Chapter 1200: New Book

"Stop calling me President Zhou!"

Zhou Zhou Xiaobai chided affectionately, rolling her eyes at Li Li Yuanchao, and said, "It's so embarrassing—"

"What's there to be embarrassed about?" Li Li Yuanchao said with a flattering smile. "That's just the truth!"

Having confirmed this point, he looked to the side and asked, "Isn't that right, Secretary Li Haiyang?"

"That's correct; everyone at the joint-venture company calls you that."

Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang already wanted to get closer to Zhou Zhou Xiaobai, and with Zhong Zhong Yuemin watching like a tiger eyeing its prey nearby, he felt compelled to speak up even more.

"If we call you Manager Zhou, it just doesn't feel impressive enough; 'President Zhou' sounds much better."

"Call me Zhou Xiaobai, or Zhou Zhou Xiaobai!"

Zhou Zhou Xiaobai slumped her shoulders in helpless resignation, then corrected them seriously: "We are all classmates, and good friends too."

She tapped the table and said, "Li Yuanchao is already here; don't you want to join the club in the future?"

"That's right—"

Seeing Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang and Zhong Zhong Yuemin nod in unison, she curled the corner of her mouth and emphasized, "We're all going to be playing together from now on; if you keep calling me President Zhou, you'll just be bullying me!"

"See, Zhou Xiaobai is the most reasonable!"

Li Li Yuanchao was very smooth-tongued; seeing Zhou Zhou Xiaobai insist on this, he immediately changed his tune.

At this moment, he stopped saying "President Zhou" or "Manager Zhou," and within his speech, he was already calling her Zhou Xiaobai.

"I don't know about others, but among the people we know in this circle, Zhou Xiaobai is the one who..."

He gestured with a thumbs-up toward Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang and Zhong Zhong Yuemin, saying, "... is even more generous and upright than any man!"

"Here we go again, aren't we?"

Zhou Zhou Xiaobai rolled her eyes at him with amusement and chided, "Can't we just talk properly?"

"I traveled several thousand li, bumping all the way back; I didn't come back just to joke around with you."

"Secretary Li Haiyang, Zhong Yuemin, I've heard everything from Li Li Yuanchao," she said, turning to look at the two sitting opposite her with a slight smile. "This month's performance is quite good!"

"Ah, this was because Li Yuanchao helped me out."

Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang smiled modestly and said, "If I had to rely on myself, I wouldn't have had the ability to achieve this."

"Hey! Secretary Li Haiyang, you're being too modest!"

Li Li Yuanchao pointed a finger at him with a laugh and emphasized, "I helped you guys; it wasn't so you could praise me or thank me."

"That's right; Li Yuanchao is a truly loyal friend."

Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang nodded in agreement and said, "I was only able to set up this operation entirely thanks to his help."

"Then I won't thank you—"

Zhong Zhong Yuemin smiled slightly and opened his mouth to say, "From now on, your business is our business."

"Cut it out; don't try to get emotional with me."

Li Li Yuanchao smiled and said, "Let's be practical; this loyalty of mine isn't given to just anyone who shows up."

"What kind of relationship do we have, huh?"

He gestured toward Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang and Zhong Zhong Yuemin, saying, "Helping you is helping myself; that goes without saying, right?"

"Furthermore, do you realize what time we are living in?"

Seeing the bewilderment in their eyes, he glanced at Zhou Zhou Xiaobai, only to find that the girl who had once been the most innocent in the courtyard now looked completely understanding.

Well, among the four present, the hierarchy was immediately clear.

Even he, with his proactive probing, had fallen short compared to Zhou Zhou Xiaobai.

Although it was a bit unfair, today they might as well speak plainly and openly.

"Regarding matters within the veteran circle, I don't need to tell you; you all know clearly what they say about me, and I know it too."

Li Li Yuanchao picked up the coffee pot to refill their cups and spoke frankly: "It's nothing more than saying I've become obsessed with money."

"They're just people sour because they can't reach the grapes," Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang said, lifting his cup and forcing himself to take a sip while pretending it tasted good, though his words were meant to comfort: "Don't pay them any mind; it's utterly meaningless."

"That's why you're a true friend—"

Li Li Yuanchao nodded at him and said, "Of course, I won't pay them any mind."

"If they really had the ability, they should reach my level before trying to belittle me."

"Exactly; that's how we should think."

Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang talked rapidly, not intending to leave Zhong Zhong Yuemin any chance to interject.

"Wei Guo and the others were powerful enough in the veteran circle, right? But what happened in the end?"

He pinched a small piece of biscuit from the plate and said, "Weren't they still fed a bullet?"

