He immediately switched to an attentive smile and praised Xu Ying with a conciliatory tone, "Xiao Xu, we have to say you’ve got a sharp mind, this name you’ve picked is quite unique.
Not bad, not bad, I think this can work."
After all, it was just adding a surname. In the end, the money earned would still flow into their food factory.
Forget it, this girl rarely acts so childishly. Let her have her way this time, since he, Old Sun, is generous.
After saying this, Mr. Sun rubbed his palms together and eagerly looked at Xu Ying, "Xiao Xu, does your family have any other recipes?"
Just look at this barefaced ambition.
Xu Ying smiled mysteriously, "Director, we do have more recipes, but we mustn’t rush, lest we suffer from undue haste.
Our braised and fried products are currently very popular, and we need to focus on these two items first.
The rest we must take slowly; we can’t expect to become fat with just one bite."
Mr. Sun obviously understood this principle. After Xiao Xu and the others returned this time, he had already heard from Zhou Yi and Yang Nan.
The Magic City Food Factory’s Director Li wanted to poach staff from their factory; fortunately, Xiao Xu was sensible and didn’t get swayed by that shameless person.
Looking at Xiao Xu, Mr. Sun’s face was full of undisguised affection.
Xu Ying felt nervous under his gaze. Was this old guy harboring some cunning plan?
"Xiao Xu, I’ve heard about what happened with the Magic City Food Factory. You’ve been wronged.
Once we finalize the name for our product, I’ll apply to Minister Lin, and we must participate in the diplomatic fair."
Xu Ying had been waiting for Mr. Sun’s words, and ultimately the name for the food factory’s braised products was directly settled as Xu Lulu.
Such a big matter was naturally left for the director to busy himself with.
Xu Ying thought of the Magic City Food Factory incident and still felt some concern, "Director, has this matter been thoroughly investigated?
Was the recipe leaked by an employee within the factory?"
Mr. Sun shook his head, "I’ve been investigating this matter lately and haven’t got a clue."
Besides, there are so many employees in the factory; every one of them is a suspect. If we were to check each one individually, it would take forever.
Xu Ying smiled and offered a suggestion. After hearing it, Mr. Sun’s eyes lit up, and he swiftly issued instructions.
Xiao Xu was indeed clever. Searching for a traitor in such a wide range was naturally difficult, but if you narrowed the search and used the recipe as bait, the person would surely be caught easily.
The culprit would naturally expose themselves. Xu Ying rubbed her temples and yawned, having yet to say a word.
Mr. Sun immediately said, "All right, Xiao Xu, you’ve worked hard recently. Both you and the colleagues who went on the business trip get a week off.
Go home and have a good rest."
The food factory turned misfortune into a blessing this time. Not only had they started cooperating with the Friendship Building, but the Department Store had also called today.
Previous Yang, the director of the Department Store, was dismissed for poor management.
Magic City Food Factory’s Director Li was also suspended for his greed.
Director Li got his just deserts, but Yang was fuming.
He adhered to the principle of keeping the good deals within the city’s own enterprises, sure that local factories had a close relationship with their Department Store. And their local food factories had been longstanding partners.
He never imagined such an incident would occur.
Even if he harbored no ill intentions, selling spoiled braised meat was still his fault for inadequate inspection.
When Third Uncle Xu was told about the holiday, he excitedly came to find Xu Ying. He was planning to buy a bicycle to show off when he went back.
However, for the trip to the Department Store, he would have to rely on his niece’s vehicle.
Third Uncle Xu didn’t go straight home after buying a bicycle; instead, he headed to his ex-girlfriend’s neighborhood and smugly flaunted his new purchase, enjoying the sight of the couple’s darkened faces.
Only then did Third Uncle Xu happily return home.
Xu Ying watched her Third Uncle, the corners of her mouth twitching; hmm, holding grudges must be one of the excellent genes of their Old Xu Family.
After almost half a month away, Third Uncle Xu arrived at the village entrance on his bicycle, beaming with pride as he dismounted.
He had a bike but chose not to ride, obnoxiously pushing it around the village for a grand tour.
"Third Brother, why are you back? Where’s Yingying!" Mrs. Xu, who was directing the loading of goods, saw Xu the Third and immediately her face lit up with joy, tossing aside what she held and running swiftly toward him.
Oh dear, her beloved daughter, gone for almost half a month.
She had missed her terribly.
Discarding any concerns for work, Mrs. Xu hurried back to the house like a puff of smoke.
Approaching the gate, she saw her daughter’s silhouette in the courtyard and, with red-rimmed eyes and a hand covering her mouth, her gaze was filled with longing.
"Mom." Xu Ying turned her head and immediately saw her mother’s reddened eyes, rushing over to embrace her: "What’s wrong? Who has been bullying you?"
Mrs. Xu cried tears of joy, shaking her head: "Who would dare to bully me? Now, you are our village’s lucky star, with everyone relying on our family for work.
The villages within ten miles all curry favor with me; I’m hardly someone who can be bullied."
Her daughter had indeed become capable, but that just meant the days they could see each other were growing fewer and fewer; she always felt a hollow void in her heart.
"Then why are you crying?" Xu Ying wiped her tears, feeling a pang of heartache.
Eldest Sister-in-law Xu chuckled from the side: "Mom’s just missing you."
Feeling her inner feelings exposed, Mrs. Xu became somewhat embarrassed and turned her head away grumpily: "You’ve become successful now, and it takes half a month just to see you once.
A few days ago, Huo Chen sent gifts to our family, and your father and I feel he’s also suitable. Since you two are dating anyway, why not set the wedding date first?"
Xu Ying hadn’t expected Huo Chen to act so swiftly; they had initially agreed to get engaged before leaving, but urgent matters had forced her to depart earlier.
Mrs. Xu was overjoyed at once; her daughter getting married in the same village meant she could see her whenever she wished, which was splendid.
"How about the day after tomorrow? It just so happens to be an auspicious day," Mrs. Xu tentatively suggested, knowing that such a significant decision ultimately needed her daughter’s approval.
Xu Ying nodded: "I’ll listen to Mom."
Third Uncle Xu, like a pesky fly, wasn’t far behind and entered the courtyard with a newspaper in hand, full of excitement: "Eldest Sister-in-law, look, Yingying and I are in the newspaper."
Third Uncle Xu was beaming with pride as he mentioned this; he, who was regarded by everyone as good-for-nothing, had finally amounted to something.
Hearing this, Mrs. Xu looked confused, but after a moment, she snatched the newspaper and stared at the words, which she couldn’t quite recognize.
Seeking help, she turned to her eldest daughter-in-law: "Eldest Son’s wife, what does it say here?"
Eldest Sister-in-law Xu was already curious and quickly came over upon being asked by her mother-in-law. Looking at the newspaper, her face showed shock: "Mom, the little sister’s food factory and textile factory have received praise from the leadership.
They’re all commending the little sister’s abilities in food research, her design skills, and even her consideration for the people’s safety..."
Mrs. Xu listened with a grin spreading across her face; her daughter was so remarkable, and whoever wrote the article truly had a flair for words, capturing her daughter’s essence perfectly.
Looking at the newspaper’s photo, Mrs. Xu instinctively ignored Third Uncle Xu, clutching the newspaper excitedly as she ran out of the house.
While no one in the idle gossip crowd would listen to her boast, the factory was a different story.
She ran towards the factory as fast as she could.