The next morning, Li Guizhi ironed Jiang Xiaoli's formal attire while muttering, "No matter where you live in the future, you have to prepare several outfits for different occasions. Look how nervous you are."

While eating her breakfast, she said, "Don't bother, it's already ironed very smoothly."

Li Guizhi looked at it for a moment and finally put down the iron.

Just after she finished changing her clothes around 8 o'clock, Xiao Jincheng came and knocked on the door, "Little Pear, are you ready?"

Today, both of them were invited to attend the commendation ceremony for major taxpayers in Xijing City.

Jiang Xiaoli put on a long coat over her formal attire and called out, "Coming, coming!"

On the way, she asked, "Uncle Xiao, I wonder how many companies have been invited to participate?"

Xiao Jincheng thought for a moment, "I'm really not sure about that. This is the first time we've done this this year, but I don't think there will be many. There should be some entry requirements for the commendation ceremony, don't you think?"

Just as Xiao Jincheng said, only six companies were invited to the commendation conference today, all of which are private enterprises with annual tax payments exceeding 100 million yuan.

Previously, the "Jiang Li Ji" Xijing branch had to communicate with the authorities regarding matters from Zong Jiayu to Dafu and now Mingchan. This was the first time the leaders had met Jiang Xiaoli in person.

Before the commendation ceremony began, Xiao Jincheng helped her get to know the people, and Vice Mayor Ning, who was in charge of the economy, had a few words with her.

"President Jiang is truly a representative figure of the younger generation in Xijing!"

Jiang Xiaoli humbly replied, "I don't deserve it, paying taxes is an honor!"

Vice Mayor Ning said with a smile, "I really hope there are more entrepreneurs like President Jiang!"

She responded, "Of course! Under the leadership of all the leaders, Xijing will definitely develop better and better. Xijing is my hometown, and I will also work hard to run the company well and contribute to the construction of Xijing."

At the start of the commendation ceremony, after a speech by a leader, representatives from six companies that paid over 100 million yuan in taxes annually went on stage to receive their awards.

Jiang Xiaoli is the youngest of the six and the only female entrepreneur.

After the commendation ceremony concluded, a reporter from the provincial television station's finance program specifically requested a brief interview with Jiang Xiaoli, which she agreed to.

The reporter asked with a smile, "I heard that the main departments of the two 'Jiang Li Ji' factories in Xi'an have implemented computerized office systems. What were your considerations in doing so?"

Jiang Xiaoli replied, "When a company develops to a certain stage, streamlining work efficiency becomes a top priority. Otherwise, a lot of repetitive work will consume a lot of human and material resources. Making good use of computerized office work can easily solve this problem."

The reporter nodded. "As far as I know, you have established the 'Jiang's Group' and the Kyoto branch of 'Jiang Li Ji' in Kyoto. Do you have any plans to relocate these companies in the future?"

She denied this, stating, "Establishing the group and branches is a business plan. Xi'an is my hometown and the place where 'Jiang Li Ji' grew and took off. There are no plans to relocate the 'Jiang Li Ji' factory."

"One last question." The reporter smiled at her. "Ms. Jiang, you are now a senior to many young entrepreneurs in Xijing. Do you have any words of advice for bosses in the early stages of their businesses?"

Jiang Xiaoli waved her hand, "I dare not accept the title of senior, nor would I presume to give advice to friends who are starting their own businesses. I can only share my own personal experiences."

That means minimizing unnecessary expenses in the early stages of a business. Earning money in the early stages gives us the motivation to keep going, and that's the most important thing.

"Thank you for accepting my interview."

Xiao Jincheng watched the interview the whole time. When it was over, he handed her his coat and said, "Little Pear, it looks like we'll be seeing you on TV again today."

Jiang Xiaoli smiled slightly, "Uncle Xiao, if you want to be on TV, can I call that reporter back and ask you a few more questions?"

Xiao Jincheng shook his head arrogantly, "I won't answer his questions unless they actively invite me to interview him!"

"Hahaha! Jincheng, are you putting on airs now?" Zhou Bangcai's voice came from behind. "Xiaoli, it's been a while. Why do I feel like you've grown taller?"

Jiang Xiaoli laughed, "Uncle Zhou, you have a sharp eye! I really have grown a centimeter taller than during the last National Day holiday!"

"Hahaha!" Zhou Bangcai laughed heartily. "I really didn't expect this. It feels like I first met you yesterday. The clever little girl has now become a great entrepreneur."

She said modestly, "I must thank Uncle Xiao and all of you for your help and guidance!"

At this moment, a staff member came over to lead them to the restaurant. On the way, Xiao Jincheng was pulled along and talked to, while Zhou Bangcai walked beside Jiang Xiaoli.

He said, "Xiao Li, you and Xiao Zong are still talking, aren't you?"

She blinked, not understanding why he suddenly brought this up. "We're talking about it, what's up?"

Zhou Bangcai lowered his voice and said, "The thing is, my cousin is Xiao Zong's father's boss, right? I talked to Xiao Zong about his father's promotion, and Zong Ze didn't get promoted."

Recently, some disciplinary issues have been discovered with Zong Ze. Please pass on a message to him so he can prepare himself mentally. It'll probably be a routine talk, but it won't affect him much, so don't worry.

Jiang Xiaoli's mouth dropped open in surprise. She asked in a low voice, "You took their money?"

Zhou Bangcai nodded. "I don't know what he was thinking. The matter wasn't going to be resolved easily, but he not only failed to get it done, he also spent the money the person who was supposed to help him. What a mess!"

She was at a loss for words for a moment, and just gave a couple of dry laughs before asking, "Uncle Zhou, would you mind telling me the approximate amount?"

Zhou Bangcai looked in the direction of his hands. He first made a three, then a nine.

Good heavens, a mere section chief accepted a bribe of 390,000 yuan? He dared to spend such a large sum of money in advance; he's truly a genius!

Upon arriving at the government reception restaurant, Xiao Jincheng returned after talking with someone and asked, "What were Zhou Bangcai and you talking about just now?"

Jiang Xiaoli answered truthfully.

Xiao Jincheng was speechless. "How could such a smart kid like Xiao Zong end up with such an idiot father?"

She shrugged. "Who knows? Uncle Xiao, are you being too sensitive? Is it because that person hasn't been getting along with you lately?"

Xiao Jincheng shook his head. "No, it's just that I've been going to Kyoto a bit more often, and everyone's curious about what I'm doing. Once they found out about our Kyoto project, they all want to get involved. They came to sell me their services since I hadn't agreed yet!"

Jiang Xiaoli chuckled, "Don't worry, I'm still young and don't understand anything. It's no use asking me about something this important. It only counts if you, the head of the family, agree!"

"Hahaha!" Xiao Jincheng felt incredibly comfortable. "With us two of us on the same page, anyone trying to take advantage of us will have no chance!"