The moment he saw Tan Jincheng rushing into the office, Tao Qinian felt as if he was seeing his younger self, equally high-spirited and radiant.
Tao Qinian, born in 1962, was a Tongcheng native, but he had spent most of his life in Wangjiang.
In 1981, after graduating at 19 from Yicheng Agricultural School with a degree in agriculture, he was assigned to Wuchang Township to work as a Youth League cadre.
Moving through various positions, now in his forties, he had spent 25 years in Wangjiang, dedicating almost the best years of his life to this impoverished county.
As for his feelings for Wangjiang, he had no less affection than the local-born residents; in fact, due to his position, he might even have more.
If possible, he dearly hoped to bring a few factories and enterprises to this small county town of hundreds of thousands of people, so that some residents wouldn't have to worry every year after the Spring Festival about where to find work.
Also starting work at eighteen or nineteen, the young man before him, with long hair, sharp brows and bright eyes, was even more outstanding than he had been when he first graduated, having built everything up step by step on his own.
Regardless of whether he haphazardly went to sea to work as his father said, his spirit of daring to venture out independently with his classmates at seventeen or eighteen was commendable.
After returning, he dared to use all the money he saved from working, without asking his parents for a single cent, to open a foreign trade company, showing exceptionally keen foresight.
He hadn't inquired about the foreign trade company's financial data, but he imagined it must be quite substantial; otherwise, it wouldn't have been enough to support the initial construction of Shanchi Technology.
According to recent intelligence, only a very small portion of Shanchi Technology's initial capital investment was from loans; most of it came from himself.
"Why is your hair so long? What an appearance! Aren't you going to get it cut?"
Tan Lihua suddenly said after staring at his son for a while.
"In a few days, I'll do it in a few days. The first lunar month isn't over yet,"
Tan Jincheng chuckled.
Tan Jincheng's hair was indeed very long.
To be honest, he felt uncomfortable himself; his head felt much heavier.
But today was only the twenty-seventh of the first lunar month, so he still had to endure for a few more days.
"What, Comrade Xiao Tan still believes in this?"
Tao Qihua asked, smiling as he looked at Tan Jincheng.
The saying that getting a haircut in the first lunar month brings bad luck to one's maternal uncle is common in many regions, especially since they all belong to the broader Yicheng metropolitan area, so everyone naturally understood what Tan Jincheng meant.
If you think about it, it's quite interesting.
Although there was a room full of Yicheng people, they belonged to different counties and districts, and their dialects were all different!
If it was just casual conversation, it would be fine if everyone could barely understand, but since it involved serious matters, they naturally couldn't half-listen and half-guess.
Therefore, from the moment Tan Jincheng entered, he used Mandarin for communication.
Incidentally, even Tan Lihua, speaking to Tan Jincheng as a father, used Mandarin, fearing it might cause unnecessary awkwardness among everyone.
"For family, even if it's superstition, it's better to believe it exists than to believe it doesn't."
After Zhang Qingliang's accident in his previous life, Tan Jincheng not only avoided haircuts in the first lunar month but also ate only seven or eight tenths full at every meal, just to avoid having to loosen his belt from overeating.
"Haha, that makes some sense. It seems Comrade Xiao Tan is a good comrade who values family, which makes me look forward to our cooperation talks even more."
With that, he glanced at Tan Lihua.
Since his son left home on the fourth day of the first lunar month, over 20 days had passed, and apart from occasionally borrowing his wife's phone to chat with his son, the father and son hadn't had much interaction.
He hadn't expected his son to not get a haircut all this time for this reason.
It seemed that Qingliang's car accident last year had left him with some psychological trauma.
"Um, leader, can I talk to my dad about a couple of private matters first?"
"No problem, you two haven't seen each other for quite a while. Go ahead and talk, we're not in a hurry,"
Tao Qinian said, still smiling.
This young man was quite remarkable, presenting his request gracefully, neither impolite nor lacking in assertiveness.
"I also want to thank the leader for this opportunity for my father and me, but it's just two sentences."
Tan Jincheng then spoke to Tan Lihua in dialect:
"Dad, I've already talked to Peng Ya and told him to go with you to pick out two outfits. He'll probably come to the factory to pick you up in a bit."
"What do you need to buy clothes for?"
Tan Lihua was a bit confused.
"Firstly, consider it my filial piety to you. Secondly, Gu Qingqing should be coming over tomorrow, and you two will meet then. I'm guessing you probably didn't bring many clothes since you rushed here. Oh, by the way, where are you staying now?"
Only he and Gu Qingqing had the keys to the new house.
Tan Jincheng didn't know where Tan Lihua, who arrived yesterday, was currently staying.
"I'm staying in the apartment you used to rent. I heard from Peng Ya that you bought that apartment, and he gave me the keys."
Tao Qinian had invited him to stay together at the guesthouse, but to avoid causing more trouble for his son, Tan Lihua declined.
There was no need to take advantage of public resources, and he wasn't without a place to stay.
"Oh, okay then, you can continue staying there. It has everything inside,"
Tan Jincheng nodded.
He had indeed bought that apartment from the landlord.
It would be vacant in two months after Zhang Xupeng moved out, but Tan Jincheng didn't plan to rent it out again.
He would maintain it regularly in the future and keep it as a memento of his first place in Beicang.
Upon hearing that he was going to meet Gu Qingqing, Tan Lihua no longer cared about anything else.
Clearly, this matter was more important than discussing cooperation.
Before coming, his wife had told him that if he had the chance, he must meet the girl.
For this, she had even specially brought some local specialties from home, just in case they would be useful.
