novelraw Chapter 156
Chapter 156
"It's not entirely out of the question," Song Nianchu replied with a smile.
"Are we really going to the power supply bureau? Isn't that a bit against the rules? Won't they just kick us out?" Wu Zhengui had only mentioned it in passing; he hadn't expected Song Nianchu to actually agree.
"How will we know if we don't try? I happen to be going to the county town to deliver goods in a couple of days, so I'll ask around then," Song Nianchu said.
"Alright, I suppose that's all we can do for now." Wu Zhengui sighed.
"By the way, Uncle Zhengui, could you also look into how the refugees assigned to other villages are doing lately?" Song Nianchu asked after a moment's thought.
"Why do you want to know that?" Wu Zhengui was a bit puzzled.
"Just look into it first, and I'll tell you later." Song Nianchu deliberately kept him in suspense.
"Alright then." Wu Zhengui didn't press the matter.
He knew Song Nianchu would never do anything to harm the village; she definitely had her reasons for asking him to do this.
After finishing her conversation with Wu Zhengui, Song Nianchu returned to the workshop.
"Chu, take a look at this for me. Is it ready to come out of the pot?" Meng Yingying hurriedly asked when she saw Song Nianchu return.
Song Nianchu stepped forward, took a look, and smiled as she nodded.
"Not bad. It's ready to come out now."
A look of joy immediately bloomed on Meng Yingying's face. She had completed this pot of fish maw almost entirely on her own; she was finally ready to graduate from her apprenticeship.
With Meng Yingying getting the hang of things, Song Nianchu's workload was significantly reduced. Rushing against the clock, they finally completed Xiang Tianyi's first order a week later.
That morning, Song Nianchu went with Wu Gang and the others to deliver the goods.
When they arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative, they found Xiang Tianyi there as well.
"Manager Xiang, you're here. Perfect timing to inspect the goods." Song Nianchu was quite happy to see him; at least she could ask him face-to-face if he was satisfied with the products.
As she spoke, Song Nianchu handed over a finished jar of fish maw soup.
"Take a look."
Under Song Nianchu's expectant gaze, Xiang Tianyi took it. The glass bottle felt very premium the moment it touched his hands.
The label on the bottle was also much more professional than the previous hand-drawn ones. What amazed him the most was that upon opening the lid, there was a small spoon nestled in a slot on top.
Furthermore, the bottle was sealed with a film, which had to be peeled off to get to the fish maw soup inside.
He had to admit, this product not only looked extraordinary, but it also revealed subtle details everywhere that ordinary people might miss—and these were the keys to winning in the marketplace.
Song Nianchu could tell from Xiang Tianyi's eyes that he was very satisfied with the product. She then brought out the gift packaging and handed it over.
"This is the gift box version. It contains twelve bottles in total, and the price will be a bit more expensive than buying them individually," Song Nianchu said.
Hearing this from the side, Sun Wenshi couldn't help but speak up.
"Comrade Song, did you misspeak? Shouldn't a gift box like this be sold cheaper? After all, someone is buying twelve bottles at once."
"I didn't misspeak. It's meant to be sold for more than the individual bottles," Song Nianchu replied.
"Why? I'm afraid no one will buy it like that." Sun Wenshi frowned.
"They will." Song Nianchu was very confident in her product. She placed the gift box on the tea table nearby.
The box was beautifully designed, made from bamboo from their mountains, and featured patterns carefully painted by Song Nianchu. Additionally, the gift box had special handles set on both sides.
Pulling them up allowed it to be carried by hand, and once the contents were finished, the handles could be pushed back to turn it into an everyday basket.
Upon opening it, the interior design was even more jaw-dropping.
First, a thin layer of gold cloth was laid inside the box. The jars of fish maw soup were embedded in grooves one by one, making them look incredibly rich and luxurious. Next to each jar lay a custom-made spoon. Just one glance was enough to catch anyone's eye.
After Song Nianchu finished introducing the entire packaging, both Sun Wenshi and Xiang Tianyi were speechless for a long time.
"How is it? Isn't my design great?" Song Nianchu looked at them with burning eyes.
"Comrade Song, how on earth do you come up with all these novel and bizarre things? Looking at this box of fish maw soup makes even me want to buy it." Sun Wenshi felt that if he bought such a box to give to his wife, she would absolutely love him to death tonight.
"Hehe, I told you before, I've loved studying these things since I was little. Now tell me, shouldn't this gift box be priced higher than the individual ones?" Song Nianchu laughed.
"It definitely should," Sun Wenshi nodded repeatedly.
"Because the purpose of a gift box is for gifting. When giving a gift, you want others to immediately feel that the item is valuable, which shows the giver's sincerity. Plus, I used the best materials for all of this. Charging a bit more isn't ripping anyone off," Song Nianchu explained.
"This gift box of yours is indeed very nice, but I see there's only this one box? I recall ordering fifty boxes from you," Xiang Tianyi finally spoke up.
Cough, cough...
Song Nianchu cleared her throat somewhat unnaturally.
"Well... I didn't expect designing this gift packaging to take so much time. I really couldn't rush the rest out. Can I make it up to you next time?"
Xiang Tianyi raised an eyebrow slightly. Just as he was about to speak, Song Nianchu beat him to it.
"I just wanted to make our business as perfect as possible. Otherwise, I could have just slapped together fifty gift boxes to fool you. With such sincerity from me, you can't scold me anymore."
"Is that the kind of person I am in your eyes?" Xiang Tianyi couldn't quite understand why Song Nianchu thought he would scold her.
"You won't scold me? That's great. I have the template now, so the rest will be much faster. Do you want to add more to your order?" Song Nianchu took the opportunity to ask.
"Hah, you're not that old, so how did you become so obsessed with money?" Xiang Tianyi chuckled.
"I have no choice. I have a whole village of people relying on me to eat," Song Nianchu let out a long sigh.
"Alright, stop crying poor in front of me. Make this order a hundred boxes, and a thousand individual jars." Xiang Tianyi cast a sidelong glance at Song Nianchu.
"Manager Xiang is truly generous! I will definitely work hard to develop more new products!" Song Nianchu's eyes immediately curved into happy crescents.
She already had a very endearing appearance, and smiling so happily now made it hard for anyone to tear their gaze away from her face.
But at the thought that Song Nianchu was already married, Xiang Tianyi forced himself to look away.
"Let's settle the bill first," Xiang Tianyi said.
"Alrighty." Hearing that they could settle the accounts, Song Nianchu became even happier.
Once the bill was fully calculated, Song Nianchu grinningly stuffed all the money into her pockets.
Watching her money-grubbing appearance, Xiang Tianyi found it somewhat amusing.
Just as he was about to say he was leaving, Song Nianchu suddenly looked over at Sun Wenshi.
"Director Sun, do you know anyone at the county power supply bureau?"