Yang Dezhen, once merely a deputy director, had long cultivated a domineering presence in the village. Now, with his direct promotion, he walked with an arrogant swagger, eyes devoid of any regard for others. Anyone seeking factory employment had to pass through his gate, and a single offense would guarantee a lifetime of unemployment, courtesy of Yang Dezhen’s petty vengeance.
“Head Director,” Yang Dezhen fawned, his voice dripping with sycophantic praise, “you are naturally wise and considerate of your employees. Otherwise, Director Yang wouldn’t have left, would he?”
Head Director Wu, initially pleased by the lavish compliments, bristled at the latter part of the statement. His hand slammed onto the table. “Director Yang, what do you mean by that?” he fumed. “Are you implying that I drove Director Yang away?”
Panic seized Yang Dezhen. Sweat erupted on his forehead, cascading down his face like a miniature waterfall. He quickly stammered, “Head Director, that’s not what I meant! What I meant was that Director Yang left because he had no ability!”
Head Director Wu’s anger immediately dissipated, replaced by a self-satisfied grin. He looked at Yang Dezhen with an almost tender gaze, as if seeing him anew. “Xiao Yang,” he purred, “as long as you follow me and work hard, promotion and wealth will be yours. Now, you may go.” With a dismissive wave of his hand, he propped his feet on the table, humming a tuneless melody, patiently awaiting the food factory’s desperate plea.
He was utterly convinced that the food factory was powerless against him. Should any leader question his actions, he had his excuse ready: the food factory’s sudden surge in orders had simply overwhelmed their duck meat factory’s capacity. It wasn’t a breach of contract, merely the food factory’s overwhelming success. When the food factory failed to deliver on time, they would not only incur the wrath of their superiors but also alienate their foreign clients. Those foreign customers were highly esteemed by his superiors, and to offend both domestic and international interests would spell ruin for the food factory. He believed the food factory director would easily discern which was the greater priority.
Director Sun, meanwhile, was a coiled spring of anxiety. He had called Xujiacun and now hovered by the phone, desperately awaiting Xu Ying’s return call. “Has Secretary Zhang found out what happened?” Director Sun demanded the moment he saw Secretary Zhang rushing in.
Secretary Zhang’s face was grim, his body trembling uncontrollably as he entered the room. “Director, there’s a new director at the duck meat factory, and that’s why they’re holding back the goods.”
“Did they say anything about liquidated damages?”
At the mention of it, Secretary Zhang’s anger surged, his teeth grinding together. “The new factory director, Wu, is utterly malicious. He insists our food factory has too many orders and that their duck meat factory has tried its best, but simply cannot find the current supply. Yet, just days ago, the previous director Yang confirmed they had enough ducks for this shipment. This is clearly the new factory director, Wu, deliberately making things difficult for us.”
“Xiao Xu, oh, you’re finally here! What are we going to do? The duck meat factory has a new director; he’s deliberately pressuring us and using this opportunity to raise prices!” Director Sun’s eyes lit up, as if he’d spotted a savior, the moment he saw Xu Ying.
Xu Ying met Director Sun’s worried gaze with a comforting look. “Director,” she began, “I’ve recently developed a new food: braised pig products, made from some pig offal. The taste is no worse than the duck products. Production is starting now. I’ll contact those foreigners right away for it .”
Director Sun’s worry persisted. “Is this really possible? What if those foreigners don’t buy it?”
Xu Ying offered no further explanation. She swiftly dialed the number for her foreign contacts. “Hello, dear Anthony, it’s me, Xiao Xu.”
Anthony was surprised to receive Xu Ying’s call, especially noting her much-improved demeanor. Remembering their previous, somewhat awkward, interactions, and now sensing her sudden kindness, he felt a surge of happiness. “Dear Xu,” he replied, his voice brimming with newfound cheer, “what can I do for you?”
“Anthony,” Xu Ying began, a hint of playful rebuke in her tone, “although you were unreasonable before, I appreciate that you know how to taste delicious food. I am a food lover, and what I like most are people who truly appreciate the food I cook. You are one of them. Recently, I have developed a new kind of braised pig product. I want to recommend it to you. You simply must try it, otherwise I will be very sad.” She first disarmed him, then cleverly played on his ego.
Hearing Xiao Xu praise him as someone who understood and appreciated her culinary creations, Anthony was instantly elated, swelling with a justifiable pride. Xiao Xu’s cooking was truly extraordinary. “Okay,” he readily agreed, “what are you going to do?”
“Anthony, pork in our country is much more expensive than duck,” Xu Ying continued, her voice filled with a practiced dramatic flair. “As a lover of my food, I plan to set a special precedent for you and give you half the price. This time, I will send you half braised duck and half braised pig. But this is only for this one time. If you want to order braised pig next time, you must buy it at the original price.” Director Sun, observing Xu Ying’s vivid performance, was utterly bewildered, unable to grasp a word of her conversation.
Anthony, hearing such a tempting offer, immediately recalled the Chinese saying: “If you don’t take advantage of it, you’re a fool.” He agreed almost without hesitation, secretly congratulating himself on his cunning. This “little Xu ” wasn’t so bad after all. His voice, thick with pride, resonated: “Xu, if the braised pork this time is delicious and sells well, I will continue to place additional orders.”
“Dear Anthony,” Xu Ying purred, “although the braised pig looks uglier than the braised duck, you have to believe that the food I make is absolutely delicious. And I told you, braised pig is even more delicious than braised duck. I would never lie to you, so you can rest assured. I also believe that Anthony can definitely lead the braised duck and braised pig products to make waves in the M country market.” Anthony’s spirits soared under Xu Ying’s lavish praise. If Xu Ying could have seen him, she would have witnessed the sheer, unbridled glee on his face.
After hanging up the phone, a glint of triumph flashed in Xu Ying’s eyes. Director Sun, seeing her expression, immediately guessed that something positive had transpired. He looked at Xiao Xu eagerly. “Xiao Xu, how did it go? What did you tell those foreigners?”
Xu Ying smiled, revealing her bright white teeth. “Director, you don’t trust me when I work! I’ve already made an agreement with our most difficult customer. We’ll divide his order into half braised pig, half braised duck, and then send them to him .”
Director Sun’s eyes widened with excitement, then he burst into hearty laughter. “Xiao Xu, I knew nothing would be too difficult for you! Alas, I’m truly old. I’m no longer as capable as you young people. You young people will have to lead the way from now on.”
“Director, you’re still young” Xu Ying countered playfully. “Now, call our workshop and ask them to find my Uncle Zhao. Bring him here, and we’ll sign a contract directly with his factory. Then, quickly get the materials needed for the braised pig products delivered to avoid delaying production speed.”