"Then I'll go down and wait for Peng Ya,"
Tan Lihua quickly said.
"Mmm, your maternal uncle is in the paint shop. If you have nothing to do, go find him and chat."
"No, I'll just wait at the gatehouse. I'll see Peng Ya as soon as he comes in."
After saying that and greeting Tao Qinian and the others, Tan Lihua eagerly left.
Tao Qinian couldn't help but look curiously at Tan Jincheng:
"Gu Qingqing is...?"
The city's accent was somewhat similar to Tongcheng's, so Tao Qinian could understand what the two were saying.
"My girlfriend. My dad hasn't met her yet. Please excuse the familiarity, leader,"
Tan Jincheng said with a smile.
He then explained,
"Peng Ya is my former business partner, Zhang Xupeng. We grew up together. He is now the boss of Jinpeng Trading, our first company, and he is currently managing it."
"Your dad mentioned you two. It's rare to have a like-minded friend, and it's even rarer for your relationship to remain so good after you've become successful."
To be able to have a good friend accompany his father to buy clothes with just one phone call, and for that friend to also be a company boss, showed their extraordinary relationship.
In ancient terms, this was the highest form of family intimacy.
"I wouldn't say 'successful,' but our relationship has always been good. When we first came to Beicang, we rented a place together and worked hard to support the trading company."
"Jinpeng Trading is in the apparel export business, right? Comrade Xiao Tan, if you don't mind, could you tell us about your current ventures?"
"Certainly. Let's start with Jinpeng Trading. Jinpeng Trading was established by Zhang Xupeng and me in October 2004, engaging in apparel export. Last year, after I shifted my focus to Shanchi Technology, the actual controller of this company changed through a share transfer.
I was the previous actual controller, and now it's Zhang Xupeng. I'm not entirely sure how business is this year, but last year was quite good, with an annual export value of around 20 million USD.
Additionally, last year, besides establishing Shanchi Technology, I also founded another trading company, Jinyi Industry.
Jinyi Industry deals in the import and export of electronic products, and its performance is currently decent. In the future, this company will also engage in some electric vehicle export business, to see if we can sell our electric vehicles abroad and earn some foreign currency."
At this year's Spring Canton Fair, both the Shanchi and Fengchi series will participate.
The outcome is unknown, but it's worth a try.
If an overseas sales channel can be opened, it would be a huge help to Shanchi Technology.
"That's right. It's better to engage in exports if possible. Besides increasing company revenue, it also contributes to the country's foreign exchange reserves,"
Tao Qihua nodded.
Three companies, and the first one actually achieved an annual export value of 20 million USD.
It's truly unimaginable.
One must know that Wangjiang County's export value last year didn't even reach 4 million USD.
This comparison is simply astounding.
He didn't mention Jinyi Industry's export value, but it surely wouldn't be too bad.
Foreign trade is more about business capability, to achieve an export value of 20 million USD for a trading company established for only a year and a half.
From this perspective, both Comrade Xiao Tan and Comrade Xiao Zhang are remarkable young people.
Perhaps there will be an opportunity to get to know Comrade Xiao Zhang.
Jinpeng Trading is in the apparel business, which is a labor-intensive industry.
If their export value increases further this year, they might be able to discuss labor export cooperation.
But for now, it's best to secure Comrade Xiao Tan here as quickly as possible.
"Comrade Xiao Tan, are you interested in Andaer Automobile's production qualification?"
Tao Qinian suddenly asked.
Tan Jincheng, who was carefully choosing his words and thinking about how to bring up the main topic, was taken aback by the question.
He hadn't expected the other party to get straight to the point, which was a good thing:
"Yes, I am indeed interested in Andaer's automobile production qualification."
"Automobile production qualification is indeed rare, but as far as I know, it doesn't have much overlap with your company's business, and you currently have no plans to manufacture cars. Is it to wait for appreciation?"
"There is indeed such a consideration. Additionally, having a car production qualification is a significant complement to the company's business. Perhaps in the future, when our company develops to a certain extent, we can also enter the car manufacturing business."
Tao Qihua pondered for a moment, then nodded and said,
"I see. Comrade Xiao Tan is planning for the future. I understand now."
Immediately, Tao Qihua said solemnly,
"In that case, Andaer's production qualification will be given to you, Comrade Xiao Tan. We can accept all the conditions you mentioned. The spring plate factory and the county government can agree to the 5 million yuan acquisition terms, but I have one additional request."
Tan Jincheng also said solemnly,
"Leader, please speak. Anything within our capabilities is negotiable."
Book recommendation: A new book by an author from the same group, interested readers can check it out!
Title: Huayu: The Lying-Flat Superstar and the Charging White Moonlight
Synopsis: A single female lead entertainment + slice-of-life "dog food" novel, no abuse of the protagonist, no awkward smears.
Li Yian transmigrated to 2002, a good time.
Seizing the opportunity means a lifetime of peaceful "lying flat."
Ahem, I misspoke.
It's about becoming a life artist.
Li Yian likes many things: Kunqu opera, guqin, guzheng, skiing, diving...
But he fell into a state of confusion where he couldn't find his passion.
Meanwhile, another person held a thick stack of papers covered with writing.
Her heart was firm.
This time, I want to become an actress like Audrey Hepburn!
Oh no, what to do after being tricked into the entertainment industry?
On one side, the "celestial fairy" who desperately wants to be Audrey Hepburn teaches Li Yian how to act.
On the other side, it's the story of Li Yian desperately trying to pull the "celestial fairy" out of the industry to "lie flat."
(End of chapter)