Free Web NovelChapter 45: Chapter 45: On the Right Track
Su Li carefully quoted the price they had discussed earlier. "Seven yuan a set."
At this time, a single article of clothing for the average person cost two or three, maybe even four or five yuan. This three-piece uniform set for only seven yuan, made with decent fabric, was a true bargain.
"This is the first major deal for Pinjun Clothing. Our main goal is to break into the market, so we’re aiming for a high sales volume with a low-profit margin. That’s why the price is so reasonable. Whether or not this deal goes through, I must ask you to keep the price confidential, Principal."
Principal Zhang’s eyes filled with surprise, and she gave a solemn nod.
"I’ll keep it confidential. This price shows your sincerity. I will give it careful consideration. After all, some of our students come from less fortunate families, and I’m afraid they won’t be able to afford it."
Principal Zhang was genuinely tempted, but she had to rein in her impulse.
Su Li nodded. "I understand your concerns, Principal. This is no small matter, so it’s only natural for you to consider it carefully."
Even as she spoke, she turned and pulled her final bargaining chip from the wicker basket.
"Principal, take a look at this backpack. It’s a good size, suitable for both boys and girls. Seeing as this would be our first time working together, I can throw in these backpacks for free—one for every uniform set ordered."
Principal Zhang’s eyes were glued to the backpack once more.
This backpack was pieced together from scraps of fabric. The mix of colors was exceptionally vibrant and stylish. Who would have guessed that the material cost was negligible, with the biggest expense being labor?
At the time, most school bags were army-green canvas satchels. This backpack was just impossibly stylish and eye-catching by comparison.
Principal Zhang snatched the backpack and held it tight. She took two deep breaths, then pointed at Su Li, a look of exasperated amusement on her face.
"Su Li, you sly thing. You’ve been leading me into your trap step by step. I know perfectly well what you’re doing, but I can’t seem to refuse. You..."
Principal Zhang took a deep breath. "I’m ordering these uniforms!"
"Excellent, Principal! How many sets should I put you down for? And a friendly reminder, only this batch comes with the free backpacks. After this, they’ll have to be purchased."
Su Li’s face finally broke into a wide grin.
"You’re too cunning!" Principal Zhang said through gritted teeth, then waved her hand decisively.
"Two hundred... no, three hundred sets! I’ll take three hundred sets!"
The entire student body of Fengcheng First Middle School, including the seniors about to take their college entrance exams, numbered just over three hundred. This was far more than Su Li had anticipated. Principal Zhang was really making a grand gesture!
"Principal Zhang, you’re as decisive as any man!"
Su Li gave her a thumbs-up, then pulled two sheets of paper out of the wicker basket. "Principal, here’s a draft contract I prepared. Please take a look."
At this, Principal Zhang was truly impressed. She glanced at Su Li’s wicker basket.
"Is that basket of yours a bottomless pit? If you have anything else, just take it all out now! You even prepared the contract. You’re really... Tsk, tsk."
Just yesterday, she had been a student pleading for help, yet in the space of a single day—in just these past fifteen minutes—she had made Principal Zhang see her in a completely new light.
She truly admired Su Li. This young woman standing before her was destined to do great things. Helping her had been the absolute right decision!
As Principal Zhang’s gaze filled with emotion, Su Li’s own heart swelled with feeling. She brought the basket over and replied with a wide smile.
"That’s really all I have."
"This contract... it’s very professionally done. I don’t see any issues with it. Did you write this yourself?"
After finishing the contract, Principal Zhang’s gaze toward Su Li held a newfound gravity.
In the short span of half an hour, the way Principal Zhang looked at Su Li had changed time and again.
Su Li, too, had grown immensely in that half hour. She nodded with certainty.
"I drafted it. It’s far from perfect, but I’ll do my best to improve on it in the future." ƒгeewebnovёl.com
And just like that, Principal Zhang and Su Li signed the contract on the spot. They agreed that the first one hundred sets would be delivered in two weeks. Upon inspection, Principal Zhang would make a down payment, with the final balance to be paid once the entire order was fulfilled.
"A pleasure doing business with you, Principal. Goodbye."
"Goodbye, Su Li."
Principal Zhang and Su Li shook hands to part ways. The principal watched Su Li go, then looked down at the contract in her hand, feeling as if she were in a dream.
"That Su Li... she’s no simple girl. Not simple at all."
Muttering to herself, she grabbed the boy’s uniform and rushed off to find someone to try it on.
Su Li had just reached the main gate of Fengcheng First Middle School. She stood at the entrance, turning to look up at the school’s sign, her smile as bright as a flower and her eyes glistening with tears.
’You did it, Su Li. You’ve taken another huge step forward.’
’Making progress every single day... this is great, Su Li. It really is.’
Su Li turned and strode away, her steps firm and resolute as she forged ahead.
Back at the office, Su Li placed the contract down in front of Yin Cuihua and Li Hongqin. The two women stared in a stunned silence for a long moment before shrieking.
"Three hundred sets! Three hundred sets! How much money is that? Oh my god, Su Li, you’re incredible!" Yin Cuihua’s face was flushed red with excitement.
"I feel like I’m dreaming. Somebody, pinch me. We’ve only just begun, and we’ve already landed such a massive deal. This has to be a dream..." Li Hongqin was convinced she was dreaming.
After a few moments of excitement, the two women finally accepted this new reality, and the way they looked at Su Li changed yet again.
Just like Principal Zhang before them, their opinion of Su Li was constantly shifting. In just two short days, their gazes held not only admiration but also a sense of awe.
In that moment, Su Li’s position as their leader was swiftly and firmly established.
"Alright, let’s assign the tasks. Sister Ju Hua, in a little while, you’ll go buy the fabric. Sister Li, you need to figure out how to produce one hundred sets of uniforms within two weeks..."
After another busy day, the plans were mostly settled. They didn’t have the resources or manpower in the county town to make the clothes; it would have to be done back in the village. Li Hongqin only had two sewing machines, so the rest would have to be hand-sewn. This meant hiring villagers and paying them wages.
In a rural area with extremely limited sources of income, plenty of people would be willing to take on the work, even for low pay. Li Hongqin wasn’t worried about this part and even specifically advised Su Li that she could also hire people from Xinghua Village.
"The villagers will be thrilled to earn wages. Su Li, if you’re the one to hire them, your status in the village will change completely."
The advantages were obvious, and Li Hongqin was genuinely looking out for Su Li’s best interests.
Su Li knew Li Hongqin meant well, but she shook her head firmly. freewёbnoνel.com
"No, I’m staying out of it."
Hiring workers in the village was tantamount to opening an invisible factory. Su Li understood better than anyone what it meant to provide people with an additional source of income. But why should she provide that income to the people of Xinghua Village?
Su Li’s attitude was firm, so Li Hongqin didn’t press the issue. The three of them split up and got to work.
They were busy for two straight days. By the time everything was more or less settled, it was already the fourteenth day of the first lunar month.
She hadn’t returned on the eighth as planned. Su Li had made an excuse and had someone deliver a letter to Mrs. Tang. She had originally said she would be back in two or three days, but in the end, it had dragged on for five or six.
On the fourteenth, after lunch, Su Li set off for Su Family Village.