"Last month when they stirred up trouble, at the grand meeting every single one of them talked about loyalty and brotherhood; but what was the result?"

Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang curled the corner of his mouth and snorted, "The authorities were just short of reading names off a list; they caught a whole string of them!"

"Hmph! I've finally figured it out; in these times, if you don't have silver in your pocket, you really amount to nothing!"

"Hey! You've hit the nail on the head—"

Li Li Yuanchao didn't neglect Zhong Zhong Yuemin; he nudged him with his elbow and said, "Zhong Yuemin knows; among those who used to be close, how many are still standing?"

"None, right?"

Seeing Zhong Zhong Yuemin shake his head in agreement, he raised an eyebrow and said, "Those who stood up earliest have long gotten their fill of food and drink and gone off to rest somewhere—"

"As for us? If we stand up now, we'd just be scapegoats taking the blame!"

"I know; Zhao Wang Weidong and Xie Xie Qianjin have retired," Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang nodded and said. "I heard they are also trying to make some silver, but I don't know what they are doing."

"Heh, he certainly ran fast—"

Li Li Yuanchao curled his lip and told the three of them, "During the uproar a while ago, I know of at least two who died."

"Now in the veteran circle, some have fled, some have died, some are hiding; whoever shows their face is a fool!"

He gestured toward the club courtyard, saying, "All the smart people are right here; I only regret becoming smart so late."

"Late for you?"

Zhou Zhou Xiaobai glanced at him with a smile and said, "The Youth Alliance evaluated you earliest of all; don't be ungrateful."

"Of course I'm ungrateful—"

Li Li Yuanchao counted on his fingers, saying, "I won't even mention you and Zuo Yan Jie; I admit I can't compare to you two."

"Let's just talk about those who came here earliest; look at where they are now, and compare them side-by-side with people outside."

"Ou Xin, Seeing Pei Pei, Tian Tian, Su Yu, Li Bai—I don't know if you recognize these names."

He raised his eyebrows and said, "By the relationships within the compound, I ought to call them 'older sister.'"

"In reality, they're only a few years older than me, yet they possess that kind of far-sighted vision."

"Hmm, I know Ou Xin and the others," Zhou Zhou Xiaobai nodded, saying, "I only got to know them after coming here; upon asking, I found they all live not too far away."

"Of course it's not far; Li Bai's father and my father are colleagues—"

Li Li Yuanchao emphasized seriously, then asked, "With them being here, they must all be cadres by now, right?"

"Ou Xin and Seeing Pei Pei are supervisors at the guesthouse."

Zhou Zhou Xiaobai introduced, "Tian Tian is in charge of the billiards hall, Su Yu is in the training area, and Li Bai is in the restaurant."

"Anyway, they're stronger than those people in our compound!"

Li Li Yuanchao raised his eyebrows and said, "Anyone who comes here becomes self-reliant and establishes a career."

"Look over there—"

He gestured toward the security office, saying, "The head of the Security Section here is called Zhao Laosì, formerly a major hooligan."

"Zhou Zhou Changli, the little rascal who came here with him, is heard to have made it big in the Northeast, and there's also Xiao Xiao Jianjun..."

"What are we? Hooligans!"

Li Li Yuanchao looked seriously at Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang and Zhong Zhong Yuemin, saying, "To put it nicely, we're blind drifters; to put it badly, we're hooligans!"

"No house, no land, not engaged in production, causing trouble, running around everywhere—if that isn't a hooligan, what is?"

"It's not that bad..."

Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang felt extremely awkward; he forced a laugh, wanting to offer an explanation, yet didn't know how to speak.

"I don't care what others say about me!"

Li Li Yuanchao swept his gaze over the two men, lifted his teacup, and said, "Right now, I only acknowledge one thing: money."

"Only with money can I be worthy of my buddies, worthy of my brothers, and worthy of my parents and myself."

"Of course, I've said a bit too much here," he took a sip of warm tea and said, "The goal is very simple: just to support myself, to be self-reliant and strong."

"That's correct; who doesn't want to be self-reliant?"

Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang looked at Zhou Zhou Xiaobai, who was sipping coffee, smiled slightly, and said, "Zhou Xiaobai has certainly already become self-reliant."

"Heh—where would that be—"

Zhou Zhou Xiaobai glanced at him; knowing he wasn't mocking her, since he absolutely didn't know who was supporting her, she felt no anger.

"We're all still young; apart from a heart full of hot blood, what else do we have to lose? As long as we don't die, we'll eventually rise to the top."

"That's something I strongly agree with!"

