Rebirth Counterattack with Space
Chapter 181 - 173 Contract

Chapter 181: Chapter 173 Contract

"If you accompany us to that place in S City, what will we do about things here? Isn’t there still the chip business? Can we really rely on Shitou, just a youngster?"

Gu Tianming was somewhat worried. If Lu Aiguo also followed them, then only Xia Yuan, the only adult back home and also pregnant, would be left, and Shitou, no matter how capable, was just a youngster. Not to mention the three little ones, who would do well just not to cause trouble.

"We are all familiar with the chip business. I’ve been away before, and there have been times when we depended solely on him to manage." They had already discussed it. After all, Gu Tianming and Xia Na had absolutely no experience in doing business, and they were afraid that they might get cold feet if left to go on their own.

And while he was away, with Lu Yun helping out with the chips, Lu Aiguo didn’t have to worry about Shitou being unable to cope with the chip business on his own.

It was really the household cooking and chores that would add to the burden on his daughter-in-law.

"When we settle down there, I will come back early," Lu Aiguo added.

"I think just the two of us could go by ourselves, Aiguo doesn’t need to follow. Besides, we don’t need to bring too much merchandise in the beginning. To avoid having to look for a place to store it. It’s better to go and check out the situation first, close some deals, and then send a telegram back. By then, it would still be timely for Aiguo to drive the goods over," explained Xia Na.

Gu Tianming flipped through the proposal and saw many different methods listed for pitching the products, which enlightened him and greatly boosted his confidence.

He was inclined for Lu Aiguo to accompany them, but he couldn’t ignore the practical concerns—Haicheng needed him more.

"Are you sure you can handle it? If so, I really won’t go with you," Lu Aiguo said firmly, looking at Gu Tianming and Xia Na. "Actually, going out to negotiate business isn’t that difficult. Be cautious, have thick skin, don’t be greedy for small advantages, and stay calm and think things through in any situation, and you won’t make any big mistakes."

Xia Yuan, listening to her brother-in-law and Lu Aiguo talk, exchanged a worried glance with Xia Na and whispered softly, "Sis?"

"Let’s just do as your brother-in-law said and go by ourselves. Don’t worry. Every road is forged by those who walk it," Xia Na’s thoughts aligned with Gu Tianming’s. It would do no good if Lu Aiguo went with them and all three of them ended up worrying about Haicheng, preventing them from focusing on the task at hand.

She silently agreed with what Lu Aiguo described as ’being cautious, having thick skin, not being greedy for small advantages, and staying calm.’

Lu Aiguo, Xia Yuan, and Shitou looked at each other and nodded. That settled the matter.

Lu Aiguo once again took out two copies of a contract, one for each party, and pushed them in front of Xia Na and Gu Tianming, "Sis, brother-in-law, take a look at this. If you think there are no issues, sign it. We’ll sign this contract every year from now on."

"They say even clear accounts make for good relations between brothers, and we may be relatives, but let’s get the unpleasant things out of the way first. Business is business, and personal is personal. Only then can we get along for the long term, right? Even over in Yushu Village, my own brother and sister-in-law have to sign a similar contract when they come to help," Lu Aiguo added, to prevent any overthinking on their part.

Then he continued, "Sis, brother-in-law, if you think something needs to be changed after looking through it, it’s also okay to bring it up. We can discuss and make adjustments."

Of course, not many people would receive such treatment.

To sign a contract? This was indeed something new.

Gu Tianming and Xia Na curiously went through the contract in their hands. It was very simple, just two pages thick, but the details listed were comprehensive and meticulous, including both rewards and penalties.

The main focus was the breakdown of their monthly salary and finally their yearly earnings—with not just a fixed monthly wage but also specific sales commissions and a tenth of the annual sales profit, plus various allowances for their travel away from home.

After reading the contract, they were both extremely surprised and looked at the three people opposite them, "Isn’t this offer a bit too generous?"

"We won’t set any targets for you in the first year, but if you do well this year, the contract for the next year will only offer you a higher income, and vice versa," Lu Aiguo took out two pens and placed them on the table, "Do you need anything changed?"

"No need, it’s already very good as it is."

Gu Tianming picked up a pen and without any hesitation signed his name on both contracts.

Xia Na followed suit and signed her name as well.

The contracts were pushed in front of Lu Aiguo, who also quickly signed his name and then pushed two copies of the contract back to Gu Tianming and Xia Na,

"That settles it."

With the money borrowed again from Xia Yuan to pay off the debts in the factory in advance, the procedure for Gu Tianming and Xia Na to take unpaid leave was handled quickly and discreetly.

To test the popularity of ’Huayan’, Xia Na specifically took a considerable amount of the three-yuan tin-boxed ’Huayan’ from Xia Yuan and sought out those who had approached her before.

Most people complained about the price but still bought it. This greatly relieved Xia Na.

Gu Tianming and Xia Na entrusted Lu Aiguo with the task of continuing to oversee the construction of their new house. They also handed him the keys to their old house. Gu Feng and Gu Meng were settled well in advance and had moved to their aunt’s house a day earlier.

Looking at the inner and outer rooms that made up a suite, there was a private bathroom, and inside there were two single beds, covered with new sheets and duvet covers. There were two wardrobes and new clothes that their aunt had purchased for them.

In the outer room, apart from two sets of desk and chairs, there was a full bookshelf with children’s books, comic strips, and all kinds of classics like "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," "Water Margin," "Journey to the West," "The Story of Yue Fei," "Generals of the Yang Family"... The collection was even more extensive than that of a comic book stand.

Beyond that, there were toys like Chinese checkers, Ludo, chess, Go, Nine Linked Rings, Tangram... Gu Feng and Gu Meng were like Sun Wukong entering the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, adapting incredibly well. They showed none of the sorrow of having to leave their parents for a long journey; Xia Na was so annoyed she could only curse at having raised two ungrateful brats.

The night before departure, Gu Tianming made a trip to his parents’ home and finally handed twenty dollars to his younger brother, explaining in front of the whole family that this was his wedding gift for the upcoming "May Day" wedding, as he might not be able to come back specifically for the event.

When Gu Tianming returned home, he could barely maintain a smile, but he didn’t reveal to Xia Na what had happened.

Xia Na didn’t ask, she just silently accompanied him as they checked the luggage they were taking one more time. Then, from the money that Xia Yuan had given them, she only kept a small amount of change, secretly sewing the rest into several pieces of clothing belonging to both her and Gu Tianming.

"...From now on, you are all I have left." In the deep quiet of the night, Gu Tianming suddenly hugged Xia Na and whispered, his voice filled with intense loss and a sob, "In the future, we must treat those two brothers of mine equally, not letting our actions cause them to turn against each other."

"Okay," Xia Na felt the cold wetness on her cheek -- clearly, it wasn’t her own. She wrapped her arms around Gu Tianming, snuggling into his embrace, a look of heartache and anger flashing across her face in the darkness...

Those people would one day regret the things they had done and the words they had said.