Li Xiulan couldn't help but say to Chen Lishu, "Our Xiaobai has always had a good temper since she was little. Look at her adorable, cherubic appearance."
"Mom, if this child is so well-behaved, will she be bullied when she grows up?" Chen Lishu suddenly felt a pang of worry.
Xiaobai had rarely cried since birth, and most of the troublemaking was initiated by Xiao Chengzi.
"Xiaobai is the youngest in the family, with so many older brothers and sisters looking out for her, who would dare bully us." Although she said this, Li Xiulan couldn't help but harbor some doubts in her heart.
Her grandchildren had all been sturdy since birth, and it felt like they had all grown up in the blink of an eye.
But Xiao Chengzi and Xiaobai were different. She had personally looked after them since they were born, and they had rarely even had minor bumps and bruises.
Especially Xiaobai, who looked like a doll from a New Year's painting. Just a smile from her could melt one's heart, and she couldn't bear for the child to suffer any grievances.
As the two were talking, Xiao Chengzi threw down the toy he had just snatched, scrambled to Xiaobai's side, and snatched the toy from her hand again.
Xiaobai frowned slightly as she looked at the toy he had taken.
This child was too overbearing. Although he was only a few months old, Chen Lishu felt it was necessary to discipline him properly.
However, before she could even get close, she saw Xiaobai raise her small hand and push Xiao Chengzi over.
Xiao Chengzi probably didn't expect his sister to retaliate. He lay on the crawling mat with his limbs in the air. Seeing Chen Lishu, he scrambled up from the mat, pointed at Xiaobai, and started complaining with 'ah ah' sounds.
Chen Lishu deliberately put on a stern face and said, "Serves you right. Don't you know what you did? Solve your own problems, I won't interfere."
Xiao Chengzi, sensing she was scolding him, pouted as if he wanted to cry. But perhaps out of shame, he turned and played with other toys.
Seeing this, Li Xiulan chuckled and said, "See? Our Xiaobai just has a good temper, not no temper."
Not long after, Rui Rui returned from school. The weather was hot, and his forehead was covered in sweat.
Chen Lishu wiped his face with a towel and then pointed to the refrigerator, "Mom bought two bottles of soda from the small shop at the street corner when she came back. Take one upstairs. After you drink it and cool off, then do your homework. Make sure not to let those two little gluttons see it."
"Okay." Rui Rui nodded with a smile, as if this was a little secret between mother and son.
He quietly went to the refrigerator, took a bottle of soda, and went upstairs.
"I found a piece of land today. It's in the southern part of the city, about five kilometers from the urban area. The location, size, and price are all quite suitable, so I've decided on it." After dinner, Chen Lishu told Gu Xingdong about looking at the land.
"After buying the land, you won't have much money left, right? The company can lend you some."
Chen Lishu smiled and shook her head, "I plan to take out a loan this time. If I really can't manage, I'll let you know."
Banks didn't charge interest back then, so she naturally wouldn't miss such a great opportunity.
Gu Xingdong raised his eyebrows slightly and teased her, "Once it's gone, it's gone."
Chen Lishu put her left hand on her hip and pointed at him with her other hand, making a teapot gesture. "Okay, you always talk a better game than you play. Now your true colors are showing!"
Gu Xingdong was amused. "Make me happy, and you can have as much money as you want."
Chen Lishu stepped to the bedside, blew into his ear, and said with a smoldering gaze, "How about offering yourself in marriage?"
Gu Xingdong's eyes deepened, his throat bobbed, and he softly uttered two words, "Most welcome."
...
The next day, Chen Lishu went with the leaders of the Sanjiazi Commune to complete all the land transfer procedures. After paying the remaining amount, the 26,000 square meter plot of land officially became hers.
To build a factory, buying land was only the first step.
There was a series of tasks yet to be done.
Chen Lishu first called Chen Guoping.
"Uncle, it's me, Lishu."
"Lishu, why are you calling at this hour? Is something wrong?" Chen Guoping had just finished his documents. Hearing her voice, he leaned back in his chair, his expression unconsciously relaxing.
"Uncle, I do have something, and I'm not sure if it's convenient for you. I'd like to discuss it with you in person."
Chen Guoping readily agreed, "It's convenient, come over."
After receiving confirmation, Chen Lishu hung up the phone and got up to leave.
Chen Guoping had been appointed head of the Economic Reform Leading Group at the beginning of the year. Although his position had been promoted, his work was even busier than before, which was why Chen Lishu had called ahead.
Now that she was building a factory, as long as the higher-ups approved, the matters with the Industry and Commerce Bureau would be much easier.
When Chen Lishu explained her purpose, Chen Guoping did not seem overly surprised.
"Starting a factory at this juncture... Are you planning to do it yourself or as a joint venture? If it's a joint venture, you know about the tax exemption policy, right?"
Chen Lishu nodded, "I plan to build the factory myself."
Chen Guoping said nothing. If it weren't difficult to start a factory independently, Chen Lishu probably wouldn't have come to him specifically.
"I know the current policies from above are still unclear, and it's fine to wait a bit longer. But considering the reality, I've thought about it and feel that building a factory is best done sooner rather than later."
Chen Guoping: "Oh? Tell me why it's better sooner than later."
Chen Lishu: "There are a large number of educated youths returning to the city who are unemployed. Not only will hiring be convenient when I build the factory, but it can also help the organization solve a significant problem of youth unemployment."
Chen Guoping unconsciously straightened his back, signaling her to continue.
"Of course, if you agree, Uncle, not only will the unemployment problem for returning educated youths be addressed, but I also guarantee to contribute more in taxes."
Although her private relationship with Chen Guoping was good and he always treated her as a junior, favors tended to wear thin with overuse. If she didn't have her own capabilities and bargaining chips, she could ask for help once or twice, but it wouldn't last long.
Therefore, Chen Lishu wasn't coming to beg for favors this time, but to negotiate.
What Chen Guoping appreciated was her transparency. He directly asked, "How many jobs can you create, and how much tax can you pay?"
Chen Lishu thought for a moment and said, "The garment factory is still in the planning stage, expected to employ a hundred people. As for taxes, no less than one hundred thousand. What do you think?"
The State Cotton Mill had about two hundred employees. She conservatively stated one hundred people. As for taxes, a profit of five to six hundred thousand a year should be achievable; otherwise, she would just continue running her shop contentedly and wouldn't go through all this trouble.
Chen Guoping: "I know your capabilities. One hundred and fifty people. As for taxes... twenty thousand upwards."
Although the conditions were a bit harsh, Chen Guoping's agreement meant that the matter was essentially settled.
"Uncle, I'm just a small private business owner, and the garment factory is just starting. My capacity is definitely limited. I'll have to trouble the organization to help publicize it more when it comes to hiring."
Publicize...
Chen Guoping's forehead twitched involuntarily.