ryethenovel Chapter 165
Chapter 165
Song Nianchu's thoughts were pulled back by the factory director's words. She set down the teacup in her hand.
"What is it that you want to say, Director?"
"Don't misunderstand, I don't mean anything else. I was just thinking that if your village really has some incredible method, I have a business proposition I'd like to collaborate with you on," the director quickly explained.
"What kind of business?" Song Nianchu wanted to first figure out the director's situation.
"It's like this. The workers in our factory have always done things purely by hand. I've wanted to upgrade our factory's equipment for a long time, but I've asked around, and those machines are incredibly expensive. Our factory's production hasn't kept up over the years, and our profits are just average, so we really can't afford such high prices. But if you have a way to improve efficiency, and the price is reasonable, I can do business with you."
The director didn't beat around the bush, laying all his thoughts out for Song Nianchu.
"Our village has indeed developed a net-weaving machine that can improve efficiency." Sensing the director's enthusiasm, Song Nianchu didn't hide it anymore.
"I knew it! Pure manual labor couldn't possibly achieve your level of efficiency." The director was overjoyed, then eagerly pressed on.
"What does the machine you developed look like? How efficient is it? How many people does it take to operate? Is it hard to use?"
Seeing the director so impatient, the smile on Song Nianchu's face deepened.
"Since you want to know so badly, Director, why not come with me and experience it for yourself?"
"C-can I?" The director's eyes widened.
"Of course. After all, before discussing a partnership, one really should fully understand the product," Song Nianchu smiled.
"Then let's go right now!" the director said, standing up.
Song Nianchu was startled by his sudden movement, but quickly smiled and nodded. "Alright."
"..."
The director brought He Zhiyuan along, and the three of them walked back to Qinghe Fishing Village together.
It wasn't that the director was reluctant to drive; it was simply that their factory didn't own a car at all.
Song Nianchu also believed that their factory's profitability was indeed poor. After all, whenever Xiang Tianyi went out, he was always chauffeured around.
Perhaps because the director was too excited, they walked incredibly fast the whole way. By the time they arrived at the village, the whistle signaling the end of the workday had just blown.
Song Nianchu brought the director and He Zhiyuan back to her own home.
Mu Shi'an was tidying up the courtyard. Hearing the noise, he looked up and met Song Nianchu's gaze.
"Director, this is Mu Shi'an, my husband," Song Nianchu introduced him.
"Comrade Mu, hello." The director stepped forward very enthusiastically and shook Mu Shi'an's hand.
"...Hello," Mu Shi'an replied, slightly bewildered, still holding a broom in his other hand.
The reason the director was so enthusiastic upon seeing Mu Shi'an was that on the way back, Song Nianchu had already told him that Mu Shi'an was the one who built the net-weaving machine.
"This is the director of the fishing gear factory. He's come to see the net-weaving machine you made," Song Nianchu explained with a smile.
"I see." Mu Shi'an nodded in understanding.
"Do we have any finished net-weaving machines at home? The director wants to see one for himself." Song Nianchu looked at Mu Shi'an.
"I just finished two this morning." Mu Shi'an set his broom aside and led the director inside.
In the corner of the courtyard sat the two freshly made net-weaving machines.
The director stared at the machines and reached out a hand to touch one, but then, as if afraid of breaking it, quickly pulled his hand back.
"Comrade Mu, could you demonstrate it for me?" the director asked, looking at Mu Shi'an nervously.
"Of course." Mu Shi'an found some old fishing line and carefully demonstrated it for the director and He Zhiyuan.
The director clicked his tongue in amazement as he watched.
"How can such a small thing weave a fishing net all by itself? How exactly does it do that?"
"The principle is actually quite simple." Mu Shi'an explained the structural mechanics of the net-weaving machine to the director.
The director could follow along at first, but towards the end, his head started spinning.
Why was it that he understood every single word Mu Shi'an said, but when put together, he couldn't comprehend them at all?
Watching the expressions on the director's and He Zhiyuan's faces, the corners of Song Nianchu's mouth couldn't help but turn up.
Finally, someone could understand how she felt. Every time Mu Shi'an said these principles were simple, he would launch into a lengthy lecture.
As a result, she wouldn't understand a single word after he finished, yet she still had to try hard to pretend, acting as if to say, "Oh, so that's how it works."
"Did I speak too fast?" After finishing, Mu Shi'an noticed the director's blank expression and belatedly asked, "If you didn't understand, I can explain it to you again."
"No need, no need!" The director immediately raised his hands and waved them.
The expression on Mu Shi'an's face paused slightly.
Afraid that the other party would think he wasn't smart enough and thus lose out on this partnership, the director forced himself to explain.
"We only need to know how to use the machine. Principles like these are for you inventors to study."
"That's true." Mu Shi'an thought about it and nodded.
"Then, Comrade Mu, can I try my hand at it myself?" the director asked again.
"Of course," Mu Shi'an nodded.
The director then began to operate it. He was a bit clumsy at first, but after some guidance from Mu Shi'an, he quickly grasped the technique. He became more and more proficient, and even after the entire piece of old fishing line was woven, he still felt left wanting more.
"Comrade Mu, this net-weaving machine of yours looks simple, but it's highly efficient. It's not much different from the large machines I've seen before. I wonder, how much is one of these machines? If I buy in bulk, could you give me a discount?" The director had already secretly made up his mind; no matter what, he had to secure this partnership.
"My wife is in charge of all these matters. You can discuss the details with her." Mu Shi'an glanced at Song Nianchu standing nearby.
"I see. Alright, then I'll talk to Comrade Song." The director was more familiar with Song Nianchu, so it would be easier to talk to her.
"Director, let's go inside and have a glass of water," Song Nianchu invited the director and He Zhiyuan into the house.
"Okay," the director nodded repeatedly.
Meanwhile, Mu Shi'an picked up the broom he had set aside earlier and continued sweeping the unfinished courtyard.
The main room was very quiet. Mu Haoxuan and Mu Yongnian had already moved their rubbings base to the village office. After all, with more people, it wasn't very convenient to do it at home.
And since Song Nianchu had moved her kitchen studio over to the workshop, the village office had emptied out, making it the perfect place for them to print labels.
Song Nianchu poured a glass of water for both the director and He Zhiyuan.
"I'm sorry, we don't have any tea leaves at home, so I can only offer you two some plain water," Song Nianchu apologized slightly.
"That's alright, plain water quenches thirst better anyway." The director smiled, picked up the glass, took a sip, and set it down.
"Comrade Song, we are old acquaintances, so I won't beat around the bush with you. Just give me a solid price. How much is one of your village's net-weaving machines?"