The clothing store’s sales were 2,110 yuan and 30 cents, and the lingerie store’s were 212 yuan and 70 cents.
A turnover of 2,300 yuan! What did this mean? The average person’s salary was only twenty to thirty yuan, and they had sold 2,300 yuan in a single day. This was equivalent to nearly ten years of wages for someone who didn’t eat or sleep. Looking at the money piled on the table like a small mountain, those present were so shocked they couldn’t speak for a long time.
“We have less than 300 pieces of clothing left in our store. If we continue selling at today’s rate, we probably won’t even last two days,” Li Fang said with some concern.
“The popularity from the past few days is normal. After these few days, the热度 (heat) will definitely cool down slowly.”
Lin Qi stood up, saying, “It’s getting late. Everyone should go home and get some rest. We have another tough battle to fight tomorrow.”
It was indeed very late. Everyone was excited because of the good sales, and they hadn’t even eaten dinner yet, so they didn’t feel hungry.
Lin Qi escorted the three ladies home, then rode his bike back home through the night.
Because many people rushed over after hearing the news, the situation on the second day was even better than the first. This continued for three consecutive days, with a total sales of nearly 8,000 yuan. The more than 400 pieces of clothing prepared earlier were all sold out.
When Chen Lishu received Lin Qi’s call and heard his report, she didn’t have much of a reaction. She had anticipated such results. She only frowned, slightly troubled by the supply issue.
“For now, sell as much as you can produce. I’ll go south next week to see if I can get some more stock from that end.”
With no better solution for the time being, it seemed this was the only way.
The date for the 45th Guangzhou Import and Export Commodity Fair was set for April 15th. The provincial government decided to depart on April 8th, with exhibits uniformly transported by freight train.
This time, the province had invited six enterprises to participate in the inspection: the turbine plant, the bearing plant, the electric meter plant, the winery, the meat processing plant, and the wool mill.
Among these, the cameras produced by the electric meter plant and the beer from the winery were definitely strong contenders from the province, renowned nationwide.
Since Chen Guoping had already informed his department, and the school having two outstanding students participate in the translation team was a matter of prestige for the school, the school readily approved Chen Lishu and Jiang Yuwei’s leave.
On the day of departure, Chen Lishu woke up early, rechecked her packed belongings, and after confirming everything was in order, called Rui Rui to wake up and have breakfast together.
Although she knew Chen Lishu was leaving, Rui Rui’s mood was still very low. He missed her even before she had left.
“Mom, when will you be back?”
“About half a month, fifteen days. When Rui Rui has had two Sundays off, Mom will be back. While Mom is away, you need to listen to Aunt Xiaoyue. When I get back, I’ll bring you something delicious, okay?”
Rui Rui blinked his big dark eyes and looked at Chen Lishu, “Rui Rui doesn’t want food. Rui Rui just wants Mom to come back sooner.”
“Your mom is amazing! She’s going to meet foreigners. I heard that foreigners look completely different from us. Their skin is so pale, almost colorless, and their hair is like corn silk, yellowish and permed. Their eyes aren’t black either.”
Chen Lishu almost couldn’t help but laugh at Zhao Qiuyue’s description.
“Sister Qiuyue, their hair isn’t permed; it’s naturally curly.”
Even so, Rui Rui was mesmerized and asked, “Aunt Xiaoyue, do they eat? I really want to go and see too.”
Zhao Qiuyue smiled, “They definitely eat, otherwise they’d starve. If you’re curious and want to see, you have to study hard and be accomplished like your mom. You can’t just meet foreigners whenever you want.”
“Can I see them if I get a hundred points?”
Zhao Qiuyue nodded, “Definitely.”
Chen Lishu smiled, “Son, you be good with Aunt Xiaoyue at home. When Mom comes back, I’ll bring you their photos, okay?”
Rui Rui nodded. Compared to his earlier reluctance, he now had a glimmer of anticipation.
Chen Lishu looked approvingly at Zhao Qiuyue and took out twenty yuan from her pocket. “Sister Qiuyue, thank you for taking care of Rui Rui during this time.”
Zhao Qiuyue took the money and said, “Sister, don’t worry. This is what I should do.”
Chen Lishu nodded, picked up her prepared travel bag and handbag, and went out to take a car to the train station.
The participants for the exhibition gathered in the waiting hall of the train station, and the train tickets were arranged by the delegation leader.
When Chen Lishu arrived, thirteen or fourteen people had already gathered. After introductions, Chen Lishu learned that this group included leaders from the turbine plant, bearing plant, and electric meter plant. Their leader was the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Industry, a middle-aged man in his forties named Li.
Beside him stood a man and a woman, both around thirty years old. Like Chen Lishu, they were translators accompanying the delegation. According to their introductions, they were teachers from the Provincial University teaching German and Japanese.
After hearing Chen Lishu’s introduction, everyone instinctively frowned.
They doubted the professional capabilities of a student from a normal university.
However, those who were here were all discerning individuals and naturally wouldn’t voice their doubts, but their expressions were far from warm.
“Chen Lishu!”
Just as Chen Lishu was idly looking for a seat, a familiar voice called out from behind her. Chen Lishu turned around and saw Zou Liang, with a slightly balding man in his fifties next to him.
Following her gaze, Zou Liang smiled and introduced, “This is our newspaper’s editor-in-chief, Mr. Xu. He’s in charge of the interview work for this trade fair, and I’m assisting him.”
“Hello, Editor-in-Chief Xu.”
Mr. Xu smiled and shook her hand. “Hello, Xiao Chen.”
Although they had never met, he had a very good impression of Chen Lishu – a representative of young students who could also write songs, very talented.
After greeting her, Mr. Xu quickly greeted others with Zou Liang, smiling.
Subsequently, the heads of the other three enterprises also arrived. Before long, Jiang Yuwei arrived. When her gaze fell on the leading Deputy Minister Li, her eyes lit up. “Uncle Li.”
Li Tingliang saw her and a hint of doting smile appeared on his usually stern face. “Yuwei girl is here. Are your parents relieved to let you travel this far?”
Jiang Yuwei smiled obediently and said, “One needs experience, and this is a good opportunity. It’s also contributing to the province, and my parents fully support me.”
Seeing their friendly interaction, everyone knew Jiang Yuwei’s background was certainly not simple. Their gazes toward her subtly changed, and their attitude became more enthusiastic.
It wasn’t until the train was about to arrive at the station that Chen Guoping and his secretary arrived fashionably late.
“My apologies, I was delayed by something before leaving.”
Everyone smiled and expressed understanding, and soon, the group of over twenty people boarded the train together.
This time, because it was a public assignment, everyone stayed in sleeper berths. Chen Lishu finally experienced the benefits of privilege, as sleeper berths were typically allocated to public officials and foreigners during this era.