In a world where fine textiles about to meet tantalizing treats, a peculiar negotiation was about to unfold . Xu Ying, masking a vision of professional poise, stood at the textile factory’s entrance, with a smile on her face as bright as a freshly spun thread. “Uncle, is your factory director here?” she asked to factory guard polietly , but her voice had hint a of determination in it . “I was sent by the food factory here to provide a new venture for your factory .”
The doorman, who was accustomed to being lazy and condesending to the ordinary people visiting the factory , was jolted awake by her revelation as if struck by lightning. “Little girl, what nonsense are you spouting here ?” he exclaimed, while his slumber-addled mind still struggling to grasp the absurdity of the situation unfolding infront of him . “The food factory wants to negotiate a deal with our textile factory? Are you pulling my leg right now ? they sells food , and we sell fabric here . What in this arrangements is there to discuss between ?”
Hearing all of this Xu Ying’s smile never wavered. “That’s all true , but uncle, you’re mistaken in something ,” she corrected gently. “While food factories craft delectable dishes, they also employ a multitude of people there . And what do employees need while working ? Work clothes, right! Shouldn’t those work clothes be tailored from your exquisite fabrics?”
A sudden realization dawned on the doorman’s face when he consider all the words said by XuYing , like a forgotten pattern emerging from a faded cloth. His eyes widened, and he flung open the door for her to enter . “You’re right!” he beamed with , a newfound respect in his voice he continue to inquire . “But usually, other factories get their uniforms from garment factories…”
“That’s right !” Xu Ying interjected, stepping inside while answering . “But those garment factories provide the work clothes quite uniformly , and our food factory’s needs are quite specific at this time , it’s a bit niche for the garment factory . So we decided to use your textile factory as it , however, is perfectly poised to meet our needs . Besides,” she added, with a glint of shrewdness in her eyes, “why let the money wander elsewhere when it can stay right here in our own vincinity , we need to boost our own business right ?”
Listeneing all of this doorman’s face lit up with pride , and a broad grin also spreading across his features. “Now you’re talking my language!” he chuckled. “Come on, I’ll take you to our director right away.”
Xu Ying followed along the unwinding path , while her heart was humming a victorious tune. They wound through the rhythmic clatter of the textile factory’s workshops for quite bit of a time , in which XuYing smell a thick scent of fresh fabric in the air , until they finally reached the hallowed halls of the back office of the factory .
“Director, a young lady from the food factory is here to discuss a cooperation with you !” the doorman announced to the person inside when they arrived at the office , with an uncharacteristic enthusiasm rarely fond in normal days .
“Let her Come in,” a gruff voice responded in return . Upon entering the first thing she saw was , Director Niu, a man whose face was etched with the lines of experience and topped with a generous crown of gray hair on his head , looking up at her , his brow seeing her young age now furrowed in curiosity. “You’re a representative from the food factory?” he asked, his gaze still lingering on Xu Ying’s youthful face. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this situation is quite a miss . As if why a food factory need to collaborate with a textile factory ? Adoubt that is quite align with the doormans inquiry . And even if they need to collaborate why would they send such a young emissary for it ?
“Hello, Director Niu,” Xu Ying greeted, her smile as disarming as ever. “I’m from the R&D department of the food factory .My name is XuYing .”
Hearing her name and department Director Niu’s confusion deepened. “You, are from the food research and development department, want to cooperate with our textile factory?” he questioned, clearly exasparated.
Paying attention to the inquiring tone of the director , Xu Ying in return produced a series of intriguing objects from her bag. “Director Niu, allow me to show you the reason for my visit ,” she began explaining , holding up a peculiar item in her hand . “This, sir, is called a mask. It’s specially designed to prevent harmful substances from entering through nose and mouth. And, of course, it also prevents… incidental spittle of spit from escaping during conversations.” She then held up another item. “And this is a hat, also essential for food safety. It ensures all hair is neatly tucked away while cooking , eliminating the worry of stray strands falling into food during preparation.”
Director Niu’s eyes widened in dawning comprehension. “Ah!” he exclaimed, the pieces finally clicking into place. “Your food factory needs these things for it’s workers , and you want our textile factory to produce them?”
Xu Ying shook her head in response , a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “That’s just the tip of the iceberg, Director Niu,” she clarified. “There isn’t just our food factory in this country . There are countless other food factories, restaurants, bakeries, and even seasoning factories all over here —all of whom will need these items for better hygine of their product . But beyond all of that, the uses for this mask are truly vast. It can filter dust, sand, viruses, even toxic gases and odors! It has an excellent filtering effect on the air we breathe, including droplets. Imagine its use in a polluted environment or for those with infectious respiratory diseases like cough and cold .” Her voice gained a passionate edge the more she talk. “Masks aren’t just for hygiene; they protect our airways, especially in cold weather, where they can shield us from the biting air and keep us warm during chilling weather .”
