Starting with vegetable greenhouses in 1988

Chapter 266 Transformation
The sofa and coffee table in the north room were neatly arranged, and a faint smell of tobacco lingered in the air.

He stepped aside to let Tan Jingya in, gesturing for her to sit.

Li Zhe picked up the thermos, poured two cups of warm water, handed one to Tan Jingya, and took the other, tilting his head back to drink most of it—he had drunk quite a bit of alcohol that night, and his throat was dry and tight, so he needed to drink more water to relieve it.

Tan Jingya took the water glass, her fingertips touching the cool glass. She composed herself and said, "I met with Section Chief Wang this afternoon and got all the information sorted out."

According to Section Chief Wang, their company's superiors have approved the sale of the ground floor shops, but she is not in charge of the specific details; they are being managed by a vice president surnamed Feng.

There's no confirmed seller yet, and she added that the price of this ground-floor shop wouldn't be less than 30,000.

Li Zhe put down his water glass, the bottom of which hit the coffee table with a soft "thump".

He leaned back on the sofa, his fingers unconsciously tapping his knee: "This afternoon, I also asked a friend at the housing management bureau, and the information I found was similar to what you found out. My friend said that the commercial properties on the ground floor of Shuxiangju have all the necessary permits and meet the requirements for sale."

Tan Jingya moved forward slightly, her voice full of worry: "What about the remaining five years of our lease? We can't just let the lease be null and void just because they sold the ground floor shop, can we?"

Li Zhe glanced at her and said slowly, "The lease does not affect the sale. Of course, this does not mean that the lease is invalid. In principle, the new landlord should continue to rent the house to us according to the lease, but this kind of thing... is hard to say."

Tan Jingya's biggest worry is this: as individual business owners, they are already in a weak position. If the new landlord refuses to renew the lease or proposes new lease terms and raises the rent, there will only be more trouble in the future. How can they do business then?
She bit her lip and looked at Li Zhe: "Mr. Li, how do you plan to handle this matter?"

In fact, Li Zhe already had a plan in mind—it would be best to buy this shop.

He earns a steady income from selling vegetables every day, and has accumulated a considerable amount of cash, making it no problem for him to buy a shop.

However, Tan Jingya is also one of the restaurant's shareholders and its actual manager, so Li Zhe needs to consider her perspective. "Sister Tan, tell me your thoughts first. How do you think we should handle this?"

Tan Jingya lowered her eyes, her fingers gripping the hem of her clothes.

She knew that Li Zhe had made a lot of money from off-season vegetables and had enough funds to buy a shop. She sincerely hoped that Li Zhe could buy the ground floor shop of Shuxiangju. That way, the restaurant would not have to worry about the lease being terminated or the rent increasing, and the business could continue.

But she felt it was difficult to say this: she was just a small shareholder and store manager, how could she have the right to ask the major shareholder to spend money to buy the shop? But it was indeed the best solution at the moment.

She pondered for a long time; the room was so quiet that the ticking of the wall clock could be heard.

Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she raised her head, mustered her courage, and said, "Mr. Li, I know it's inappropriate for me to say this, and it's a bit of a breach of my boundaries, but... if you have enough funds, I think buying this shop is the best solution."

After saying that, she looked guilty and quickly added, "I'm sorry, that was a bit selfish of me. Please don't take it to heart."

Li Zhe looked at her for a long while before slowly nodding: "Sister Tan, we're on the same page. Actually, I had a similar idea."

"Ah..." Tan Jingya was taken aback for a moment, then a look of joy appeared on her face, "Mr. Li, do you have enough money on you? If not, I have some more here..."

Li Zhe waved his hand, "I have enough money."

The location of the Shuxiangju shop is good, and it will definitely appreciate in value in the future. Even if Tan Jingya takes the money, she won't be able to give much, so why bother?

Tan Jingya also wanted to do her part, so she suggested, "Mr. Li, should I arrange to meet with Section Chief Wang tomorrow to discuss the purchase of the shop?"

Li Zhe thought for a moment, "No need for now, my friend at the housing management bureau has already asked someone to help me."

"Alright, I'll head back now. Please let me know if there's anything I can do for you." Tan Jingya got up and left the north room, her steps much lighter than when she arrived.

What she didn't know was that Li Zhe hadn't been idle at all that afternoon.

He contacted Vice President Feng of Chongwen District Catering Service Company through Lin Weimin. He originally wanted to arrange to meet the other party tomorrow, but to his surprise, Vice President Feng immediately set the meeting time for tonight after hearing that Lin Weimin had introduced him.

