Since collaborating with Chen Lishu, he had learned a few practical phrases. Although his pronunciation was terrible, he could at least understand a few keywords. By piecing things together, he could grasp about seventy to eighty percent of what was said.
"Cashmere sweaters?" He had heard this word the most in recent times since coming into contact with cashmere sweaters. Zhao Xingwang was quite certain he hadn't misheard.
The two foreigners had originally intended to exchange their money for RMB, as the items in the Overseas Chinese Store were too expensive. Upon hearing Zhao Xingwang's question, they showed him the cashmere sweaters they had just bought.
With just one glance, Zhao Xingwang confirmed that it was definitely from the batch Chen Lishu had sold. His spirits immediately lifted. "Where did you buy these clothes?"
The two foreigners looked baffled. What did he mean by grabbing their newly purchased clothes?
"Wai, wai'er?" Zhao Xingwang asked uncertainly.
The two foreigners seemed to understand his intention and spoke a torrent of words. Zhao Xingwang's head spun.
He took out money and exchanged it for foreign exchange certificates for them. He then clasped his hands together in a gesture of supplication and asked them to point him in the right direction.
Fortunately, they were quite enthusiastic and led him all the way to the commercial street, pointing towards the shop where the clothes were bought.
Seeing the signboard of 'Meili' Garment Shop, Zhao Xingwang was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected it to be so close to Chen Lishu's 'Shuse' Clothing Store.
"Thank you, thank you." After repeatedly thanking the two foreigners, and to avoid alerting them, Zhao Xingwang turned and headed straight for Chen Lishu's home.
...
Jiang Weiguo couldn't sit still even before his workday was over. He instructed the newly transferred junior colleague to mind the shop and then went to his own store.
"Uncle, you're here." Jiang Zhaodi jumped up from her stool when she saw him enter.
Jiang Weiguo stood with his hands behind his back, his brows furrowed in displeasure. "How many times have I told you? When you're at work, you need to act the part. I didn't ask you to loaf around. When customers come in and see your casual attitude, what will they think?"
Jiang Zhaodi felt a little wronged. She had just finished cleaning the entire shop, but her uncle couldn't see it. She had only just sat down for a moment before he started scolding her angrily. It was as if he found her displeasing.
However, her family's financial situation was poor, and it was her father who had humbled himself to secure this job for her. Even though Jiang Zhaodi felt upset, she didn't dare to show it.
"Uncle, two foreigners came to the shop today," Jiang Zhaodi said after a moment's thought.
"Oh? Foreigners came?" As expected, Jiang Weiguo was successfully drawn in by the word "foreigners." He hadn't expected even foreigners to visit his shop. It seemed that without the 'Shuse' Clothing Store, his good fortune was about to arrive.
"Did they buy anything?"
Jiang Zhaodi nodded. "They bought two cashmere sweaters. I sold them for fifty yuan each."
Jiang Weiguo's face immediately fell, and he said with a frown, "Didn't I tell you not to touch that batch of cashmere sweaters?"
Jiang Zhaodi replied, "I know. I just saw they were foreigners. If we had said we didn't have any, they wouldn't come back in the future."
Jiang Weiguo thought about it and felt there was some truth to what she said. Besides, foreigners didn't speak Chinese, so how many people would know if they bought them?
With this in mind, Jiang Weiguo's expression softened considerably. "You handled it well. Wait another hour. If no one comes, you can close up and go home."
It was already close to five o'clock, the end of the workday. Another hour would make it six o'clock. It got dark early in winter, and her home was far away. Last time, she had almost been mugged for going home too late.
"Uncle, it's already dark outside, and there are usually no customers at this time. Can I stay for another half an hour?" Jiang Zhaodi pleaded.
"Do I pay you such a high salary just so you can be lazy? What's the rush to go home? If you don't want to work, you don't have to come tomorrow." Jiang Weiguo uttered, then turned and went home.
...
Meanwhile, Chen Lishu had been diligently searching for the whereabouts of the missing goods, aside from attending her classes for the past couple of days.
After her classes in the afternoon, she left the school and took a bus to the underground market by the river. She suspected that if anyone was trying to fence stolen goods, they would likely choose that place.
Since she had sourced goods from Dong Ji'an several times before, they were on familiar terms. Chen Lishu asked him to keep an eye out and inform her immediately if he received any news.
When she returned from the underground market, it was already getting dark. As soon as she entered her home, she saw Zhao Xingwang sitting in the living room. She guessed that there must be news about the missing goods. Indeed, before she could speak, Zhao Xingwang had already briefly recounted what had happened that afternoon.
"'Meili' Garment Shop?" Chen Lishu was taken aback after hearing his account. She had always thought she was simply unlucky to be targeted by thieves. Could this have been a premeditated theft?
"Did you go into the shop?"
Zhao Xingwang shook his head. "I was afraid of arousing suspicion. After confirming it was his place, I hurried back to tell you."
Chen Lishu nodded. "You considered it correctly."
"Brother Zhao, I've made dinner. You must be tired from your busy day. Why don't you eat first?" Zhao Qiuyue came out from the kitchen to call them.
She had heard about the incident at the shop. Seeing how Chen Lishu had been too busy to eat or sleep well for the past two days, Zhao Qiuyue was also a bit worried.
"I specifically stewed some kelp and pork rib soup. Please eat something with Rui Rui."
"Well, it's getting late. Sister, I'll be going now." Hearing Zhao Qiuyue call for dinner, Zhao Xingwang wisely got up to leave.
"Brother Zhao, you've also had a long day. It would be troublesome to go back and cook this late. Just eat here. I have something I'd like to ask your help with later."
Zhao Xingwang instinctively glanced at Zhao Qiuyue. He had been sitting there for over an hour. Except for an initial inquiry about his background, Zhao Qiuyue hadn't spoken much to him. For some reason, despite meeting many people, he felt inexplicably intimidated by this stern woman.
"Then, alright."
Zhao Qiuyue not only made pork rib and kelp soup but also a dish of preserved vegetables stewed with potatoes, which tasted exceptionally good. Zhao Xingwang couldn't help but eat two bowls of rice.
"Brother Zhao, do you know anyone who can pick locks? I want to check out the situation at 'Meili' Garment Shop tonight." If her goods were indeed in Jiang Weiguo's shop, then she was determined to make him pay the price he deserved.
"Why bother looking for someone for such a simple matter? I can handle it."
Chen Lishu was surprised. "Brother Zhao, you can pick locks?"
Zhao Xingwang scratched his head. "It's always good to have more skills, hehe."
Chen Lishu: "..." This kind of skill was truly unconventional.
Since they had decided to investigate 'Meili' Garment Shop, after informing Zhao Qiuyue and Rui Rui, Chen Lishu and Zhao Xingwang took a car to the commercial street.
The winter evenings grew dark early. Except for the dim streetlights on the road, the shops on both sides had already closed. Apart from the occasional patrolling Red Guards, there were hardly any other figures on the street.
The two first returned to their own shop and waited until after ten o'clock at night, when the entire street had fallen completely silent. Only then did they head out towards 'Meili' Garment Shop.