People in the alley: A woman dressed as a man shouldn't be foolishly filial, Zhuang Chaoying

Chapter 168 Dual-track pricing

When her son came home today, Zhuang Chaoying scaled the lively fish she bought that morning, gutted it, and cleaned it before letting it drain.

Then cut the meat into even pieces, ready to make braised pork.

Then pinch off the tops of the green beans.

After preparing all the ingredients, I started a fire, poured oil into the pot, and waited for the oil to heat up. Just as I put the green beans into the pot, I heard a sound coming from outside.

Lin Wufeng walked over and peeked into the kitchen. "Teacher Zhuang, you've made so many delicious dishes today!"

Zhuang Chaoying answered with a smile as she stir-fried the green beans in the pan. "Tu Nan came back today and went to buy groceries early this morning."

Lin Wufeng took out his own cured pork from the refrigerator and washed it carefully with water. "I'll stir-fry some cured pork today too. Dongzhe is watching TV at your house, he's so happy. Now that Tu Nan is back, someone will be watching them, which will save us a lot of trouble."

Zhuang Chaoying stir-fried the green beans in the pan: "That's right, there are people watching over them now that Tu Nan is back. High school holidays won't start for a while, so it's good that Tu Nan is back."

Zhuang Chaoying glanced at her watch; it was almost five o'clock. Ah Ling should be back soon.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

As soon as Huang Ling entered the house, she saw her three children watching TV. When she saw her son, she was overjoyed. "Tu Nan, Mom has missed you so much!"

Hearing that Tu Nan had returned, Song Ying pushed open the door and poked her head in. "Tu Nan, you're back! Aunt Song missed you too. Finally, someone can keep those naughty boys in check."

Tu Nan reached out and hugged Huang Ling. "Mom, Aunt Song, I'm back. Don't worry, I've got them covered."

Remembering the pastries she had bought, she let go of Huang Ling and picked up a box of butterfly cookies from the table. "Aunt Song, I didn't know what to buy. These are specialties from Shanghai. Please take them home and try them."

Song Ying happily accepted the snacks. "Tu Nan, you're so kind. Thank you, Aunt Song. I won't stand on ceremony."

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Factory Director An carried two boxes of pastries into the courtyard and gently knocked on Song Ying's door. "Knock, knock, knock! Is Engineer Lin home?"

Hearing the voice, Song Ying opened the door: "It's Factory Director An. He's home. Come in!"

With that, Song Ying turned and walked towards the kitchen. "Wu Feng, Director An is here. There must be something he needs to discuss."

Lin Wufeng handed the spatula to Song Ying and took off his apron: "Here, just stir-fry the cured meat a few more times and it'll be done."

"Okay, go quickly, don't keep people waiting."

Lin Wufeng nodded, went into the house, and wondered what could be on their mind.

Director An sat in his chair with a solemn expression. A while ago, the dual-track pricing system caused the price of all the raw materials for the refrigerator factory to increase by 20%. After calculating the costs, there was no profit at all, and they might even lose money.

A few days ago, he made a special trip to Wenzhou. There are many small, privately-run workshops there, and the quality is decent. The prices are even lower than before the dual-track pricing system was implemented.

He clenched his fists tightly, looking somewhat anxious.

"Engineer Lin, I've come to see you today because I have something to discuss with you. Are you aware of the dual-track pricing system for raw materials at the state-owned factory?"

When Factory Director An mentioned the dual-track pricing system, Lin Wufeng immediately understood what it meant and the purpose of Director An's visit. "The dual-track pricing system means a 20% increase in raw material prices for state-owned factories."

Factory Director An quickly chimed in. "Engineer Lin, you know more. You're familiar with the regulations. You came here specifically to discuss this matter. I've asked around at all the state-owned factories in Suzhou, and they've all raised their prices."

Lin Wufeng nodded thoughtfully: "Director An, you can go to other places to look at other factories and compare prices."

