"I paid the shipping fees in full, didn't I? I told you I acquired this shipment for sixty thousand yuan. If it's gone, I'm holding your freight station responsible. Don't think I'm bluffing; we can certainly find out."
Chen Lishu finished speaking with a grim expression and turned to Lin Qi. "Let's go."
Watching the two depart, the staff member looked at Station Chief Zhou and hesitated, "Station Chief, what about this shipment?"
Zhou Station Chief frowned for a long time before finally saying, "Leave it for now. Keep an eye on it, don't let it get lost."
Chen Lishu and Lin Qi exited the freight station. Chen Lishu then said, "That person named Zhou is holding onto the goods tightly; there must be a reason. Go and find out. That way, we'll know where to focus our efforts and avoid wasting time."
Lin Qi nodded, "Alright, I'll make inquiring about it my priority later."
After instructing Lin Qi, Chen Lishu returned home. As she reached the entrance of the residential complex, she saw Gu Xingye coming out.
"Fourth brother?"
"Third sister-in-law." Gu Xingye had thought he'd missed her, but he ran into her just in time.
"The advance payment for the feed factory is all used up. This is the breakdown and a list of materials needed; I've noted them all down."
Chen Lishu took the list, glanced at it briefly, and put it into her shoulder bag.
"I see. I'll review it, and then I'll have Da Zhu send the money over to you."
Gu Xingye nodded, "Then I'll be going, third sister-in-law."
Watching Gu Xingye leave, Chen Lishu turned and headed home.
"You've been out for half the day. Are you tired? Come and sit down to rest. Xiaoyue and I lined up early this morning to buy big pork bones. The soup is very fragrant. How about I use this soup to cook some noodles for you?"
Chen Lishu was indeed a bit tired. Perhaps it was because she was further along in her pregnancy, and even a little walking made her feel short of breath. She sat down on the sofa and smiled at Li Xiulan, "Then thank you, Mom."
"Why are you thanking me, dear? What am I here for if not to take care of you?" A woman's pregnancy is crucial. If her son can't always be with his wife, and her mother-in-law doesn't treat her well, wouldn't that break her heart?
After saying this, Li Xiulan bustled off to the kitchen to knead dough.
Zhao Qiuyue, who was washing clothes in the bathroom, saw the interaction between her mother-in-law and Chen Lishu and felt a pang of envy.
Her husband had died young, and her in-laws didn't want to raise her, an unproductive person, so they sent her back to her maiden home.
But fortunately, she had met Chen Lishu, which led to the good life she had today.
Soon, Li Xiulan finished making the noodles. They tasted very good, but as her pregnancy progressed, she felt full after just a little. So, Chen Lishu felt satisfied after eating a little more than half a bowl.
Chen Lishu didn't rush out in the afternoon. After doing business for so long, she had experienced quite a bit. No matter what the matter, it had to be handled step by step. The more anxious she was, the more likely she was to make mistakes, and she also had to consider the baby in her belly.
The next morning, she had a class. After finishing it, she went to the shop.
She was determined to retrieve that batch of equipment. However, the other party had been outnumbered yesterday, and if they had really argued, both she and Lin Qi would have suffered. Moreover, she was pregnant, so today she planned to go to the shop and ask Wang Dazhu to accompany her.
Regarding the feed factory, Gu Xingye needed to buy materials. All the money she had on hand was tied up in the machines. The remaining funds had been used by Liang Chunsheng to purchase fabric. It was already June, and the sales of "Double Happiness" fabric were quite good, and the returns were relatively fast. It had been more than a week since the last fabric purchase, and with regular distributors, she expected Liang Chunsheng would have some money back.
"Sister, why have you come?" Wang Aixiang, who had no class today, was organizing clothes with Tian Lin. She was surprised to see Chen Lishu enter.
"Did Li Yuanchao's summer clothing arrive?" Seeing the two organizing clothes, Chen Lishu asked.
Wang Aixiang replied, "Yes, Xiaoyi and Da Zhu picked them up early this morning. Sister, you're right, the styles from the south are truly novel. I think they look just like what those celebrities on TV wear."
"It's almost time for the seasonal change. Aixiang Jie, you and Tian Lin each pick one, as our store display for this summer."
"Thank you, Chen Jie." Tian Lin's eyes lit up with joy at her words.
Chen Lishu turned to Wang Dazhu and asked, "Dazhu, can you drive?"
Wang Dazhu nodded, "Yes."
"Can you drive a loader?"
"I've driven trucks before. That thing should be similar. Sister, what do you need?"
As long as he could drive, that was enough.
"You're coming out with me later. A batch of my equipment has been impounded, and we're going to retrieve it."
Upon hearing this, Wang Dazhu immediately nodded, "Alright, sister, I'll go with you."
"Aixiang Jie, if Liang Chunsheng comes to the shop, tell him to come to my place to find me."
Communication was inconvenient now; it was difficult to find people for anything.
Hearing her mention Liang Chunsheng, Wang Aixiang replied, "I hadn't even thought of it until you mentioned it. I don't think I've seen him for two days."
She then turned to ask Tian Lin, "Xiaotian, have you seen him?"
Tian Lin shook her head, "Brother Liang used to come every day. It's really a bit strange."
The warehouse was now occupied by Lin Qi and the others, and Wang Dazhu was watching the shop, so the fabric and clothing were stored on the second floor.
"Did he mention anything to any of you before?"
All three shook their heads.
Chen Lishu frowned, "Aixiang Jie, go check on him at his place later to see what's going on."
"Okay, I'll go after I finish organizing these clothes."
As they were talking, the shop door was suddenly pushed open. Two men in Zhongshan suits entered. "We are from the Administration for Industry and Commerce. Your shop is suspected of disrupting market prices. Who is Chen Lishu? Come with us for an investigation."
It wasn't the first time people from the Administration for Industry and Commerce had come. Moreover, after running the shop for so long, everyone present, except for Tian Lin who was a bit flustered, was relatively calm.
"Comrade, may I ask what this matter of disrupting market prices is about? The prices of the clothing in our shop are all public, and they are similar to other shops." Wang Aixiang glanced at Chen Lishu, then took a step forward to explain.
"It's not the clothing, it's the fabric," another staff member said.
Chen Lishu stood up, "May I ask what's wrong with the fabric?"
"Liang Chunsheng is one of your employees, right? He reported you in person for buying low and selling high. After our verification, it has been confirmed to be basically true. Who is Chen Lishu? Please come with us quickly."
Chen Lishu thought she misheard and asked, "Who did you say reported me?"
The two staff members glanced at her pregnant belly and frowned. "You are Chen Lishu?"
Chen Lishu nodded, "I am."
"It was Liang Chunsheng. That batch of fabric has already been transported back to our bureau. Please come with us."
Seeing that she was pregnant and seemed close to giving birth, they were worried that any accident might occur. Therefore, the staff members' tone unconsciously softened.