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Mingyuan and Wang Qian sat beside the two men, with Mingyuan smiling and saying, “Gentlemen, I truly admire both of you. But I have something to say, and I hope you won’t take offense.”
“To Song, your courage is commendable, but in my opinion, it lacks a bit of wisdom. Seeking revenge isn’t wrong, but relying solely on force isn’t the best approach. True revenge should make the other party suffer without implicating yourself and your family. That’s the most clever way to seek retribution, don’t you think?” Mingyuan pointed out.
Song Jun’s eyes lit up upon hearing this perspective. No one had ever spoken to him like this before. Usually, he faced constant criticism for his actions. However, the idea that avenging his sister shouldn’t jeopardize his family’s well-being was a new concept. Although he had never fully grasped this before, Mingyuan’s words seemed to resonate with him, prompting him to reminisce about past events.
Wang Qian turned to Qian Jin with a smile, saying, “Qian, your actions were out of necessity, but the approach was a bit off. Stealing is never honorable. However, your intentions to support your family are commendable. Let’s make some changes moving forward. There’s nothing extraordinary about what happened. Ignore any gossip behind your back. We’ve faced consequences, and now we’ll move on. Your past is safe with us. Just focus on your work here without worry.”
Wang Qian’s words nearly brought tears to Qian Jin’s eyes. Over the years, he had faced judgment and criticism from others. He understood that stealing was wrong, but in his situation, it was a matter of survival for his family. Watching his siblings go hungry was not an option for him. Despite feeling lost and conflicted, no one had truly understood him until today. Wang Qian’s words had finally helped him release the burden he had been carrying. He acknowledged his mistake, but it was a choice born out of necessity. He didn’t seek praise; he simply wanted understanding.
Seeing Qian Jin wiping away tears, Zhang Lan affectionately patted his shoulder, “Silly child, we understand you. Don’t punish yourselves. Let go of the burden and focus on living well. A bright future awaits you. Work hard for yourselves and your family!”
Zhang Lan’s comforting words resonated deeply with both individuals. “Auntie, you can trust us. We made mistakes in the past, but from now on, we will work diligently. Just like Mingyuan said, we need to utilize both our physical and mental abilities. Today, for the first time in our lives, we feel at ease. If only we had met you all sooner,” they expressed.
Feeling a sense of missed opportunity, both individuals wished they had encountered this family earlier, possibly leading them down a different path.
With a smile, Zhang Lan patted their shoulders, “Alright, get to work quickly. If I catch any thievery or deceit, I’ll deduct your wages. Mingyuan, take the two gentlemen to the workshop and arrange things. Once this batch of goods is ready, have them handle sales. Also, inform Uncle Li.”
Mingyuan cheerfully led the two men out, while Wang Qian examined their family backgrounds and happily remarked, “Mom, it seems we’ve brought in two talented individuals. One’s father is in sales, and the other is from a cooperative society. They will be a great asset for our sales efforts in the future.”
Seeing her daughter’s pride, Zhang Lan couldn’t help but smile and gently pat her delicate face, “Sweetheart, while their backgrounds are beneficial, it’s crucial that these individuals prove their worth. Their parents will retire eventually, and they must rely on their own abilities.”
Understanding her mother’s point, Wang Qian agreed, “Mom, as our factory grows, it’s good to assist individuals like them who have good intentions. Offering them a way out is a compassionate and virtuous act.”
Zhang Lan agreed with the idea, “Yes, we will consider this in the future. Some people are genuinely good, just like these two who haven’t committed major wrongdoings. Change is possible. Let’s go see what our first batch of products tastes like and give them a try.”
During the day, Qu Cungen helped out at the factory and even assisted with cooking, giving Qu Wan the opportunity to study. As the first batch of products was officially released that day, Zhang Lan and the workshop staff sampled them. The drinks were delicious, far better than soda. However, Wang Qian felt something was missing, sensing a slight lack in the flavor but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was.
Upon tasting the drinks, Song Jun and Qian Jin suggested, “It’s delicious, but using spring water from the mountains might make it even better.”
