Chapter 41 Busy

Chapter 41 Busy

Meanwhile, in Jinling, outside a high-end restaurant, amidst the landscaped flower beds, Wang Chuang leaned against a tree, throwing up violently.

Two days later, Jiang Luo drove back to Juxiang Town in Jiading.

Upon arriving at Zhang Ningfu's shop, Jiang Luo found it spotless. No longer were there piles of cardboard boxes or scraps of fabric and thread on the floor; the sewing machines were all neatly arranged.

Today, Zhang Ningfu was alone in the shop; his assistants had been given a temporary day off.

Zhang Ningfu had not only cleaned the shop inside and out but had also arranged for the air conditioner to be repaired, tidied the office, and replaced both thermoses, ensuring hot water was available.

When Jiang Luo entered, he carried a softcover notebook and a bag.

Zhang Ningfu had already turned on the air conditioner and invited Jiang Luo to sit in the office, where hot tea was already brewed.

Jiang Luo settled onto the sofa, placed the notebook on the coffee table, and handed the plastic bag to Zhang Ningfu across the table: "Six thousand. Count it to be sure."

Six thousand, plus the initial deposit of one thousand, totaled seven thousand yuan—the agreed-upon price for Jiang Luo to take over the shop from Zhang Ningfu.

This price was indeed not cheap, as, apart from the machines, the large office desk, and the air conditioner, everything else in the shop was practically worthless.

This was simply Zhang Ningfu's asking price for selling the shop.

Zhang Ningfu had initially quoted this amount, expecting to be haggled down, but Jiang Luo didn't bargain and readily paid the full eight thousand.

Any other boss would have counted the money on the spot.

However, Zhang Ningfu, feeling that the eight thousand was already a generous sum from Boss Jiang, thought counting the money in front of him would imply distrust. So, without even opening the bag, he accepted the cash, grinning sheepishly, and said there was no need to count, as he trusted Jiang Luo.

Jiang Luo glanced at Zhang Ningfu, noting his honest and simple demeanor, and felt a touch of sympathy. He kindly reminded him: "I won't cheat you. Whether you count it or not makes no difference—I certainly wouldn't slip fake bills into a stack of cash."

"If it were someone else, I'd advise you to count it on the spot to avoid being scammed."

"Yes, yes," Zhang Ningfu nodded sheepishly again, smiling.

Jiang Luo thought: *What a dummy.*

Zhang Ningfu quickly urged Jiang Luo: "Have some tea, please. The tea leaves are good; I bought them new yesterday."

Jiang Luo picked up the cup, blew on the surface of the hot tea, and asked: "Xiao Lu and the others are off today? None of them have left, right?"

Zhang Ningfu replied earnestly: "No, none have left. I told them you've taken over the shop and that the employees would stay. They were all very happy."

Jiang Luo continued: "Have their wages been paid? If there are any arrears, let me know, and I'll cover them."

Zhang Ningfu: "No, no, definitely no arrears. I've always paid them on time."

"Mm." Jiang Luo took a sip of hot tea and discussed some details about the shop with Zhang Ningfu, including the number of machines and their capabilities.

Jiang Luo also informed Zhang Ningfu that he wouldn't be doing contract manufacturing. Instead, he planned to design and sell his own clothes, establish a brand, and supply department store counters. Zhang Ningfu listened very attentively throughout.

After these discussions, Jiang Luo handed the softcover notebook to Zhang Ningfu: "Take a look."

Zhang Ningfu wondered what was inside. He opened it, put on the reading glasses hanging around his neck, and peered closely—to his surprise, the notebook contained design sketches and pattern drafts for clothes!

Zhang Ningfu never expected Boss Jiang to provide such professional materials.

He had initially thought that Jiang Luo, being young and new to the industry, had specifically asked him to stay to guide him as an experienced craftsman.

He assumed Jiang Luo didn't understand the intricacies of the industry, never imagining that Jiang Luo would even have pattern drafts.

Jiang Luo, of course, had them.

As early as his previous life, he had sold clothes of his own design.

He might not have excelled in academics or attended university, but he wasn't unintelligent.

To build and expand his business, he had even taught himself English and Cantonese back then, let alone mastering the ins and outs of the fashion industry.

Jiang Luo leaned back on the sofa, calm and composed, watching Zhang Ningfu across the coffee table: "There are seven pieces of clothing in total in this notebook. Follow the pattern drafts I've given you and get all the clothes made in the next few days. The fabrics are also listed; go buy them, and the company will reimburse you."

"Okay, okay," Zhang Ningfu nodded.

He meticulously examined the clothing styles in the design sketches and the measurements in the pattern drawings. Without even touching a sewing machine, he already knew how to adjust the stitching for certain parts.

Seeing Zhang Ningfu's focused demeanor, Jiang Luo knew he wouldn't have to worry much.

Then, remembering something, Jiang Luo added: "The sewing machines out there—just these won't be enough."

"I'll be purchasing more machines soon. If you have any needs, let me know."

"For the initial phase, we'll keep it like this. No major changes to the machines, and the shop is big enough for now."

"Later, when we expand, I'll rent a proper workshop, hire more people, and buy larger machines."

And so, in recent days, Jiang Luo drove around everywhere, making various preparations for the clothing workshop, especially purchasing machines of all sizes for the workspace.

Jiang Luo also bought several dress forms (mannequin stands), various fabrics commonly used in clothing design on the market, soft measuring tapes, T-pins, and more.

He moved all these into his office to prepare for designing clothes in his spare time.

