Chapter 14: The Lease, Ten Years

“What did you just say? Do you mean to keep employing our workers even after renting the factory?”
Director Pei was moved.
He had originally thought Wu Ya would follow the same path as others: rent the factory, but not use its workers.
After all, most of them had grown too accustomed to idling their days away.
But to his surprise, Wu Ya claimed he could put all the workers back to work.
That changed everything.
Even if the arrangement lasted only a month, and wages were paid for just that month, it would still be a lifesaver!
Because with the factory at a standstill, everyone’s wages had been cut to fifty percent, and even then, they were paid only every few months!
The younger workers could still endure, but the older men and women were on the verge of rioting, surrounding him daily and raising havoc.
If things dragged on, a collective incident could erupt, and his days as factory director would be numbered!

“Exactly! Director Pei, your factory’s machines need people to operate them. Instead of hiring new faces from outside, why not use seasoned hands? It’s a pity you’re not willing, so let’s just leave it at that.”
With that, Wu Ya once again turned to leave, his steps even more resolute and swift than before.

“Wait…”
Thud thud thud—
Director Pei, sweating profusely, lumbered after Wu Ya with the speed of a sprinter and blocked his way.

“If that’s the case… then perhaps we can discuss the details. After all, clothing production needs a reliable supply of material, and our equipment is seventy percent new and in perfect condition!”
His face was full of embarrassment, his tone tinged with a hint of pleading.
If he let Wu Ya walk out, it would be like chasing away the God of Wealth himself.
He, Pei Junyi, was not about to make such a foolish mistake!

“Heh, Director Pei, ours isn’t the only textile enterprise in Suiyan District! Maybe the others could offer me even better terms.”
Wu Ya angled his body, still determined to leave.
He had already decided to squeeze Director Pei for all he was worth!
If you don’t value the opportunity I’m giving you, don’t blame me for being ruthless.
He had originally hoped for a win-win outcome: rent their factory for a modest fee, and help them generate revenue.
But Director Pei suspected him of trying to get something for nothing—questioning his integrity.
Business is business; profit is king!

As expected—
“Don’t go! Tell me, what would it take for you to work with our factory?”
Director Pei was truly anxious now, sweat streaming down his forehead.
If this young man left, who knew how many years it would take to find another like him?
He might be gone long before Pei himself was forced out.
But if he could use this chance to turn the factory around, give the workers honest pay,
not only could he keep his seat as director, he’d have a shining achievement to his name!

He had decided—he would make whatever concessions were necessary to keep this golden goose!

“Well… I suppose I should check what rental prices the other factories are offering.”
Wu Ya hesitated for a moment, but made his meaning clear:
The rent!
You refused my offer of fifty thousand.
Fine, I’ll let you lower the price yourself!

Director Pei grabbed Wu Ya’s arm.
“I’ll rent to you for thirty thousand a year, and you can still pay monthly! How’s that?”
Thirty thousand.
The neighboring textile factories were all seeking to lease out their facilities.
Thirty thousand was actually a price they’d agreed on together, to avoid undercutting one another.
But he was clearly not having a pleasant negotiation with this young man today.
If he didn’t lower the price, Wu Ya would undoubtedly walk away for good.
So even if he had to humble himself, he had to keep him!

Hearing this, Wu Ya’s lips curled into a faint smile.
“Thirty thousand—now I can consider it, but I still want to look at other factories.”
He was pushing his advantage—
In business, when your opponent yields, you press harder.
Strike while their position is shaky to maximize your own gain.
That’s strategy—nothing wrong with it.
Having decided to drive a hard bargain, he wasn’t about to stop halfway!
It was Director Pei’s own fault for not negotiating sincerely from the start.

“Don’t go. My price is identical to the others—why leave? How about this: I’ll let your clothes carry our ‘Morning Thought’ label!”
In his desperation, Director Pei made another offer.

Wu Ya smiled and finally stopped in his tracks.
“If Director Pei is willing to make such concessions, it would be ungracious of me to refuse. Fine, let’s sign the contract now.”
Back then, it was common to operate under the umbrella of a larger collective, as that lent more credibility than a sole proprietorship.
But to use the factory’s original brand directly—this was unprecedented.
The Morning Thought Textile Factory, in its heyday, had been famous within a hundred-mile radius.
That was precisely why Wu Ya had chosen them!
Clothing without a brand was no long-term solution.
As a former star in the business world, even before brand consciousness became mainstream,
Wu Ya was determined to seize the opportunity!
Besides, with the company’s name as his banner, everything else would fall into place.

“Good! Let’s sign right away!”
Director Pei swept his arm in enthusiasm, his face lighting up with excitement.
He had finally secured his lucky star!

“Mr. Wu, you can pay the rent monthly, but about the lease term… We can’t put it quite like that. Would one year or two years be more suitable?”
Director Pei smiled amiably at Wu Ya.

“The lease term? Let’s make it ten years,” Wu Ya suddenly replied.
Ten years.
A troubled look crossed Director Pei’s face.
This was a collective enterprise, and the director’s tenure was limited.
He could approve a ten-year lease, but the rent?
Monthly payments for ten years?
That would be a farce!
Would the next director accept that?
He’d be in trouble the moment a new director took over.
But if he refused, all his efforts would go to waste and Wu Ya would surely walk.
What to do?
Seeing Director Pei’s hesitation, Wu Ya smiled again.
“Director Pei, there’s no need to worry. Regarding the rent, I only ask for monthly payments during the first year. After that, I’ll pay annually, or even three years at a time if you prefer. How does that sound?”
After the first year, he’d pay by the year—even three years at once.
Director Pei’s worries instantly vanished.
“Agreed!”
A long-term lease with prompt payments, and workers’ wages paid as usual—what a windfall!

“Director Pei, it’s best to add one more clause to the contract. During the ten-year lease, if the warehouse is demolished and it affects my business, you must compensate me three times the rent—calculated over the full ten-year term!”
As Director Pei was drafting the contract, Wu Ya added this casually.
“No problem.”
Director Pei, in his good mood, agreed without hesitation.
To him, closing this deal was already a major coup.
As for demolition?
Who could possibly have the means to redevelop such a massive factory?
Impossible!
After all, the era of large-scale development hadn’t arrived yet.
There were no construction booms or mass demolitions.
So compensation?
It was just a security measure Wu Ya wanted for his own peace of mind.
After all, he was only eighteen—a bit timid still.

“In three days, I expect to see ten bolts of fabric.”
Wu Ya tucked the contract away, turned with Liu Qian, and left.