Zhu Yunxiu knew that her granddaughter was cautious and prudent, so she stopped interfering and insisted on sharing the burden with her granddaughter: "I'm idle at home anyway, so it's always good to help. Using the sewing machine is not tiring for me, and it's better than doing nothing."
Since moving into the new home, Zhu Yunxiu feels that her physical condition is getting better and better. Not only are her legs and feet more agile, but her eyesight also seems to have improved, and her whole body is full of energy.
She attributed all these changes to her granddaughter, so she was more willing to do more for Xu Qinghe to reduce her burden.
Although Xu Qinghe had some concerns in her heart, worried that her grandmother would be busy regardless of her health when she was away, her original intention was to hope that her grandmother could enjoy her old age instead of becoming a laborer in the family.
However, facing his grandmother's expectant eyes and earnest words, Xu Qinghe couldn't bear to refuse and could only nod in agreement.
Xu Qinghe laid out his plan, intending to test the market with a small amount of fabric. Upon hearing this, Zhu Yunxiu's face was filled with disbelief: "Just this little fabric?"
She originally thought that her granddaughter would do something big, but she didn't expect it to be just this small, not even enough for her to spend an entire afternoon.
“Start small and see how the market reacts.”
Xu Qinghe smiled bitterly. In the early stages of starting a business, steady progress is the key to avoid falling into trouble due to greed and recklessness.
In this era, although the rules are strict, people are flexible. The upper echelons often turn a blind eye to all demands that the supply and marketing cooperatives cannot meet. As long as the bottom line is not crossed, they will not pursue it excessively.
Xu Qinghe's attempt can be described as cautious and extremely safe.
Zhu Yunxiu didn't think twice before making the decision: "Why bother looking for someone? I can do it on my own. Just give me the design. Hey, you're not in a hurry, are you?"
Xu Qinghe shook his head: "No rush, we have to finalize the cooperation with the food factory first, and we can discuss the clothing issue later."
"Then there's no need to look for anyone else. Can't I handle this little job?"
Zhu Yunxiu looked proud, as if any difficulties were insignificant in front of her.
Xu Qinghe followed her grandmother's instructions and responded with a smile, "Okay, okay, Grandma is the most capable. I will definitely give you a bonus when the time comes!"
"Oh, what bonus are you talking about? No, no, no! We're family, don't be so polite!"
Zhu Yunxiu waved her hands repeatedly, and her appearance made Xu Qinghe almost laugh out loud.
Although he said this, Xu Qinghe secretly decided in his heart that he would reward his grandmother no matter what. After all, having money in hand makes one feel at ease, and this also applies to his grandmother.
The next morning, Xu Qinghe set off for the food factory, carrying the carefully prepared fried tofu and tofu of different degrees of doneness.
Xu Qinghe had previously had a brief conversation with Director Zhang from the food factory, who had promised that if he mentioned his name, someone would show him the way. Without hesitation, he went straight to the factory gate. Upon hearing that it was Director Zhang who had given him the order, the guard's attitude became much more relaxed than his last visit to the garment factory, and he let him through without a second thought.
After asking several workers, Xu Qinghe successfully found Director Zhang's office.
Director Zhang's voice could be heard from inside the door. He was obviously busy, so Xu Qinghe did not disturb him. He chose to wait quietly outside the door, intending to knock on the door and enter after Director Zhang finished the call.
"Didn't we agree on this before? Why did you suddenly change your mind?"
Director Zhang's voice was filled with confusion and anxiety.
"What? This was clearly the plan we came up with first. You're being a bit dishonest by doing this!"
Director Zhang's tone revealed obvious dissatisfaction.
"How about we calm down and talk it over?"
Director Zhang tried to ease the atmosphere, hoping to resolve the problem through communication.
Bang! The sudden disconnection of the phone call was like a thunderclap on a summer afternoon, causing the air in the office to freeze for a few seconds.
Director Zhang's face instantly darkened. He threw the receiver back onto the landline with force, making a dull "clang" sound. With a look of helplessness and dissatisfaction on his face, he cursed in a low voice this sudden displeasure.
Outside the door, Xu Qinghe stood erect, her nimble ears picking up subtle shifts in the room's movements. Once she was sure the room was calm again, she slowly raised her hand and gently knocked on the door. Her voice was gentle and respectful, "Director Zhang, I'm Xiao Jian from Fengtai Village. I've come to visit you, hoping to have the opportunity to discuss possible collaborations with you. Would you be available to meet with me now?"
Her tone contained sincere respect, and this respect was like a ray of warm sunshine in spring, quietly shining into Director Zhang's heart, gradually calming his irritability caused by the phone call.
The scroll of memory slowly unfolded, and he recalled the last time he visited Fengtai Village. Although those small workshops were simple, they revealed a unique vitality and vigor, especially the girl named Xu Qinghe. Her intelligence and love for her hometown left a deep impression on him.
Although he knew deep down that the possibility of their large food factory cooperating with such a small village was slim, out of his good impression of Xu Qinghe and basic courtesy, he decided to give this meeting a chance, which was also to give himself and the other party an unknown possibility.
As the door was gently pushed open, Xu Qinghe's figure rushed into the slightly crowded office along with the fresh air outside.
Although the elaborate decorations outside the North Building try to cover it up, one can still vaguely smell a subtle rural atmosphere in this narrow space.
Director Zhang's brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind: Could it be that this young comrade, fresh from an awkward situation, was deliberately teasing me? Then he shook his head in self-mockery, remembering that the previous conflict had clearly been instigated by Old Liu and had nothing to do with this quiet girl before him.
Sensing the subtle change in Director Zhang's expression, Xu Qinghe quickly explained, her voice as clear as a mountain spring: "Director Zhang, the cooperation plan we mentioned last time has not been advanced because we are waiting for a key ingredient—fermented bean curd—to mature to its perfect fermentation stage."
As she spoke, she carefully took out a bottle of homemade fermented bean curd from the bamboo basket on her back and gently placed it on Director Zhang's desk.
The bottle is plain and simple, but it seems to contain some kind of magic that attracts people's attention.
As Xu Qinghe spoke, he gently unscrewed the bottle cap. In an instant, an aroma mixed with the rich aroma of oil and subtle spicy flavors spread out. The smell was so tempting that it made people's throats move and they wanted to taste it.
Director Zhang had to admit that this seemingly inconspicuous bottle of fermented bean curd did have an extraordinary charm, enough to whet the appetite of any diner.
But he didn't immediately show any signs of being interested. Instead, he maintained a friendly smile and asked, "What makes you think this fermented bean curd will be a hit in the market? Every household can make fermented bean curd at home. Who would be willing to pay for it?"
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