Chapter 133 Chapter 133 Sponsorship

Liu Jun greeted the two men: "Comrade Jiang, are you here with your partner today?"

Jiang Xi smiled and said, "Sorry to bother you, Brother Niu. I came here to give you something to try."

Niu Jun sighed, "Oh, don't be so polite. I can't help you much."

Jiang Xi: "It's not a valuable item. I sell braised pork in my shop in Shanghai. Before that, I also sold braised pork in my shop in Changfeng County. Brother Niu has helped me twice, but I haven't tasted the food in the shop yet. I thought, how can I do this? So, this time I will bring some braised pork for Brother Niu to try."

Jiang Xi only needed a glance to get Qi Yu'an to open the insulated box and take out the packaged braised food. "Brother Niu, you can try it. I brought several kinds of braised food. There's a vegetarian platter, a meat platter, and our best-selling braised chicken. We raise our own chickens, so they're made with real ingredients."

Niu Jun was embarrassed: "This is too much, too expensive."

Jiang Xi placed the bag in Niu Jun's hand. "It's okay, Brother Niu. You can give some to your family or colleagues at the factory. I brought so much on purpose because it's all my own stuff anyway. I caught the earliest bus. The gravy is still fresh now. It will go bad in two days, and I won't be able to finish it all. You can take it and enjoy it slowly."

Jiang Xi had said so much, and Niu Jun couldn't refuse, so he had to take it with a smile.

The security guard had already opened a platter of vegetarian slaw. He ate a peanut and exclaimed, "This tastes great! It's just like the ones I make back home. Your slaw is authentic! And it's clean too."

Jiang Xi asked, "Uncle, where are you from?"

The security guard said, "My hometown is Jiang County. I used to make zaolu at home often, but I haven't made it for a long time. I miss the taste very much. I didn't expect that I could still taste it today thanks to you."

Jiang Xi smiled and said, "Uncle security guard, you have a very picky tongue. Our family's braised stew is the most authentic, and it's a recipe passed down from our ancestors for over a hundred years. It's very popular in Changfeng County, so we also opened a store in Shanghai."

The security guard said, "I was wondering why it tastes so good. It turns out it's a recipe passed down a hundred years ago. Don't underestimate this stew. It looks simple to make, but it won't taste the same when you actually make it. You guys are really good. Something this good deserves a store in Shanghai."

The security guard took another piece of braised chicken, chewing it with great enjoyment. He sighed again, "This tastes great! Much more exciting than vegetarian dishes. No wonder it's your store's best seller. Life isn't as hardshipd these days, and people are more discerning. You'll definitely have no trouble selling in Shanghai." The security guard took Jiang Xi's food and tossed out baskets of niceties as if they were free. The braised chicken was indeed delicious. He ate several more pieces, feeling a little dizzy and humming a little happily.

He looked at Qi Yu'an who was standing next to Jiang Xi and said, "This guy is really energetic. If he were to attend a matchmaking event, there would definitely be a lot of girls who would like him."

The security guard finally realized his gaffe and laughed, "I'm old and confused. You two are a couple. I was just talking nonsense."

Jiang Xi didn't mind. Instead, he was attracted by the blind date conference mentioned by the security guard: "Why hold a blind date conference? Our county has never held one before. This is the first time I've heard of a blind date conference."

Jiang Xi's well-placed curiosity sparked the security guard's interest in chatting, "A blind date event is a blind date. There's one happening behind our factory and the textile mill. This is the first time our factory has held a blind date event with the textile mill. Many young men in the factory are eager to join, and I hear there are hundreds of people who want to participate."

Jiang Xi asked, "Do people from the glass factory still need to go on blind dates?"

The security guard said, "Of course. Most of the people in our factory are gay. They work in the factory every day and don't have the opportunity to meet women. It just so happens that the people in the textile factory are all lesbians. To solve personal problems, the two factories are holding a matchmaking meeting. It will start in two or three days. Haven't you seen how happy all the male colleagues in the factory are now?"

