"Thank you, Sister Chen," Lin Qi said excitedly.
Chen Lishu smiled, "As long as you work hard, your salary will definitely get higher and higher in the future."
After discussing salary, Chen Lishu spoke seriously, "I've been thinking carefully during this time. If we want to expand the clothing business, we must have our own brand and characteristics. Based on the current market situation, we don't lack characteristics for now. As for the brand, I've decided to name it 'Shu Se'."
Nowadays, people's awareness in this regard is still very limited. Most people buy fabric and then either make it themselves or find a tailor for processing. The reform and opening up had not yet begun, let alone registering trademarks. Individual businesses were not even allowed. However, Chen Lishu felt it was necessary to establish her own brand to differentiate her products from others in the market.
"Shu Se." Lin Qi savored the name and his eyes lit up, "This is a great name. It not only contains your name, Sister Chen, but it also has a good meaning. Our products will finally have a name!"
Chen Lishu said, "We are creating a brand to better establish trust between consumers and our products. I hope that in the future, when people think of clothing, 'Shu Se' will be the first thing that comes to mind. But this has both advantages and disadvantages. We must have even stricter quality control. Otherwise, instead of building an image, we will ruin our own reputation."
Chen Lishu paused and continued, "Although we don't have the scale yet, we still need a reward and punishment system. I will personally inform them these past two days. If there are more than three quality issues within a month, not only will the items need to be redone, but three yuan will be deducted from their commission. Conversely, if the issues can be kept within three, a reward of five yuan will be given."
Lin Qi hesitated after hearing her words, "Sister Chen, what if someone is unhappy about the deductions and quits? We are already short-handed."
Recently, Liu Yuemin had earned more commission by rushing her work, and several of the clothes she made were not up to par. He had mentioned it twice, but it had little effect. Based on his understanding of Liu Yuemin, if deductions were actually made, it would likely cause a scene.
"If they quit, isn't that better? Why let one bad apple spoil the whole bunch?" Chen Lishu said, "As for manpower, don't worry. I'll think of a way these next few days to see if I can hire someone full-time to make clothes."
With Chen Lishu's assurance, Lin Qi felt he had the backing to handle any future issues.
With Chen Lishu's help, Chen Liyuan also joined them. The three quickly inspected over two hundred pieces of underwear. Lin Qi then divided them into seven batches according to the supply and marketing cooperative's order records and made the necessary notations.
"Sister Chen, I'll go deliver the goods now." Lin Qi packed the underwear in silk bags.
"When you go back, inform your family in advance that I'm treating everyone to a meal tomorrow evening. You should come too," Chen Lishu said with a smile as he was about to leave.
"Understood, Sister Chen." Lin Qi acknowledged, picked up the bag, and walked out.
After he left, Chen Lishu went to the vegetable market to buy some ingredients. Since she was back for a rare occasion, she planned to treat Sun Shuzhen and Ding Yongfeng to dinner.
In the evening, Gu Xingping returned from school and was surprised to see Chen Lishu at home. "Third Sister-in-law, why are you back at this hour?"
"I had something at home, so I took a few days off from school," Chen Lishu explained with a smile. She also briefly told Gu Xingping about Chen Liyuan coming to town to study.
"Really?" Gu Xingping looked at Chen Liyuan beside her and said happily, "That's great! Now I'll have a companion. You don't know, ever since Third Sister-in-law went to the provincial city to study, I've been alone at home. When I get back from school, there's no one to talk to, and it's so boring."
Chen Lishu mercilessly exposed her, "How come I heard you've been practically living at the Ding's house?"
Gu Xingping blushed and smiled sheepishly, "I've only stayed there a few times."
After Chen Lishu went to the provincial city for her studies, Gu Xingping was left alone at home. Sun Shuzhen, worried that she wouldn't eat properly, often called her over. As Ding Chen was away, if it was too late, she would let Gu Xingping stay in Ding Chen's room.
"I've already prepared the meal. Go put down your schoolbag, and I'll go call Aunt Sun and Uncle Ding over," Chen Lishu said with a smile to Gu Xingping and then walked towards the Ding's house.
As she entered, she saw Sun Shuzhen preparing to wash vegetables with water. Sun Shuzhen was initially stunned when she saw Chen Lishu, but then became very happy.
After a few pleasantries, Chen Lishu said with a smile, "Since I have some free time, I made a few extra dishes. I also found a good bottle of wine for Uncle Ding."
"Who mentioned wine?" Ding Yongfeng came out from inside upon hearing the voices. He reacted similarly to Sun Shuzhen upon seeing Chen Lishu.
Chen Lishu repeated the same words with a smile. Upon hearing that Chen Lishu had managed to get Xifeng wine, Ding Yongfeng happily urged Sun Shuzhen, "Xiao Chen has finished preparing the meal. Let's go over quickly."
Sun Shuzhen took her basin and vegetables back inside to save for tomorrow, then she and Ding Yongfeng went to the next door with Chen Lishu.
Chen Lishu had prepared four dishes for dinner, and the five of them enjoyed the meal immensely. Especially Chen Lishu and Sun Shuzhen, who were both students and fellow disciples. When they talked about school and Chen Yinchu, Sun Shuzhen became quite emotional.
"Twenty years have flown by. When we have the time, your Uncle Ding and I must visit our alma mater."
After dinner, Sun Shuzhen and Ding Yongfeng left. Chen Lishu asked Chen Liyuan and Gu Xingping to study, then tidied up the kitchen. She also studied for a while before turning off the lights and going to bed.
The next morning, Gu Xingping went to school after breakfast. Chen Lishu and Chen Liyuan returned to the village together.
They spent the morning completing the transfer procedures. Chen Liyuan also packed some clothes and informed Wu Chunmei before the sisters returned to town together.
After asking Chen Liyuan to go home first, Chen Lishu went to the state-run restaurant where Liu Yong worked. After confirming the time with Liu Yong, Chen Lishu then went to the department store and the materials bureau.
They had been cooperating for such a long time, but they had never sat down to have a meal together. Another reason was that she was not often in town, so it would allow Lin Qi to get to know them better.
Upon hearing that Chen Lishu wanted to treat them to a meal, Nan Haitao and Zhou Bin readily agreed. After setting the time, Chen Lishu headed home.
"Did you make this shirt yourself? It fits quite well," one of the two girls in front of her suddenly said as Chen Lishu walked past.
"No, how could I possibly have such good craftsmanship? I had a tailor make it. The processing fee for one shirt is one yuan."
"One yuan? It's so much better to make it yourself, why spend that unnecessary money."
"That's because you don't know that Master Yuan, who makes my clothes, used to make clothes for ladies of wealthy families. Her needlework is exceptionally skilled. With the same fabric, she can save at least two inches, don't you think that's also money?"
"Why haven't I heard of a Master Yuan before?"
"She was criticized for working for capitalists and sent to a labor reform camp. She was only recently rehabilitated and returned..."
Listening to the girl's words, Chen Lishu's thoughts suddenly became active.