Chen Lishu slept until past seven o'clock before waking up again. This time, even "Da Wang" was nowhere to be found, and she was alone at home.
After getting up and washing, Chen Lishu started making zongzi. She made over twenty until all the ingredients were used up, then put them in the pot to cook.
Once cooked, she tasted one herself and found the flavor good. She then took all the zongzi out and placed them by the window to cool.
After cleaning the kitchen, Chen Lishu went back to her room and took out the bubble gauze fabric to cut out samples. Since it was for summer short sleeves, the style was relatively simple and easy to make. Even without a sewing machine, she had it mostly done in a short time.
Looking at the finished short-sleeved shirts, Chen Lishu took out the beads she had bought earlier. She strung a few together with thread, then wound them into a small floral pattern and sewed it onto the neckline. After sewing, she held it up to examine it carefully, nodded with satisfaction, and then folded the clothes and put them in her shoulder bag.
Since she didn't have fine elastic bands, Chen Lishu didn't attempt to make swimsuits. She thought that Dong Ji'an, whom she met that day, might have some for sale. She could go buy some and try making them when she had time.
The zongzi had cooled down by then. Chen Lishu went to the kitchen, picked out a portion, put them on a plate to leave for Gu Xingdong, and wrapped the rest in paper to take back to school.
Zhang Xue and Yang Lili were from out of town and wouldn't be going home for the holiday, so it was a chance for them to try something new.
It was already afternoon when she returned to school. As soon as she reached the dormitory entrance, the dorm supervisor called out to her, "Are you from room 106? There's a letter for you."
Chen Lishu took the letter handed to her and saw that it was sent by Zhou Bin. She guessed that a vehicle might be coming to the provincial capital.
"Thank you, Aunt Zhang." After thanking the dorm supervisor, Chen Lishu took the letter back to the dormitory.
"Why are you back so early today?" Zhang Xue asked curiously when she saw her enter.
"There was nothing much to do, so I came back early." Chen Lishu smiled and took down her shoulder bag. "Oh, right, I made zongzi at home. I brought some over for you all to try."
"You made zongzi?" Zhang Xue's eyes lit up when she heard there was food, and she immediately climbed down from her upper bunk.
"Your leg wound has just scabbed over. Be careful not to strain it," Chen Lishu said as she took out the zongzi from her bag.
"Sister Lishu, what filling is it?" Li He also came over curiously.
Chen Lishu smiled, "Salted pork filling."
Zhu Qing and Liu Ying, upon hearing it was pork filling, crowded around.
Yang Lili was sitting on her bed reading. Her gaze fell on the group of people, and she unconsciously rubbed the pages of the book in her hands before quickly withdrawing her gaze and continuing to read.
She couldn't brazenly take other people's food like the others because she knew she couldn't afford to repay them. It was better not to eat than to be mocked.
"Big sister, this one is for you."
Yang Lili looked up and saw the two zongzi being handed to her. She hastily waved her hands, "I've already eaten my fill. Lishu, you keep them for yourself."
"Then keep them for later tonight." Chen Lishu pulled her hand and placed the zongzi on it. "It's just two zongzi, and everyone has them. You can't be special."
Yang Lili looked at the two zongzi in her hands, pursed her lips, and said softly to her, "Thank you."
"Lishu, these are so delicious! If the cafeteria could make them taste like this, I'd go every day," Zhang Xue said impatiently, opening one and taking a bite. Her mouth was instantly filled with soft, glutinous texture, interspersed with the fragrance of meat.
"How could they not be delicious? Look at these big pieces of meat," Li He chimed in with a smile, her gaze unconsciously re-examining Chen Lishu.
When school started, she only knew that Chen Lishu was from the countryside. Apart from being good-looking, her dress and grooming were unremarkable, so she assumed her family's conditions were average and didn't pay much attention. Now, seeing her give away zongzi made with such large pieces of meat, she wondered if her family was well-off or if she was just putting on a show.
Chen Lishu didn't pay attention to the young girl's thoughts. After distributing the zongzi, she sat on her own bed and first opened Zhou Bin's letter to read it.
The letter was not long, only a few lines, telling her that her unit had a vehicle that could come to the provincial capital. Chen Lishu's eyes fell on the estimated arrival date and found it was Thursday afternoon.
This was good news. She could also go to the textile factory on Wednesday to check it out and transport some fabric back.
Meanwhile, Li Zhengxing, after visiting two places, arrived at the Qing Mountain County Garment Factory today.
The results from the first two places were not very good. After all, they had only cooperated a few times. One place ordered five thousand units out of politeness, while the other, before he could even speak, started complaining.
Liu Xiaoting was promoted to cadre in the factory office by Director Zhou at the beginning of the year. This time, she and Director Zhou were receiving Li Zhengxing together.
Qing Mountain County did not have a textile factory, and the fabrics were transported from the textile factory in the neighboring county. That's why Li Zhengxing came to take a look.
To be honest, when the factory's performance was good, he truly disdained these small-output factories. But one must speak according to the times. Now, he had to make a special trip.
"We are all brother units. We must help with this small favor. Don't worry, I will definitely report your factory's situation to the factory director."
Director Zhou gave Liu Xiaoting a look.
"Director, it's already this late. Why don't I ask the食堂 to make a few more dishes? Let's eat first."
Liu Xiaoting's gaze fell on an employee next to Li Zhengxing. "You come with me. Let's see what your section chief likes to eat."
The employee glanced at Li Zhengxing, nodded, and followed Liu Xiaoting out.
When Liu Xiaoting had arranged everything and came to call them for dinner, she saw Director Zhou nod to her discreetly. Knowing that the matter was settled, she was very happy.
The batch of fabric for making underwear was quite special, only available in large factories. However, due to limitations in technology and raw materials, the production volume was not high, and not much was distributed to various department stores.
This time, with this opportunity, Director Zhou helped persuade the factory director to purchase the fabric. Li Zhengxing would sell the fabric to them at a price naturally cheaper than what he sold to department stores.
Regarding the underwear currently sold outside, she had already gained an advantage in cost. As for Nan Haitao and Chen Lishu, they could just wait to cry.
...
"Knock, knock." Chen Lishu approached the door of the department head's office and tentatively knocked twice.
"Come in."
"Director, did you call for me?" When Chen Lishu pushed the door open, she saw a young man in his twenties or thirties sitting in his office.
Huang Jianjun smiled at the young man as she entered and said, "This is our school's student representative, Chen Lishu."
Then he looked at Chen Lishu, "This is reporter Zou Liang from the newspaper."
Zou Liang was surprised that the university student he was interviewing this time was so beautiful. His eyes lit up, and he smiled, "Hello, classmate Chen Lishu."
Chen Lishu also smiled back, "Hello, Reporter Zou."
"Classmate Chen is the one who proposed the 'English Corner' and advocated for academic atmosphere construction. Reporter Zou can ask her anything you want to know."
Huang Jianjun then looked at Chen Lishu, "Why don't you take Reporter Zou around the campus?" It would be best if he could gather some material and promote the school.
Chen Lishu understood and led Zou Liang out of the office.