Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Double Blessings
Su Xiaoxiao turned around and saw someone rushing over.
The meticulously styled hair was messed up, sweat covered his forehead, looking somewhat disheveled.
Seeing the person suddenly reminded her that today they were supposed to discuss the formula price with Director Li.
She had been so preoccupied with the department store issue that she temporarily forgot about this.
Li Zhenhua rushed over, panting, and quickly stopped when he saw her.
Su Xiaoxiao saw Song Weidong still standing nearby and said, "Song, could you please wait for me over there for a bit?"
Song Weidong nodded and walked a little distance away.
Seeing him leave, Li Zhenhua hurriedly spoke up: "Comrade Su, I’m here to discuss the shampoo formula price with you."
After discussing it with several leaders at the factory, he couldn’t wait to find Comrade Su.
After all, the earlier the shampoo formula is put into production, the earlier it can hit the market.
He is quite confident about Comrade Su’s shampoo formula, but the price is something the factory really can’t afford, so he’s reluctantly come to haggle with Comrade Su.
"Comrade Su, could you see if it’s possible to lower the price a bit?"
Su Xiaoxiao frowned, "Director Li, my friend is giving you the price out of respect for you. Once it’s in production, the shampoo is bound to be a hit, and you might recoup that thousand bucks quite quickly."
Li Zhenhua understood this reasoning but, embarrassed by his tight finances, continued bargaining: "That’s true, but the fact is, our factory can’t come up with that much money right now. Could it be a little cheaper...?"
Su Xiaoxiao thought for a moment, "How about this, you could pay us half the deposit first and pay the rest after the shampoo goes into production. How does that sound?"
"This..."
Thinking of the shampoo’s potential success, Li Zhenhua hesitated for a moment and agreed through gritted teeth.
If the market conditions are good at that time, they might even give Comrade Su a bigger share.
With that in mind, he promptly took out five hundred yuan and handed it to Su Xiaoxiao, writing an IOU for the rest and giving it to her.
Following the agreement, Su Xiaoxiao also handed the shampoo formula to Li Zhenhua.
Upon receiving the formula, Li Zhenhua was so excited he checked it repeatedly before carefully folding it and placing it in his pocket.
Thinking it over, he left his phone number with Su Xiaoxiao, "Su, if you ever need anything, feel free to call me."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they parted ways, leaving Su Xiaoxiao with a thousand bucks and admission to the department store, in great spirits.
In her heart, she considered how she should treat Song Weidong to a meal to show gratitude.
She was well aware that Manager Xu’s help was certainly due to Song Weidong.
She had to host this meal.
"Song, if you’re free later, I’d like to invite you to a restaurant for dinner."
Being able to spend more time with her, Song Weidong was naturally willing.
Even if he had plans, he’d say he didn’t.
The two headed to the state-run restaurant.
Su Xiaoxiao drooled looking at the handwritten menu on the small chalkboard: braised pork ribs, sweet and sour pork, sweet and sour fish...
Perhaps it had been too long without meat, but looking at all those delicacies, she felt so hungry she could eat a whole cow.
Her eyes immediately lit up: "I’ll take a serving of braised pork ribs, sweet and sour pork, stir-fried tomatoes and eggs, plus spinach and egg soup, and a bowl of rice..."
Song Weidong thought she would just have ordered a small portion, but didn’t expect her to be so lavish.
Seeing her about to order more, he felt a bit embarrassed and spoke up: "Su, that’s enough. I don’t eat much..."
Before finishing his sentence, Su Xiaoxiao suddenly turned to him: "Sorry, I forgot about you. Feel free to order whatever you want."
Song Weidong: "..."
Seeing her order so much, he thought it was for both of them, but it turned out it was all just for her.
Did Su, slim as she looked, really eat this much?
Soon, he got his answer.
When the dishes were served, Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes lit up as she stared at the food on her plate.
Since crossing over, she hadn’t had a proper meal; she’d almost given up interest in eating from constantly munching on hard biscuits.
Faced with so much meat, she was so excited she nearly cried.
"Song, please eat, don’t be shy."
Su Xiaoxiao casually said before rolling up her sleeves and digging in.
Song Weidong was dumbfounded as he watched her clean up the three dishes and one soup in front of her, blinking in astonishment.
Su Xiaoxiao ate till she was content, burped, and noticed Song Weidong staring at her, confused: "Song, why aren’t you eating? Why are you looking at me?"
Song Weidong quickly regained his composure, laid down his chopsticks, and coughed lightly: "I’m full."
Su Xiaoxiao looked at the half-full plate of food in front of him, frowning. With as tall as he was, he only ordered stir-fried pork with garlic sprouts and a bowl of rice he hadn’t finished. That doesn’t seem right.
Song Weidong noticed her staring at him, sometimes frowning, sometimes shaking her head, and couldn’t help but ask: "Su, is there a problem?"
Su Xiaoxiao instinctively blurted out: "Song, you seem a little... lacking."
Her words instantly plunged the surrounding into an eerie silence. A young girl at the next table nearly sprayed water on her fellow diner across the table.
Song Weidong’s expression was somewhat awkward; no man likes to hear they’re lacking, but unfortunately, he had no way to demonstrate otherwise to Su.
Su Xiaoxiao belatedly realized what she had said and hurriedly tried to fix it: "I don’t mean you’re lacking in that way, I mean your appetite is lacking."
Song Weidong blushed and softly responded.
Seeing the weird expressions around her, Su Xiaoxiao felt her explanation just made things worse.
So she opted to stop explaining.
After finishing their meal, they parted ways at the entrance of the state-run restaurant.
Su Xiaoxiao thought about the money she earned today and decided to buy some things to improve life at home.
On her way to the bus station, she saw bananas and apples for sale, bought three kilograms each, and carried them home.
Passing by the grocery store, she bought five kilograms of braised beef to take home.
The braised beef was genuine stuff, and just looking at its tempting color made her mouth water.
If you slice several pieces over noodles in the morning, it must be delicious.
Thinking about it, Su Xiaoxiao’s mouth was nearly watering.
Carrying the stuff, she cheerfully headed back.
Before reaching the door, she saw her two little brothers anxiously standing at the entrance.
Seeing her return, their eyes immediately lit up: "Third sister, something’s wrong. Sister Xu is having stomach pains. Mom’s not home, and we don’t know what to do."
Stomach pains?
Su Xiaoxiao quickly handed over the stuff to the two brothers and hurried inside.
In the living room, Xu Zhaodi was clutching her belly, pale-faced, with drops of bright red blood dripping onto the floor.
"Oh no, she’s about to give birth."
Su Xiaoxiao hastily entered, helped Xu Zhaodi onto the bed in the inner room, then turned to instruct the flustered two young brothers: "Jianwen, get me a basin of warm water, Jianwu, go to the clinic and get the barefoot doctor."