"Is your sister still making clothes?"
Chen Lishu nodded. "This time, thanks to your help, Brother Zhou. The wholesale price is ten yuan per piece. You can decide how many to take. After we're done, I'll give you a 5% commission on the profit."
He had rushed over without a second thought after her call. She remembered this kindness. After all, money could always be earned, but true friends were priceless.
Zhou Bin chuckled at Chen Lishu's words. Despite her young age, she had always been perceptive.
After they finished eating, Chen Lishu took him to Wang Aixiang's house. Along the way, she spent another two yuan to hire a tricycle. Chen Lishu only relaxed after watching all the goods being loaded onto the truck.
"This is the sample garment, and here's a letter for Lin Qi. Could you please take it to him for me, Brother Zhou?" Chen Lishu took out the two items from her crossbody bag and handed them to Zhou Bin.
"Don't worry, sister. I'll give it to him as soon as I get back."
After bidding farewell to Zhou Bin, Chen Lishu took the bus back to school.
Concerned about renting a warehouse, Chen Lishu grabbed her bag and left as soon as her classes ended on Saturday.
"Why are you in such a hurry to go home? You've been running off as soon as you finish classes lately, completely neglecting me."
"I'm sorry, I've been busy with some things and have neglected you. Next week, next week I'll be free, and I'll spend quality time with you." Chen Lishu made a kissing gesture through the air towards Zhang Xue's somewhat resentful gaze.
"Are you two girls being disgusting?" Sun Ling seized the opportunity and rolled her eyes.
"Not really, at least we don't reek of foul odors." Not bothering to engage her, Chen Lishu dropped the remark and turned to leave, leaving Sun Ling with a face that cycled through different shades of green and white.
Hateful!
Chen Lishu, that wretch, she would never forgive her! Chen Lishu left the classroom and took a bus directly to Wang Aixiang's house. Before she could even ask, Wang Aixiang immediately started talking about looking for a place.
"There are a few places for rent, but they're either apartment buildings or shared rooms in someone else's house. After thinking it over, I found one that's somewhat suitable, though the house is a bit run-down."
Housing was scarce at this time, with most families crammed into small, dozens-of-square-meter apartments, waiting for the factory to assign them housing. Few places were available for rent or sale. Chen Lishu needed a place urgently, and finding one was proving difficult.
"It doesn't matter if it's a bit run-down; we're not living there, just storing things temporarily."
When Wang Aixiang heard her say this, she went inside to inform her mother-in-law and then took Chen Lishu out.
The house wasn't far from where Wang Aixiang lived, only a few hundred meters away, in another large compound at the street corner.
Seeing another large compound, Chen Lishu's brows furrowed unconsciously.
"Do you see it? The one by the courtyard wall on the left. This is the railway family compound. It was built by the Japanese before the founding of the country for railway construction. The houses are decades old. Although they're dilapidated, they're cheap; the rent is only six yuan a month."
Wang Aixiang pointed out the main entrance for Chen Lishu but didn't go in. Instead, she led her around to the back.
Upon reaching the back of the house, Chen Lishu finally understood why Wang Aixiang had chosen this place. The house that appeared ordinary from the front had another door at the back, and this back door faced the deepest part of the alley, with brick courtyard walls on both sides. If one wanted to transport something, it would be completely silent.
After the two of them looked around, Wang Aixiang took Chen Lishu to meet the landlord.
"Six yuan a month for two rooms. You can ask around; this is the cheapest in the area."
"Fifty yuan a year," Wang Aixiang said, giving Chen Lishu a meaningful look.
The landlord shook his head. "You're cutting the price so much; that's simply not possible."
"Sister, this house hasn't been tidied up at all, and there are no tables or chairs inside. Also, I see one of the windows is broken, and the oilcloth on top has aged and will likely leak during the summer. Will we need to replace it if we move in? That's also money. Alternatively, we can pay the rent you quoted, but you'll need to fix the issues I've mentioned."
Fixing these two things would probably cost over ten yuan, and she didn't have the time or energy for it. However, fifty yuan a year was too cheap, and she was unwilling.
Seeing that the time was right, Chen Lishu smiled and said, "How about we add another five yuan, making it fifty-five? We're really tight on cash, otherwise, we'd have to look elsewhere."
When the landlord heard that they would add another five yuan, he finally relented. "Alright then."
The two parties quickly signed the lease agreement. After Chen Lishu paid the money, the landlord handed over the keys and left.
Chen Lishu went inside and looked around carefully. Apart from a kang (heated brick bed), there was almost nothing useful in the room. The previous tenant seemed quite messy, as the room was littered with worn-out, discarded belongings.
"These are all easy to deal with. I'll look around outside for a couple of days for scrap glass and oilcloth. If I find any, I'll pick them up and fix them," Wang Aixiang said with a smile, seeing Chen Lishu's gaze fall on the chipped glass.
"Then, during this time, I'll trouble Sister Aixiang to tidy it up."
As Chen Lishu spoke, she took out thirty yuan. "Twenty-five is for this month's wages, and the remaining five yuan is for you to look into changing the locks on both the front and back doors."
Wang Aixiang was surprised that Chen Lishu was paying her so quickly. She paused, then smiled and took the money. "Don't worry, sister. I'll definitely get this job done properly."
After parting ways with Wang Aixiang, Chen Lishu took the bus back to the military family district.
Having been away for a week, the empty space by the window had been renovated and the rows prepared.
Not long after she arrived home, Gu Xingdong and Chairman Meow also returned together.
"I didn't have time to buy groceries today, so we'll just have noodles for dinner," Chen Lishu called out from the kitchen as she heard the door open, explaining the situation.
Gu Xingdong smiled. "Coincidentally, I wanted noodles tonight."
"Meow," Chairman Meow also chimed in, tilting its small head.
Chen Lishu looked at the two of them, one big and one small, and broke into a smile. "Alright then, hurry up and wash your hands. The noodles will be ready once the water boils."
After washing his hands and setting up the table, Gu Xingdong went to the kitchen to get bowls and chopsticks. "Oh, by the way, Old Wu's wife gave birth."
Chen Lishu's hand paused as she was cooking the noodles. She was surprised. "Sister-in-law gave birth? When did this happen? A boy or a girl?"
"She gave birth the day before yesterday," Gu Xingdong said, bringing the bowls and chopsticks to the table. "It's a son."
"Brother Wu must be very happy?"
"Hmph," Gu Xingdong scoffed dismissively. "He's grinning from ear to ear."
"Why do I smell a hint of jealousy in the room?" Chen Lishu asked, bringing the noodles out and teasing him with a smile.
Gu Xingdong dismissed it. "I'm not competing with him on speed; I'm focusing on quality."
"How do you know yours will be better quality? You don't even have children yet. This is blind confidence."
Gu Xingdong narrowed his eyes. "I think you're asking for a spanking. If I don't discipline you, you'll be climbing all over me."
Chen Lishu pouted. "With that head of yours, I wouldn't climb on it even if you begged me."
Gu Xingdong pressed his tongue against his cheek, then suddenly leaned in and whispered, "Fine. Don't expect any favors from me tonight."
Chen Lishu's hand, which was picking up noodles, froze. She looked at him pleadingly. "Xingdong, is it too late to apologize now?"
"Too late."