The security guard greets and sees off people in the factory every day and hears a lot of gossip. To a certain extent, he knows more about what's going on in the factory than Niu Jun.

Jiang Xi nodded. "That's right. I just stood outside for a while. Many men came out with smiles on their faces. I thought the factory was doing well, but I didn't expect them to be attending a blind date event."

The security guard chuckled, "You probably don't know this, but this matchmaking event was organized by a bunch of gay men. I heard there was a man in his thirties who still hadn't found a partner, and his mother was so worried that she went to the factory leaders and asked them to help her son find his partner. And his son was incredibly worried, too."

The security guard looked at Qi Yu'an and said, "When a man reaches a certain age, he should marry and have children. Especially after he makes a little money, it's hard to bear seeing other people enjoying a warm and loving family while you go home to a cold and lonely place. You must understand this."

Qi Yu'an... couldn't let the conversation remain silent, so he simply replied with a "hmm". The security guard smiled and looked at Jiang Xi again.

Jiang Xi...I don't know what the security guard is thinking about, but I always feel that this smile has a deeper meaning.

However, the blind date conference did provide Jiang Xi with inspiration. She was worried that she had no chance to infiltrate the glass factory. Now the opportunity came, and she could use the blind date conference to make some moves.

Niu Jun stood aside and listened to the security guard's chatter. He didn't hear anything of what the security guard said later. But he listened to every word of his previous words praising the deliciousness of the braised pork. The braised pork in his arms seemed even more precious.

He was not one to take things from others for free, nor did he want to take advantage of others. Just as he was about to give some money, he heard Jiang Xi ask: "Brother Niu, can we provide sponsorship to the factory?"

Niu Jun had never heard of the term "sponsorship" before, and asked with a puzzled look on his face: "What sponsorship? What do you want to sponsor? What does it mean? I don't understand."

Jiang Xi said: "Brother Niu, if possible, we would like to sponsor the blind date conference and send some things for use."

Originally, sponsorship meant giving things, but what kind of sponsorship was needed for the blind date conference? The most Niu Jun could think of were balloons and melon seeds, but these factories had a budget and had already bought several large bags. This was also the reason why those who originally did not want to participate also actively participated in the blind date conference. There were free things to eat, and even if they were not chosen, it would be nice to eat some melon seeds.

Jiang Xi explained, "Brother Niu, a blind date can't just be about chatting. We definitely need some food. The factory might have already bought melon seeds and peanuts, but since we're holding a blind date convention, why don't we make it more grand and add some food so everyone can have a happy blind date. We can sponsor Wu Ji's braised chicken and braised platter to the glass factory, which also fits the atmosphere of a blind date convention."

Niu Jun thought it was okay, but he couldn't make the decision: "I can't make the decision on this matter. The matchmaking meeting is organized by the factory's publicity department. How about I ask for you?"

Niu Jun's words hit the mark, and Jiang Xi said, "Okay, Brother Niu, please ask for me. I will sponsor 100 vegetarian and meat platters for free to the matchmaking conference, as a contribution to the factory's matchmaking conference."

Niu Jun said, "You're quite generous. Two hundred servings of the braised pork platter is a lot of money. You really don't want to pay? Isn't this a loss?"

Jiang Xi sponsored two hundred servings of the braised pork platters, not just to help the glass factory host the matchmaking event. As for her other intentions, she wouldn't tell Niu Junming. Instead, she said, "I'm just very grateful to the glass factory and to Brother Niu, so I wanted to do something. Besides, our Wu Ji Braised pork platters just opened in Shanghai, and I wanted the workers there to try some and give us some feedback."

This is a good thing for the glass factory. It is a good thing to refuse something that is delivered to your door. Even Niu Jun thinks that the Propaganda Department will definitely agree to it.

Moreover, it was Jiang Xi who took the initiative to propose it. Niu Jun had originally felt a little embarrassed to take Jiang Xi's things, always feeling that he should not accept something without doing anything. But now that he was running an errand for Jiang Xi, Niu Jun's bad feelings dissipated a lot.

