AGN -Chapter 386 Xu Nuo (Part 6)

If touring the textile factory was Xu Nuo’s personal “introduction segment,” then visiting the department store was just casual chatting time.

Because neither of them could afford anything in the department store.

Wang Gensheng was genuinely poor, while Xu Nuo’s situation was that the timeline had reached the point where he bought the recipe for the double-crab bun, Factory Director Xu had been furious and cut off his living allowance, and at this moment he probably didn’t even have more money in his pocket than Wang Gensheng (who had just received an advance on his salary).

Two broke guys wandering a department store could only look around—carefully sticking to the corners so as not to block the view of paying customers.

During their stroll through the department store, Xu Nuo basically dug Wang Gensheng up from the root.

Family background, social connections, education, hobbies…

Qin Huai could tell that Wang Gensheng actually had some longing for matchmaking and marriage. Every time Xu Nuo asked something slightly more in-depth—questions Wang Gensheng didn’t really want to answer—Xu Nuo would say he was asking on behalf of a matchmaker, and Wang Gensheng would honestly reply.

In front of Xu Nuo, there were basically no secrets left. Qin Huai could see it clearly: Xu Nuo might not literally read minds, but he was extremely skilled at social interaction and communication, and could instantly see through what someone like Wang Gensheng—who wasn’t good at hiding his thoughts—was really thinking.

If Xu Nuo had any interest in sales, then whether he or Gong Liang would become the top salesperson would be hard to say.

And Xu Nuo had likely already figured out what Wang Gensheng was. As Luo Jun put it, the “nature” of a Xiezhi in Wang Gensheng was practically overflowing.

Even Luo Jun, who had barely met Wang Gensheng and only heard descriptions, could guess he was a Xiezhi. For someone like Xu Nuo—so observant and good at extracting information—figuring it out in half a day wasn’t difficult at all.

“So Xu Nuo, is it because you don’t know what you want to do that you neither work nor take the college entrance exam?” Wang Gensheng finally asked, only just realizing he should also understand his new friend.

“It’s not entirely that. Mainly I just don’t want to work or take exams. Too tiring.”

Wang Gensheng: ?

Xu Nuo chuckled.

“My dad has a high salary, my mom’s salary isn’t low either, and my older brother works as a technician in Jinling and even sends money home every month.”

“My family isn’t short on money. I do spend a bit, but it’s still within what my parents can accept. I didn’t steal, didn’t rob, didn’t scam anyone… though in my dad’s eyes I might be a tiny bit sneaky, but I absolutely never touch anything illegal. Going to the state-run restaurant is just helping out, learning some skills, and making snacks.”

“Even if I’m not exactly diligent, I’m not too far off either. Let me tell you, my dad is that kind of person—he looks stern, rigid, old-fashioned, like he won’t tolerate any flaws, but in reality his tolerance is actually quite high. He just likes to talk that way.”

“Don’t listen to what he says—watch what he does. Take your finance department, for example: no one capable of taking responsibility, not many who can actually work. My dad doesn’t say anything on the surface, and he doesn’t show dissatisfaction with Director Li, but in reality he’s already decided to thoroughly reform your department.”

“Bringing you in from Jinling is a signal. Why has finance become like this? Because Deputy Factory Director Chen came from finance, and at least a third of your department are his connections, and Director Li is basically his lackey.”

“If my dad wants to fix finance, he first needs to bring in a technical backbone from outside and train them properly. Otherwise, he has no one under him—he’d just be a commander without soldiers. Who would listen?”

Wang Gensheng was stunned. He had only intended to ask about his friend’s situation, but ended up hearing such shocking internal factory politics that his mouth hung open.

Reason told him he shouldn’t say a word, but emotionally, Xu Nuo had been so open with him that not responding felt too cold.

“Th-this… am I supposed to hear this?” he finally squeezed out.

“Of course. After you work for a while and gain some experience, I’ll break it down for you properly.”

“I’m telling you, based on my analysis, once you join finance, Director Li will definitely try to win you over. He’ll value you a lot because you’re a university graduate and can get things done. He’s actually quite stressed about the current state of finance.”

“Although Director Li is stingy, his stinginess is mostly an act—part of the image he wants to show outsiders.”

“He’ll try to win you over with encouragement and material benefits—in simple terms, sugar-coated bullets—making you loyal and turning you into one of the most useful bricks in finance.”

“As for my dad, he’ll first evaluate your ability and character. If you pass, he’ll quietly take notice of you and promote you.”

“Do you know why we ran into each other at the gate today? Director Li kept you there talking so long. On one hand, he wanted to show other leaders how much he values you, implying you’re his man and finance will rely on you.”

“On the other hand, it’s a signal to my dad—showing that the person he specially brought from Jinling is also valued here. From now on, finance will no longer be what it used to be; with new talent, it will be completely refreshed, not like before when even dogs disliked it.”

“And why did my dad specifically send me to bring you around? He wanted me to walk you through the factory under the guise of letting me interact more with university graduates. But actually, he wanted me to test you, pull you in, and evaluate your character and ability to see if you’re worth promoting.”

Wang Gensheng was completely dumbfounded.

He truly had nothing left to say.

“B-but… is this even something you’re allowed to say?” he finally asked again.

Xu Nuo smiled at him.

“Of course it is. My dad told me to probe you, to get a read on you. I’ve done that. He told me to win you over, and I’ve done that too. My mission is complete—why wouldn’t I be able to say it?”

Wang Gensheng: ??

He was completely stunned. For the first time, he felt that even becoming a rare university graduate in this era didn’t necessarily mean he was smart. Society really was complicated—his very first step into the workplace had already hit him with something massive.

“Is… is this really how people recruit others?” he asked blankly.

“Does it work or not?” Xu Nuo said.

Wang Gensheng couldn’t answer.

He really wanted to say it shouldn’t work—but he had to admit he now completely trusted Xu Nuo, to the point of absolute belief.

When someone is honest enough, you tend to believe everything they say. Whatever comes out of their mouth, you just assume they might simply be a little strange.

Seeing Wang Gensheng still speechless, Xu Nuo glanced at his watch and suddenly exclaimed:

“Ah! It’s time—fermented rice buns are coming out!”

“Let’s go, I’ll take you to the state-run restaurant first. I originally planned to take you back to the factory and then come through a shortcut from the gate, but we’re out of time. I’ll show you the way tomorrow.”

“Ah? What fermented rice buns?”

“They’re really delicious—limited items. You’ll queue up first, I’ll go inside and use connections to order for you.”

“Ah?”

“What do you mean ‘ah’? Didn’t I tell you I was sent by my dad to win you over? We’ve already done the ‘recognition’ part, now it’s time for the material sugar-coated bullets.”

“I’ll order you two good dishes so you can feel my dad’s sincerity. My lunchbox is at the restaurant anyway. When the braised pork comes out, I’ll secretly take a bit—don’t tell anyone. I haven’t had braised pork in ages, no money lately.”

“Oh.”

Wang Gensheng nodded blankly. He still didn’t understand Xu Nuo’s logic at all, but his body obediently followed him running off.

Qin Huai followed behind and sighed inwardly.

As expected of you, Xu Nuo.

A few sentences, and you turned a Xiezhi into a “pig of good fortune.”

The last one who could only say “oh” like this after being talked into confusion… was also a “pig of good fortune.”