Chapter 207: Of course, I have to make you proud, too.
Everyone was surprised by Song Chu’s ability to handle things. She was so young, yet so capable. No wonder Vice-County Magistrate Sheng favored her.
They also wanted to get closer to Song Chu. Director Luo smiled and said, “I have time, but I wouldn’t want to make Director Song spend money. Today, it’s on me.”
The workers at the clothing factory and Tang Feng had learned how to make down jackets. They had already produced a few pieces. Director Luo took the other leaders of the clothing factory to the refrigeration plant to test them out.
The results were the same as before, silencing those who had previously opposed the idea.
Therefore, Director Luo was particularly happy and grateful to Song Chu for giving them this opportunity.
Moreover, they would rely on Song Chu to contact Guangdong Province to participate in the Import and Export Trade Fair. So, Director Luo didn’t mind spending a little money and tickets, and he offered to treat everyone to a meal.
When the other factory directors heard this, they cursed inwardly. This old fox was really shameless, taking the lead.
So they also scrambled to say that they would pay for the meal.
Song Chu smiled and said, “I suggested it, so naturally, I’ll pay. Don’t argue with me. You can treat everyone next time.”
“Vice-County Magistrate Sheng, you and your colleagues should join us too,” she invited Sheng Qingyang and Wei Ran, and the others.
Sheng Qingyang admired Song Chu’s way of handling things. This made it easier to integrate with subordinates and carry out work. He himself didn’t like people who always put on airs.
Of course, he would give Song Chu face. “No problem. You treat this time, and I’ll treat next time.”
If he was going, Wei Ran and the others certainly couldn’t refuse.
Hearing that Sheng Qingyang was going, the factory directors were even happier.
Before the meeting, Song Chu had already thought about treating everyone to a meal, so she asked Song Ping to book a table and order dishes at a nearby state-run restaurant.
They were from the County Economic Office, so the manager of the state-run restaurant naturally gave them face and had the chefs prepare their best dishes.
The group went to the state-run restaurant and occupied several tables.
Sheng Qingyang, Song Chu, Gu Yue, and the directors of several major factories sat at one table.
Wei Ran and the others sat separately, entertaining the factory directors and taking the opportunity to get closer to them.
Considering that Song Chu was a female comrade, everyone tacitly agreed not to suggest drinking alcohol.
Three meat dishes, four vegetable dishes, and one soup โ the meal was quite abundant, and it made the factory directors feel that Song Chu valued them.
Everyone was a little reserved at first, but under Sheng Qingyang’s lead, they quickly relaxed, eating, talking, and laughing.
After the meal, their relationships had indeed become much closer.
Many factory directors who usually didn’t interact with each other got to know each other through this meal, and some even exchanged contact information.
After the meal, Sheng Qingyang, Song Chu, and a few others walked back to the staff dormitory of the county office together.
He had been assigned a suite in the cadre area, which wasn’t far from the staff dormitory, and he had to pass by it.
Sheng Qingyang smiled and said, “Xiao Song, not only are you capable at work, but your social skills are also very strong. I’m increasingly impressed by you.”
He felt like he had really struck gold. Every time he thought Song Chu was already very good, she would surprise him again.
She was beautiful, capable, and generous. If they weren’t currently in a superior-subordinate relationship at work, he thought he might not be able to resist pursuing her.
He had to admit, he was a little smitten with Song Chu.
But because of their working relationship, he could only suppress this feeling, fearing that he might scare her away, and it wouldn’t be conducive to their work.
The County Economic Office was just a starting point for him, and he believed it was the same for Song Chu. So, in the future, when they were no longer in a superior-subordinate relationship, if he was still smitten, he would pursue her.
For now, he had to focus all his energy on work.
Song Chu didn’t know that Sheng Qingyang’s mind had wandered so much. She smiled and said, “I don’t want people to say that Vice-County Magistrate Sheng’s choice was wrong.”
“You believed in me and put me in the position of vice director under pressure. Of course, I have to make you proud, too.”
โโโ
Sheng Qingyang laughed lightly, “Haha, I like to hear that.”
The two walked and talked. After discussing work matters, Sheng Qingyang showed concern for Song Chu’s life.
He kept emphasizing that if she encountered any trouble, she should feel free to come to him.
Song Chu felt that Sheng Qingyang was a really good leader and friend, so she nodded in agreement.
Soon, Gu Yue took the initiative to talk to Sheng Qingyang about the machinery factory, changing the subject.
Song Chu yielded her position to Gu Yue and walked behind with Song Ping, chatting with her.
Sheng Qingyang was still enjoying his conversation with Song Chu, but he was quickly drawn in by Gu Yue.
At his age, he was at the peak of his career ambition. Being exiled to this small county, he had been ridiculed behind his back by many people in Kyoto’s circles. So, he was particularly eager to achieve something, prove himself, and slap those people in the face.
Gu Yue’s suggestion hit the mark for him.
He had already reported Gu Yue’s suggestions to his superiors. With his trump card and background, the higher-ups finally agreed to let him try.
But they also told him to know when to stop and not to push too hard on other things. They wanted him to focus on achieving results with the food processing factory and the machinery factory first. They were clearly afraid that he would keep pushing without stopping.
The county’s economic conditions were limited. Allowing Sheng Qingyang to work on two factories was already a bold move of support. The higher-ups were afraid that he would take too big of a step without a stable foundation.
Sheng Qingyang always knew what he should do. The key was to do a good job with the food processing factory and the machinery factory first. Naturally, he wouldn’t divert his energy to other things.
So he agreed very readily, which relieved the higher-ups.
With the support from above, he immediately arranged a meeting with the director of the machinery factory.
As long as the factory director remained the same, the expansion and restructuring were good things for Director Zhou, so he agreed without hesitation.
However, there was still a lot of work to be done in the early stages. Sheng Qingyang wanted to take Gu Yue on a business trip to Kyoto and the provincial capital to finalize the new equipment and the borrowing of personnel.
After all, Gu Yue was the expert in this area. With him providing input, Sheng Qingyang could better exert his influence and avoid being fooled.
Naturally, Gu Yue wouldn’t object. He wanted to quickly implement the restructuring of the machinery factory. So, the two agreed to go on the business trip next Tuesday. Sheng Qingyang also said he would have someone buy the train tickets today.
When they reached the staff dormitory, Sheng Qingyang stood and chatted with Gu Yue for a while longer before saying goodbye to the three, “See you next week.”
“See you next week!” Song Chu and the other two waved.
Back in the dormitory, Gu Yue took a shower and went to find Song Chu.
“Song Xiaochu, Brother Sheng and I have agreed to go to Kyoto on a business trip next Tuesday. We’ll also need to spend two days in the provincial capital after we return, so it will take about a week.”
He sat in the chair opposite her and continued, “Next Monday, I’ll take Xiao Jin to register for school. For the remaining days, I’ll have to trouble you to help pick him up and take care of him.”
He had chosen Song Chu, and therefore, he didn’t stand on ceremony with her.
Song Chu smiled and said, “Sure, you can go about your business with peace of mind. Leave Xiao Jin to me.”
“Then I won’t thank you,” Gu Yue chuckled.
“No need, no need. Just bring back some specialties from Kyoto,” Song Chu said with a smile.
“No problem.” Gu Yue was now quite familiar with Song Chu’s tastes and preferences.
There’s another bonus chapter today~
