Chapter 157
Since that phone call before the New Year, Deputy Director He has never contacted Qin Xiang again.
It's not that she doesn't want to, but she is embarrassed. She has already lost face. Qin Xiang doesn't want to get involved. If she talks too much, then even the little friendship they had in the past will be gone. Besides, her niece is still working for Qin Xiang. The girl has been working there for less than a year and has become a different person. She is no longer the little girl bullied by her brothers and sisters.
Later, her niece contacted her several times and seemed to have revealed something.
Receiving Qin Xiang's call, Deputy Director He's thoughts shifted. He smiled and said, "Of course I do. We haven't seen each other in a year. You're so busy, otherwise I'd have wanted to come visit you."
Qin Xiang smiled and said, "You're right. You're my elder after all, so I have to come see you anyway. But if you come to the capital, I'll definitely welcome you and treat you well."
"As for me, I can't go anywhere," Deputy Director He sighed helplessly. "The factory isn't doing well right now, so I don't dare travel far."
She paused, her thoughts shifting slightly, and suddenly felt as if things were turning around. She asked, "Xiao Qin, has your business been good lately?"
"Thanks to you, it's not bad." Qin Xiang smiled. "If you have time, I'll come to see you during Labor Day."
Deputy Director He suddenly became happy and said, "Okay, then I'll wait for you to come over."
Since Qin Xiang was willing to come, it meant that there was a turning point. Thinking about the current situation in the factory, she really couldn't think of what attracted Qin Xiang.
But since Qin Xiang is willing to come, she must be prepared.
Deputy Director He said again, "Xiao Qin, is there something wrong?"
"A little bit." Qin Xiang didn't hide it. If she really wanted to hide it, she would have called the factory directly instead of calling Deputy Director He's home to prevent others from knowing. She asked, "Do you really want to revive the factory?"
Deputy Director He answered without hesitation, "Of course. I have deep feelings for Xiang Yanghong, and I absolutely don't want to give up unless it's absolutely necessary."
There is no doubt about her feelings for the factory, but she also knows that the factory has serious problems and it will not be easy to revive it.
Qin Xiang laughed. This was exactly what she wanted. She said bluntly, "You know the situation at the factory, but you're only the second-in-command. No matter how well I talk to you, it's useless without the factory's support and follow-up. So I need to talk to the top leader. There's still two weeks until May Day. If you can make the decision, then I'll come over and talk to you. I can't say anything else, but I can definitely guarantee that the factory can start production."
After hanging up the phone, Qin Xiang smiled and turned back to the storefront.
A soldier who doesn't want to be a general isn't a good soldier. A deputy director who doesn't want to be a factory director isn't a good deputy director either. Deputy Director He didn't want to be a factory director; he just had no choice. The pressure from his superiors was overwhelming. Even the most talented women are often labeled inferior to men because of their gender, and they face significant oppression at work. Therefore, across so many factories across China, few women have become factory directors.
Deputy Director He was dedicated to the factory's development, but unfortunately, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't withstand the bureaucratic tendencies of her superiors. Therefore, if she truly wanted to lead the factory forward, she needed the courage to make a desperate effort. If Deputy Director He couldn't do it, then she wouldn't bother trying anymore; it was pointless.
It doesn't matter where she goes as long as it can bring her profit. She can even find a reliable garment factory in the capital. If the capital doesn't work, she can always look for one in Shandong Province.
She chose Xiang Yanghong only because of the friendship they had last year, the help Deputy Director He had given her, and of course, her ability.
Whether or not we can seize the opportunity depends on the ability of Deputy Director He.
Back in the store, Qin Xiang unfolded a map of northern cities and circled several areas along the railway and on both sides of the national highway with a pen.
He Liping came over and took a look, "Sister, this road leads to Ningcheng."
Qin Xiang nodded and asked with a smile, "Then let me test you. What is the purpose of my circle?"
Hearing this, He Liping came over to take a closer look and pondered, "Sister, are you planning to open a branch along this route?"
He Liping's brain was incredibly quick. Just by looking at the circled cities, she understood what Qin Xiang meant. Qin Xiang simply said, "I just called your aunt. Whether these branches can be opened depends on whether she can satisfy me. If so, I'll quickly open stores and stock the goods in these cities along this route. That would be a win-win situation for Xiang Yanghong and me. While I can't resolve Xiang Yanghong's unpaid wages, I can get the factory up and running. If she can't, I'll open a branch in the capital first."
As long as the factory gets up and running and gets support from the city's policies, Xiangyanghong Garment Factory will be able to slowly recover under the leadership of Deputy Director He.
