Chen Lishu was a bit surprised. "She's so young, why did she retire?"
Zhang Li replied, "Her eldest child just graduated this year, so Sister Sun applied for medical retirement."
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the state had a policy allowing children to take over their parents' jobs. This not only provided employment opportunities for educated youth returning to the cities but also helped enterprises recruit staff to fill vacancies.
Many parents who were still employed would apply for early retirement or medical retirement to secure employment for their children.
"That's perfect. Sister Sun has worked for such a long time and has very rich work experience. You and I should go see her later. Why don't we have her serve as the team leader?"
Sun Min was now retired at home and could focus more on making clothes. When Chen Lishu and Zhang Li arrived, she was engrossed in sewing.
"When did you get back?" Sun Min asked, then stood up to get stools for them. "Please sit down."
Chen Lishu said, "I heard from Zhang Li that you've retired, Sister Sun, so I came to see you."
"Yes, most companies aren't doing too well these days. Especially in our county town, there aren't many factories. The clothing factory's performance is still decent. My eldest child is old enough to be recruited, so I thought I'd just get this done quickly."
After a few more pleasantries, Chen Lishu stated her intention.
"...Sister Sun, I truly recognize your capabilities, and I want you to be the team leader. The scale won't be large, and although we expect to recruit only four or five people, there will be many things to manage. I wonder what your thoughts are?"
Sun Min chuckled heartily. "Lishu, you trust me, so how could I refuse? Don't worry, I'll definitely treat it as my own business and take good care of it for you."
Seeing her agree, Chen Lishu added, "Are there any others in your factory in a similar situation? We all know each other, which will make it easier to get the work done."
Sun Min nodded. "I know of two people in our workshop. I'll go ask them about it later. With our age, retiring means we need to find ways to earn some money to supplement our household expenses. Not many have my luck. The wages from my previous part-time job were even higher than my factory salary. My husband even said that once our second child reaches the right age, he'll retire too and work with me."
After the matter was settled, Chen Lishu left the Wang family's house. She asked Zhang Li to go back first, and then Chen Lishu went to the fruit shop at the street corner to buy some fruit before heading to the Ding family's home.
Ding Yongfeng was not home, only Sun Shuzhen was. She was very happy to see Chen Lishu.
She didn't see Ding Chen, so Chen Lishu asked curiously, "Hasn't Ding Chen returned yet?"
Ding Chen was in the same cohort as her. After graduation, he was assigned to the Water Conservancy Bureau as a technician.
Sun Shuzhen sighed. "Not yet. He called yesterday saying he was out with his team doing some research. He's probably not back until the twenty-ninth."
With only one child at home, who usually only came back during school holidays, their home had become quiet since he started working and was often away. They now somewhat regretted not having more children, as it would have brought more liveliness to the house.
"I heard from Ding Chen that you had twins, a boy and a girl. It's a shame it's cold, or I could hold them and dote on them. Time flies so fast. It seems like just yesterday you were taking your college entrance exams, and now you're a mother."
Sun Shuzhen got up and took out a pair of small silver bracelets wrapped in handkerchiefs from the cabinet. "I prepared these earlier, intending to have Ding Chen bring them to you after the New Year. Since you're here now, I'll give them to you directly."
Chen Lishu received them and found the bracelets to be exquisitely crafted. Besides carved auspicious cloud patterns, they also bore the inscription 'Peace Year After Year.'
After putting the bracelets in her bag, she looked up and said sincerely, "Thank you, Auntie Sun."
"I'm very fond of Xingping. It's a shame she hasn't graduated yet, otherwise, I would have loved to marry her into our family sooner. It would have made the house livelier."
After chatting for a while longer, Chen Lishu glanced at the time, it was almost two o'clock, and she then got up to take her leave.
The next day, she went to the department store again and informed Nan Haitao about her intention to buy sewing machines.
"How many do you want?"
Hearing his question, Chen Lishu couldn't help but tease, "Judging by your tone, it's as if you can provide as many as I want."
Looking at her smiling face, Nan Haitao's eyes flickered, and he suddenly said, "I'm getting married."
Chen Lishu was taken aback. "You didn't mention it before?"
Nan Haitao replied, "Anyway, I'm of age, and my family is urging me."
Chen Lishu asked, "Have you set the date? You must invite me to the wedding banquet then."
Nan Haitao nodded. "If the date is set, I'll definitely inform you in advance."
Nan Haitao was very efficient. Within two days, he informed Chen Lishu that the sewing machines had arrived. He even specially sent someone to deliver the sewing machines to the small courtyard she was renting. Chen Lishu directly handed the matter over to Zhang Li.
Time flew by, and it was the twenty-eighth of the twelfth lunar month. With only two days left before the Lunar New Year, the village held its last major market day.
"It's the last market day before the New Year. Since there's nothing much to do at home, why don't we go together and join the fun?" Liu Yuemin suggested during breakfast.
Zhang Qin replied, "I still have to steam the New Year's cakes today, so I won't go."
Most of the New Year's goods were paid for by the third child and his wife. She knew that the couple was better off now and didn't mind the disparity, but since they had already separated, she felt that as the eldest sister-in-law, she should do as much as she could.
Zhang Xiaoju said, "Panpan has had a slight fever for the past two days, so I'll stay home to take care of her and won't go either."
Her suggestion was met with refusal from both of them. Liu Yuemin's expression turned a bit displeased. She then turned to Chen Lishu and said, "If they don't go, that's fine. Third sister-in-law, let's go together. I'll tell you, the village just opened a new hair salon. The perms look just like those of the stars on television, they're so beautiful. Your hair is so long, it would definitely look good permed."
Chen Lishu wasn't interested in getting a perm. She regretted getting a perm eleven out of ten times, and perming also easily damaged hair.
Moreover, she had other things to do today. So, she smiled and refused, "Second sister-in-law, Liyuan is coming back today, so Xingdong and I have to go and meet her."
Being rejected again, Liu Yuemin's expression became even more displeased.
"Can't you go tomorrow? I think you just don't want to go with me. One by one, you refuse to go. Just say it directly. It's either steaming cakes, taking care of children, or going back to your mother's house. What were you doing before?"
Hearing her words, Zhang Qin's face flushed slightly. She opened her mouth but felt that explaining would be too much, so she could only stare silently at her rice bowl.
Zhang Xiaoju felt a bit uncomfortable and retorted, "Second sister-in-law, you know Panpan has been taking medicine for the past two days. I can't just abandon the child and go shopping with you, can I? That would be too heartless."
Chen Lishu didn't even bother to reply to Liu Yuemin. She continued eating as usual.
"You have the nerve to talk about others. Why didn't you get a perm earlier? Do you really need to do it today? Can't you get through the New Year without a perm? Everyone has something to do. Why don't you just go by yourself?" Li Xiulan scolded unceremoniously.
The family was having a perfectly good meal, and she was the one causing trouble.