Courtyard House: Is Xu Damao a childless man? Let me help.

"What? Are you trying to help someone find a job again?"

Ye Jianchuan quickly waved his hand, then quickly distanced himself from Yu Haitang, "Uncle Zhou, it's like this, this is my girlfriend's high school classmate, now she's a broadcaster at the steel rolling mill."

She came today to order some sandwich bread from our factory; not much, just two boxes will be enough.

Two boxes of bread were really just a trivial matter to Director Zhou, so he waved his hand and said directly.

"Hey, about this? Why don't you just go to the workshop and arrange it? Then you can just go to the finance department to process the accounts."

Ye Jianchuan nodded, and then prepared to leave with Yu Haitang, but to his surprise, Yu Haitang did not leave with Ye Jianchuan, but spoke up.

"Hello, Director Zhou. My name is Yu Haitang, and I am a broadcaster at the steel rolling mill. Your food factory is really amazing. You are able to make such innovative and delicious food."

If your food processing plant has any other new products in the future, please let me know as soon as possible.

Seeing the overly familiar Yu Haitang, Factory Director Zhou was a bit dumbfounded. He looked at Ye Jianchuan with a puzzled expression. Ye Jianchuan quickly frowned behind Yu Haitang, shook his head at Factory Director Zhou with a bitter face.

Factory Director Zhou was a shrewd person, and he immediately understood that this woman's intentions were probably not so simple, so he nodded politely.

"Hello, Comrade Yu Haitang, thank you for your exaggeration. Our food factory's new product for now is this sandwich bread. If there are any other new products in the future, I will have Comrade Xiao Ye notify you."

Alright, you should go with Comrade Xiao Ye to the workshop to get the sandwiches. I still have some things to take care of, so I won't see you off.

Chapter 210 The New Task Assigned by Factory Director Zhou

Yu Haitang didn't know what she was thinking, but she quickly followed Ye Jianchuan out of Director Zhou's office, and things suddenly became simple afterward.

He took Yu Haitang to the workshop, talked to the workshop director, got two boxes of sandwich bread for Yu Haitang, and then went to the finance department to settle the payment.

And then... that was it. Haitang didn't even ask Ye Jianchuan for help in transporting the two boxes of sandwiches. Instead, she simply put the two boxes on the back of her bicycle and pushed the bike away.

Seeing this, Ye Jianchuan was completely dumbfounded. What was going on? This woman was acting like she wanted to devour him one minute, and then suddenly became 'well-behaved and not clingy' the next.

Shaking his head, no longer considering the girl, Ye Jianchuan turned and went back to Director Zhou's office.

After all, I had caused trouble for Director Zhou, so I should at least go and explain things to him.

As expected, upon seeing him return, Factory Director Zhou immediately inquired, "Jianchuan, what was the situation with that Yu... just now?"

Why does she seem... a bit strange? She probably didn't just come to buy a sandwich, did she?

Ye Jianchuan shrugged helplessly and said, "Sigh, that girl is a troublemaker. To be honest, if it weren't inconvenient to directly turn against her, I wouldn't want to bother with her."

As you just saw, this girl is very cunning, but I don't really know what her motives are. However, I do know that I don't want to get involved with this kind of person.

"Luckily, you reacted quickly enough, otherwise I really don't know what that girl might have done."

Factory Director Zhou smiled and then said, "Haha, Jianchuan, I never thought you'd have your share of setbacks."

Oh right, you just said she's your boyfriend's classmate, right? When did you get a girlfriend? How come I didn't know?

Ye Jianchuan scratched his head sheepishly. "Hehe, actually I found him a long time ago. Do you remember Master He who came to help make special meals before?"

Didn't he find his sister a job at a factory store? Actually, his sister is my girlfriend, and it was my idea to get him a job at a factory store.

Otherwise, why do you think Chef He would go to such lengths to collect so many ingredients to prepare an authentic Tan family dish?

After hearing Ye Jianchuan's words, Director Zhou laughed and pointed at Ye Jianchuan with his finger, "Hahaha, you're really something, kid. So, that time you ended up reaping the benefits?"

Ye Jianchuan quickly waved his hand. "Hey, Uncle Zhou, that's not how it works. The fisherman's gain is only for me, but our food factory has also successfully gotten our sandwich bread into the workers' store to sell, hasn't it?"