Niu Jun said decisively: "Okay, I'll go ask for you, you wait here first."

Niu Jun went directly to find the Minister of the Propaganda Department. The Minister of the Propaganda Department was a short-haired female comrade named Lin Cuiping. She was usually serious and did things in a very methodical manner. Niu Jun was a little scared to talk to her.

But this was a very good thing, and Niu Jun became more confident and said, "Sister Lin, I have something I want to tell you."

The woman called Sister Lin raised her head and asked seriously, "What's the matter?"

She and Niu Jun only had some interactions occasionally. To be precise, she didn't have many interactions with the people in the factory. Lin Cuiping was an old employee in the factory and had strong connections, so she was very tough in her words and deeds. When she got angry, she dared to point at the factory leaders and scold them. She had always been a lone ranger in the factory, and few people took the initiative to talk to her.

Lin Cuiping was a little surprised when Niu Jun suddenly came to see her today. She stared at Niu Jun and waited for his reply.

Niu Jun's hair stood on end when he saw Lin Cuiping's scrutinizing eyes. The factory gave Lin Cuiping a nickname, "Black-faced Door God", which was enough to show the intimidating power of Lin Cuiping on everyone in the factory.

Niu Jun swallowed and said carefully, "I have a friend who runs a shop selling pickled vegetables. When she found out we were going to hold a matchmaking meeting with a textile factory, she wanted to sponsor us."

Selling braised pork? Aren't they just self-employed? How can a state-owned enterprise like them be related to self-employed people? Lin Cuiping raised her eyebrows: "What kind of sponsorship are you providing?"

Niu Jun said, "She sells glutinous rice, which tastes great and is also very clean. She wants to provide us with 100 platters of both vegetarian and meat glutinous rice."

Niu Jun opened the marinated food that Jiang Xi had brought and asked Lin Cuiping to taste it. "Try it, it's all freshly made. They just sent it to Shanghai from Changfeng County today."

Lin Cuiping glanced at the braised pork platter. It was nicely packaged, very high-end, and looked quite clean and hygienic. She tasted one and it was delicious. It would be a good choice for a matchmaking event. Lin Cuiping knew at a glance that the braised pork platter was not cheap. She wondered, "Why would they sponsor us with such a good thing for no reason?"

Niu Jun: "I don't know the details yet. She's just outside the factory. How about letting her in to talk?"

Lin Cuiping said nonchalantly: "Okay, bring her in, I'll talk to her in person."

Niu Jun sighed and ran out of the factory without stopping.

Jiang Xi had already started chatting with the security guard, and Qi Yu'an also interjected from time to time. The scene was very harmonious.

Niu Jun said, "Comrade Jiang, Comrade Qi, Minister Lin from the Propaganda Department wants you to come in."

Jiang Xi didn't expect Niu Jun to be so efficient. He said in surprise, "Okay, thank you, Brother Niu."

Compared with the steel plant in Changfeng County, the glass factory in Shanghai is obviously newer. Although its area is not as large as that of the steel plant in Changfeng County, its layout and equipment are all brand new. Like steel and glass, steel requires a permit to buy, so the strength of the Shanghai glass factory should not be underestimated.

Those who can gain a foothold in this factory are not ordinary people. Jiang Xi quietly followed Niu Jun to Lin Cuiping's office and had prepared a plan in his mind.

Entering the office, Jiang Xi smiled and said, "Hello, Minister Lin, I'm Jiang Xi. Nice to meet you."

Qi Yu'an also greeted Lin Cuiping with a smile: "Hello, Minister Lin, I am Qi Yu'an."

Lin Cuiping hadn't expected that two young people would come to visit her. Furthermore, Jiang Xi and Qi Yu'an's attitude towards her was natural, neither humble nor overbearing. They were completely unlike those who met her for the first time. They stuttered and were unable to speak.

