Chapter 108 Hardship Fee
Before Jiang Liangbo and the others could go back to get the rock sugar, Jiang Lili was the first to see them. She nodded in their direction and said, "Brother Hongzhe, Brother Jiang and the others are coming. I'm going back first."
"Okay." Lu Hongzhe said and looked at the bag of pears in his hand helplessly. There are so many, it will take several days even if we boil them into water, right?
"Let's go back." Lu Hongzhe approached the two and said.
"Old Lu, I think we need to buy some rock sugar first." Jiang Liangbo said, then he opened his palms to him, letting him see the rock sugar in his hand, which was not enough.
"Lili, did you buy this specially? I thought there would be two or three at most." Lu Ziming said this while sighing that Jiang Lili was too polite.
"Then you guys go buy it, I'll take it back first." Lu Hongzhe said and turned around and left.
"Okay." Jiang Liangbo agreed reluctantly.
Jiang Lili returned to the room, glanced at the half basket of pears left and breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't like pears, and Cheng Yuntian should be able to handle the rest by himself. She took out her high school textbook and began to preview the new courses for the next semester.
Although Jiang Lili had attended high school, the textbooks had been revised several times and were quite different from what she had studied before. However, she didn't find it difficult to prepare for the lessons, and time always flew by when she was studying. A sound from outside brought her back to reality. It was Cheng Yuntian. She knocked on the door. "Lili, are you in there?"
"Sister Cheng, just come in." While speaking, Jiang Lili put away the textbooks on the table. Studying also requires a combination of work and rest.
"I went to the advertising company today. This advertisement has brought them a lot of new clients. The director also praised your script." Cheng Yuntian went to the advertising company today to collect the final payment and maintain the relationship. He did not rule out the possibility of cooperation again.
"Really?" Jiang Lili was a little surprised.
"Yes, he also wanted to recruit you to work as a planner in an advertising company, but I rejected it for you." Cheng Yuntian said as he took off his shirt. It was getting warmer now, so a short-sleeved shirt was enough.
"That should indeed be rejected." Thinking that this was also a kind of recognition, Jiang Lili's smile deepened.
"Every time this happens, I feel that I made the right decision." Cheng Yuntian thought, if she had only cared about the immediate interests and rejected her proposal of 10% of the shares, then Tongqu Players would not have developed to its current state. Every time this happens, she feels that she is very lucky.
"Without your 100% trust, Sister Cheng, I wouldn't have been able to do so smoothly." They can be said to have achieved each other, but Jiang Lili was a little puzzled as to why she suddenly brought up this topic. Could it be that the advertising company gave her a sense of crisis?
Jiang Lili's doubts were soon answered. She looked at Mei Huixiu in front of her, a little puzzled: "Sister Mei, is there something you want to talk to me about? Isn't it Sister Cheng who coordinates the cooperation with you guys?"
"Xiao Cheng is discussing the next order with them. I came to you today because someone asked me to do so." Mei Huixiu explained to her gently.
"Sister Mei chose to come to me on a day when Sister Cheng was not around. Could it be that she wanted to poach me?" Jiang Lili teased with a smile.
"You are smart, but it's not me, it's an old friend of mine. I can't refuse him, I can only help him to make some connections. It's up to you to decide." Mei Huixiu really didn't want to get involved in this matter, but her old friend kept asking her for help, so today's dinner happened.
Jiang Lili obviously didn't expect that her words would come true. She couldn't help but frown: "Sister Mei, I have no intention of leaving Tongqu Players." She was really unhappy. Both she and Cheng Yuntian were truly grateful and respected Mei Huixiu, but this action was not only a stab in the back to Cheng Yuntian, but also disrespectful to her.
"Lili, in the adult world, people go to high places and water flows to low places. This is a very normal choice. Don't be angry. He will be here soon. You can listen to his conditions. The final choice is in your hands. In business, there are no eternal friends or eternal enemies, only eternal interests. You are still young, and you will understand this truth in the future." Mei Huixiu did not think that there was anything wrong with her approach. Her friends could give her treatment that Cheng Yuntian could not.
Jiang Lili lowered her eyes. She knew Mei Huixiu was right, but only if they were just casual business acquaintances. She had assumed that she and Cheng Yuntian were more than just business partners to Mei Huixiu. Now it seemed she had been overthinking things. In business, profit always comes first. It was fair to say that in Mei Huixiu's heart, her friend was more important than either her or Cheng Yuntian.
