate by his mother; otherwise, he would only eat the food in front of him.

After finishing his meal, he helped clear the table and then assisted his mother. He only started doing his homework after his mother finished her chores.

When he was supposed to start school, the semester had already begun, and he worked hard to catch up on the knowledge he had missed.

Song Yan's house is always full of snacks and fruits, but the child never takes them on his own initiative.

This child is the first to wake up in the morning. He used to live with Wen Dajun and learned martial arts from him. Now that he no longer lives with Wen Dajun, he still insists on practicing on his own.

His punches were quite skillful.

Yin Chunmei's life used to be tough, but looking at this child, she felt that there was still hope for her future.