Besides, Jiang Xi and Qi Yu'an were so good-looking. Although Lin Cuiping was serious, she had a hobby that no one knew about. She was obsessed with looks and liked good-looking people. She was also more friendly to good-looking people: "You want to sponsor our factory?"

Jiang Xi's smile remained unchanged. "Yes, I also heard that our glass factory and textile factory are having a blind date meeting. I thought that a blind date can't just be about chatting, it must require some food and drinks. I happen to run a braised pork stew shop, so I want to sponsor some braised pork stew."

Lin Cuiping confirmed: "I heard from Niu Jun that you want to sponsor 100 servings of the braised pork platters for our factory?"

Jiang Xi nodded. "Yes, I also heard that the glass factory attaches great importance to this matchmaking event, so I thought, since we have decided to sponsor it, why not sponsor more so that the workers in the factory can eat and drink well. In a happy and joyful atmosphere, it will be easier to find a partner."

Jiang Xi's words were beautiful, but Lin Cuiping wasn't as naive as Niu Jun. "One hundred servings of braised pork platters are expensive. What do you want from the factory?"

Although Jiang Xi only had a brief contact with Lin Cuiping, she quickly understood Lin Cuiping from her expression, demeanor and tone. She knew that she was a straightforward person, and the more hypocritical someone was, the more Lin Cuiping disliked him.

So Jiang Xi simply told the truth: "Actually, I just want to hang a few banners in the factory. Because the Shanghai Zaolu restaurant is about to open, and this is our first time opening a store in Shanghai, so I want to write the address and opening date of the Shanghai Zaolu restaurant in the factory and hang them in an empty space in the factory to help promote our Zaolu restaurant."

Lin Cuiping asked, "Where is the address of your braised pork restaurant?"

Jiang Xi gave an address, and Lin Cuiping lowered her eyes in thought: "It's quite close to our glass factory. Your idea is good. If we promote it in our factory, our people will be close to your place and can take care of your business if they are interested."

Jiang Xi said, "Yes, considering that our glass factory is a large state-owned factory with a certain level of strength, and the people in the factory are not short of money, we want to use this method to promote it. I hope Minister Lin can give us this opportunity."

In addition to publicity, Jiang Xi also wanted to take this opportunity to establish a good relationship with the leaders of the glass factory, so as to negotiate brine orders from the glass factory. However, this is all in the future. Nothing can be achieved overnight. Jiang Xi has confidence and patience.

Jiang Xi continued, "We sincerely want to facilitate this cooperation. We'll provide 100 servings of meat and vegetable platters. Don't worry, we won't cut corners. They'll be large portions, just like the ones we sell. All we need to do is hang a few banners on the factory grounds. This is a good deal for you, with almost no cost. I hope Minister Lin will consider it."

This method is feasible. The factory does not need to spend extra manpower and material resources. It is just a matter of hanging a banner. Lin Cuiping thought for a moment and asked, "You guys make the banner yourself, right?"

Jiang Xi nodded: "Well, we can do it ourselves. You can even specify the location and we can hang the banner ourselves."

This way, there is no cost at all, and you can get 100 servings of braised meat platters for free.

The Propaganda Department couldn't accomplish anything big in a year. If it weren't for Lin Cuiping's strong connections, the Propaganda Department would have been an insignificant existence in the factory. Lin Cuiping was a proud and arrogant person. This time, when it came to holding a blind date conference, Lin Cuiping put all her energy into it and wanted to do it properly to let those people see that the Propaganda Department could be of great use.

Jiang Xi's proposal fully meets Lin Cuiping's needs. It is true that holding a blind date meeting requires a certain amount of funds, but if it can be free and there are so many platters of pickled vegetables, it will prove Lin Cuiping's ability, and it will also be face-saving to show it off. In front of the textile factory, the glass factory can also be more confident.

Thinking of this, Lin Cuiping said, "I agree to what you said. When the time comes, you can send the banner over and I will arrange for someone to hang it up for you."

