The next day during the lunch break at work, Shen Meng went to the textile factory with some documents. After meeting with Li Qianqian, she handed over the materials and also reported about the village’s need to install electricity.
It’s very necessary for the factory to install electricity, and her own home wanted to do the same. Her children have to bury their faces in their desks every evening to do their homework. If this continues, all three school-going kids in her family will have to wear glasses.
"That’s a very good suggestion, Sister Meng. Look at the few factories in the county; which one doesn’t have electricity? I have already met with Reporter Fang Yan from the Provincial City. She said that after the newspaper layout is done in about four or five days, it will be published. She mentioned that the article would not only be published in our Provincial City’s newspaper, but she will also submit it to Hai City, Yangcheng, Shangjing... wherever there is a newspaper that accepts it, our Head Flower Factory will be seen. I can’t even imagine how popular our factory will be by then."
Shen Meng: "...."
Isn’t this casting a wide net?
"Okay, we will proceed with this matter as discussed before with the village officials. We will wait for John to settle the final payment before reporting it. Mr. Li, our factory is still in its infancy and needs everyone’s collective maintenance for better growth. You have many connections in the county, and we will need you to step forward!"
Upon hearing Shen Meng say this, Li Qianqian immediately straightened up. She had been worried that Shen Meng was too capable and that she herself, who didn’t understand much, would hold Shen Meng back. She hadn’t expected that she would be so important in Shen Meng’s eyes.
"Sister Meng, don’t worry about the county’s affairs. I will handle everything well. The supply from the textile factory will also be delivered on time. I definitely won’t hold the factory back."
Shen Meng looked at Li Qianqian, who seemed hesitant to speak, and Li Qianqian grabbed her hand.
"Sis, if you have anything to say, just say it. What can’t we sisters talk about?"
"Alright, I’ll speak frankly. When I was negotiating the cooperation with John, I promised that we would provide new head flower designs with each order. So, I was thinking of sending you to learn about design, and it would be best for you to visit various cities in the Provincial City or elsewhere to look for new fabric designs, especially Yangcheng, which is close to Hong Kong and has a lot of fresh ideas. However, these trends reach us very late. I also suggest you learn design because it’s an important department and it’s best if you manage it personally."
Li Qianqian’s eyes sparkled upon hearing this. As a factory director these past days, she had always been struggling to figure out what she needed to do, even consulting her father-in-law, who had experience. But the advice she got was of no practical use; Shen Meng’s words made her feel as though there was so much to get busy with that even time felt insufficient.
Head flowers are items that beautify people. These are not irreplicable; if their factory could secure orders that earn foreign exchange, others might follow suit. Having a design department is essential.
On the one hand, Shen Meng was considering the factory’s needs, and on the other hand, she wanted to reduce her own load. With so many things to do every day, she had no time to enjoy life. After resolving this issue, tonight she would definitely reward herself with a Hollington steak and some Bordeaux red wine, followed by a dessert.
Hmm?
Maybe tonight I should bring some small cakes home for the kids and say that someone outside gave them to us.
Before leaving work in the evening, Fu Meili handed out the pay slips to everyone, and Shen Meng looked at the thirty-three yuan on her own pay slip and felt delighted. The wages of this era are indeed substantial, with no housing pressure. It’s truly comfortable!
"In a bit, everyone go to the finance office to queue up for your salary. This month, everyone has done very well, so the company is issuing an extra twenty kilograms of food coupons and some other vouchers. Keep up the good work."
After her address, Fu Meili made her way to the finance office first.
Shen Meng watched her with a bit of envy. Being a director really makes a difference; coming to work at ten in the morning and getting off between two and three in the afternoon. Being a leader is indeed different.
Shen Meng felt the weight of her first paycheck since arriving in this era. Indeed, it was time for a proper celebration.
Uncle Guai’s bullock cart was empty, save for the three of them. Shen Meng took two large apples and two bananas from her bag and handed one to each of them.
"Eat."
"Wow, where did these come from? These bananas are huge, and not easy to buy this time of the year!" Wu Xianglan made a big deal out of it as she sniffed the banana intensely and then tucked it into her bag.
Yu Xueli did the same, looking at it over and over again, but she just couldn’t bring herself to eat it.
"I’m giving you this to eat, so eat it. I’ve got other stuff here, too. You have to look after yourselves before you can think about your children. Look at how pale you both are. Tsk tsk, eat up, eating more fruits is good for your health."
As Shen Meng spoke, she took out four steamed cakes from her bag and gave them to them.
"Take these home for the kids. They are tasty and easy to hide away, and less likely to be found by others. Xianglan, don’t always think about your two children; think about yourself more."
Wu Xianglan’s eyes reddened, and she felt a sourness in her heart. She took the cakes and placed them in her bag. After a moment of hesitation, under Shen Meng’s insistent gaze, she peeled the banana and took a bite. Instantly, the sweet and soft flavor burst in her mouth, so delicious she felt like she was floating.
Yu Xueli paused for a bit, then obediently ate her banana, too. The apple was so big and red, it looked irresistibly tasty, perfect for her Daya and Xiao Ya at home.
Uncle Guai, sitting at the front, sniffed and ached with longing.
When they arrived at the village, Shen Meng paid her fare and went up to Uncle Guai saying: "Uncle, I’ve left a little something for you and Aunt under the straw. Remember to take it home later."
"You child, why would you give something to this old man?"
"Hey hey hey, I saw you drooling while we were eating. Just take it, in not so many days we will be family, why the formality?"
Uncle Guai listened to Shen Meng’s words and "hmmed" with a slight embarrassment, while she laughed and left with Yu Xueli.
On the way home, Wu Xianglan was still walking the fastest. She was worried that Lu Jiahe would be home. If that were the case, her bag would surely be searched, and the good things she had hidden away would not reach the kids. Then there would be another fight, scaring the kids again.
"Seeing her like this every day, I just think what’s the point, she might be better off just living on her own!"
"She hasn’t thought it through, but living on her own is just a matter of time. Here, this is for you, eighty yuan, keep it safe. Here are your fruits, apples and bananas. These are all for you as a reward. I still have a lot more in my bag, I’ll take some to Xiao Long later, let him taste them too."
Yu Xueli looked at the big bag Shen Meng was carrying on her back. No wonder she stumbled getting on the cart today; it turned out the bag was packed with so many things.