Chapter 58 Cotton Harvesting
Huo Yizhou gave her a reassuring look, then spoke frankly, "I'm sorry, we did conceal our true intentions at the beginning. We approached you under the pretense of looking for a job, but in fact we were seeking cooperation. I sincerely apologize for that, but our sincerity in cooperating is genuine."
Upon hearing this, the manager's face showed a hint of anger, and he replied coldly, "Please leave."
He couldn't help but wonder if the accident that happened today was related to these two people.
Huo Yizhou did not back down and continued, "It was wrong of us to deceive you, but right now, don't you urgently need these vegetables?"
The manager stood up, his tone resolute, "Even if you offer a high price, we will not consider your vegetables."
Huo Yizhou hadn't expected the other party to be so firm, so he could only nod and say, "Alright, I apologize again."
After saying that, he took Su Tangtang's hand and turned to leave.
Just as the two reached the door, the manager suddenly called out to them, "Wait, I can send someone to check your dishes. If the quality is indeed good, then we can discuss cooperation."
Huo Yizhou paused, turned around, and said, "Okay."
The manager sat down again, his mind now calm. The loss of the truckload of vegetables was a done deal. If he were to purchase more at a higher price, he would have a hard time explaining it to his superiors. Although he initially suspected that the accident was related to them, upon closer examination, the evidence that the driver was fatigued caused the accident was conclusive, and it was probably just a coincidence.
“If it weren’t for the problem with our food, I would never have considered cooperating with you,” the manager said, still sounding dissatisfied. “In cooperation, integrity is the most important thing.”
Huo Yizhou agreed, saying, "Under the premise of being legal and compliant and not harming others, it is understandable to use appropriate strategies to achieve goals."
The manager was momentarily speechless, so he had no choice but to ask, "What's your quote?"
"Two yuan and fifty cents a pound."
The manager tried to negotiate, "Could the price be lowered a bit?"
Huo Yizhou thought for a moment, "Two yuan and thirty cents, that's the lowest I can go."
The manager finally sighed, "Fine."
Su Tangtang was secretly delighted.
The manager added, "I'll send someone to go to the field with you later to take a look. If the produce isn't up to standard, then there's no point in discussing cooperation."
Huo Yizhou readily accepted, "Of course."
At this moment, Su Tangtang suddenly remembered something and asked, "Manager, have you seen the variety show 'Men Farming and Women Weaving'?"
The manager thought the name sounded familiar. "I haven't seen it before, but my wife seems to watch it. Why are you asking about this all of a sudden? We're not close enough to recommend variety shows to each other, are we?"
Su Tangtang explained with a smile, "Actually, we are guests on this show."
The manager was taken aback. "Really?"
After receiving an affirmative answer, he slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Why didn't you say so sooner!"
Su Tangtang and Huo Yizhou looked at each other in silence.
The manager immediately changed his attitude, "That's even better, it can also help promote our kimchi. I'll go with you to the field to take a look."
He suddenly noticed something, "Hey, don't you have a filming crew?"
Su Tangtang explained, "They were outside because the director didn't communicate with you beforehand and said they couldn't come in to film without permission, so we only recorded audio."
manager:"……"
Thankfully, I didn't say anything I shouldn't have.
The three walked to the factory gate, where the manager indeed saw the cameramen from the program. Seeing that the cameras hadn't been started yet, he laughed heartily, "No problem, go ahead and film! Make sure you get a clear shot of our factory gate."
Their attitude was completely different from when they didn't know they were filming a variety show.
The photographer looked at Huo Yizhou questioningly, and only after Huo nodded did he start filming.
The manager straightened his slightly loose suit and casually asked, "How did you get here?"
"I came by bus," Huo Yizhou replied.
The manager immediately extended a warm invitation, "Then take my car back."
After receiving a hearty "thank you," the three got into the manager's car, while the photographer placed his small recording equipment in the manager's car.
They then got into the production crew's car and followed behind the manager's car, while the drone operator was also in the accompanying vehicle preparing for aerial filming.
On the way, the manager seemed unusually talkative. "Won't that conversation from earlier be cut out?"
Su Tangtang smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry, everything will be preserved."
"That's good!" The manager breathed a sigh of relief. "My wife will be so happy to see me on her favorite show. I'm usually so busy that I haven't had time to watch it with her. This will finally be a surprise for her."