That evening, Li Zhe drank with Section Chief Lin and Deputy General Manager Feng. After the party, Li Zhe drove Deputy General Manager Feng home and took two bottles of Moutai and two cartons of Marlboro cigarettes from the trunk of his car to give to him.

The two have arranged to meet tomorrow at the Chongwen District Catering Service Company. If all goes well, they might be able to buy the shop at Shuxiangju tomorrow…

……

the next morning.

Wan'an Town Canned Food Factory, West Plant.

Inside the factory, the machines hummed, mixed with the footsteps of workers moving back and forth, and about thirty workers in blue overalls were busy at work.

Two production lines were set up side by side, with fifteen people on each line, each doing their own job. They were all skilled workers. The workers by the washing pool were rubbing the pickled cucumbers, and water droplets slid down their fingers, forming small puddles on the cement floor.

The woman picking through the cucumbers wore disposable gloves and had sharp eyes. She would throw any cucumbers with spots or that were crooked into the plastic basket next to her, and you could hear a soft sound.
The young man, gripping a stainless steel cleaver, sliced ​​the cucumbers with a flick of his wrist, arranging them on an enamel plate, the lengths almost identical.

The pickled cucumbers that arrived yesterday are now undergoing crucial processing.

At the end of the production line, in the pickling area, several workers carefully put the processed cucumbers into glass jars, then scooped in the prepared vinegar solution. The brown vinegar solution covered the cucumber pieces, and small bubbles rose to the surface.

The experienced can sealer stares at the can opening, turns the lever of the sealing machine, and with a "click," the lid is fastened. He will also tap the can lid with his fingertip, and only when he hears a crisp sound will he feel at ease passing it on to the next can.

The high-temperature sterilization workshop is full of steam. Workers wearing heat-resistant gloves put the sealed cans into the sterilization kettle one by one, set the time, and press start.

Forty minutes later, the sterilization was complete. The cans were quickly moved to the cooling area. Water flowed down the cans, and water droplets condensed on the surface, sliding into the drain. With a "drip, drip," the cans cooled to room temperature in no time.

Factory Director Xie stood beside the production line, hands behind his back, slowly examining each workstation.

He was also wearing blue overalls, except he had a leather belt around his waist for hanging keys. Watching the workers work methodically, he frowned, a heavy feeling settling in his heart.

Originally, each production line required 22 people, but Li Zhenguo insisted on reducing it to 15. He had previously complained to Li Zhe that he was worried that not having enough people would delay production. But now, it seems that the reduction of seven people has not affected the progress. On the contrary, everyone is working even harder, and the occasional chattering and slacking off that used to happen has disappeared.

He recalled the situation at the cannery, which had nearly a hundred workers, plus other management and factory leaders, totaling more than 110 people. Their monthly wages and benefits were a considerable expense, which would also be included in the production costs.

Now, with Li Zhe managing personnel and security and Li Zhenguo managing production, there are no extra management layers, which has reduced labor costs.

Thinking of this, he sighed softly, his fingertips unconsciously touching the keychain on his waist, feeling a pang of sadness—after guarding the factory for so many years, he was still not as good at managing it as a young man in his early twenties.

"Director Xie, Supervisor Li, the first batch of canned goods is ready to cool!" Suddenly, a clear female voice interrupted the hustle and bustle of the workshop.

Factory Director Xie turned around and saw Zhong Lingling carrying a tray full of canned goods, walking quickly towards him.

The young girl, in her early twenties, had her hair tied in a ponytail. Stray hairs on her forehead were damp with sweat and stuck to her face. She walked steadily, holding the bottom of a tray in one hand and the edge of the tray with the other.

"Xiao Zhong, has the quality inspection been done?" Factory Director Xie took a step forward, his voice a little gentler than usual—he had picked these workers from the original factory, and Zhong Lingling was quick and meticulous, so he had always liked her.

Zhong Lingling nodded, placed the tray on the inspection table next to her, and handed a can to Factory Director Xie: "Factory Director Xie, look, I've checked everything. The lid isn't bulging, and it sounds crisp when you tap it, so the seal is definitely fine. Once the label is on, it can be packed into boxes."

At this moment, Li Zhenguo also came over. He took a bottle of pickled cucumbers from the tray, held it up to his eyes to look at the cucumber segments in the jar against the light—they were green, without any impurities, and the vinegar was clear.

Next, I pressed the lid with my thumb to test its hardness, then gently shook it to listen to the sound of the liquid flowing inside. After confirming that everything was alright, I took out a can opener from my pocket and pried the lid open with a "click".

