“Director,” Xu Ying began, a hint of a playful smirk on her lips, “Director Wang doesn’t care about what happened back then. Look at how broad-minded he is! No wonder people outside say Director Wang has a good temper and a broad mind!”
Director Sun’s ears perked up. Is Lao Wang’s reputation truly that good outside? A surge of anxiety tightened his chest. “What you said, is it true? What else did those people say? They wouldn’t have said I was narrow-minded, would they?”
Xu Ying sighed dramatically. Director Sun’s heart clenched, his face contorting into a bitter gourd.
“Oh, Director,” Xu Ying continued, her voice laced with feigned distress, “those people originally had objections to you, and of course, I couldn’t stand by and watch your reputation be damaged! I immediately explained the situation to everyone. When they said what you did was unfair, how could I let your good name be tarnished? I immediately stood up and declared that you had already apologized to Director Wang, and that the two of you had reconciled a long time ago. To prove my words, I directly told them about the cooperation between our food factory and the department store! After hearing that, those people praised you as a good man, saying you did it for the factory’s benefit and to ensure the employees were paid, that you were forced into it. But since I’ve already told everyone about this cooperation, it simply must happen, otherwise, what would people outside think? So, I went to Director Wang and brought up those old matters. Director Wang, being truly broad-minded, genuinely didn’t care about what happened back then. I then subtly suggested that you were also helpless at the time, offering a disguised apology on your behalf. Director Wang felt terribly guilty then, realizing he shouldn’t have had a conflict with you over that matter, and so he signed the cooperation agreement! I just got excited at that moment, so I told the department store that on the day of the new product release, our food factory would provide extra products for a ‘buy one, get one free’ event!”
Director Sun listened, his emotions swinging wildly. His initial panic morphed into excitement, then into a pang of guilt. His heart felt like a roller coaster, plummeting and soaring with every word. He nearly suffered a heart attack! When he finally heard Xu Ying mention “buy one, get one free,” he almost leaped from his seat. “Xiao Xu, our factory is going to make money! But we can’t do this! If we give them another product for free, then the ‘buy one, get one free’ offer will be entirely from us, won’t it?”
Xu Ying nodded.
Director Sun covered his face, feeling as though he might collapse.
“Director,” Xu Ying pressed on, her voice firm and clear, “I’m doing this all for the factory’s development! If we don’t have this activity, how will everyone try our sensational products? With the ‘buy one, get one free’ event, people will be eager to take advantage, and they’ll definitely buy more. When the time comes, we’ll publicize it widely, letting even more people know about our event. When word spreads, even more people will want to buy! Our products taste so good and are so affordable. Once people taste them for the first time, they’ll surely come back for more. Will we ever have to worry about business then? As long as our braised duck products and All-Purpose Fried Delights are sold in department stores, it will be a hundred times easier for us to discuss cooperation with department stores in other provinces! This is just an early investment for us, and the returns will surely be immense later on.”
Director Sun could only nod, resigned to his fate said . Forget it, he thought, this girl is smart. let’s just believe her. Indeed, I’m getting older, and my brain isn’t as sharp. From now on, the country will rely on these young people. If Xu Ying could truly generate foreign exchange for the nation, then this small sacrifice would be nothing. “Okay, let’s do it this way!” Director Sun mumbled, his voice muffled.
Xu Ying’s eyes gleamed with delight. “Director, I knew you were as broad-minded as Director Wang, and you wouldn’t blame me! Alright then, I’ll take my leave now!” With those words, Xu Ying swiftly departed.
Director Sun, on the other hand, immediately bristled at being compared to Director Wang. But then, as he heard the words “broad-minded,” he puffed out his chest proudly. That doesn’t mean you have to look at who he is. He is a dignified food factory director. How can he not be broad-minded?
Xu Ying, having secured such a large order, began to calculate the commission she would receive. Ducks cost eighty cents a pound. Xu Ying planned to use the claws and necks for braised duck. Half of the remaining duck meat would go to the state-owned restaurants, while the other half would be transformed into spicy pepper and sesame braised duck meat and duck breast. She intended to vacuum-pack these two new creations so they could be eaten simply by reheating. She would make some samples for the department store’s opening day. If she sold these in a state-owned restaurant, it would undoubtedly undercut their business, and Director Hong would never agree. So, Xu Ying devised this cunning plan.
With the initial publicity already generated, Xu Ying also commissioned some simple, small advertisements. These flyers clearly stated the dates of the department store and food factory’s new product launch, emphasizing that bringing these flyers would grant a “buy one, get one free” offer. Many people were already eagerly anticipating the launch. Now, with the appearance of these flyers, a frenzy erupted. There was no need for anyone to distribute them; people rushed to the department store’s door, clamoring for a copy.
Director Sun observed the eager crowds outside, his mind already envisioning the immense popularity of the new products in the department store. If the new product sold well, orders would undoubtedly flood in, and their factory would earn more and more money. Director Sun stood to the side, grinning from ear to ear. Xiao Xu truly was his lucky charm.
Xu Ying, meanwhile, was brimming with anticipation, eagerly awaiting the department store’s launch day. She even requested a day off from Director Hong, just in case she was too busy to help out. Director Hong, knowing Xu Ying wasn’t motivated by money and that Liu Guohua was quickly learning everything, readily granted her leave.
News of the department store’s new product launch had spread throughout the county. When Xu’s mother heard, she too expressed a desire to witness the grand success firsthand. Xu Ying had no choice but to bring her elderly mother along on the big day. To maximize sales for the new product launch, the department store pulled out all the stops, even hiring a team of performers with gongs and lion dancers to create a festive atmosphere. The event was even more celebratory than the store’s grand opening.
Xu’s mother was utterly captivated the moment they arrived. Country folk rarely saw such spectacles. She was spellbound by the beating drums, the yangko dancers, and the majestic lion dance.
“Daughter, look quickly!” Xu’s mother exclaimed, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh. “It turns out that if you’re in a department store, you’re rich! Seeing so many programs, I, your mother, have come to the right place today. When I go back, I have to brag about it to everyone in our village!” A thought then struck her, and she bit her lip. How can Isay that infront my daughter? If her daughter knew she was such a philistine, would she dislike her?
Xu Ying smiled inwardly at her mother’s endearing display. She feigned not hearing, pretending she was oblivious, and gently guided her mother into the department store. “Mom, there’s a food tasting event at the department store today. They’ll have free samples of the new products. Go on and try some!”
“It’s free?” Xu’s mother asked, her eyes widening.
Xu Ying nodded.
Hearing this, Xu’s mother immediately regretted not bringing her grandson and eldest daughter-in-law. Otherwise, they too could have enjoyed the free food!