The Self-Cultivation of a Reborn Massage Therapist

Chapter 257 Collision
There was deathly silence in the office.

The sunlight streaming in through the window illuminated the dust particles in the air and also revealed the stubbornness in the boy's eyes.

The leader looked at him, a complex expression flashing in his eyes, which he quickly concealed.

“Young man,” he began, his voice so calm it was impossible to discern his emotions, “I’m in charge of some economic and technological affairs. Your attempt at flattery is misplaced.”

Zhao Xiaochui suddenly realized, smiled sheepishly, and then gave a thumbs up:
"Made in China 2025, awesome!"

The leader's lips twitched subtly: "How awesome?"

Zhao Xiaochui said with a face full of admiration, "I opened a linen center, and I can't even buy domestically produced alternative equipment!"

“I contacted two linen manufacturers, and I heard that the supply chain for domestic cotton is starting to be disrupted.”

"I'm undertaking multiple renovation projects at the same time, and I can't even find domestic workers to hire!"

"I own a massage parlor, and countless customers have spent hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars on single massage services!"

After listing them, Zhao Xiaochui looked at his leader with admiration and praise, his thumb still raised:

"China's economy is awesome!"

"You silly child..." The leader's slightly stern expression finally crumbled. He merely shook his head and chuckled at the sarcasm in Zhao Xiaochui's words, pointing to the sofa opposite him, his tone much gentler:

"Sit down and talk."

Zhao Xiaochui didn't sit down, but stared at the leader with his neck stiff: "I'm a masseuse, here to give you a massage, not to chat."

This stubbornness, so unyielding to reason, made even the leader feel somewhat troubled. He sighed inwardly: This kid is a tough nut to crack.

He simply stopped trying to persuade him, and lifted a newspaper covering the table to reveal a stack of documents.

"Actually, the reason I asked you to come here today isn't entirely because of my old bones. Most of these documents are related to you."

He pulled out the top one: "Take your Jinghai textile factory as an example. Comrade Zhao Xiaochui, do you know how long it takes to train a skilled spinning machine operator or a fine yarn operator?"

"One to three years." Zhao Xiaochui's assistant showed him the information.

"So how many young people do you think are willing to spend three to five years sitting next to a spinning machine?" the leader pressed.

Zhao Xiaochui shook his head honestly.

“On one hand, college graduates can’t find jobs, and on the other hand, factories can’t find workers. This structural mismatch between industry demand and labor supply is my responsibility,” the leader said, closing his eyes and rubbing his temples. When Zhao Xiaochui saw this, his professional instincts kicked in and he started to rub his hands.

"However," the leader changed his tone, his eyes suddenly sharpening, "specifically regarding your two production lines, in just half a month, several leading textile companies in Jinghai City lost nearly a hundred skilled workers!"

He leaned forward, looking quietly at Zhao Xiaochui: "Guess where everyone went?"

Zhao Xiaochui shrugged: "They can offer better compensation to retain staff!"

"Easy for you to say!" the leader rebuked, a rare occurrence for him. "In the first half of this year, the textile industry's profits fell by 8.1%, and the apparel industry by 12.9%! Sales didn't drop much, but profits disappeared. In labor-intensive industries, what do you think is the reason?"

Zhao Xiaochui was a little stunned by the series of numbers and questions. He blinked and stared blankly at his leader: "Leader... are you talking to me about national affairs? I... I'm just a masseur."

"..." The leader was so angry at his innocent look that he had no choice but to patiently explain, "I'm explaining to you why your two factories are being boycotted."

"Oh~" Zhao Xiaochui nodded in sudden realization, then leaned back, adopting an attitude of 'you say what you want, I don't understand and I don't care'.

The leader ignored this and continued, "The reason is that we are sacrificing profits to maintain sales volume! my country's labor-intensive manufacturing industry is too fragmented, while American procurement is very concentrated. The bargaining power of the two is worlds apart. When Walmart asks our suppliers to reduce profits, what other choice do they have but to nod?"

Zhao Xiaochui understood.

"So, Comrade Zhao Xiaochui, are you doing 'good deeds'? You're just a disruptor of the industry." "You've shattered the fragile profit balance in Jinghai City; you've challenged the unspoken rules of Jinghai City, putting everyone in the open!"

"Who are the customers of the raw material suppliers (cotton, yarn, dyes, etc.) in Jinghai City? They are the hundreds and thousands of textile factories in Jinghai. You only have two contract manufacturers, so your scale is negligible."

"The choice for raw material suppliers is simpler: to offend thousands of long-term customers for the sake of these two factories, or to abandon you and preserve your core business?"

After saying this, the leader paused, and the office fell silent again. He looked at Zhao Xiao-Chui patiently, like a teacher waiting for a student to digest the knowledge.

"Child, did you understand this time?"

Zhao Xiaochui nodded. He knew that all the groundwork had been laid and the main event was about to begin. He spoke again, but it was still the same question: "Boss, would you like a massage again? If you're busy, I can come another day."

The leader finally laughed out loud. He shook his head and opened a completely different proposal, which bore the logo of the National Investment and Research Fund.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush with you. I have a plan here that's tailor-made for you."

His voice was steady, yet carried an undeniable power.

"They will find a few more sports legends like Chen Yanqing, champions who retired in disgrace due to injuries, and bring them back to their peak under your guidance."

"Then, they will make the media all over the world chase after your 'Hand of God'."

"Then capital came in. They helped you raise funds, open stores, partner with the best community hospitals, poach staff from the rehabilitation departments of top-tier hospitals, and build a nationwide health empire, until..."

"Until it goes public!"

"According to their plan, the extended high-end luxury brands, various businesses, the value created, and the number of jobs are all projected."

"Child, would you like to take a look?"

Zhao Xiaochui lowered his head and remained silent.

"Child, as long as you nod, this future behemoth of the health industry will belong to you."

Zhao Xiaochui lowered his head and remained silent.

What sparks can fly when an ordinary person collides with a top-level designer?
The answer was that nothing could be found; there had probably never been a rejection in this office. So Zhao Xiaochui lowered his head and said softly:

"Boss, there's really no need for all this trouble. Just give me back Sister Pang, and I'll do anything you ask."

The leader frowned: "I'm just asking for your opinion; no one can force you! Besides..."

After thinking for a moment, the leader decided to tell the truth: "After Comrade Chen Guifen recovers, she will also serve as the Deputy Director of the Department of West Asian and North African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China."

"Oh~" Zhao Xiaochui kept her head down, but in her heart she was thinking:

"You're just taking advantage of us, mother and child, to fleece us mercilessly, aren't you?"

The leader was exasperated. He leaned back in his chair and waved his hand, saying, "That's enough for now, kid. Let me see what you're capable of."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiaochui stepped forward and came to stand behind the leader for the third time.

This time, the right hand was raised quickly and then dropped swiftly.

"Crack~"

Massage finished!

(End of this chapter)