Since April last year, the unit has been preparing to restructure and operate the Guangming Distillery. They even listed it for sale and conducted several months of solicitation, hoping someone would take over.
But they haven't found anyone willing to take on the distillery.
The workers at the distillery, however, are indifferent to the unit's difficulties.
All they know is that the distillery hasn't paid salaries in a long time.
Under the instigation of some unreasonable individuals, voices were raised.
The first time they spoke up, to calm things down, a small amount of salary was paid.
But when salaries weren't paid, only a small group spoke up. After salaries were paid, most people began to act restlessly.
Eventually, dedicated personnel had to be assigned to stop the outcry.
But it wasn't effective and instead, it caused trouble on the other side.
So, someone from Langya was sent down to understand the situation.
Although no one was held accountable, everyone in the unit felt disgraced.
Everyone hopes to quickly get rid of this heavy burden of the distillery.
As the vice mayor, Yang Guang's hair was almost falling out.
He was especially concerned because he was in charge of this matter, so he was more anxious than anyone else.
Today, he suddenly received a call from Xu Chengde.
The other party said on the phone that Mr. Xu wanted to buy the distillery.
Yang Guang was so excited that words couldn't describe it.
But when he saw Xu Xiuwen, he was disappointed to find that "Mr. Xu" was just a young man.
Initially, he thought Xu Chengde was playing a joke on him. Later, after calming down and hearing the explanation, he understood what was going on.
Yang Guang hesitated and asked, "Do you really want to buy the distillery?"
Yang Guang wasn't the first person to doubt whether Xu Xiuwen really wanted to buy the distillery.
Xu Xiuwen smiled bitterly, but also understood that he was too young for others to trust him.
He said earnestly, "Mr. Yang, I really want to buy the distillery. I have no intention of playing around."
Yang Guang asked, "Why do you want to buy the distillery? Don't you know the situation of the distillery?"
Yang Guang had never thought of hiding the situation of the distillery because it was impossible to conceal such things.
A little investigation would make it clear.
Xu Xiuwen smiled and said, "I have a general understanding of the situation of the distillery. There are two reasons why I want to buy the distillery. First, I believe that if Guangming Distillery can identify and solve its problems, then readjust its direction, it may have a chance to revive. The second reason is that I am from Langya. I don't want to see the hometown distillery shut down like this. Since there is an opportunity, I want to see if I can make a difference."
Xu Xiuwen spoke with great righteousness.
He did indeed mention some reasons, but he wouldn't tell Yang Guang and Xu Chengde the other reason.
That is, the value of real estate will rise in the future. Even if the distillery cannot be revived, he will not lose money, and this investment is guaranteed to make money.
Yang Guang didn't know Xu Xiuwen's true thoughts.
After hearing his words, Yang Guang was first surprised and then admired.
Yang Guang took out a cigarette from his pocket and handed one to Xu Xiuwen and Xu Chengde.
Xu Xiuwen did not refuse, took the cigarette, and lit it himself.
Generally speaking, people would maintain a certain level of dignity unless they met someone more powerful than themselves.
But not Yang Guang.
As Xu Chengde said, he was very easy-going and did not put on airs or act arrogant.
Yang Guang smoked and looked at Xu Xiuwen, saying, "The unit has been trying to sell the distillery for more than a day or two. But the current situation of the distillery is a mess. The unit has allocated more than ten million yuan at least, but the distillery has shown no signs of improvement. The daily wages of the workers, utilities, maintenance costs for machinery, add up to more than ten million yuan a year. And if you want to produce, you need to purchase raw materials again, which is also a considerable sum of money. Have you considered all this?"
Xu Chengde sighed as he listened to Yang Guang's words beside him.
As an old employee of the distillery, he also felt that the distillery was a mess.
Otherwise, why would no one want to take over?
Xu Xiuwen thought to himself: When I buy the distillery, my first task will be to lay off employees. At least more than half of them need to be laid off. Whether the distillery can survive is uncertain, and keeping so many employees is simply throwing good money after bad. If the distillery does revive in the future, these people are all locals and won't run away. I can just rehire when I need manpower.
As for production, because Guangming Distillery mainly produces liquor using sorghum and mung beans, these are crops readily available locally, and purchasing them won't cost much money.
Compared to water and electricity bills and machinery maintenance costs, these are not significant expenses.