Li Li Yuanchao nodded, smiled at Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang, and said, "Work hard alongside General Manager Zhou Xiaobai, and sooner or later you'll be living in the International Hotel, eating Western food and drinking coffee!"

"Get lost—"

Zhou Zhou Xiaobai swung the small handbag beside her, hitting him with it, and chided, "Starting to mock me again, are you?"

Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang and Zhong Zhong Yuemin sat opposite, watching their horseplay, and couldn't help but smile.

But likewise, they also saw the bag in Zhou Zhou Xiaobai's hand; it was absolutely not a domestic product.

"Hey, I haven't asked you yet—"

Li Li Yuanchao caught the small bag she had swung over, smiled, placed it on the table, and asked, "What did you go to the Northeast to do?"

"Don't even mention it; busy with work, of course—"

Zhou Zhou Xiaobai glared at him playfully, put away her small handbag, and explained, "Winter is approaching soon; the seafood business will definitely be affected."

"You said it yourself: work hard alongside me in our career; I certainly can't let you go hungry, can I?"

She pressed her lips together, smiled at him, and said, "If I delayed your car purchase, what a sin that would be—"

"Oh my! My Goddess of Wealth, oh my! I thank you—"

Li Li Yuanchao, skilled in both speech and mischief, now pressed his palms together, rubbed them, and acted as though he were about to kneel before Zhou Zhou Xiaobai.

"There you go again!"

Zhou Zhou Xiaobai smiled, lightly patted him, and said, "Rest assured; the deal has already been secured."

"Then today I must kneel and kowtow to you!"

Li Li Yuanchao made a move as if to kneel, but Zhou Zhou Xiaobai stopped him.

Of course, he would not truly kneel; he was merely putting on a show before returning to his chair.

"Nothing more to say, General Manager Zhou Xiaobai; once I bring the car back, I'll be your driver!"

"Who cares? You talk as if it were real."

Zhou Zhou Xiaobai glanced at him with a smile and chided, "By then, who knows which older or younger sister you'll be taking out for fun."

"Secretary Li Haiyang and Zhong Yuemin, also strive for success; let's work hard, and next year we'll get you driving small cars too."

"That depends on how hard General Manager Zhou Xiaobai works!"

Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang kept suppressing Zhong Zhong Yuemin at every turn, yet followed Li Li Yuanchao in everything, even imitating the way he addressed Zhou Zhou Xiaobai.

At this moment, he smiled and echoed, "We'll work hard at our career, so that General Manager Zhou Xiaobai can also drive a small car soon."

"Speaking of which, does General Manager Zhou Xiaobai even need to drive?"

Li Li Yuanchao smiled and teased him, saying, "If they dislike me, surely they wouldn't dislike the two of you?"

"Starting to talk nonsense again, are you!"

Zhou Zhou Xiaobai glared at him, her gaze sweeping over the two opposite her, yet showing no hint of anger.

"This trip to Steel City, I checked out household appliances; Red Star Factory has set up an electronics and electrical appliance plant over there."

After playing around for a few moments, she finally explained, "I won't go into the specific channels; mass production only started two days ago, so we'll still have to wait a while on this end."

"No problem; this stuff is scarce goods."

Seeing they were discussing serious matters, Li Li Yuanchao also became serious, saying, "Unlike the seafood business, appliances don't have a shelf life; whenever this stuff arrives, that's when we'll sell it."

"What kind of appliances are we selling?"

Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang had only just started selling seafood and only just begun making money; he truly didn't have that much courage.

It was only because he was facing Zhou Zhou Xiaobai, with Li Li Yuanchao egging him on, that he summoned the courage to ask bluntly.

Seeing his caution, Zhou Zhou Xiaobai smiled slightly and said, "We'll talk specifics in a few days; nothing's decided yet."

"As for you two, seize these two months of peak season to save up some capital; don't let the opportunity slip when the time comes, alright?"

She didn't finish that last sentence, but its meaning was already clearly conveyed to the three of them.

Li Li Yuanchao nodded with understanding, both agreeing and explaining to the other two, saying, "Rest assured, with the seafood business honing our sales team, selling appliances will definitely be no problem for us, right, Secretary Li Haiyang, Zhong Yuemin?"

"Ah, um, no problem—"

Both were pondering in their hearts, waiting until Li Li Yuanchao asked before nodding their agreement.

In truth, they also understood that securing the resources for seafood sales was already Zhou Zhou Xiaobai looking out for them.

Now speaking of appliance sales, that was inevitably a higher level of resource, definitely scarce goods.

Even without going through them, one could simply tie any dog there, and it would still sell.