Jiang Xi nodded hurriedly, "Okay, Minister Lin, we will also deliver the braised pork platter on the day of the matchmaking meeting. We will make sure it's fresh."

Lin Cuiping nodded lightly. Although she still looked serious, her eyes were not as cold as at the beginning.

Niu Jun was amazed as he listened to this. When Lin Cuiping spoke to others, she would always make a few remarks, but today when she spoke to Jiang Xi, although her tone was not friendly, it was strangely smooth. Niu Jun once again sighed that Jiang Xi was not simple.

The weather in Shanghai gets hot earlier than in Changfeng County. Even before summer arrives, the cicadas are calling out, unwilling to be lonely.

Jiang Xi and Qi Yu'an came out of the glass factory and simply walked to the store. The glass factory was not far from the store in Shanghai, and the two of them arrived in about twenty minutes.

The store has changed a lot and everything looks brand new.

The doorplate still uses the words written by Grandpa Qi Yuan. The store is much larger than the store in Changfeng County, and Jiang Xi specifically requested to replace the two doors.

When Jiang Xi was inspecting Shanghai, he found that all the slightly better stores in Shanghai had transparent glass doors. In Changfeng County, they still had traditional wooden doors, which did not provide good lighting and looked dirty easily, and were not as clean and bright as glass doors.

So Jiang Xi combined the market and actual situation and decisively replaced the two glass doors. The effect was very good. There were red words on the doors saying "Welcome". The interior of the store could be seen through the two glass doors.

The walls were painted snow-white, the floor was covered with a layer of cement, the windows were spotless, and even the glass cabinets were wiped clean.

Qian Lili was in the kitchen directing Jiang Tao to set up the large stainless steel buckets. Seeing Jiang Xi, Qian Lili rushed out: "Jiang Xi, you're finally here. It's been so long since we last met. I missed you so much. The store has been renovated and is waiting for you to come and inspect it."

It had been a while since I last saw Qian Lili. She was still as energetic as ever. She rushed over like a cannonball and almost knocked Jiang Xi down. Qi Yu'an silently helped Jiang Xi up. Of all the people around Jiang Xi, Qian Lili was the most enthusiastic and the most familiar. When she realized she had almost knocked Jiang Xi down, she stuck out her tongue and said, "I'm sorry, Jiang Xi, I didn't control my strength."

She looked at Qi Yu'an playfully again: "I will never be so reckless again. Comrade Qi, please don't be angry with me."

Qian Lili then winked at Jiang Xi, her eyes full of teasing: "Jiang Xi, Comrade Qi really cares about you. You two are such a good match!"

In just a few minutes, Qian Lili was busy. Jiang Xi shook her head and looked at Qian Lili as if she were a child. "You've been working hard lately. I've just taken a look around. You've done a great job."

Qian Lili shook her head: "It's not hard. I'm the one in charge and they do all the work."

Qian Lili glanced towards the kitchen, and Jiang Xi saw Jiang Tao still struggling to move a large stainless steel barrel. Jiang Tao's appearance was no longer as frivolous as before. Although it was still a bit exaggerated, it was much better than the first time they met.

Jiang Xi raised an eyebrow: "You and him?"

Qian Lili was a little embarrassed: "There's nothing between him and me. He's just willing to work for me, so I let him do it."

There was a lot of arrogance in her words, as if she was certain that Jiang Tao would be willing to help with the work.

Jiang Tao put all the stainless steel barrels in place, only to find that Qian Lili was missing. He wiped his sweat and looked towards the door, only then did he see Jiang Xi.

Jiang Xi is someone Jiang Tao cannot afford to offend. Jiang Xi is not only Qian Lili's boss, but also Qian Lili's friend. Jiang Tao still remembers that when Jiang Xi returned to Changfeng County, he warned him. That posture was exactly like Qian Lili's family.

Looking at Jiang Xi, Jiang Tao hurriedly walked up to greet him: "Hello, Boss Jiang, long time no see."