At this time, the friend that Mei Huixiu mentioned arrived. They were about the same age. As soon as he arrived, he apologized to the two of them: "Sorry, there was a traffic jam on the road, and I'm late."
"Lili, let me introduce you. This is my friend Ma Li. He runs two toy factories." Mei Huixiu introduced to Jiang Lili.
"Hello, Brother Ma." Jiang Lili nodded at him as a greeting.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting." Ma Li extended his hand and apologized again.
"It doesn't matter. We just arrived not long ago." Jiang Lili thought that the second lesson Mei Huixiu taught her today was that everyone in the business world wears a mask. As expected, she was more suitable for behind the scenes.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Ma Li quickly got to the point: "I sincerely invite you to join our Happy Toys team. Whatever Tongqu Players can give you, I can also give you."
"Sorry, I don't have such plans at the moment." Jiang Lili shook her head and refused directly.
"Then have you considered selling the design drawings?" Ma Li had investigated and found that all the toys she designed were hits. Being rejected was within his expectations, and this was his real purpose.
"Brother Ma, I'm sure you know that I'm still a student and don't have any extra energy at the moment." Jiang Lili refused tactfully.
"It seems that I was too abrupt. I hope we can have the opportunity to cooperate in the future." Ma Li did not press on with his victory, but took a step back. Mei Huixiu next to him was a little surprised. This was not what he said when he found her before.
"I hope so too." Jiang Lili also nodded.
After dinner, Jiang Lili suggested leaving at the right time. Mei Huixiu wanted to arrange for someone to send her off, but she refused: "No need, Sister Mei, I also want to get familiar with this place. I can go back by myself."
Seeing her refusal, Mei Huixiu didn't force it: "Okay, then give me a call when you get there. You have my number, right?"
"Yes." Jiang Lili nodded at her.
After everyone left, Mei Huixiu looked at Ma Li and said, "You actually gave up like this? This is not like you."
Ma Li shook his head. "I'd like to continue, but she won't agree. I'm pretty good at judging people, and that girl is obviously a stubborn person. I guess she's already unhappy that you tricked her into coming here."
"Who am I doing this for?" Mei Huixiu glared at him unhappily.
"Of course I know. I've already told my brother about what you mentioned. Don't worry." Ma Li said in a light tone.
"I knew you were reliable. Do you really plan to let this matter go?" Mei Huixiu couldn't help but continue asking.
"No rush. Whether Tongqu players can gain a foothold in Beijing is another matter." Ma Li's tone was calm, as if he was talking about a very ordinary matter. But Mei Huixiu knew that he had the ability to do so. She tried to speak in a relaxed tone: "Are you planning to eliminate dissidents?"
"I wouldn't do that." Ma Li said in a light tone. The best time to start a business was in the past two years. Besides, not everyone can make a profit by opening a factory.
"Although Cheng Yuntian is a little young, her father is very experienced. I heard that her father used to be a gangster." Mei Huixiu reminded.
Ma Li glanced at her and said, "I thought you had an ordinary relationship with them. Don't worry, I wouldn't do those things."
"I owed them a favor for what happened with Yun Heping." Mei Huixiu explained simply. As for setting him up with Jiang Lili, it was because she owed Ma Li a favor. Besides, she didn't think this was a stab in the back against Cheng Yuntian. Everyone has the right to choose a better platform.
"I know." Ma Li said in a flat tone. Those two toy factories were given to him by the old man to practice. He had wanted to get some design drawings from Jiang Lili, but now it seems that this matter has to be put on hold.
"Okay, I have something else to do, so I'll leave first." Mei Huixiu said goodbye to him.
Jiang Lili did not hide this matter from Cheng Yuntian. She was afraid that she would hear different versions from other people, so she decided to tell her herself.
Cheng Yuntian's expression remained normal: "After what happened with Yunmei last time, I knew this would happen again."
"I just didn't expect it to be Sister Mei." This is what Jiang Lili has always cared about. It was also at this time that she realized that before she said those words that day, she might have heard some rumors.
"We have accumulated some favors with her because of Yunmei's incident. It's normal for her to choose someone else. There are no real friends in the business world." Cheng Yuntian said with a sigh. Reality is so cruel.
