Chapter 127: Isn’t This Too Abrupt?
Lu Qiaoge glanced at Zhen Xi once.
No need to doubt he was deliberately showing off; people from Hong Kong during this time period really liked wearing white suits and pointed leather shoes.
He was born in Hong Kong, so this should just be his daily outfit.
The next moment, Zhen Xi said: “Which one of you is the factory director of the food factory? I’m prepared to invest and help you build Jiangcheng’s largest food company!”
Zhen Xi spoke in Mandarin, and everyone understood him clearly.
However, not a single person showed an expression of joy or shock; they were all silently looking at him.
What’s wrong with this guy?
How could he open his mouth and talk about investing right away? Hu Ze was thinking that investment probably meant funds, giving them this small workshop and even turning it into Jiangcheng’s largest food company?
This guy probably had something wrong with his head?
Last night Father had come home and said that people from Hong Kong were coming to the factory to visit and express condolences, so he must be one of them.
But talking about investment right off the bat like this—wasn’t that too rash?
Even Old Lin furrowed his brows; how could this young man Zhen Xi be so unreliable?
Moreover, what was he even doing here?
Thus, everyone looked at Zhen Xi with strange glances.
Zhen Xi felt like he was a monkey!
Normally in such a situation, shouldn’t the factory director here come forward immediately, thanking him profusely with gratitude and inquiring in detail about how to invest?
As long as his Zhen Family invested, there was no enterprise that didn’t profit.
This simple, crude little factory would soar to the skies.
He would also kill two birds with one stone.
Father always said not to act rashly here, so he’d take the initiative to be a stepping stone for that old man this time.
A whetstone and a stepping stone were both stones—what was the difference?
However, the scene was pin-drop silent.
Including Uncle Lin, who was looking at him in surprise.
What, investment not allowed here?
But Uncle Lin had accepted the Zhen Family’s donation and investment.
And because of that, they had even been received as VIPs.
On the same land, was there different treatment?
Zhen Xi’s expression cooled imperceptibly.
At this moment, Lu Qiaoge’s eyes brightened a bit.
To tell the truth, if there really was investment, it would be like trading bird guns for cannons.
Unfortunately, this guy still didn’t quite understand the strategy here.
But actually, he might not be unaware; perhaps he was just scouting the way.
Anyone who could stay by Chairman Zhen’s side couldn’t be too stupid.
Lu Qiaoge was the provisional factory director of this small workshop, and since the other party had named her position, she had to uphold his face.
No matter what, this was a VIP who had made contributions to the country.
Lu Qiaoge immediately stepped forward with a beaming smile, first introducing herself: “I’m the factory director. My name is Lu Qiaoge. May I ask who you are?”
The factory director’s secretary hadn’t expected this third young master of the Zhen Family to be so unreliable.
At least, that was his view.
He had only said he was coming to find his Uncle Lin, and would casually walk around; with him accompanying, there was no problem.
But getting out of the car and immediately talking about investment—did he really think this was Hong Kong!
Secretary Zhou grumbled inwardly, but outwardly he was extremely affable. Seeing Lu Qiaoge pick up the conversation and do so very politely, he breathed a sigh of relief and followed Lu Qiaoge’s lead, warmly introducing: “Comrade Lu, this is Mr. Zhen Xi of Hong Kong’s Zhen Group.”
Secretary Zhou then introduced Director Hu.
After this round of introductions, the atmosphere improved a lot.
Director Hu wasn’t too happy inside; how had the reception people arranged this, letting this third young master come?
Investment, what big talk.
Did they need it?
They didn’t; everything was arranged according to the national plan.
But these words couldn’t be said out loud. He had a straightforward temperament and didn’t really want to deal with this capitalist dressed like a flashy butterfly, this phony young master.
Fortunately, Qiao Ge was clever.
This girl was exceptionally good at handling things.
Much better than him.
Otherwise, if Zhen Xi lost face today, it wouldn’t be good for the factory’s image.
No matter what he was like, they had to warmly treat every guest.
He might even get criticized by the leaders above for not considering the big picture at his age.
Old Hu smiled contentedly.
Lu Qiaoge was still smiling cheerfully: “Hello, Mr. Zhen. The investment matter isn’t urgent. Why don’t you take a look at our factory first?”
“You’re Director Lu?” Zhen Xi suddenly spoke, his voice carrying the distinctive lazy tone of Hong Kong-style Mandarin.
Lu Qiaoge nodded: “Yes.”
She paused, then continued slowly: “This is a small factory run by our Xiangyang Neighborhood Committee ourselves. Director Hu is here too; you can consult with him about investment matters.”
Seeing that the other party had no intention of shaking hands, Old Hu didn’t extend his hand either, but treating guests as guests, he earnestly introduced: “The neighborhood committee’s small factory is a collective enterprise, mainly to solve employment issues for urban youth. It doesn’t accept outside investment, but I also represent the neighborhood committee in thanking Mr. Zhen for his kind intentions.”
In a bad mood, Zhen Xi raised his brows: “You won’t even ask your superiors?”
Old Hu was mildly choked.
He suddenly felt this phony young master really was a phony young master.
This was just stirring up trouble for no reason.
This had been decided at the meeting long ago; not to mention investment, even visits weren’t allowed—didn’t he know?
Before Old Hu could speak, Lu Qiaoge timely took over: “Mr. Zhen, I can answer that. We have explicit regulations; due to the factory’s special nature, we don’t accept foreign investment.”
Zhen Xi looked at Lu Qiaoge with a half-smile.
He hadn’t expected this backward place to have such a beautiful and clever young lady.
Hmm, she was really stunning.
But Lu Qiaoge didn’t give him a chance to speak or comment, continuing with a bright smile: “Mr. Zhen, investment won’t work, but we can talk orders. As far as I know, Hong Kong’s fried snacks are mostly purchased from outside. Our Jiangcheng Fried Snack Factory now has original flavor and five-spice sunflower seeds, two varieties. If you’re interested, you can go take a look at the fried snack factory. If it’s inconvenient for you to contact them, I can help you communicate through the district comprehensive office.”
Actually, sunflower seeds were also in short supply now; some places didn’t require tickets, some places only distributed half a jin or a jin per household during Spring Festival for the New Year.
But if this stuff could exchange for foreign exchange, it was possible.
She had heard Su Hongmei say that many kinds could exchange for foreign exchange.
Many were under national control, but some factory products could now exchange for foreign exchange, like imitation cultural relic handicrafts and embroidery being the most, but no fried snacks.
Lu Qiaoge had thought of the Zhen Family right then.
But looking across Jiangcheng, including the military factory, the only exports seemed to be energy-related.
But Lu Qiaoge didn’t want to do that.
Just fried snacks then.
Jiangcheng had vast land area, and every commune planted sunflowers.
When Lu Qiaoge had gone to Guzi Village, she had seen a vast field of sunflowers.
So the fried snacks direction should work.
Lu Qiaoge’s smile was very infectious; even Zhen Xi, who had just been looked at like a monkey, put away his indifference.
Lu Qiaoge turned her head, glanced at the workers behind, and called out: “Meng Qingshan, Hu Ze, Du Shuang, Zhou Li, you few come over. We’ll accompany Mr. Zhen Xi to tour our small workshop. Su Hui, you take the others to get back to work first.”
