My Story with the Great Emperor

　　It was a summer in 1998, when a dark-skinned, slightly chubby fifteen-year-old girl from a rural area in Northeast China arrived in Chengdu— a city entirely unknown to her—after a nerve-wracking three-day, three-night train journey. The sky here mirrored my own mood at the time: dull and gray, devoid of even a single ray of brilliant sunlight. I’ve long since lost track of how I found my way to Liangjia Lane, once one of our company’s early office locations—a residential building at No. 36 Ma’anshan Road. On the third floor were offices for various departments, while the sixth floor served as both staff accommodations and the cafeteria. After a brief rest, General Manager Li immediately arranged for someone to drive me away in a white van straight to No. 17 Hongshan Road. Back then, our company’s factory was still just a rented section of the rubber factory premises—crumbling and dilapidated, with a surrounding environment that left much to be desired. Yet, amidst the worn-out surroundings, there was an unmistakable, unforgettable aroma that lingered throughout the厂区: a unique blend of our signature fruity and milky scents, a fragrance so deeply etched into my memory that it still lingers within me today.

　　When I met General Manager Li, the first thing this boss said to me was: "Don't think just because you're related to my family, you'll be treated differently from the other employees—work poorly, and you’ll still have to go back." Those words made my heart tighten even further. Indeed! As a Northeastern girl like me—someone who didn’t attend college and only finished junior high school before stepping out into the workforce—what could I possibly do? My very first job at Dadi was as a warehouse keeper, responsible for managing both raw materials and finished products. My supervisor and I each had our own bicycle, and we were each entrusted with the master key to the massive lock guarding the raw materials warehouse. Every day, we’d repeatedly ride back and forth along the narrow paths connecting the factory area with the brick-built warehouse complex. A week after I started as a warehouse manager, General Manager Li came to the factory to inspect operations—and finally, he gave me a warm, friendly smile. That’s how I smoothly became one of the Dadi team members.

　　During the days when I was responsible for overseeing finished-product storage, I remember vividly how Director Yu and General Manager Li showed their care for the employees. Back then, our production team often had to work overtime late into the night—sometimes even until 2 a.m.—before the second shift finally completed their tasks and notified me to start putting the goods away. Knowing how tough it was for our colleagues in production to work long hours, Directors Yu and Li would frequently bring along delicious braised dishes and other treats to cheer up those who were pulling all-nighters. In fact, there were countless other heartwarming gestures from these two caring and kind bosses. Their genuine concern for the staff never failed to move everyone deeply. As a result, working at the company became not just a job, but like being part of a warm, close-knit family—where you realize that the people around you are actually incredibly friendly, always ready to offer guidance and lend a helping hand. Plus, the company leadership is remarkably approachable, happily sharing their expertise and offering valuable advice whenever needed. And let’s not forget: the workplace atmosphere here is wonderfully harmonious, so there’s absolutely no need to feel stressed—just focus on doing your best, and everything will fall into place naturally.

　　Later, I took on roles such as administrative assistant in the Procurement Department and the Information Department, gaining valuable experience across different departments and positions. One day, Manager Li called me into her office for a heartfelt conversation. She said to me with genuine concern: "Jingjing, you're still young—there’s so much more you can achieve in the future. But first, you need to read more books." And so, following Manager Li’s wise advice, I resumed my studies in 2000, embarking on a three-year journey at the provincial tourism college, where I majored in Tourism and Hotel Management. During holidays, I always returned to the company to cover shifts for our busy administrative colleagues who had other commitments. Back then, everyone at Dadi would often remark that I was practically the company’s little firefighter—always ready to step in wherever help was needed most. That comment, though simple, became a significant source of encouragement for me at the time.

　　I stepped back into Dadi in May 2003, this time as a sales administrative assistant, officially becoming part of the Dadi family once again. By then, Dadi had already celebrated its tenth anniversary, and the company’s factory premises had undergone a remarkable transformation—shedding their old appearance for a fresh, modern look. In this seemingly ordinary yet essential role, I learned valuable problem-solving skills, such as how to communicate effectively with customers over the phone. These experiences have since laid a solid foundation, equipping me well for my future journey as a capable frontline sales representative. Speaking of which, I must also mention one person—Li Yang, the manager of our Supply Department. It was Manager Li who, in 2005, casually remarked: “Why don’t you give sales a try? That’s where real growth happens. Sure, it’ll be tough, but it’ll help you develop much faster.” This suggestion was warmly endorsed by General Manager Li as well. And just like that, before I even had time to fully process the idea, I was informed that I’d soon need to hand over my current administrative duties—and would soon be assigned to the Zhengzhou market as a sales representative.

　　There wasn’t time to think much further—so I simply packed my bags, grabbed a large red leather suitcase, and headed down to Zhengzhou in central China. As time passed slowly, eroding and shaping me bit by bit, I began to notice myself transforming step by step: speaking and handling tasks with growing confidence, interacting with others more humbly and gracefully, and approaching problems with greater maturity. Meanwhile, I mastered the essential business skills, making my work increasingly effortless—and even turning it into a genuine joy in life. Looking back on my journey from Zhengzhou in central China all the way to Shunde in Guangdong, I can truly see how, as Manager Li once said, sales is an incredibly tough yet invaluable experience that continually pushes us to grow. After enduring countless challenges, I’ve finally reached a sweet reward. With a heart full of gratitude, today I want to say:

　　Thank you! Great Emperor, you’re an outstanding platform; thank you, Manager Li Yang, for your insightful guidance; and most of all, thank you, General Manager Li, for your mentorship, support, care, and boundless generosity… We’re also grateful to Chairman Yu for your patience and trust.

　　This year, the Great Emperor is already 20 years old—20 years of navigating life’s ups and downs, 20 years of staying true to our core principles, and 20 years of embracing innovation and change. I’m honored that out of these 20 years, 14 have been spent walking alongside you. Thank you, Great Emperor, for enriching and fulfilling every moment of my journey. So many beautiful memories from the past remain etched in my heart. Though today’s few lines may not fully capture everything we’ve experienced together, they do offer me a rare chance to reflect on those cherished moments. This is the story of me and the Great Emperor—a tale that may seem simple and ordinary at first glance, yet it’s utterly unique. After all, it’s this extraordinary connection that has transformed my entire life, giving me a whole new chapter to embrace.

　　In the next 10 years, 20 years—Great Emperor, let’s continue forward together with this same unwavering confidence.