One factory affects the survival of not just one or two workers' families, but more than two hundred.
Many of these workers are relatives, so the key to the problem is whether Deputy Director He can get promoted.
After passing the big trouble to Deputy Director He, Qin Xiang would not let it go. Instead, he asked Mi Hongjun to go out and contact the garment factories in the capital accompanied by Li Baoguo to discuss the intention of OEM.
Li Baoguo's home is in Xianghe, not far from the capital. He is familiar with the surrounding factories and found time to visit them, but the results were not ideal.
Garment factories in the capital are generally large, and their fabrics are better sourced. They look down on individual businesses like Qin Xiang. They're unwilling to offer discounts even for purchasing goods, let alone contract manufacturing. There are smaller garment factories further afield, but the environment isn't great, and the quality of the materials isn't guaranteed. Mi Hongjun knows Qin Xiang all too well, so he immediately shut him down.
Qin Xiang listened to their reports and couldn't help laughing, "This really depends on Xiang Yanghong."
If things don't go well with Xiangyanghong, we'll have to find a suitable supplier.
There was no time to lose and we had to attack from two aspects. Mi Hongjun took Li Baoguo to the south without any rest.
At this time, Qin Xiang also asked Miao Xiaofeng to post a recruitment notice, but also stated in advance that they might go to other places to work in the future, and the salary and benefits were clearly written.
At this time, Qin Xiang missed Tan Xiu. Tan Xiu was much better than Miao Xiaofeng at recruiting and leading people, but it was a pity that she hadn't come yet.
People just don't get bored easily. Just two days later, Tan Xiu called and said, "Boss, I think Xu Xiaoqing can take over. I've been asking her to do all the work these days. I didn't take care of this batch of goods. She arranged everything. She's pretty good."
Qin Xiang smiled and said, "Have you thought it through? Do you really want to come to the capital?"
Tan Xiu smiled and said, "I've made up my mind. I don't want to be a tool for my family to make money. I have to live for myself. But I've also told my family that whether they agree or not, I will definitely leave. We must be amicable. From now on, I will give them 15 yuan every month. If they can't, then there will be nothing. My parents have also agreed."
To be honest, she did have a fight with her parents. Her parents simply said that she had become wild and disgusted with her family during those few months away from home. They also said that they raised her so much, but she ran away without even being able to enjoy a few days of happiness with them.
Even the implicit meaning was that she could go to the capital, but she had to send back all her monthly salary except for pocket money, under the pretext of saving it for her to buy a dowry when she got married.
But Tan Xiu really couldn't believe it. She couldn't hide the calculation in her sister-in-law's eyes. She just listened to her mother's words and forgot about it. She had carefully considered the fifteen yuan and would give it to her before the wedding. After the wedding, it would be like spilled water. If she didn't give it to her parents, they wouldn't be able to say anything.
This way her parents wouldn't have to use her marriage as a thorn in their side and try to find her a partner. They probably even hoped she wouldn't get married and continue to earn money for the family.
Qin Xiang was very satisfied with Tan Xiu's determination. "Okay, then come over. But I also want to tell you in advance that I plan to continue to open branches. If you come over, you will have to recruit people for me. You may also have to manage the branches. Is that okay?"
Upon hearing this, Tan Xiu immediately became happy, "There's nothing to be unhappy about. It's fine."
She was initially worried that Qin Xiang would forget about her after not being together for a few months, but she didn't expect him to still value her so much. This was a big deal. Tan Xiu could see that Qin Xiang wanted to train her, and she would be foolish to refuse.
After explaining everything to Tan Xiu, Qin Xiang breathed a sigh of relief.
Then I went back to school.
As the holidays are approaching, many students are discussing their holiday plans.
Students majoring in art like them have more activities.
As soon as I arrived at the dormitory, I heard the people there discussing plans for the three-day May Day holiday.
Seeing her come in, Meilin asked, "Our squad leader is planning to organize a trip to climb the Great Wall. Everyone seems quite enthusiastic. Do you want to go?"
Qin Xiang shook her head helplessly, "I have to go out for Labor Day, so I guess I can't go. Have fun."
Hearing that she wasn't going, the others felt a little disappointed. Meilin asked, "Going to Guangzhou again?"
"No." Qin Xiang said, "Ningcheng."
The May Day holiday is only three days long. If you want to go there and come back quickly, you still have to get a plane ticket through the back door, fly to the provincial capital first, and then take a bus from the provincial capital to Ningcheng.
Time is very tight. Not to mention climbing Mount Tai, I may not even be able to go home.
Qin Xiang was also tired, so she lay down on the bed to rest.