Xu Xiuwen thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Yang, I have considered what you said. There are a few points I must clarify first. I will not take on the debts owed by the distillery before or the unpaid salaries of the workers. Even if I do take them on, it will be deducted from the money used to buy the distillery. I won't put out extra money for this. If I take on these responsibilities, I won't be able to start production normally."
Yang Guang nodded and said, "That's for sure. This has nothing to do with you in the first place, so you don't need to take it on. The unit will be responsible for these. Actually, it's not that the unit has no money, but if they pay out, they'll have new debts and salaries to pay every day, so they can only hold off. If you buy the distillery, the unit will settle all debts at once and pay the workers' salaries without transferring this pressure to you."
Yang Guang is indeed very easy to talk to and sincere.
He did not take advantage of the unit's urgency to offload the distillery as a burden to casually deceive buyers.
Xu Xiuwen felt relieved and decided to lay out his thoughts honestly to Yang Guang: "Mr. Yang, there's something I need to discuss with you. If I buy the distillery, I'm planning substantial layoffs. I hope you can support me. I don't want dismissed workers causing trouble and affecting the distillery's recovery."
"That's not a problem," Yang Guang responded calmly. "If you buy the distillery, it's yours to run as you see fit. The organization won't interfere, and if there are any issues, we'll send people to help resolve them."
They continued to discuss many details, including Yang Guang's offer of reduced water fees for three to five years, but these were not the main concern.
The most critical issue was how much money Xu Xiuwen would need to buy the distillery.
"I'd like to know the valuation of the distillery, Mr. Yang," Xu Xiuwen asked. "If it's too expensive, I simply won't be able to afford it, no matter how much I want to save our hometown business."
Yang Guang hesitated for a moment before finally responding: "Currently, the organization values the distillery at 90 million yuan. However, given its current state, there's room for negotiation on the price."
90 million yuan!
Xu Xiuwen thought to himself that even if he sold everything he owned, he couldn't afford that price.
But Xu Xiuwen didn't show any signs of backing down.
After a few seconds of thought, he continued, "Mr. Yang, I have a request. It's crucial. If we can't come to an agreement with the organization, then I'll have to abandon the idea of buying the distillery."
Xu Xiuwen's statement startled Yang Guang and Xu Chengde. The conversation had been progressing smoothly, and it seemed like selling the distillery was a real possibility.
But now, Xu Xiuwen's sudden request left them visibly concerned.
"What's your request?" Yang Guang asked cautiously.
Xu Xiuwen explained, "After purchasing the distillery, I'll need to operate it, which includes advertising and expanding the market. This will require a large investment. If I use all my funds to buy the distillery upfront, I won't have enough left to develop it. That would defeat the purpose of buying it in the first place."
Yang Guang couldn't help but ask, "Are you suggesting you want to buy the distillery without spending money?"
Even Xu Chengde and Xu Qian thought Xu Xiuwen's request was unreasonable.
Seeing their expressions, Xu Xiuwen smiled and shook his head. "Mr. Yang, you've misunderstood me. I'll pay whatever the distillery costs, every penny. But I'd like to pay in installments. For example, if the total cost is 80 million yuan, I'd pay 16 million yuan annually over five years. This way, I can manage the financial burden better, and you won't have to worry about me being dishonest. After all, I can't take the distillery away with me."
After hearing Xu Xiuwen's explanation, Yang Guang and the others finally understood his intentions.
Yang Guang bowed his head in thought. Soon, he looked up at Xu Xiuwen and said, "I'll discuss this matter with them. Since you're willing to buy the distillery and help solve a major problem for the organization, while also saving jobs, I believe they'll consider your proposal seriously. Regardless of the outcome, we'll give you a definite answer."
"Alright, thank you, Mr. Yang," Xu Xiuwen replied, getting up. "I won't take up any more of your time. I'll head back now."
"Let me have your number," Yang Guang said.
They exchanged numbers before Yang Guang saw them off.
After Xu Xiuwen and the others left, Yang Guang immediately took out his phone and made a call.
He said into the phone, "Please check the background of Xu Xiuwen for me..."
In the car, Xu Xiuwen thanked Xu Chengde, "Thank you, Uncle Xu. Thanks to your introduction to Mr. Yang and our conversation, many of my doubts have been resolved."
Xu Chengde shook his head and said, "I should be thanking you. Your willingness to buy the distillery will be greatly appreciated by most of the employees there."
Xu Xiuwen chuckled, "Uncle Xu, let me drop you off at home first, then I'll head back to Jinling. I'll come over again once there's news from here."
