Chapter 103 Update

Deputy Director Zhang Bin had never heard such words before. He had worked in a state-owned factory all his life, and he was in charge of others. This Lin Xiang, who looked young, could actually speak like this...

"You——!" Zhang Bin had a lot of curse words stuck in his throat, but when he thought about his current situation in Factory 1, his eyes flashed and he swallowed all the words back.

Lin Xiang was slightly arrogant, but she was right. Now she had the final say in 119.

Zhang Bin lost his temper, and the small groups behind him naturally didn't dare to speak.

The warm sunlight shone into the conference room from the glass window, leaving a small golden shadow on the conference table. The tail of the sunlight just brushed across Lin Xiang's slender knuckles. She tapped her fingers twice and put the broken gold into her palm. She said, "How is it? Deputy Director Zhang, can the task be completed?"

Zhang Bin pursed his lips and said "hmm" reluctantly.

Secretary Tang had not seen Lin Xiang for many years. In his impression, Comrade Xiao Lin of Factory 2 was still the same as he was when he was working, young and energetic, a young man with vision and ability, or a student who had just entered university. Unexpectedly, with the passage of time, Lin Xiang worked in the Development Bureau for many years after graduation, and then took over Factory 1. He was so calm and convincing.

After the meeting, Secretary Tang discussed some follow-up details with Director Lin. Before leaving, he walked with a slightly staggering step and said, "Director Lin, I'll leave Factory 1 to you."

Lin Xiang still needed to refine the plan in his hand. Hearing this, he raised his head and said, "Secretary Tang, let's work together."

The workers in Factory 1 have been living in anxiety for more than half a year. Everyone can hear the rumors, especially the old employees in the factory. They never expected that the factory that had been prosperous for decades would end up in such a situation.

Everyone was worried that the factory would really go bankrupt, their stable jobs would be gone, and they would really become unemployed workers.

No one would have thought of this ten years ago.

Now that the factory has made a big move, everyone has no choice but to work together!

The several plans proposed by Lin Xiang were put into practice. The people under him were doing their respective duties, and everything seemed to be going well, as they were slowly making plans.

Secretary Tang implemented internal reforms of the factory and reorganized the organizational structure. Deputy Director Zhang Bin and his subordinates went to look for cooperative manufacturers. Another deputy director, Wang, led people to connect with the second factory to establish supply channels. Lin Xiang called the Beijing Daily and asked the editor Su Yin, with whom she had run several advertisements and had become friends, to arrange advertising time for the seafood sauce of the first factory. She also arranged advertising during TV series with her acquaintances at CCTV.

She has good relationships with people and a wide network of contacts. If people from other regions wanted to get such resources, they would have to make many trips and wait for a long time, but Lin Xiang did it easily and quickly.

Everything went on in an orderly manner until a month later, when various reform plans were progressing normally, some problems occurred both inside and outside the factory.

First, inside the factory, the workers, who had been united as one, suddenly started to worry about the issue of job succession.

In the past, working in a state-owned factory was a stable job. A job could be passed down for a long time. You could pass it on to your children, and your children would pass it on to the next generation, endlessly.

Now the factory has changed hands and is being taken over by Director Lin, who has carried out drastic reforms and restructuring. State-owned factories are no longer "iron rice bowl" systems where one can just get relatives and friends to work in the factory and "pass on" the position to the next generation.

Some workers expressed their opinions: "That means if we retire, we will lose our jobs and won't be able to take care of our children, right?"

"No, that's exactly what I mean!"

"Oh, how can this be!"

Secretary Tang passed by and heard this. He immediately retorted angrily: "A while ago, you were worried about not being able to pay wages and the factory going bankrupt. You didn't know how to survive. Now the new factory manager has just taken over and you are worried that your son can't take over the job? How can you not be clear at all! Will you be happy if the factory goes bankrupt and I keep this job for you for a hundred years?"

"I was just saying it casually."

Forget it. The workers who feel sorry for the factory restructuring can only comfort themselves that at least they can keep their jobs first. As for the children, they can worry about it later!

Secretary Tang has great prestige, has made great contributions in the factory, and is also a senior executive. It is most appropriate for him to be in charge of implementing the reforms.

Especially since the interests of many small leadership teams were affected this time, many people had complaints and might be unhappy and unconvinced. However, facing the highly respected Secretary Tang, no one dared to act rashly.

Lin Xiang just watched from the sidelines, and just used the old man as he pleased, without intervening at all. Fortunately, Secretary Tang had a high status and a bad temper, so he was able to calm these people down.

