Gu Xingdong said indifferently, "What could happen? It's just an order from above to handle some small matters. I might not be home for these past two days. Mom, please take extra care of Chen Lishu for me. She's encountered some trouble and might be quite tired these days. I certainly don't want our children to lose their mother."
Li Xiulan's tightly furrowed brow slowly relaxed upon hearing that he was going out on duty. She then waved her hand and said, "I understand. Remember to come back early and take good care of yourself. I'll help look after your wife."
"Mmm." With Li Xiulan's assurance, Gu Xingdong left home with peace of mind.
Watching Gu Xingdong's retreating back, a thoughtful glint crossed Qin Yue's eyes. She then quietly entered a room and made a call to Yang Zhiguo: "Director Yang, did you assign a task to Brother Gu?"
On the other end, Yang Zhiguo's expression turned unpleasant upon hearing Qin Yue's questioning tone. As a director, did he need to explain his actions to a mere civilian soldier? If Qin Yue were Gu Xingdong's woman, it would be understandable. But their relationship was purely professional; wasn't she overstepping her bounds? It was no wonder Gu Xingdong had urged him to find a more honest and well-behaved assistant quickly.
With that thought, Yang Zhiguo retorted unhappily, "I don't know! Qin Yue, I always thought you were a capable person, which is why I specifically assigned you to Brother Gu's side, hoping you would assist him effectively in his work! You should know what you should and shouldn't do without me needing to remind you. You should have a clear understanding of your responsibilities. If you cannot fulfill this job, I don't mind finding someone else to do it."
Qin Yue, completely oblivious that Yang Zhiguo's words were a warning against her overstepping, believed he was blaming her for not reporting the matter to him after Gu Xingdong had left. Discovering that Gu Xingdong wasn't actually leaving for a mission but possibly using it as an excuse to stay away after an argument, Qin Yue couldn't help but smile. She first apologized respectfully to Yang Zhiguo, and after hanging up the phone, she couldn't wait to leave the room.
At this moment, only Li Xiulan was in the living room; Li Xiuli had already left. Qin Yue hesitantly approached Li Xiulan, appearing as if she had something to say but couldn't.
"What is it?" Li Xiulan, finally sensing that Qin Yue was acting unusually, said with a frown, "Just say what you need to say, no need to be so secretive. We'll be living together for a long time."
"Madam, Brother Gu and Miss Chen..." Qin Yue whispered into Li Xiulan's ear, relaying the news of their conflict. Hearing this, Li Xiulan immediately became restless and stood up, intending to ask Chen Lishu what had happened. However, just as she stood, Qin Yue pressed her back down.
"Old Madam, please don't be anxious. I just feel that what Miss Chen did was too much..."
***
Chen Lishu was completely unaware of the scheme brewing at home. She had already pushed her food cart to the school entrance. As soon as she stopped the cart, she heard an anxious shout from behind: "Little Bai's Mom."
Chen Lishu turned her head, looking at Qian Feier, who was sprinting towards her, with a puzzled expression. "What's wrong?"
Qian Feier peered at the large oil pot behind Chen Lishu and said, "Little Bai's Mom, are you making sausages again? Don't you know your business has been taken away?"
"Are you looking for me because of this?" Chen Lishu chuckled at Qian Feier's endearingly simple demeanor. "I already heard about it, but what does it matter?"
Hearing Chen Lishu's nonchalant tone, Qian Feier became anxious. "Little Bai's Mom, how can you still smile at a time like this? Oh, right, are you still selling your sausages for two jiao each?"
"Yes." Chen Lishu didn't expect to make money from the sausages, but she didn't want to lose money either. The sausages, sold at two jiao each, weren't very profitable to begin with.
Upon hearing Chen Lishu's answer, Qian Feier's face showed a hint of difficulty. "But the sausages at the next stall are only selling for one jiao and five fen. Little Bai's Mom, if you don't lower your prices, these sausages might not sell."
"Haven't you heard that expensive things have their reasons? Besides, I'm a businesswoman. I know how to make money. I really can't lower the price of these sausages. Moreover, my main purpose for coming today isn't to sell sausages. I've developed a new product, and I'm featuring another snack today."
At these words, Qian Feier's interest was immediately piqued. She looked expectantly at Chen Lishu and eagerly urged, "Little Bai's Mom, what new product have you made? Show me quickly!"
"Okay!" After saying this, Chen Lishu took out a string of hawthorn candies coated with frosting. She introduced them enthusiastically, "This is called hawthorn candy. It's sweet when you first put it in your mouth, but it has a sour taste at the end, which is very appetizing. If children don't eat, you can give them one. Of course, you can't eat too much of this; a taste is enough."
Looking at the hawthorn candies, Qian Feier's eyes lit up, and she asked with anticipation, "Little Bai's Mom, what did you make this from? It's so white; it looks beautiful!"
"There's nothing too complicated about this hawthorn candy. It's just made by simmering white sugar and hawthorn together." Chen Lishu didn't hide the recipe, as some things could be discerned by taste. The process of making the syrup alone was quite challenging!
White sugar?! Hearing this, Qian Feier looked at the hawthorn candy as if it were a luxury item. She became hesitant and carefully placed the candied hawthorn back into the jar. "Then this must be quite expensive. Snacks that are too expensive might not sell. Little Bai's Mom, you should find some high-end restaurants and ask if they need this dessert. If it's sold in restaurants, not only could the price be doubled, but it might also become a bestseller."
Chen Lishu listened to Qian Feier's friendly advice and smiled as she explained, "My hawthorn candies aren't expensive. They're priced the same as the sausages. Anyone who wants to eat them can have their fill." After speaking, she packed a bag of hawthorn candies and handed it to Qian Feier. "Try it."
"Okay." Qian Feier, hearing that a large jar of hawthorn candies cost only two jiao, allowing her to taste white sugar, which was usually only available during festivals, quickly took two jiao from her pocket and handed it to Chen Lishu. After doing so, she accepted the hawthorn candies.