Factory Director An took out the sample parts he had brought back from Wencheng from his pocket.

Song Ying placed the stir-fried cured meat on the stove, poured a cup of water from the thermos, and brought it in: "Director An, have some tea."

"Okay, thank you!"

Factory Director An took the tea, placed it on the table, and handed over the sample parts: "Engineer Lin, take a look, this is the sample we brought back from the small workshop in Wencheng a few days ago."

Lin Wufeng took the parts and examined them carefully. "Aside from the workmanship not being very refined, everything else is fine and usable. How much did it cost?"

An Changzi happily held up five fingers and excitedly said, "This is even cheaper than our original price!"

Factory Manager An put the parts back into his bag: "That small workshop over there can make anything, pistons, bearings, all kinds of parts. I've made up my mind, from now on, all the parts for our factory, except for the important ones, will be sourced from there."

"Mr. Lin, the specifications for all the parts in the factory were derived from experiments you led. Would you consider going to Wencheng yourself to compare the specifications with those there?"

Song Ying felt somewhat dissatisfied upon hearing Director An's words.

Wu Feng has been busy all year, and he finally got a few days off during the Spring Festival. But then Director An asked him to go to Wencheng, which means he won't get a single day of rest.

"Director An, Wu Feng finally got a break for the New Year. What I meant was to let Wu Feng spend the New Year at home and get some rest. Wu Feng didn't take a single day off last year. People aren't machines; they can't work non-stop without rest."

Factory Director An quickly replied, "Yes, yes, yes! It only takes four or five days to go to Wencheng and back, it won't take too long."

Song Ying looked at Director An: "Director An, you should know that Wu Feng secretly went to your place to provide technical guidance. The compressor factory didn't know, and the factory doesn't allow employees to take on part-time jobs. If they find out that he's been away for so many days, Wu Feng and I won't be able to afford the consequences. I still have one dish to finish cooking, Director An, please eat before you go."

Lin Wufeng chimed in, "Yes, Director An, let's eat before we go."

Factory Director An quickly stood up, waving his hands repeatedly and saying, "No, no, I have things to do at the factory, so I won't eat." He then got up to leave.

Lin Wufeng followed behind, saying, "I'll see Director An off."

The two walked into the courtyard. Director An looked cautiously outside the courtyard, then lowered his voice and said, "Engineer Lin, you have always known my original intention, which was to join our factory. You are a senior technical talent."

I can offer you a technology-based equity investment. Everyone in the factory will warmly welcome you, and I'll give you 10% of the shares directly, with year-end dividends. Would you like to reconsider?

Lin Wufeng quickly pulled him aside, somewhat embarrassed: "Director An, isn't this fine as it is? I haven't thought this through yet, let's think about it some more."

Factory Director An nodded and continued to persuade him, "We welcome you anytime you want to come. Engineer Lin is going to Wencheng this time, and we'll reimburse his travel and accommodation expenses, and pay him 200 yuan a day. You can consider it. Since your wife doesn't want you to go, then forget it."

After seeing Director An off, Lin Wufeng returned to his room and sat down in a chair with a heavy expression.

Thinking about what Director An said, with technology as equity investment, 10% of the shares, and dividends, even if the factory's annual profit is small but high volume, last year's net profit reached 380,000, so he could get at least 30,000. What a huge number that is.

Lin Wufeng felt his heart beat faster and his breathing become rapid.

His mind is a complete mess right now, wavering back and forth.

He knew that Song Ying felt sorry for him because he didn't have a break all year round and wanted him to relax during the New Year.

But the immediate issue is going to Wencheng, which pays 200 yuan a day, and you can earn 1,000 yuan after one trip.

I should advise Song Ying to earn more money while she can, because once Dongzhe goes to university, there will be many more places to spend money.

As for whether or not I'll go to Director An's refrigerator factory in the future, I'll just have to wait and see.