"It's alright. If there are other profitable ventures besides underwear, we can cooperate again." Lin Qi didn't insist and happily took away the stock he had saved.
After discussion, three out of the eight shops refused Lin Qi's proposal. The other five cooperated readily, and after Lin Qi left, they quickly implemented the new sales strategy.
Upon hearing that they could get a 15% discount, making each piece only 2.55 yuan – a saving of several cents from the original 3 yuan – people started rallying their relatives and friends to buy together.
Some enterprising individuals bought several pieces at once and resold them in the lower villages, making a profit of a few cents per transaction.
...
"Big sister."
"Third sister-in-law."
Chen Liyuan and Gu Xingping were overjoyed to see her return after school.
Chen Lishu smiled, "Go wash your hands. Dinner is ready."
"Third sister-in-law, I'll be on holiday starting tomorrow too. Let me know if you need any help," Gu Xingping said proactively, knowing that Chen Lishu had rushed back specifically for the underwear business and might need an extra hand.
Chen Lishu smiled, "Not yet, but I won't hesitate to ask if I need anything."
The three of them ate dinner. Gu Xingping knew Chen Lishu must be tired after a whole day of traveling, so she wouldn't let her do any chores. Seeing Chen Liyuan about to get up, she said, "Liyuan, your exams are coming up. Go back to your room and study. I'm on holiday now, you don't need to do this chore."
Back in her room, Chen Lishu took out paper and pen, starting to design underwear styles from memory.
The incident with Liu Xiaoting was actually a good thing. At least it created competition, which subconsciously stimulated consumer spending.
Previously, she had sold wide-strapped designs. This time, Chen Lishu designed a thin-strapped version, along with matching girls' briefs.
Since they didn't require much material, about six or seven pairs could be made from one meter of fabric, Chen Lishu priced them at one yuan per pair, or 3.5 yuan for a set.
The next day, she took her drawings to Yuan Lihua's home.
"I heard from Lin Qi. How was the matter resolved?" Yuan Lihua asked with concern as she saw her enter.
Since joining Chen Lishu's group and especially after frequently interacting with Lin Qi, she felt he was a truly good child. She had gradually come to see them all as family, so she was worried when she heard someone was poaching business.
"It's nothing major," Chen Lishu replied with a smile, her gaze falling on the already cut fabric nearby, a thick stack more than two feet high.
"Aunt Yuan, let's not rush to make those clothes. Take some breaks and relax when you feel tired."
Yuan Lihua smiled, "Little Lin says the same thing. Actually, cutting fabric isn't tiring. During the down-to-the-countryside period, I used to carry over a hundred catties of burden at once. By the end of the day, my whole body felt as heavy as lead, but I persevered."
"Times have changed. We still need to balance work and rest. Your days of comfort are ahead of you."
Yuan Lihua nodded with a smile, "Yes, you are all good children. I've finally seen the light of day."
After chatting for a while longer, Chen Lishu presented her drawings. Lacking artistic skills and not being a design student, her drawings were somewhat crude.
She intended to explain them to Yuan Lihua, but a single glance was enough for Yuan Lihua to grasp the meaning.
Picking up the scissors, she quickly cut out the basic shapes and then ran them through the sewing machine, completing a set of bra and briefs.
Her proficiency made Chen Lishu wonder if she was cutting them according to actual samples.
"The briefs need elastic at the waistband, right?"
Chen Lishu nodded, "I'll go buy some when I get back."
Since they didn't have a sewing machine at home and she had nothing else to do, she decided to stay and work with Yuan Lihua.
Yuan Lihua cut the fabric while Chen Lishu operated the sewing machine. At noon, Yuan Lihua made pancakes and soup for them both.
The two worked together seamlessly, producing dozens of bras and briefs in just half a day.
As Chen Lishu left, she took a set of underwear with her, planning to give it to Wang Chenglin and his wife as a sample when they finished work.
Leaving Yuan Lihua's house and heading home, she passed by No. 2 Middle School. Chen Lishu checked the time and decided to wait for Chen Liyuan to finish school so they could walk home together.
"Everyone, come and see! This is her, Chen Liyuan, a greedy wretch who despises the poor! She was engaged to me but denies it and ran to town to avoid me."
For the past two days, Liu Dabao had been annoyed that Chen Liyuan was always accompanied by Gu Xingping. Today, he finally found an opportunity. Seeing Chen Liyuan come out alone, he quickly rushed forward and grabbed her.
"Liu Dabao, this is a school. I've told you many times, I will never be with you. Please, I beg you, can you stop bothering me?"
Looking at the gazes of the students around, Chen Liyuan felt as exposed as if she were naked in the crowd. Shame and anxiety overwhelmed her, and she wished she could disappear into a hole in the ground.
"What's wrong with school? Doesn't it allow me to find my own wife? What, you found a new beau among these rich boys and forgot about me? I tell you, that's impossible." As more people gathered, Liu Dabao became more vocal. Being watched didn't shame him; it emboldened him.
"Who is your wife?" Chen Liyuan was so angry she wanted to tear his mouth apart. But dealing with someone like Liu Dabao by arguing would only make her look worse. So, gritting her teeth, she pleaded, "Liu Dabao, what exactly do you want? I'm begging you, can you just leave?"
Liu Dabao looked at her, his shoulders shaking, and said lecherously, "You want me to leave? Fine. Only if you admit to everyone here that you're dating me. I promise I'll leave immediately with no questions asked..."
Before Liu Dabao could finish, he felt a sharp pain in the back of his knee, followed by his legs buckling, causing him to fall to his knees.
"Who the hell are you dating? Huh?" Chen Lishu cursed, kicking him again in the back as he knelt on the ground, still not satisfied.
Caught off guard, Liu Dabao sprawled onto the ground.
"Big sister?" Chen Liyuan's nose twitched upon seeing Chen Lishu, and the tears she had been holding back spilled over.
Chen Lishu stepped forward, wiped away her tears, patted her shoulder, and said gently, "It's okay, big sister is here."
"Mhm." Chen Liyuan nodded heavily. Seeing Chen Lishu gave her a sense of security, and she felt ready to face anything.
"Fuck you, Chen Lishu! How dare you ambush me!" Liu Dabao got up from the ground, cursing and walking towards Chen Lishu.
Having suffered such a humiliation in front of so many people, he was determined to teach Chen Lishu a lesson today, or his anger would never be appeased.