mtlumby2d Chapter 539 Vacation
Chapter 539 Vacation
After a few rounds of drinks, as the conversation deepened, Li Zhihua suddenly put down his glass and his expression became serious.
"Mr. Li, there's something I need to tell you," Li Zhihua said in a low voice. "Right now, there are only a handful of companies in the entire Northeast that can produce such a large quantity of wild ginseng. Your supply capacity has already been inquired about in Hong Kong."
Li Xiangyang's heart skipped a beat, and the wine glass in his hand froze in mid-air: "What do you mean?"
"To put it bluntly, someone wants a long-term partnership with you, and they've offered a higher price than what I'm offering this time." Li Zhihua's eyes were complicated. "But I advise you, business is business, and some people..." He paused, "...some people's money is not so easy to get."
“Mr. Li is right,” Li Xiangyang said, raising his glass. “In business, we aim for long-term success, not short-term profits.”
Upon hearing Li Xiangyang's words, Li Zhihua's expression visibly relaxed considerably: "That's good, that's good. Actually, I feel at ease working with someone like you."
The next afternoon, the "Pearl" set sail on time, and Li Xiangyang went straight home.
"How was the trip? Did it go smoothly?" Li Xiaoyun asked with a smile when she got home.
"It went very smoothly, and I learned a lot." Li Xiangyang picked up his wife. "By the way, the Hong Kong businessmen are very satisfied with our goods, and we'll be cooperating again in the future."
Li Xiaoyun smiled: "That's good, but it's best to avoid such long trips in the future. The family can't do without you."
That evening, Li Xiangyang went to Ma Qingfu's house. Fatty Ma was walking his bird in the yard. When he saw Li Xiangyang return, he quickly put the birdcage down.
"How is it? What's the situation over there?" Ma Qingfu asked anxiously.
"Excellent, even better than we expected." Li Xiangyang recounted the entire trip in detail. "The Hong Kong businessmen are very satisfied with our goods and will be placing long-term orders in the future."
Upon hearing this, Ma Qingfu's smile grew even wider: "This is fantastic news!"
“However, there’s something I need to tell you upfront,” Li Xiangyang said, his expression turning serious. “Business will grow bigger and bigger in the future, but our principles cannot change. Our sources must be legitimate, our quality must be top-notch, and we must pay every penny of the taxes due.”
Ma Qingfu nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry about that, I understand this better than anyone else."
Over the next few days, Li Xiangyang was busy arranging the factory's subsequent production. Although the Hong Kong businessman's batch of goods had already been shipped, there were still domestic orders to be fulfilled before the Spring Festival.
On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, the last batch of goods was loaded onto trucks and shipped out. Li Xiangyang stood at the factory gate, watching the trucks loaded with goods drive out of the factory area, feeling a great sense of accomplishment.
From small-scale operations to large-scale production, and then to products being exported overseas, everything has happened in just a few years, like a dream.
"Brother Xiangyang, it's time to go home for the New Year!" Wang Ergou walked out of the workshop with a big smile on his face. "This year, we've really struck it rich."
Li Xiangyang chuckled and patted his old friend on the shoulder: "Yeah, this year has certainly been tough. By the way, have you finished preparing all the New Year's gifts for Ma Hongxia and the kids?"
“Everything was prepared long ago, even Xiao Jin’s food rations were stocked up.” Wang Ergou pointed to the car parked not far away, the back seat piled high with all sorts of New Year’s goods.
That afternoon, the factory officially closed for the holiday. Li Xiangyang set up several tables at the factory gate and distributed bonuses and New Year's gifts to each worker.
"Master Liu, this is for you. You've worked hard all year!"
"Xiao Wang, go home and have a good New Year. Let's work hard again after the holiday!"
The workers, receiving double the usual bonuses, were all beaming with joy. Some immediately declared they would work for Li Xiangyang again next year, while others busied themselves asking people to introduce new workers to him.
"Mr. Li, we all know how you treat us," said veteran worker Liu, shaking Li Xiangyang's hand. "Next year, we'll definitely work harder and sell our goods to even more distant places!"
Watching the last worker leave with satisfaction, Li Xiangyang stood alone in the empty factory area, the setting sun casting a long shadow over him.
He slowly tidied up the table and loaded the remaining New Year's goods into the car.
As he locked the factory gate, Li Xiangyang glanced back, silently calculating in his mind, "The orders from Hong Kong will only get bigger and bigger, and the domestic market is slowly opening up; I need to prepare in advance."
On his way home, Li Xiangyang passed by the town's market.
Although it was already evening, the market was still bustling with activity, as every household was making final preparations for the New Year.
When Li Xiangyang got home, he had just entered the yard when he saw Xiaobai and Xiaohu playing in the snow.
When the two little ones saw their owner return, they immediately ran over and fawned over them.
"Dad, Xiaobai wants to eat dumplings for Chinese New Year this year!" Li Wangchen ran out of the house and said earnestly.
Li Xiangyang laughed heartily, picked up his son, and said, "Great! This year, our whole family will eat well for the New Year!"
Li Xiaoyun's voice came from inside the house: "Dinner will be served in ten minutes, hurry up and wash your hands!"
After washing his hands, Li Xiangyang walked into the kitchen and saw Li Xiaoyun busy with the final finishing touches.
"Xiaoyun, what delicious food did you make today?" Li Xiangyang walked to his wife's side. "It smells wonderful."
Li Xiaoyun wiped the sweat from her forehead and said with a smile, "Knowing you'd be coming back today after delivering the New Year's goods, I specially made your favorite braised pork and sweet and sour pork ribs."
"Anything else?" Li Xiangyang asked, helping to carry the dishes out.
"There's also steamed sea bass, which I bought specially at the market this morning; it's very fresh," Li Xiaoyun pointed to the steamer. "There's also winter melon and meatball soup and stir-fried vegetables. Oh, and I also made steamed egg custard, Wangchen's favorite."
Li Xiangyang took the plate of vegetables from his wife: "Thank you for your hard work, let me carry it."
"Go tell Wangchen to wash his hands first, I'll just serve the soup," Li Xiaoyun said gently. "You've had a long day, have a good meal."
Just as the family sat around the steaming dinner table, familiar voices came from outside the courtyard gate.
"The snow is so heavy, you can barely see the road."
"Grandma's back!" Upon hearing the voice, Li Wangchen jumped up excitedly and was about to run outside.
Li Xiaoyun quickly stopped her son: "Don't rush, put on your shoes first."
Li Xiangyang had already put down his chopsticks, stood up, and strode towards the courtyard gate.
Amidst the swirling snowflakes, two familiar figures were carrying luggage as they walked into the courtyard.
Although her hair has turned gray, Lin Zhi's spirits are much better than before, and her complexion is rosy.
The younger sister, Li Xiaohua, has changed even more. After graduating from university, she works in the county's education bureau. She exudes the air of an intellectual and carries a leather suitcase in her hand.
"Mom! Xiaohua!" Li Xiangyang quickly went to greet her and reached out to take the luggage.
"Oh dear, son, you've lost weight." Lin Zhi put down her bundle, looked Li Xiangyang up and down, and said with concern.
"Mom, I'm called being fit and strong. Look how healthy I am!" Li Xiangyang patted his chest with a smile. "Come inside and warm up; it's so cold outside."