Chapter 61 Change of View

Chapter 61: A Change of Heart

With the loan secured and funds slated for disbursement after the Spring Festival, Jiang Luo knew that beyond his own relentless effort and sound decisions, much credit was due to Qian Heng and Branch Manager Zhou.

That day, he reserved a private room at Huating and invited Qian Heng and Zhou Qian for dinner.

At the table, Jiang Luo, deeply grateful for Branch Manager Zhou's persistence, politely raised his glass, lowering it significantly as a mark of respect.

"Oh, please don't," Zhou Qian responded, quickly lowering his own glass. "Processing loan applications is my duty. The loan's approval is a testament to your capabilities, Boss Jiang. I truly deserve no credit; I merely made a few extra trips."

After finishing his drink and sitting down, Jiang Luo sincerely stated, "I approached other banks at the time, but most turned me down. Only the Bank of China and you, Branch Manager Zhou, not only didn't refuse me but actively helped me liaise with the head office."

Jiang Luo was genuinely thankful: "Your kindness, Branch Manager Zhou, is something I, Jiang, will never forget."

"Not at all," Zhou Qian demurred. "I hardly deserve such high praise."

"Ultimately, wasn't it because Boss Jiang secured a guarantee from the town government that the loan was finally approved?"

"I contributed little; it's all thanks to your own abilities, Boss Jiang."

Zhou Qian continued to flatter, "Our young Qian told me Boss Jiang plans to build a factory, industrialize, and strive for excellence."

"Boss Jiang is a man of great vision and practical action."

Jiang Luo and Zhou Qian exchanged words and toasts, while Qian Heng, like a hamster, darted glances between them, his chopsticks never pausing from start to finish, nearly overstuffing himself.

"This is delicious."

"This one's good."

"This one's great too."

*Om nom nom, munch munch munch.*

Zhou Qian, utterly disgusted, urged, "Eat a little less."

Jiang Luo chuckled, "Let Manager Qian eat his fill. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have met Branch Manager Zhou."

"And if it weren’t for him, Branch Manager Zhou wouldn’t have made so many trips to the head office for me, even risking offense to some higher-ups."

Zhou Qian waved it off, "What 'offending'? Superiors just like to put on airs—that's perfectly normal."

"They're so busy; why would they bother with a small branch manager like me?"

And so, Jiang Luo and Zhou Qian forged a new connection, becoming something akin to friends.

Later, Jiang Luo visited Juxiang Town, dining with several town officials and Deputy Mayor Wu Dayong to build rapport and discuss investment shares and the factory.

Concurrently, he used the post office's long-distance telephone service to communicate with the German company, finalizing the basic intent to purchase machinery and the method for paying the deposit.

With the Spring Festival fast approaching, all parties had reached an understanding: the loan funds would be disbursed after the holiday, and matters concerning the town government's shareholding, the German company, and all other arrangements would progress post-festival.

After a whirlwind of activity, Jiang Luo finally found time to rest, visiting the factory, spending time in the office, and designing clothes.

He also made plans with Huo Zongzhuo to travel to Suzhou together before the Spring Festival.

Since Jiang Luo wasn’t returning home—having no home to return to—he decided to stay in Suzhou and celebrate the New Year with Huo Zongzhuo.

In the preceding days, Accountant Xue and his colleagues had procured various provisions for food, clothing, and travel. Both the company and the factory were distributing New Year's goods.

Jiang Luo also compiled a list, instructing Accountant Xue and his team to purchase items for distribution to the town government, Zhou Qian at the Bank of China, Manager Yu of Pacific, and the heads of the other two department stores, among other business contacts, as a token of goodwill.

Jiang Luo also had Accountant Xue allocate funds for bonuses and Spring Festival allowances for all company and factory employees, including a separate dividend for Wang Chuang.

Everyone was delighted to receive their payments, with company colleagues repeatedly expressing their gratitude to "Boss Jiang."

They all understood Jiang Luo's character: generous and never stingy. Anyone who worked for him, as long as they performed well, would be treated fairly.

Just as the year-end approached and his schedule eased, Jiang Luo received calls from two individuals: Zhao Guangyuan and Li Fengrui of Pacific.

Upon answering Zhao Guangyuan's call and recognizing his voice, Jiang Luo promptly hung up.

