C9 300kg of Yellow Flower

Lee Zhi didn't hesitate to purchase two high-powered freezers in one fell swoop. He was concerned that a single unit wouldn't suffice, and the hassle of returning to buy another was something he wanted to avoid.

After all, he had already struck a deal with Huang Youwei. The next day, Huang would bring ingredients to the factory for Lee Zhi to process 200 kilograms of fish balls, resulting in a cash payment of 60,000 dollars. This would significantly alleviate the financial strain they were under.

The appliance store took care of the delivery, and Lee Zhi tagged along with the delivery truck back to the factory.

Upon arrival, they moved the freezers inside. Once the store's delivery team had left, Dong Xiaorou, with a furrowed brow, inquired, "Why on earth did you buy two freezers all at once? I thought we were tight on funds!" She was aware of their current financial pinch and suggested that Lee Zhi should be more frugal to avoid being caught empty-handed when expenses arose.

"I've got news for you. I picked up an order in the city today," Lee Zhi said with a beaming smile.

"An order?" Dong Xiaorou's eyes sparkled as she asked with a smile, "Did we manage to sell our fish balls?"

"Not quite," Lee Zhi laughed, curious about how she would react if she knew he had boldly quoted 600 dollars per kilogram for the fish balls.

"It's a contract for processing work!"

"Processing?" Dong Xiaorou's frown deepened. "Can you give me the full story? Who are we processing for?"

Lee Zhi recounted his visit to the Star Moon Bay Hotel with a smile. "Originally, I intended to pitch our factory-made fish balls to the Blue Moon Bay Hotel. But then, that chubby guy, Huang Youwei, called me. He first expressed interest in buying our technology, but then criticized the quality of our fish balls' ingredients and asked us to process a batch for them."

Dong Xiaorou didn't know whether to laugh or cry at Lee Zhi's audacity to ask for 80 million for a set of fish ball processing equipment, especially considering the equipment and factory rental costs hadn't even reached 100,000 dollars.

For Dong Xiaorou, the idea of selling fish balls for 600 dollars per kilogram was more palatable than selling the equipment for 80 million.

After some thought, Dong Xiaorou said, "If Blue Moon Bay is supplying the ingredients for us to process a batch of fish balls, it sounds like a one-off deal. We can't rely solely on this for the factory's survival."

Lee Zhi agreed. Dong Xiaorou was correct; the factory couldn't depend on just processing work for Blue Moon Bay Hotel. Their primary focus remained on producing their own fish balls. Nevertheless, this didn't prevent the factory from potentially earning its first big payday from the hotel.

"Also, you've priced the fish balls too high," Dong Xiaorou remarked before turning to attend to her own tasks.

Too high a price?

Lee Zhi chuckled to himself. He was aware the price was steep. Even with aspirations to position their fish balls as a premium product, 600 dollars per kilogram was excessive. In truth, he had initially set the price at 61 dollars per kilogram, but on a whim, he had inflated the price during his visit to the Blue Moon Bay Hotel. By comparison, even at 61 dollars, their fish balls were hardly a bargain.

The next morning, a Raptor pickup truck pulled up outside the factory.

Yawning, Lee Zhi stepped out to greet Huang Youwei, Fatty Huang, and the woman by his side, pausing for a moment in surprise.

He grinned and greeted, "Chef Huang, you're up with the sun! And who might this be?"

"Zhao Xueying, manager of the Blue Moon Bay Hotel!"

It was clear that Zhao had no interest in shaking hands with Lee Zhi, who didn't push his luck. He took a quick look at the raptor pickup truck behind them and cheerfully inquired, "Did you bring the ingredients?"

"600 pounds of wild chrysanthemums," Huang Youwei squinted at Lee Zhi. "Boss Lee, since we're all here, aren't you going to invite us in?"

Lee Zhi was acutely aware of the factory's state. Despite its size, it was virtually empty, boasting only a single production line that couldn't even compete with a slightly larger workshop. There was no suitable reception area for guests like Huang Youwei and Zhao Xueying.

Deciding to keep them out, especially since they'd already delivered the raw materials, seemed the best course of action.

Lee Zhi offered a friendly smile and explained, "Truth be told, our factory is quite private, and we typically don't allow visitors..."

"Do we look like typical visitors?" Zhao Xueying cut in sharply, her face devoid of emotion. Without waiting for a response, she continued, "We must inspect the premises. We'll overlook the factory's private areas, but we need to see your production line. 600 pounds of wild chrysanthemums are worth a hefty 380,000 dollars. Before we even discuss the raw materials, we at Blue Moon Bay Hotel need to ensure you have the proper production credentials. We're responsible not just to ourselves but to our customers as well. Don't you agree, Director Lee?"

Lee Zhi touched his nose, pondering her words, just as Dong Xiaorou emerged from the factory. She was an early bird, already inside before Huang and Zhao had arrived.

"Manager Zhao makes a fair point," Dong Xiaorou chimed in, turning to Lee Zhi. "Boss, we have guests. It would be rude not to invite them in."

"Ms. Zhao, Mr. Huang, this way, please!" Dong Xiaorou gestured invitingly, her poise impeccable and beyond reproach.

Zhao Xueying's face broke into a smile as she regarded Dong Xiaorou. "What a surprise to run into you here!"

Dong Xiaorou's expression remained neutral as she replied, "Is it really that surprising to find me in Fish Head Island Village, my home?"

Zhao Xueying gave Dong Xiaorou a long look but then turned to scrutinize Lee Zhi, asking with a hint of curiosity, "Is he your man?"

After a brief pause, Dong Xiaorou confirmed with a serene nod, "Yes, he is my man."

"He's quite the looker," Zhao Xueying acknowledged, slipping on her coffee-colored sunglasses. "With Dong Xiaorou here, I see no need to go inside. Unload the raw materials and settle the processing fee!"

With that, she spun on her heel and headed back to her vehicle.

Huang Youwei frowned and shot Lee Zhi a stern look. "What are you gawking at? Start unloading. You don't expect me to do it, do you?"

"Right away!" Lee Zhi replied with a smile, making his way to the Raptor pickup. The 600 pounds of wild yellow carp seemed like a lot, but it was neatly packed into just eight large insulated boxes, the fish chilled to perfection.

After unloading the ingredients, Huang Youwei promptly transferred 60,000 dollars to Lee Zhi's bank account using his smartphone.

"When can we come to pick them up?"

Considering the 600 pounds of wild yellow carps that could be processed in under six hours, Lee Zhi pondered for a moment and replied with a grin, "If all goes well, we'll have everything ready by evening!"

"Good, give me a call when it's done. Money isn't an issue for us, but you better ensure the quality is top-notch. Otherwise, you can kiss your business goodbye in Sea City!"

With that, Fatty Huang swiveled his ample frame, climbed into his Raptor pickup, and smoothly backed out, heading off down the road.