Factory Director Ye

Biodata

Background / History

Ye's factory made export boots for more than a decade. A Japanese trading company went bankrupt after Ye had completed and inspected its order, leaving 3,000 pairs unpaid for in his warehouse. With wages overdue and material suppliers demanding cash, the factory shut down for roughly half a year 17 18 32.

Lin Fan arrived looking for fur-cuffed short boots. Ye initially rejected the sort of offer previous visitors had made—five yuan per pair with payment deferred for three months—but agreed to sell Lin Fan 2,000 pairs for 21,000 yuan in cash. He reserved the remaining 1,000 pairs for Lin Fan, whom he knew as “Manager Ma,” and later allowed him extra time to pay 18 23. Ye shipped the reserved stock during the Double Eleven sales rush, then received the final 8,500-yuan payment. He said he had advanced his workers' wages and could finally breathe easier before the new year 26 29.

When Lin Fan proposed commissioning new boots, Ye called workers back to test his idle machinery. The two agreed to produce 3,000 pairs of larger-sized boots. Ye accepted a four-yuan processing fee per pair and committed both production lines exclusively to Lin Fan's orders until the New Year 30 32 33. After a sample revealed that the export-pattern boot opening was too loose, the factory revised it; Ye began production when Lin Fan approved the second sample 35 37. He subsequently took a 5,000-pair order and refused another Hangzhou buyer's offer of five yuan per pair, citing his prior commitment 38.

Appearance

Ye is described as a man in his fifties 18.

• Wears a blue work jacket with cuffs faded white from use 18.
• Carries a half-smoked cigarette when he first meets Lin Fan 18.

Factory and Working Practices

• Equipment and workforce — The factory has two production lines and complete sets of shoe lasts, including women's sizes up to 42 and lasts for sizes 43 and 44. Ye maintained the idle machines and estimated that 70–80 percent of his skilled workers could return within a week 29 32.
• Capacity — Ye estimates roughly 400 pairs per line per day with a full crew, after a slower startup period 33.
• Export workmanship — Lin Fan finds dense stitching, resilient cuff fur and fur integrated with the lining on the factory's warehouse boots 18.
• Confidentiality — Ye tells people searching for fur-cuffed boots that his factory has no stock. He also declines to identify the client who booked his production lines 23 26 38.

Relationships

• Lin Fan (“Manager Ma”) — Ye's buyer and later production client. Ye reserves stock for him, accepts delayed payment, restarts production for his orders and honors their exclusive-line agreement 18 23 26 33 38.
• Old Chen — Veteran worker who helps maintain the factory's machines and personally makes the first sample boots 32 35.
• Old Cai — Materials supplier who presses Ye over an outstanding debt; Lin Fan's new order provides a way to pay cash for the required materials 32 33.

Notable Quote

“My factory has done export work for over ten years. I don't have any special talent, but once I give my word, I don't take it back.” 38