Chapter 918: Career Planning

Ling Tianze knew Xinyan had arrived, so he quickly set aside his work and ran over.

Xinyan looked at him as he came in: "When can the shelves I asked you to order be delivered?"

Ling Tianze walked a few steps closer: "I just went to check yesterday. The shelves for the tea shop are already finished. The fabric racks in the fabric corner will take another two days to complete."

Xinyan glanced around the store: "Since the tea shop side is mostly sorted out, let’s have them deliver the shelves first. The goods will start arriving throughout the afternoon. By the way, how is the recruitment for these two shops coming along?"

Ling Tianze opened his notebook and handed it to Xinyan: "I’ve already interviewed them, and the promising candidates are listed here. I’m just waiting for you to make the final decision."

Xinyan didn’t take the notebook: "You can make those decisions."

Ling Tianze chuckled: "I just finished the interviews yesterday, and the selections are basically made. I just thought, since you’re here, you could help give it a final check."

Xinyan smiled and took the notebook, reviewing the information on it: "There are a total of eight people listed here. Let’s keep them all for now. After three months, we can select the best candidates. This way, if anyone doesn’t work out, we won’t have to find replacements.

If they all do well, then they’ll serve as backup staff. Anyway, once the villa is completed, it’ll need people for management. As long as they’re smart and capable, you decide."

Ling Tianze nodded: "Among these eight, five are men. I did have that in mind."

With this matter settled, Xinyan went through the back door into the three-section courtyard: "Tianze, when the front store is completed, have them build another row of houses in the third courtyard, backing onto the second courtyard, to serve as a warehouse and workshop."

Ling Tianze asked in confusion: "Workshop?"

Xinyan saw he didn’t understand: "I’ve been thinking these days, since we’re dealing with fabric business, shouldn’t we also offer custom clothing? Anyway, there’s no shortage of space on my side. The third courtyard is not small. Even if we build houses on half of it, the remaining courtyard will still be decent. It’s a good way to make full use of the space."

Ling Tianze thought about it and agreed. The front courtyard is the most spacious, and though the third courtyard isn’t as wide as the first and second, it’s still quite large. Even if another row of houses is added, the courtyard is still roomier than most: "What about the flowers left in the courtyard?"

Xinyan thought for a moment, feeling it would be a waste to throw them away: "Prepare a plot in Chongyang Village first. When you go there, take them and plant them there."

After all, she planned to venture into the beauty industry in the future, creating some creams and essential oils, and those flowers would come in handy.

After Ling Tianze agreed, Xinyan continued: "Arrange for Aunt Man to recruit some skilled sewing machine operators nearby. Once fabric is purchased in the store, they can directly pay the processing fee for sewing.

I’ll design some clothes later, and we can produce them to sell in the clothing store. Then, we can pay the sewing workers by the piece."

Ling Tianze hadn’t expected the Young Master to be so resourceful: "Alright, I’ll arrange it shortly. By the way, do you want to go to Chongyang Village with me later?"

Xinyan waved her hand: "I don’t have time today. I need to visit the ceramics factory to order a batch of ceramic jars for packaging tea. It’s urgent."

Ling Tianze understood the priorities: "Alright, I’ll head to Chongyang Village and switch shifts with Brother Qi once I’m done with arrangements."

They chatted a bit more before going about their own tasks.

Because the ceramic jars were urgently needed, Xinyan didn’t visit the clothing and consignment stores. As she was about to take the bus, she saw He Jinxuan riding over on a bicycle.

Xinyan smiled at him: "If you had come a bit later, I would have left."

He Jinxuan patted the back seat: "I timed it perfectly, showing our connection."

Xinyan playfully punched him: "You’re getting cheekier."

He Jinxuan swung his leg over the bike: "Hop on."

Once Xinyan was seated, He Jinxuan glanced back: "Hold on tight, let’s go."

As they rode a bit further, He Jinxuan spoke: "A coworker of mine has a brother-in-law working at Chongqing Jialing Machine Factory. I heard they’re developing civilian motorcycles and will soon start selling them.

I’ve arranged to get one for us. When I have time, I’ll ride over to help you with errands. If not, I’ll leave the motorcycle at the small courtyard for your convenience."

Hearing this, Xinyan thought back to her past life. A few years after the Reform and Opening-up, many employees at the Mechanical Factory bought motorcycles. Lyu Juncheng was envious and wanted one too, but they were too expensive, so he could only admire from afar.

It wasn’t until the 1990s that Lyu Juncheng bought the motorcycle he dreamed of with the family’s saved 5,000 yuan and an additional 2,000 yuan loan. This meant his family didn’t have meat for over six months.

He Jinxuan hadn’t heard a response and looked back: "Yanyan, what are you thinking about?"