The next day, after sending Rui Rui to play with the Wang family’s two brothers, Chen Li Shu went to the city. Although it was the depths of winter, small vendors on the streets had emerged like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.
Selling roasted sweet potatoes, peanuts, and melon seeds, anyone with surplus at home seemed to be able to bring their goods out to sell. Although there were still people in red armbands chasing them, it couldn’t stop people’s desire to earn money.
The wind of the provincial capital was always more sensitive to news from below.
Following the convening of the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee, the planned economy’s allocation system began to loosen. This meeting also first proposed the dual-track operation of planned economy and commodity economy.
Chen Li Shu hadn’t participated in these matters before and thus paid them no mind. It was only later that she gradually felt the benefits of reform and opening up.
Things were different now. She looked forward to policy liberalization more eagerly than anyone, hoping that private businesses could operate openly and no longer in secrecy.
Wang Ai Xiang was at home making clothes. Ever since the family had a sewing machine, her mother-in-law would cut the fabric, and Wang Ai Xiang would do the sewing. When they weren’t selling fabric, they made clothes at home, earning an extra two yuan in commission each day.
“It’s so cold, sister. Come inside and sit. Are you on holiday?” Seeing Chen Li Shu enter, Wang Ai Xiang busily beckoned her to sit on the heated brick bed. She went to the stove to add more coal and poked the fire twice with the stove hook, making the banked embers burn more vigorously.
“Sister Ai Xiang, I’m wearing enough clothes, I’m not cold. Please don’t trouble yourself.”
In the city, there was nothing else to burn, especially in winter. One could only buy coal with a ration book. Even at subsidized prices, it wasn’t something ordinary families could simply acquire.
Wang Ai Xiang waved her hand, “It’s fine, sister, don’t feel bad for me. Besides our own household needs, I also spent money to buy more coal from others. What’s the point of making money if not to suffer less?”
Chen Li Shu nodded upon hearing her words, “Is everything normal at the textile factory? How much fabric do we still have in stock?”
Upon hearing her question, Wang Ai Xiang turned to get the account book for the month and handed it to Chen Li Shu.
“This month, we received forty bolts of fabric from the textile factory. Twenty bolts were transported back to town. The rest, which we didn’t have time to transport, were wholesaled to agents. We also received two hundred and twenty-six pieces of clothing from Brother Zhou. The amounts are all recorded below.”
Chen Li Shu nodded and scanned the accounts she had recorded. After deducting costs and various shares, the net profit for the month was nearly two thousand yuan.
“I need to go back to my hometown for about a week. If there are any emergencies, you can call me.” Chen Li Shu said, leaving her the phone numbers for the village and the alley entrance in town.
“When I came, I saw many vendors on the street. This period before the New Year is definitely when everyone is most active, and also when the red armbands increase their crackdowns. Sister Ai Xiang, please be careful yourself. We’d rather buy less fabric each time. The higher authorities have already held a meeting, and policies will definitely be more lenient after the New Year. We are not in a hurry. Also, remind the other two agents.”
Wang Ai Xiang nodded seriously, “Yes, I understand, sister. I will definitely listen to you.”
In her heart, Chen Li Shu was someone who had attended university, so she naturally knew more. Moreover, ever since she started working with Chen Li Shu, she had never been caught. This was because Chen Li Shu not only had many ideas but was also very cautious in her actions.
After leaving the Wang family’s home, Chen Li Shu first went to deposit money. Thinking that Rui Rui still didn’t have a hat and scarf, she turned towards the department store and bought a pound of yarn. As she was about to leave for her journey, she saw a vendor selling roasted sweet potatoes, melon seeds, and peanuts by the roadside. Chen Li Shu bought a pound of each before taking her purchases back home.
After staying at home for another two days, Chen Li Shu took Rui Rui and boarded a train back to town.
Gu Xing Ping had returned home long ago for his holiday. Normally, only Lin Qi would come over. He would light the stove every morning and, after the room had warmed up, he would go to pick up or deliver goods.
Ever since the incident with Liu Xiao Ting, when those five supply and marketing cooperatives collectively demanded a price increase, Lin Qi had not resumed supplying them.
‘Mei Ting’ underwear was still being sold, but both its production volume and sales were far inferior to ‘Shu Se’.
Lin Qi had just returned from Yuan Li Hua’s place and was picking up fabric to deliver to Qingshan Village when he saw Chen Li Shu enter the house with a child.
“Sister Chen?” As Chen Li Shu hadn’t announced her arrival in advance, Lin Qi was very surprised to see her.
Chen Li Shu first rubbed her hands together, feeling a bit warmer, before removing Rui Rui’s scarf and hat.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to the village to deliver fabric to Auntie and the others. The fire in the stove hasn’t gone out yet. Should I add some more firewood?” Lin Qi said, putting down the fabric in his hands and turning to add firewood.
“No need. We’re heading back anyway. You can give the children a ride.”
Chen Li Shu had originally wanted to rest for a night, fearing Rui Rui would be too tired. Since Lin Qi was going back to the village, it was convenient to go together.
Lin Qi’s gaze fell on Rui Rui as he heard her words, and he finally remembered to ask, “Sister Chen, whose child is this?”
Chen Li Shu smiled, “This is my son, Gu Rui.”
Lin Qi’s mouth slightly parted, “Brother-in-law he…” married?
He had never known that Gu Xing Dong was married before.
Chen Li Shu couldn’t help but feel amused and helpless, “It’s not what you’re thinking. The child’s background is rather pitiable, so your brother-in-law and I adopted him.”
Lin Qi understood.
Soon, Chen Li Shu found a cushion from inside the house and tied it to the crossbar of the bicycle. Thinking that they would inevitably face the wind on the way back, Chen Li Shu went to find an old piece of her own clothing and wrapped Rui Rui from head to toe. Then, the three of them set off for Qingshan Village.
With the heavy snow blocking the doors in winter, and after the busy harvest season, this was a rare period of leisure for everyone.
Li Xiu Lan and Zhang Qin were working at home. Liu Yue Min, more than eight months pregnant, was sitting by the stove, warming herself while roasting melon seeds and pumpkin seeds.
Although it was cold outside, it couldn’t keep the children indoors. The children in the house had all gone out to play, leaving the room quiet for a while, with only the occasional crackling sound of the melon seeds and pumpkin seeds as they roasted.
“Creak.”
The door was suddenly pushed open, and a gust of cold wind blew in. Liu Yue Min turned around somewhat displeased, only to see two adults and one child, wrapped up tightly, walking in.
She didn’t recognize them at first. It was only after Chen Li Shu removed her scarf and hat that Liu Yue Min exclaimed in surprise, “Third sister-in-law, why have you returned?”
Hearing the voices, Li Xiu Lan and Zhang Qin looked up. Seeing that Chen Li Shu had returned, they quickly called her over to the heated brick bed to warm herself.
“Little Lin is also here. Was it cold on the road? Come and warm yourself by the stove. This winter is exceptionally cold, and the wind is harsh.”
Li Xiu Lan had already put on her shoes and gotten off the brick bed, calling Lin Qi over to warm himself by the stove.
“Third sister-in-law, whose child is this?” Liu Yue Min had already pushed the melon seeds and pumpkin seeds aside. Then, using the corner of her clothing to scoop them up, she prepared to sit by the brick bed to eat them slowly.