Chen shook his head with a smile, "Little Boss Jiang, you really are a little money-grubber!"

She smiled mischievously, "Hehe, there's nothing wrong with being a money-grubber; money earned through hard work isn't shameful."

Zhao Jiawei, who was next to her, gave her a thumbs up and said, "That's well said. I'll sign you up for the next English competition!"

Jiang Xiaoli winked at her, "Miss Zhao, please make an appointment with me in advance."

"Hahaha!" Zhao Jiawei smiled broadly, "Okay, no problem, I'll make an appointment with you in advance."

After chatting for a while, Chen asked, "I haven't asked about your studies lately, how's it going?"

Xu Xing recalled, "Last week I spent some time reviewing the key points for senior high school students, and this week I plan to focus all my efforts on the competition subjects."

Jiang Xiaoli succinctly uttered two words, "Same as above!"

Chen took a sip of tea. "Alright, the midterm exams will be held this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Everyone will have a day off on Saturday and Sunday. My suggestion is that you two don't need to participate. What do you think?"

Jiang Xiaoli's eyes lit up. "Then can we take a few days off?"

"You should be at school by right, but I'll grant you leave if you have something to do." With his second-place ranking in the city as a foundation, Chen is now very easy to talk to.

Xu Xing frowned. "Are you going to ask for leave again?"

She forced a fake smile. "I can't help it, I'm tied up with worldly affairs. Please forgive me!"

Chen rolled her eyes at her. "Alright, you guys go back. If you need to ask for leave, give me the leave slip later."

"Okay! Got it!"

When Jiang Xiaoli returned to the classroom, she told the students around her that they would not be taking the midterm exam.

"Yay!" A cheer erupted from the surrounding area.

She said speechlessly, "You guys don't need to be this happy, do you?"

Xie Yitao beamed, "Haha, I'm two fewer competitors than before when I'm in the top 20, that's awesome!"

"No one loves me anymore!" she cried, about to throw a tantrum!

Li Cheng, who was standing next to him, laughed and said, "It's really a game-changer for you two to take the exam with us."

Jiang Xiaoli looked around and pouted, "Alright, alright, I'll let you off this time."

Xie Yitao jokingly cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to her, saying, "Thank you for stopping, heroine."

"Haha, no problem, no problem!"

She quickly wrote a leave request and handed it to Chen before school ended at noon.

Chen asked curiously, "Young Master Jiang, how's business at your factory?"

Jiang Xiaoli smiled shyly, "Hehe, not bad, soon you'll have a student who's an outstanding entrepreneur."

"Hahaha!" Chen raised his hand and pointed twice in her direction. "You really aren't modest at all."

She blinked. "Teacher Chen, being overly modest is just being arrogant. I'm just confident in myself."

Chen thought about it and agreed with her, "What you said makes sense. I hope everything goes well for you. Remember, you must not neglect your studies, okay?"

She held up three fingers. "Don't worry, I promise I won't let it interfere with my studies!"

...

On Wednesday, Jiang Xiaoli went to the food factory after breakfast.

Seeing her peeking into his office, Zong Jiayu patted her on the shoulder from behind and mimicked her gesture, asking, "What are you looking at?"

She touched her nose shyly, "Hehe, just checking to see if you were there. I wanted to give you a surprise."

Zong Jia entered the office and put down the documents in his hand. "Why didn't you have class today?"

Jiang Xiaoli looked at the newly hung national map in his office. "Today was the midterm exam, and our teacher disqualified me from taking the exam."

"Hehe." Zong Jia chuckled. "Did Little Pear see me on the joint entrance exam rankings?"

She turned her head and leaned on his desk. "I saw it! First place! Amazing!"

Zong Jia took a White Rabbit milk candy from the drawer, unwrapped it, and stuffed it into her mouth.

"Little Pear is quite something too. My homeroom teacher's face turned black with anger because of you and that little classmate of yours."

With the rich aroma of milk filling her mouth, Jiang Xiaoli mumbled, "Then your teacher really doesn't have a very broad perspective!"

"Knock knock knock," came a knock at the door.

The two looked over together and saw Han Xue.

Zong Jia waved to her, inviting her in.

Jiang Xiaoli smiled and waved to her, "Hello, Miss Han Xue, good morning!"

Han Xue had been working at the factory for a few days and knew that the factory was actually owned by the Jiang family. She spoke somewhat awkwardly, "Good morning, Mr. Jiang."

She pulled out two chairs in front of her desk. "Come, sit down. Don't be nervous. Please report on your work first."

Han Xue nodded and handed the document to Zong Jiayu. "Deputy Factory Director Zong, this is the price list from Ling'an County Condiment Factory. Please take a look."

Zong Jia quickly read through it once. "Okay, I understand. Could you arrange a meeting with the person in charge of Xiangwanjia Condiment Factory for me? I'll go over there this afternoon to talk to him."

After Han Xue left, Jiang Xiaoli pointed to the price list in front of him and asked, "Should we change the condiment factory?"

Zong Jiayu smiled and shook his head, "The quality of the goods from Ling'an County Condiment Factory is not good enough. I just want to inquire about the price and then talk to Xiang Wanjia to see if there is any room for negotiation. After all, we haven't signed a long-term supply contract with them yet."

"Great job, Comrade Xiao Zong has a very broad mind!" Jiang Xiaoli applauded him.

Zong Jiayu smiled slightly, "That's all thanks to our leader, General Manager Jiang."

"Haha, what are you two bragging about so early in the morning?" Wei Dong's voice came from the office door.

Seeing that he was carrying a bag, Jiang Xiaoli got up and took it from him. "Uncle Wei, what are you carrying so early in the morning?"

Wei Dong smiled and nodded at her, "Why don't you open it and take a look?"

She opened the cloth bag, and a wave of steam rushed out; inside was a bag full of steamed buns.

"From 'Guizhi Baozi Shop'?" Jiang Xiaoli picked up one with a grin and took a bite.

Wei Dong also reached out and took one. "Ever since I ate your steamed buns, I've been craving them if I don't eat them for a few days. I'll take the rest to Xiaoming; he loves them too."

"Xiao Ming?" Jiang Xiaoli was a little confused when she heard this familiar name. It took her a while to react. "Deputy Factory Director Ming also likes our steamed buns?"

"That's right! Not only him, but our whole family are loyal customers of your steamed bun shop!" Wei Dong said, taking another bite of the steamed bun and praising how delicious it was.

Jiang Xiaoli's eyes flickered slightly. "I'm glad you like it."

Wei Dong ate a steamed bun, then took out a document from his bag. "Xiao Zong, these are the out-of-province distributors I've worked with before. See if there's anything you can use."

Zong Jiayu quickly took the document, "Uncle Wei, you are so selfless, I don't know what to say."

Wei Dong waved his hand with a smile, "You're being too polite. I'm happy that the factory is doing well! Besides, Xiao Lizi promised me shares."

Jiang Xiaoli was also moved by Wei Dong's willingness to go to such lengths. She immediately said, "Uncle Wei, don't worry, we are all honest people. I will definitely give you a big red envelope when we share the profits next year!"