What had just been said, between the lines and outright, was clear enough: resources like appliances would be common in the future, but they needed to demonstrate stable sales channels.

To secure resources for appliance sales, they must sell seafood well; in the future, there would be other resources requiring active sales, bundled together with scarce goods.

Therefore, these two months served as an assessment period; pass, accumulate capital, and you could continue making money with Zhou Zhou Xiaobai; fail, and you might not even be able to sell seafood anymore.

Love it or hate it, this sales structure modeled after a pyramid was truly unique; they had never seen anything like it.

Zhou Zhou Xiaobai leading Li Li Yuanchao to constantly cultivate a sales team, encouraging Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang and Zhong Zhong Yuemin to train more sales groups below them—wasn't that just a pyramid?

In time, sales individuals operating as single units would penetrate various systems, forming a dense marketing network.

Exchange business for resources, exchange resources for business; it was insured and safe, with no one needing to bear responsibility.

Then again, speaking nonsense, Zhou Zhou Xiaobai didn't seem to have such selfless and noble reasons?

What did the pyramid sales model represent?

Of the four people present, at least three were vague in their hearts.

Since this was conducted public-to-public, since it was compliant and according to regulations, then why offer up so many resources to encourage them to build this marketing network centered on young people?

Li Li Yuanchao didn't understand, but he was convinced that what Zhou Zhou Xiaobai was doing could make money, so he followed.

Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang and Zhong Zhong Yuemin didn't understand, but seeing Li Li Yuanchao follow and trusting Zhou Zhou Xiaobai, they followed as well.

In the future, those who saw the three of them, along with their sales teams, making money with Zhou Zhou Xiaobai would continuously enter this loose sales system.

No wages, no official status; if you said yes, it was yes, if you said no, it was no; everything revolved around performance.

Then this pyramid became somewhat interesting.

"Staying at the International Hotel every time you return?"

Having left the tea house, Zhong Zhong Yuemin, who had hardly spoken the whole time, fell to the rear.

He sized up Zhou Zhou Xiaobai, dressed in bright and glamorous attire, as if he didn't recognize her.

Zhou Zhou Xiaobai signed the bill at the counter, then turned back with a smile and answered, "If I don't stay there, where else would I stay?"

Hearing those words gave Zhong Zhong Yuemin a profound sense of distance.

"My parents aren't home; it's inconvenient for me to go back alone."

Before Zhong Zhong Yuemin could ask, she voluntarily explained, "Nowadays, I can't even return once a month; I feel staying at a hotel is more suitable."

"Oh, so that's how it is."

Zhong Zhong Yuemin nodded with a somewhat disappointed expression, saying, "Indeed, it's quite inconvenient; it's too far."

"Mainly it's the compound side," Zhou Zhou Xiaobai paused here, looking at him and twitching the corner of her mouth as she said, "You should understand what I mean; it's just too..."

"Too many acquaintances, right?"

Zhong Zhong Yuemin smiled and said, "Sometimes I also find those nosy neighbors annoying."

"Understanding is everything—"

Zhou Zhou Xiaobai nodded, acknowledging his earlier guess.

"My parents are busy working out of town; they aren't at ease with me being home alone."

"May I ask boldly," Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang, waiting ahead, suddenly turned back and asked curiously, "Zhou Xiaobai, you've made money too, right? How come we haven't seen you buy a car?"

"I don't need a car—"

Zhou Zhou Xiaobai said very frankly, "Besides, I earn a salary; I don't make as much as you two."

"Guess whether I believe that or not?"

Li Li Yuanchao turned back, smiling as he said, "I guess you're saving up, preparing to buy your own house?"

"Buy a house?"

Hearing this, Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang and Zhong Zhong Yuemin both froze for a moment, looking at Zhou Zhou Xiaobai in unison.

Zhou Zhou Xiaobai didn't deny it, saying casually, "We'll see; there's no concrete plan yet."

"Don't be such country bumpkins; buying a house is no difficult matter."

Seeing the two still looking surprised, Li Li Yuanchao teased them, then explained, "If you want to buy, just come find me; once the seller is settled, I'll handle the remaining procedures for you."

For ordinary folks in Jingcheng, buying or selling a house was extremely difficult, but for someone of Li Li Yuanchao's background, it truly wasn't much of a challenge at all.

What surprised Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang and Zhong Zhong Yuemin was the fact that Zhou Zhou Xiaobai intended to buy a house herself.

First, it would absolutely require a substantial sum of money; second, they hadn't expected that one would need to purchase a house personally.

"To be self-reliant, one must at least look the part."

