Zhang Liunian had not expected it would be due to the factory.
However, seeing the team members' lives improve because of his factory, he was more than willing.
"This isn't just my credit. Without Uncle Hao, Uncle Laoshi, and all of you, this factory wouldn't be running so well."
"You're too modest. We're just doing our jobs for money. The factory's ability to constantly recruit and produce is all thanks to your sales outside," Zhang Shan said, deeply impressed by Zhang Liunian's capabilities.
Not wanting to dwell on the topic, Zhang Liunian returned to the office with a bundle of money. "If you need more hands, you can keep recruiting, but don't hire unnecessary people. This is one hundred and fifty thousand yuan. Take it and continue buying the sauce."
Zhang Shan's heart trembled as he looked at the wad of cash on the table, then solemnly locked it away in the cabinet.
At the same time, a storm was brewing in the office of the Tang Family Food Factory in Nancheng.
"Damn it, it's back in business after just two days! Are their pickled vegetables really that delicious?" Tang Shikui slammed the desk in anger.
Tang Lei, standing beside him, was equally displeased. What's more, he had just tasted Zhang Liunian's new flavor pickled vegetables, and the taste was exquisite, miles ahead of theirs. No wonder no one was buying their products.
If it weren't for their rivalry, he would have wanted to buy a few bottles to savor at home.
"Why aren't you saying anything? We haven't even sold five thousand bottles today, and we're losing money on labor. If it continues like this, our factory will go bankrupt." Tang Shikui, although the deputy director of the glass factory, cared more about their family's factory.
"Cousin, why don't you taste their product first!" Tang Lei was at a loss for direction. He simply pushed the meat sauce he had opened earlier towards Tang Shikui.
Seeing his cousin's inexplicable expression, Tang Shikui took a taste and then fell into a long silence.
"The taste is several notches better than the last time. People aren't buying cheap products anymore; they're chasing flavor. We can't compete with them on taste, and we can't lower our prices any further. What should we do now?" Tang Lei watched Tang Shikui, who was also conquered by the taste, and felt extremely conflicted.
"Bang! What else can we do? Of course, we have to stop him from producing these pickled vegetables. That's the only way to solve it permanently. Otherwise, who can compete with his recipe?" Tang Shikui pounded the table heavily, gritting his teeth.
"But how can we stop them from producing? As far as I know, his factory is in their village, and the whole village is involved. How can an outsider do anything there?" Zhangjia Village isn't like Nancheng. If it were Nancheng, they could act easily, but in Zhangjia Village, their movements would attract the attention of the villagers.
"Why must it be us? Isn't there someone more suitable than us?" Tang Shikui thought of a very suitable candidate, a smile appearing on his face.
"You mean..." Tang Lei, catching his cousin's gaze, thought of something they had discussed yesterday.
"Him. To solve Zhang Liunian's problem fundamentally, only he can do it."
"But will he agree? They are brothers, after all."
"Heh, if they were brothers, he wouldn't have saved Hong Fei."
"That's true."
Meanwhile, Zhang Liunian didn't stay long at the factory before heading to his new house.
The house had aired out, but Zhang Liunian's return to the village was being delayed. Firstly, his wife was close to giving birth, and secondly, Huabao was also studying in the county town and wouldn't be back anytime soon.
"Third Brother?"
As Zhang Liunian looked around the new house, Zhang Wenxue's voice sounded from outside the door.
Zhang Liunian looked up and saw his parents, then went forward to welcome them inside.
Zhang Wenxue and his wife were also very impressed by Zhang Liunian's new house. This house was not only the tallest in the village but also the most luxurious.
Anyone seeing such a house would envy Zhang Liunian for owning it.
Even Zhang Wenxue and his wife were no exception.
"Dad, Mom, why have you come?" Zhang Liunian found a long bench inside the house and invited them to sit.
Zhang Wenxue and his wife exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat unnatural. They had come to intercede for Zhang Liuxing.
They had heard about Zhang Liuxing being arrested that afternoon.
Having learned the cause and effect, they didn't believe their second son, who had been admitted to university, would steal money from his younger brother's house.
"Third Brother, we heard about you and your second brother. We came to tell you that this might be a misunderstanding. Your second brother wouldn't do such a thing."
After Zhang Wenxue spoke, Yu Xiaohua also chimed in, "Yes! This must be a misunderstanding. He couldn't possibly steal your money."
Both sons were dear to her. Yu Xiaohua had previously considered her second son her favorite, but now, with her third son's success and capabilities, both sons were equally cherished.
"As long as he can explain the source of the money clearly, no one will misunderstand him. I don't want to make things difficult for him, but it's just too coincidental. I just lost money, and he suddenly had money to buy a house. He even stayed at my place for a night. It's hard not to suspect something." Zhang Liunian knew that Zhang Liuxing would not get out of trouble this time.
Because if he had taken the money, there would be flaws everywhere, and he believed evidence would be found soon enough.
"But Second Brother said he found the money. He has no witnesses, and he can't explain it!" Zhang Wenxue still believed his second son wasn't lying.
Yu Xiaohua agreed, "Yes. Why don't you plead for your second brother and ask them to release him?"
Zhang Liunian did not answer, but calmly looked at them and then asked, "If you can find twenty thousand yuan lying around so easily, why would anyone farm? Everyone could just guard the outdoors every day.
Dad, Mom, Second Brother's money has an unsavory origin. Whether you believe it or not, this is the fact.
You don't need to plead with me. I won't change my mind. One hundred thousand yuan is not a small sum. As long as he didn't take it, I won't make things difficult for him."
But if he did, then let him rot in jail.
Yu Xiaohua wanted to say more, but Zhang Wenxue pulled her back. "Alright, you handle your own affairs. But Mom and Dad still hope you brothers won't fight each other. You are brothers from the same mother."
After this incident, Zhang Wenxue felt even more that these two sons were in a power struggle, and he didn't know what the future held for them.
"I never provoke others. No matter who it is, unless they step on my toes," Zhang Liunian's words were an explanation.
Zhang Wenxue also knew his son's nature; he was the quietest and least troublesome. However, his second son wasn't like that either. He swallowed the words he wanted to say and left with Yu Xiaohua.
As they turned to leave, they saw their daughter. The three greeted each other and went their separate ways.
"Third Brother, Su Jie left this afternoon. She probably went to your place.
Zhang Xiaomei came over specifically to talk about Su Jie. She's worried that Su Jie might do something bad.
It's not that she wants to think the worst of her, but Su Jie has been very strange lately."