43: Chapter 43 A Factory Full of Women

Guangcheng has countless garment contract manufacturing factories, as numerous as ox hair.

The one Chen Hao arrived at looked like a dilapidated office building from the outside, six stories in total.

A sign reading 'Female Garment Contract Processing' hung at the entrance, and the wall plaster was aged and worn from years of neglect.

As soon as Chen Hao and Zhang Menglu walked into the courtyard, a security guard in his sixties came out to block their path, questioning them.

"Who are you people? What are you here for?"

Chen Hao negotiated with the security guard, saying he had an appointment with Factory Director Qian.

The old security guard would not let them pass, insisting on calling to confirm. After ensuring everything was in order, he still made Chen Hao and the other wait at the entrance.

Not long after, Qian Zhaodi, along with a group of beautiful female employees, rushed to the main entrance to welcome them.

"I apologize, CEO Chen, CEO Zhang. It was my negligence in not looking after you properly. Please come in."

Qian Zhaodi was still dressed fashionably. The female employees accompanying her varied in age. Judging by their attire and demeanor, they were likely designers or skilled blue-collar workers like master seamstresses.

Qian Zhaodi deliberately walked close to Zhang Menglu, saying as they walked,

"CEO Zhang, you are so gorgeously dressed today; you truly bring glory to our factory."

Zhang Menglu explained,

"I was caught in the rain yesterday and soaked to the bone, so the clothes I wore yesterday were just something I bought randomly at the wholesale market. I apologize for making Factory Director Qian laugh."

"Not at all, not at all. CEO Zhang is naturally beautiful; everything you wear looks good."

The group chatted and laughed as they entered the factory building. The first floor housed the design department, R&D department, reception room, and meeting rooms—all public areas. The second floor had the cafeteria and finance office. Floors three through six were entirely production workshops.

Under Qian Zhaodi's guidance, they toured the second-floor cafeteria, the third-floor weaving workshop, the fourth-floor intimate apparel production workshop, the fifth-floor fashion workshop, and the sixth-floor packaging workshop.

After this whirlwind tour, it became apparent that because the main business was women's clothing, almost all the key employees were female. Therefore, men needed an escort to enter, and even required supervision, not being allowed to wander freely.

It could be said that besides the Elderly Man guarding the gate, Chen Hao was currently the only male in the entire factory. Chen Hao could understand this, as it was all for the safety of the female employees.

This was Zhang Menglu's first time visiting a factory. Thanks to Chen Hao's prior warning, she did not show excessive surprise and maintained her cool demeanor.

"I've broadened my horizons."

From the outside, the office building looked no different from an ordinary building, but the internal style was vastly different.

Except for the central hallway, the workshops on both sides were spacious halls where rows of machines operated, and the female workers were diligently working.

Cutting, sewing, and ironing were all assembly line operations, which allowed Zhang Menglu to deeply understand how clothes were made.

"The factory tour is complete. Let's go downstairs to talk."

The machine noise was too loud, making conversation inconvenient, so the group returned to the first-floor design department.

This was a 400-square-meter office area, filled with design sketches and draft papers. Every designer was researching new styles.

As expected, there were several older female workers who were truly the factory's original generation of tailors. They were responsible for turning the draft samples into finished products, which the designers would then perfect.

Qian Zhaodi led the two to the area near the mannequins, where several designers were discussing improvement plans based on new products.

After a cursory look around, Chen Hao felt quite impressed, mainly because Qian Zhaodi was very skilled. He had heard she studied abroad in Gaolu, specializing in fashion design.

"CEO Chen, CEO Zhang, please have a seat over here."

The three did not leave but sat on the sofas against the wall in the design department.

Someone immediately brought tea, water, coffee, tea, and various beverages.

"The main event is next."

Qian Zhaodi finished speaking and instructed her subordinate,

"You may begin."

As soon as her voice faded, all the designers stood up simultaneously and quietly stared at the doorway.

As the design department door opened, a woman wearing only a three-piece outfit walked in, strutting with a cat-like gait. She walked directly from afar to the front of the three, struck a pose, then gracefully turned and stood to the side.

Immediately following her was the second, then the third...

Wang Lichun, whom he had met at the nightclub yesterday, was among them. These female Models were the so-called specially recruited employees.

Including Wang Lichun, there were eight in total. They showcased the company's products from all angles in a runway style, somewhat resembling Victoria's Secret, except the figures and looks of the Models weren't as good as those at Victoria's Secret.

They varied in shape and size, and only Wang Lichun's appearance met the standard of a goddess.

After the first round of modeling ended, the eight Models positioned themselves on opposite sides. Qian Zhaodi pulled Zhang Menglu forward to closely examine and introduce the products, speaking eloquently about the design concept behind each item.

As a male and not the primary decision-maker, Chen Hao was excluded. This was not a nightclub; walking up to observe closely would seem too sleazy.

Chen Hao quietly sipped his tea until Wang Lichun walked over and proactively brought him tea and water.

"CEO Chen, it must be boring for you sitting here. Why don't I take you to the meeting room to wait?"

Chen Hao had seen Qian Zhaodi give her a look just now; this was clearly an intentional move to draw him away to test Zhang Menglu's true nature.

It didn't matter; he had to learn to let go and let Zhang Menglu try navigating things on her own.

Chen Hao stood up and said,

"Menglu, I'm going out for some fresh air. You two chat. We can sit down and discuss any ideas later."

Zhang Menglu maintained a stern face and put on an air, saying,

"Got it. You can go out."

Thus, under everyone's gaze, Chen Hao left the design department and went to the meeting room accompanied by Wang Lichun.

"Aren't you going to change clothes?" Chen Hao asked casually.

"No rush, CEO Chen, do you smoke?"

Wang Lichun picked up a pack of Huazi cigarettes from the coffee table in the meeting room, lit one herself, and put it into Chen Hao's mouth, smiling sweetly before going to pour him a glass of water.

Chen Hao leaned back with one leg crossed over the other, admiring her figure.

"Is this how you usually entertain guests?"

Wang Lichun sat down next to Chen Hao, wearing a professional smile that was extremely charming.

"CEO Chen, you are different from other guests."

Chen Hao flicked the ash from his cigarette.

"How am I different?"

"I heard that with just one suggestion from you, a factory on the verge of bankruptcy can be brought back to life, and now your business is growing bigger and bigger."

This was true. There was an old factory whose capital chain had broken and was about to close down. Chen Hao had indeed made connections and introduced CEO Wei [Wei Xinglong] to invest, helping the factory overcome its difficulties.

For Chen Hao, this was just a small favor, and he never expected to become a legend for it.

Chen Hao said half-jokingly,

"So, you've taken a liking to me?"

Wang Lichun laughed and said,

"I know my own worth. We are quite familiar with each other. I don't dare hope you'll fall for me, but I only ask to earn some extra money from you so I can save up enough to buy a house sooner."

This statement was quite direct; it was tantamount to laying her cards on the table.

To be honest, Wang Lichun was so open-minded, working in a nightclub, she had probably slept with many men. Therefore, Chen Hao was not interested in her.

Even if he were interested, he would only want a keepsake from her.

Chen Hao stubbed out his cigarette and got straight to the point,

"How about this: I'll make a deal with you."

Here it comes!

Wang Lichun couldn't hide her excitement.