Chapter 171: The Factory Handover

Fang Jun turned to Xu Chen:

“You just mentioned three things—the first being Secretary Qu…”

“So, what’s the second and third?”

Xu Chen:

“The second is the issue with the 500 former workers at the Mechanical Factory.”

“When we take over Bright Factory on Monday, the biggest task will be building trust with those hundreds of workers.”

“It’s crucial for a smooth transition and for the upcoming factory renovations and Electric Vehicle Factory construction.”

He glanced at his father, Xu Zhiquan:

“Dad, this one’s on you.”

Xu Zhiquan had a cigarette in his mouth and nodded seriously:

“At the welcome ceremony in the grand hall on Monday, they’ll probably have me speak.”

“It’s East Morning Star Co.’s first big appearance and the initial step to gain the trust of those 500 workers.”

“So, I need to think carefully about what I’ll say.”

He turned to Xu Chen with a smile:

“I’ll draft something and then get your advice, Xu—some guidance on it.”

Xu Chen chuckled:

“The third thing is the trickiest—the unexpected resistance we might face that day.”

“Like the security team, the handover of financial records…”

Fang Jun spoke up:

“If Secretary Qu represents the city officials, they won’t dare cause trouble.”

“Even if Jin Guiyuan has backers, they wouldn’t mess with the vice mayor’s secretary.”

“But without Secretary Qu involved, Bright Factory could throw obstacles our way, making it tougher for us to handle alone.”

“They’re hiring an outside security team, probably to intimidate us, see us stumble, or push us into overreacting.”

“Plus, we just said we can’t bring our own people, or we’d play right into their hands…”

“And the financial handover—can’t let that drag on.”

Xu Chen thought for a moment and said:

“Bright Factory already has a security team, right?”

Fang Jun nodded:

“Bright Factory’s always had a security department, and the guards are full-time employees.”

“But most are older, and with wages unpaid for months, most have taken leave.”

“Also…”

“Our acquisition plans— the original security team definitely knows about it.”

“If Jin Guiyuan or anyone tries to stir trouble, the old team won’t get involved.”

“After all, they know President Xu will be the future boss.”

“That’s probably why Jin Guiyuan brought in outside security…”

Xu Chen nodded silently.

Xu Zhiquan checked his watch, stubbed out his cigarette:

“It’s getting late—let’s head down for dinner and talk over food.”

“We’ve got a few days to plan this out carefully.”

“They’re in the shadows, we’re in the light, but now that we know ahead of time, we can prepare.”

Fang Jun stayed quiet, looking worried.

Xu Chen suddenly smiled:

“Maybe it’s not that complicated…”

Fang Jun: “Have you got a solution?”

Xu Chen smiled: “I’m starving—let’s chat over dinner!”

Xu Zhiquan: “Let’s go! There’s a new stew place downstairs—we’ll check it out!”

……

……

In the blink of an eye, a few days passed, and it was Monday—the day East Morning Star Co. officially took over Bright Factory.

Early that morning, Xu Zhiquan, Xu Chen, Yang Congxin, and Fang Jun met up first at Jinfeng Business Tower.

Yang Congxin used to live in the Bright Factory staff apartments, but after quitting, he couldn’t get in, so he came here to join them before heading out together.

Xu Zhiquan had on a new suit, his slicked-back hair neatly combed, looking sharp and professional.

They waited briefly in the office until Xu Zhiquan got a message and quickly went out to greet the visitor.

It turned out to be Qu Fei, the secretary of Vice Mayor Wu Yongming.

Qu Fei looked under forty, calm and efficient.

“President Xu, on behalf of Vice Mayor Wu, I offer my congratulations!”

Xu Zhiquan laughed heartily:

“We’re truly grateful for Vice Mayor Wu and Secretary Qu’s support!”

He politely showed Qu Fei into the office.

Xu Chen and the others came out to meet him, and Xu Zhiquan introduced everyone to Secretary Qu.

When Qu Fei saw Xu Chen, he smiled:

“Xu Chen, we met at the funeral in South River Village last time…”

Xu Chen replied with a smile: “I didn’t expect Secretary Qu to remember me—there were so many people at the funeral.”

Qu Fei: “Of course I remember!”

“When Vice Mayor Wu and I were in the car, Director Gao and Teacher Chen mentioned you—they said you were the first to discover Xie Bingran.”

Director Gao was the head of the City Sports Bureau, Gao Guangya, who had attended Xie Bingran’s grandmother’s funeral.

And Teacher Chen was naturally Chen Ming.

Qu Fei: “Discovering Xie Bingran has been a huge boost to Tiancheng City’s sports and publicity efforts!”

He then turned to Xu Zhiquan:

“President Xu, you’re contributing to Tiancheng’s economic growth too—you and your son are quite impressive!”

Xu Zhiquan chuckled warmly and humbly brushed it off.

Xu Chen couldn’t help but think how people in official circles had a knack for perfectly flattering others with just a few words…

Qu Fei also knew Fang Jun and greeted her with a polite tone.

Fang Jun remained her usual composed self—not overly friendly, not distant…

Xu Zhiquan showed Qu Fei around the office briefly before saying:

“Secretary Qu, I bet they at Bright Factory don’t know you’re coming today, right?”

Qu Fei:

“They probably don’t.”

“I’m here on Vice Mayor Wu’s assignment to accompany you all.”

“The city has a specific team handling Bright Factory, so it’s not in my wheelhouse.”

Xu Zhiquan smiled:

“That’s perfect!”

“Today, just come along, Secretary Qu—think of it as a day off for you.”

Qu Fei nodded with a smile.

Everyone there was sharp—they picked up on the subtle undertones in those few words.

Xu Zhiquan: “Though I might be busy over there today…”

Before he finished, Fang Jun cut in:

“You handle your business, President Xu—I’ll take care of Secretary Qu at Bright Factory the whole time.”

Qu Fei paused, then smiled:

“That’s too kind—I’m honored to spend the day with you, Fang Jun.”

After a bit more small talk, Xu Zhiquan checked the time:

“It’s about that time—let’s head out!”

……

Downstairs at Jinfeng Business Tower.

Secretary Qu arrived by car with his driver.

Since Fang Jun was to accompany Secretary Qu the whole way, she got into the black Buick Regal.

Li Rui was already waiting in the car; Xu Zhiquan sat in the passenger seat, while Xu Chen and Yang Congxin took the back.

The two cars started up and headed toward Bright Factory.

……

About twenty minutes later, the black Accord pulled up to the main gate of Bright Factory, with the black Regal following.

Xu Zhiquan, in the passenger seat, looked up at the entrance where a line of at least a dozen or twenty security guards stood.

Dressed in black uniforms, they all had fierce expressions.

……