Just as Chen Lishu was contemplating what to do, three more girls approached them. One of them, slightly plump, frowned with a hesitant expression.
"Perhaps we should forget it. You two go ahead, I tried on a swimsuit at home, and it looked terrible." She was a bit stout, and the thin fabric of the swimsuit revealed her waistline rolls, not to mention her chest area was even worse.
"We're here with you, what are you afraid of? Besides, we agreed the three of us would go together. Xiao Zhang even turned down a blind date arranged by her family to accompany us."
"I, I heard it's just one pool, and there are so many men there." The girl remained hesitant.
Her companion scoffed, "What era is this? Why are you still so conservative?"
Chen Lishu overheard everything and, struck by a thought, her eyes lit up. She quickly stepped forward, taking a swimsuit from her bag. "Comrade, this swimsuit I have here definitely won't make you look fat. It's from a major factory in Shanghai. See? It even has a tag. 'Shu Se.' Ever heard of it?"
The three girls shook their heads in unison.
Chen Lishu gave an awkward smile and continued as if nothing had happened, " 'Shu Se' is a clothing brand, and all their goods come from Shanghai. This swimsuit in my hand is also from there. The factory is currently looking for participants for a 'Most Beautiful Girl' event, and I think you're the most suitable. If you wear this swimsuit inside and help promote it for the factory, this five-yuan swimsuit will be yours for free."
Hearing Chen Lishu's words, the plump girl's gaze fell on the deep pink swimsuit in her hand. She said uncertainly, "I might not be able to fit into this little thing."
Chen Lishu immediately spread it open with her hands to show her. "Actually, you're not fat at all, just a bit fuller. This swimsuit has excellent stretch, I guarantee you'll be able to wear it."
"As long as I wear this swimsuit inside to show everyone, and then you give it to us?" the plump girl's companion confirmed again.
Chen Lishu nodded, "Yes. When someone asks, I hope you'll introduce it just as I did, and mention more about the swimsuit."
It wouldn't cost them anything, and they could get a free swimsuit, a swimsuit worth five yuan.
The three girls exchanged glances and whispered to each other. Finally, they agreed to Chen Lishu's proposal.
Only after watching the three girls walk away did Wang Aixiang close her slightly parted mouth in surprise.
"Girl, you're truly amazing." She gave Chen Lishu a thumbs-up.
She truly was someone who accomplished great things, her mind reacted so quickly. Wang Aixiang had initially thought they wouldn't sell a single one and would be stuck with them, but she never expected Chen Lishu to come up with a solution so fast.
The plump girl and her companions entered the women's changing room. Thinking that they had accepted something from her, she decided to try it on. If it looked bad, she'd take it off. After all, no one followed them in, so they wouldn't know if she wore it or not. She could just insist she did.
Initially with a 'let's just try' attitude, she was surprisingly pleased with the result when she put it on. The bulges around her stomach disappeared. Due to the vibrant color and the small pleats that gave it a puffy look, she twirled in front of the mirror and felt quite cute with her plumpness.
The plump girl's two companions were also amazed, exclaiming in unison, "Xiao Zhang, this swimsuit really suits you."
…
Seeing the shadow overhead growing smaller, Chen Lishu and Wang Aixiang were about to move to another spot when three girls walked out of the swimming pool and headed directly toward where they were standing.
"Comrades, are you selling swimsuits?"
The two exchanged glances. Wang Aixiang quickly nodded, "Yes, we are."
Soon, the three girls each bought one.
A few more women came out successively. Without exception, they were all moved by the plump girl's appearance in the swimsuit and came to buy one.
As noon approached, the thirty-odd swimsuits the two had brought were all sold out. They had made over 170 yuan and were preparing to head home for lunch when four or five men, exuding a rowdy demeanor and with cigarettes dangling from their mouths, approached them from across the street.
It was hot, so a few young people returning home were idle and decided to go to the swimming pool for a soak, as well as to admire the women's figures and satisfy their cravings. As soon as they reached the entrance, they spotted two exceptionally attractive women. Especially the one on the left, not only was she good-looking, but her skin was as white as a boiled egg, so tender it seemed like it would burst with a pinch.
Chen Lishu and Wang Aixiang watched as the men walked towards them, taking up almost half the road. Instinctively, they moved aside. However, the man in the lead shifted his step and blocked their path.
"Ladies, why are you dodging? It's a hot day, let me treat you to a swim together!"
"Er Biao, the girls are pretty, they must be shy. Speak gently, don't scare them," a man beside him chuckled.
"We don't want to swim. You should find someone else," Wang Aixiang said with a frown, clearly disgusted. She pulled Chen Lishu and took two steps to the side, attempting to bypass the group.
However, the men moved their feet again, blocking them once more. The man called Er Biao even reached out to grab Chen Lishu's arm. "You haven't agreed yet, where are you going?"
"Slap!"
Wang Aixiang unceremoniously knocked his arm away and glared up at the group, shouting, "We said we're not going, don't you understand? If you touch us again, don't blame me for being rude. Flirting in broad daylight, have you no shame?"
"Oh, feisty, aren't you?" Er Biao spat out the cigarette butt and smirked at Wang Aixiang, shaking his shoulders. "It's an honor for us to invite you to swim. Don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Go ask around about Er Biao, I shake my little finger and this area trembles. If you two don't have fun with us today, you're not going anywhere."
"You want us to go just because you say so? If you don't move aside, I'll call out. Then they'll arrest all of you and charge you with hooliganism. You'll all be locked up."
"Locked up is good, they provide food and lodging. I'm worried about how to cover my meal expenses," a scrawny boy next to Er Biao said, crossing his arms and swinging his legs.
"Sister Aixiang, stop wasting words with them." Chen Lishu pulled Wang Aixiang and turned away, not wanting to get entangled with these people. Chen Lishu preferred to take a longer route.
"Why the rush to leave?" Two of the men immediately darted forward, blocking their path.
"You!" Cornered on the street by these hooligans, Wang Aixiang's mouth opened to curse, but Chen Lishu stopped her. "What will it take for you to let us go?"
"Didn't our Brother Biao say it? We're treating, you two just need to go to the swimming pool with us. Otherwise, you're not giving Brother Biao face."