Kong Zhenzhen occasionally visited the factory and ate with Lin Xiang in the cafeteria. When she heard about this, she gave Lin Xiang a thumbs up and said, "You are really smart. If you were a new official and personally implemented the reform, I don't know how many people would bother you."

Lin Xiang had naturally thought it through: "That's right, Secretary Tang is blocking the way, so I can get away with it. After all, no one in the factory can stand Secretary Tang's stinky face and roar."

Kong Zhenzhen approached Lin Xiang and whispered to her: "Except Lao Zhao."

"Hahaha, yes, only Old Zhao can handle it."

At this time, Zhao Jianjun, who was eating in the cafeteria of the second factory, felt his ears a little itchy. Hey, someone must be whispering about me behind my back.

The internal reform of the factory was a continuous process of solving small problems, while the major issues were pushed forward without delay. Other market supplies were also progressing, except for the cooperation with flour mills, noodle factories, major department stores, supply and marketing cooperatives and other sales outlets, which were not negotiated well.

When Lin Xiang was sorting out the progress of the plan, she saw that there was one missing person, so the progress of the cooperation led by Deputy Factory Director Zhang Bin was always slow.

"Xiao Wang, go call Deputy Director Zhang." Lin Xiang instructed the director's secretary to do the work.

A few minutes later, Secretary Wang returned to the director's office with an embarrassed look on his face: "Director, Deputy Director Zhang is not in the factory."

"Is he on a business trip to discuss cooperation?"

"It is said that it is."

Lin Xiang paused while writing, and quickly looked up at the secretary: "Tell me the truth, just say what you know."

"I just asked a few workers privately, and they said that Deputy Director Zhang actually went to the dance hall."

In the 1990s, dance halls and karaoke bars gradually emerged and became almost synonymous with debauchery. Especially for ordinary people who had been dull and suppressed for decades, they saw a world they had never seen before, and life suddenly became colorful.

Lin Xiang knew what was going on: "Okay, if he comes back, remember to notify him to come over."

Zhang Bin did not show up that day, so Lin Xiang waited for a few more days. During that time, she asked five or six members of the leadership team about Zhang Bin's whereabouts. They all said that he was on a business trip to discuss cooperation.

Half a month passed before Zhang Bin showed up in front of Lin Xiang.

"Director Lin, I'm busy discussing cooperation. Do you have something to talk to me about?" Zhang Bin also had spies in the factory. When he heard that the new director was looking for him, he naturally had to disguise himself.

Lin Xiang looked at the documents in her hand without raising her head: "Deputy Director Zhang, you have handed over the work and you can leave now."

"What?" Zhang Bin was furious and yelled, "Lin Xiang, what do you mean? Are you going to lay me off? On what grounds? I work hard for the factory, travel every day, and negotiate cooperation outside in the wind and sun, and this is how you treat me? Remember what you said when you took over the factory? Not laying off a single person! What bullshit are you talking about now!"

After Zhang Bin's anger, he became excited. He wanted to call other people to see the hypocritical face of this new factory director!

"Secretary Tang, Deputy Director Wang, Director Song, Director Liu... Workers, come and see! We have really been deceived." Zhang Bin ran to the corridor at the door of the director's office and shouted at the people below, attracting many people to watch. "Lin Xiang said that she would not lay off a single person, but now she wants to lay off me for no reason! Think about it, if she wants to lay off me today, will she lay off you tomorrow? I think she is no match for Boss Qin, she is so hypocritical!"

Many leadership team members and workers ran upstairs, some to watch the excitement and some to offer advice.

Secretary Tang stepped in to stabilize the situation: "Zhang Bin, you are still the deputy factory director, what are you talking about! Do you have any manners? Shut up!"

"Secretary Tang, believe it or not, the next target of this factory manager Lin is you!"

As the crowd watched, Zhang Bin became more and more excited, wishing he could use this incident to drive Lin Xiang out of office, especially to make the workers not believe her and treat her promises as bullshit.

What is the use of a leader without popular support? He is just a commander without any support!

Lin Xiang glanced at Zhang Bin, who was jumping up and down in the crowd like a monkey, pulled the corner of her mouth, smiled slightly, stood up and walked towards the door, still holding the information in her hand.

In full view of everyone, she threw the information at Zhang Bin, and white papers mixed with several photos suddenly spread out like flowers scattered by a fairy.

