Rich in the 70s: I Made a Rugged Veteran a Millionaire-Chapter 80: I Agreed

"Thank you, Factory Director Fang, but I can’t accept this."

"What did you say? It’s too windy, I didn’t hear clearly."

Factory Director Fang cupped his hand behind his ear, leaned forward, and looked skeptical.

Not only was Factory Director Fang skeptical, but the people watching around were also skeptical.

"Did she say no?"

"Is she crazy? It’s over a hundred bucks! Maybe she misspoke!"

"Definitely!"

Li Chunxiang from the learning squad waved to the people in the courtyard.

"Stop talking, listen to what Jiang Cheng has to say, what do you know!"

The people in the courtyard wanted to tease Li Chunxiang a bit, but when Jiang Cheng spoke, they instinctively listened.

"Factory Director Fang, I’m truly flattered by your kindness, but I have a job already."

Factory Director Fang remembered something and asked:

"You mean representing the night school students? You’re not getting paid for that, what kind of job is that? Come work for me, I’ll give you benefits with an eighth-level salary, even matching our seasoned masters."

Jiang Cheng, full of envy and regret, agreed with Factory Director Fang.

"Who wouldn’t agree! Missed opportunities, all because I’m too talented!"

"But I’m already an external hire at Xinhua Bookstore, and Manager Guo values my talent highly, always saying they can’t do without me!"

"Look, they’ve already given me three work IDs!"

As Jiang Cheng spoke, she reached back and the quick-witted Shen Xing handed her backpack over.

"See, I’ll have to let down your good intentions."

Factory Director Fang looked at the three IDs over and over again before finally looking up.

"Are you a translator?"

"Yes!"

Jiang Cheng, her small eyes full of pride, smoothly transitioned to business: "If the textile factory ever needs translation services, I hope Factory Director Fang will think of me."

"Trust in me, use me with confidence!"

Factory Director Fang twitched at the corner of his eye.

It’s the first time he’s seen a translator write their own promotional slogans!

Factory Director Fang didn’t respond immediately, thinking about what to do next.

No matter what, now is not the place to discuss this matter.

"First, deal with the current issue, and we’ll talk after you’re done."

"Alright."

Jiang Cheng readily agreed, her gaze shifting again to Director Hu.

Director Hu, having mulled over it a few times, transformed her stern face into a more pleasant one and said, "Since you have a job, why didn’t you register it on the street? It’s such a waste of our human resources."

"Give those documents back to me."

Jiang Cheng directly refused.

"I doubt the authenticity of these documents, and it just so happens that Factory Director Fang from the textile factory is here. Would you mind helping to check the archives and see the property’s ownership?"

Factory Director Fang immediately agreed, as it was not a big deal.

Director Hu’s face darkened instantly.

She hadn’t expected Jiang Cheng to have a connection with the textile factory.

Right now, her priority was to retrieve those documents.

She played dumb and said:

"Is that so? Then I really have to take them back and investigate. If there’s truly a mistake, I will certainly take stern action! We greatly value the safety of the people’s property."

Jiang Cheng nodded repeatedly at Director Hu’s typical official excuses for shirking responsibility.

"What you said makes a lot of sense... It’s just that Grandma Shen has been too exhausted from cleaning toilets lately..."

People around: Do these two statements relate?

Director Hu’s expression became more unpleasant; she naturally understood what Jiang Cheng meant.

Now, she was being counter-threatened.

"Cleaning toilets is done in rotation, and it’s about to be someone else’s turn."

Jiang Cheng suddenly realized.

"I figured Director Hu wouldn’t abuse her power. Since Grandma Shen is a glorious member of the working-class, she shouldn’t have to take the toilet-cleaning turn. So Director Hu must be applying for subsidies for her?"

Director Hu gave Jiang Cheng a threatening look: Know when to stop.

Jiang Cheng: I just love to push my luck.

Director Hu wouldn’t relent, and Jiang Cheng turned, taking the documents out of her pocket to hand to Factory Director Fang.

"Correct!"

Director Hu gritted her teeth and spoke.

"Mr. Shen remains true to his original aspiration, lives simply and diligently, and has positively devoted himself to the cleaning effort. He indeed deserves the due subsidies."

Jiang Cheng flipped her wrist, and the papers ended up in Director Hu’s hand.

Director Hu’s hand was grasped tightly by Jiang Cheng, who said with a cheerful demeanor:

"Please handle it now."

Director Hu bit her lip and took out a dollar, and Jiang Cheng requested a receipt with the street office’s stamp, indicating it as Grandma Shen’s labor due.

The matter seemed to have settled.

Director Hu left empty-handed, the crowd gradually dispersed, and Jiang Cheng invited Factory Director Fang inside for a detailed discussion.

Factory Director Fang cut to the chase, stating directly that he was interested in the backpack and explained how he envisioned collaboration.

"I’m planning a partnership with the local neighborhood, having residents do the work for us, and we provide the materials, paying per piece, like making matchboxes."

"There’s just one small issue: the design can be easily copied, so innovation is crucial."

Factory Director Fang eyed the calm and composed Jiang Cheng, thinking of how fiercely she stood her ground earlier, already prepared for a substantial offer.

"I’m considering inviting you as a designer for our factory. How about reconsidering now?"

"No need to reconsider, I’d be happy to design for the textile factory. Simply because I thank Factory Director Fang for providing us with great support just now. If it weren’t for you standing behind me, I wouldn’t have had the ability to stand up to a director."

A few words, and Factory Director Fang felt quite pleased.

Gratitude and reciprocation.

Not bad, not bad!

"But I can’t become an employee of the textile factory. How about we work together in another way?"

Factory Director Fang listened attentively.

"I’ll provide the designs, and each design will be compensated based on sales volume. If the sales are fewer than or equal to ten thousand, each design pays me fifty yuan; if over ten thousand, you pay me a bonus of five percent of the profit; if sales exceed fifty thousand, pay me a bonus of ten percent of the profit."

Factory Director Fang detected Jiang Cheng’s massive ambition from her words.

Ten thousand?

Fifty thousand?

Their textile factory hasn’t even sold ten thousand bolts of fabric!

"Jiang Cheng, you realize you may only end up with the basic design fee, right?"

"I know, Factory Director Fang, don’t worry, I won’t regret it."

After all, how could bags be limited to only one design per month?

Factory Director Fang didn’t immediately agree; although he’s the director, he doesn’t have absolute say.

"Shouldn’t be a big problem. If you’re not busy, why not come with me to the textile factory, and we’ll finalize it after a meeting."

Jiang Cheng naturally agreed.

They went to the textile factory together.

The meeting was organized quickly, finishing in less than an hour.

The others readily agreed to Jiang Cheng’s terms.

Everyone thought Jiang Cheng was daydreaming.

Ten thousand sales?

How is that possible!

Jiang Cheng remained neither arrogant nor humble, smiling politely, as she signed the agreement with the textile factory.

After the contract was signed, Jiang Cheng followed Factory Director Fang.

"Factory Director Fang, I have a small request."

"Go ahead."

"You saw how unpleasant things were between me and Director Hu this morning. I’m a petty person and don’t want the backpack project handled by her, okay?"

Factory Director Fang paused.

"You’re quite candid, aren’t you afraid I’ll hold it against you?"

Jiang Cheng chuckled honestly and said:

"I’m just straightforward..."

Factory Director Fang immediately interrupted Jiang Cheng.

Straightforward?

Heh heh.

"If you have someone in mind, recommend them. Whoever does the work, I just care about the quality."

Jiang Cheng immediately stood up straight, assuring, "I guarantee the task’s completion!"