So you didn't lose out! And the workers at the store at least got a hearty and authentic Tan family meal! They didn't lose out either! This is what we call win-win cooperation!

Factory Director Zhou laughed, "Yes, yes, yes, win-win cooperation, win-win cooperation! Alright, let's not talk about this nonsense anymore. I actually have something important to discuss with you before I waited for you to come over."

As you mentioned when you came to see me a couple of days ago, there are signs that the higher-ups are planning something big, which might affect our actions.

After all, besides fulfilling our production targets, our food factory is also looking for sales channels on its own. Although we don't profit from it, all the profits are ultimately handed over to the state.

However, if our actions fall into the wrong hands, we'll likely still be labeled as pursuing capitalist paths.

"Therefore, for the foreseeable future, we probably can no longer treat other people the same way we did with Director Liu to secure orders from the machine repair shop."

However, if we don't do this, our food factory's profits next quarter may shrink significantly again, and it will be troublesome if the higher-ups question us about it.

So, could you think of a way to allow us to earn a decent income without relying on additional orders?

Upon hearing what Factory Director Zhou said, Ye Jianchuan frowned. After a long pause, he said, "If we can't find a way to increase orders ourselves, then the sales volume of a single product will basically be fixed."

So... if we want to increase profits, I think the only way is to find ways to research new products and open new factories.

If the new product can be as popular as the sandwich bread, then we'll have another flagship product, and our profits will be guaranteed.

At this point, Ye Jianchuan suddenly remembered the recipe for the cream cake that the system had previously rewarded him with, but... Ye Jianchuan wasn't planning to use it for the time being.

To be honest, this stuff doesn't keep very fresh. Cream, for example, will start to turn sour and spoil after a day or two. It can't be stored for very long.

Therefore, this means that such products can only be made in retail stores, rather than going through a factory assembly line process.

However... besides the milk cake, Ye Jianchuan thought of something else: the popcorn he remembered while watching the movie with He Yushui yesterday.

This thing isn't exactly a 'new thing,' but the popcorn that everyone is familiar with now isn't actually the same thing as what Ye Jianchuan was thinking of.

After all, what Ye Jianchuan was thinking of was actually a Western snack, and what most people know as 'popcorn' is actually 'rice popcorn' rather than corn popcorn.

After hearing Ye Jianchuan's words, Factory Director Zhou frowned. "New products, new workshops? But before this sandwich bread, our food factory hadn't launched anything new for two or three years."

Where are we supposed to get a new product in this short time? Isn't there any other way?

Ye Jianchuan shook his head, then said, "By the way, Uncle Zhou, do you know what popcorn is?"

"Popcorn? You mean that kind of rice candy? You can find that everywhere, and it gets soggy very quickly after it's made. It's not convenient for our factory to make it!"

Besides, this isn't exactly a new thing; even if it doesn't become popular again, sales probably won't be very good.

Chapter 211 How about we make some popcorn?

Upon hearing this, Ye Jianchuan shook his head and said, "Uncle Zhou, the kind of popcorn you're talking about is made from rice, but the kind I'm talking about is made from corn."

Factory Director Zhou continued nonchalantly, "Whether it's rice or corn, I know them all, and I've eaten them all. It's just that these things don't sell well!"

Ye Jianchuan smiled and continued, "Uncle Zhou, this stuff actually sells quite well, it's just that we haven't chosen the right place to sell it."

Furthermore, the preparation method requires some processing. The kind sold on the street isn't very popular in terms of taste, but the kind I'm talking about will definitely be very popular!

Upon hearing Ye Jianchuan's question, Factory Director Zhou immediately became interested. "Oh? Then tell me, what's so special about this thing?"

Ye Jianchuan shook his head and said, "Uncle Zhou, I don't think I can explain it clearly just by talking. How about we go to the cafeteria now and I'll make it for you right here?"

"The cafeteria? Is this food easy to make? And... why the cafeteria? Isn't it convenient to make it in the factory?"

Ye Jianchuan laughed, "Hehe, the method of making this thing is actually very simple. I'll make it for you and you'll see."

Since Ye Jianchuan had said so, Director Zhou was determined to see if this thing was as 'magical' as Ye Jianchuan claimed. So the two of them quickly went to the food factory's canteen.

