Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 1325 There's really no other way

Zhang Wu pinched his nose and thought for a moment: "Are you planning to pull the people out and rebuild the factory?"

Xiao Wei nodded: "That's right, everyone's selling off or forming joint ventures these days. We don't need factories, we just need people—key technical personnel and skilled workers. Without these factories, wouldn't it be easier to handle selling or forming joint ventures?"

Chen Hui said, "If we find a suitable one, we'll do it; if not, we won't force it. That's just our plan. We can help each other look around when we have free time."

Changqing nodded and said, "Okay, I'll have someone help you figure it out. The factories are all doing badly right now. Except for a few leaders, most of them aren't getting paid, and some aren't even operating; they're just left to fend for themselves."

A few years ago, thermos flask factories were booming, with people coming from all over the country to buy them. Now, they've basically gone out of business. Workers are now paid with thermos flasks as wages, and they're selling them all over the streets and alleys. Canneries and knitting factories are in a similar situation.

I find it quite strange. The market is doing well now, and people have more money, so why are these factories struggling? Who doesn't use towels, blankets, and other household goods? Even many things that used to be considered luxuries are now commonplace.

Chen Hui said, "If we don't update our products, and we're unwilling to spend money on equipment, and we're used to allocating resources without actively seeking out new markets, it would be strange if we didn't succeed. The factory has some money, but instead of buying raw materials or updating equipment, it's used to building new office buildings, buying nice cars, and providing employee benefits."

Factories that don't understand and keep up with the market will fail no matter where they are. And if a factory fails, you can always ask higher authorities for money, supplies, preferential treatment, and policies. But if it succeeds, won't everything be gone? That's too exhausting.

Anyway, at worst, the business will fall apart, and he can just move to another place and still be a manager or leader. He doesn't lack food or clothing, he lives in a nice building and drives a nice car, so he's not suffering. It's pretty good.

Huaiyuan looked up at Chen Hui and said with a smile, "Why does your statement sound so resentful? You probably can't get close to that, can you?"

Chen Hui said, "It's infuriating to hear that. They've ruined a perfectly good factory. Those workers have it so tough, and they have no one to talk to."

Zhang Wu said, "So you're thinking of just getting these skilled workers together to set up a factory? I'm impressed. I've realized that what I lack isn't just vision, but also mindset."

They're all skilled workers; they can produce anything with the equipment. Plus, these workers are grateful to the new factory, so their efficiency and overall performance will definitely be excellent. All you need to do is develop the market. It's a win-win situation.

Xiao Wei said, "At first, I didn't think about it that much, but later I figured it out. This kind of factory can't grow big, and the profit is so-so. The main thing is to diversify the products and help some ordinary people. Anyway, whether we make money or not doesn't depend on this small factory."

Ultimately, a prosperous market depends on ordinary people. How can there be prosperity if they can't even afford to eat or drink? Society can't exist solely on the wealthy. But it seems some people at the top don't think that way.

Zhang Wu thought for a moment and nodded: "That makes sense. I'll go home and tell my dad what he said, and see what he says."

Xiao Wei laughed: "Come on, don't embarrass me in front of your dad. We're just joking around. I just wanted to tell you guys about the real situation on Xiao Hui's and my side. No matter what we do, we don't profit from ordinary people's meager resources. It's no fun."

Huaiyuan nodded and said, "I understand. That's why you kept bringing up the relocation issue, right?"

Xiao Wei said, "Yes, you know the general situation here now. Let's not talk about the shady dealings in the demolition office. Even the developers themselves are trying to give less."

For this little thing, they've used every trick in the book—threats, intimidation, assault, property damage, collusion with certain staff members—was it worth it? Don't they feel guilty spending that money?

Wang Lihua said, "My dad told me that I can do whatever I want, but I'm absolutely not allowed to get involved in this demolition issue, or he'll break my legs."

Liu Jiaming shook his head: "There's nothing we can do. Some things are just out in the open, but there's really no way around it. There are too many hidden complexities, and touching on them will offend a lot of people. Nobody wants to cause trouble."

Chen Xiaohui, holding Wang Yan's hand, ran in again: "Dad, Mom's asking if you're ever going to stop? I'm starving!"

Wang Yan patted her tummy, saying, "My tummy's so hungry!"

Xiao Wei stood up and said, "Let's go eat. Yan'er, is your mother back yet?"

Wang Yan shook her head: "I didn't see it. I called my mom to ask her to come eat."

Turning around, she ran to her desk to get the phone. Chen Xiao walked in and said, "Are you guys done? Come on over."

Chen Hui said, "Alright, alright, let's go."

Wang Yan had already climbed onto a chair, picked up the phone, and dialed: "Hey? I'm looking for Mom. Mom, dinner's ready, why aren't you home yet? Oh, um. Bye-bye. *kiss*" She put down the phone, climbed off the chair, and ran over: "Mom said she went with Dad."

Zhang Wu asked, "Should we drive?"

Xiao Wei shook his head: "No need, just leave it here, it's not far."

After saying hello to Xiao Liu, the group of people took the children out of the courtyard and walked north along the lake.

When we arrived at the Mongolian restaurant, everything was ready. We went up to the second floor and came to the largest private room at the back, a table for sixteen people.

Chen Xiao arranged the dishes, went to the rooftop to check on the chefs roasting lamb, and called Old Chen and Aunt Chen to let them know who was there. He needed to remind them in advance.

After a while, Qin Xuemei and Wang Jiwei came over hand in hand, and Xiaowei introduced them to everyone.

Chen Xiao found some snacks for the two children, and everyone sat in the private room chatting while waiting for Old Chen and his wife to return.

By the time we finished our meal, it was past seven o'clock. Although it wasn't dark yet, it had gotten quite gloomy, and the wind had picked up.

A large group of people strolled slowly along the lake to the courtyard. Old Chen and Aunt Chen, along with Qin Xuemei, accompanied Xiao Hong and the children into the courtyard. Xiao Hui, Xiao Wei, Chen Xiao, and Zhang Wu turned around and walked back together. They were heading to the bar.

The bar they're talking about is the one that merged two businesses into one; the storefront is all set up now, and it's called Night Fragrance.

Unlike later times, the bar street didn't exist in 95, and there weren't as many bars, nor were they all quiet bars like in later times. Back then, the bars in Houhai were filled with wildness and untamed spirit, and the stench of lovemaking permeated the roaring atmosphere.

Houhai at night is a completely different world from that during the day. Colorful neon lights flash and dazzle, and crowds surge at the corners of the alleys. Men and women of all kinds mingle here, seeking different kinds of happiness in the same place.

Compared to the later peaceful and refined atmosphere, the entire Houhai area was now filled with a restlessness, a suppressed yet constantly emanating decadent atmosphere.

Chen Xiao looked around and said, "I really don't understand why you men like places like this. It's so noisy."

Chen Hui glanced at Chen Xiao: "Dude, take a good look. There are more women than men. Which eye of yours saw that it's all men who like this place?"

(End of this chapter)