This remark inadvertently sparked an idea in Wang Qian’s mind. Currently using well water, she realized that the taste would never match that of mountain spring water. Switching to mineral water not only improved the taste but also the quality.
“Mom, let’s go get spring water later,” Wang Qian proposed.
Understanding her daughter’s suggestion, Zhang Lan discussed the idea with Li Hongbing. The senior also agreed that mountain spring water was superior, but initial cost considerations had held them back. Now, with the decision made, he rallied a group of young men from the workshop to fetch the water.
Qian Jin thought of someone, “Auntie, we have a relative who works in water supply for sanitation. It’s convenient for him to fetch the water in the morning with his vehicle. Why not use his car for this purpose?”
Wang Qian found this idea appealing but was mindful of not exploiting free labor. “Qian Jin, we’ll compensate your relative appropriately for this service. We won’t let them do it for free. Please discuss this with him.”
Qian Jin swiftly arranged for the relative to bring both himself and the vehicle over. After sharing their plan with him, the relative gladly agreed, understanding the monetary benefit of the arrangement.
Li sent a few individuals to fetch water, and upon their return, the stored water was filled to capacity. The excess water was poured back into the well, ensuring no wastage.
They agreed on a monthly payment for the hired help, so after dining at the factory, they headed back. However, they left with a lingering appreciation for the quality of the meals provided.
Li quickly processed another batch of drinks, and this time the taste was exceptional, as per everyone’s feedback. With the issue resolved, the focus turned towards sales.
Qian Jin and Song Jun were tasked with distributing samples by bicycle, visiting various locations. Thankfully, their efforts bore fruit as many institutions showed interest in offering the drinks as part of their welfare programs. The effectiveness of their sales pitch mainly stemmed from the quality of the samples, which were truly delicious and far superior to carbonated beverages.
Subsequently, Zhang Lan sent a batch to their eldest daughters in the capital to explore sales opportunities there, aiming to open up avenues for distribution in both locations simultaneously.
Finally, Zhang Lan and the others started seeing returns on their investment. Initially, most of the funds were sent back with Wang Zhenhe, and payments were managed through their daughter’s account in the capital.
Finally seeing the money, Zhang Lan felt a weight lift off her shoulders.
Upon receiving the goods, Wang Xuan and their team mobilized the locals. Those with connections utilized them, while others ventured out to secure orders. There were discerning individuals in the capital who recognized the quality of the juice, leading to a significant number of orders being placed.
The initial batch sold out quickly, prompting Wang Xuan to request additional orders. To streamline communication for order placements, Cong Wei arranged for a telephone line to be installed, ensuring smoother transactions.
Despite the funds originating from the Wang family, using the phone system required some connections to avoid long waiting times for installation.
Zhang Lan swiftly arranged for Qian Jin to send shipments to the capital. Sales were going well on their end, with the workshop operating at full capacity. The staff worked tirelessly, rotating in shifts to ensure production and supply continuity.
While Wang Xuan and her siblings were busy with their studies, they still found time to visit. During a supply shortage, Wang Xuan thought about the land in the south, suggesting, “Mom, once we finish university, why don’t you and dad visit the south? We can utilize fresh fruits for a better taste. Additionally, if conditions allow, consider purchasing more properties and land. This way, if we decide to start a factory in the future, we’ll have the necessary space.”
Zhang Lan secretly celebrated the presence of the land in the south, realizing that purchasing now would have been a challenging endeavor.
“I agree. Property prices have significantly increased in the past few years. It’s wise to invest in property for future business purposes when we have the means,” she affirmed.
Having experienced the benefits of buying property earlier, Zhang Lan planned to continue investing once finances allowed.
With May Day approaching, Wang Minglin was busy with his brother’s wedding preparations. Zhang Lan wrapped up matters at the factory before returning home to assist her sister-in-law. Wang Mingshan’s wedding was set for Sunday, prompting Mingyuan and his sister to head home as soon as they were on break.