When the canteen manager saw Ye Jianchuan and Factory Director Zhou walk in together, he was startled, thinking that something important had happened again. But the two of them just greeted him and then went straight to the stove.

After rummaging through the ingredients and seasonings in the kitchen, Ye Jianchuan successfully found cooking oil and white sugar, but he couldn't find any corn kernels.

There happened to be an acquaintance in the kitchen, so Ye Jianchuan immediately called Nan Yi over.

"Brother Nan, do you have corn kernels in your cafeteria?"

"Yes, they're in the warehouse, but there are no fresh ones left, only dried ones."

Ye Jianchuan clapped his hands, "That's what we want to do!" So he immediately went to the warehouse with Nan Yi and got a bag of corn kernels.

The rest was quite simple. Ye Jianchuan poured some oil into the pot and turned on the heat. When the oil started to bubble, Ye Jianchuan poured some corn kernels into the pot.

Ye Jianchuan laid out just enough corn kernels to cover the bottom of the pot, ensuring they were completely coated in oil. Then, he simply placed the lid on the pot and heated it over medium heat.

Less than half a minute later, the pot started to crackle and pop, and it continued to pop for about two minutes before the popcorn was finally ready.

Ye Jianchuan lifted the lid of the pot and poured the popcorn into a bowl next to him. Nan Yi, who was standing nearby, couldn't wait to grab two kernels and taste them.

However, it is obvious that this kind of popcorn doesn't have much flavor, so eating it won't give you any 'happiness'.

Seeing Nan Yi put two pieces into his mouth and then look dissatisfied, Director Zhou was also puzzled. He stepped forward, grabbed two pieces, and put them into his mouth as well, then also showed a dissatisfied expression on his face.

"Jianchuan... your popcorn doesn't even taste very good, how... will it sell?"

To everyone's surprise, Ye Jianchuan then spoke up again, saying, "Why are you all in such a hurry? It's not finished yet!"

As he spoke, Ye Jianchuan lit the fire again to heat the oil, and then added some white sugar.

After melting the sugar and boiling it into syrup, Ye Jianchuan poured the bowl of popcorn into the pot and then started tossing the pot to coat the popcorn with the still-unsolidified syrup.

Only then was Ye Jianchuan satisfied. He clapped his hands and said again, "Alright, now try it again!"

As he spoke, Ye Jianchuan picked up two pieces of popcorn and popped them into his mouth.

Then... Ye Jianchuan started to frown, because the popcorn he made this time didn't taste as good as the movie theater popcorn he remembered.

However, Nan Yi and Factory Director Zhou were enjoying their popcorn immensely, as the syrup coating did indeed enhance its flavor.

"Not bad, not bad! If this can maintain this flavor and texture, then sales will definitely be a sure thing. However... we're serving it hot right now. Will it still taste this good once it cools down?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Jianchuan shook his head and said, "We don't sell these things as finished products; we sell the raw materials."

As you just saw, the process is very simple. All they need is a place to heat the popcorn, do their own processing, and then we can provide them with a simple popcorn container, isn't that all?

Ye Jianchuan's idea was actually very simple: wouldn't the kind of homemade popcorn of the future be just like this? Just put it in the microwave, microwave it for two minutes, and you can take it out and eat it.

Although microwave ovens are not yet widespread in China, and have only recently become household appliances in other countries, it is unlikely that people will use them to heat food.

But a slight modification wouldn't hurt! For example... we could draw the instructions on the packaging and let them try making it at home, wouldn't that work?

The bag contained only a small bag of oil, a small bag of corn, and a small bag of syrup.

At most, you can stuff a foldable cup inside. When needed, it can be unfolded into a cup, and when not in use, it can be flattened into a thin sheet.

However, Director Zhou and the others were unaware of Ye Jianchuan's thoughts, and upon hearing Ye Jianchuan's words, they all expressed their doubts.

"Will this... work?"

Ye Jianchuan said with a smile, "Whether it works or not, we'll find out when we try it. You guys take these and eat them. I'll do some more research in the next couple of days to see if I can improve this popcorn."

In a couple of days, I'll get a sample. Then, Uncle Zhou, you'll understand what I mean. Also... I think the flavor can be further improved.

While it tastes alright now, it's not quite tempting enough. I think I should work on the flavor a bit more and see if I can improve it.