Looking for a job? Setting aside her primary goal of ensuring the children could attend school and serve the country, what could they possibly do at their current ages? They were all underage. Wouldn't they just end up doing manual labor, exploited by unscrupulous factories?
Chen Lishu shook her head and said, “This method of yours is completely unworkable. Let’s get back to the main point and help me think of a suitable plan, otherwise, I might not be able to sleep soundly for the next few nights!”
“Actually, you could tailor a job based on their strengths! From what I know, the impoverished students you’re looking for are all county or city top scorers. The proportion of people who are good at studying should be quite high. You could organize them and offer their services to those who need them more, for a fee.
This way, you wouldn’t have to worry about their studies, and you could also find them a stable, long-term, well-paying job to supplement their household expenses, allowing them to focus more on their studies. Isn’t this killing two birds with one stone?”
Initially, Chen Lishu was just listening to Gu Xingdong’s magnetic voice, not really pinning her hopes on him. But after hearing his suggestion, she was completely enlightened!
Chen Lishu quickly pulled herself out of Gu Xingdong’s embrace, her eyes shining as she looked at him and said, “I didn’t expect you to have experience in the workplace too! It seems my presence is preventing you from becoming even more outstanding.”
Gu Xingdong raised an eyebrow at her words and quickly replied, “I wouldn’t dare to claim that. Isn’t it all thanks to my wife’s influence that I’ve gained some understanding of commerce?
The reason I’ve become outstanding is because you’re by my side, assisting me. As the saying goes, one cannot serve two masters. If it weren’t for you managing the household so perfectly, how could I have felt at ease staying in the military for so many years and risen to the rank of commander?”
These words clearly pleased Chen Lishu. She raised an eyebrow and said, “I didn’t realize your words could be so sweet. Confess, did you drink honey today?”
“Do you want to taste it?” Gu Xingdong’s deep eyes stared intently at Chen Lishu.
Chen Lishu felt as if she were being drawn in, her entire being becoming a little dazed, and naturally, some unspeakable things happened.
----
It wasn’t until the next day, with the sun shining brightly on their faces, that Chen Lishu slowly opened her eyes from her sleep.
Dragging her weary body, she got out of bed, quickly freshened up, and then headed to Zhou Kun’s home with Su Nian again.
As they approached the entrance, Zhou Kun emerged from a corner and blocked their path, speaking with a troubled expression, “Auntie, can we not go in today? Because of your visit yesterday, my mother’s emotions have already become somewhat unstable. I don’t want anything to happen to her.”
Chen Lishu and Su Nian exchanged a glance. Chen Lishu bent down, placing her hands on her knees, and said to Zhou Kun, “I’m truly sorry, we weren’t considerate enough yesterday. Our purpose for coming today is to look at your usual notes.”
Notes? A hint of confusion appeared on Zhou Kun’s face. He didn’t know what was so special about the notes, but he still retrieved all his textbooks and exam papers as Chen Lishu requested.
Because Zhou Kun was currently in his third year of high school, his notes were very thorough, with clear explanations of solutions and reasoning. Chen Lishu marveled at them.
“Xiao Nian, come and take a look too,” Chen Lishu said, handing the papers to her.
After reading through them, Su Nian murmured, “Although I haven’t studied much, these notes are so detailed that I can understand them.
It’s undeniable that this child is naturally gifted in academics. It’s a real shame that he had to drop out of school. Madam, didn’t you say you’ve thought of a solution? Hurry and tell us!”
Hearing their conversation, Zhou Kun was bewildered, not understanding what they were plotting.
Chen Lishu closed the books and said very seriously, “I want to buy your notes.”
Buy notes? What use would buying these things be? Zhou Kun couldn’t fathom it and could only ask blankly, “Auntie, do you want to study too?
If these notes are useful to you, you can just take them. I won’t need them anyway. Even if I need this knowledge, I’ve already memorized it, so these notes are not essential.”
Hearing Zhou Kun’s words, Chen Lishu nodded with satisfaction. This young man was truly blessed by heaven!
She took a deep breath and then explained yesterday’s idea, “I want to buy your notes and sell them to people who need them more. In simple terms, I need your notes for business!”
“Oh.” Zhou Kun nodded as if he half understood.
To avoid Zhou Kun misunderstanding her intentions as having ulterior motives, she quickly clarified, “Besides the notes, I also need your help with something, which is to have you classify and copy the knowledge points.
It’s the same for the exam papers. Of course, this labor won’t be free; it will be compensated! For the notes, I plan to compile them into a book, about 30-plus pages, for 800 yuan per book. For the exam papers, it will be 20 yuan per page!”
Eight hundred yuan for a book, and twenty yuan per page? Hearing this, Zhou Kun felt a wave of dizziness, as if he were dreaming.
He asked uncertainly, “Auntie, are you joking? Twenty yuan for a single exam paper, and 800 yuan for a book? That’s a month’s, or even a year’s, expenses for a family!
Auntie, tell me honestly, are you just finding an excuse to help our family? If so, I accept your kindness, but I cannot accept this money!
I’m a man, with hands and feet. I can earn money myself. How can I trouble outsiders? Thank you for your help to our family. I will never forget your great kindness.”
Chen Lishu admired Zhou Kun’s integrity and felt that this young man was destined for great things, but this time, it truly wasn’t a handout.
She met Zhou Kun’s flushed eyes and said, word for word, “Child, do you know why I’ve set the prices so high? It’s because they are worth the value.
Nowadays, many things can be copied. With just one book or one exam paper, I can make a fortune. The reason the prices are high is because the value of your labor is high.
I know you have hands and feet and can earn money to treat your mother, but have you considered that your mother’s condition has already begun to worsen? If you delay any further, the legs that could have been treated might end up being amputated.
Take this money first. There are too many things I need to do. For instance, I’ll need to open a bookstore in the future and find a reliable person to help manage it. I’ll also need your significant help later on. If you don’t accept payment now, how will I have the nerve to ask you in the future?”