"General Manager Chen, what do we do now? They say the factory hasn't suffered any substantial losses and that the hundred thousand yuan must be returned. The newspapers and television are making a big fuss, and now many businesses are asking if our factory is going to close down."
Zhao Xingwang was furious, wondering which scoundrel had set out to ruin the factory and cause them such a huge setback.
"We have over three hundred thousand yuan worth of goods. Last month we paid off some loans, and there are also material costs and employee salaries. I've heard people below are already discussing it."
Wang Aixiang looked at Chen Lishu with concern. Although she really didn't want to bother her with these matters again, they were urgent and required her immediate decision.
Nan Haitao pinched his brow, "This is also my fault. When those two people came to place the order, if only we had done more investigation."
Chen Lishu replied, "They paid, so we produced. Besides, I made the decision on this matter."
"You'll hold an employee meeting later. It's just one business deal gone south, the factory isn't going to fail to pay salaries. And we still have the goods, don't we?"
Speaking of the goods, Zhao Xingwang cursed, "Someone even contacted me, wanting to buy our goods at a low price."
"Knock knock."
The office door was suddenly knocked upon. Xu An'an poked her head in, "General Manager Chen, Director Guo from the Municipal Garment Factory is here."
Chen Lishu nodded to indicate she had heard.
"You escort them to the reception room first. I'll be there shortly."
Xu An'an closed the door and left.
"See? Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. It's definitely another one looking to take advantage."
Chen Lishu's guess was correct.
When the leadership of the Municipal Garment Factory, especially Director Guo, learned that the Shu Se Garment Factory had a large batch of goods piling up in its warehouse, they happily ate half a bowl more of rice.
She hadn't forgotten about the cultural shirt incident. They had gained much attention at the exhibition and even snatched their foreign clients. This time, she could finally vent her frustration.
"Director Guo, what brings you here today?" Chen Lishu looked at the woman in front of her. She had asked Xu An'an to pour tea.
"Director Guo rarely visits. Bring out the best tea."
"Yes, General Manager Chen." Xu An'an obediently followed instructions.
"This is my first time visiting your factory. It's run quite well, no wonder foreign clients are willing to cooperate with you."
Director Guo completely put on the airs of a leader inspecting the premises, criticizing the factory from all angles.
Chen Lishu, having reached her current position, was no longer as hot-tempered. She would chat more with those she could get along with, and even if she found someone disagreeable, she would just try to smile.
Director Guo spoke at length. Just then, Xu An'an came in with the teacups.
She had also drunk good tea before and was about to make a veiled sarcastic remark, but after taking a sip of the tea, she swallowed it back.
However, she was here to negotiate a lower price, so she had to maintain her imposing demeanor.
After taking a sip, she put down the teacup, "The tea is good, just a bit too hot."
The smile on Chen Lishu's face faded slightly. "Director Guo, you're not here to taste tea, are you? Otherwise, I might suspect you've come to the wrong place. You should be at a teahouse, not my garment factory."
Some people really couldn't distinguish themselves. Give them an inch, and they'll take a mile.
Director Guo gave a sheepish smile and finally got to the point. "It's like this in the garment production industry. Our garment factory also has cases of order cancellations. It's indeed troublesome when such things happen."
As she spoke, she leaned forward, asking with a concerned look, "The loss is not small this time, is it?"
Chen Lishu replied, "It's alright."
Director Guo secretly curled her lips, thinking that even at this point, she was still stubborn.
"With the New Year approaching, if the goods can't be sold, they'll just be piled up in the warehouse. Although we are competitors, we are both women, and I understand your difficulties. I'll tell you frankly, we are a state-owned factory with many cooperative units, making it much easier to sell off accumulated garments. However, the price will need to be lowered for them.
Chen Lishu nodded, waiting for her to continue.
"After all, we've participated in two exhibitions together. I think you're a good person, and I specifically requested this from the factory director. In fact, it's a form of mutual help."
Chen Lishu responded, "Director Guo has said so much, but the more I listen, the more confused I become. I don't know what you're trying to say."
Director Guo was almost driven to spitting blood.
She decided to get straight to the point. "Your garment factory must have quite a lot of accumulated garments in the warehouse, right? Instead of letting them rot, our factory can reluctantly take them over. However, the price cannot be too high. At most, we'll pay two yuan per piece for the whole lot. Our factory promises that we'll take as much as you have. What do you say? There aren't many who can take so many goods at once. However, I'm someone who speaks frankly. The payment won't be settled all at once. We'll settle it once a month, and only after all the clothes are sold can we settle all the money."
Isn't this taking advantage of a crisis?
Beside her, Xu An'an was burning with anger, but Chen Lishu, sitting opposite Director Guo, maintained a faint smile.
Xu An'an thought to herself, as expected of General Manager Chen. Her composure is absolutely superior to that of ordinary people.
"I don't understand what you mean, Director Guo. I don't know where you heard that the factory's goods are accumulating, but it's better to listen to rumors less in the future."
Two yuan a piece, who are they trying to insult? It's truly seeking trouble for oneself to be sitting here.
"I have some matters to attend to, so I won't see Director Guo out. It's such cold weather, and you've traveled so far. Be careful on your way, the roads are slippery in the snow."
Director Guo gritted her teeth in anger. "What's the point of being stubborn even at this point? The goods that our Municipal Garment Factory can't take, other units certainly can't."
The smile on Chen Lishu's face completely turned cold. "Director Guo has quite a big mouth. Aren't you afraid of burning your tongue? Although our factory is a private enterprise, to put it immodestly, our output value is no less than that of the Municipal Garment Factory. We have dozens, if not a hundred, chain franchise stores. In Beijing and Shanghai, there are several large department stores that we consistently supply. In your eyes, a few hundred thousand yuan worth of goods might be a big problem, but to me, I'm telling you it's nothing. Your Municipal Garment Factory's warehouse inventory is no less than ours, is it?"
"Instead of wasting time here with me, why don't you think of ways to deal with your own pile of goods? If your factory can't solve it, considering your thoughtfulness today, I don't mind helping to deal with it, of course, at a price by weight."
"You!" Director Guo pointed at Chen Lishu with trembling fingers, but was so angry she couldn't speak for a long time.
Xu An'an was also completely stunned.
Their General Manager Chen was truly amazing!
She always thought General Manager Chen was beautiful and usually had a smiling demeanor, but General Manager Chen was General Manager Chen. Look at what she said: I don't mind helping to deal with it.
She even wanted to applaud.