novelraw Chapter 146
Chapter 146
Song Nianchu first went with Wu Gang and the others to the state-run restaurant to check on the sales of the three types of canned goods, and then headed to the supply and marketing cooperative.
"Comrade Song, it's rare to see you come in person today," Sun Wenshi said, his face full of surprise upon seeing Song Nianchu.
"It's because I have something to discuss with Director Sun personally," Song Nianchu replied, a smile in her eyes.
Seeing her expression, Sun Wenshi suddenly understood and said joyfully,
"You've developed a new product?"
"Yes," Song Nianchu nodded.
"Quick, quick, let's talk in the office," Sun Wenshi promptly and warmly invited her.
His cooperation with Song Nianchu over this period had earned him quite a bit of profit.
After all, Xiang Tianyi sourced goods from him and gave him a cut of the profits, all of which went directly into his personal pocket without needing to be handed over.
In his eyes, Song Nianchu was now a glittering God of Wealth. And now, this God of Wealth was walking toward him with more money in hand—how could he not be enthusiastic?
"Comrade Song, have some tea first," Sun Wenshi said, though eager, he first poured a cup of tea for Song Nianchu.
He knew that Song Nianchu and her group didn't have a vehicle and had walked all the way from the village.
"Thank you," Song Nianchu said, picking up the teacup and drinking it all in one go.
"Comrade Song, what new product have you developed this time?" Sun Wenshi finally couldn't hold back and spoke first.
Song Nianchu set down her cup and took out the bowl of fish maw soup from her back basket.
Sun Wenshi stared at it for a long moment, his brow furrowing slightly.
"What is this?" Although Sun Wenshi was the director of the supply and marketing cooperative, Qinghe County was a poor area. Fish maw wasn't commonly found on the market here. Even when available, it was usually dried. Prepared fish maw soup like this was almost nonexistent in the market.
So, Sun Wenshi didn't recognize it.
"This is fish maw soup," Song Nianchu explained.
"Fish maw? So this is what it looks like when cooked?" Sun Wenshi leaned in for a closer look.
He had only once received a box of fish maw as a gift from Xiang Tianyi during the New Year. However, he couldn't bear to eat it himself and gave it to a superior as a New Year's gift, which helped him stay in his position as supply and marketing cooperative director for so many years.
Now, seeing prepared fish maw soup for the first time, he could tell at a glance it was a premium product.
"Yes, this is fish maw soup I prepared personally, using a proprietary extraction method. Its nutritional value is higher than other fish maw products on the market," Song Nianchu stated firmly.
"So, the new product you mentioned is this?" Sun Wenshi finally caught on.
"Correct," Song Nianchu nodded.
Sun Wenshi stared at the bowl of fish maw soup for a moment. His initial excitement faded slightly, and he straightened up in his chair.
"Comrade Song, fish maw is indeed a valuable ingredient, but it must be quite expensive, right?" Sun Wenshi inquired.
"Yes. Due to the complex extraction process, this small bowl is priced at five yuan," Song Nianchu confirmed.
"Five yuan?" Upon hearing this, Sun Wenshi's eyes widened.
He knew fish maw was expensive, but he hadn't expected it to be this costly.
Such a small bowl actually cost five yuan! Their large can of fish (canned fish) sold for just over one yuan and held at least ten times the volume of this bowl of fish maw soup.
"That's right," Song Nianchu replied, her expression remaining largely unchanged.
Sun Wenshi looked at her with some difficulty.
"Comrade Song, I think your new product might not have much of a market. Most people who come to our supply and marketing cooperative to shop wouldn't spend five yuan on such a small bowl of something that doesn't even fill you up."
"That's precisely why I need Director Sun to call Xiang Tianyi over," Song Nianchu said with a smile.
"You... what did you say?" Hearing Xiang Tianyi's name from Song Nianchu's lips, Sun Wenshi's expression visibly became somewhat unnatural.
"Director Sun, you order so many cans from me every day. It's impossible for a supply and marketing cooperative of your size to sell through that much inventory," Song Nianchu explained.
"So you figured it out a long time ago?"
"Yes," Song Nianchu nodded.
Sun Wenshi stared at Song Nianchu for a good while before finally letting out a sigh.
"I must say, the two of you really are a match for each other in terms of cleverness. I told Xiang Tianyi before not to put me in the middle as the messenger, but he just wouldn't listen. But Comrade Song, I didn't mean to deceive you on purpose. I just wanted you to earn a bit more." Sun Wenshi neatly absolved himself of any blame, after all, he still wanted to rely on Song Nianchu to make more money.
"I know, Director Sun. If I really minded, I wouldn't have kept supplying you on time all this while, pretending nothing happened," Song Nianchu said with a kind expression.
He had definitely deceived her, but she didn't care, because she had genuinely made money from it.
It was just that now, with her new product, Sun Wenshi couldn't handle the volume anymore, forcing her to bring this matter into the open.
"Alright then, wait a moment. I'll make a call." Sun Wenshi picked up the phone on his desk and dialed a number.
A moment later, Xiang Tianyi's voice came through the receiver.
"Comrade Song is here with me now. She says she has a business deal she wants to discuss with you." As Sun Wenshi spoke, he couldn't help but glance sideways at Song Nianchu sitting beside him.
Xiang Tianyi on the other end said something, and when Sun Wenshi hung up, the smile on his face had deepened a few shades.
Without him even having to say it, Song Nianchu knew the meeting was set.
"Comrade Song, Manager Xiang isn't in Qinghe County today. The meeting is scheduled for this same time tomorrow. Is that alright with you?" Sure enough, Sun Wenshi spoke up the next moment.
"That's fine. I'll come again tomorrow then," Song Nianchu nodded.
"Good. Then we'll see you tomorrow."
"Alright." Song Nianchu stood up to leave.
Sun Wenshi remembered something and reminded her.
"Comrade Song, you haven't taken your bowl of fish maw soup."
Song Nianchu turned back and smiled at Sun Wenshi.
"Director Sun, this bowl of fish maw soup was specially brought for you to try. Fish maw is a very precious nutritional supplement for women. If you don't care for sweet things like this, you can take it home for your wife to try. If there's anything that needs improvement, you can let me know tomorrow."
Song Nianchu phrased it very diplomatically, framing it as asking for Sun Wenshi's expert opinion, so he could accept it without any psychological burden.
"Is that so? Well then, I'll take it home for your sister-in-law to have a proper taste," Sun Wenshi said cheerfully, accepting it.
That was five yuan right there. His monthly salary was only about thirty yuan.
"Good." Song Nianchu responded with a smile and this time truly left.
By the time she came out from Sun Wenshi's office, Wu Gang had already finished delivering the goods.
"Chu, have you finished all your discussions here?" Wu Gang greeted her with a smile.
"Yes," Song Nianchu nodded.
"This is the final payment for today." Wu Gang handed the money in his hand to Song Nianchu.