The private room.
Principal Gu ignored the fact that his superior, the director of the Education Bureau, was sitting opposite him.
He glared with anger.
"Old Gu, I'm truly sorry. I thought you had already gotten into the car, but I didn't realize you were so slow," Director Li said.
After speaking, Director Li specifically stared at Principal Gu's slightly portly physique, implying something.
Everyone present was sharp enough to understand that this clearly meant Director Li thought Principal Gu's weight had affected his speed!
"You, you, you..."
Principal Gu was about to explode with anger.
They had agreed to go together, but he had left after getting into the car.
"Old Gu, I apologize. Don't dwell on it. If you get some exercise, you can eat more, right!" Director Li said with an air of justification.
The more nonchalantly Director Li spoke, the angrier Principal Gu became.
How could it be his fault?
Did Director Li mean that this was giving him more opportunities to eat?
Hmph, although their family's conditions weren't great, they weren't so poor that they couldn't afford to eat. Was this some kind of mockery?
"Hmph, I'm not eating!"
"Are you sure you don't want to eat?" Director Li asked in surprise.
He had eaten at Yiming Pavilion many times and still wanted to.
Was Principal Gu foolish for refusing such delicious food?
Seeing Director Li like this, Su Xiaotian didn't know what to say.
Their family's food was plentiful; why would they want Principal Gu to eat less?
"Principal Gu, you've worked hard. Please sit down and rest." Su Xiaotian thoughtfully brought Principal Gu a cup of apricot skin water.
When Su Xiaojiu brought the apricot skin water, Principal Gu gulped it down like a starving man, not tasting a thing.
It was only when Su Xiaotian brought the water that Principal Gu had a chance to savor it.
"This water is sweet and sour, it's so delicious!" Principal Gu smacked his lips, and his eyes sparkled.
He drank water often, but he had never tasted such delicious water.
Suddenly, Principal Gu felt that the food Director Li was looking forward to couldn't be bad either.
Perhaps, it was extremely delicious.
"Director Li, you've already left me behind, you can't scheme against me like this anymore," Principal Gu said immediately after he understood.
Director Li was somewhat disappointed that Principal Gu had figured it out, but he was relieved thinking that the Su family wasn't stingy and would definitely prepare a large table of dishes so everyone could eat their fill.
"Student Su Xiaotian, your performance this time was excellent, and the school has decided to commend you."
Su Xiaotian: "..."
Actually, it wasn't necessary!
She just didn't know how they planned to commend her.
"Student Su Xiaotian, this time, a total of five students from our school entered the top ten in the capital, and we will commend all of them." Principal Gu smiled so proudly!
If people didn't know, they would think he was the one who had performed well.
"Principal Gu, when did this happen? How come I didn't know?" Director Li asked in surprise.
"It was just decided, Director Li. I haven't reported it to you yet!" Principal Gu said proudly.
Reporting was just a formality, and the money would come from the school's budget.
Since the Education Bureau didn't have to pay, Director Li couldn't interfere even if he wanted to.
As expected, Director Li only asked a question and then looked thoughtfully at Su Xiaotian.
Su Xiaotian had not only brought glory to No. 7 Middle School but also to their Education Bureau. Since No. 7 Middle School had decided to commend and reward her, should the Education Bureau also make a gesture?
This matter would have to be discussed with other leaders later.
"Student Su Xiaotian, just accept the reward Principal Gu is giving you. Our Education Bureau will also reward you later."
Director Li believed that as long as he proposed it, other leaders would definitely agree. The only difference would be the amount of money or goods given as a reward.
Su Xiaotian was even more at a loss for words.
Forget it, she wouldn't say anything more.
Su Xiaotian went outside, and Chen Zi'an followed her out.
"Xiaotian!"
"Uncle!" Su Xiaotian smiled and greeted Chen Zi'an when she saw him come out.
"Xiaotian, you're so insightful. I want to discuss something with you."
Su Xiaotian was very surprised. Her uncle wanted to discuss something with her?
Her uncle was the mayor; what could he possibly need to discuss with a child like her?
Su Xiaotian politely said, "Uncle, whatever it is, please just tell me."
Given how well Chen Zi'an had treated their family and her aunt over the years, she would definitely help in any way she could.
"I'm very interested in your factory. I hope you can open a branch in Licheng."
Chen Zi'an spoke directly to Su Xiaotian.
Su Xiaotian immediately felt that her uncle had some misunderstanding about her.
The first factory hadn't even opened yet, so opening a branch was too far ahead.
However, Su Xiaotian was very interested in Chen Zi'an's proposal.
In the next few decades, Licheng would undoubtedly be the fastest-growing place. If she could establish a presence there early on, it wouldn't be bad in the future.
If nothing else, just securing a piece of land in Licheng would lead to immense profits in the future.
No matter how profitable flipping goods was, it couldn't compare to the speed of real estate.
If she could acquire land in Licheng and develop it, it would be far more than a small undertaking.
As for real estate projects in the capital, she would have to pass; it wasn't something she could get involved in.
The capital was very different from Licheng; it was a place with very deep waters. She didn't know how Chi Yiyuan had made his fortune in the capital in his previous life.
But Licheng was much more convenient. Firstly, many people hadn't yet seen Licheng's potential.
Secondly, with Chen Zi'an in Licheng, many things would be easier to handle.
Don't say she couldn't take advantage of others for free; China was a society of connections, and no matter what you did, you couldn't escape relationships.
She could understand the difficulties her uncle was facing.
Although Licheng was a bit better now than it was a year or two ago, it was still a long way from its development.
It was likely that her uncle had encountered some problems there, which led him to invite her to Licheng.
Her uncle's sincere invitation for her factory to set up there could be considered her support for Licheng's development.
As one of the earliest factories to set up, no one else could say anything, even if they had opinions!
After all, investing a large sum of money in Licheng at this time was still quite risky.
"Uncle, I do have that idea, but opening a factory requires a considerable amount of money, and I'm currently short on funds," Su Xiaotian stated her predicament. "Moreover, it's not just about money; it's also about people."
Su Xiaotian had very few people she could rely on.
Although her brothers were all very capable individuals, they were all developing in their respective fields and couldn't give up their dreams to fulfill hers.
"Xiaotian, the issue of people can actually be easily resolved. No one starts with countless capable talents. People can be cultivated slowly; they will eventually grow."
Chen Zi'an said these words sincerely. He had felt a shortage of personnel in recent years, but later realized that if there were no one to use, he could cultivate usable people!
Not only could he adopt a strategy of gradually cultivating talent, but Su Xiaotian's factory could too.
"But there's a lack of funds!"