A sweet and sour aroma immediately filled the air. Li Zhenguo picked up a piece of cucumber with his fingertips, put it in his mouth, and chewed. His brows slowly relaxed. "Not bad, crisp and refreshing, and the sourness is just right. Keep it up to this standard, don't mess it up."

He swallowed the cucumber, his voice tinged with relief—he had taken a long leave from the Beijing cannery to help his nephew rent a production line, and these days he had been spending almost every day at the factory, from selecting workers and adjusting the production line process to setting production standards, and hadn't slept well at all.

Seeing the first batch of canned goods successfully produced and tasting so well, he not only felt satisfied with his nephew, but also felt that his hard work these past few days hadn't been in vain. He wiped the sweat from his brow, looked up at Factory Director Xie, and smiled: "Factory Director Xie, do you think the quality is fine?"

Looking at the bright green cucumbers in the jar and then at the smile on Li Zhenguo's face, the complicated feelings in Xie's heart slowly dissipated. He nodded and said, "No problem, Supervisor Li is an expert. If you say it's okay, then it's definitely okay. I'll have the logistics department prepare the labels and pack them right away."

……

Around 2 p.m., the number of pedestrians on Chongwenmen West Street gradually decreased. The wooden signboard of Shuxiangju was gently swaying in the wind, and the red chili peppers embroidered on the door curtain were covered with a layer of afternoon dust, looking a bit old.

A white Volga pulled up in front of the door. Li Zhe got out, his blue shirt sleeves casually rolled up, revealing an imported mechanical watch on his wrist.

Wang Jianjun got out of the passenger seat and followed Li Zhe into the restaurant.

The two lifted the curtain and entered the shop, where a waft of hot air, a mixture of the aroma of food and the smell of cooking oil, hit them in the face.

It was well past lunchtime, and the tables and chairs in the lobby were all neatly arranged. The employees were eating around a few tables that had been put together.

Li Zhe smiled and said in a loud voice, "Oh, eating now?"

Chef Wu quickly stood up, his white chef's uniform stained with oil, and he was still holding half a steamed bun in his hand. He mumbled, "Boss Li, you're here! What would you like to eat? I'll make it for you right away!"

Tan Jingya walked out from behind the counter. Her light blue dress made her skin look even whiter. She couldn't hide the worry in her eyes, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her skirt. "Mr. Li, why don't you go up to the private room on the second floor? I'll bring the food up in a bit, and it'll be quieter there."

"No need, no need." Li Zhe waved his hand, his eyes sweeping over the staff meal on the table—an enamel bowl filled with rice and topped with some side dishes. "Are there any more staff meals? I'll just eat with everyone else to avoid trouble."

Chef Wu quickly replied, "Yes! There's still plenty left in the kitchen. I'll go get some right away."

As he spoke, he turned and went into the kitchen. A moment later, he came out carrying two enamel bowls, the rice in the bowls piled high. Next to them were two dishes and a soup: the shredded potatoes, carrots and vermicelli in the mixed three shreds were coated with clear red oil, the boiled pork slices were sprinkled with a layer of bright green cilantro, and the seaweed and egg drop soup had golden egg flowers floating in it.

Li Zhe took the food and went straight to an empty seat in the hall. Wang Jianjun sat down next to him, and the two of them picked up their chopsticks and started eating.

It was the first time the employees had eaten with the boss, and the initial lively atmosphere vanished instantly.

Zhang Hongqi paused with his chopsticks, secretly glancing at Li Zhe before quickly lowering his head to shovel rice into his mouth; Han Chunyan was more generous, but her movements when picking up food were much slower.

Tan Jingya sat not far away, holding a half-eaten meal in her hand, but her mind was still on the sale of the shop. She wanted to ask about it several times, but felt it was inappropriate in front of the employees, so she swallowed her words.

Li Zhe finished his meal in no time. He put down his chopsticks and asked, "Who cooked this meal today?"

Master Han quickly stood up, his square face showing a hint of apprehension: "Boss Li, it was me who made it. If it's not to your liking, please let me know, and I'll definitely change it next time."

"It suits my taste, and the flavor is quite authentic!" Li Zhe smiled and gave a thumbs up. "The seasoning for the mixed shredded vegetables is just right, with a perfect balance of sour and salty, and a hint of numbing flavor; the boiled pork is also good, but there's not enough meat."

I think we should put more meat in the staff meals next time, so everyone can eat well and be full. That way, they'll have more energy to work!

As soon as he said that, the employees immediately became lively.