"I asked you to discuss cooperation, but you ended up eating and drinking with public funds and hanging out in dance halls every day. Is this what you call hard work, hard work without complaint, and doing good for the company?"

The onlookers were shocked and picked up the documents and photos that had fallen to the ground. They clearly stated the date, time and consumption of Zhang Bin when he first entered the dance hall, as well as the comparison of how he doubled the consumption amount and lied to the public account, each time it was hundreds of yuan. The photos also recorded him drinking and dancing in the dance hall with an obscene look on his face.

"Our factory is in such a difficult situation, and this guy is still using public funds to have fun in a dance hall!"

"Zhang Bin, you are still the deputy director! Ugh!"

"Director, fire him! You must fire him!"

Zhang Bin was completely dumbfounded. His whereabouts in the dance hall were recorded clearly. He looked at Lin Xiang in shock, his lips trembling, and he was speechless for a while.

Lin Xiang looked at him, shrugged, and looked helpless: "I promised not to lay off any workers at the beginning, but now people's will is in favor of me, and everyone wants to lay you off, so I can't do anything. You and the people under you are leaving now in a dignified way, which is a good way to part ways amicably."

"No, I won't leave! I'm the deputy factory director. What right do you have to kick me out?" Zhang Bin couldn't accept it. When he was in charge of a factory before, he would not be questioned for secretly taking people to use public funds. Even if he was questioned, he would not be fired directly.

"I told you a few months ago that I have the final say in the current 119 Factory. If I let you go, you will never stay." Lin Xiang knew that this man was hopeless. "Otherwise we will have to ask the security department to kick them out, or ask the Public Security Bureau for help. If that doesn't work, the soldiers nearby will not sit idly by."

Zhang Bin lost all his strength at once. At this moment he suddenly realized that things had really changed in 119. It was no longer the same as before and it was no longer a place where he could do whatever he wanted.

......

The biggest tumors in Factory 1 were eradicated, and Lin Xiang was in a good mood. She also took this opportunity to warn other people who might have some bad intentions. No one else in Factory 1 had any objections. After all, even the deputy director might leave.

We must not do anything bad. The important thing now is to unite and overcome difficulties together!

The 119 Factory, which had eradicated the cancer, seriously promoted reforms and moved forward according to the plan formulated by Lin Xiang. With layer-by-layer control, things have gradually improved.

Lin Xiang was busy with this matter. Even after returning home and having dinner, she would still write and draw at the desk in her bedroom.

He Lin transferred back to the school and studied in junior high school on the island, but she found that her parents worked harder on their homework than she, a student.

After dinner, she was looking forward to going out to play. Mom and Dad each occupied a desk and were busy.

The warm yellow light gently brushed the backs of the two people.

He Lin took a few secret glances through the crack of the door, then turned around and went out to play.

He Hongyuan heard the noise and turned around to take a look. He guessed that it was his daughter who came over. Then he turned around again and saw his lover looking at the report in deep thought.

"Director Lin, how is the factory going? Don't overwork yourself."

Lin Xiang knew that she used to like to jokingly call her husband "Captain He", but now she calls him "Brigade Commander He". As a result, he has learned from her and calls her "Director Lin" every day.

If outsiders heard this, they might think that the couple was being too reserved. Little did they know that this was actually a kind of interest between the two.

"Congratulations, Brigade Commander." Lin Xiang put down the report in her hand and looked at the man. "Give me a shoulder massage. I'm really tired lately."

After all, the burden on our shoulders is the future of thousands of people.

He Hongyuan curled his lips, stood up and stood behind his lover, massaging her shoulders with moderate strength: "Is the situation at the first factory better now? I heard on the road that it's selling well."

"Yeah." Lin Xiang squinted her eyes in enjoyment, and the whole person relaxed. "I've been struggling for half a year, and it's getting better."

The main brands in the factory and major noodle factories and flour mills were matched to promote sales, and the taste was gradually improved to better suit the preferences of people in the 1990s. Then the distribution chain was opened up, and finally Lin Xiang personally ran the process, taking over the previously undeveloped supply areas at the fastest speed, supplemented by the publicity effect of major newspapers and TV commercials, and it was also considered a little famous. The sales volume has tripled compared to before Lin Xiang took over, and the benefits have also doubled, and the funds can finally circulate.

Factory 1 has regained its vitality, production order has been strictly enforced, and the original organizational structure, which was difficult to correct, has been timely optimized. Everyone is doing their job well and is efficient and motivated.

