Chapter 150: A Prosperous Start, Opening the Door with Great Fortune and Success

Chapter 150: A Prosperous Start, Opening the Door with Great Fortune and Success

Everything was progressing as Su Taotao had expected, moving in a positive direction.

Xia Zhiqiu added a note at the end of the recruitment list, informing everyone of a staff meeting and onboarding training scheduled for 10 AM on Sunday. She emphasized that punctuality was mandatory, and those who were late or absent would be considered as having forfeited their positions.

Sunday.

Su Taotao woke up early and cooked breakfast for the whole family.

She also made some seaweed and rice cakes for Fu Yuanhang to take to Mr. Tang and others to taste. Fu Yuanhang could also eat them if he got hungry.

She prepared some ration tickets for meals and meat for Fu Yuanhang, telling him to leave them on the table before he left, as Mr. Tang and the others would not accept them directly. It was better to leave them quietly on the table.

Su Taotao and Fu Zhengtu would both be very busy today and couldn't bring Chenchen to work. Dongdong would stay at Auntie Zhong's house to play with Uncle Mu, while Chenchen could either go to Auntie Zhong's or follow Fu Yuanhang to his art lessons.

The child was surprisingly willing to go to class with his little uncle.

Su Taotao also packed some fried rice cakes and seaweed into his backpack, along with a few pieces of dried sweet potato given by Auntie Zhong.

The dried sweet potato was sweet and chewy, and both Chenchen and Fu Yuanhang loved it.

Knowing that he would be going on a "long trip" today, the child decided not to bring his conch shell and chess pieces, as they were inconvenient. Instead, he packed some lightweight gear like origami and a slingshot, and also brought along the art supplies Mr. Tang had given him. He excitedly followed his little uncle out the door.

The child always packed his own gear, deciding what to bring and carrying it himself throughout the trip. Su Taotao wouldn't interfere; he could manage it on his own.

Fu Yuanhang was thrilled that Chenchen was willing to go to class with him. Recently, Chenchen had refused to go to school with him, so Fu Yuanhang was even happier than when he scored a perfect 100 on yesterday's test. He couldn't stop smiling as he held Chenchen's adorable small, chubby hand and walked to the car.

The child insisted on counting his steps as he walked, and after reaching the last step, he ran to the bicycle shed to check on his "ride."

Chenchen touched the handlebars of his "ride" and sighed, "Mommy's been really busy lately~~ I'll take you to the co-op store in a couple of days~~ Be good~~"

Fu Zhengtu, Fu Yuanhang, and Zhou Zheng, who had just gotten out of the car, stood behind him, speechless.

Only Zhou Weining, who was leaning against the car window watching Chenchen, had her eyes sparkling: "What an adorable little angel! Who should I date to have such a little angel?"

Yes, today Zhou Weining had begged Zhou Zheng to go on a big shopping trip to town. Yesterday, Fu Zhengtu had asked Zhou Zheng to help look after Fu Yuanhang, and Zhou Zheng had no problem with that. He even brought his treasured antique camera, planning to take a few photos of Fu Yuanhang.

Zhou Zheng patted his prized possession: "Pretty thoughtful, huh? Should I take a photo of the three of you now?"

Fu Zhengtu remembered that he and Su Taotao hadn't taken their wedding photos yet. On the day they got their marriage certificate, he had promised her that they would take some photos by the sea when they had time. But they had been too busy recently and hadn't gotten around to it.

"Grab a few more rolls of film, and lend me the camera next Sunday," Fu Zhengtu said.

Zhou Zheng: "Oh, planning a family photo, are you? Do you need a photographer? I can do it for free, just feed me."

Fu Zhengtu thought about it and decided to consult Su Taotao first, so he said, "We'll talk about the photographer later, but I'll reserve the camera for now."

Zhou Zheng scoffed and reached out to Fu Yuanhang: "Yuanhang, come with me, the car is about to leave."

"Wait a second," Fu Yuanhang ran to the bicycle shed and picked up the child. "Chenchen, let's go, the car is about to leave."

Zhou Zheng was surprised to see Fu Yuanhang carrying Chenchen: "Is Chenchen coming too?"

Fu Yuanhang nodded: "Yes, we're going to the teacher's place together."

Zhou Zheng, itching to use his camera, tried to lure the child: "Chenchen, look, I have this. How about I carry you?"

Chenchen looked at the "clumsy uncle" and shook his head: "No~~"

Zhou Zheng was heartbroken.

Fu Zhengtu told Zhou Zheng to stay until he met Mr. Tang or his representative, and to wait for them to return together by car in the evening. He also warned Fu Yuanhang not to leave Mr. Tang's house with Chenchen alone, and to come back for dinner with Zhou Zheng in the evening.

As for Chenchen, he could spend the whole day in the office without any issues and arrange everything clearly by himself. Fu Zhengtu had nothing else to say, so he patted Chenchen's head and let him get into the car.

Chenchen got into the car, and the "silly auntie" waved at him excitedly: "Little angel, here, here..."

Everyone in the car looked at Chenchen and Fu Yuanhang.

Chenchen frowned, a little upset: "I'm not a little angel~~ I'm Chenchen~~" The child was so upset that he even pronounced the word "is" correctly.

This auntie is not just silly but also forgetful. She had called him a little angel last time, and now she got it wrong again.

