Song Qiao had long anticipated Xia Yuqing's question. He smiled and said, "Mr. Sun from Jialefu Supermarket invested a portion, and with the factory's recent cash flow, it was just enough to acquire it."
Xia Yuqing frowned, her dissatisfaction evident as she questioned, "Are you crazy? Our factory is like a hot potato right now. You're rushing to take it over."
She paused here for a moment.
"You're not buying the factory just to prevent me from being laid off, are you?"
Xia Yuqing suddenly recalled Song Qiao's assurances that afternoon.
She was so angry she wanted to stomp her feet.
Song Qiao seemed shrewd in business, yet he was doing something so foolish now.
Seeing his wife getting angry again, Song Qiao quickly explained, "That's only one reason. The main thing is I see potential in this factory's location."
"Wife, don't worry, once the factory completes its transformation, its performance will be as booming as our processing plant."
Hearing Song Qiao's explanation, Xia Yuqing’s mood finally calmed.
Lately, every promise Song Qiao had made seemed to come true. Under these circumstances, Xia Yuqing had unconsciously chosen to believe her husband.
She nodded in silence, then suddenly remembered something else and said with some worry.
"Since someone invested, you won't have the final say in the factory's affairs."
"You've broken protocol and promoted me to workshop supervisor. This abuse of power might invite gossip."
"Haha, wife, aren't you being a bit too cautious?"
Song Qiao burst into laughter upon hearing this.
"Sun Qing invested a sum, but he only holds ten percent of the shares. This factory is ultimately mine to command."
"You just focus on your work. Even if I made you the factory director, no one would dare object."
Although Song Qiao was trying his best to reassure his wife, Xia Yuqing still harbored some anxieties.
After all, being promoted from an ordinary employee to a workshop supervisor made her feel a sense of unreality.
But seeing Song Qiao's confident demeanor, she didn't say anything more.
In the afternoon, Song Qiao asked Lin Jing and A Wei to stay and continue organizing the factory's work, while he returned to the processing plant to select a few experienced employees to support the new factory.
On his way back, he received a call from Guo Jun.
"Brother Song, long time no see. Are you free tonight? I'd like to introduce you to a friend."
As soon as the call connected, Guo Jun's robust voice rang out.
Song Qiao's heart leaped with joy. Guo Jun's circle likely consisted of influential figures. If he could forge connections, his business would undoubtedly proceed more smoothly in the future.
"Of course, I'm free. Brother Guo's friend is my friend. We'll surely hit it off." Song Qiao replied casually, without showing too much excitement.
"Then tonight at eight, at Ziyue KTV. We'll see you there."
Guo Jun hung up the phone directly after speaking.
Hearing the location Guo Jun had chosen, Song Qiao couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.
Ziyue KTV was a business-oriented club, well-known in the city.
Guo Jun choosing this place to meet suggested that the person he was introducing was likely a prominent figure from the underworld.
For businessmen like Guo Jun, it was probable that their influence extended not only to official circles but also to considerable power within the criminal element.
Thinking this, Song Qiao began to take it seriously. His business was growing, and the connections he had made so far might no longer be sufficient. He needed to expand his network.
...
At eight in the evening, Song Qiao arrived at Ziyue punctually with A Wei.
A Wei was now Song Qiao's most trusted subordinate. After the previous incident, Song Qiao had complete faith in this young man.
He wanted to mentor A Wei, so bringing him to such an occasion to gain experience was natural.
"Brother Song, you've finally arrived."
Upon entering the main entrance, Guo Jun rushed forward and warmly led him into a private room.
"This is Brother Chun, my best friend in the underworld."
Entering the room, Guo Jun pointed to a bald man and introduced him to Song Qiao.
"Brother Chun, this is the Brother Song I mentioned to you. We two are very compatible."
The bald man smiled politely, stood up, and extended his right hand to Song Qiao.
"I've heard of Brother Song's reputation for a long time. Meeting you today, you truly are a distinguished figure."
Seeing the other party's politeness, Song Qiao naturally dared not be remiss.
He extended his hand to shake the man's and humorously said, "Brother Guo's judgment in making friends is, as always, exceptionally sharp."
With one sentence, he praised both Guo Jun and Brother Chun.
This immediately elicited hearty laughter from everyone, and the initially somewhat unfamiliar atmosphere quickly became more cordial.
A Wei stood respectfully to the side, silent, his heart already churning like a stormy sea.
He had dabbled in the underworld for a few years and had naturally heard of Brother Chun's name in the city. His influence was even well-known throughout the entire province.
His former boss, Duan Kun, was merely an insignificant thug in comparison, not even worthy of carrying Brother Chun's shoes.
And now, he was meeting the man himself. What's more, after greeting the boss, the man had even nodded kindly at him.
This was a scene he wouldn't have dared to imagine in his wildest dreams.
Thinking of this, he became even more impressed with Song Qiao's capabilities, even feeling a touch of pity for Duan Kun.
To oppose someone like that, being sent to prison would have been the best outcome.
After all, with Brother Chun's ruthlessness, Duan Kun would likely have been thrown into the river to feed the fish the next day.
"Brother Song, let's have a toast. Consider it a celebration of you two becoming friends today."
As soon as they sat down, Guo Jun raised his wine glass and took the lead in livening up the atmosphere.
Song Qiao smiled slightly, naturally accepted the wine glass handed to him by Guo Jun, lowered it slightly below Brother Chun's when they clinked glasses, and then drank it down.
"Brother Song is indeed straightforward."
Brother Chun couldn't help but laugh heartily at this, raising his own wine glass and draining it in one gulp.
Song Qiao was all too familiar with making friends over drinks and quickly integrated, happily drinking with the two.
"It's a joyous occasion today. Drinking with just the three of us brothers would be too dull."
As they drank, Brother Chun suddenly put down his glass and beckoned the waiter to his side.
With a hint of intoxication, he ordered,
"Call a few of your prettiest hostesses here to serve my brothers drinks."
This kind of private club KTV naturally had such services. The waiter, upon hearing Brother Chun's command, did not dare to delay and quickly ran off to make arrangements.
Song Qiao subtly frowned. Due to guilt towards his wife, he had a strong aversion to such matters.