Factory One inherited the goodwill of Factory Two. After all, Factory One also shared the nationwide distribution chain for soda, from packaging, transportation to unloading, as well as the internal transportation links in hundreds of cities across the country. Every bit of it is the result of years of accumulation and cooperation.

When the profits are good, it is natural to distribute dividends to the second factory.

Zhao Jianjun checked the dividends of a factory and sighed sincerely, "Oh my God, I would be able to manage a factory one day."

If it were more than ten years ago, I wouldn’t even dare to dream like this!

When Secretary Tang came to the Second Factory to report on his work, Zhao Jianjun deliberately tidied up his shiny forehead, straightened his collar and cuffs, and said, "Xiao Tang, please sit down."

Secretary Tang: "..."

Looking at Zhao Jianjun, who was like a peacock spreading its tail, Secretary Tang still liked to criticize him as usual, but now he could only silently criticize him in his heart for not being serious and not being dignified enough. He said, "Director Zhao, take a look at the sales and profit report of Factory 1 this quarter."

"Yeah." This matter was originally just a matter of procedure. After all, the second factory now controls the first factory, and they have to look at the operating report every quarter. Zhao Jianjun flipped through it happily and said earnestly, "Xiao Tang, do a good job. The organization is very optimistic about you. Assist Director Lin in her work and clear the obstacles to her tasks. You are the only one with this potential."

A young Tang secretary: "..."

You talk as if I were twenty years old.

"Director Zhao, don't worry. Everyone in Factory 1 will fully cooperate with Director Lin in his work!" Now that Factory 1 is on the rise and is getting better and better, what else can he be dissatisfied with!

Apart from the old Zhao from the second factory who showed off and would occasionally ask him to play chess and drink tea with him, he seriously suspected that this man came to call him Xiao Tang on purpose.

The elderly are furious!

.....

Lin Xiang was on a business trip to the capital to solve the supply problem of a canned food factory in more than ten cities. He also had two meals with his four university roommates who stayed in the capital and his colleagues from the Development Bureau.

Half a month passed quickly, and the first thing he did when he returned to the factory was to hold a meeting with Zhao Jianjun to discuss matters related to the soda guild.

Factory 1 has gradually stabilized and developed in a spiral, while Factory 2 has remained stable and, despite various shocks, has still seized the initiative through its early rapid layout.

However, the times are changing rapidly, and we must reform and restructure as soon as possible, while expanding our layout.

"Director, this time I went to the capital to have dinner with my roommates and former colleagues. I heard that Coca-Cola and Pepsi are both rapidly building factories in various places. It's a big move."

Zhao Jianjun knew that these two foreign colas were initially sold to foreigners, and then gradually began to be sold to Chinese people in the following years: "But I don't think they sell a lot, so they shouldn't pose much of a threat to us."

"If they really had been selling this way, they wouldn't have built factories everywhere."

Zhao Jianjun frowned and said, "You mean, they are just waiting until everything is ready, and then they will do something big to everyone?"

"Yes, not only are they building factories, they are also holding promotions in several newly built department stores in the capital, offering a pair of chopsticks or balloons for every bottle of Coke you buy."

"Ah? Giving away so many things? That's such a loss." Zhao Jianjun's first reaction was that his own factory could not learn this.

"They have strong capital and ample funds behind them, so they can afford this trick." Lin Xiang knew that if domestically produced soft drinks really had to spend a lot of money to engage in price wars and promotion wars with the two major cola companies with American capital, they would be doomed.

In the 1990s, society was changing rapidly. With the great changes in development, it was possible to rise with the wind or fall into the trough in an instant. Lin Xiang did not dare to take it lightly. "Now our transportation chain is still too long. In addition, we are transporting finished soda in fragile glass bottles. The cost is high. We even see different degrees of damage every time. It is far less simple and convenient to transport coconut raw materials or refined coconut liquid. I suggest that we also build branch factories, from the south to the middle and then to the north, forming a line. Then we can supply the whole country from three points, shorten the transportation route, and reduce the transportation cost."

Zhao Jianjun clapped his hands and said with great enthusiasm: "That makes sense! We need to talk to the members of the guild about this. We should compete among ourselves and not let the foreigners take over all the territory. Besides, if we want to build factories in central and northern cities, we really need to ask for help from No. 2 Soda Factory and Arctic Ocean Soda."

This is also the advantage of the soda guild. After running for many years, not to mention the problem of competition, everyone actually exchanges experiences with each other. As long as they don't fight to the death, they can coexist.