Seeing that Cheng Yuntian was not as upset as she had thought, Jiang Lili breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that she was more rational than herself, and she still had a lot to learn from her.
As for her worries, Cheng Yuntian looked nonchalant: "He has connections, and I have connections too. Old Cheng is more successful than I thought. You don't have to worry about that."
"That's good. I was afraid they would use shady tricks like Lin Qiang." Jiang Lili expressed her concerns.
"The commercials are being broadcast all over the country now. Everyone knows that these are for children's gamers, and what they want to steal are future new models, so there is no need to worry about these things now." Cheng Yuntian is no longer the simple college student she was last year. She has grown a lot in this year.
"That's true. Currently, the orders for these styles are estimated to be scheduled for two months later. Once the night shift is set up, the orders should surge again." Jiang Lili guessed.
"That's what I guessed too, but what we need to solve now is the problem of the convenience store. Where should we purchase goods? The food factory?" Cheng Yuntian asked.
This question also stumped Jiang Lili. She hesitated for a long time before speaking: "I think so. It's summer now. Shouldn't we also buy a freezer and sell popsicles and soda?"
"That's fine. Who doesn't want to eat something cold in the middle of summer?" Cheng nodded in agreement. In the following time, the two of them discussed the issue of purchasing goods for the convenience store.
"Things are going smoothly over at Zhao Dong's end. Maybe you should go back to Yuncheng before the convenience store is even finished." Cheng Yuntian couldn't help but sigh after he said that. After Jiang Lili returned to Yuncheng, she was no longer so relaxed.
"It doesn't matter. It's the same if I come over next time I have a holiday." Today's meeting with Ma Li made Jiang Lili think of returning to Yuncheng as soon as possible.
"Okay, let's take things one by one and let nature take its course." Cheng Yuntian has always been good at relieving stress for himself.
"Do you want to go to the cafeteria to eat later?" Jiang Lili asked her.
"No, I'll wait for my dad to go." She asked him to keep an eye on it for her in advance.
"Okay." Jiang Lili nodded. After Cheng Yuntian left, she went to the cafeteria alone. After meeting Zhao Dong, they found a place with few people to sit down. She took the initiative to ask, "Brother Zhao, when will the second pattern be completed?"
"It will probably be the day after tomorrow. Are you in a hurry to go back to Yuncheng?" Zhao Dong asked.
"This is the first time I've been away from home for so long. I kind of miss my mom and the others." For the first time, Jiang Lili felt that being young also had its advantages.
"Don't even mention you, I'm a little uncomfortable with it. Did you bring a lot of things with you when you went back?" Zhao Dong asked.
"Do you need me to bring anything back?" Jiang Lili guessed.
"Are you going back by train or plane?" He planned to bring some snacks for his parents, but if he went back by train, it probably wouldn't work.
"It should be a plane, so you can't bring too many things." Jiang Lili greeted in advance.
"It's not a lot, just two boxes of snacks. Can I take them?" Zhao Dong asked.
"It should be okay." She didn't plan to bring any food for her family this time. The last time she brought it back, everyone said the food tasted just average.
"Okay, just tell me in advance when the time comes." Zhao Dong requested.
Jiang Lili nodded. Yao Yan had asked her to bring it before, and now that he was included, it seemed that she could not agree to anyone else.
Zhao Dong really kept his word and completed the second pattern making on the next day. The effect of this pattern making was good and everyone was very satisfied. They also added the small objects that Jiang Lili had drawn last time.
"The basic model is based on this, and it will be improved little by little later." Jiang Lili pointed to the cross-dressing doll next to her and told Cheng Yuntian about their previous production process, which was also how they gradually improved to the final version.
"I understand, Lili. That's your job for now. I'll have someone arrange the tickets when you want to book them." Cheng Yuntian went back home that day, and the next day he had a female assistant by his side. I heard she was also good at martial arts.
"Tomorrow is too rushed, let's go back the day after tomorrow." Jiang Lili thought about it and decided to say hello to Lu Hongzhe and the others before going back. It was at this time that Jiang Lili realized that since she delivered the pears that day, she didn't seem to see them come to eat again. Could it be that they were afraid that she would continue to stuff pears into their mouths?
"Okay, then I'll book a flight for you for the day after tomorrow. By the way, Lili, have you ever thought about skipping a grade?" Cheng Yuntian suddenly asked.
