In this era, the power of money was no less than in later times. The freight department of the Ertai Town train station immediately swung into action. Large quantities of pine nuts were transported to the freight station and immediately packed into boxes, placed at the front, ready to be loaded onto the train as soon as it arrived.
Li Zhiyu still underestimated the volume of goods Su Pingnan was shipping, so seeing the scattered sacks forced to be loaded onto the passenger train, he was heartbroken.
This was all money! He silently vowed to arrange things better next time.
Su Pingnan had already set off for the city, all the connections having been established. Su Wenwen and Guo Guangyao would take turns staying in Ertai Town to ensure the pine nuts operation ran smoothly.
Back at the factory, seeing the completely renovated and neatly arranged factory, Su Pingnan was taken aback by Yang Qianli and the others' enthusiasm and efficiency.
Although in Su Pingnan's experienced eyes, the factory was still somewhat simple, in the eyes of Guo Guangyao and the others, it was already exceptionally luxurious. The constant spending made them both feel extremely distressed.
1600 yuan, the accounts were clear, but the messy handwriting made Su Pingnan scratch his head. The thought of finding an accountant immediately came to mind.
Zhang Lihua hadn't slept a wink all night. Her child's illness had flared up again, and she, dragging her weary body, used hot water to constantly wipe her son's stiff body, racked with pain.
She currently only received half her monthly salary, a meager 45 yuan, just enough to barely sustain her and her son's most basic needs. After a busy night, she had to go out early to find odd jobs to earn money. Only then could she barely afford medicine for her son, preventing his condition from worsening.
The entrance was completely blocked by trash piled up by the neighbors, this was the treatment these enthusiastic neighbors gave her, the "slut." Initially, she still cleaned it up, but every morning she woke up to find the entrance just as crammed. After a while, she simply ignored it, laboriously climbing over it.
"Slut, going out so early to sell yourself?"
"Slut, your son is suffering because of your sins."
As soon as she stepped out, a few young thugs from the factory's family housing area saw her and immediately began to hurl insults at her.
Zhang Lihua proudly straightened her back. This woman possessed a strength that even men envied.
Only today was different.
Zhang Lihua hadn't taken a few steps when a young man in a black trench coat with short, stubbly hair stood directly in front of her.
The young man was tall, and behind him were seven or eight other men.
She forcefully raised her head, her eyes sharp, trying to intimidate this burly man with this method.
Su Pingnan looked at the woman in front of him, her eyes stubborn, her clothes tattered and worn, completely lacking the slightest trace of the future tycoon of the Tiannan province's financial world.
"Are you Zhang Lihua?"
"Yes."
"Do you know accounting?"
"Not just know, I'm extremely good at it." Zhang Lihua's tone was filled with pride. Even with life treating her this way, she still studied every day, this was her perseverance.
Su Pingnan laughed happily. He admired this woman.
"I'm hiring you."
"Accounting?"
"Accounting, no joke." Su Pingnan was serious.
"Okay." Zhang Lihua agreed, her words crisp and clear. Then she added, "I don't do false accounts."
"Of course."
"Then I have no problem. I'll do my best for you."
Su Pingnan smiled mischievously, "I have a question. How can I hire you for life?"
Looking at the ambitious man in front of her, Zhang Lihua replied seriously, "I'm expensive."
Su Pingnan didn't answer immediately, he threw his head back and laughed, unable to contain his amusement. He turned to Yang Qianli and Zhang Tong, his tone indifferent, "Their mouths are too foul, break their teeth for me." He pointed at the few young thugs who were gossiping nearby.
Yang Qianli silently nodded.
Screams and cries rang out. Yang Qianli wiped the blood and saliva from his hands and whispered to Su Pingnan, "My hand was a bit heavy. The one who cursed the most was knocked unconscious."
Zhang Lihua had been standing there for a long time, watching the usually vicious thugs suffer. She felt no pity, only a rare surge of exhilaration.
"Which households are the ones dumping trash in front of your door?" Su Pingnan didn't pay attention to Zhang Lihua's current state, instead continuing in a cold voice.
Zhang Lihua, also a decisive person, lacked the foolish kindness of ordinary people. She unhesitatingly pointed to the three households around her home.
Su Pingnan nodded, "Stuff it back to them."
Seven or eight men immediately sprang into action, quick and agile. They found some tools, scooped up the garbage piled in front of Zhang Lihua's door, and rudely knocked on the doors of the few households. Regardless of the cries from inside, they directly threw the garbage inside.
Su Pingnan walked over to the few young thugs who were lying on the ground crying, squatting beside the leader, a yellow-haired thug: "Your mouths need to be cleaner. Go see a dentist." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a few 100 yuan bills, throwing them at the yellow-haired thug with disdain.
He got up and stood. The yellow-haired thug had already recognized Su Pingnan, so he naturally agreed meekly.
Su Pingnan clapped his hands, ignoring the crowd gathering around, and called out to Zhang Lihua, who was still in a daze, "Let's go, you're starting work."
Zhang Lihua felt extremely happy. The gentle breeze brushed against her slightly feverish cheeks, and a radiant smile, absent for many years, suddenly appeared on her face. She quickly caught up.
A snippet of conversation drifted through the wind.
"Well, my lifetime fees aren't that expensive."
"Don't worry, I can afford it."
"Then I'll follow you."
"Good."
For the rest of her life, Zhang Lihua remained utterly devoted to Su Pingnan. Regardless of the price offered by any company, she wouldn't budge. So much so that her best friend couldn't help but ask out of curiosity, and Zhang Lihua replied calmly, "Others pay me money, but what Mr. Su gives me, they can't give, and wouldn't dare give."