"Auntie, we had beef noodles in the county town, so we're not hungry," Su Xiaotian said quickly.
"You child, we're almost home, why did you spend money eating at a restaurant? It's so good to eat at home, are you afraid Auntie's family doesn't have enough food for you?"
Su Changjiu's wife chattered on, pouring a glass of sugar water for Su Xiaotian and Xie Nan.
"I put a lot of sugar in, it's very sweet."
To greet guests and pour a glass of sugar water was indeed the highest form of hospitality.
Su Changjiu's wife's smile was very sincere, and when she looked at Teacher Xie Nan, there was an unconscious hint of inferiority in her eyes.
Su Xiaotian smiled and thanked her, "I was thirsty from the journey, thank you, Auntie."
After a few casual remarks, Su Xiaotian urged Su Changjiu and his wife to eat first.
She was genuinely worried whether they would still be able to eat after Teacher Xie Nan spoke.
Teacher Xie Nan, however, was not focused on the two people in front of her; she was surveying the entire farmhouse yard.
The house was a bit dilapidated, but it was neat and tidy, making it very comfortable to look at.
There was a vegetable garden in the yard, with six or seven kinds of vegetables, all looking fresh and vibrant.
There were also two trees, an old pear tree and an apricot tree. The ground beneath the trees was clean and tidy, indicating a thrifty family.
Did Xiao Cao grow up here for over twenty years?
Did Xiao Cao pick vegetables in the garden when she was little? Did she cause mischief in the trees?
Su Changjiu and his wife looked at Teacher Xie Nan, finding it a bit strange.
What was this teacher here for?
Why had she been looking around their yard since she entered?
It was just a farmhouse yard, no different from others, what was there to see?
Could it be that this female teacher wanted to buy a yard in the countryside?
Su Xiaotian did not disturb Teacher Xie Nan, but instead chatted with Su Changjiu and his wife.
They mainly talked about the current development of the village and whether households were living well.
The breeding farm, which had brought benefits to the village and allowed people to live better lives than in other villages, was now basically defunct.
No one was willing to contract it, and it had been lying waste for the past two years.
Besides income from the land, each household relied on doing some handicrafts to exchange for money from Li Zhuzi.
Su Xiaotian felt that living like this, although it was enough to solve the problem of food and clothing, was slightly insufficient for a good life.
A pillar industry was still needed.
To become prosperous, the village's abundant labor force needed other outlets.
"Uncle Changjiu, let's set up a factory in our village next year," Su Xiaotian said directly, recalling her plan.
Su Changjiu listened and smiled, "I also want to set up a factory, but the village has no money, and the higher authorities won't give any money."
Su Xiaotian remembered that this period seemed to be a phase of great development for township enterprises.
If this opportunity could be seized, it would not be difficult to change the poor and backward appearance of the village.
If this opportunity were missed, although there would still be many opportunities in the coming years, policy preferences would be much less.
This opportunity must be firmly grasped.
"I can raise some funds next year, and then invest them as shares. The village can raise another sum of funds, and we can also strive for some funds from the higher authorities. Then setting up a factory will be no problem." Su Dan Novel Network
Su Xiaotian spoke eloquently, appearing to be full of confidence.
But Su Changjiu smiled bitterly, "It's not that easy. The funds that the higher authorities can provide are very limited, and it won't be our Nanling Village's turn."
He had been trying to secure funds for the past two years, but without success.
County funds prioritized the development around the county town.
Even if some were given to various townships, the townships would prioritize villages where the government was stationed, and their Nanling Village had no advantage.
Su Xiaotian said with a sly smile, "Uncle Changjiu, have you been to the town and county since you returned from Beijing this time?"
Su Changjiu shook his head. He hadn't had time to go since he returned.
"It used to be difficult to secure funds, but isn't it easier now?" Su Xiaotian said with raised eyebrows.
Leveraging influence.
If this matter was handled well, the town and county would definitely help solve some funding problems.
It might even be much better than expected.
After all, the Minister of Commerce had personally said that Nanling Village needed to live a good life and develop the economy.
Seeing that Su Changjiu did not seem to understand her meaning, Su Xiaotian gave another hint.
"In the entire county, you are the only village head who has met the Minister of Commerce!"
At this point, Su Changjiu finally understood what Su Xiaotian meant.
Having been in the village for so many years, Su Changjiu was certainly a smart person. He just hadn't thought in this direction before.
He had to sigh that this child Su Xiaotian was truly smart, no wonder the Su family's life was getting better and better.
With such a shrewd child, how could they not do well?
After Teacher Xie Nan had finished observing every blade of grass, every tree, every brick, and every stone in the yard, she turned back and heard the conversation between the old man and the young girl.
Teacher Xie Nan was stunned. What was going on?
She remembered correctly, didn't this child Su Xiaotian study Chinese Language and Literature?
How could she talk about business and enterprise management so smoothly, even better than those who specialized in economics at school?
Or did she remember incorrectly? Was this child in the economics class?
While she was thinking wildly, Su Xiaotian's discussion with Su Changjiu had come to an end, and they had almost decided on the tasks for the coming year.
Su Changjiu's wife had also finished eating and gone to wash the dishes.
Su Changjiu and Su Xiaotian were talking happily and had forgotten about Xie Nan. It was only when they felt someone watching them that they remembered they had a guest at home.
"Teacher Xie, I'm really sorry. I got so carried away talking that I overlooked you!"
Su Changjiu apologized to Teacher Xie Nan very apologetically. Although he didn't know what this guest's intention was, since she was here, she was a guest.
"It's nothing." Teacher Xie Nan didn't know what to say for a moment, nor where to start.
Su Xiaotian looked at Xie Nan, then at Su Changjiu, wondering if she should steer the conversation.
"Teacher Xie, I always feel that your face looks somewhat familiar. Have we met before?" Su Changjiu asked.
He racked his brains but couldn't recall ever meeting this woman who looked so scholarly.
Yet, he felt a sense of familiarity.
"Uncle Changjiu, you might have met her once, but I can't be sure if you saw Teacher Xie at that time," Su Xiaotian said with a smile, mentioning the possibility of them having met at Su Zile's baby full moon banquet.
Su Changjiu repeatedly shook his head, "No, if I had met her then, I would definitely remember. I don't think I met Teacher Xie that day."
"Brother Su, do you think Xiao Cao and I look alike!"