Back to the 1970s: Building My Fortune Through Time Trading

Chapter 215: Seeking Sponsorship from the Garment Factory

"Are you saying you’re planning to go to the biggest Red Star Clothing Factory in our city?"

Chen Meilan was surprised and sized her up after listening.

After a moment, she couldn’t help but ask, "Are you a relative of Director Dong?"

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head.

"Then do you have any relatives working there?"

Su Xiaoxiao still shook her head.

Chen Meilan was speechless: "Then where does your confidence come from that you can secure sponsorship from the Red Star Clothing Factory?"

She originally thought Su Xiaoxiao might know some leader from a small clothing factory, that’s why she proactively suggested going to secure sponsorship.

Didn’t expect this person to go ahead without any connections.

If you’re going to push through, at least choose a smaller factory. Everyone knows that Red Star Clothing Factory is the largest factory in the city, with not only domestic orders but also many export orders. They’re so busy every day, how could they possibly spare time to make some prizes for them?

And for free, no less.

For a moment, Chen Meilan suspected Su Xiaoxiao had lost her mind.

Su Xiaoxiao didn’t know how to explain it to her, so she just said firmly, "Director Chen, don’t worry, I will definitely secure the sponsorship."

She’s not a relative of Director Dong, nor does she know anyone working at the Red Star Clothing Factory, but Director Dong owes her a favor.

The favor from last time with those dozen sewing machines is still there.

Chen Meilan didn’t want to dampen her enthusiasm, so she said, "Alright, but if you don’t manage to get it, don’t stress out, we’ll just try somewhere else."

Su Xiaoxiao didn’t expect Chen Meilan to be worried for her. She immediately grinned and saluted like a soldier: "Leader, rest assured, I guarantee to complete the mission."

She rode her bike straight to Red Star Clothing Factory, thinking in her heart that things would be quickly settled on Director Dong’s end.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she reached the entrance, she was stopped by the old man on duty.

The old man looked at her, puffing a dry cigarette: "Which workshop are you from? Why haven’t I seen you before?"

Su Xiaoxiao scratched her head: "Uncle, I’m not from your factory, I’ve come to find someone."

Before she could finish speaking, the old man knocked his cigarette pipe on the edge of his shoe impatiently and said, "Go, go, there’s no one you’re looking for here, hurry up and leave."

"Uncle, I’ve come to find Director Dong. I have some cooperation I want to discuss with him."

Su Xiaoxiao said urgently, handing a pack of cigarettes to the old man as she spoke.

The old man’s eyes fell on the pack of cigarettes, he took one look and tossed the cigarettes back to her: "What kind of cooperation can a little girl like you come to discuss? Don’t think about bribing me, there’s no way you’re getting in."

Su Xiaoxiao: "..."

Didn’t expect this old man to be so hard to deal with.

She was scratching her ears and cheeks in anxiety when she heard a pleasant and familiar female voice coming from behind.

"Comrade Su?"

She turned around at the sound and saw Liu Xiaocui gracefully walking over with a basket.

Seeing her, Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes lit up with joy: "Sister Liu, you couldn’t have come at a better time."

Meeting her eager eyes, Liu Xiaocui paused for a moment and said, "Why are you here? Is there something you need?"

Su Xiaoxiao quickly said, "Sister Liu, I have something I want to discuss with Director Dong. Could you please take me in?"

"Sure, no problem."

Last time, the dozen sewing machines Su Xiaoxiao helped to get truly solved an urgent problem for the clothing factory, and Liu Xiaocui’s goodwill towards Su Xiaoxiao grew even more.

Immediately, Liu Xiaocui looped her arm through Su Xiaoxiao’s and said, "Uncle Wang, she’s my distant cousin. Let her go in, she’ll be out soon."

As the Director’s wife spoke, Uncle Wang naturally dared not stop her any longer.

Su Xiaoxiao smoothly followed Liu Xiaocui into the clothing factory, her face full of gratitude.

Liu Xiaocui said, "I happen to be delivering a meal to Guoqiang, you can come with me."

Su Xiaoxiao nodded: "Thank you, Sister Liu."

Speaking thus, the two headed together towards Dong Guoqiang’s office.

As they entered, Dong Guoqiang was busy and didn’t even lift his head.

Amid his busyness, he felt a gentle tap on the desk with a finger.

With a face full of joy, he lifted his head, "Wife, you..."

Before he could finish, his old face turned scarlet.

Behind his wife stood a charming young lady.

Director Dong’s long-maintained calm exterior cracked for a moment.

But he swiftly returned to normal, cleared his throat, and said, "Comrade Xiao Su, you’re here too. Is there anything you need to discuss?"

Su Xiaoxiao looked at the lunch box Liu Xiaocui was holding and hurriedly said, "Director Dong, I’m not in a rush, please have your meal first."

Dong Guoqiang, always grateful to Su Xiaoxiao because of the sewing machines, couldn’t help but invite her, "Comrade Su, come sit and have a bite with us."

Liu Xiaocui chimed in too, "Yes, we’re all family here, do join us."

Su Xiaoxiao was here to secure sponsorship and was embarrassed to scrounge a meal. She gently declined, "Thank you, Sister Liu, Director Dong. I just ate before coming, and I’m not hungry. You go ahead..."

"Grrr~"

Before she could finish, a mortifying rumbling sound echoed throughout the office.

Su Xiaoxiao just felt her smile was about to crack open on her face.

Gosh, if she’d known it would be so embarrassing, she should’ve eaten beforehand. Now she’s embarrassed beyond belief.

Liu Xiaocui stifled her laughter so much that her whole body swayed, lightly poking Dong Jianguo beside her.

Dong Jianguo immediately understood, "Comrade Su, the food is more than enough. If you don’t mind, join us and have a taste; it would be wasteful if I can’t finish it."

Su Xiaoxiao was about to make an effort to regain her dignity when Hu Liu Xiaocui opened the lunch box.

Three lunch boxes lined up, offering fragrant and tender sweet and sour ribs, enticingly glossy braised tenderloin, and a crisp and fresh cucumber salad.

Su Xiaoxiao: "..."

Darn it, the dishes look too tempting.

Eventually, she shamelessly picked up the chopsticks Liu Xiaocui handed her.

After a fulfilling meal and drink, Su Xiaoxiao let out a satisfied burp. Facing the barely hidden amused looks from Director Dong and Liu Xiaocui, she cleared her throat and said, "Thank you for the hospitality."

"No need for formality, dear. I still hope you’ll help me mix and match some outfits in the future."

Liu Xiaocui smilingly tidied up the lunch boxes, putting them neatly into bags before sitting down in a nearby seat.

Dong Guoqiang glanced at his wife, a gentle curve gracing the corner of his mouth, and then turned to Su Xiaoxiao, "Comrade Su, if you have anything on your mind, feel free to speak up. As long as it’s something I can help with, I certainly will."

Su Xiaoxiao had been waiting for him to say this. As soon as he finished speaking, she began, "Director Dong, the department store in our city plans to hold a celebration party and was thinking of getting your factory to sponsor a few clothing items."

Dong Guoqiang had just taken a big sip from his enamel mug. Upon hearing this, he almost spat out all the water: "What did you say? You want our factory to sponsor clothes for your department store again?"

Su Xiaoxiao heard him say "again" and couldn’t shake the feeling that something seemed off. She couldn’t help but ask, "Director Dong, has someone else approached you for sponsorship as well?"