’If only we’d known her factory’s production capacity was so low,’ they thought. ’We should have placed our orders when Jerry did!’

But alas, hindsight is 20/20.

All they could do was watch helplessly as others secured orders from Xie Changning’s factory.

Even Jerry had successfully snagged an order for the development of a new flavor from Xie Changning’s factory, making everyone else green with envy.

Seeing how popular Xie Changning’s booth was, Jerry puffed out his chest with pride. "I told you all, Director Xie’s products sell incredibly well. But you wouldn’t listen to me. You insisted on trying to lowball her, and now look at you~"

’What was that saying from China again?’

’Something about using a bamboo basket to draw water and ending up with nothing!’

’Heh heh, I’m such a genius!’

The trade fair was abuzz for the entire afternoon.

Originally, the leaders had been worried that this would be the spring session with the lowest foreign currency earnings in the history of the Guangzhou Trade Fair.

They never expected this—

Presenting a united front had made those people so much more compliant!

As a result, all the factories combined earned 250 million in foreign currency that day!

Compared to Xie Changning’s single factory earning a high of 200 million last year, this might not sound like much, but—

Everyone knew that this 250 million was a new record for light industrial products!

After all, Xie Changning’s two factories had only contributed a few million to that total.

By the time the third day came to a perfect close, every factory director was smiling. They began to feel thankful that they had signed the agreement.

Otherwise, how could such a wonderful, money-making opportunity have ever fallen to them!

’What a difference between asking the state for money and earning it yourself!’

When Director Liu received the report, his face bloomed into a smile, and he was extremely satisfied with the transaction volume of this spring’s trade fair. He couldn’t help but remark to the person beside him, "This Xie Changning is truly the Guangzhou Trade Fair’s good luck charm!"

’She earns foreign currency for herself and helps everyone else earn it too. Truly remarkable!’

"Yes, Xie Changning has set a wonderful example! This time, not only did we set a new record, but we also turned a profit! This is the first time the Guangzhou Trade Fair has actually made money since it was founded!"

’Those foreigners can’t drive a wedge between our people anymore!’

News of this quickly reached the ears of the factory directors from the heavy industry sector, and they couldn’t help but look forward to the day their own exhibitions would begin.

The light industrial products exhibition ended, requiring two days for the booths to be dismantled and new ones set up.

Only after all the light industrial products were cleared out did Xie Changning’s water heater and small printers appear in the public eye.

Unlike last time, Xie Changning had brought a medium-sized water heater and about seven or eight small printers.

The moment her machines appeared, everyone couldn’t help but turn their gazes toward her.

Xie Changning felt their stares but didn’t try to be secretive. When asked, she told everyone what she was producing.

Upon hearing that the water heater was for washing up, they couldn’t help but frown, feeling that Xie Changning’s machine was a bit of a white elephant.

’Every family knows how to boil water. You can just use home-boiled water to bathe. A water heater just consumes electricity. I’m afraid...’

’It won’t sell well!’

The other factories that had intended to discuss technical exchanges lost interest and stopped asking Xie Changning about the water heater. As for the printer—

They figured that without a primary machine to drive it, the device could only be sold abroad. Since their own factories already had machines for export, they weren’t planning to take on a product that would only drag down their own output.

Everyone was thinking about the development of their own factories.

All their interactions were friendly.

Wang Shumei had only earned a little over a million in foreign currency this time, but she was satisfied. At least it was enough profit to support the workers in her factory, which was already quite good.

As for Shen Jiaci, her export total was over eight million.

It was all thanks to the unique and innovative designs of her factory’s porcelain.

Wang Shumei had asked Shen Jiaci about it, and Shen Jiaci didn’t hide anything. She told Wang Shumei that she had specifically paid Xie Changning for the designs.

Hearing Shen Jiaci’s words, Wang Shumei sighed. "Director Shen is so decisive. If our factory had also invited her... sigh!" It was too late to say anything now. The spring trade fair was over, and the market had taught their factory a lesson: continuous development was essential.

Resting on one’s laurels was not an option.

Shen Jiaci just patted Wang Shumei’s shoulder, saying nothing.

Everyone knew that the factory director was the one who made the final decision. As a vice-director, Wang Shumei could only offer suggestions. If she had the authority, she would have invited Xie Changning to help with designs back during the spring trade fair.

In any case, what was done was done, and further discussion was pointless.

On the train ride home, Wang Shumei didn’t sleep a wink all night.

As for Xie Changning, still in Shencheng City, she had two good nights of sleep. In other words, she was under no pressure at all, eating well and sleeping soundly.

Until the machinery exhibition began.

With the light industrial products section serving as an appetizer, the foreigners who came later all understood that the Chinese had gotten smart. They were no longer willing to lose money just to drum up business. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

The old theory that the state would subsidize everything was no longer effective on the Chinese.

And the source of all this was a woman named Xie Changning.

Those who didn’t know Xie Changning would think she was utterly detestable. But the foreigners who did know her felt that—

’Calling her "utterly detestable" is a compliment! She’s far more formidable than they could ever imagine!’

Xie Changning, the center of the topic, was standing at her factory’s booth, offering service with a smile to every foreigner who came to inquire.

Seeing Xie Changning’s smile, the foreigners all thought, ’How could such a young woman be as detestable as the rumors say? It must just be gossip that she’s hard to talk to. If we just persuade her a little, she’ll fall for it.’

An arrogant foreigner tried to haggle with Xie Changning.

What he got was Xie Changning’s smiling refusal. "I can’t do that, my friend. At the price you’re offering, I would lose money, and I don’t do business at a loss." After speaking, she wore an expression that clearly told him to see himself out.

This left the foreigner in an awkward position.

But even so, Xie Changning showed no intention of keeping him there. In the end, it was Jerry who came over and patted his compatriot on the shoulder. "I’d advise you to work with her. Otherwise, if you want to cooperate later, you’ll have to go through me, and the cost will be even higher."

Jerry’s words made his compatriot frown.

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. I’m about to discuss a partnership with Director Xie. If sales are good, I’ll become her exclusive distributor in the United States." As he spoke, Jerry proudly adjusted his tie.

This made his compatriot think there was something wrong with him.

His compatriot rolled his eyes and left. Jerry, not to be outdone, rolled his eyes right back.

The two parted on bad terms. Smith, who was nearby, admonished him, "Sir, this is our business opportunity. How could you just reveal it to anyone?"

"Did he look like he was going to believe me?"

Faced with Jerry’s question, Smith paused, then shook his head.

"There you have it. I was betting he wouldn’t believe me. I’m going to talk to Director Xie directly about the distributorship. His disbelief now is the start of him losing money and me making it~"

Jerry thought to himself, ’I’m absolutely brilliant!’