"How can that be?" Xu Chengde objected. "Since you've called me Uncle Xu, you've finally come all this way. You should at least have lunch at Uncle's house before leaving."
Xu Qian also chimed in, "Yes, Mr. Xu, please listen to my dad and stay for lunch before you go."
Faced with their sincere invitation, Xu Xiuwen had to agree.
Back at the Xu residence, Xu Xiuwen chatted with Xu Chengde.
By noon, Zheng Jinyun had prepared a table full of delicious dishes.
Impressed, Xu Xiuwen immediately praised her, "Aunt Zheng, these dishes smell so good. They look delicious too."
Zheng Jinyun smiled at his compliment, "Then eat more. Come over more often, and Auntie will cook something else for you next time."
At the dining table, Xu Xiuwen accompanied Xu Chengde in conversation, showing great respect for the veteran employee of the distillery. He frequently praised the deliciousness of the dishes, delighting Xu Qian's parents.
Throughout the meal, the couple exchanged glances several times.
They were both very pleased with Xu Xiuwen, finding him increasingly agreeable.
Zheng Jinyun even thought to herself how wonderful it would be if Xu Xiuwen were her daughter's boyfriend.
Young and promising, handsome and well-mannered, Xu Xiuwen would indeed make an excellent son-in-law.
However, she also understood that despite her daughter's beauty, outstanding young men like Xu Xiuwen might not necessarily take an interest in her.
After lunch, Xu Xiuwen originally planned to leave.
Unexpectedly, Xu Chengde suggested taking him to the distillery.
Xu Xiuwen didn't have any plans for the afternoon and didn't mind returning to Jinling a bit later, so he agreed.
Although he had been listening to Xu Chengde and Xu Qian talk about the distillery, seeing it for himself wouldn't hurt.
Arriving at the distillery, they entered with Xu Chengde's influence.
Xu Chengde provided Xu Xiuwen with a detailed introduction to the distillery.
As a twenty-year veteran employee, he was indeed well-versed in everything about the distillery.
In the blink of an eye, the afternoon passed.
It was four o'clock in the afternoon.
It dawned on Xu Xiuwen that they had spent quite a long time there.
Leaving the distillery, Xu Xiuwen suggested heading back to Jinling.
Xu Chengde invited him to have dinner before leaving.
Xu Xiuwen declined.
After dropping Xu Chengde off at home, Xu Xiuwen turned to Xu Qian and asked, "Would you like to stay here overnight and return to Jinling by yourself tomorrow, or come back with me?"
Xu Qian immediately replied, "I'll come back with you."
"Okay."
After bidding farewell to Xu Chengde and Zheng Jinyun, Xu Xiuwen drove away from Guangming City towards the Jinling.
It was nearly a two-hour drive.
Xu Xiuwen arrived at the residential area where the company dormitories were located.
After dropping Xu Qian off at her apartment, he continued driving back to Jiaotong University.
Near the south gate of the university, a young woman was standing by the roadside.
With flowing long hair and elegant stature, she was impeccable in both looks and demeanor.
Xu Xiuwen slowly parked the car in front of Cheng Lu, rolled down the window, and smiled at her, saying, "Beauty, waiting for someone? How about keeping me company?"
Recognizing Xu Xiuwen, Cheng Lu gave him a playful glare and said, "Boring!"
After saying that, she walked to the passenger side, opened the door, and got in.
Xu Xiuwen chuckled and then asked, "Hungry?"
Cheng Lu nodded.
Xu Xiuwen stepped on the gas pedal. "Let's eat first. Brother will take you to a nice place."
Upon hearing him call himself "brother," Cheng Lu asked, "Do you want to be my brother or boyfriend?"
"What's the difference?"
"If you want to be my brother, I have no objections, but then you can't take advantage of me."
Xu Xiuwen immediately regretted it. "Forget it, maybe I won't be your brother after all."
Seeing his change of heart, Cheng Lu teasingly called him a "pervert."
Xu Xiuwen asked, "Where do you want to eat?"
"You decide."
After considering for a moment, Xu Xiuwen took Cheng Lu to a restaurant on East Street.
He chose a high-class Chinese restaurant.
Cheng Lu liked the atmosphere of the restaurant.
There was a piano in this Chinese restaurant.
When ordering, Xu Xiuwen asked the waiter if the piano could be used.
The waiter replied, "It's available."
With confirmation, Xu Xiuwen smiled at Cheng Lu and then walked towards the piano...