Chapter 153 I Didn't Misjudge Him

Engrossed in their lively conversation, none of them noticed the passage of time until Boss Wang came over to remind them. Only then did Zhao Guoyang and the others realize that it was already past eight o'clock in the blink of an eye.

After finishing the remaining wine in their glasses, the three of them sauntered out of Wang's Grand Restaurant.

Noticing that Zhao Guoyang's steps seemed a bit unsteady, Liao Jingsheng gave Ning Xiaohong a few instructions, asking her to accompany Zhao Guoyang home.

As for his own beloved disciple, Liao Jingsheng was not worried in the least.

Usually, Ning Xiaohong could easily handle about a pound of liquor without any issues. Today, the three of them had shared two bottles, so naturally, it was nothing to her.

Once Liao Jingsheng left, Ning Xiaohong half-supported Zhao Guoyang and asked with concern, "Hey, Guoyang, are you alright? How about I ride my bicycle and take you home?"

Hit by the cold wind, the alcohol surged within Zhao Guoyang, and his tongue felt somewhat clumsy as he replied, "Uh... no need, no need. I arranged to meet Monkey in the county town. Xiaohong, if you aren't in a hurry to get back, why don't you come with me?"

Ning Xiaohong thought for a moment and agreed.

Over the past few days, Zhao Guoyang had been away and hadn't returned to Jianghai County. She had kept in touch with Monkey from time to time, asking about Zhao Guoyang's recent situation, and combined with her occasional visits to help out at the small workshop, through this back and forth, Ning Xiaohong and Monkey had grown quite familiar with each other.

Jianghai County town was not large. After making a brief circuit, Zhao Guoyang and Ning Xiaohong spotted Monkey, who was sitting at the entrance of the Xinhua Bookstore and looking around anxiously.

Seeing Zhao Guoyang and Ning Xiaohong arriving together, both with slightly flushed faces, clearly having dined in each other's company, Monkey was startled for a moment before the realization dawned on him.

Needless to say, this Miss Ning definitely had an extraordinary relationship with Guoyang; for all he knew, she might be his future sister-in-law, someone he could ill afford to offend under any circumstances.

With this thought in mind, Monkey became exceptionally polite toward Ning Xiaohong.

"Guoyang, Miss Ning, it's not convenient to talk here. Let's find somewhere warm. I know a night market that stays open very late!" After exchanging a few pleasantries, Monkey said enthusiastically.

"Well, not bad, Monkey! You've figured out the situation at the county night market so quickly?" Zhao Guoyang laughed, letting out a hiccup smelling of alcohol.

Monkey scratched his head and said, "I've been wandering around the county town these past few days. Sometimes, when it got too dark at night, I'd rest near the night market. I've pretty much figured out which places stay open a bit longer."

Zhao Guoyang paused for a second, then gently patted Monkey's shoulder. "Monkey, you've really been working hard these days. Don't worry, once we get through this initial difficult period of entrepreneurship, we'll have plenty of good days ahead of us."

Hearing Zhao Guoyang's bold and ambitious words, neither Monkey nor Ning Xiaohong felt he was just boasting; it felt as natural as a law of nature that following him would lead to a prosperous life.

The night market Monkey recommended was a mutton soup stall constructed with wooden frames.

After the three of them entered, the owner dropped the makeshift curtain made from a heavy cotton-padded jacket, and the interior instantly felt much warmer.

Perhaps because he was a regular customer, the stall owner quickly served a bowl of mutton soup for the three of them to drink and warm up as soon as he saw Monkey.

Sipping the milky-white, fragrant mutton soup, Zhao Guoyang felt the alcohol buzz gradually recede.

After eating a couple of pieces of soaked flatbread with the mutton soup, Zhao Guoyang finally opened up the conversation: "Monkey, after that last batch of goods was shipped out, have you guys still been making the hair clips these past two days?"

Hearing Zhao Guoyang bring up business, Monkey quickly put down his bowl and answered earnestly, "Well, we've been making them. However, after we accumulated a thousand pieces, I told Ergazi to halt production..."

Zhao Guoyang could naturally understand Monkey's train of thought. He was afraid that too much inventory would pile up, causing trouble if they couldn't sell them later.

In fact, Monkey's worries were quite unnecessary.

From Zhao Guoyang's perspective, the hair clips he designed would have no trouble selling for at least a year.

Let alone one or two thousand pieces, even if there were one hundred thousand, they would probably all be sold out.

Of course, these thoughts would only stay in Zhao Guoyang's mind; he wouldn't voice them. Instead, he praised Monkey for his prudence.

"Well, pausing for a bit is fine too," Zhao Guoyang nodded and said.

"There are still some aspects of that previous batch of hair clips that can be improved. For instance, gluing some decorative plastic pieces on the outer surface, or adding one or two beaded floral ornaments, would all be great choices."

Upon hearing this, Ning Xiaohong's eyes lit up. Zhao Guoyang had once given her a hair clip that she absolutely adored.

Now, hearing that the hair clip could be made even prettier and more fashionable, her heart naturally fluttered with excitement.

While Ning Xiaohong was lost in her thoughts, Monkey spoke up: "What you said is so right, Guoyang! These days, whenever I have free time, I wander around the streets, wanting to see what kind of hair clips the girls are wearing and if there's anything we can learn from."

"And I'm not even exaggerating, I actually spotted a few particularly gorgeous styles! Among them was the beaded floral inlaying that you just mentioned, Guoyang," Monkey said with a hint of excitement.

Zhao Guoyang was not particularly surprised by this. After all, his insights far surpassed those of people in this era; inlaid beaded flowers were merely child's play in his eyes.

Naturally, Zhao Guoyang still needed to encourage Monkey for his hard work and dedication.

He nodded at Monkey and said, "Well, catching onto the latest market trends so quickly—you really are self-taught, my friend. I've always said you're a born businessman, and facts have proven that my judgment was right."

Monkey looked at Zhao Guoyang with eyes full of gratitude and said modestly, "Hah, what kind of businessman am I? I'm just your follower, Guoyang. Wherever you tell me to go east, I'd never dare to go west."

"Cut it out. You just keep rambling on," Zhao Guoyang glared at Monkey and said.

"How many times have I told you not to look down on yourself? In the future, you'll be the general manager of our company, a big shot. How can you be so self-deprecating?"

"Yes, yes, yes, I know, Guoyang! When I'm out handling business, I can certainly hold my own and speak with confidence," Monkey said hastily, admitting his fault upon seeing Zhao Guoyang's mild annoyance.

After chatting with Zhao Guoyang for a bit and detailing the current production status of the small workshop, Monkey fell silent.

He figured that Miss Ning had been sitting here without saying much yet, and he needed to leave some space for her and Guoyang to talk.

Seeing Monkey shut his mouth, Ning Xiaohong did indeed speak up.

She looked at Zhao Guoyang with a half-smile and said, "Guoyang, about your newly designed hair clips—when roughly will they be ready? Make sure you remember to save one for me when the time comes."

"Definitely, definitely!" Zhao Guoyang nodded repeatedly.

"Hair clips are a small matter. Sister Xiaohong, you are now considered a member of our little workshop; if there are good things, of course we have to save a share for you."

After saying this, Zhao Guoyang suddenly thought of Bai Rou, who was far away in the south.