Chapter 262: Chapter 195: Giving a Sword
"Deputy Director of the Jade Processing Factory? I don’t think I can do that. I’ve never worked with jadeite before." His Little Aunt was quite surprised. Although the offer was tempting, she was also worried she would mess up Li Xiang’s important business.
On the other end of the line, Li Xiang chuckled. "That’s why I’m asking you to be the Deputy Director, not the Director. It’s fine if you don’t know the business. You can learn as you go. Besides, your main role won’t be to learn the technical skills, but to come over and help me keep an eye on things."
"Oh, I see!"
With that explanation, it dawned on Li Xiang’s Little Aunt.
Li Xiang’s business was growing, and jadeite was a very valuable material. The processing factory was also in a remote border region. It was essential to have someone trustworthy keeping an eye on things.
It wasn’t that he thought the other employees were bad, but he had no prior dealings with them. They were all new hires he didn’t know well.
Li Caihong agreed readily. "Alright then! I guess your Little Aunt is getting a new lease on life. And thank you, my dear nephew, for giving me this opportunity."
Afterward, Li Xiang gave his Little Aunt a general overview of the Jade Processing Factory. She had been in real estate sales for a long time and was excellent with people. She was also quite shrewd and savvy, so Li Xiang was confident she could manage the factory well.
Li Xiang offered his Little Aunt a salary of 20,000 yuan a month, a full benefits package, and a year-end bonus.
’In reality, things like this benefits package, especially the pension, will be completely useless in the future. The Apocalypse is coming, so what’s the point? But for now, it’s a required company benefit. Otherwise, you’re seen as an exploitative boss, and it’s easy for morale to plummet.’
’It’s not like I’m short on money, so I might as well just pay it. It’ll save me a lot of trouble, including legal issues.’
"Little Aunt, if my cousin is willing, you can bring him with you. I think he could learn jadeite carving here. It’s always good to have a marketable skill. We’ll start him at a salary of six thousand a month. Once his technique improves and he gets more experience, I’ll give him a raise."
"He’s willing! And even if he weren’t, I’d drag him over there by the ear!" his Little Aunt said with a laugh, her eyes growing a little misty.
So, the very next day, Li Xiang’s Little Aunt and her son set off on their journey to Ruili.
The mother and son were in high spirits the entire way, enjoying the passing scenery. Li Caihong felt like she hadn’t been this happy in a very long time.
After they arrived, Li Xiang rented an apartment for them nearby. He also invited all the employees of the Jade Processing Factory out for a meal, treating it as a team-building event.
There were thirty-eight people in total. He booked five tables at a restaurant with a lavish spread of food and plenty of drinks to go around.
At the dinner, Li Caihong quickly blended in with everyone. For one, she had strong social skills and could hold her liquor. For another, everyone knew she was the boss’s Little Aunt, so they were all very courteous. Many of them would, intentionally or not, try to curry favor with her. As a result, she integrated into the team smoothly.
From now on, this Jade Processing Factory would be Li Xiang’s primary supplier. Even the Jade Jewelry Shop he ran with Xu Xuan would be stocked from this factory.
Li Xiang personally took a trip to Myanmar, where he purchased a large quantity of low-quality raw jadeite at a very cheap price. He then hired an international logistics company to deliver the stones in three separate shipments to the large warehouse he had previously rented.
After everyone was gone, Li Xiang returned to the warehouse. He unlocked the door with his key, shut it behind him, and used the White Tiger Rapier to slice open the raw stones one by one. As expected, 99% of them were garbage. Only 1% of the material was even halfway decent.
He swapped out all the waste material for his own high-quality jadeite. In fact, he not only replaced the duds but also added over thirty tons of extra material, before locking the door and leaving.
When he got to the processing factory, Li Xiang gave his Little Aunt two keys to the warehouse and kept the remaining keys himself.
As for the company and warehouse accounts... well, there’s a reason they call it "cooking the books." Before a piece of raw jadeite is cut, no one knows what’s inside. This left plenty of room to maneuver.
Once this batch of jadeite was processed, Li Xiang would repeat the process to replenish the warehouse’s supply. He had amassed over 300,000 tons of jadeite, which he estimated would take several years to "digest."
As for the waste rock he had swapped out, Li Xiang picked out a few of the better-looking pieces, carved them into small stone stools, and placed them in the courtyard. The rest of it, which was completely useless, he found a deserted valley and dumped it all there.
This waste rock was useless for jewelry, but it was actually perfect for making stone tables and stools, being much nicer than ordinary stone. ’But it would be too hard to explain taking it all, so I can’t be bothered. My System Space is limited, and I don’t like storing this ’garbage’ in it.’
...
Although Luo Feifei was busy with work, she and Li Xiang communicated often through social media, private messages, and phone calls.
She knew Li Xiang was busy with his jadeite and jewelry business and was very interested. She even offered to make a guest appearance as a model on his livestream if he ever needed one. After all, with her experience, she knew the pros and cons of all kinds of jewelry like the back of her hand.
Li Xiang naturally expressed his gratitude. ’With Luo Feifei’s help, there’s no way the jadeite and jewelry business won’t be a success.’
"I have a little something for you. Where are you?" Li Xiang asked.
"I’m in Star City filming a variety show. One of the pre-recorded ones." Luo Feifei happily told Li Xiang her hotel room number, adding in a low voice, "I’ll leave a window open for you tonight."
Late that night, Li Xiang snuck into Luo Feifei’s room.
