Chapter 631: The Anta Shoe Factory

After exiting the airport, he got into the car.

Li Heng closed the door and instructed: “I want to go to the Anta Shoe Factory.”

Hearing this, Chen Jing started the car and drove toward Pudong.

Along the way, Li Heng silently admired the scenery outside, then suddenly asked: “Has the Huang family been pressuring Zhao Yi lately?”

Chen Jing glanced at him through the rearview mirror and replied carefully: “I haven’t heard much about it. But Huang’s mother is in good health and is quite concerned about her daughter’s personal affairs.”

Li Heng understood the implication: Huang’s mother still harbored resentment and wanted to arrange a marriage for her younger daughter.

After this exchange, the two fell silent.

Only as they neared the Anta Shoe Factory did Chen Jing speak again: “Mr. Li, Miss Huang asked me to pass along a message to you.”

Li Heng, halfway out of the car, turned to look at her.

Chen Jing said: “Mr. Li, just focus on your own matters. When Miss Huang has settled her family affairs, she will come to you herself.”

Li Heng understood.

Big Qingyi was telling him: don’t go to her until her mother’s issues are resolved.

It was likely meant to cool down some expectation Huang’s mother held, to douse her hopes, to make Big Qingyi’s future actions easier.

Li Heng said nothing, got out of the car, and walked toward the Anta Shoe Factory.

Chen Jing turned her head in the car, watching his back for a while, silently sighing: Such a fine girl as Miss Huang, yet she’s willing to be his mistress—what a waste.

To be honest, Chen Jing somewhat understood Huang’s mother’s actions, but Liu Yue’s poisoning at Fuchun Xiaoyuan was a disastrous move—it ruined Miss Huang’s romantic prospects.

…

The Anta Shoe Factory was bustling.

Ever since last year’s Hancheng Olympics, delivery trucks had never stopped arriving at the gate; to meet growing market demand, the factory had ramped up production to full capacity.

Li Heng wandered around the factory and finally found Li Wang in the R&D center.

Li Wang exclaimed in delight: “Why are you here today?”

Li Heng smiled: “I just got back from Jingcheng, so I came to see you.”

He then asked: “How’s everything going?”

“How’s it going? You can see for yourself—workers on three shifts, too busy to catch a breath.”

Saying this, Li Wang set down the sample shoe, pulled him into the office, poured him a cup of tea, and said: “Since the start of the year, our factory has been like a clockwork machine—never stopping. Sales for the past two months have already surpassed eighty million.”

Li Heng was surprised: “That much?”

Li Wang sat across from him, gesturing excitedly: “Exactly! Two months are nearly equal to last year’s entire quarter. Especially the explosion in the mid-tier market—it caught us completely off guard.”

Li Heng asked: “What percentage of sales come from the mid-tier market?”

Li Wang pulled a file from her drawer and handed it to him: “63.7%, and the ratio keeps rising.”

Li Heng set down his teacup and took the file to examine it closely.

About ten minutes later, he looked up and said: “The current domestic economic situation is this: we must hold tight to the high-end market. At the same time, the mid-tier market holds the largest share—we must cultivate it further.”

Li Wang fully agreed and nodded.

The two continued inspecting the factory while discussing future plans; time slipped away unnoticed until sunset.

Seeing night approaching, Li Wang suddenly realized: “My poor brain—I got so caught up talking with you, I forgot to invite you to dinner. Come on, let’s go out to eat.”

Li Heng shook his head: “No need to go out. Let’s just eat in the cafeteria.”

Seeing his serious expression, Li Wang laughed: “Fine. You rarely have time to visit—let me show you what our cafeteria food’s like.”

Li Heng filled his tray with two meat dishes and one vegetable, found an empty seat, and asked: “What’s Big Cousin doing? I haven’t seen her in a while.”

Li Wang replied: “You mean Li Xi? She’s swamped—just took on a huge lawsuit and’s dodging several persistent suitors. Every time I call her, she’s complaining—I’m sick of hearing it.”

Li Heng asked: “That popular?”

“With her looks and figure, her education and family background, how could she not be? Several of them are heirs from Hong Kong’s wealthy families—clients’ sons, too. She can’t even refuse them outright.” Li Wang grinned with malicious delight.

Big Cousin’s figure was indeed stunning—those curves, that waist, that hips—she was the only woman who could rival the high school English teacher in sex appeal, though she was just a bit too tall—185 centimeters even in regular shoes; most men couldn’t handle such a fiery mare.

The factory food was decent; hungry as he was, Li Heng ate heartily. After finishing his last bite, he put down his chopsticks: “It’s late. Take me to school.”

Li Wang stood up quickly: “Alright. I haven’t been outside in a while—this is a good chance to stretch my legs.”

The car sped forward; when they entered Yangpu District, Li Heng suddenly said: “By the way, Little Cousin, do you know where I can buy ginkgo saplings around here?”

Li Wang asked: “You killed one last year—still planting?”

Li Heng said: “Xiao Han likes ginkgo trees.”

Li Wang glanced at him, eyes shifting: “Does she really like ginkgo trees—or is she using them to plant jealousy in your other lovers?”

Li Heng ignored her sarcasm: “Don’t judge others by your own standards. She genuinely likes them.”

Li Wang smiled dreamily: “I have a feeling this tree won’t survive either.”

Li Heng gave her a look: “Can’t you say something nice before we even start?”

Li Wang chuckled: “I’ll ask around. If I find any for sale, I’ll buy them and have them delivered to you.”

Li Heng thanked her.