In the next three years, Zhao Jianjun focused more on the National Soda Industry Association and the construction of branch factories of soda factories. He conducted on-site inspections, especially seeking advice from the Second Soda Factory in the central region and the Arctic Ocean Soda Factory in the north, to understand the local conditions, plan the site, follow the procedures, and even held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the groundbreaking day.

After the two 119 soda factories were built, the time and cost of supplying 119 soda to the whole country were reduced, sales volume was stable, and efficiency increased, thus firmly establishing its position as the second largest soda factory in the country, second only to the Arctic Ocean Soda Factory.

Three years after Lin Xiang took over, the first factory turned losses into profits, opened up the national market, and through a variety of sales forms and improved formula of seafood sauce flavor, it stabilized its position and made considerable profits.

In the eyes of ordinary people across the country, the 119 Food Factory is still the 119 Food Factory, which sells canned seafood sauce and soda, and even sells one at the same time as the other. It is very convenient, tastes good, has good quality, and is very conscientious.

Factory 1 has regained its former glory. Workers work together to complete their respective jobs, simplify various processes, and work together.

In the office of a factory manager, the phone rang.

It was a call from the second factory next door. When I picked up the phone, I heard a familiar voice: "Xiao Lin, come over and sit with me when you're free."

Lin Xiang knew clearly what Director Zhao was planning. In the past two years, he had hinted that he would take over Factory 2 and manage both Factory 1 and Factory 2 together, but Lin Xiang did not respond.

After all, she didn't want to wind it up that tight just yet.

"Director, please work hard and don't make such idle calls during working hours." Lin Xiang held the receiver between her ear and raised shoulder, her hands busy reviewing reports.

Zhao Jianjun: "...Xiao Lin, you are abusing the elderly."

Lin Xiang: "..."

Don't count on yourself for not knowing. Director Zhao plans to take charge of the affairs of the soda guild after retirement. He will also play chess and drink tea with Director Huang and Secretary Tang, who retired the year before last.

No way!

You are only seventy years old and full of energy. This is the age for hard work and struggle!

Why retire? Get up and work!

In recent years, Zhao Jianjun has actually handed over many work decisions to Lin Xiang, and Factory 1 and Factory 2 also know who the real boss of the entire 119 is.

By the spring of 1994, under the constant nagging and the attack of the evil voice of Zhao Jianjun, Lin Xiang finally took over the second factory and was promoted from deputy director to director, thus completing the management of the first and second factories.

The two 119 factories were transformed into the 119 Food Group and restructured. Lin Xiang was appointed chairman and took charge of the overall situation. He promoted Kong Zhenzhen to be the boss of the soda line and Ma Defa to be the boss of canned seafood sauce.

After retirement, Zhao Jianjun devoted himself to being the honorary president of the National Soda Association. He mainly played chess and drank tea with other old men. As for the position of president, it was handed over to a young man, the director of the Beibingyang Soda Factory.

After the reform, the 119 Group made drastic changes to clarify its brand, launched mascots represented by cartoon characters, and deeply tied them to its products, successfully creating a business card that is deeply rooted in people's hearts.

All employees of the group enjoyed a sharp increase in income in the 1990s, and their welfare benefits were among the best in the country, helping them to survive the current crisis where many state-owned factories and enterprises are on the verge of bankruptcy and employees are being laid off.

Hearing the bad news coming from all directions, the 119 people sighed and felt lucky for themselves.

When Zhao Jianjun came back from his travels to visit everyone, Kong Zhenzhen and Ma Defa and their old leader imagined the future together: "Life is good now. We at 119 have experienced many ups and downs over the years, both good and bad, and we have survived them all. This time I went out, I saw many factories that were about to go bankrupt. They were all selling off their accumulated inventory, and they couldn't pay their workers' wages, so they had no choice but to close down. Alas."

Kong Zhenzhen also sighed: "We are lucky, thanks to Xiangxiang's foresight."

Ma Defa also knows a lot: "I heard that many factories that are about to go bankrupt are either acquired by private individuals or enterprises, or are competing for Hong Kong businessmen or overseas capital injection."

"Everyone has his own destiny." During the years that Zhao Jianjun served as president of the National Soda Industry Association, he has been actively promoting information exchange and common progress among hundreds of soda factories. The soda industry is highly competitive, with survival of the fittest, and is considered a relatively prosperous industry.

