Chen knew a little about sewing and sought work at a textiles factory belonging to the famous Shan Tung Group. While waiting for an interview, she saw a short, affable-looking man in a uniform standing by the door.
初中畢業後，由於會一點操作紡織機器的技術，她選擇到當時赫赫有名的山東集團振豐紡織廠去應徵，面試時看到門房邊站著一位個子不高、穿制服、面貌和藹的人，還以為是廠裡的工人，就上前攀談幾句工廠瑣事。