(My internet went down for an entire day for no reason. What rotten luck...)
When he saw Xu Yi again, Patriarch Wellen's plump face practically blossomed with smiles. There was not the slightest sign that he had secretly directed the workers to cause trouble.
"President Xu, have you come to officially set up the Fruit Canning Factory and the Rubber Processing Factory?" Patriarch Wellen asked with a beaming smile.
Xu Yi nodded lightly. "Yes. I've brought a batch of personnel and equipment this time, and we're ready to begin construction. I came to see you because there's something I'd like to discuss."
"Please, go ahead, President Xu. If there's anything I can help with, consider it done," Patriarch Wellen declared, patting a chest considerably fuller than that of the maid beside him.
"It's nothing particularly troublesome." Xu Yi smiled. "Patriarch Wellen, there's not much to say about the Fruit Canning Factory, but rubber processing requires the involvement of the Elf Race. That means the Rubber Processing Factory will probably have quite a few elven workers. I hope you'll prepare yourself to welcome them."
Patriarch Wellen froze. "Elven workers? Surely not? Since when did elves start working in human factories?"
"Hasn't Cantona or anyone else mentioned it to you?" Xu Yi was a little puzzled. "The Xinfei Merchant Guild started employing elven workers a long time ago. It's nothing unusual."
"They never mentioned it." Patriarch Wellen shook his head and gave Xu Yi a peculiar look. "President Xu, you're certainly a capable man, persuading those proud elves to work in your factories. They actually agreed to take orders and accept leadership from a human like you?"
"I wouldn't really call it accepting my orders or leadership. It's more of a partnership. We each get what we need," Xu Yi said,