Tang Momo couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief at the purchaser. She knew that the status of factory directors in this era was not low. She had mentally prepared herself for a refusal, but fortunately, they were not turned away. 

Jia Daguo glanced at her and said gently, “If it doesn’t work out, it’s okay. After all, there are many capable people in the food factory.” 

Whatever she could think of, people in the food factory might have already thought of it. 

“Captain, I understand, don’t worry.” 

Tang Momo was actually feeling very nervous. She was not sure whether the director of the food factory would give her a chance. 

The buildings of this era have an old feel everywhere, and the walls that were half painted blue are beginning to fade. 

Though the distance was short, Tang Momo felt as if she had walked a long time. She couldn’t help but laugh at herself. It turns out that she’s timid sometimes. 

When they reached the outer office of the factory director, the purchaser informed the secretary of their identity. The secretary glanced at them, “You need to be quick. Director Wu will be going to the union in half an hour.” 

“Okay, we’ll hurry up.” 

Tang Momo began to mentally rehearse her speech. 

Upon entering the office, the person seated looked up at them and said with a gentle tone. “I heard that you have something to ask me about?” 

Tang Momo was surprised when she heard Director Wu’s voice and then felt happy. If it comes to pickled fruits, Director Wu, who is also a woman and has even experienced childbirth, should be able to understand better. 

Tang Momo stepped forward with a polite smile. “Director Wu, it’s like this. Our Qingshui large fruits have been supplied to the food factory, but there are so many small fruits this year, so I was thinking of making two new types of tasty snacks out of them, so that none of our resources are wasted. ” 

“Can the small fruits produce a good taste?” 

Director Wu had previously visited the orchard and knew that the small fruits Tang Momo referred to were quite sour. 

What kind of tasty snacks could be made from such fruit? 

Tang Momo nodded hurriedly. “Yes, I plan to make two kinds—one is jam and the other is dried fruit.” 

“The jam is made by adding sugar and fruit pulp, and it tastes sour and sweet when cooked. 

“As for the dried fruit, we’ll slice and dry it. As the moisture dries out, the sourness and bitterness will fade. If that doesn’t turn out well, we can also try making pickled fruit, though the demand for that might be lower.”  

Tang Momo tried to speak in a simple and understandable way so that they could understand what she meant. 

After Tang Momo finished speaking, she felt a little unsure. After all, jam doesn’t seem to have a big market in this era; it’s not like people are going to dip buns in it. 

At this point, Tang Momo suddenly thought of the pomelo trees in the orchard. Yes, jam can also be used to make a drink. The sweet and sour flavor might appeal to children. 

When the pomelos are ripe, she could make some honey pomelo tea. 

Tang Momo mentioned all the selling points that she could think of, but Director Wu, who was sitting across from her, seemed to have no reaction. 

Tang Momo felt a bit frustrated for a moment, but then she felt that the things she gave examples of didn’t seem to have many selling points, and they weren’t novel at all. 

Just when Tang Momo was doubting herself, the person opposite finally spoke slowly. “So have you made all the things you just mentioned?” 

Tang Momo’s eyes brightened immediately. Did this mean there was a possibility? 

With that in mind, she quickly composed herself. “The items are still being made and aren’t ready yet. If Director Wu doesn’t mind, I’ll send them over once they’re done.” 

Director Wu chuckled softly. “You’re quite an interesting, little girl.” 

She dared to come to her even though everything was not ready. This reminds her of how she used to be when she was young. 

“This girl just went to the orchard to pick fruit for the first time yesterday. Seeing the small fruits left on the tree, she started worrying that our team might not have enough to eat this year. Thinking we couldn’t keep eating these fruits every day, she went back and started thinking these ideas.” 

Jia Daguo noticed Director Wu’s relaxed attitude, so he quickly helped in from the side. 

Director Wu raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. “So you’ve never done this before?” 

