Chapter 00258: Secret Schemes
# Secret Schemes
Chapter 258
Novel: 1979 Golden Age
Chapter 258: Secret Schemes
Huang Zhanying had truly made something of herself.
She had become a renowned model of educated youth entrepreneurship in the capital region, with over a hundred employees under her, seven business outlets, and a wholesale department.
She had moved from beneath the arrow tower to a spacious area across the street, no longer operating out of a shabby shed but a proper wooden house.
A sign hung at the entrance: "Front Gate Dashilan Youth Tea and Snack Cooperative Headquarters!"
Chen Qi took a look outside—a row of wooden houses with considerable space.
A cotton curtain hung at the door, alongside a sign that read: "Tea and Snacks, General Goods, Wontons, Traditional Folk Performances."
The wonton stall was a separate room, with a stove pipe sticking out, puffing white steam.
Inside, the faint sounds of opera singing could be heard.
"This place has turned into a real hodgepodge!"
He lifted the curtain and stepped inside.
The front area had several large counters selling general goods.
Further in were six or seven sets of tables and chairs, with a small open space in front where a simple stage had been set up.
Curtains hung on either side, likely serving as dressing rooms.
Though small, it had everything.
Chen Qi felt pleased.
"Hello, comrade. What would you like?"
A young woman approached, handing him a simple price list with items like pastries and dried fruits.
The most eye-catching was undoubtedly the large bowl of tea—still two cents a bowl.
He casually ordered a few things and asked, "Where's Director Huang?"
"She's busy over at the wonton stall!"
"Call her over. Tell her a superior has come to inspect."
"And which superior might you be?" The girl didn’t recognize him.
"Department-level, in charge of Director Huang. Go on, call her!"
The girl left with a skeptical look.
Chen Qi sat down, observing the opera students singing on stage and the various details of the setup.
He felt deeply gratified.
These were all things he had mentioned offhand in the past, never expecting her to remember and expand on them, passing them down like a legacy.
"Ah, Comrade Chen Qi!"
"Comrade Zhanying!"
Chen Qi turned to see Huang Zhanying rushing over—still tall, with short, practical hair, large dark eyes that sparkled, and hands covered in flour.
Her laughter rang out like a clear bell: "Hahaha, I was wondering who it was. So it's you!"
"Don’t touch me, don’t touch me! A big director like you still personally wraps wontons?"
"Serving the people knows no rank or status. You, on the other hand, have drifted away from the masses. Your mother said you’ve been to Hong Kong and abroad—getting all fancy, huh?"
"I serve the people too, just on a different front!"
Huang Zhanying washed her hands and plopped down across from him, brimming with pride.
"You haven’t been here in ages. Look at this place! I finally got the land approval—this very plot. The district leaders helped allocate some building materials, so we put up these wooden houses."Too many employees to fit here, so I spread them out across seven outlets.
You wouldn’t believe their wages—averaging over sixty yuan a month now!""That much?""Base salary plus bonuses.
I’m the boss now—what I say goes!""My respects, my respects!"Chen Qi cupped his hands in mock reverence, then got serious."Let’s talk business.
I’m here to offer you a golden opportunity.
"I’ve started a magazine. The first issue drops in January. There’s nothing in the country right now that can compare. It’s guaranteed to be a hit. If you’re interested, toss in eight to ten thousand, and I’ll run ads for you. The day the magazine comes out, your cooperative will be famous nationwide!"
"Oh, that sounds great!"
"Right? A great deal!"
"I’m touched you still think of me. That’s rare!"
"We grew up sharing the same pair of pants—who else would I think of?"
"Exactly, we’re practically family!"
"Right! So, how much are you investing?"
"Nothing!"
Huang Zhanying wagged a finger.
"Not a single cent. You think I’m stupid? My cooperative is already more famous than your lousy magazine. Why would I need your ads? Eight to ten thousand? That’s public money—I can’t abuse my position for personal gain. You underestimate my principles!"If you want me to advertise, fine.
But I won’t pay upfront.
Show me results first.
If it works, I’ll pay.
Yearly settlements.""Who taught you all this?""You did!""Damn my big mouth!"Chen Qi sighed. The kid had grown up—harder to fool now."Alright, how about this? I’ll give you thirty free copies.
Distribute them across your outlets.
Sell them, give them away—I don’t care.
But if readers like them and you want more, I’ll sell them to you at 40% off.""What’s the retail price?""Twenty-five cents!"Huang Zhanying did the math. Forty percent off meant fifteen cents, a ten-cent profit per copy."Deal.
Done!""Also, consider this a favor.
You’re well-connected among the educated youth circles.
There are so many cooperatives in the capital—ask around for me.
Same terms: I’ll send a few free copies.
If they like them, they can order at 40% off.""No problem.
Leave it to me!"Huang Zhanying thumped her chest. Watching her confident, seasoned demeanor, Chen Qi mused,"You’ve really come into your own.
Back when you were selling tea, you couldn’t even shout your wares.""Times change.
I didn’t turn into Runtu, and I don’t want you turning into some stuffy bureaucrat."Huang Zhanying grew serious."There’s something I want to discuss.
The central government recently issued a document about some ‘contract responsibility system.’ What do you think—should I go for it?""You want to contract this cooperative?""Yes!""Forget it.
Not happening."Chen Qi shook his head."Only struggling enterprises get contracted out.
Yours is booming—who’d let you take it over? The government won’t allow it.
"And let me warn you: the better your performance, the more likely you’ll be reassigned. They might shuffle you into some bureaucratic role, hand you a minor title, and replace you here. Smooth transition, perfectly legal—you won’t even have grounds to complain."
"..."
Huang Zhanying fell silent.
"Then what should I do?"
"If you want to cling to the cooperative, find yourself a powerful backer. If you want to keep building your career, start quietly gathering strength and connections. When the time comes, raise the banner and strike out on your own. With my help, you’ll go far!"You could also apply to visit Hong Kong or abroad under the guise of exchanges or research.
See what’s trending there, brainstorm what you could do.
Don’t limit yourself to the capital—broaden your horizons.""..."Huang Zhanying listened without reply, but it was clear she took it to heart. Then she asked,"What about you? Your situation seems similar to mine?""Film’s different.
It’s a special field.
The work I do—no one else can do it.""Wow, such ambition.
Aiming for a ministerial position someday?""Ah, who knows what the future holds!"
It had been a long time since they’d chatted like this.
Chen Qi stayed a while longer, eating a bowl of her wontons, two plates of dried fruit, and a large bowl of tea.
He listened as the opera student finished her aria before finally taking his leave.
The student wasn’t Liu Bei—he hadn’t seen her in ages either.
Not that they’d interacted much anyway.
He’d met so many people; some slipped through his fingers like sand.
Maybe someday he’d remember and pick them up again for use.
Like Cai Caizi—the first celebrity he’d met after transmigrating.
Now, he couldn’t even be bothered to mention her.
(End of Chapter)