As Xu Ying’s words flowed, it was like as if a dam of numerous ventures had burst within Director Niu’s mind. His old eyes, once filled with bewilderment, now sparkled with a visionary gleam. The possibilities unfurled before him like a vast, untapped market that nobody can achive other than him.
“This mask,” he mused, holding one up, “it truly is a marvel! And this hat, though peculiar, holds such promise.” He had never encountered such an intriguing inventions before .
“They may seem strange now , but their utility especially in food sector is immense,” Xu Ying affirmed. “I designed these myself. If your textile factory sees the value in them, then our cooperation is a foregone conclusion. You see, I used to work at a state-owned restaurant, but Director Sun saw something special in me and asked me to lend my talents to the food factory’s R&D department even if he had to hire me as a part time worker while working alongside in the resturant .”
Director Niu, a man of extensive experience, understood the hidden message in Xu Ying’s words. Her designs were brilliant, and her background hinted at even more untapped potential for his factory . He chuckled after weighing all the pros and cons in his heart , a hearty sound that filled the room. “Young lady, you may be young, but your abilities are truly exceptional in buisness . With such a proposal, how could we not cooperate with you ? Our textile factory certainly won’t be outdone by the food factory’s conditions. But tell me,” he continued, as his eyes twinkling, “besides designing masks and hats, what other tricks do you have up to your sleeve?”
Picking up the praise from the Director Niu’s words Xu Ying puffed out her chest, and with a proud glint in her eyes says . “I can also design some simple clothes and a few small hair accessories,” she also declared. “Since Director Niu values me so highly, I felt it only right to present some of my other humble creations to you .” She then produced a series of intricate design drawings from her bag—that includes patterns for hairpins she had envisioned from her past life.
Director Niu’s eyes widened even further as he took the drawings . He held them with a reverence usually reserved for precious artifacts, his face beaming with excitement. “Your hairpin designs are outclass young lady !” he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine admiration. “They’re even more beautiful than anything sold in the Capital City’s Department Store!”
“Since the director finds them so appealing,” Xu Ying said, her voice laced with a subtle hope , “they’re sure to fly off the shelves once produced right .”
Director Niu’s smile stretched from ear to ear hearing her humble tone , the vision of increased factory efficiency already dancing in his head. “With your auspicious words, we’ll all definately reap the benefits and enjoy fatter paychecks once these products hit the market !” he declared, already envisioning a prosperous future for him . And in his boundless joy, he generously offered Xu Ying a substantial discount on deal to make the masks and hats, Adding even more value to the deal.
When Xu Ying left the textile factory, she hummed a cheerful tune, her was as steps light and buoyant as a feather . The contract was secured succsesfully , and a new chapter of innovation had begun for her .
Meanwhile, in an another county, Third Uncle Xu, resplendent with his sales department work permit, led a small team from the food factory to the other depatment stores . Their mission: this time is to introduce their popular fried goods and braised duck, delicacies beloved in their home county to much wider audience but as a foreigner in this new territory. When they tried their luck at a department store, they only met with an immediate rejection. The manager wouldn’t even grant them an opprtunity to display their goods in gront of him .
“Brother Jianshe, what do we do now ?” one of the younger sales employees fretted to third uncle Xu , his face etched with anxiety.
“What can we do other than returning to our own county ?” grumbled an older, more cynical employee, his voice dripping with dissatisfaction. “I told you we wouldn’t be able to sell anything here, but you insisted on coming out and stirring up trouble. It was so much nicer back in our own office, sipping afternoon tea and still getting paid.” He scoffed. “Other department stores have their own established ordering channels for goods ; they won’t touch our products.”
Third Uncle Xu, however, remained unfazed with the current roadblock . He pulled out his trump card, a glint of determination in his eye. “We’re going to a state-owned restaurant,” he announced.
Hearing this the young employee’s eyes lit up. “To eat?” he asked, excitement bubbling within him .
Even the disgruntled older employee brightened a little. “It is almost noon,” he conceded, a flicker of hope in his voice. “And it’s Time to eat. We can’t work on an empty stomach, can we?”
“Exactly,” Third Uncle Xu agreed, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “You can’t work if you don’t eat.” The strategic brilliance of his move was about to be revealed, but for now, filling their stomachs are indeed important .