Zhao Guangyuan called again, his mobile phone ringing incessantly, but Jiang Luo, knowing who it was, simply ignored it.

When Li Fengrui called, Jiang Luo was slightly surprised. He smirked and asked, "Boss Li, what can I do for you?"

Li Fengrui got straight to the point: "I'd like to invite you to a meal."

Jiang Luo was equally direct: "A trap?" Or perhaps a death-trap?

Li Fengrui chuckled on the other end: "You're quite a character. Who directly asks if it's a 'Hongmen banquet'?"

"Don't worry, it's not. I'm genuinely inviting you to a meal. Please do me the honor, Boss Jiang."

Jiang Luo considered it for a moment, saw no reason not to go, and agreed.

It was the same restaurant on East Nanjing Road, the same private dining room as last time.

The difference was that this time, there was no Guo Ronghai kneeling and slapping himself, nor were there the two suitcases filled with RMB and USD.

Li Fengrui was very sincere. He told Jiang Luo, "I've already fired Guo Ronghai and sent him packing."

He added, "The store in the mall that copied your 'Vilanido'—I closed it down a few days ago."

Then he handed back the design portfolio Jiang Luo had previously sent him through someone else: "This booklet is now returned to its rightful owner."

Jiang Luo glanced at the booklet, took it, and though he had his suspicions, he maintained a composed demeanor and asked, "What does this signify, Boss Li?"

Li Fengrui earnestly replied, "It signifies my desire to be friends with Boss Jiang."

He then cut straight to the chase: "Word is spreading throughout Haicheng's business circles that someone, by bringing together the town government, a German company, and their own factory, secured a ten-million-yuan loan from the Haicheng headquarters of the Bank of China. After the New Year, a large clothing factory will be built in the surrounding townships."

Li Fengrui looked at Jiang Luo: "I know it's you. You are very capable, and I, Li Fengrui, am truly impressed."

With that, he raised his hands in a traditional Chinese gesture of respect, cupping one hand over the other, and frankly stated, "Last time we met for dinner, including the matter of your brand entering our mall, I was in the wrong. My actions were unethical, I offended you, Boss Jiang, and encroached upon your interests."

"I apologize to you here and seek your forgiveness."

He reiterated: "I've already made Guo Ronghai leave. He will no longer be an annoyance to you, Boss Jiang."

"And the counter in the mall—I've already removed it."

"Boss Jiang, you are a magnanimous person; please don't hold it against me."

"I'm treating you to a meal today, firstly to make amends and apologize, and secondly to befriend you."

Jiang Luo chuckled, "Is Boss Li also treating me with such deference now?"

As he spoke, he raised his hand and gently pressed down Li Fengrui's clasped hands, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Boss Li, you're being too formal."

"We're all in Haicheng, all businesspeople; we move in the same circles—there's no need for such formality."

Li Fengrui invited Jiang Luo to the place of honor, and they shared a meal and pleasant conversation.

So it goes to show, merely drinking and networking isn't enough; what truly matters is accomplishing what others cannot.

When things succeed, people naturally gravitate towards you.

But even with harmony among people, success isn't guaranteed.

Jiang Luo clearly understood why Li Fengrui had suddenly changed his attitude.

After all, in the business world, there are no permanent enemies or grudges.

As long as you're strong enough, even a proud young master like Li Fengrui is willing to lower his noble head.

As for Guo Ronghai, where that dog ended up, Jiang Luo couldn't care less.

At the silk factory's employee housing, with the Spring Festival approaching, the multi-unit buildings were bustling both inside and out. This was not only due to the upcoming holiday, with every household preparing for the festivities, but also because year-end goods had recently been distributed.

On the west side of the second floor, as Zhang Xiangping used a clothes hanger to suspend cured meat and sausages on the wall outside her window, Bai Ting happened to be returning from work. Her bicycle handlebars were laden with bags, and she was about to head upstairs.

Someone on the first floor greeted Bai Ting: "Xiao Ting, are those your New Year's goods? You got so much?"

Bai Ting smiled as she climbed the stairs: "Our shop didn't give out much. It's a small private store, just some meat, a couple of gift boxes, and the boss lady gave Junwei and me red envelopes of five hundred each."

"Five hundred?!" The person exclaimed in amazement.

