The two chatted casually, and after agreeing on a time for her return, Jiang Cheng left first.

She had to consider that Director Lian and Gao Zhonghua were still here while accompanying Shen Que.

So it’s better to have some time restrictions.

Besides... currently, Shen Que didn’t want her to see him going to the bathroom.

Jiang Cheng didn’t return to the large compound after leaving the mechanical factory but went to the ceramics factory instead.

When Tao Changzhang, the head of the ceramics factory, heard that Jiang Cheng was coming, he was a bit dazed.

Jiang Cheng, really came?

Last time, when foreign exchange profits were made, their ceramics factory didn’t benefit. Although he had looked for Jiang Cheng, he just held a "try-anything" attitude at that time.

Deep down, Tao Changzhang didn’t believe that Jiang Cheng would really come.

"Quick, quick, quick!"

Tao Changzhang went out personally to greet Jiang Cheng.

"Comrade Jiang Cheng."

"Director Tao, why did you come out!"

Jiang Cheng reached out proactively, bending slightly with just the right amount of politeness.

She knew well that without the support of the factory head, all the ideas would be empty fantasies.

Tao Changzhang also intended to get closer, and Jiang Cheng proactively extended the olive branch.

During the time chatting from the entrance to the office, the two almost considered themselves confidants.

The secretary brought in tea and waited by the door.

Inside, Tao Changzhang asked expectantly, "Jiang Cheng, what brings you here this time?"

Jiang Cheng put down the teacup and hung a polite smile.

"I’m about to go out soon, and I like to be prepared."

"What if I meet a foreign friend and know what they like but can’t bring anything out on my end? Wouldn’t the opportunity be wasted?"

Tao Changzhang nodded continuously as he listened, not finding Jiang Cheng to be aimlessly talking.

This girl had gone out twice and returned with foreign exchange earnings each time.

This time, the mechanical factory’s achievements even reached a million.

He had also heard some rumors... it was said that the mechanical factory set a trap and tricked the Japanese on a matter.

Although the news was not precise, there is no smoke without fire.

"Comrade Jiang has deep foresight, a lesson worth learning!"

"Our ceramics factory will certainly fully support comrade Jiang’s plans. So, what kind of preparations does comrade Jiang intend to make?"

Jiang Cheng first praised Tao Changzhang’s farsightedness, then expressed heartfelt thanks.

Just as Tao Changzhang was beaming with delight, Jiang Cheng asked, "Can I take a tour of your factory?"

"Of course you can!"

Tao Changzhang agreed without hesitation and personally took Jiang Cheng on a tour of the entire ceramics factory.

Jiang Cheng’s tour was very down-to-earth.

She chatted with workers and crouched by the kiln for "warm conversations" with the master craftsmen.

In one morning, Jiang Cheng visited every workshop and kiln.

At lunchtime, Jiang Cheng even deliberately left Tao Changzhang behind and mingled with a group of workers, talking about various topics and boasting casually.

After lunch, as the workers went back to work, Jiang Cheng found Tao Changzhang again and went to the warehouse.

The warehouse stored all the stock of the ceramics factory.

The warehouse was large, and in the southeast corner, there was a pile of enamel washbasins the size of two large bowls.

Jiang Cheng walked over, staring at these basins over and over.

"These are all defective products, waiting to be distributed to the supply and marketing cooperatives so that we can at least recover some costs."

"Not profitable?"

Jiang Cheng tilted her head.

Tao Changzhang nodded.

"As long as it’s not a loss, it’s acceptable."

Jiang Cheng picked up a ceramic basin, measuring the size with her hand.

"Director Tao, do you think every ceramics factory has such defective products?"

"It should be inevitable."

Jiang Cheng pondered.

"Can you give me a few?"

"??"

Tao Changzhang was somewhat taken aback.

"Jiang Cheng, these are defective products?"

"I know."

Jiang Cheng said to Tao Changzhang, "I have another idea. Once I confirm it, I’ll let you know. I need a few samples."