He paused for a moment, then said with great interest, "I'll definitely catch up on the program when I have time! By the way, what do you grow in your fields? Let's see if our factory can use them."
Su Tangtang's eyes lit up, and she said, "There's spinach, lettuce..."
"It's a pity we don't have any radishes," the manager said with a hint of regret. "Our factory does produce pickled radishes."
“It’s a real shame,” Su Tangtang echoed.
However, the manager immediately offered some good news: "I have a friend who runs a supermarket. I can help you make connections. This will not only help them expand their product sources but also give them publicity through the program. They will definitely be happy to do so."
Soon, they arrived at the village.
A few minutes later, a lush green vegetable garden came into view.
After getting out of the car and walking into the field, the manager carefully examined the growth of the cabbages and nodded in satisfaction, "The quality is indeed quite good."
After taking photos of the other vegetables from multiple angles with his phone, he said seriously, "We need this batch urgently; it must be delivered to the factory by tomorrow afternoon at the latest."
Su Tangtang solemnly promised, "It will absolutely not delay your production."
“Okay, it’s settled then,” the manager said, taking the contract out of the car. The three of them signed the contract on the spot, and the order officially took effect as the phone signaled a successful transfer.
"I hope to continue our cooperation in the future," the manager said, shaking hands with the manager to say goodbye.
Taking the opportunity, Su Tangtang recommended, "The cabbages from other farmers in the village are also of very good quality. Manager, you might want to take a look."
The manager readily agreed and spent a few more minutes inspecting the fields, collecting contact information from several vegetable farmers. Although Su Tangtang warmly invited him to stay for a meal, he politely declined, saying, "The driver who had the accident just woke up, and I have to rush to the hospital to visit him."
After seeing the manager off, Su Tangtang's team immediately threw themselves into their work, with everyone giving their all to meet the delivery deadline for tomorrow afternoon.
The workers were responsible for picking cabbages, while others were busy sorting and packing them. In the evening, Shen Yingying and others returned from work and joined the work team without saying a word.
The field lights were on, not very bright, but enough for everyone to see clearly. They worked until four in the morning, went back to rest for a few hours, and then started working again as soon as it was getting light.
Finally, at 2:30 p.m., the last basket of cabbage was loaded onto the truck.
Su Tangtang and Huo Yizhou traveled to the factory in the transport vehicle.
During the unloading process, the manager personally led them on a tour of the production workshop, pointing to the transparent operating room and explaining, "All workers must wear sterile suits to work. We will resolutely refuse to use cabbages that are rotten or have fallen to the ground."
He emphasized solemnly, "Nothing that goes into our mouths can be handled carelessly."
Su Tangtang strongly agreed, saying, "Food safety should indeed be the top priority."
The manager smiled and said, "Yes, the reason why our kimchi has such a good reputation is that we really achieve cleanliness, hygiene, and delicious taste."
After touring the factory area and unloading all the cabbages, Su Tangtang settled the transportation fees, and the truck driver drove away.
Just as Su Tangtang and her group were about to leave, the manager quickly stepped forward to persuade them to stay, "Aren't you sure you don't want to have a meal together?"
Huo Yizhou politely declined, saying, "Thank you for your kind offer, but we won't bother you any longer."
Seeing this, the manager didn't press the matter. Then, remembering something, he took out a business card from his pocket. "By the way, I contacted that friend who owns the supermarket. He's very interested in your vegetables."
Su Tangtang accepted the business card with delight, "Really? Thank you so much!"
“His supermarket has branches in several counties,” the manager added with a smile. “Although we are helping you, high-quality goods are also good for our supply chain.”
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Su Tangtang and the others went back.
Instead of rushing to contact new clients, they decided to take a good rest first. After all, they had been busy since yesterday, and it was already quite late today, so it wouldn't be appropriate to contact people so late.
The next morning, Su Tangtang shared the good news with everyone, and everyone was overjoyed. Only Shen Yingying poured cold water on the situation, saying, "Don't be too happy yet. What if the other party changes their mind at the last minute?"
These words instantly cooled the lively atmosphere.
Zhou Yan couldn't help but frown, "Can you please stop spoiling the fun?"