Bai Ting smiled: "It's quite generous. The boss lady is kind and open-handed."

Another aunt asked: "Then where did all these bags come from? Did you buy them yourself?"

Bai Ting stood on the stairs, her hands full: "No. Jiang Luo and Wang Chuang's own company also gave out New Year's goods. They called me to come and pick them up. Their company gave out a lot."

"What's in there?" Several people gathered around to look.

Bai Ting lifted the bags to show them: "This is a mushroom gift box, this is fresh meat, this is cured meat, this is yellow croaker, and this…"

Zhang Xiangping heard everything. Leaning over the railing, she craned her neck to look downstairs but couldn't see clearly. She kept trying, feeling both envious and disdainful: *What's she showing off for? Such a show-off.*

Zhang Xiangping returned to the kitchen, where Jiang Jianmin was playing cards alone at the dining table. A coal stove was simmering soup nearby, the window was closed, and the room was warm and stuffy.

Zhang Xiangping closed the kitchen door and muttered: "This is all your fault! Last time you smashed the car, Jiang Luo turned against us."

"Now look where we are—he doesn't come back, and when their company gives out things, even Bai Ting gets a pile of stuff, but we get nothing!"

She complained further: "This lousy factory only gave out some meat and oil this year. We can't even make sausages."

Jiang Jianmin, playing cards, scowled: "Why bring up that beast for no reason? It's almost the New Year!"

"I smashed his car, so what? If he drives here again, I'll smash it again! I'll just smash it!"

"He started a company—what's the big deal? Has he even made any money? He's just acting like a big shot."

"Our son Zhao Mingshi is a top student at Fudan University!"

"After he graduates, he'll make big money and have plenty to support us!"

Zhang Xiangping thought for a moment: "By the way, how much are you planning to give Zhao Mingshi for his red envelope this New Year?"

Jiang Jianmin *tsked*, looked up, and glared: "What red envelope? He's too old for that! Still expecting a red envelope?"

Zhang Xiangping: "Of course he should get one! This is the first time we're spending the New Year with Zhao Mingshi."

"We can't let the Zhao family show us up, can we?"

Jiang Jianmin impatiently replied: "You handle it. I don't have any money anyway."

On Handan Road, where Fudan University is located, Zhao Mingshi and the senior he liked entered a hotel together.

As soon as the room door closed, Zhao Mingshi quickly embraced the senior...

On the other side, Wang Chuang was busy with work and had long forgotten about Mo Wanzhen.

He had crossed paths with Mo Wanzhen a few times at the company and the counter, only knowing that there was such a girl in the company who performed well. Jiang Luo had promoted her to store manager of the Pacific counter and put her in charge of sales training for several other stores.

As for Mo Wanzhen, since becoming store manager and overseeing several stores, she had become even more dedicated to her work, practically throwing herself completely into the counter.

Her current salary and commissions were substantial—at least eight hundred to a thousand yuan a month, sometimes even reaching two thousand. This kind of income would allow her to live like royalty in her hometown county in northern Jiangsu.

Originally, her family had sent her to Haicheng with strict instructions, saying they didn’t expect her to make something of herself in the city—just to marry a local and help support her family back home.

But now, as a sales clerk with a high income, Mo Wanzhen sent money back to her family in northern Jiangsu every month. Her parents no longer talked about marriage; instead, they sweet-talked her over the phone, relying on her to support them.

Mo Wanzhen was no fool. As a sales clerk, she was skilled at reading people and, having met many, now understood how people work.

Knowing her family depended on her, she didn’t tell them exactly how much she earned each month, claiming it was only three hundred yuan. She sent two hundred home and kept the rest, saving it in the bank.

She rarely called home anyway. Whenever she did, her parents would ramble on about how difficult things were and how her younger siblings were doing. Mo Wanzhen found it less and less able to listen and resented her parents constantly urging her to find a wealthy partner in Haicheng and get married.

Having been in Haicheng for so long and worked for so long, Mo Wanzhen’s perspective had totally transformed.

She thought: *Haicheng is so big, and I am capable, doing my job well. If I work hard, I can stay in Haicheng, buy a home, and settle down here.*

Yes! She didn’t want to return to northern Jiangsu.

She would work hard, save money, and stay in Haicheng!