Perhaps Li Ya was a bit constrained in business dealings, but her observational skills were exceptional, and she was incredibly adept at understanding human nature.
Qin Chuan finally understood why Li Ya could be the director of the Butterfly Garment Factory and why, as a woman, she dared to confront the Guo family.
With such shrewd insight and skillful handling of human relationships, it wouldn't be a matter of days for the Guo family to defeat her, unless they resorted to underhanded tactics.
"Sister, may I be so bold as to ask how long you've been the director of the Butterfly Garment Factory?"
"Six months and five days!"
Li Ya answered almost instantly.
"Before my father's accident, I was actually studying finance abroad."
"You've been abroad?"
Qin Chuan's eyes widened. This wouldn't be surprising in later years, but this was 1998, and in such a small, obscure county.
Studying abroad was something ordinary people wouldn't even dream of. Only someone with Li Ya's family background could achieve it.
"Hmph, our boss is very capable. If it weren't for the fact that she only recently became director, she doesn't know the officials in this county well, and she has to deal with some jackals and wolves in her own family, how could the Guo family have the upper hand!"
At this moment, Xiao Li chimed in, her face full of indignation.
"Exactly, the boss is just like a tiger fallen into the river, being bullied by dogs..."
Chun Tao interjected.
"It's 'a tiger fallen into the river, bullied by dogs'!"
Xiao Li corrected her.
"It's more or less the same meaning, why be so pedantic!"
Chun Tao's pretty face flushed slightly. She really hadn't read many books.
"Take this matter of the factory's inventory backlog, for instance. It's not the boss's fault at all, but rather her covetous relatives..."
Xiao Li revealed another secret Qin Chuan didn't know.
"Alright, you two, stop talking!"
Li Ya silenced Xiao Li and Chun Tao, then looked calmly at Qin Chuan. "You've come to me this time to ask me to let those two go?"
Now it was Qin Chuan's turn to be troubled. He hadn't anticipated so many twists and turns when he came, nor that Li Ya had such a rich background.
Based on the information he now had, Li Ya was clearly no simple person and was more intelligent than he had imagined.
Qin Chuan felt he had been rash, that he shouldn't have let Li Ya look down on him for the small gain of ten thousand yuan.
Between ten thousand yuan and Li Ya's friendship, any fool knew which was more important.
Of course, when he agreed to Zhang Long and Wu Erma, Qin Chuan had only thought of Li Ya as a rich girl with a wealthy father.
Now that her father was gone, her situation was understandable.
"Sister, I'm sorry! I was presumptuous this time!"
Qin Chuan apologized. He wasn't someone who couldn't take responsibility. If he made a mistake, he had to show enough sincerity.
"I just went into town today to buy some things and happened to run into Zhang Long and Wu Erma. They were kneeling on the ground begging me to help them, and they gave me ten thousand yuan as a reward..."
"Ten thousand yuan? That much?!"
Before Qin Chuan could finish, Chun Tao and Xiao Li both gasped in disbelief, clearly shocked by the sum.
"Yes, ten thousand yuan! Five thousand each!"
Qin Chuan nodded. "Originally, I couldn't be bothered with these two opportunists, and I didn't have any good feelings towards them. But they offered quite a bit of money, so I agreed!"
"Heh, you, you're still as money-grubbing as ever!"
Li Ya chuckled. "Wasn't the money I gave you last time enough?"
"Of course not!"
Qin Chuan answered without hesitation, then noticed the teasing at the corner of Li Ya's lips and blushed slightly.
He couldn't help it; his family's financial situation was so dire. Poverty made even heroes falter. Qin Chuan needed to find ways to make money to improve his family's life.
Even if he started a business later, he'd need capital, wouldn't he?
As it stood, Qin Chuan couldn't be that noble. Having lived two lives, he had always defined himself as a businessman.
Businessmen pursue profit; it was only natural.
Besides, he hadn't broken any laws this time; it was a standard practice.
"Sister, if my actions today have interfered with any of your plans or anything else, just pretend I wasn't here!"
Qin Chuan said sincerely. "Don't worry, I'm not that petty. I wouldn't let a couple of nobodies affect our friendship..."
"That would certainly not be the case! I never thought of it that way!"
Li Ya replied. "Zhang Long and Wu Erma are just minor figures. Punishing them was merely to send a message to the Guo family, to show them that I'm not a woman who can be bullied easily!"
"However, Qin Chuan, I truly hope you can come and help me!"
Li Ya's tone shifted, and her beautiful eyes fixed intently on Qin Chuan.
"You now have a general understanding of my situation. Although this is my hometown, everything feels quite unfamiliar to me, whether it's relationships or anything else..."
"I desperately need talented people to support me. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Although I studied finance, running a business is completely contrary to my profession. My original aspiration was just to be a fund manager..."
Qin Chuan remained silent. Li Ya's intention was clear: she was extending an olive branch to him again, hoping he would help.
However, this was destined to be impossible. As a reborn individual, how could Qin Chuan work for others?
"Sister, I'm really not suited to working for others! I have my own plans and ambitions!"
Qin Chuan shook his head.
Li Ya couldn't hide her disappointment, and Chun Tao and Xiao Li sitting nearby had similar expressions.
Feeling the atmosphere in the private room suddenly become somber, Qin Chuan also felt a bit uncomfortable and couldn't help but say, "However..."
"However what?"
Just as Qin Chuan's words began to take a turn, the lost look in Li Ya's eyes suddenly flashed with two sharp glints.
Qin Chuan was very familiar with that kind of look and had a sense that he had fallen into a trap.
But the bullet was already in the chamber, and there was no turning back. He could only brace himself and say, "However, I can offer you advice and strategies occasionally!"
"I dare not say I'm good at everything, but I do have some talent in business."
After Qin Chuan finished speaking, he noticed that Li Ya's entire demeanor suddenly brightened, and her eyes sparkled with brilliance.
"Qin Chuan, I'm truly taking your words to heart. You can't go back on your word then!"
Li Ya said with utmost seriousness. Chun Tao and Xiao Li by her side also shed their previous dejection and gloom, replaced by genuine happiness.
"Don't worry, although I love money, I value promises even more!"
"A promise is a promise, and I will never go back on my word!"
The meal concluded on a high note. Afterward, Qin Chuan drove the four of them back to the garment factory.
When the car was still some distance from the factory gate, Li Ya, sitting in the passenger seat, saw Zhang Long and Wu Erma still stubbornly guarding by the large willow tree. She said, "Tell them to come to my office later."