Huang Sanshui rode his Jialing motorcycle and drove Chu Tianyao to the site of the old candy factory in the county town.
As early as two years ago, the candy factory declared bankruptcy during the restructuring due to poor management, but the huge factory building remained and has been idle until now.
The person who met Chu Tianyao was a young man named Zhang Bo, who was a clerk at the State-owned Assets Management Office.
I heard that someone is planning to rent the old candy factory building, which is also good news for the local government.
"Boss Chu, let me show you the factory first!"
Wearing a work uniform, Zhang Bo said to Chu Tianyao politely.
Ever since Chu Tianyao appeared in the Lucheng Business News, he has become quite a celebrity in the local business district of Yongning. It is impossible for Zhang Bo not to know about it.
With that said, Zhang Bo shouted through the large iron gate of the candy factory.
Not long after, an old man wearing a white undershirt slowly walked out and opened the iron door.
"This is Uncle Li, an old employee of the candy factory. Later, after the candy factory closed down, he was the only one left here to guard the gate."
Zhang Bo introduced Chu Tianyao.
The old man glanced at the three of them, nodded in greeting, and then walked back to the hut nearby.
Immediately, Zhang Bo led the two of them into the candy factory.
Chu Tianyao walked around the factory and found that the open space outside the factory was knee-high in weeds. It looked like it had been vacant for a long time.
However, I have to say that this candy factory was considered the leading factory in Yongning County in the 1970s and 1980s. It was only due to poor management and restructuring that it ended up like this.
The entire factory is not small, with a total of three workshops. Chu Tianyao estimated that it can accommodate nearly 300 employees, which is more than three times larger than the current Xingyao Distillery.
As for the rent, since the factory has been vacant for too long, the price offered by the management office is not high, 8,000 yuan a year, but Chu Tianyao is required to sign a ten-year lease renewal contract.
Chu Tianyao didn't take this to heart.
He is no longer the poor Chu Tianyao he was three months ago. Tens of thousands of yuan in rent is nothing to him.
On the spot, Chu Tianyao negotiated the lease details with Zhang Bo and signed a contract.
Zhang Bo was obviously happy to have concluded this deal.
When a few people walked out of the factory, old man Li was already waiting in front of the big iron gate.
Seeing the smile on Zhang Bo's face, Old Man Li quickly pulled Zhang Bo aside and asked in a low voice: "Xiao Zhang, are the bosses going to sell the candy factory?"
Seeing the old man's nervousness, Zhang Bo smiled and explained: "Uncle Li, the candy factory has closed down a long time ago. Now the factory is empty. We plan to rent it out."
"What? Rent it out?"
Hearing this, Old Man Li was also quite surprised, with a look of bewildered shock on his wrinkled old face.
The candy factory was rented out, which meant that there was no need for him as an old janitor here.
At this moment, Chu Tianyao glanced at the small house where Old Man Li lived next to the big iron gate.
The furnishings in the hut are simple, with only a wooden bed, a wicker chair and a table. However, it can be seen that the old man seems to have lived here for many years. Although the house is clean, it still looks a bit shabby.
"Uncle Li, don't worry. Although this candy factory has been rented to me, the gate of the factory will still have to be inspected by you in the future. In addition, I will increase your salary by another twenty yuan."
Chu Tianyao walked up to the gatekeeper and said with a smile.
"Uncle Li, you heard me, I'll leave this factory to you, you don't have to worry." After hearing Chu Tianyao's words, Zhang Bo also said to Old Man Li.
When he heard this, Old Man Li was also very excited.
"Thank you, thank you... I don't need a salary increase. I'm just a bad old man. I've been staying in this candy factory all my life. If I really want to leave here, old man, I really don't know what to do."
Old Man Li's real name is Li Shengli. He is in his early sixties. He turned out to be an old employee of this candy factory. He was a single man with no children. The superiors saw that he was pitiful and arranged for him to stay and look after the factory, with a monthly salary of sixty yuan.
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The reason why Chu Tianyao wants to keep Li Shengli is not because of sympathy, but because he knows that the old workers of this era have feelings for the factory where he has worked all his life, including his father Chu Tianshan, who is also such a person.
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Such old workers are not a burden to the factory, but their wealth.
"I think it's getting late. It's noon, Boss Chu. You must not have eaten yet? How about I treat you? There is a famous Juyuan restaurant nearby, right next to the county middle school."
After walking out of the candy factory, Zhang Bo glanced at the time and took the opportunity to propose to Chu Tianyao and the others.
Chu Tianyao has become a prominent figure in the business community of Yongning County recently, so he naturally wants to get acquainted with him.
"Okay, but I can't let Director Zhang invite you. I'll treat you this time."
After hearing Zhang Bo's words, Chu Tianyao also generously agreed.
Zhang Bo was overjoyed. He naturally did not expect that people like Chu Tianyao, far from being superior to others, seemed to be a bit more approachable than those private business owners.
While chatting, the three of them walked to a restaurant in less than ten minutes.
The restaurant is not big, but because it is located right next to the county middle school, there are many people coming here to eat at noon.
The three of them sat down in the restaurant and ordered a few home-cooked side dishes.
"Boss Chu, despite the small size of this store, the chef in the store is very good at his craftsmanship. Even people from the two nearby streets often come here to eat."
Zhang Bo handed the menu to a waiter and introduced it to Chu Tianyao.
Apparently, he is also a frequent visitor here.
Chu Tianyao nodded and took a casual look. Most of the people drinking in the restaurant had Jade Bird beer on the table.
In the past half month, with the closure of Lechang Brewery, Jade Bird Beer's market share in Yongning County has reached almost 50%.
Not only the major dance halls, but also the late-night food stalls and these small restaurants on the streets are gradually selling Jade Bird beer.
This is not only because of Jade Bird Beer itself, but also because of the slogan Chu Tianyao published in the newspaper.
In the 1990s, people still had a greater sense of identification with their hometown’s industries.
“It’s time to serve!”
After waiting for about ten minutes, a sweaty chef in the back kitchen shouted, and several waiters hurried in to serve the dishes.
At this moment, Chu Tianyao noticed a petite figure.
"Chu He?"
Seeing the back of a waiter walking into a private room carrying dishes, Chu Tianyao frowned slightly.
Although I didn't see his face, the back of this man did look somewhat similar to his sister Chu He.
Shaking his head, Chu Tianyao secretly thought that he must have seen it wrong.
Counting the days, the college entrance examination will be held in a few days. Chu He must have been busy reviewing recently. How come he is in this hotel?
Bang!
At this moment, a sound suddenly came from the hotel private room.
Immediately afterwards, a man yelled and cursed.
"Stinky girl, you're blind, aren't you?"
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry...I didn't mean it."
In the private room, a waitress apologized one after another.
Just when this voice fell into Chu Tianyao's ears, the expression on his face changed instantly.
Chu He!
How could Chu Tianyao hear it wrong? This was the voice of his sister Chu He.