Under Director Wu’s gaze, Tang Momo nodded. “I’ve done it a few times before, but that was just for the kids at home to satisfy their cravings. It was only simple stuff and nothing too special.” 

Tang Momo thought she wasn’t exactly lying—she had made strawberry jam and blueberry jam before. 

“You’re quite a considerate girl. How about this? Once you’ve made these snacks, we can discuss it further.” 

Director Wu looked at the time. It was time for her to go to the union. 

“Then we won’t keep you any longer, Director Wu.” 

Seeing Director Wu checking the time, Jia Daguo sensibly pulled Tang Momo away. 

“Just come to my office when everything was ready.” 

Fearing she might forget; Director Wu turned to her secretary and asked him to remember to tell the doorman. 

After the two left, the secretary hesitantly looked at Director Wu. “Do you really want to see what that girl makes?” 

“We won’t lose anything by taking a look. Besides, we can’t discourage young people’s enthusiasm.” 

Although she said that, only Director Wu recognized that it was a lost cause this time. 

She had only recently taken office, but the food factory’s reputation had been declining over the past two years. On the other hand, the second factory had been thriving. 

Every year during the Chinese New Year and holidays, all the tickets from the second factory were long gone, while their factory’s tickets remained unsold. 

The Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon, and it is also her first Mid-Autumn Festival this year in the factory, so she must place an order for mooncakes. 

She didn’t want to hear people complaining that their mooncake fillings were made of biscuit crumbs. 

The little girl named Tang Momo today seemed to have some ideas. If she could provide a new perspective, it would be beneficial. 

The factory needed some fresh blood, which can put some pressure on these old people. 

“Hopefully, she won’t disappoint you.” 

“Let’s hope so.” 

Director Wu said this and headed towards the union. 

Once outside the factory, Tang Momo breathed a sigh of relief. No matter what, she had at least secured a chance. Whether it succeeds will be seen later. 

Jia Daguo was also visibly excited. “This Director Wu is easier to talk to than the previous one. Maybe it’ll really work out.” 

By then, the small fruit on the tree will be dealt with. Just thinking about it, Jia Daguo couldn’t hide his excitement. “If that happens, you’ll be the hero of our team.” 

Seeing Jia Daguo’s excited expression, Tang Momo became calm. “Whether it will work out is still uncertain. Captain, let’s not get our hopes up too high.” 

“I think it might work. They say new officials always want to make a good impression, and Director Wu is new. She definitely wants to achieve something. Our food factory is falling behind the second factory.” 

Jia Daguo’s words not only comforted Tang Momo but also comforted himself. 

“Let’s hope so, Captain. I think it’s best to keep quiet about this until it’s settled. Otherwise, if it doesn’t work out, it’ll be quite embarrassing.” 

Tang Momo discussed this with Jia Daguo. 

“That’s for sure. We can’t just announce this matter casually.” 

Jia Daguo looked at Tang Momo with an expression that seemed to say, ‘Do you think I’m a fool?’ 

Tang Momo was amused by him. “I didn’t think this through, Captain. Don’t take it to heart. I’m still young and have a lot to learn from you.” 

“You’re really good at pretending to be well-behaved.” 

Jia Daguo pretended to be annoyed and glared at her, but the corners of his mouth, which were turned up, betrayed his good mood. 

“I’m speaking the truth.” 

Tang Momo continued to flatter him, and indeed, Jia Daguo’s smile grew even brighter. Tang Momo couldn’t help but curl her lips into a smile as well. 

“By the way, have you really made that jam and dried fruit? How did they taste?” 

Jia Daguo approached her with a curious look on his face. 

“Of course I haven’t made them. Isn’t that just to impress Director Wu?” 

Tang Momo looked calm. 

“Hey, you little rascal, if you haven’t made them, how do you know if they’re good or not?” 

Jia Daguo was genuinely anxious now. 

“Captain, don’t worry. Even though I haven’t made them, I’m confident in what I said. You can trust me. I wouldn’t joke about such things.” 

