When had the commune ever had such a position?
And how did it end up connected to him?
Gu Zhao was filled with surprise. What exactly was Shu Ning planning?
Yet seeing her serious expression, he curved his lips slightly and greeted the couple politely, with perfect composure.
“Hello. Please take care of me.”
Chen Dawei and He Mei exchanged glances, equally puzzled.
When did such a position exist in the commune?
Why had they never heard of it?
But seeing Gu Zhao’s calm and composed demeanor—so natural, neither arrogant nor humble—they couldn’t help but wonder if they had simply fallen out of touch.
“Young man, you’re truly promising. So young and already a cadre in the commune,” Chen Dawei said.
Gu Zhao lowered his head slightly and smiled modestly. “Just a nominal position.”
A position he had never even heard of—of course it was nominal.
“So humble,” He Mei replied with a smile.
After some small talk, Shu Ning sat down and asked He Mei, “Aunt He, I heard you and Uncle talking about the factory’s fabric issue earlier. You seemed quite worried. What’s going on?”
At the mention of it, He Mei immediately began explaining everything in detail.
It was much the same as what Shu Ning had heard in her previous life.
“What do you think we should do?”
“All the defective fabric has become scraps.”
“The distributors refuse to take it, and the supply and marketing cooperative won’t accept it either. They say the dyeing is flawed—if it doesn’t sell, the cooperative has to bear the loss.”
“I even thought about selling some on the black market. We could sell a portion. But there’s so much—how would we sell it all? And wouldn’t that undermine the collective economy?”
“Look at your Uncle Chen—his hair has practically turned white from stress.”
Shu Ning glanced at him. Indeed, Chen Dawei’s temples had grown noticeably whiter.
“Sigh, why am I telling you all this? You’re still just a young girl,” He Mei added, sighing.
She knew Shu Ning couldn’t solve it—but keeping it bottled up felt worse.
Sitting nearby, Gu Zhao began calculating rapidly.
From what He Mei said, the cost of this batch of fabric was at least a thousand yuan.
He glanced at the bundles—plain cotton, twill cotton—thick materials, though irregularly cut due to dyeing issues.
But rural people didn’t care much about appearance.
As long as it was warm and usable, it was enough.
If he could take all this fabric and sell it across black markets, he could easily make several hundred yuan.
There was definitely profit.
He wasn’t short on coupons either.
But the problem was—they couldn’t sell it privately.
If people bought cheaper fabric from individuals, who would shop at the supply cooperative?
They would be accused of disrupting the collective economy.
That route was impossible…
“I heard from my aunt that you used to have good relationships with distributors and the supply cooperative. This time, their refusal might not just be about defective fabric, right?” Shu Ning asked thoughtfully.
He Mei slapped her thigh. “No wonder your aunt says you’re smart! It’s not that simple!”
Shu Ning smiled bitterly.
Why slap her thigh?
“The factory’s sales director is sabotaging us. He’s competing for deputy factory director. In just half a year, he’s built connections with all the distributors. Now he’s using this issue to push your Uncle Chen down and take the position!”
“The factory director supports your Uncle Chen and is trying to help—but hasn’t found a solution.”
Hearing this, Shu Ning’s eyes flickered slightly.
“So the factory director is still on Uncle Chen’s side.”
“He is—but even he can’t solve this. The distributors refuse to take the goods, no matter how much pressure is applied,” He Mei said anxiously. “Is this the end for our family?”
“Aunt He, don’t worry. Our commune’s liaison officer can help solve this,” Shu Ning said, turning to Gu Zhao with a smile.
“…?”
Gu Zhao was full of confusion.
She wanted him to solve this?
Did she already know about his black market dealings?
But how could this even work?
He could see the value in the fabric—but he couldn’t take the risk.
Chen Dawei’s eyes lit up immediately. “Shu girl, are you serious? This young man can solve it? Does he know people at the cooperative or the distributors?”
Shu Ning nodded and turned to Gu Zhao. “If I say it’s possible, then it is. Right?”
Gu Zhao remained silent, maintaining his steady demeanor.
Shu Ning couldn’t help but admire him.
Even when she pushed him forward like this, he stayed completely calm.
He truly had the temperament for business—waiting patiently, never revealing his hand too early.
“Comrade Gu, we promised the team leader we’d identify a post-harvest income project today. You’ve already investigated bamboo crafts and winter bamboo shoots—but I think helping Aunt He solve this fabric issue is better.”
She continued smoothly, “Winter is coming. Even if the fabric is irregular, it can be made into foot-warming covers, sleeve protectors, aprons…”
Hearing this, Gu Zhao’s mind clicked instantly.
Of course!
If they couldn’t do private sales, they could do public-to-public transactions!
The textile factory—to Hongqi Commune.
After harvest, the commune had plenty of idle labor.
The elderly women might not handle heavy work, but handicrafts?
They were experts.
If the commune took the fabric, turned it into finished goods—quilts, sleeves, aprons, children’s clothing—and sold them cheaply, they would definitely sell.
The rural market was huge, and people preferred affordable goods.
The problem would be solved.
He might not make much personally—but everyone could earn money.
That alone was worth it.
Looking at Shu Ning, he suddenly understood why she had given him that “liaison officer” title.
Her mind worked even faster than his.
“Although we’ve discussed bamboo projects with other communes, nothing is finalized. Since you’re familiar with Comrade Shu, and she introduced us, I’ll report this to our team leader immediately and try to establish a cooperation agreement. Personally, I’m very willing to help solve your problem.”
Gu Zhao spoke calmly, his tone steady and measured.
Shu Ning smiled.
He truly was a heaven-sent partner.
Smart—exceptionally smart.
Listen to how he spoke.
On the surface, he made it clear he had multiple options and didn’t need this deal—yet his attitude remained humble and sincere.
He had already grasped the business opportunity, yet revealed nothing.
This was how negotiations worked.
Never show your full hand.
Only then could you maintain control.
“That sounds great! Old Chen, I think this could work!” He Mei said eagerly.
Chen Dawei’s eyes lit up.
Why hadn’t he thought of cooperating with communes before?
“I think it’s feasible!” he said immediately.
“But if Hongqi Commune takes all this fabric, there are still two issues,” Shu Ning added thoughtfully. “First, limited funds. Second, difficulty in selling such a large volume.”
“…”
Chen Dawei froze.
“…”
Gu Zhao, however, thought—
She still has another move.