A few people started discussing it again. They said that the reason they were willing to go was because a foreigner was going to hold a fashion show at the Great Wall, and they planned to go there to broaden their horizons.
Qin Xiang was also tempted, but there was nothing she could do because time did not allow it.
After arranging everything, she didn't think Deputy Director He couldn't do it, so she directly called Meng Huaiqing to help buy the tickets.
Meng Huaiqing happened to be in the office, so he asked, "Since you're asking me for help, what's in it for me?"
Qin Xiang laughed, "Boss Meng is finally planning to use this as leverage to get something in return."
"I guess so." Meng Huaiqing glanced at the itinerary in the notebook. "Tomorrow is Saturday. I remember you don't have classes tomorrow afternoon. Can we have dinner together tonight?"
Qin Xiang didn't refuse, "Then you don't have to socialize?"
"As long as you need me, I can have dinner with you every night."
The problem is that he is willing, but Qin Xiang is not.
She just doesn't want to be so clingy.
Qin Xiang thought for a moment and said, "My courtyard is already tidied up and has everything I need. Why don't I buy some food and cook it myself?"
This proposal was approved by Meng Huaiqing. "Okay, I'll prepare the ingredients, and you just cook."
After hanging up the phone, Meng Huaiqing called Assistant Liu in and said, "Put all schedules after 5 pm tomorrow night on hold. Also, please help me purchase some daily necessities. The meat must be of the best quality."
Upon hearing this, Assistant Liu knew his boss was going on a date, and that his date was planning to quit cooking. No wonder his boss looked so happy.
Tsk, there's absolutely no hope for that Miss Xiang.
Assistant Liu responded and went out to make arrangements.
Meng Huaiqing got up and went to the living room to start choosing clothes to wear the next day. After picking for a while, he suddenly laughed to himself. It was a pity that going on a date was so serious.
We agreed to get along easily, but it shouldn't be like this.
After class at noon the next day, Qin Xiang went around the store and the wholesale city. When she returned to the storefront, she found that Tan Xiu had already arrived and was even interviewing new employees.
We have enough staff for the three stores now, but if we open another one, we won't have enough. We can't wait until the store opens to recruit and train people, because then it will be too late.
Qin Xiang listened to it once and then ignored it. Tan Xiu was very good and had no problem judging people.
In the afternoon, Qin Xiang took her books and went directly to the courtyard.
After renovation, the already well-preserved courtyard has become even more neat and beautiful.
Although the furniture in the house was somewhat out of place, it was all custom-made to Qin Xiang's liking. The sofa was comfortable and soft to sit on, and the tables, chairs, and benches were all designed for comfort.
There is an extra-large bed in the east bedroom. Lying on it feels like lying on a cloud.
The side room off the bedroom door had been converted into a study. It was fully furnished with a table, chairs, and bookshelves. The only drawback was that the shelves were bare, with only a few books.
As for the west bedroom, to be honest, I haven’t thought about it yet, so it’s empty for the time being.
Qin Baotian arranged his room in the west wing, saying that he wanted to keep a distance from his daughter.
But Qin Xiang has come to stay here several times, but Qin Baotian has never come to stay here. He finds it troublesome and says it is more convenient to live in the storefront.
Qin Xiang didn't care.
In the future, maybe she and Meng Huaiqing will develop a deeper relationship and stay here. With her father here, it wouldn't be nice to be too excessive.
It's normal for young men and women to accidentally have sex when they're dating. It would be so embarrassing if the father suddenly appears when things start to fire.
It is a serious sin to make someone weak at such a young age.
Ahem, I was thinking too far ahead.
Qin Xiang went to the kitchen and took a look. There was no shortage of oil, salt, sauce, vinegar and other ingredients. There was also grain and oil. There was a small refrigerator there. When she opened it, she saw that it was empty.
Cleaner than your face.
There's no way. She lives in the house alone now and she doesn't come here often. It would be a waste to buy vegetables and just leave them there.
To be honest, the things are quite new and haven't been fired yet.
Meng Huaiqing came over and actually warmed the pot for her.
It was still early and she couldn't sit idle, so Qin Xiang took out her notebook and started designing clothes.
Qin Xiang has made a lot of progress after nearly a year of college life. Now when she looks back at the clothes she designed before, she finds problems everywhere.
Fortunately, her vision and aesthetic taste are there, and the previous ones can be used after some modifications.
Since she had decided to hire a factory to do the manufacturing, she had to come up with the design herself, and she had to oversee everything from making the prototype to producing the sample. After all, if there was even the slightest mistake, her profits would be lost.
