Factory crisis
Han Shaoheng's voice, with a kind of alms-giving arrogance, echoed in the empty "Zhi Xiu Fang".
"An irresistible price?"
Ling Xiuqing repeated these words slowly, with a faint, yet icy cold arc at the corner of her mouth.
She raised her eyes, and for the first time, her gaze was directed directly into Han Shaoheng's hypocritical eyes. Those eyes were calm and without a ripple, yet so deep that they seemed to penetrate people's hearts. Han Shaoheng's heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously avoided her gaze.
Why did Ah Xiu's eyes...feel so familiar to him? Even a little nervous?
"I appreciate General Manager Han's kindness," Ling Xiuqing said slowly, her voice as cold and clear as the clash of jade. "However, although my small temple cannot compare to your large workshop, it is at least comfortable. I am used to being undisciplined, and I am afraid I cannot bear the trust of General Manager Han."
Her refusal was a subtle move, stating her position while also implicitly mocking the contempt in his words.
Seeing this, Chun Tao immediately spoke in a shrill voice: "Hey, you're shameless even though I gave you face? You're lucky Shao Heng likes you! Don't think you're something important just because you opened a shabby shop! Without Madam Jin's flattery, who are you?"
"Chun Tao," Han Shaoheng whispered, his tone not blaming her. He looked back at Ling Xiuqing, his smile still there, though a hint of coldness crossed his eyes. "Master Xiu seems to have misunderstood. I'm not trying to restrict you, but I truly admire your talent. Han's Textiles is undergoing a transformation, and we need top talent like you who understand design and innovation. If you join, I can give you full responsibility for our high-end product line, and the profits... we'll split them 70% and 30% respectively."
30% to 70%!
This offer was truly generous. For any designer, it was a chance to reach the top. Han Shaoheng was confident that no one could resist such an offer.
He thought that Ah Xiu was just a clever, lucky, but superficial orphan from the lower class. He thought that with enough benefits, he could easily recruit her and use her for his own benefit.
However, Ling Xiuqing's next words completely froze the smile on his face.
"I appreciate General Manager Han's kindness." Ling Xiuqing maintained her composure. She even picked up the teapot on the table and slowly poured herself a cup of cold tea. "However, before we discuss cooperation, I would like to ask General Manager Han a question."
"oh?"
"I heard that the predecessor of 'Han's Textile' was the famous century-old Shanghai brand 'Ling's Embroidery Shop'?"
As soon as the words "Ling Family Embroidery Shop" came out, Han Shaoheng and Chuntao's expressions changed slightly at the same time.
"So what?" Han Shaoheng forced himself to remain calm.
"Nothing." Ling Xiuqing gently blew away the foam on the rim of her cup, not even raising her eyelids. "I'm just curious. How did a century-old brand known for its hand-embroidery, under General Manager Han's leadership, 'transform' into... a machine-made textile factory with years of losses and on the verge of bankruptcy?"
These words were like a silent slap in the face of Han Shaoheng!
His biggest pain was exposed in public by a young girl in such a casual manner!
Since he took over the Ling Family Embroidery Shop, he had eagerly dismissed all the experienced embroiderers, sold off the precious embroidery and fabrics, and imported several second-hand, long-obsolete Western-style textile machines. He thought this would allow him to keep up with the times, achieve mass production, and make a quick buck.
But he had no business sense, let alone the core technology of textile production. The fabrics produced by the factory were crude, featureless, and completely uncompetitive in the market. Within six months, he had completely destroyed the embroidery shop's century-long reputation. Now, the shop was deeply in debt, relying solely on shady practices to barely survive.
This is the failure and shame that he least wants others to mention!
"You... what nonsense are you talking about!" Chuntao was the first to jump up, like a cat whose tail was stepped on. "Who said our factory is losing money? Our business is booming!"
"Really?" Ling Xiuqing finally raised her eyes, a trace of pity in them, as if she were looking at two clowns. "As far as I know, Han's Textiles bribed the comprador of a foreign company last month in order to secure a life-saving order. As a result, due to the poor quality of the products, they were publicly rejected by the other party and had to pay a large amount of liquidated damages. Three days ago, your factory was even reported to the police station for withholding workers' wages. General Manager Han, am I making this up too?"
Han Shaoheng's face had turned from white to blue, and from blue to black.
He stared at the girl in front of him in shock, his heart awash with turmoil. These were all insider information he'd tried so hard to keep secret, so how could she, an outsider, know so much about it?!
For the first time, he felt that things seemed to be out of his control.
The Ah Xiu in front of me is definitely not as simple as she seems!
"It seems Master Ah Xiu is not only skilled with her hands, but also a superb source of information." Han Shaoheng's voice was so cold it looked like ice could be squeezed out of it. He dropped all pretense, revealing his true, sinister nature. "Since you refuse my offer, let's wait and see. Just a little skill doesn't mean you can run amok in Shanghai. I want to see how long your little 'Zhi Xiu Fang' can last!"
After saying that, he didn't stay any longer. He flicked his sleeves suddenly, turned around and left angrily with Chuntao, who also had an ugly expression on her face.
Looking at their embarrassed backs as they left, Ling Xiuqing slowly picked up the teacup and drank the cold tea in one gulp.
The tea was ice-cold, just like her heart at the moment.
Han Shaoheng, Chuntao, this is just the beginning.
I will let you see with your own eyes how I destroy everything you are proud of.
I will let you also have a taste of what it feels like to fall from the clouds into the mud!
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