"Take them! Take as many as you like! Are a few enough?"

"I’ll give you a few more!"

Tao Changzhang was enthusiastic to help, and the anticipation for the future filled him with excitement.

It’s strange, really; if anyone else had said this, he wouldn’t even want to listen.

But as long as it’s Jiang Cheng, he felt a sense of inevitability!

Jiang Cheng took ten enamel basins, bundled them up with a net bag, and walked out of the ceramics factory.

From the back view, she looked like a relative going to wealthy kinfolks to freeload during the autumn harvest season.

After leaving the ceramics factory, Jiang Cheng first returned to the large compound, putting the net bag with enamel basins down.

Grandma Shen, who was pickling vegetables, walked over and looked at the net bag of enamel basins.

"Who did you con again this time?"

"You’re mistaken! This is called friendly communication, aiming for deeper cooperation."

Jiang Cheng said with a grin, and Grandma Shen chuckled, "Got it, just conning them hard!"

Jiang Cheng: "..."

You know too much, dear!

Jiang Cheng shook her head with a smile after putting down the things and prepared to leave.

She had just taken a few steps when the neighbor, Ge Dahua, brazenly came over.

"Jiang Cheng... are you going out?"

Jiang Cheng didn’t speak, not even slowing her pace.

"Hey, hey, hey — don’t hurry to leave, I fried some sunflower seeds; take them to eat!"

Ge Dahua offering things?

Jiang Cheng immediately put both hands behind her back, tactically stepping backward.

"I didn’t ask for anything!"

"Don’t think you can impose on me!"

Saying this, Jiang Cheng walked around Ge Dahua.

Holding a small handful, probably a dozen sunflower seeds, Ge Dahua’s smiling face instantly turned long.

"Are you silly? Refusing even free stuff."

Ge Dahua longingly stretched her neck, her gaze lingering on the net bag of enamel basins.

Seeing this, Grandma Shen closed the door with a bang.

Ge Dahua was startled, dropping the sunflower seeds all over the place.

"What’s the matter! You scared me to death."

Ge Dahua painfully picked up the sunflower seeds, while Granny Sun, who came out to hang clothes, said leisurely, "Still hasn’t died yet."

Ge Dahua looked up.

Upon seeing Granny Sun, she lost her fire.

Feeling utterly frustrated.

This large compound must be incompatible with her BaZi (eight characters, birthdate for fortune-telling)!

None of these neighbors are normal!

Jiang Cheng didn’t care about Ge Dahua’s antics. She left the large compound and first went to see Shen Que.

Jiang Cheng took over the task of feeding medicine.

She looked at the bitter black medicinal soup and then at Shen Que, whom she fed with one spoonful at a time.

Isn’t it bitter?

But Shen Que drank with a smile in his eyes, and the cold hard face softened by a few degrees.

Inside Shen Que: So bitter! 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

But he somewhat enjoyed being fed by Jiang Cheng, so... enduring the bitter burden.

After several spoonfuls, Jiang Cheng couldn’t bear it anymore.

"You drink it yourself, next time I’ll feed you soup, okay?"

"Okay!"

Shen Que downed the herbal medicine in one gulp, already looking forward to Jiang Cheng’s arrival in the evening.

Jiang Cheng teased with affection, "Are you silly or what?"

"You’re from my family."

With a "you’re from my family," Jiang Cheng laughed with her eyes bent, replying with an acknowledgment.

Shen Que smiled even more foolishly.

Director Lian, who came in at the door, was overwhelmed by the mushy love ambiance, his entire body uncomfortable as he walked out.

"Seeing this Shen Que gives me goosebumps!"

"Damn scary!"

Standing off to the side without knowing when, Gao Zhonghua mysteriously said, "I confirmed it."

"What did you confirm?"

Director Lian was confused.

Gao Zhonghua whispered, "It’s my Captain Shen; the birthmark on his butt is still there!"

Director Lian: You sure know a lot!!