It’s just that the styles I accumulated in the past are a bit messy, with winter and summer styles all mixed together in a mess.
Now that I have time, I might as well reorganize the design drafts according to the season, and then take out paper and pen to design the styles for autumn and winter.
Of course, whether doing wholesale or retail, it is impossible for all the styles to come from her hands. She has also made an agreement with her classmates in the past six months, and now she has also received some design drafts, with prices ranging from thirty to forty per piece, and some from fifty to sixty.
Some of these manuscripts can be used directly, while others need to be revised.
With Mi Hongjun's help in finding sources of supply, that would probably be enough.
However, she would not give up on Guan Zhibin. Before the new leader took office, there must be a handover. At that time, she would sign a few more points and try to get the new leader's approval later. Even if they fell out, she would have a foundation and would not have to worry.
Perhaps this is just their overthinking. There is still a slight gap between factories in the south and those in the north.
The customers of the state-owned factories in the north were still the state-owned department stores, and department stores and supply and marketing cooperatives were still important places for ordinary people to buy clothes. Therefore, even if the styles of the state-owned factories in the north were not very good, they were very proud and had no shortage of customers.
The south is different. In recent years, with the development of Shenzhen, the relationship between the south and Hong Kong has become closer, and the clothing industry has developed rapidly. If you are not careful, you will be replaced.
As long as the new leader is not stupid, he will not offend her, a big client, for no reason.
He shook his head, picked up the pen and continued designing.
When the light in the room dimmed, I looked up and saw that it was already five o'clock.
Well, it’s time to clean up and welcome my boyfriend.
I got up and stretched myself, then went to boil a pot of water, and then someone knocked on the door.
As soon as she opened the door, she saw Meng Huaiqing carrying a lot of bags and smiling at her gently, "Sorry, I'm a little late."
Qin Xiang looked at his outfit and couldn't help but raise her eyebrows.
Because May Day is coming soon, most people have already changed into short-sleeved shirts.
But Boss Meng is different. He wears a woolen coat in winter and sometimes a suit and trousers in summer.
But what did she see now?
Wearing a white short-sleeved top, khaki trousers, and a refreshing short hair, if you don’t know him, you would think he is a big boy.
She glanced at his arm and clicked her tongue, "So white, whiter than me."
Looking at his own arms, although they are not black, they cannot be compared with Meng Huaiqing's who have been covering them for years.
Meng Huaiqing followed in and Qin Xiang closed the gate.
Meng Huaiqing raised his arm and asked her, "Is it appropriate?"
"It suits you well." Qin Xiang praised. "You'll look younger if you wear this more often. Wearing a suit and trousers all day makes you look several years older."
Meng Huaiqing was ashamed, "Do I look that old?"
“Now I look quite young.”
And these clothes were bought from her wholesale store.
She thought Meng Huaiqing would wear clothes that were all handmade, but she didn't expect him to go to her shop to buy them. Although the quality was good, it was not high-end enough.
Meng Huaiqing smiled, "Then Xiao He's recommendation is quite suitable. You should give her a bonus."
Qin Xiang thought about how Meng Huaiqing often deducted Miao Sheng's bonus to give it to Assistant Liu, and couldn't help but chuckle, "Okay, Boss Meng."
It gets dark late at this time, and the sun is still hanging in the sky after five o'clock, so it is not very hot.
"Let's go and take a look at my new home."
Meng Huaiqing first went into the house to take a look and gave high praise to the furnishings inside.
Qin Xiang smiled, "Don't you think it doesn't match?"
"Comfort is the most important thing. Whether it matches or not is just for others to see." Meng Huaiqing took a stool and placed it at the kitchen door, asking Qin Xiang to sit down. "You sit and wait. I'll prepare the side dishes before you start."
Qin Xiang followed suit and sat down obediently, watching Meng Huaiqing put on an apron and start to clean up the dishes.
He brought a lot of meat and vegetables, and there was no way the two of them could finish them. They left a pile and put the rest in the refrigerator, neatly arranged. Qin Xiang broke out in a sweat when he saw it.
She suspected that this man was not just picky, but had obsessive-compulsive disorder.
This is not only true when organizing the refrigerator, but also when picking, washing and cutting vegetables.
When cutting vegetables, he looked so bitter and resentful that he wanted to measure them with a ruler before cutting.
Tsk.
Qin Xiang said nothing and watched him struggle.
From 5:20 to 6:00, I still didn’t finish cleaning.
Qin Xiang couldn't bear it anymore and was about to say something to provoke Comrade Meng Huaiqing.
Meng Huaiqing suddenly turned around and looked at her and asked, "Do we feel like an old married couple?"
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