Lin Qisi thought for a moment and said, "If Sister Chen really wants to hire her, perhaps she can try to cater to her preferences."
After all, everyone has different priorities. Since Yuan Lihua did not care about money, she would have to approach her from other angles.
Chen Lishu nodded upon hearing his words, "I'll go and inquire about the situation again tomorrow. If it doesn't work out, I'll have to continue looking for someone else." After all, she had taken leave to return, and her time was limited.
In fact, Chen Lishu had a good impression of Yuan Lihua. Not only was her craftsmanship excellent, but she also lived alone, which would eliminate many unnecessary troubles.
Soon, the dishes were served, and the group shifted their conversation to business.
"The issue of sourcing is basically resolved. The textile factory can provide dozens of bolts of fabric every month, but transportation is not very convenient. I'll have to rely on Brother Zhou to put in more effort in the future," Chen Lishu said with a smile.
"Don't worry about the vehicles, Sister. The drivers are colleagues I've known for over ten years, and I can definitely trust them. As long as there's a vehicle going to the provincial capital, I'll notify you immediately," Zhou Bin replied.
"I definitely have no problem on my end. I'm just worried that your production won't keep up," Nan Haitao said with a smile, seeing her look over.
"It's coming soon," Chen Lishu said with a smile. "The provincial capital is relatively more open than our area. Many small vendors and hawkers have already appeared on the streets. This is a sign. Reform and opening up are imperative. Perhaps in the near future, we won't have to conduct business in secret anymore."
Zhou Bin's expression changed upon hearing her words, "If it really turns out as you say, Sister, that would be wonderful."
Nan Haitao and Lin Qi's eyes also lit up.
After they finished dinner and parted ways, it was already past eight in the evening.
Lin Qi first sent Chen Lishu home, then rode his bicycle home by moonlight.
The bicycle was the one Chen Lishu had bought earlier. Although it was a simple model, bicycles were rare at the time. He remembered the significant stir it caused when he first rode it back to the village.
By the time he arrived home, it was completely dark. The dim, yellowish light from the low, dilapidated windows indicated that Lin Yuliang was waiting for him. Lin Qi quickened his pace unconsciously, pushed the bicycle into the house and propped it up before speaking, "Dad, why aren't you asleep yet? I told you I'd be back late from dinner. You didn't have to wait up for me."
"People who are older sleep less. I lit the lamp so you could have light when you returned and wouldn't have to grope in the dark."
Lin Qi took off his clothes and got onto the heated brick bed. "Dad, we have some money now, and I'll get a raise next month. Since the agricultural slack season is coming soon, why don't we rebuild our house?"
Lin Yuliang nodded happily upon hearing this, "We do need to build a house. Your Aunt Gao from next door came over today and said she wanted to find a match for you."
Since the family's conditions had improved, people's attitudes towards him and his son had also begun to change.
Although poverty was once glorified, few people were truly willing to marry into a family that endured hardship and poverty.
"Dad, there's no rush for the matchmaking. Let's build the house first. Besides, Sister Chen is short-handed right now, and I don't have the headspace for that," Lin Qi said.
Lin Yuliang nodded, "That's true. You're only nineteen. We can take our time and look in a couple of years."
...
The next day, after Chen Liyuan and Gu Xingping had both gone to school, Chen Lishu decided to check on Yuan Lihua's situation again.
This time, she did not go directly to Yuan Lihua's house but instead inquired carefully about her from the nearby residents, and her efforts yielded significant results.
In addition to the consistent affirmation of her craftsmanship and character, Chen Lishu also learned that Yuan Lihua was also a person who had suffered greatly. She originally had a daughter, but during turbulent times, unable to bear the humiliation, she ultimately chose to hang herself.
If Chen Lishu had initially approached the matter with the attitude of trying and replacing if it didn't work out, then after deeply understanding Yuan Lihua's character, she had already begun to consider recruiting her.
Clothing was a craft. Even with her experience from her past life, Chen Lishu was not a professional in this field. At most, she benefited from being opportunistic. To make the clothing industry large and far-reaching, ideas alone were not enough. It involved many aspects such as fabric materials and pattern making, which required professional and reliable people. Yuan Lihua happened to have decades of experience in this area.
Having figured out the key, Chen Lishu knocked on Yuan Lihua's door again.
"Why are you here again? I already told you I'm not interested, and I can't take your job."
"I'm not here to discuss work this time," Chen Lishu said with a smile. "I want to hire Master Yuan to be responsible for clothing design and production from now on."
Yuan Lihua interrupted her impatiently before she could finish, "Not interested."
Chen Lishu was unfazed and continued with a smile, "I haven't even stated my terms yet, Master Yuan. Please don't rush to refuse."
Although Yuan Lihua no longer spoke, her expression clearly conveyed that she would not agree, no matter what was said.
"The salary will be 200 yuan per month initially, and it will continue to increase depending on the situation."
Yuan Lihua remained unmoved and even lowered her head to work the sewing machine.
"Five years. As long as Master Yuan works for me for five years, I will cover all your retirement and medical expenses, ensuring you can live out your later years in peace."
Yuan Lihua, who was concentrating on her work, was momentarily distracted by her words. The perfectly straight line suddenly veered off course. The needle on the sewing machine spun in place for a while before Yuan Lihua finally reacted and pulled the fabric out.
Seeing her reaction, Chen Lishu knew her guess was correct.
Yuan Lihua was now alone and had lost her enthusiasm for life. Earning money held little significance for her. Conversely, as she aged, her main concern and worry would naturally be her retirement.
After a pause, Yuan Lihua's voice, tinged with uncertainty, came through, "Are you telling the truth?"
Chen Lishu nodded, "Yes."
"How can I believe what you say?" She could still work in these years and had value, but if she became unable to work, then people could say whatever they wanted.
"I can sign a contract with you and specifically include this provision."
Yuan Lihua was still uneasy, "It's just a piece of paper. When you no longer want to manage it, it will still be whatever you say it is."
Chen Lishu said helplessly, "Then what do you suggest?"
Yuan Lihua thought for a long time and felt there was no better solution. After all, no one could predict what would happen many years in the future.
"How about this, Master Yuan? Why don't you find someone you trust to act as a witness? If I fail to fulfill my promise at that time, you can take the contract to court and sue me."