Fearing Li Zhengxing might have reservations, Chen Lishu smiled and said, "Section Chief, rest assured. Although I'm choosing bargained goods, our previous profit-sharing agreement remains valid. After all, there won't be much surplus fabric, and I'll need your continued support in the future."
Li Zhengxing had always known Chen Lishu was capable, but this incident further highlighted her perceptiveness.
"Don't worry, Xiao Chen. As long as I'm in this position, no one else will have priority over your goods."
"Actually, I came today to ask about the seersucker fabric."
"I'll mention it to the leadership later. After all, you're the first to have prices opened up, but don't worry, it shouldn't be a major issue," Li Zhengxing said, rising and asking her to wait a moment before heading to the领导 office.
Not long after, Li Zhengxing re-entered with a smile, holding an approved slip.
This time, the factory only allocated ten bolts, and the price was two fen per chi higher than before. However, since it was all above board, Chen Lishu was very pleased.
After returning the fabric with Wang Aixiang, Chen Lishu made another trip to the underground market by the river.
On this visit, she suddenly noticed many more vendors and shoppers. The scale was already comparable to small markets in later eras.
Dong Ji'an hadn't planned to set up his stall today due to other commitments. However, his left eyelid had been twitching, making him feel that something good was about to happen. After some thought, he decided to come anyway.
Shortly after setting up his stall, he saw a familiar figure standing before him.
"Comrade, buying something again? Pick whatever you fancy. I'll give you the absolute lowest price." Seeing Chen Lishu, Dong Ji'an immediately greeted her warmly.
Although she didn't come often, she was definitely his major customer. He still remembered the time Chen Lishu bought all the beads from his stall.
"How much for these thin elastic bands?"
Dong Ji'an quickly replied, "They're sold by the meter. Two fen per meter."
"What's the lowest price for a larger quantity?"
Hearing her question, Dong Ji'an felt a bit amused. "Comrade, I'm already quoting you the lowest price. There isn't much profit margin on these."
Chen Lishu nodded. "How much of these thin elastic bands do you have on hand right now?"
"To be honest, not many people buy this type. Usually, it's the wider ones used for waistbands or shoe openings. I really don't have much, less than ten meters in total."
People didn't buy many small sewing items like these; he just carried them as side items.
Chen Lishu looked up. "I won't bargain. I'll pay your price of two fen per meter. Can you get me more? The more the better. I'm not sure of the exact quantity yet, but here's ten yuan as a deposit. Help me secure fifty yuan's worth."
Making a swimsuit would require one to two meters of thin elastic bands, and she planned to continue making them in the future, so Chen Lishu decided to buy more.
Dong Ji'an, looking at the ten yuan bill she handed over, happily accepted it. "When would you need it?"
"Next week," Chen Lishu replied, specifying a street relatively close to Wang Aixiang's home. "Also, I'd like to order another hundred yuan's worth of buttons and beads. Can you deliver them together?"
Receiving a large order of one hundred and fifty yuan at once, Dong Ji'an readily agreed. "Yes, of course, I can. I'll make sure to deliver them to you then."
After arranging the time with Dong Ji'an, Chen Lishu departed.
Time flew by, and it was now Saturday. Thinking she hadn't seen her second sister, Chen Liyuan, in a while, Chen Lishu specifically went to her school after classes.
"I've only seen you for a month, but you look thinner?" As soon as she saw Chen Liyuan, Chen Lishu examined her carefully. It was late May, and the weather was already a bit warm, yet Chen Liyuan was still wearing the coverall she had made for her in winter. She seemed to have lost weight.
Chen Liyuan lowered her head and tugged at her hem. "I haven't lost weight. It's probably just the loose clothes."
Chen Lishu insisted, "You do look thinner. Since I have the day off, come home with me after your afternoon classes. Sister will make sure you eat well."
After instructing Chen Liyuan, Chen Lishu began grocery shopping.
With more small vendors now, there were also more varieties of vegetables. Chen Lishu bought a head of cabbage, two blocks of tofu, and a fish. She then went to the food store to buy two jin of meat before heading home.
In the afternoon, Rui Rui finished school, and Chen Liyuan also arrived. After informing Zhao Qiuyue, the three of them returned to the military family compound together.
After being away for over a month, the house was much the same as when she left. The only difference was a pile of Gu Xingdong's unwashed dirty clothes in the bathroom basin.
Chen Lishu put her things away and started filling the basin to wash clothes. Chen Liyuan also helped tidy up the room.
Seeing that 'Da Wang' (Big King) was not home, Rui Rui sat at the table and read a comic book for a while. He couldn't resist any longer and climbed down from his stool, walking over to Chen Lishu. "Mom, can I go play with Brother Yanhui and the others?"
Chen Lishu nodded. "Go ahead, just don't wander too far."
Rui Rui nodded and happily went out.
In the evening, when Gu Xingdong returned home, he saw clothes drying by the window and knew Chen Lishu was back. A smile spread across his lips, and his steps unconsciously quickened. He went up the steps in a few strides, pulled open the door, and saw Chen Lishu emerging from the kitchen holding a plate. His dark eyes deepened.
"When did you get back?"
"Thursday afternoon," Chen Lishu replied, gesturing with her chin towards the table. "I've made steamed buns with cabbage and pork belly filling, and there's fish and tofu..."
Before she could finish, she felt a shadow flash before her eyes. Then her lips were pressed firmly, and a passionate, hurried kiss fell upon them.
"Sister, is it Brother-in-law who's back?"
Gu Xingdong hadn't expected anyone else to be home. The moment he heard Chen Liyuan's voice, he instantly withdrew from Chen Lishu's embrace and stood up straight.
"Your buttons aren't even done up. Won't our son laugh at you?"
Gu Xingdong casually raised his hand, pretending to straighten Chen Lishu's clothes, while silently asking her with his eyes why she hadn't mentioned there was someone else at home. Chen Lishu blinked: She hadn't had a chance to say anything, and who knew you'd be so eager? Gu Xingdong raised an eyebrow: I'll deal with you later tonight.
Chen Lishu: ...
When Chen Liyuan opened the door and came out, she saw Gu Xingdong helping Chen Lishu with her buttons. Not suspecting anything, she called out "Brother-in-law" and then, seeing the buns and fish soup already on the table, turned to call Rui Rui. "Rui Rui, time to eat."
"Meow~" As soon as Chen Liyuan finished speaking, a black shadow zipped out from under the door and trotted eagerly towards its food bowl.
Chen Lishu had bought a large fish, and the head and tail were both given to 'Da Wang'. The family sat down together to have dinner.
...
Meanwhile, Wu Zheng returned home to find his wife Lin Xiaoyue sitting on the edge of the bed, while their son fumbled with his hands, muttering and darting around the room.
"Dad, Daddy..."
Seeing him open the door, Wu Yan immediately staggered over.
Wu Zheng bent down and scooped his son up, then glanced at Lin Xiaoyue sitting alone by the bed. He asked curiously, "What's wrong? Who made you angry?"
Lin Xiaoyue turned away and ignored him.