Li Li Yuanchao flicked the car keys in his hand and said, "Once I've bought my vehicle, I'll buy an apartment and move out too."

"Hey, Zhou Xiaobai, I'll be counting on your help when the time comes!"

"Help you with what?"

Zhou Xiaobai glanced at him and said, "I don't have any houses to sell you."

"Who said anything about buying your house—"

Li Li Yuanchao raised an eyebrow, stepped onto his motorcycle in one stride, and said with a smile, "I've heard that construction has begun on the worker's new residential village in the Liangma River Eco-Industrial Zone."

"I won't make things too hard for you, big brother; just get me something around forty or fifty square meters—I know you have the connections!"

He pointed at Zhou Zhou Xiaobai, then kicked his motorcycle to life, exchanged a few words with Zhang Secretary Li Haiyang and Zhong Zhong Yuemin, and departed.

Zhou Xiaobai watched Li Li Yuanchao's retreating figure, curled the corner of her mouth, then glanced at the two sycophants with a faint smile and bid them farewell.

Watching her figure turn back into the courtyard, the gazes of the two men remained locked for quite some time.

When they finally looked at each other again, the atmosphere suddenly became subtly awkward.

"How many television sets can be produced per day?"

Li Li Huai De tapped his pencil and turned to Cheng Kaiyuan, asking, "Have you set targets with the sales department yet?"

"Uh, regarding production capacity—"

Although Cheng Kaiyuan was nominally the deputy director in charge of production and design, he had now effectively been given control of the tertiary industries as well.

Although the question concerned operations at the far-off Gangcheng Electronics and Appliance Factory, it still fell within his scope of management.

However, Cheng Kaiyuan had only just taken over these operations, and with the electronics factory having only recently achieved mass production, his grasp of the data was not yet comprehensive.

After Old Li's question, he hemmed and hawed for quite a while, unable to locate the specific document.

Li Li Huai De frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over to Li Li Xuewu.

Li Li Xuewu, however, did not lift his head to look at him; instead, he remained focused on taking notes, as if he hadn't heard a thing.

At this moment, it was inappropriate for him to speak, regardless of where Old Li had directed his gaze.

If one were to claim that Old Li trusted him more or expected his answer more, Li Li Xuewu would not believe it.

He believed this was merely one of Old Li's tactics to sow discord.

Precisely at such a moment, one must not leave Cheng Kaiyuan with no way out; otherwise, he would truly hold a grudge.

"Four hundred and thirty units; current production capacity is four hundred and thirty units," finally finding the data, Cheng Kaiyuan felt somewhat embarrassed, repeated the figure for emphasis, and added, "This is the data compiled yesterday; it is still rising."

"It is mainly influenced by the workers' familiarity with the production lines and operating equipment; we estimate that daily production capacity will stabilize at around six hundred units in two months."

"How are the sales targets allocated?"

Old Li was clearly dissatisfied with him, but he would not show it during a Management Committee meeting.

After all, this was the person he had chosen himself; even if he had to hold his nose, he had to accept it.

When he asked again, Cheng Kaiyuan finally looked at the figures in the document and explained, "A ratio of three to seven; seventy percent of production capacity is allocated to foreign trade targets."

"I was responsible for this work in the early stages."

At this point, Li Li Xuewu lifted his head, voluntarily took up the thread of conversation, and explained, "The primary consideration is to exhaust our technical potential as quickly as possible within the production window, thereby alleviating the pressure of compensatory debts."

Letting Cheng Kaiyuan blush and break into a sweat; if he were to take over the conversation now, it would only make the other man breathe a sigh of relief.

Although he might not go so far as to feel grateful, he certainly wouldn't harbor resentment.

Cheng Kaiyuan glanced over at Li Li Xuewu, then turned to Li Li Huai De and reported, "We have agreed with the Sales Office on weekly distribution every Monday; after all, these are electrical appliances."

"Hmm, if we calculate based on a capacity of 600 units."

Old Li nodded, looked at him, and said, "So the allocation for the domestic market is... 180 units, per day?"

"Yes, per day; that amounts to a weekly quota of just under thirteen hundred units."

Cheng Kaiyuan nodded, turned to Xiang Xiang Jingyu, and said, "This quota should be sufficient to initially meet the market demands of the Trade Management Center."

"I have no objections regarding the quota ratio."

Seeing that she was addressing him, Xiang Xiang Jingyu turned to Li Li Huai De and said, "Fully leveraging production potential to strive for greater profits from foreign trade; I very much agree with this point."

"Regarding domestic trade, specifically the appliance sales business handled by the Trade Management Center."