Jiang Luo was swamped. In addition to managing the company and handling shipments and billing for the department store, he also found time to treat Manager Yu from Wing On Department Store to two meals, slipped him some incentives, and discussed getting his branded clothing into the department store counters.

Manager Yu agreed almost without hesitation, not only because Jiang Luo had given him ample benefits and substantial advantages but also because Jiang Luo knew how to handle people, providing enough emotional value to keep him very happy.

After drinking heavily, Manager Yu even slung an arm around Jiang Luo’s shoulder in the hotel private room, raised his glass, and acted like they were old pals, promising: "Xiao Jiang, don't worry."

"You're such a stand-up guy. As long as you ask, I'll help however I can."

"We have a very good relationship, right?"

Jiang Luo smiled and flattered without hesitation: "You're like my own brother."

Manager Yu, flushed from drinking, replied: "Yes, yes, own brother, like family."

After finishing, Jiang Luo handed Manager Yu over to two young, pretty girls arranged by the hotel to accompany him to the dance club for more fun.

Jiang Luo watched them leave, saying, "Brother, have a great time!" His eyes, however, were clear and bright, without a trace of the earlier drunken haze or vulgarity he had displayed while toasting with Manager Yu.

He went downstairs to settle the bill for the private room. The owner, knowing he was wealthy and drove a Mercedes-Benz W140, asked if he also wanted a young girl to keep him company.

Jiang Luo, handsome even looking down and his movements smooth as he took money from his wallet, smiled, lifted his eyelids, and said with a charming, playful smirk: "Nah. If I call them over, would I be keeping them company, or would they be keeping me company? Who'd be fooling who?"

The restaurant owner was amused and clearly fond of the young, good-looking guy. She knocked a good bit off the bill for Jiang Luo and called out to him, "Come back often! Our restaurant is frequented by businesspeople—we know how things work. Whatever you need, we can provide."

"The decor is nice, the food is delicious and upscale, right?"

Jiang Luo smirked, "Yeah, I can see that."

The proprietress spoke in dialect, "Take care."

Jiang Luo replied in dialect as well, "Take care."

Delighted, the proprietress said, "So you're from Haicheng?"

Jiang Luo glanced back as he walked away, "Nah, just a country boy."

The proprietress laughed, "Oh, stop it. You're a young big shot—I'm the country bumpkin. Come again, see you later!"

Meanwhile, in Jinling, by the flowerbed in front of a hotel, Wang Chuang was leaning against a tree again, puking his guts out.

As Jiang Luo drove back to the Jing'an Hilton, he thought about how Wang Chuang had been in Jinling for some time without calling back. He wondered how things were going.

Jiang Luo cared but wasn't overly concerned. Wang Chuang wasn't a child or a useless person—he was capable. Jiang Luo believed Wang Chuang could find a viable path in Jinling; it just took time.

That evening, at a government-run guesthouse in Pudong, after a four-hour meeting and discussions, Huo Zongzhuo was unable to leave as planned. He was pressed to stay for dinner, and the leaders were exceptionally warm and hospitable.

Among those assigned to host Huo Zongzhuo was Zhao Guangyuan, who had recently been transferred to the Pudong Development Office.

Zhao Guangyuan came from a well-off family and had his own cell phone, but since none of the unit leaders had one, he left it at home to avoid showing off. Instead, he carried a pager for work-related communication, especially for urgent matters.

At the guesthouse cafeteria, Zhao Guangyuan sat with Huo Zongzhuo and made sure to swap contact info. Aware of Huo Zongzhuo's worldly experience and wealth, Zhao Guangyuan repeatedly apologized, saying the guesthouse food was nothing fancy compared to those at upscale hotels, and asked for Huo Zongzhuo's understanding.

Huo Zongzhuo, being decent, respectful, and easygoing, especially in the presence of Pudong leaders, naturally didn't make a fuss.

As Huo Zongzhuo observed Zhao Guangyuan's face, he began to feel that Zhao Guangyuan looked a little like Jiang Luo.

At the moment, he didn't think too much of it, attributing it to his fondness for Jiang Luo, which made him see traces of Jiang Luo in everyone.

The two ate and chatted casually, avoiding topics like Pudong development and funding, instead discussing small talk.

Zhao Guangyuan asked Huo Zongzhuo if he was married. Huo Zongzhuo said no, blaming it on being too busy.

"And you, Director Zhao?" Huo Zongzhuo asked in return.

Zhao Guangyuan smiled, "At my age, of course I'm married, with a wife and children."

"I have two sons. My eldest, for personal reasons, was taken in by my older brother early on and now works in city government. My younger son is in business—we don't interfere much and can't control him anyway, so we let him do his own thing."

Huo Zongzhuo thought of Jiang Luo and smiled, "Young people have their own ideas."

"Exactly," Zhao Guangyuan said, trying to build rapport. "Zongzhuo, you should visit my home sometime. Since you're in business, you could give my oldest a few pointers."

Huo Zongzhuo modestly replied, "I don't know much about city government work."

Zhao Guangyuan said, "We don't have to talk about that. Just share your experience selling planes—he's very curious and has admired you for a long time, mentioning you to me many times."

"Alright, I'll visit your home another day," Huo Zongzhuo agreed without hesitation, also keen on building a relationship with Zhao Guangyuan.

He was bullish on Pudong and knew that future land purchases would require the support of Pudong's leaders.

Moreover, Zhao Guangyuan was relatively young, and Huo Zongzhuo knew that being transferred to the Pudong Development Office at this time indicated capability and skill, suggesting a promising future.

As someone active in external affairs and networking, Huo Zongzhuo understood the importance of networking with leaders and high-level officials.