"Forget it." Yuan Lihua suddenly said in a muffled voice, "Since you've put it this way, I'll trust you for now."
Chen Lishu was very happy when she agreed. She quickly took out paper and a pen from her crossbody bag and drafted a contract.
The contract included her requirements for Yuan Lihua as well as her own commitments. After both parties signed, Yuan Lihua officially became a member of the 'Shuse' brand.
"This is my address. If you have any matters in the future, you can find someone named Lin Qi. He will be responsible for contacting you from now on."
Yuan Lihua asked, confused, as the contact person was not Chen Lishu, "What about you?"
Chen Lishu smiled, "I'm studying in the provincial capital and can only return during winter and summer breaks each year."
Hearing that she was a university student, Yuan Lihua couldn't help but feel a bit more admiration in her eyes.
"Have someone deliver the fabric and sample clothing later."
Chen Lishu did not expect her to take over the work so soon. She smiled and said, "No rush. I'll inform Lin Qi when I get back, and he'll deliver them to you tomorrow."
Successfully recruiting Yuan Lihua had solved a major production challenge. At the very least, she wouldn't have to worry about manpower issues for some time to come.
Leaving the Yuan family's residence, Chen Lishu glanced at her watch. It was almost noon. She decided to go home, make a simple meal, and then start packing her things to catch the evening train back to the provincial capital.
...
"Fatty, let's go."
As soon as the teacher on the stage announced the end of class, Li Zhiwei and Feng Fatty eagerly scrambled out of their seats, ready to go home.
It was Saturday, and after eating at the cafeteria all week, both wanted to go home and improve their meals.
"Everyone wait, I have something to say." Sun Ling quickly walked to the front of the class. Seeing them about to leave, she quickly called out to stop them.
"Sun Ling, are you bored out of your mind? Why don't you say things earlier and wait until Saturday when everyone is eager to go home? Even the teacher isn't keeping us late, yet you're causing trouble."
Li Zhiwei leaned against the doorframe, turned back, and said impatiently.
"Li Zhiwei, why are you talking so much nonsense? If you want to leave, fine, but don't participate in the school sports meet next week."
"I won't participate, so what? Do you think anyone cares?" Li Zhiwei said dismissively, tossed his backpack strap, and turned to leave.
"For those who lack a sense of collective honor, if anyone dares to leave this classroom today, I'll post a big-character poster on Monday."
Li Zhiwei glared back at her, grabbed Feng Fatty, and returned to their seats.
Sun Ling, seeing that she had the upper hand, smiled smugly before speaking, "Our school is holding a sports meet next week. Anyone who wants to participate should sign up enthusiastically. Also, to highlight the class's appearance, our class committee members have decided on a unified dress code for that day. Considering everyone's circumstances, you can sort out your own pants. The tops require a uniform navy shirt, which costs three yuan per person. Those who already have a shirt don't need to pay."
As soon as Sun Ling finished speaking, the students below immediately started whispering.
"I heard other classes don't have this rule."
"Yeah, three yuan. That's my entire week's food expenses."
Many students in the class came from rural areas or had less affluent families. It was already difficult enough for them to attend university, so hearing that they had to pay money made them unhappy.
Yang Lili's heart skipped a beat when she heard about the money.
A few days ago, her husband had written to say their child was sick. She had sent most of her money home. To save as much as possible, she barely ate at the cafeteria now, spending three cents a day on a bun and mixing it with hot water for a meal. If she had to pay these three yuan, she probably wouldn't last until the holidays.
"Student Sun, I have something else to do that day. Can I not participate?" one male student from a very poor family mustered the courage to ask.
Yang Lili's eyes lit up when she heard the boy's words.
"Li Hailong, aren't you just making excuses because you have to pay for clothes? It's only three yuan; where can't you scrape it up?"
Sun Ling said without politeness, "Unless there's a valid reason, no one is allowed to not participate."
Li Hailong's intentions were exposed, and his face turned bright red. He mumbled with his lips for a long time before saying softly, "It's not about the money."
Most students could manage to gather three yuan by squeezing their budgets, and some didn't want to be looked down upon by their classmates. One by one, they stepped forward and paid the three yuan.
Zhang Xue didn't care. She had worked for four full years, and the factory allowed her to take leave with pay while studying. Her family occasionally sent her some money, and she also received subsidies from the school, so she had a surplus almost every month. However, she just couldn't stand Sun Ling's arrogant demeanor and didn't want to pay. She returned to her dormitory while others were paying.
...
Chen Lishu took a train for a day and a night, finally alighting from the train at dusk the next day and catching the last bus to school.
Zhang Xue was reading a book on her bed. Hearing the door open, she casually glanced down. When she saw Chen Lishu returning, she immediately dropped her book and quickly got down from the upper bunk.
"Lishu, I was so bored these past few days you were gone," Zhang Xue said. Thinking about her trip home, she asked with concern, "Is everything resolved?"
"Yes, it's all done," Chen Lishu said with a smile, taking off her crossbody bag and then taking out two canned jars from inside.
Zhang Xue asked curiously, "What's this?"
"Mushroom sauce made from mushrooms I picked at home."
Zhang Xue smiled and said, "It smells delicious. It should go well with rice tomorrow."
Having traveled for a day and a night, Chen Lishu's expression carried a hint of weariness. Seeing her reach under the bed for a washbasin, Zhang Xue proactively offered her own thermos: "There's still half a kettle of hot water. Is that enough?"
"Thanks," Chen Lishu said, smiling as she took the thermos and went to the bathroom to wash up.
Not long after she returned, it was time for lights out in the dormitory. Except for Yang Lili, who propped up her flashlight to continue studying, everyone else had fallen asleep.
After a good night's sleep, Chen Lishu had mostly recovered by the next day. In the morning, she had breakfast with Zhang Xue and then headed to the classroom.
"There are still a few people who haven't paid the money collected earlier. I hope they will hand it in after class and not wait for me to announce their names in front of everyone."
As soon as they entered the classroom, Chen Lishu and Zhang Xue heard Sun Ling call out from her seat.
"Collecting money for what?" Chen Lishu asked Zhang Xue curiously.
"It's for the sports meet. Everyone in the class must wear the same uniform, so each person has to pay three yuan for a navy shirt. Some don't have to pay."
Zhang Xue said, curling her lips disdainfully, "She says it's decided by the class committee, but I think she's just showing off."
As they spoke, they sat down at their seats. Zhang Xue leaned closer and whispered, "Lishu, are you buying one?"
Chen Lishu shook her head, "No."
It wasn't a mandatory school requirement, and besides, she didn't like navy shirts at all. Spending three yuan just to wear it for one day was foolish.
Zhang Xue couldn't help but laugh upon hearing her answer, "We're thinking the same thing."