Chapter 40: Planning Brand Route and Development Prospects
"Who said we can't afford it?" Su Hexi sneered, took the wad of money from Zhou Lin's hand, and threw it directly on the desk in front of the director. "Isn't the money right here? It's for a whole batch of fabrics, not a penny less!"
Hu Luyang looked at the stack of money Su Hexi threw out, his eyes widened in shock, "Where did you get so much money?"
He had heard that Su Hexi had some skills, but he always thought that it was a crooked way and was totally incomparable to their iron rice bowl. However, when he saw them taking out stacks of money, he began to take Su Hexi seriously.
Su Hexi said proudly, "My 'Xi' brand is so successful, hasn't the director heard anything about it?"
The director suddenly realized the "Xi" brand. He often heard his wife mention how high-end and good the quality of "Xi" brand clothes were. He never thought that the "Xi" brand would come from Su Hexi.
"I think, in this city right now, besides the powerful Red Star Factory, my 'Xi' brand is the most popular."
She knew that Tang Yuelin was most likely responsible for the missing fabric at the factory. He was simply mad at her for losing and wanted to continue creating problems for her. But Su Hexi would never lose! And no one around her could touch her!
"Director, if you don't want to offend the higher-ups and can't make enemies with us, then you have to handle this matter." She stared into the director's eyes and instructed him word by word: "Just say that someone previously ordered this batch of cloth through formal channels and the payment was in full, but the warehouse was busy at the time and they hadn't had time to enter or ship it out. Now that the factory is checking the accounts, you just remembered it. Hurry and fill in the account and explain the matter clearly. You, a big director, can't handle such a small matter?"
She paused, her voice carrying a final warning: "In short, if my friend goes to jail for this, you won't have a good life either. Choose whether to settle the matter with money and live in peace, or to fight to the death. It's up to you to decide."
Su Hexi took Wang Jinglin away, and Zhou Lin followed closely behind.
Su Hexi's image became more prominent in Cai Jinglin's heart. She had resolved such a serious matter with just a few words, and had even made the ruthless Hu Luyang completely obedient.
Hu Luyang looked at the thick stack of money on the table, then at Su Hexi's cold and resolute eyes that seemed to be able to see through people's hearts, and thought about the consequences he might face. Finally, he slumped in the chair like a deflated ball.
He knew that this seemingly young woman was ruthless and calculating, and he couldn't afford to offend her. He was forced to pick up the wad of money, tie himself to Su Hexi, Zhou Lin, and Cai Jinglin on the same boat, and find a way to fill that fatal loophole.
The overwhelming victory of the "Xi" brand in the winter solstice show caused a lasting sensation.
The bet was won, the funds were recovered, and her reputation was even greater. But Su Hexi didn't bask in the joy of victory for too long. She was clearly aware that the tailor shop had been taken away, and she needed a larger and more stable base.
Late at night, she sat in the small room she temporarily rented in the backyard of Sister Sun's restaurant. Under the dim light, she spread out papers and began to replan her business empire.
The existing shops in the city were either too expensive to rent or too small to accommodate her future growth. She looked beyond the city limits to the surrounding suburban areas, which were still desolate and had low land prices.
A bold and forward-looking idea took shape in her mind: she wanted to buy land and build her own house!
She knew clearly that in this era, land was far less valuable than it would be in later generations, but with the deepening of economic reforms, the wave of urbanization would soon sweep in.
Road construction, building, development zone... What seems remote now may very well be a prime location in the future! She must seize this opportunity!
She wanted to acquire enough land to build an independent company and design center for the "Xi" brand! She wanted a spacious and bright design studio, a grand showroom, and even production space that could accommodate a small workshop in the future! She wanted to create a complete fashion empire!
Furthermore, she needed to make proper use of Tang Yuelin. Although she disliked him, his resources and connections, especially the potential access to relevant approvals and building materials, were crucial for the initial land acquisition and construction. She had to rely on his influence.
Then, she thought about the upcoming New Year. It was a perfect marketing opportunity. Perhaps, before the New Year arrived, she could host a buzzing show with a "welcoming the new year" theme! And the location would be right on the land her future new company was planning!
Let everyone get to know the high-end luxury brand "Xi" again, and know the headquarters building of the "Xi" brand.
She does what she says! Her style is to act decisively.
The next day, she rented a small courtyard in a relatively quiet but conveniently located area of the county town. This served as both a temporary residence and a temporary office and design studio for "Xi Brand." She needed this space to prepare for the New Year's show and to oversee the subsequent "massive construction."
Next, the most important thing was to select a site and start construction. This was a large undertaking, requiring reliable people to run errands, communicate, and oversee. She almost subconsciously thought of Zhou Lin.
She didn't understand things like construction sites and construction, but Zhou Lin did. He had worked on a construction site and knew a little about it.
She found Zhou Lin, laid out her ideas, and then said directly, "Selecting the site, contacting the construction team, and keeping an eye on the progress of the project, these things are left to you, is it okay?"
Zhou Lin listened to her grand blueprint and saw the ambition and light in her eyes. He felt both proud and bitter. He nodded without hesitation: "Okay. As long as it's what you want to do, I will help you do it."
He was silent for a moment, as if mustering up all his courage. He raised his head, looked at Su Hexi with burning eyes, and his voice was trembling with expectation, "Xiaoxi...if...if I can get this done and build the company...can we...remarry again?"
"Remarry?" Su Hexi's heart moved slightly, and she even had a hint of secret joy, but her face almost immediately turned cold. She deliberately ignored the strange feeling in her heart and spoke in a businesslike tone, even with a bit of deliberate alienation: "Zhou Lin, now you are working for me and doing things for me. If you do it well, I will pay you the wages you deserve and will not treat you unfairly. But the company is my company, and the legal representative will only be me, Su Hexi. It has nothing to do with you. Don't mention remarriage again in the future."
Her words were like a cold knife, cutting clearly and mercilessly.
The light in Zhou Lin's eyes dimmed instantly, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured on him. He lowered his head, hiding the disappointment and hurt in his eyes. He was the one who initiated the divorce, and now he was asking for remarriage, so it was only natural that she would not agree.
When he raised his head again, he had regained his usual calm and composed demeanor, but his voice was a little hoarse: "...I understand. I will see to it."
He stopped looking at her and turned around to go back to the task she had instructed him to do. His back was still tall, but it revealed an indescribable loneliness.
Su Hexi looked at his back, and the secret joy in her heart had long disappeared, replaced by a kind of irritation that she herself could not explain and... a slight pain.
She shook her head vigorously, suppressed all the emotions, and put her energy back into planning the New Year show.
Her career was the foundation of her life. Men and relationships...she didn't want them now, at least not right now.
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