Shen Yingying pursed her lips, a hint of grievance on her face. "I just think things aren't finalized yet, so let's not get too excited."
Hearing this, Lin Lang felt there was a hint of deliberate intent in the words, so he replied, "Everyone was having a good time, but what you said only made them feel discouraged."
Seeing that Shen Yingying was being criticized, Meng Meng immediately stood up to defend her, "Yingying is right too. What if the other party changes their mind at the last minute? Wouldn't we be left with nothing but disappointment?"
Seeing this, Gu Qingke frowned. "Alright, enough talk. Now that we have the opportunity, the important thing is to take action."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Considering that the new client was contacted by Su Tangtang and Huo Yizhou, the two of them went to negotiate that day, while the others continued to work in the fields.
The two first took a bus to the county town, then took a taxi to the agreed-upon location with the supermarket owner, a coffee shop next to the supermarket.
The supermarket was quite large, and the owner was exceptionally welcoming to them.
Huo Yizhou stepped forward to shake hands and greet him. The owner smiled and exchanged pleasantries, "My friend sent me pictures of the vegetables you grow before, and they look really good!"
Su Tangtang smiled and replied, "You flatter me."
The owner ordered coffee for them and then got down to business, "Our supermarket has very high requirements for the freshness of vegetables, and we hope you can supply 1,000 kilograms of each type every day."
After a moment's thought, Su Tangtang nodded, "We can meet this demand, but we need to let you know in advance that the current supply of vegetables won't last much longer."
“My friend has already told me, no problem,” the boss readily agreed.
After the coffee was served, the owner began to talk at length about his entrepreneurial experience. Su Tangtang listened while sipping her coffee, occasionally exchanging glances with Huo Yizhou. The way the owner narrated his story was just like giving a personal interview.
According to him, his family originally had a small supermarket. After graduating from university, he took over the business. Unwilling to just keep the small shop, he decisively took out a loan to expand. Just then, the area was being developed and demolished, and there was a lack of commercial facilities in the surrounding area. He seized the opportunity to open a supermarket there.
As the government continued to develop the area, it became increasingly prosperous, and the supermarket business improved. With this courage and opportunity, he opened several branches and gradually built his own business empire.
It must be said that this supermarket owner is really quite visionary and has great ideas.
"Oh, by the way, I'll take you to the supermarket," the supermarket owner said.
Su Tangtang and Huo Yizhou understood his purpose, and they agreed.
The three of them walked into the supermarket together.
There weren't many customers in the morning, but their appearance still attracted a lot of curious glances. The supermarket owner personally guided and introduced the products, and there was a photographer following behind. Such a scene was bound to attract attention.
After touring the supermarket, both parties successfully signed a supply contract, and the supermarket owner paid a deposit on the spot. Su Tangtang and Huo Yizhou then went home.
Time is still of the essence for them.
The supermarket owner only needs 1,000 jin (500 kg) of each vegetable per day, so they can only supply it for six days.
Based on a yield of over 1,000 jin per mu, eight mu of land would yield approximately 9,000 jin in total, meaning they must find a market for the remaining vegetables as soon as possible.
So the team split into three groups as planned: Gu Qingke and others continued to visit supermarkets and restaurants to explore new channels, while Lin Lang and Meng Meng's families continued to be responsible for selling vegetables in towns and villages.
Su Tangtang and Huo Yizhou stayed at the base, responsible for picking, packing and delivering vegetables.
Days slip by quietly in the midst of busyness.
By the tenth day, all the vegetables in the field had finally been sold.
The vegetables from the forty mu of land were sold for nearly 110,000 yuan, a result that brought great satisfaction to everyone.
After the profits were distributed, before everyone could even rest, the cotton in the fields was ready for harvest, so everyone picked up their cotton sacks and went into the fields to collect cotton.
It's already November, and the weather is getting cooler day by day.
Everyone had changed into thick coats, and the recording of the show was almost over.
The atmosphere in the cotton field was somewhat somber. Zhou Yan broke the silence first, saying, "After the show ends, we should get together often, since we've spent more than half a year together."
Su Tangtang smiled and agreed, "Of course we should get together."
Lin Lang immediately chimed in, "It's getting cold, perfect for hot pot. Everyone should come to my house for a meal then."
Zhou Yan responded loudly, "Okay."
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