However, in recent years, domestic soft drinks have also suffered a considerable impact from the various promotional wars and price wars between the two major colas.

After the integration and restructuring, 119 has been the most successful, with soda and canned seafood sauce supporting each other and achieving a win-win situation with considerable benefits.

Everyone was relaxed and comfortable, as if there was a smooth road ahead. Only Lin Xiang knew that the biggest crisis had not yet arrived.

......

This year, during the May Day holiday, Lin Xiang turned down all work and prepared to take his daughter to the amusement park.

Grandma He Guifang is old but still in good health. She even dares to accompany her granddaughter to ride the pirate ship and the merry-go-round. It's like she has regained her youth and experienced the innocence of childhood.

The three of them spent the whole morning at the amusement park. Looking at the increasingly rich entertainment activities nowadays, He Guifang couldn't help but sigh: "We didn't have these things back then. We just ran around the mountains and went to the rivers to catch fish. Now you little kids are so lucky."

He Lin was in her prime, and smiled sweetly when she heard this: "Grandma, I know. If you were to say that Dad used to run around the mountains like a monkey."

Grandma has said this many times.

Lin Xiang and her mother-in-law both laughed when they heard this.

"Oh, why hasn't Dad come yet?" He Lin looked at the time. It was already three o'clock in the afternoon.

The 119th Unit has a military exercise today, so Brigade Commander He naturally has to attend. However, he promised his daughter last night that he would come as soon as the exercise was over and ride the roller coaster with the child.

Lin Xiang teased her husband in front of her daughter: "Captain He is very busy."

He Lin was even more naughty: "Then why isn't Director Lin that busy?"

Lin Xiang rubbed the child's head and said, "Call you mom or Director Lin? Who taught you that? You are so disrespectful."

He Lin stuck out her tongue and said, "I learned this from my dad. Mom, if you want to teach someone a lesson, go teach Brigade Commander He."

At 4:30 in the afternoon, the late Brigadier General He arrived in a military uniform. The middle-aged man was calm and reserved, but his aura was even stronger. The first words he heard were the reminder from the young lady: "Dad, be careful, or mom will punish you."

Brigadier General He looked at his lover, then at his daughter: "Why is your mother punishing me? I haven't made any mistakes recently. But you, did your mother find out when you secretly bought Andy Lau's CD last time?"

"Oh my!" He Lin was so anxious that she wanted to cover her father's mouth to stop him, "Dad, you told everyone! Mom doesn't know!"

Lin Xiang and her mother-in-law couldn't stop laughing. This silly girl secretly asked her to buy a CD from Uncle Zhang who was doing business in Guangdong City and brought it back. She thought she hid it well, but in fact the whole family saw it.

However, He Lin thought that only her father discovered it accidentally, so she bribed her father to keep it a secret for her.

"Oh~ You also bought Andy Lau's CD?" Lin Xiang smiled.

"Mom, I'm studying hard, don't worry! Listening to CDs won't delay my college entrance exam." He Lin will take the college entrance exam next month. She actually feels a little guilty, worried that her family will say that she is not doing her job properly, not preparing for the college entrance exam well, and buying CDs.

"Really?" Lin Xiang looked at the young lady with a guilty look on her face and smiled helplessly. Who didn't like a singer when they were young? She and the young lady held hands and said, "Okay, after you finish the college entrance examination, Mom will take you to Hong Kong to watch Andy Lau's concert."

"Really?!" He Lin almost jumped up in excitement, "I will definitely do well in the exam!"

He Hongyuan supported He Guifang, and the mother and son followed closely behind. They listened to the mother and daughter in front of them talking about singers and actors in Hong Kong. They spoke very clearly and seemed to have something in common, so they smiled along.

——

A few days after Lin Xiang returned to work after her vacation, the office phone suddenly rang.

For some reason, Lin Xiang always felt the ringing of the bells was piercing, as if she had a premonition of something.

Zhao Jianjun, who was visiting the Beibingyang Soda Factory in the capital, actually went to see the factory director to reminisce and play chess, and said anxiously on the phone: "Xiao Lin, Pepsi representatives went to Beibingyang to discuss cooperation. They said they want to form a joint venture. There are quite a few foreigners, speaking foreign languages, and it seems very impressive."

Lin Xiang talked with Zhao Jianjun for a while, and soon after he hung up the phone, his secretary knocked on the office door.

"Mr. Lin, a representative from the Coca-Cola Group is here to visit and wants to meet you."

It’s coming. Lin Xiang knew that this moment had really come.