She glanced at the materials in her hand and said, "The sales of household appliances should prioritize long-term stability."

"Therefore, regarding sales pricing, we have also used current market television prices as a reference."

Xiang Xiang Jingyu pulled out a survey form and placed it on the table for the several members of the Management Committee leadership to review.

"The 14-inch 'Jingcheng' brand television produced by the Tianmen Communications Broadcasting and Television Factory sells for 685 yuan; let's just look at this one."

Don't think it's surprising that a manufacturer in Tianmen produced a product called the 'Jingcheng' brand; Henan Province even has a brand of instant noodles called 'Jingcheng.'

(Check it yourself; I think it's called Nanjie Village.)

Xiang Xiang Jingyu tapped the table, looked at Li Li Huai De, and reported, "The cost reported by the Production Management Office is 77 yuan, and the selling price reported by the Sales Office is 385 yuan."

"After our discussion, the final selling price was set at 499 yuan."

Whoosh—

Everyone in the conference room turned their gaze toward Li Li Xuewu.

"After our discussion"?

You discussed this together with Li Li Xuewu, didn't you?

Judging solely by this pricing technique, it is entirely Li Li Xuewu's style!

Facing the gazes of the crowd, Li Li Xuewu's expression did not change in the slightest; he calmly listened to Deputy Director Xiang speak.

"Why do you care where we conducted our research!"

"There are two main reasons for raising the selling price!"

Xiang Xiang Jingyu noticed the shift in everyone's gaze but maintained her reporting pace and demeanor.

"First, our televisions sell themselves; currently, they remain a hot commodity in the market."

She glanced at Li Li Xuewu; this work method of investigating the market before drawing conclusions was something she had learned from him.

Don't ask; if you must ask, I learned it in the office!

"Second, we must fully accommodate the planned economy market and avoid disrupting it or causing fluctuations."

"Hmm, I understand these two points," Li Li Huai De nodded, looking at her as he said, "Our core goal in manufacturing appliances is not the initial domestic market; we must think long-term."

Those words were damn well spoken by Li Li Xuewu; it turns out Old Li was just regurgitating what he'd just learned.

That day in bed... no, in the office, Li Li Xuewu had said exactly that.

Xiang Xiang Jingyu thought this to herself, yet her gaze toward Old Li held no contempt or disdain.

Who didn't know that Director Li knew absolutely nothing about business?

"We have also implemented some protective measures."

Xiang Xiang Jingyu reported, "Currently, Hongxing Appliances supplies the domestic market through two main channels."

"One is the Trade Management Center, which handles sales through internal welfare programs, partner units, and liaison offices."

She spread her hands and said, "The other channel consists of cooperative distribution units, primarily aimed at diluting target impact and enabling more marketing strategies."

Regarding the distribution units, Xiang Xiang Jingyu spoke very vaguely; the others didn't quite understand but did not ask proactively.

Part of Hongxing Factory's products belonged to the planned economy, while another part was a product of the market economy.

Electronic appliances were precisely products of the market economy; Hongxing Factory could not recover ration coupons when selling these goods.

Even if they did recover the coupons, they would be useless; without planned production quotas, those coupons held in hand were nothing but scraps of waste paper.

"Besides televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, radios, and electric fans have also been released into the domestic market."

Xiang Xiang Jingyu lifted her head, looked at Li Li Huai De, and said, "All other electrical appliances are supplied exclusively to the foreign trade market."

"No problem; this is sufficient."

Li Li Huai De nodded while looking at the materials in his hand and asked, "What is the situation with the liaison offices in various regions?"

"As of now, the Tianjin Trade Management Center controls liaison offices established in eighteen key cities."

Xiang Xiang Jingyu reported, "Among these, Jingcheng, Gangcheng, Tianjin, Yingcheng, Borderland, and Yuezhou were established last year."

"Chen Jicheng, Fengcheng, Changshan, Lucheng, Chang'an, and Quzhou were established in May this year."

She flipped through the materials in her hand and continued, "In September, six more were established: Bingcheng, Yangcheng, Jincheng, Lincheng, Quancheng, and Chuncheng."

"Currently, the Trade Management Center has laid out a marketing network across the nation; the next step will be to carry out point-to-point supply and distribution allocations based on the marketing networks in key cities."

"The houses in the Workers' New Village can be bought and sold?"

Xiang Xiang Jingyu lifted her teacup and glanced at Li Li Xuewu, who was currently instructing Zhao Zhao Laosi regarding the meeting minutes.

Li Li Huai De frowned as he examined the coffee in his cup, sniffed it, and cautiously took a sip.

