Minister Lian was startled: "Won't we lose money?"

"The magazine doesn't make money from selling magazines." Chen Qing makes money from advertising fees. In the first few months, he may need internal investment from Shengxia Garment Factory, but once his influence grows, people will definitely smell the business opportunity and come to cooperate.

Minister Lian: "...If you were in business, you'd probably be a big businessman."

Chen Qing shook his head: "Not necessarily. I rose through the ranks thanks to national policies."

Minister Lian saw that her eyes were clear and honest, and that she didn't intend to take any other path, which reassured him somewhat: "Do a good job, and I will try to get you a position."

"Thank you, Minister."

"You earned all of this yourself."

As a minister, he was simply doing his job.

Chen Qing was still very grateful. As an employee, many people can understand the pain of being envied, ostracized, and targeted by their superiors. To be able to meet a leader who promotes you from time to time is truly a blessing.

Minister Lian had to leave due to other matters, but before departing, he remarked, "I heard you called the editor-in-chief of the People's Daily today, saying you wanted to showcase your connections?"

Chen Qing: "Yes!"

She invited him.

So what if she has connections?!

Minister Lian laughed and said, "It has to be you again."

They are absolutely shrewd when it comes to patting themselves on the back.

He waved to Chen Qing and left.

Chen Qing was busy afterward, as several countries wanted to cooperate with her on the Shengxia Clothing Store, and she took Qin Qiuhe with her to discuss the matter.

Qin Qiuhe felt the factory director's guidance and studied diligently, but she also suffered some malice from the factory.

The people at Shengxia Garment Factory respect the factory director because everyone knows that the factory was built up by her. They admire and are grateful to her, but that doesn't mean they will tolerate all leaders.

Qin Qiuhe is casual in private, but sweet-talking and ruthless at work. She is indeed a very good leader. However, when someone started to spread rumors that the factory director was going to start cultivating the next factory director, and that person was Qin Qiuhe, everyone expressed their dissatisfaction, feeling that she was not as good as Lei Songyue.

Lei Songyue isn't that ruthless, but Qin Qiuhe is usually all smiles, yet she can be deadly when it matters most—it's too much to handle.

Qin Qiuhe listened to the rumors circulating in the factory but didn't take them to heart.

When Secretary Zhang heard about this, he reported it to Chen Qing: "Everyone is very dissatisfied with Director Qin because they heard that you are grooming her to be the next factory director. They all say they prefer Director Lei."

"Do you think Director Qin is better, or Director Lei?" Chen Qing asked.

Secretary Zhang: "..."

I don't know why.

He brought in the eunuch in a second.

It's like the emperor asking a eunuch, "Eunuch Zhang, do you think the crown prince or the eldest son is better?"

Secretary Zhang gave an awkward laugh: "I think they are all very good. Director Qin is efficient and down-to-earth, and she is also decisive enough. Director Lei is very popular and has a good mass base. She handles many things in the factory very well. But the best one is definitely you, the factory manager. As long as you are here, our factory will never fall apart."

Chen Qingle: "Why are you so nervous? I was just asking casually."

Secretary Zhang smiled.

He believed it.

Chen Qing pondered for a moment and said, "I won't be promoted anytime soon. Right now, I'm just exploring everyone's greatest potential."

She was the one who spread the rumors; even if she doesn't get promoted so quickly, she still has to prepare for the future.

Through this experience, she can see who is willing to fight for it and who has more potential. Once she has a clear understanding of who is willing to fight for it, she can then nurture them properly.

To avoid a rushed handover that turns out like a chaotic machine factory with no rules or regulations.

Secretary Zhang then said, "Factory Director, we've received a bunch of letters complaining that you're printing the magazine too slowly. Do you want to see them?"

"Take a look."

Chen Qing grabbed a handful from a large sack and examined them.

Some people wrote long, scathing criticisms of her, saying that since Shengxia Clothing Store was doing so well, they should print more magazines. They accused her of being a factory manager with no foresight and being less insightful than a common citizen, causing him daily torment as he eagerly awaited the arrival of his magazine.

Chen Qing replied, "Thank you for your support. I understand. I will definitely be prepared for similar events next time."

The next letter was from a little girl; the paper was crumpled, but her words revealed an undisguised joy.

In her letter, she praised all the clothes at the appreciation event and expressed her hope that one day she could wear such beautiful dresses herself.

Finally, she didn't forget to confess her feelings to Chen Qing, saying that the person she admired most was Director Chen, and she looked forward to seeing Chen Qing every day.

Chen Qing picked up her pen and wrote: "Thank you for your affirmation. I also believe that one day you will be able to wear your favorite beautiful dress. If we happen to meet in the future, I will be just as happy as you. Comrade Dai, I look forward to meeting you."

The letters came in all shapes and sizes. Chen Qing replied to every single one that was on his desk, including the one for job applications.

After tidying up the letters, Chen Qing asked Secretary Zhang to mail them out. He then checked the time on his wrist and prepared to go to his appointment.

This time, the appointment was with Marcus. He repeatedly emphasized that she could choose the location, but she was forbidden from bringing anyone else.

then……

Chen Qing chose a very lively state-run restaurant and managed to book a private room with great difficulty.

Marcus arrived at mealtime, his leather shoes clicking on the creaking wooden stairs with a trembling heart.

Upon arriving on the second floor, he casually lifted the blue cloth curtain of the private room.

Chen Qing was sitting at the octagonal table. She looked up at him, a faint smile curving her lips: "Mr. Marcus, please sit down."

Marcus sat down and, seeing her relaxed and content, with three dishes and a soup laid out on the table, remarked, "This restaurant has a very homey atmosphere."

"Yes, this restaurant is unfamiliar to non-locals, and the food is all authentic. You can give it a try."

"OK, thanks."

Marcus took a taste.

The taste was alright.

Chen Qing didn't care whether he liked the food or not; she was starving, and she started eating without hesitation.

Marcus saw that she was eating with relish and thought the food was quite good, so he had a better appetite and ate a whole bowl of rice.

After finishing their meal, Chen Qing was about to take a nap when Marcus finally got down to business: "Personally, I think that with your abilities, you are far more than you are currently in."

Chen Qing raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Is that so?"

"Yes, whether it was when you first started by connecting foreign businesses to earn a lot of foreign exchange, or later when you founded a sportswear brand and became an internationally renowned sportswear brand, or when you opened stores all over the world, or now at this appreciation event, I have witnessed every step you have taken. I know your excellence better than anyone else!"

Marcus's eyes were sincere and earnest.

Chen Qing smiled faintly and remained silent.

Marcus continued, "You should know that I admired you from the very beginning." (End of Chapter)