"Skip a grade?" Jiang Lili repeated these two words. She had never really considered skipping a grade.
"Yes, your grades have always been ranked first. Maybe you can try skipping a grade?" Cheng Yuntian suggested.
"If I skip a grade, I will need to learn all the knowledge for the next two years this year, which means I have to spend all my time this year on studying. Let's forget it!" Jiang Lili thought about it for a while and quickly shook her head. She always ranked first in the grade not because she was a genius, but because of her hard work. Skipping a grade is not a good thing for her.
"That's right." Cheng Yuntian was quickly enlightened by her words and quickly agreed. You know, what they need next is her new design drawings. If she devotes all her energy to studying, there will be no design drawings.
"Then I'll go back and pack my things." Jiang Lili could guess her motive for suggesting that she skip a grade, but she could tell what was most important. Career was important, but the most important thing for her now was her studies.
Although she said she was packing, there wasn't much in Jiang Lili's room. Apart from a few sets of clothes and some homework, there was also a second-year high school textbook on the table. She had to deliver it to Lu Hongzhe tomorrow.
In the evening, Jiang Lili did not meet the three of them in the cafeteria, so she decided to send them over at noon tomorrow.
As for Lu Hongzhe, they still went to the cafeteria to eat every day, but at a different time than Jiang Lili. Jiang Liangbo drank the pear juice in the bowl and wiped his mouth: "It would be better if it was iced."
"It's good enough to have something to drink, why are you so picky?" Lu Ziming glanced at him.
"Isn't this just a suggestion? Should we buy a refrigerator?" Jiang Liangbo felt that having a refrigerator would be much more convenient.
"Since we don't cook now, there's no need to buy a refrigerator." Lu Ziming frowned.
"It's already August, there's no need to buy more this year," said Lu Hongzhe.
"Okay, let's consider buying a refrigerator next year." Jiang Liangbo agreed with the majority.
"Isn't Lili and her team planning to open a store in their factory? They will definitely prepare refrigerators by then, so we don't have to buy any." Lu Ziming said.
"Let's wait until they buy it." Lu Ziming said as he stood up and put his bowl back in the kitchen.
Jiang Lili came at this time. She was holding her high school textbooks in her arms. The door on the first floor was not closed, so she went upstairs directly with the books.
"Did you hear any sound?" Jiang Liangbo suddenly looked at the two of them with a serious face.
For a moment, the room was completely silent. Soon, they heard a sound coming from the stairs. Lu Ziming couldn't help but frown: "No thief would be so bold, right?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard Jiang Lili's voice coming from the stairs: "Brother Hongzhe, are you there?"
"Did you give Lili the key?" Lu Ziming looked at Lu Hongzhe.
"No, you guys walked behind me just now without closing the door." Lu Hongzhe looked at the two of them. After all, this was not the first time this happened.
"Maybe, it's possible. I don't remember whether I turned it off or not." Jiang Liangbo scratched his hair, his tone very uncertain.
"That's probably it." Lu Ziming also knew about his bad habit.
"So Lili wouldn't be sending us pears again, right?" Jiang Liangbo remembered that he had been drinking pear juice for several days and couldn't help shaking his head.
While the three of them were talking, Jiang Lili had already gone upstairs. She placed the textbooks in her arms on the table at the entrance, and then said to Lu Hongzhe, "I'm going back to Yun City tomorrow. Please help me return these books."
"Are you going back tomorrow?" Jiang Liangbo hurriedly approached her.
"Yes, a ticket for tomorrow morning." Cheng Yuntian's assistant booked a flight for him at 10:30 in the morning, just in time for him to go home for lunch.
"Why don't you stay a few more days?" Lu Ziming asked casually.
"Things here are over, and it's time for me to go back." After saying this, Jiang Lili looked at Lu Hongzhe again. She hadn't heard him cough since she arrived, so she guessed that his cold had healed.
"It's better to go back. It's a bit inconvenient here." Lu Hongzhe said.
"Yes, it's a new factory after all, and many things are not perfect. It's more comfortable at home." Jiang Lili really missed home.
"By the way, Lili, does your factory's canteen have freezers?" Jiang Liangbo was quite concerned about this issue.
"According to the current plan, there is, but we won't know the details until it opens. After all, plans often cannot keep up with changes." Jiang Lili said with a smile.
"Brother Hongzhe, do you have anything to take back?" Jiang Lili asked him.
