She remembered that only in these two years a bubble gauze swimsuit had come out, especially the kind with a bumpy surface and fine elastic bands sewn inside. Once launched, it was unanimously popular. Whether for adults or children, owning one was definitely a luxury.
The swimsuit fabric didn't require much. She bought it at six cents a foot. Because it was unique, even selling it for four yuan a piece would have buyers. A single piece could earn nearly triple the profit. Chen Lishu felt excited just thinking about it.
As she was thinking, Gu Xingdong's undulating cough suddenly came from across the way. Chen Lishu snapped back to attention and asked with concern, "Is your throat uncomfortable?"
Seeing that she had finally noticed him, Gu Xingdong cleared his throat and casually said, "It was a little just now, but it's much better now."
As he spoke, his gaze fell on the electric sightseeing boat docked by the river. "Want to take a ride?"
Chen Lishu was tempted and nodded with a smile. "Yes."
The two went over to inquire with the staff. The round trip to the other side took about half an hour, and the ticket price was fifty cents.
Many people were interested in riding, but after inquiring about the price, they backed down. After all, a bus ticket only cost a few cents.
After buying the tickets, Gu Xingdong crossed the deck first, then turned back and naturally took Chen Lishu's hand.
His palm was warm and dry, with a rough thin callus. He held Chen Lishu's hand steadily. With a slight pull, Chen Lishu easily stood on the boat.
After boarding, they waited for a while until there were enough passengers before setting off.
The riverside had not yet been developed or polluted. The river water was clear, and the scenery on both banks was beautiful. Accompanied by the gentle river breeze, it was very pleasant and comfortable, especially with the beloved person by her side.
Chen Lishu turned her head to look at Gu Xingdong, his handsome and sharp eyebrows, his well-defined jawline, and his prominent Adam's apple. As Chen Lishu gazed, she couldn't help but be mesmerized.
Sensing her gaze keenly, Gu Xingdong turned his head. "What's wrong?"
Chen Lishu pursed her lips, smiled, and leaned closer to his ear to whisper, "I suddenly realized that no scenery in my eyes can move me as much as you can."
This sudden confession made Gu Xingdong's already dark eyes deepen even further. If not for so many people watching, he would have really wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her properly.
Chen Lishu noticed that after she had spoken her feelings, Gu Xingdong's gaze was subtly fixed on her. Chen Lishu felt a little uncomfortable being stared at by him and couldn't help but whisper, "Look at the scenery."
"I am looking."
Chen Lishu: "..."
Before heading home, the two first went to the market. Because Gu Xingdong was there to help with carrying things, they bought more than usual, stocking up on rice, flour, and oil. Besides vegetables, thinking that the Dragon Boat Festival was next week, Chen Lishu also bought some glutinous rice and ingredients for making zongzi.
People in the Northeast preferred savory flavors, and since there were no candied dates or similar items sold, Chen Lishu bought some pork belly to make meat zongzi.
By the time they got home, it was almost five o'clock. "Da Wang," who had been waiting at the door for a long time, saw them return together and, like an abandoned child, barked at them twice with an unhappy little face.
Then he sniffed them. Finding no food he was interested in, he seemed to be angry. As soon as Chen Lishu opened the door, without waiting for them, he flicked his tail and darted inside first.
"Noodles for dinner?"
Watching Gu Xingdong put away the items, Chen Lishu asked.
Gu Xingdong nodded. "Okay, I'll go mix the dough." Saying that, he went to wash his hands.
With his help, Chen Lishu went to prepare the ingredients for making zongzi.
She first washed and cut the meat into pieces and marinated it, along with the glutinous rice and reed leaves. When she was almost done, Gu Xingdong had already mixed the dough. Chen Lishu went over, poked it with her finger, and tilted her head to ask, "Is it too tough?"
Although slightly tougher dough made for chewier noodles, it would also be more difficult to roll out.
Gu Xingdong raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Are you talking about me?"
Chen Lishu nodded. "Yes, this dough..."
Meeting his meaningful gaze, Chen Lishu suddenly realized. Her face flushed, and she handed the rolling pin in her hand to him. "You mixed the dough, you roll it."
Gu Xingdong didn't mind, took the rolling pin, and started rolling the dough diligently.
After dinner, Chen Lishu tidied up the kitchen and then returned to the room, took out her books, and began to study them seriously.
Gu Xingdong did not disturb her. He also took a book from the bookshelf and leaned against the headboard to read.
Finally, she finished the last chapter she had fallen behind on. Chen Lishu looked up and realized that it had gotten dark outside at some point. She stood up to stretch her stiff neck and shoulders, put the books away, and placed them in her satchel.
Gu Xingdong had been paying attention to Chen Lishu's movements. Seeing her stand up, he quickly put down his book and patted the space beside him. "Come here, I'll give you a massage."
Chen Lishu turned her head and met his intense gaze, smiling sheepishly. "No need, I feel much better after stretching a bit myself."
Every massage required a high "labor fee." She found this service a bit too much to bear.
"Why are you being polite with your own husband? Come here quickly." Gu Xingdong narrowed his eyes, his voice carrying a hint of danger.
"I'm not being polite, I really... Ah!"
Chen Lishu tried to struggle one last time, but a shadow flashed before her eyes. The next moment, she felt lighter, as if she had been directly lifted onto the bed.
"Gu Xingdong, you rogue!" She had never heard of forced buying and selling.
"Who's a rogue, hmm?" His voice trailed off, making Chen Lishu's heart flutter uncontrollably.
Seeing that she didn't answer, Gu Xingdong playfully bit her neck as a punishment. The wetness was accompanied by a slight tickle, and Chen Lishu felt as if an electric current had hit her, making her body go limp.
The next day, when the reveille sounded, Chen Lishu barely managed to open her eyes.
"It's still early, you can sleep a bit longer." Gu Xingdong was fastening his shirt buttons. Seeing that she was awake, he said softly.
"I'm making zongzi today. Remember to come back and eat." The weather was hot, and without a refrigerator, the food wouldn't keep.
"Okay." Gu Xingdong leaned down and kissed her forehead before turning to leave.
Hearing the sound of the door closing, Chen Lishu rolled over and sleepily dozed off again.
...
"Sister Liu, I've sold all the fabric I had," Zhao Honggang said as soon as she saw Sister Liu, immediately sharing the good news.
"All sold? How much did you sell it for per foot?" Sister Liu was worried about this. She hadn't eaten or slept well for the past two days.
She had invested forty yuan in total, which allowed her to get over twenty feet of fabric. However, after asking everyone around, she had only managed to sell a small portion.
"One yuan seventy, ten cents cheaper than the store," Zhao Hong said, still a bit excited. She had earned over two yuan from this one transaction.
Sister Liu was stunned. She had been selling at the store's price. It wasn't the season now, so it was no wonder it wasn't selling.
"Sister Liu, when will we go to get more stock?" Having tasted the benefits, Zhao Hong became a bit impatient.
"I haven't sold much of what I have now. We'll have to sell what I have before we talk about getting more." Not only that, but her husband knew she was selling fabric privately and had scolded her fiercely, telling her to just go to work and not to bother with useless things. If she lost her job over earning a little money, it wouldn't be worth it.
Zhao Hong felt a bit disappointed when she heard this, but she was really short of money, so she planned to get some more stock before her next night shift.