Chapter 312 - 116: Xu Lian’s Promotion, Departure for Nanshan

"Brother-in-law, how much land do you think you can approve for me?"

After hearing Jiang Li’s plan, Xu Lian took a deep breath.

’If the anti-cancer drug alone could get me promoted two ranks, then if Jiang Li’s domestic products venture succeeded, I would surely rise another level.’

After all, many supermarkets in the country were foreign-owned, and even some small convenience stores sold foreign products.

If anyone else had said this, he definitely wouldn’t have believed them.

But the person saying it today was Jiang Li. He could even picture the looks on those foreigners’ faces, fuming with rage.

Meeting Jiang Li’s expectant gaze, Xu Lian smiled. "However much you want, that’s how much I’ll approve!"

Jiang Li was handing him a political achievement on a silver platter; he certainly couldn’t be the one to hold her back.

He had a feeling that once this supermarket opened, it would be a massive hit.

Jiang Li chuckled. "I think that abandoned construction project over on Binjiang Road looks pretty good."

Xu Lian tapped his fingers on the desk. "So you already did your homework before coming to see me."

Jiang Li waved her hand dismissively. "Oh, come on! I was just trying to save you some time!"

She then reached out and tapped the desk. "So, is it a deal or not?"

Xu Lian replied with a resigned sigh, "It’s a deal. How could I say no?"

How could he possibly refuse something that would benefit the country and its people?

Besides, that block of abandoned buildings now belonged to the government. Deciding what to do with it was just a matter of him giving the word.

Jiang Li beamed at his words. "Great. Let me know when the paperwork is approved so I can get my team to start construction."

Her supermarket was now at a point where everything was ready; all she needed was the official go-ahead.

As soon as the documents were in her hands, she would have the abandoned buildings demolished.

The reason she planned to open on Binjiang Road instead of downtown was mainly because it was near a toll station and on the way to the airport, so it wouldn’t be as congested.

Anyone who frequently shopped at supermarkets knew how annoying it was to be stuck in a crowd.

So, aside from having a large floor space, a supermarket also needed to be easily accessible.

「Three days later」

The paperwork was approved, and Jiang Li immediately contacted a construction crew.

First demolish, then rebuild.

Her assistants weren’t idle either; they all went out to source products.

Jiang Li had only a few requirements: the goods had to be domestically produced, the quality had to be top-notch, and price was not an issue.

「Three months later」

The anti-cancer drug was officially launched, and an advanced version was also successfully developed, capable of eliminating cancer cells more efficiently and with less pain.

Xu Lian was also promoted from Mayor to Deputy National Commissioner.

The promotion also meant he would have to relocate. Before leaving the Capital City, Xu Lian and his wife, Zhao Xia, made a special trip to visit them.

When Jiang Li heard the news from Zhao Xia, she quickly offered her congratulations. "Brother-in-law, congratulations!"

Xu Lian gave Zhao Xia a look, and Zhao Xia brought out a gift. "Actually, I should be the one thanking you," Xu Lian said. "If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been promoted so quickly."

He pushed the gift in front of Jiang Li. "This is just a small token of appreciation from Sister Zhao and me. I hope you’ll accept it."

Jiang Li clicked her tongue in mild disapproval. "We’re all family. Why are you being so formal?"

’Xu Lian had already helped her out a great deal. If it had been anyone else trying to open a large supermarket, the process would have likely been held up for some time. But in her case, she didn’t even have to run the errands herself; Xu Lian took care of everything for her directly. He’d even named it the National Goods Supermarket.’

Zhao Xia said cheerfully, "It’s just a small trinket. It’s not worth much."

Hearing this, Jiang Li finally opened the box. Inside were two high-quality jade bracelets that looked incredibly valuable, causing her to frown.

Xu Lian, who had been watching her expression, quickly explained, "Sister Zhao mentioned before that you like jade. I happen to have a friend who sells it, so I got it at a friendship price. It wasn’t expensive."

Jiang Li tugged on the sleeve of Shen Yanzhi, who was sitting beside her. "What’s your definition of ’not expensive’?"

Shen Yanzhi thought for a moment. "A few thousand, maybe ten thousand."

Because Jiang Li liked jade, he had learned a little about it and would occasionally buy her bracelets and other accessories.

Jiang Li even had a custom velvet jewelry box made just to store them.

’But jade bracelets costing only a few thousand or even ten thousand would never be this high-quality. These were free of inclusions and had excellent translucency; they had to be worth at least six or seven figures.’

Xu Lian was exasperated. "If I told you both bracelets together cost just over thirty thousand, would you believe me?"

"The profit margins on jade are huge to begin with. A bracelet that sells for over a hundred thousand in a store might only have a cost price of a few thousand to ten thousand."

Jiang Li and Shen Yanzhi exchanged a look and both shook their heads.

Xu Lian pulled out his phone and showed them the payment record. "Here. Do you believe me now?"

Jiang Li’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Are the profit margins on jade really that insane?"