That day, as usual, Deputy Factory Director Zhou led the study group from Jiangcheng Pastry Factory on a visit to Haicheng Food Factory. Deputy Factory Director Li, who accompanied them, enthusiastically introduced the equipment in the newly built workshop. The automated production lines made Deputy Factory Director Zhou envious, but he knew that with the current financial resources of Jiangcheng Pastry Factory, it was far from being able to achieve such a configuration.

"This is a newly introduced packaging machine," said Deputy Factory Director Li, pointing to a machine rapidly packaging milk candy. "It's more than ten times faster than manual labor."

Just as everyone was observing intently, footsteps suddenly came from the workshop entrance. Zhan Chunlan turned her head and saw a group of blond, blue-eyed foreigners walking in, accompanied by Factory Director Wang Deqing. These foreigners were wearing sharp suits, and some were even taking pictures with cameras.

"It should be foreign businessmen coming to inspect," Deputy Factory Director Zhou said in a low voice to his team members. But since they were on someone else's turf, he wasn't sure and could only look at Deputy Factory Director Li with a questioning gaze.

Deputy Factory Director Li understood and explained in a low voice, "It's a joint inspection team from several countries, here to discuss milk candy export business. We've arranged for them to visit the new workshop today."

At this point, Deputy Factory Director Li said with some pride, "If there are no problems, we can sign another order."

"It seems Haicheng Food Factory is about to generate another considerable amount of foreign exchange for the country," Deputy Factory Director Zhou said to Deputy Factory Director Li with a hint of envy. "I wish your factory a successful negotiation in advance. Our Jiangcheng Pastry Factory still has a lot to learn."

The members of the study group were also deeply moved. Although they had heard about the Haicheng Food Factory's export achievements, witnessing foreign businessmen's inspection firsthand was a completely different experience.

However, the observant Zhan Chunlan noticed something amiss. The foreign businessmen remained expressionless, revealing neither joy nor anger, while the faces of Factory Director Wang and his entourage grew increasingly grave. The accompanying staff were enthusiastically explaining something, but the foreign businessmen seemed unconvinced.

As the two groups drew closer, Zhan Chunlan clearly heard the English conversation between the foreign businessmen:

"We've imported this kind of milk candy before, but it didn't receive much response in our domestic market. Many consumers complained that it was too bland, and that candy should be sweeter."

"Yes, I don't know if it's because they're too poor here and can't afford to put in sugar. I tried a few, and they weren't sweet enough."

"And the packaging of these candies is just too ordinary and not fancy at all. Many people buy them because of China, a country with a long history, but they don't have any Chinese characteristics. They're not presentable enough as gifts and don't show that they're imported candies."

...

These private discussions among the foreign businessmen were naturally not relayed by the accompanying translator. Although the staff from Haicheng Food Factory who were there to receive them couldn't communicate verbally, they keenly sensed the awkward atmosphere. Their warm smiles began to stiffen.

Zhan Chunlan quietly observed Director Wang. Although he maintained a polite smile, the fine beads of sweat on his forehead and the occasional unconscious rubbing of his fingers betrayed his inner anxiety.

The staff were still enthusiastically introducing White Rabbit milk candy to the foreign businessmen. This is their most prized product and their top export product in previous years.

"Our milk candy has a rich milky flavor, but it's not too sweet. It tastes like chewing dry milk, and both adults and children love it."

"The milk candies are made with high-quality ingredients, and many families like to use them to make a drink. Many people say that seven milk candies can make a cup of milk."

This presentation, which had proven effective time and again in China, received a lukewarm response from the foreign business delegation. Most people simply nodded politely, and a few even showed signs of indifference.

A tall foreign businessman whispered to his companion, "If I want to drink milk, why don't I just buy fresh milk? Why do I have to buy milk candy? Don't they know their own product positioning? They can't grasp the characteristics of their own products at all. No wonder their import volume is decreasing year by year."

These words were like a needle, gently pricking Zhan Chunlan's heart. Looking at her colleagues from Haicheng Food Factory who were still trying their best to explain, an unnamed anger ignited in her chest.

How could we not understand the product's positioning? In those days of scarcity, milk candy was not only a snack for many Chinese people, but also a rare nutritional supplement and a presentable gift when visiting relatives and friends. In those rationed years, how much joy could a single piece of milk candy bring to a child, and how much nutrition could a bag of milk candy provide to a sick person?

They may not realize that in faraway countries, milk is no longer a luxury, and there are many more options for nutritional supplements. This gap in understanding has led to misaligned recommendations.

She was incredibly excited. It would have been fine if she hadn't seen it, but witnessing it unfold before her eyes was impossible for her to remain calm. She looked at the delighted Deputy Factory Director Zhou and Deputy Factory Director Li, hesitated for a long time, and then stepped forward with her notebook.

With a flushed face, he talked with the two leaders for a long time, and then showed the two factory directors the contents of his notebook, pointing and explaining as he looked at them, which made the two deputy factory directors nod repeatedly.

Finally, Deputy Factory Director Li looked at her seriously, the pressure in his eyes almost making Zhan Chunlan lose her footing: "Are you sure? You need to know the seriousness of this matter. It concerns export earnings. If anything goes wrong, no one will be able to protect you."

Zhan Chunlan's heart skipped a beat, and her fingertips unconsciously pinched her palm. Actually, before stepping forward, she had already considered all the consequences, but now, being asked this by Deputy Factory Director Li, her heart still pounded violently, and even her breathing became rapid. But she quickly gritted her teeth, her eyes regaining their resolve, and slowly met Deputy Factory Director Li's gaze as she spoke:

“I understand. It is precisely because I know this is a major issue concerning export earnings that I feel I must stand up.” Her voice was not loud, but every word was clear. “I am not doing this for my own honor. I just feel that, as a Chinese person, I want to do my part for the country in this matter.”

Looking at the somewhat shy young girl in front of him, Deputy Factory Director Li noticed that she had been walking over with a bit of awkwardness, and her voice trembled as she explained things to them. If Deputy Factory Director Zhou hadn't stopped her, he definitely wouldn't have listened to her finish.

Now he was somewhat relieved. Fortunately, he had listened to the whole thing. Moreover, recalling the contents of his notebook, he was more confident. Even if it wasn't adopted, it wouldn't have any major consequences. What he said just now was just a habitual way of putting pressure on people.

"Vice Factory Director Zhou, that's all for today's introduction. I'll have someone else introduce you next. I'll borrow Comrade Zhan for a moment." Vice Factory Director Li shook hands with Vice Factory Director Zhou apologetically. He was supposed to accompany the introduction throughout, but given the current situation, he had no choice. If they delayed any longer, he didn't know what the outcome would be for the food factory's export business today.

"Of course, of course, go ahead." Deputy Factory Director Zhou had just heard Zhan Chunlan's words. He had learned about this young comrade through the exchange of benefits between the two factories. She looked a little petite, but she had a lot of energy and was very quick-witted, so he thought highly of her.

"Go ahead and follow Deputy Factory Director Li. Talk less, observe more, and listen more. It will only benefit you." After all, she was a worker he had trained in his factory. Deputy Factory Director Zhou patted Zhan Chunlan on the shoulder. These words were both advice and encouragement.

"Yes, Director Zhou, I will do my best." Zhan Chunlan pursed her lips, looked at Deputy Director Zhou and nodded heavily, then followed Deputy Director Li towards the exchange group.