Chapter 681: I Want to Resign

Chapter 681 I Want to Quit

After settling the basic matters, Jiang Yu shot Director Lian a glance.

"Director Lian, have someone reach out to the shoe factory. It’s best to finalize the contract today."

Director Lian quickly refocused. "Oh, right, of course. I’ll make the call right away."

For the rest of the day, Jiang Yu put aside other tasks and focused on accompanying Stephen and Tina on a tour of the Forbidden City.

Apart from sightseeing, they took plenty of photos, and everyone had a great time.

After leaving the Forbidden City, the group visited the National Museum, where they marveled at China’s thousands of years of history.

Emerging from the museum, Tina sighed in admiration. "Though China may be still developing, its history is profound. It’s a country with rich cultural heritage."

As they were leaving, the museum presented them with two blue-and-white porcelain vases.

These were antiques from the late Qing to early Republican era, and the two foreigners were completely taken with them.

Stephen asked, "Where can we buy more of these blue-and-white porcelain vases?"

Jiang Yu explained, "Antiques are rare and difficult to find. The museum presenting these two vases to you is a token of appreciation for your visit."

This made Stephen and Tina feel immensely flattered, as if they’d received VIP treatment.

"What if they’re not antiques? Doesn’t China make these? They’re so exquisite—I’m sure many would love them."

Jiang Yu replied, "Of course we do. China’s ceramic craftsmanship dates back thousands of years. China is the home of porcelain. If you’d like, I’d recommend visiting the Porcelain Capital. There, you’ll see all kinds of beautiful ceramics."

Stephen and Tina exchanged glances.

"Is there nothing available now?" Tina pressed.

Jiang Yu said, "Most Chinese are focused on making ends meet, mostly striving for food and clothing. Such fine porcelain isn’t in high demand."

It wasn’t that there was none—just very little.

Even if she didn’t want to admit it, the reality of the country was that most people were focused on putting food on the table, leaving little room for spiritual or aesthetic pursuits.

Yet, to Stephen and Tina, Jiang Yu’s words sounded like—

"Such refined and expensive porcelain is way out of most people’s price range."

That just made it seem even rarer.

Among the foreign guests visiting China, besides them, there were also Carl and Qin Yunan.

If they didn’t act fast, what if someone else buys them all?

"Jiang! Please help us arrange this—we want to buy porcelain! A ton of it!"

Jiang Yu: "..."

She’d just suggested they visit the Porcelain Capital, not that they should buy anything.

"Well... the Porcelain Capital’s way down south. It’s too late to ship anything now."

Stephen quickly shook his head. "That’s fine! We can sign a contract first, and just get it to the port before we go, that’s fine!"

We can't let Carl snatch these treasures from us.

Jiang Yu hesitated, unsure of availability.

"Sorry, Mr. Stephen, I need to discuss this with my superior first before confirming anything."

Stephen nodded eagerly, urgency in his voice: "Can you contact him now?"

"Of course."

She turned to Li Yunzhao, "Would you mind reaching out to Director Lian and see if the Foreign Trade Department can arrange for Dongfeng Porcelain Factory in the porcelain capital to supply the goods?"

Li Yunzhao stared blankly, struggling to process this.

This... we're closing a second deal already?

"Comrade Li, did you hear me?"

Li Yunzhao snapped back to reality, "Y-yes... I heard... I'll go now."

Seeing this, Stephen tutted impatiently and urged, "Hurry! Don't let Carl get ahead of us."

A deeper smile appeared in Jiang Yu's eyes—so this silly guy was worried about getting scooped.

"By the way, Mr. Carl seems to know his way around Chinese history and is also fond of some of our traditional crafts."

Tina perked up, "Oh? Besides porcelain, what else is there?"

Jiang Yu replied, "There are so many. With five thousand years of history, our ancestors left us more treasures than I could name, spread across the land. Hui ink and Xuan paper, the five famous embroideries, silk weaving, opera arts—and that’s just scratching the surface."

The more she spoke, the prouder she grew.

"Mr. Stephen, Tina, I truly hope you can stay longer. This stuff'll surely line your pockets."

Jiang Yu meant every word—what they bought here and resold in their own country would indeed make them rich.

Stephen's pulse raced, as if he could already see millions of pounds pouring into his pockets.

This trip paid off!

"Jiang, we hit the jackpot with you. Otherwise, how would we have discovered so many wonderful things?"

Jiang Yu smiled modestly, "You've only seen a drop in the bucket of what our country has to offer."

Over the next few days, Jiang Yu was busy guiding them through the northern city and various factories.

The Stephens placed many orders, but they weren't buying blindly—they crunched the numbers on every purchase, carefully assessing the potential profits these items could bring them.

They might play the wide-eyed tourists, but this couple wasn't foolish, nor were they pushovers.

By the time they finished touring the northern city, it was already mid-June.

Stephen and Tina packed up for Jinling.

At their farewell, Tina gave Jiang Yu a necklace adorned with sapphires, glinting like ice.

"My dear, take this—I’ll be crushed if you refuse. Compared to the goldmine you’ve handed us, this necklace is nothing."

Jiang Yu had helped them source the best merchandise. During their time in the northern city, her ledger showed profits, not expenses.

Even after deducting the high transportation costs, there's still plenty of room for profit.

"Thank you, Tina. I won't forget what you've done."

Tina gave her a hug, "I really wish you could come with me to Jinling."

Jiang Yu patted her back, "Sorry, I'm afraid I can't."

"Hope to see you again soon."

"Goodbye."

They bid farewell to each other, and Jiang Yu watched them leave, finally relaxing after days of stress.

Jiang Yu massaged her temples and turned back toward the Second State Cotton Mill.

These past few days, she had been completely tied up with accompanying the foreign guests as an interpreter and hadn’t been working at the factory office.

Upon returning to the factory, she immediately went to see Factory Director Zheng to check on the progress of the chemical fiber plant.

Factory Director Zheng was beaming, "I was just going to call you in. The project has been approved! They've approved establishing a chemical industrial base in the northeast to research and produce chemical fibers. Once the first batch of polyester fiber is produced, it will be put into the production line. Jiang Yu, you practically brought down the price of polyester all by yourself!"

Jiang Yu didn’t dare take all the credit, "Don't give me all the credit—everyone has been working hard."

Factory Director Zheng sighed, feeling deeply gratified.

"Ultimately, it’s because of you. This foreign trade visit was a great start, thanks to you securing so many orders. You wouldn’t believe it—those factories had the nerve to ask me for you. The nerve of them, trying to poach my people."

Even Director Lian from the Foreign Trade Department was after Jiang Yu, saying she was too good with languages to waste and it’d be a shame if she didn’t join the trade department.

Factory Director Zheng was grooming Jiang Yu to take over—there was no way he’d let her go.

"Alright, you're worn out these past few days. The factory has approved three days of leave for you—go home and rest."

Jiang Yu didn’t move. After a moment of thought, she hesitated before speaking.

"About the chemical fiber base… I assume I don’t need to be involved anymore?"

Factory Director Zheng looked surprised, "No, Lao Song is leading the team and has already gone to the northeast."

"And what about Senior Qin and Carl’s proposal to invest and build a factory here…?"

Factory Director Zheng said, "The trade department is handling it, and it’s moving right along. Don’t worry."

Jiang Yu was relieved and nodded.

"In that case…"

"Just say what’s on your mind—no need to beat around the bush."

Jiang Yu smiled—well, you asked me to be straight with you.

"Director, I want to resign."