"Not yet. Are you going back by plane or train?" Lu Hongzhe asked.
"Sister Cheng bought me a plane ticket."
"It's too uncomfortable to take the train in the summer. Airline tickets are better." For those who have already started making money, they all agree that air tickets are better.
"I came here just to tell you something. By the way, haven't you been to the cafeteria to eat recently?" Jiang Lili asked her doubts.
"We have found a pattern for food. It's either fifteen minutes early or fifteen minutes late, so there are very few people in the cafeteria," Lu Ziming explained.
"No wonder, I was wondering why I didn't meet you. I thought you were scared away by the bag of pears last time." Jiang Lili's tone was full of sarcasm.
"How could that be? Pear juice is very effective. Old Lu doesn't cough anymore." Thinking of his own disgust just now, Jiang Liangbo quickly denied it.
"I'm glad it's useful. You guys continue with your work. I have to go back and pack my luggage." Jiang Lili waved goodbye to them.
"Okay, we'll treat you to dinner next time you come," Jiang Liangbo invited.
"Okay, I won't be polite with you." Jiang Lili felt that this trip to Beijing was very good. She also made some friends in advance.
"With our relationship, there's no need to be polite. Are you going to the airport by yourself tomorrow? Or let Lao Lu take you there?" Jiang Liangbo made direct arrangements.
"You need to transfer to go to the airport. Let me take you there. What time is your flight?" Lu Hongzhe did not give her a chance to refuse.
"The flight leaves at 10:30." Jiang Lili answered subconsciously.
"Then I'll pick you up at 8:30." Lu Hongzhe estimated in his mind that if he left at 8:30, there would be plenty of time.
"Okay, I have to trouble you again." Jiang Lili looked a little helpless.
"I told you not to be so polite." Lu Hongzhe glanced at her while speaking. This time they stood closer than usual, and he found that she seemed to have grown taller than before.
"Then I'll wait for you at the factory gate tomorrow morning." Jiang Lili said and planned to leave, not wanting to delay their work time any longer.
"Please help us close the downstairs door when you go back." Lu Hongzhe reminded.
"Oh oh." Jiang Lili went downstairs and closed the door before she realized that this door should not be opened normally?
As soon as she returned to her room, Yao Yan came over with a bag of things: "Lili, this is all. Please help me take it back to Lanlan."
"Pick out half of it. You can't bring too many things on a plane." Jiang Lili didn't expect her to bring so many things. Did she really think she was a free porter?
"Lili, are you going back by plane?" Yao Yan's tone was full of envy. This girl really knows how to enjoy herself.
"Please give me half of it quickly. I don't have that much luggage allowance." Jiang Lili urged.
"Can't we bring them all back?" Yao Yan was a little disappointed. Some time ago, she was afraid that the old couple would send Ji Wenwu here, so she deliberately didn't go to see him. Now that she is in Beijing, she doesn't have this concern, so she wants to repair her relationship with Ji Wenwu.
"No, I have some things of my own." After saying that, Jiang Lili looked at the things she was going to take back. They all seemed to be food. She didn't believe that these were all for Ji Lanlan.
Yao Yan curled her lips when she heard that, muttered a few words to herself, and reluctantly began to sort things out. Jiang Lili didn't bother to pay attention to her.
Zhao Dong brought his things over in the evening. Just as he said at the beginning, there were only two boxes of snacks and her backpack, so her luggage was not much.
The next morning, Cheng Yuntian stuffed a red envelope into her hand. Jiang Lili was puzzled: "Sister Cheng, what is this?"
"Hardship pay. You've worked hard this summer. This is a small token of my appreciation. You're not allowed to refuse." Cheng Yuntian was rarely so assertive.
"Then I won't be polite." Jiang Lili did not refuse the hard work fee. After all, she had worked really hard this summer vacation.
"Just accept it. How are you going to the airport?" Cheng Yuntian regretted again that he didn't get his driver's license earlier.
"Lu Hongzhe will take me there later." Jiang Lili said.
"Then I feel relieved." Cheng Yuntian said a few words to her and returned to her office.
Soon Lu Hongzhe drove over, and Song Zhenzhen, who came out of the workshop, happened to see this scene. She remembered what she saw in Ji Mingyue's diary, and couldn't help wondering if Lu Hongzhe was the person in the diary?
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