"Doesn't taste good, does it? Hehe—"

Xiang Xiang Jingyu's attention was drawn by his pained expression, and she teased him with a light laugh.

Li Li Huai De smacked his lips and couldn't help but laugh as well, saying, "It tastes a bit awful—"

"Leader, let me get you a cup of tea."

Zhao Zhao Laosi, having received the notebook from Li Li Xuewu, hurried off to attend to Li Li Huai De.

Li Li Huai De, however, waved his hand and said, "Enough, don't waste things; what does it matter what we drink?"

Li Li Xuewu, however, smiled and waved Zhao Zhao Laosi off, signaling him to go brew tea.

"I'm not used to this stuff either; the can I received, I gave away to someone else."

"Sigh, old ways of thinking; can't get used to foreign things."

Li Li Huai De sighed, staring at the herbal soup in his cup, and remarked emotionally, "Don't foreigners drink tea?"

"Hehe, they do drink tea; they just can't afford it."

Li Li Xuewu said with a smile, "Initially, tea leaves were a precious commodity; later, when trade routes opened up, the price of tea dropped, but even cheaper coffee beans became available."

He flicked the coffee can beside him and said, "This stuff counts as a foreign novelty here and is exorbitantly expensive, but abroad it's incredibly cheap."

"Is that really so?"

Li Li Huai De took the tea cup Zhao Zhao Laosi brought over, drank a mouthful, nodded, and said, "Tea still tastes better."

Holding her coffee, Xiang Xiang Jingyu shot Li Li Xuewu a sidelong glance, twitched the corner of her mouth, and thought to herself, Does this person have no guilt whatsoever when he's spouting nonsense?

He had Old Li completely bewildered; how could one not see even a hint that he was talking rubbish?

"What is the thinking over in the residential district?"

She asked again, reminding him, "The sales department submitted a report to me regarding the housing."

"That 'sales' is not this 'sales'; you've confused them."

Li Li Xuewu set down his teacup, glanced at Old Li, who was still pondering the difference between coffee and tea.

"The housing project in the Workers' New Village is primarily aimed at offering replacement purchases to the staff."

Looking at Xiang Xiang Jingyu, he explained, "Here we are talking about the replacement and sale of permanent residency rights, neither rental nor allocation."

"Our factory needs more land within the city for future operations, so we need to stimulate the subscription work for the Workers' New Village residences."

"Of course, the ultimate goal is to fully guarantee the housing rights and welfare of the factory's employees."

Li Li Xuewu turned back and reported to Li Li Huai De, "The plan is to allocate fifteen percent of the housing for cashing out beyond the quota."

"In other words, recouping costs on the targeted construction."

He turned his head again and said to Xiang Xiang Jingyu, "Selling fifteen percent of the housing to city residents will greatly alleviate the current construction costs of the project."

"It can also be considered a supplementary measure to the preferential policies for employees purchasing homes."

"Wherever we pluck from, we patch there, right?"

Xiang Xiang Jingyu glanced at him and said, "This fifteen percent quota is controllable, isn't it?"

"Internal home purchases remain the primary method."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and explained, "Scattering such a tiny quota wouldn't even be enough to make people feel slighted."

"There's a reply to the gift sent to Mr. Z."

Li Li Huai De seemed not to have heard the two discussing; after savoring his coffee and tea for quite a while, he pulled a document from his drawer and handed it to Li Li Xuewu.

Li Li Xuewu took it from his hand and passed it to Xiang Xiang Jingyu, who was seated furthest away, inviting her to read it first.

"Is this the reply from the Bureau of Government Offices Administration?"

He looked at Li Li Huai De and asked with a smile, "Director Du must be very pleased, yes?"

"Whether he is pleased or not is not important."

Li Li Huai De smiled reservedly and said, "Our factory has truly gained face this time."

"Indeed, this is a handwritten reply from Mr. Z."

Xiang Xiang Jingyu read the short letter several times before reluctantly handing it over to Li Li Xuewu.

Li Li Xuewu took it and looked; the general meaning of the text was that he very much liked Red Star Factory's gift, and on behalf of the Bureau of Government Offices Administration, he expressed gratitude for Red Star Factory's support.

At the same time, he congratulated Red Star Factory on achieving a technological breakthrough in a new field, hoping they would redouble their efforts and continue to contribute bricks and tiles to the development of the industrial cause.

"Do you know what makes me happiest?"

Li Li Huai De looked deeply at the two of them, and only after a long pause did he slowly say, "What makes me happy are the two words 'continue'."

Li Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow, understanding Old Li's words.