Tang Momo couldn’t help but become serious when she saw Jia Daguo’s anxious face. 

Now there seems to be no other way but to believe her. Jia Daguo couldn’t help but sigh, “How many days will you do this?” 

“At least a few days.” 

The weather has been good these days, so the dried fruit should turn out well. If not, she’ll think of other solutions. 

“If you need anything, just tell me.” 

After all, it was a matter of concern to the whole team, and he certainly couldn’t just sit back and watch. 

“Okay, I understand. By the way, Captain, are you heading straight back or do you want to look around?” 

Tang Momo planned to go to the shoe factory first and then to the supply and marketing cooperative. 

“Tell me, where do you want to go?” 

Jia Daguo saw through Tang Momo’s plan right away. 

“I want to check out the shoe factory.” 

Tang Momo lowered her head when she spoke, and her tone was a little low. 

Jia Daguo initially thought she was like a child who just wanted to wander around the city, but he didn’t expect she actually wanted to visit the shoe factory. 

He sighed. “Would you like me to accompany you?” 

Tang Momo shook her head, her voice almost sounding like she was about to cry. “No need. I can’t go in anyway. I just want to take a look.” 

“Alright, go ahead. I’ll wait for you at the entrance.” 

It’s quite a long way back, and he couldn’t feel at ease letting a young girl go alone. What if something happened? How would he explain it to Zhang Xiaoli? 

Tang Momo clearly didn’t expect Jia Daguo to suggest waiting for her. She quickly shook her head, “No need, I can do it by myself.” 

“It’s such a long way over the mountain roads; what if something happens?”  

After Jia Daguo finished speaking, he didn’t forget to glare at her. 

“I understand. Then I’ll be quick.” 

Tang Momo realized that since these were mountain roads, if something happened, being alone would be quite dangerous. 

“Don’t rush too much. It’s rare chance to come into the city; I might as well take a look around nearby.” 

Jia Daguo said unhurriedly. 

Tang Momo felt warm in her heart. No matter what, she always met more good people when she came here. 

She flashed Jia Daguo a big smile, “Then you take your time, Captain. We’ll meet at the entrance later.” 

The original owner had actually not visited the shoe factory many times, so Tang Momo didn’t know the way and had to ask for directions. It wasn’t long before she arrived outside the shoe factory. 

Tang Xiaoxue had previously said that she would only go back if her man came to pick her up, and since Qiu Ming hadn’t come to get her these past few days, she had stayed in the countryside. This also gave Tang Momo a chance. 

Tang Momo stood at the factory gate, looking inside. After a while, the security guard came over. 

“Little girl, who are you looking for?” 

Tang Momo timidly glanced inside, then shook her head, “I’m not looking for anyone.” 

It was lunchtime, and as people came out and saw this scene, someone couldn’t help but ask, “What’s going on? Old Wang, are you bullying this little girl?” 

“Of course not. I only asked her who she was looking for, and she looked like she was about to cry.” 

Old Wang felt he was really being unfairly wrong; he hadn’t even said anything harsh. 

Seeing this, Tang Momo quickly stretched out her hand to wipe the tears on her face and then shook her head: “It’s not the gatekeeper’s fault; it’s my failure.” 

More and more people came out, and seeing this, they all asked with concern, “What’s the matter? Little girl, are you here looking for someone or for something else?” 

“No, I’m not looking for anyone. I just wanted to come here and see. My father always said that when I grew up, he’d let me take his place. Unfortunately, after he passed away, his job was taken back by the factory. I just happened to come here today because I miss my father.” 

After Tang Momo finished speaking, she wiped away her tears again, and her eyes were red for a moment. 

“You’re saying the factory took back your father’s job?”  

Someone in the crowd asked. 

Tang Momo nodded, “Yes, that’s what they told us. At that time, we haven’t finished the funeral arrangements yet.” 

It was clear she had been deceived. Seeing Tang Momo’s eyes red from crying, someone asked, “What’s your father’s name?”