The village was setting up a factory, and Wu Zhenggui had assembled a temporary construction team from some of the stronger, more experienced villagers.
Most houses in the village were now built self-sufficiently, with even the bricks being made by hand.
While this ensured the quality of the work, the pace was painfully slow.
Song Nianchu had no other options for now and could only let things proceed this way.
One day, as Song Nianchu was watching an old village master craftsman mold bricks from mud with great curiosity, Wu Gang hurriedly came looking for her.
"A-Chu, Director Sun from the supply and marketing cooperative said he needs to see you about something."
"What is it?" Song Nianchu stood up to ask.
"He didn't tell me, just said you should go find him if you have time." Wu Gang scratched his head.
"Alright, then I'll go with you when you make the delivery this afternoon." Song Nianchu thought for a moment, feeling that Sun Wenshi probably wanted to discuss the contract with her.
She wondered how long he intended to sign for this time, and what the quantity would be.
That afternoon.
In Sun Wenshi's office.
It was the same cup of tea, and Song Nianchu drank it down in one go.
"Director Sun, have you made your decision?" Song Nianchu put down the empty teacup and asked.
"Comrade Song, it's fine if you don't want to grant us exclusive sales rights, but could you at least sign a priority agency agreement with us?" Sun Wenshi said with a smile.
"I'm sorry, Director Sun, I've already promised the priority agency rights to Manager Li from the state-run restaurant." Song Nianchu looked apologetic.
"You gave it to him?" Sun Wenshi was surprised.
"Yes, after all, I partnered with him first." Song Nianchu smiled.
Sun Wenshi's brow furrowed tightly, but he couldn't find fault with Song Nianchu's reasoning.
He blamed himself; he had been away on a business trip for a few days due to some matters and came to find Song Nianchu as soon as he returned, only to find he was still a step too late.
"Comrade Song, are you really not considering us? We have larger orders here." Sun Wenshi wanted to try again.
"I know Director Sun has larger orders, but the priority agency rights for the fish canned goods have already been given to Manager Li. However, if I develop other products, I will definitely give the priority agency rights to you." Song Nianchu skillfully made a promise.
"Other products? You're planning to develop other products?" Sun Wenshi was taken aback.
“Yes, fish canned food is just one of them. I'll develop other products later,” Song Nianchu stated firmly.
"Is that true?" Sun Wenshi narrowed his eyes, studying her as if to gauge the truth of her words.
"Of course it's true." Song Nianchu was utterly sincere.
"Alright then. But you must remember, if you develop any new products later, you must give me the priority agency rights." Sun Wenshi couldn't help but add another reminder.
"Absolutely!"
Only then did Sun Wenshi open the drawer in front of him, take out a new contract, and hand it over.
"Comrade Song, this is the new contract. You can take a look."
Song Nianchu took the contract and studied it carefully. When she saw the order quantity section, her pupils couldn't help but dilate.
"This is... twelve hundred cans?" Song Nianchu looked at Sun Wenshi in astonishment.
"Yes, twelve hundred cans of each variety. The contract is signed monthly, and I will adjust the order quantities based on product feedback." Sun Wenshi nodded.
Song Nianchu had expected Sun Wenshi to increase the order quantity, but not by this much.
She then took out her newly developed fermented black bean smoked fish canned food from her cloth bag and handed it over.
“Director Sun, this is my newly developed fermented black bean smoked fish canned product. The feedback from the state-run restaurant has been very good. You can try it,” Song Nianchu said eagerly.
"I've already tried this one. The flavor is indeed good." Sun Wenshi smiled as he took it.
"Would you like to order some of this as well?" Song Nianchu inquired.
"This... let's also go with five hundred cans." Sun Wenshi thought for a moment.
When Xiang Tianyi gave him this contract, Song Nianchu's fermented black bean smoked fish canned food hadn't been released yet, so it wasn't included in the order.
However, he had great confidence in Song Nianchu. He would keep two hundred cans for himself and let Xiang Tianyi test the waters with the remaining three hundred.
"Okay, let's add this one then." Song Nianchu beamed with delight.
"Good."
"..."
After adjusting the contract, they both signed and stamped it.
"Comrade Song, you mentioned wanting to develop new products earlier. What area are they in? Still food-related?" Sun Wenshi, looking at the contract in his hand, asked curiously.
"Yes, probably still food-related." Song Nianchu nodded.
Food is the paramount necessity of the people. In this current era, nothing has more market potential than food.
"Then I'll be waiting for your new product." Sun Wenshi nodded.
"Okay!" Song Nianchu nodded emphatically.
"..."
After returning to the village with the new contract and the deposit, Song Nianchu went to the village office to find Mu Deyi, intending to hand everything over to him.
But upon arriving at the village office, she found that Mu Deyi wasn't there.
Song Nianchu asked Aunt Wu.
"Accountant Mu? He seemed to be here this morning, but I don't think I've seen him this afternoon." Aunt Wu thought for a moment.
"Is that so? I'll go check his house then." Song Nianchu turned and headed towards Mu Deyi's home.
Just as she reached the entrance, she heard crying and shouting from inside.
Song Nianchu frowned and quickly walked in.
In the courtyard, Mu Deyi was holding a stick as thick as a wrist, pointing angrily at Mu Jingmei, who was hiding behind Mu's mother.
"Get out here! Today I must beat this disgraceful, unfilial daughter of mine to death!"
"What right do you have to hit me?" Mu Jingmei cried, her eyes red.
"You dare to ask me what right I have after doing such a shameless thing?" Mu Deyi was so furious his chest heaved, and he even staggered a little.
"What's shameless about it? I'm just seeing someone, that's all." Mu Jingmei stubbornly refused to admit any wrongdoing.
"Just seeing someone? Then tell me, who is this person you're seeing?!" Mu Deyi's face had turned somewhat pale.
"Jingmei, please stop angering your father." Mu's mother, looking at the unsteady Mu Deyi, turned to Mu Jingmei, her voice choked with tears.
"Mom, why do you always take his side? He's the one who favors sons over daughters. He's the one who has always looked down on me. So no matter what I do, he thinks it's wrong. What's wrong with me seeing someone? My brother can marry into another family, so why can't I?!" Mu Jingmei argued defiantly.
"Jingmei!" Mu's mother, finally pushed beyond her limit by these words, raised her hand and slapped Mu Jingmei.
Mu Jingmei's head snapped to the side, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Mu's mother was also stunned, staring at her own hand for a long moment without reacting.
"You hit me? You actually hit me! I hate you both! I never want to stay with you again!" Mu Jingmei covered her face, turned, and rushed towards the courtyard gate.
She hadn't expected to see Song Nianchu at the entrance. A look of humiliation flashed across her face. She glared at Song Nianchu and ran out quickly.