Zhou Weining noticed the child was upset and blinked at him, apologizing sincerely: "Sorry, Chenchen, auntie won't call you wrong next time. Do you want to come sit with me?"

How come the little angel's skin is so fair? I love it!

How come the little angel's eyelashes are so long? I love it!

The little angel's lips are so pink and adorable!

...

Zhou Weining was completely captivated by Chenchen, staring at him like a strange auntie every time she saw him. Could Chenchen tolerate her?

"No~~"

Chenchen held onto his little uncle, resting his head on his shoulder.

Fu Yuanhang patted his little head: "Chenchen, take a nap, and I'll wake you when we get there."

Chenchen obediently closed his eyes, tuning out the whispers about how he could recite the Three Character Classic, pi, and that he was a little genius...

Zhou Zheng tapped his cousin's head and said, "That's enough, you're scaring him."

Zhou Weining rubbed the spot where Zhou Zheng had tapped, looking very upset, and whispered: "I didn't mean to, I really like the little angel... Chenchen, brother, is it true that the kindergarten is looking for teachers? Do you think I should go and be Chenchen's teacher?"

Zhou Zheng gave her a complicated look: "Don't even think about it. The kindergarten is part of the food factory. Not to mention whether sister-in-law would take you, even grandpa would break your legs if he found out. You haven't even got your own life together, and you want to teach others? Just stay in the logistics department, don't mess up, and stop leading others astray."

Zhou Weining hit him and said, "Who hasn't got their life together? Who's leading others astray?"

Zhou Zheng was scared of her: "Alright, alright, I was wrong, but didn't you see the red list? The kindergarten is already full, so forget about it."

Zhou Zheng wasn't worried she'd corrupt the kids, but that she'd play too wildly with them and be irresponsible.

Zhou Weining pouted at him and turned to look at Chenchen again.

Ah, the little angel is really too cute!

...

Su Taotao left a little later, met with Aunt Zhou and Xia Zhiqiu to go over some materials, inspected the construction site, and then got ready for the first employee meeting at ten.

The construction workers had already left yesterday, and the entire site was spotlessly clean, so clean that Su Taotao could hardly recognize it.

Old Gao was waiting there early. As soon as Su Taotao arrived, he greeted her: "Director Su, we have successfully completed the project as entrusted. It can be handed over for use today. Please inspect it first, and if there are no issues, sign off and we can make the handover."

Su Taotao lightly shook his hand and let go: "Thank you, Old Gao, and thank you to all the workers."

Su Taotao knew that clearing construction debris was within their scope of work, but the deep cleaning required her to find additional help. She had originally planned to lead the new employees in doing the deep cleaning, but Old Gao and his team had already taken care of it, cleaning it even more thoroughly than a professional cleaning team would have.

Su Taotao walked around with the design plans, noticing that many details not specified in the drawings had been meticulously handled by Old Gao. Some areas that required manual polishing were done with more precision than a craftsman would. The sunroom next to the baking room was an addition Su Taotao hadn't even considered, but Old Gao had built it without hesitation. The insulation layer on the tiled roof was also thickened... In short, everything exceeded Su Taotao's expectations.

Just for a piece of watermelon, a bowl of mung bean soup, or a cup of cooling tea, they repaid her with immense generosity.

Su Taotao was deeply moved by these kind and simple laborers. Such a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility were something she had never encountered before.

In a few years, after the reform and opening-up policy, she wondered where they would end up—whether they would continue working for state-owned enterprises or venture out on their own. From the reform and opening up to the next few decades, it would be a golden era for real estate development. If the opportunity arose, she would love to collaborate with Old Gao, perhaps even start a real estate company together, to see if they could help these wonderful people achieve prosperity.

Of course, the reform and opening-up policy was still several years away, and whether this era would follow the trajectory of her own time was still unknown.

For now, she needed to focus on launching her small factory.

"Thank you, Old Gao. It's truly outstanding, and you've all put in so much effort. Let's stay in touch. Once the products are ready, I'll send some over for you to try."

Old Gao, tanned from the sun, flashed a bright smile. "Director Su, you're too kind. It's all part of our job."

Su Taotao said, "I know how much extra work you've done beyond your scope. Don't decline, it's just a small treat for everyone."

Old Gao still smiled. "Then I'll thank everyone for you."

After the handover ceremony, Old Gao offered a few words of good luck, left an address, and then departed.

For a moment, the vast factory was left with only the three of them, feeling unusually empty and vast.

Auntie Zhong touched the spotless door and sighed, "Old Gao always handles things impeccably. This time, he really treated our factory as if it were his own home."

Su Taotao agreed, "Yes, Old Gao is truly beyond reproach."

"What time is it, Zhiqiu?" Su Taotao had left in a hurry and forgotten her watch.

Xia Zhiqiu glanced at her wristwatch. "It's 9:35."

Su Taotao looked around and said to Auntie Zhong, "Auntie Zhong, open the gates. Let's prepare to welcome our new employees."

Auntie Zhong beamed, bringing out the red paper couplets and firecrackers she had prepared earlier. "Alright, let's hang the couplets first, then set off some firecrackers."

Su Taotao nodded. "That works. Tomorrow is the official opening ceremony, but today we'll add a bit of festivity."

Auntie Zhong chanted, "Open the gates for good luck, let's kick things off with a bang..."