Even if Red Star Factory produced one million cars or ten million television sets, it would be useless if he, Li Li Huai De, received no benefit from it.

What did Li Li Huai De want?

He was happy that during Mr.'s research visit at the beginning of the year, his name had appeared before him.

He was happy that now, after the gift was delivered, Mr. still remembered Red Star Factory and was paying attention to it.

Affirmation and expectations for Red Star Factory's products were affirmation and expectations for him, Li Li Huai De.

It proved that the work and endeavors Red Star Factory had undertaken previously were correct; tell me, wasn't he happy?

"Advance with the times, carry forward the cause and open up the future."

Li Li Xuewu smiled, folded the letter neatly, and tucked it into his pocket, saying, "I am even happier that Zhao Hongtu Automobile will astonish the world with a single brilliant feat and enjoy soaring sales thereafter!"

"Cough—cough—"

Li Li Huai De coughed once, his gaze falling on Li Li Xuewu's pocket, the implication being: if you dare take it away, I'll fight you to the death!

Li Li Xuewu shamelessly pretended not to see, but seeing Old Li about to stand up, he quickly pulled it out again.

Here, here! Take it!

Even if it's priceless, do you think I'd stoop to snatching it from you?

I was just teasing you; one look at you and I can tell you're petty, pah!

On the first day of October, a fireworks gala was held at Jingcheng Grand Square, exceptionally lively.

That Person even came out to celebrate the National Day with everyone; Li Li Xuewu didn't know about it, and even if he had, he wouldn't have dared to go.

It was too late, there were too many people, and accidents could easily happen.

"It's getting a bit chilly; we need to close the windows earlier at night."

Liu Yin came upstairs to bring her son hot water and closed the study window while she was at it.

Watching him writing vigorously on the manuscript paper, her nagging gradually faded into silence.

Starting from the end of September, Li Li Xuewu had been setting aside time every evening to write in the study for a while.

Gu Ning knew what he was doing; he was writing a book.

Yes, following "Criminal Psychology," Li Li Xuewu wanted to write another book.

Of course, it wasn't because the village toilet ran out of paper; it was inspired by genuine feeling, with surging inspiration and passion in his chest ready to bloom at the tip of his pen, on the paper, to be written for the era...

Alright, I can't keep making this up; the truth is, it's simply a work requirement to build up credentials.

When you want to advance and face an organizational assessment, what is the most presentable and advantageous support you can offer?

Exactly, it's a monograph or a thesis.

It's quite bizarre; within the organizational system, workplace discrimination against bookish scholars is widespread.

Yet, during assessments, there is a blind worship of monographs and theses.

Why were Li Li Xuewu's prestige and authority so high at Red Star Factory and within the powerful systems?

Why would the superiors designate someone so young as a criminal investigation expert?

It cannot be said that it was entirely because of that book, but there was certainly an inevitable connection.

Especially the reading feedback for that book and the readers' evaluative responses to it.

Li Li Xuewu's next step had basically been determined; what he needed to do now was to put a perfect period on his previous work and draw a dash leading into his next assignment.

Don't understand? It's like a spear thrusting forth like a dragon!

What better way is there to truly embody summarizing experience and carrying forward the cause than writing a book?

"Has the title been decided yet?"

Half an hour later, Gu Ning came to the study upstairs; she had just put the child to sleep downstairs.

In order not to disturb Li Li Xuewu, she had been taking care of the child downstairs these past few days.

And now, the night was deep; it was time for the husband and wife to communicate and connect.

Every day at this time, Gu Ning would come upstairs to see the words he had written and to observe what kind of person he was at work.

Li Li Xuewu adhered to the principle of never bringing work home, so his family knew nothing about his state while working.

Gu Ning felt a trace of curiosity: the excellent man, the outstanding youth, the promising young talent spoken of by her colleagues—what was he really like?

"How about settling on this one?"

Li Li Xuewu pushed a sheet of manuscript paper toward Gu Ning, tapped the table, and said with a smile, "It might be a bit too grand."

"It's fine; I think it's fine."

Gu Ning's tone was very calm, showing neither surprise nor doubt; she simply said whatever came to mind.

She glanced at the four characters "Defend the People" on the manuscript paper, then looked up and asked, "Isn't this just your work?"

"Part of my work—"

Li Li Xuewu studied his wife for quite a while before saying with a smile, "I have other work as well."

"Oh—"

Gu Ning responded casually without paying it much mind and began flipping through the completed manuscripts on the desk.

She did not care whether the book was titled Defend the People or Execute the Four Hundred and Seventeenth.

As long as it was written by Li Li Xuewu, she liked it.