Guo Yongjiu put down his chopsticks and said with a smile, "The boss is right! With meat to eat, we'll work even harder!"

Liu Suzhen nodded in agreement, a smile appearing on her quiet face: "That's right, it's been hot lately, eating more meat can help replenish our bodies."

After everyone finished speaking, Li Zhe's smile faded, and his tone became serious: "I know that everyone has been hearing some bad news lately—the landlord wants to sell the ground floor shops of Shuxiangju, and everyone is worried about whether the new landlord will still rent to us? Will the restaurant business be able to continue?"

As he spoke, he opened the black briefcase beside him; the zipper slid open with a distinct clatter in the quiet hall. "I understand everyone's concerns; anyone would panic in this situation."

Yesterday I contacted the person in charge of the Chongwen District Catering Service Company, and this morning I went to their company and bought this ground-floor commercial property.

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

Li Zhe took out a thick document from his briefcase, the edges of the paper still bearing fresh creases: "This is the shop purchase and sale contract I signed. The property deed will take a few more days to be processed, but the contract is already in effect."

Tan Jingya was the first to react. She quickly walked to Li Zhe's side, took the contract with both hands, her fingertips trembling slightly.

When she saw the red seal of "Chongwen District Catering Service Company" and Li Zhe's signature on the contract, the worry on her face disappeared instantly, her eyes lit up, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up. Her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.

The other employees also gathered around. Wang Jianjun took the contract, held it up for everyone to see, and said, "Look everyone, this is a legitimate sales contract! We'll never have to worry about the landlord raising the rent or refusing to rent to us again!"

Master Han leaned forward, squinted at the seal on the contract, and said excitedly, "Great! With this contract, we can run the restaurant with peace of mind!"

Lin Qiaomei clapped her hands with a smile: "We don't have to worry anymore, Mr. Li, you're really our peace of mind!"

The employees looked at Li Zhe differently now. Before, everyone thought Tan Jingya was good at managing the restaurant and admired her. Now they realized that Li Zhe was the one who could really handle things. No matter how big the problem was, he could always handle it steadily.

After everyone had finished reading the contract, Li Zhe carefully folded it, put it back in his briefcase, stood up and said, "Alright, everyone has been working hard all morning, so I won't keep you from resting any longer."

"Let's have a proper chat about the restaurant's future development another time."

After he finished speaking, he walked out. Tan Jingya quickly followed him. When they reached the shop entrance, she looked at Li Zhe's back and said softly, "Boss, you're amazing. I don't know what I would have done without you this time."

Li Zhe got into the car, rolled down the window, looked at Tan Jingya and said, "Sister Tan, I've always believed in your abilities. Just manage the restaurant well from now on. Don't panic if anything happens, I'm here for you."

Tan Jingya's cheeks flushed instantly. She lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly and said softly, "Don't worry, I understand. I didn't handle it well this time, and it made everyone in the restaurant feel uneasy."

Li Zhe smiled and said, "I have to go now. We'll talk again later."

The car slowly drove away, and Tan Jingya stood at the shop entrance, watching the white vehicle disappear at the end of the street. She stood there for a long time, her gaze filled with a mixture of admiration and other unspoken emotions…

Back at the restaurant, Tan Jingya immediately spotted Wang Jianjun sitting by the counter, holding a teapot and slowly pouring tea.

However, her feelings at this moment are completely different from those yesterday.

Yesterday she thought Wang Jianjun was 'heartless', but now she suddenly understands—Wang Jianjun is Li Zhe's cousin, knows Li Zhe's abilities, and with such a powerful backer, he naturally doesn't need to panic.

As the older generation says, it's good to rest in the shade of a big tree.

She sat down behind the counter, looking at the densely packed numbers in the ledger, and thought about what had happened during this time.

When Shuxiangju was thriving, she thought it was because of her good management. But when she encountered difficulties, she realized that hard work sometimes doesn't mean much in the face of reality.

If it weren't for Li Zhe this time, she might have really lost everything. Not only would she have lost the restaurant and her savings, but even her 20% stake would have vanished.

She suddenly remembered what Han Chunyan had said before; Han Chunyan regarded her as a benefactor. It was because of her that she was able to work at Shuxiangju and save money to support her family.

Looking back now, wasn't Li Zhe also her benefactor?

If Li Zhe hadn't agreed to let her join the business, hadn't given her shares, and hadn't made her the store manager, she might still be struggling to make ends meet.

Tan Jingya took a deep breath, her eyes hardening...

(End of this chapter)