Beautiful beauties in the 80s courtyard

Chapter 404 It doesn’t matter what you say

After several rounds of discussions, price comparisons, and confirmation of transportation and payment methods, the final draft of the cooperation agreement was finally finalized.

Chuhe made a big move, with its first order worth one million yuan.

Old Zhou was thrilled, because this actually meant that Xiangyang Food Factory was going to expand further.

Otherwise, wouldn't these orders be scheduled until the year after next?
He had naturally visited the food factory, though he had to admit that, as a military-industrial enterprise, it was much more open and welcoming than a local one.

Lu Qiaoge set up the factory in the street office, which provided manpower, equipment, and, most importantly, safety.

If expansion is really needed, there is still room.

He wasn't expecting to open a branch factory, but he could do contract manufacturing, like the dehydrated vegetables Lu Qiaoge mentioned...

Jiangcheng is located in the northern frontier, with vast and boundless land, fully capable of producing dehydrated vegetables. He must secure this opportunity.

Manager Qian from Haicheng Food Factory, in particular, has been keeping a close eye on this area.

The two parties quickly reached an agreement: Chuhe would deliver the first batch of wheat and cooking oil at discounted prices within a month, while Xiangyang Food Factory would give priority to supplying instant noodles to Nanyang Shunhe Group.

After finishing their business, Deputy Director Zhou glanced at his watch and suggested, "It's getting late, let's go get some food. The state-run restaurant is serving braised pork today, but it'll be sold out if we go too late."

Everyone got up and started dressing. As Chu He wrapped his scarf around his neck, he said to Lu Qiaoge, "Director Lu, your instant noodles are really popular in Nanyang. Not only do Chinese people like them, but locals have started eating them too. There's a new way to eat them: add an egg and some vegetables, and it tastes great."

Lu Qiaoge smiled and said, "We will develop even more flavors in the future."

As the group walked out of the Foreign Trade Bureau office building, a gust of cold wind, mixed with snowflakes, hit them in the face.

The Foreign Trade Bureau was not far from the No. 1 State-run Hotel arranged by Lao Zhou; it was only a few minutes' walk away.

Chu He was about to say a few words to Qin Hengzhi, so he suggested walking, saying that he was wearing thick clothes and it would be a good opportunity to enjoy the scenery of the northern country.

Old Zhou readily agreed.

It's not that I don't have a car, it's that I'm really not suited to driving.

Once you cross the road into the alley, the car can't get in at all.

Chu He and Qin Hengzhi spoke as if it were a casual conversation, but Lu Qiaoge could tell that Qin Hengzhi's tone carried an imperceptible intimacy, and Chu He's even more so.

The restaurant was steaming hot, and the air was filled with the aroma of food.

Because there were foreign guests, they entered through a separate door to their private room.

The private room was heated, which meant the boiler room was working very well; you could feel a wave of warmth as soon as you entered.

Everyone took off their coats and sat around the round table.

While waiting for the food, Chuhe talked about his experiences in Southeast Asia: "The weather there is hot, like summer all year round. There are many Chinese people, and they feel especially close to products from China. Many elderly people from the north are eating instant noodles, saying that it reminds them of the taste of chicken stew with mushrooms from their hometown."

Lu Qiaoge smiled and said with emotion, "I never thought our products could soothe the homesickness of our compatriots overseas."

As the dishes were served one after another, Deputy Director Zhou poured everyone a drink: "Come on, let's drink to the success of our cooperation!"
-
Qin Hengzhi's car slowly stopped at the entrance of the alley, and he accompanied Lu Qiaoge towards the Lu family's residence.

The night was gentle, and the snow had covered the entire alley. Under the glow of the streetlights, fine snowflakes began to fall quietly again.

They walked side by side on the fluffy snow, their footsteps crunching like a gentle accompaniment in winter.

Unbeknownst to them, their fingers were gently intertwined. Qin Hengzhi noticed that Qiao Ge's hand was warm, as if a special heat was gradually transferring to his palm and then to his entire body. As they held hands, he felt the coldness quietly disappear.

Is this girl a little sun?

No one spoke, yet it was as if the entire city had fallen silent at that moment, leaving only the sound of falling snow and the warmth of each other's palms.

A snowflake landed on Lu Qiaoge's eyelashes. Qin Hengzhi looked down at her and couldn't help but smile.

At this moment, even breathing becomes romantic.
-
Lu Qiaoge had come to the subdistrict office to attend the Monday meeting. She had just taken her diary and pen to the meeting room when she was stopped by a middle-aged woman who rushed into the main office.

"Qiao Ge, Qiao Ge, why won't your neighborhood committee let us get married?"

Lu Qiaoge stopped, looked at the person in front of her, and remembered, wasn't this Fan Xiaoyu's mother, Old Lady Fan?
Lu Qiaoge had no good impression of this woman at all.

Fan Xiaoyu is clearly the youngest in the Fan family, and the only girl, but she does the most housework.

She was not allowed to sit at the table during meals, dared not fight back when she was beaten, and her two older brothers never treated her like a younger sister.

She did laundry, cooked, and served her family. Later, she even had to serve her sister-in-law who had married into the family and take care of their children.

This old woman often says that a good-for-nothing will eventually marry into another family, so why does she need a job? She should just stay home, cook, and take care of the children.

Now, Fan Xiaoyu lives with Qi Shuang. She is skillful and hardworking, and like Lin Jun'an, she is a pillar of the craft factory.

Although there was no formal appointment, he was essentially the deputy director of the arts and crafts factory.

Her monthly salary is quite high now, and she also receives bonuses.

Lu Qiaoge had never inquired about how her salary was managed, but she felt it was probably given to her mother; otherwise, this woman wouldn't have kept quiet.

Lu Qiaoge said, "Please don't rush, speak slowly..."

Then, he asked in surprise, "By the way, let me ask, who is not allowed to get married? Once they reach the legal age, as long as both parties are willing, no one should interfere, and our neighborhood office certainly won't."

Old Mrs. Fan stared at Lu Qiaoge with wide eyes and said, "That factory of yours, the one under your neighborhood committee, is so busy with overtime every day that my daughter Fan Xiaoyu doesn't even have time to get married. This won't do. I'm telling you, you should give Xiaoyu leave now and let her get married first. She's already so old. It's not easy to find her a partner. If it gets ruined, you, Lu Qiaoge, will be responsible!"

Lu Qiaoge had just returned from the food factory; she hadn't heard that Fan Xiaoyu was dating anyone.

Lu Qiaoge glanced at Sister Qiao and Shao Le.

Both of them shook their heads.

Lu Qiaoge said, "Aunt Fan, please sit down first. I'll make a call to the craft factory."

Old Mrs. Fan glared at him and said, "Why are you making a phone call? Fan Xiaoyu is my daughter, and I decide her marriage. You just need to give her a break, preferably a long one. If you're worried about it interfering with your work, that's fine too. Let my nephew take over her work for a while."

Let me tell you, my nephew's knitting skills are amazing! He doesn't even need a master to teach him. I guarantee you'll fall in love with him the moment you see him. It's a win-win situation. Besides, if Xiaoyu doesn't get married soon, no one will want her. She'll be an old maid, and your neighborhood committee will be responsible for that!"

Lu Qiaoge understood immediately upon hearing this.

She glanced at the woman with cloudy eyes; there was no way to reason with someone like that.

Lu Qiaoge didn't mince words; her face turned cold as she directly rejected the idea: "Aunt Fan, Fan Xiaoyu's marriage is my responsibility. It's not up to you. And don't interfere in the future, do you understand?"

(End of this chapter)