"So much?" Zhang Xue exclaimed, surprised. "If we really get over seventy yuan, that should cover our food expenses for the next semester."
Yang Lili nodded. "Exactly. At two jiao per meal, that's just over ten yuan a month. Seventy yuan would definitely be enough for half a semester."
During the period of going up to the mountains and down to the countryside, she hadn't been able to resist marrying a local villager. Her family's financial situation was limited, and she had borrowed some money and tickets from the villagers to pay for her schooling. Therefore, this scholarship was crucial for her.
Chen Lishu didn't have strong feelings about the scholarship. After all, she already received state subsidies for her education. As for the scholarship, she felt it would be better to leave it for those who truly needed it.
After dinner, the three of them returned to the dormitory and read for a while longer until the dormitory lights were turned off, and they each went to sleep.
On Wednesday afternoon, school was out. Chen Lishu specifically went to Wang Aixiang's home.
"You little rascal, did you get into another fight with someone? I've told you a thousand times, but you never learn. You just want to anger your mother to death!"
"They deserved it. They dared to make fun of me for not having a father. Whoever says it, I'll beat them."
"You little rascal, you've learned to talk back. Watch me skin you alive today."
Before Chen Lishu could even knock on the door, it was suddenly pushed open. A little boy ran out, followed by a cloth shoe flying out. If she hadn't reacted quickly, the shoe would have hit her.
"Sister, you're here. I'm so sorry, I didn't hit you, did I?" Wang Aixiang chased after the boy and, seeing Chen Lishu standing at the door, stooped down to pick up the shoe and put it on, looking a bit embarrassed.
Chen Lishu shook her head. "It's alright."
Seeing that she was unharmed, Wang Aixiang quickly invited her in. "Don't just stand here. Come inside and sit. Have you eaten yet? Shall I get you something?"
If her attitude towards Chen Lishu had been somewhat casual before, it had changed considerably after seeing the Dacron fabric. She had pondered it a lot in the past few days, realizing that someone who could acquire so much fabric was definitely not ordinary, and it would be beneficial to follow her.
Therefore, her attitude towards Chen Lishu had become exceptionally respectful.
"Sister Aixiang, please don't bother," Chen Lishu said, stopping her as she was about to prepare food.
"I came today to tell you that I'll be bringing people to pick up the goods next week. The exact time isn't confirmed yet, so make sure someone is home."
Wang Aixiang hadn't expected her to find connections so quickly. This further solidified her belief in Chen Lishu's capabilities, and her attitude became even more deferential. "No one in our family is working anyway, so don't worry, sister. We'll definitely have someone here."
"Sister Aixiang, if you have time these days, could you help me look for houses to rent or sell? It doesn't matter if they're in a slightly remote location, preferably a detached courtyard. I want to use them as warehouses."
Transportation was inconvenient now, and there were "Red Guards" in the city. Wang Aixiang's family lived in a large compound, and their comings and goings were watched by many eyes. For future convenience, Chen Lishu still wanted a place of her own.
"I understand what you mean, sister. I'll take care of this," Wang Aixiang readily agreed.
"Then I'll be going back now, Sister Aixiang. If you find suitable places, please arrange for me to view them all next Saturday afternoon. I'll come over then to see them together."
Seeing that their business was concluded, Chen Lishu informed Wang Aixiang and turned to leave.
"Aixiang, was that young girl who just left the one looking to hire people? She looks so young, she can't be very old, can she? Is this matter reliable?" Wang Aixiang's mother-in-law came in from outside and asked with some worry.
"Mom, reliable or not, we have to take a gamble. Your son died disgracefully. The factory didn't give any compensation, and even my job has been delayed for years. Now, someone is willing to employ me. Otherwise, are the three of us going to starve?"
Wang Aixiang's mother-in-law sighed. "It's all my fault for being a burden to you. Otherwise, you could have remarried peacefully."
"Remarry for what? Marry another drunkard like your son?" Wang Aixiang retorted and turned to go cook.
Time flew by, and it was Saturday. Chen Lishu returned home and, using her two days of rest, rushed to create a sample garment with a lapel and puff sleeves.
On Zhou Bin's end, after receiving Chen Lishu's call, he rearranged his schedule with the colleague who was supposed to go to the provincial capital.
They loaded the goods on Wednesday and departed. They arrived in the provincial capital around noon on Thursday. The cooperative unit was organizing personnel for unloading and loading, and they were expected to depart that night. The driver went to catch up on sleep. Zhou Bin glanced at the time; he hadn't had lunch yet. Following the address Chen Lishu had given, he went straight to the Provincial Normal College.
"Teacher, is Chen Lishu in this class? There's a man outside looking for her."
Chen Lishu was in class when a classmate suddenly came to the door and knocked.
She figured it must be Zhou Bin arriving at this time. Thinking this, Chen Lishu quickly got up, asked the teacher for leave, and then asked Zhang Xue to request leave for the next class as well before picking up her satchel and heading out.
Upon hearing that a man was looking for Chen Lishu, the classmates in the classroom stretched their necks as if they could reach three feet long, all looking out the window. Unfortunately, the teaching building was too far from the school gate to see what the man looked like.
"Do you know who that man looking for her is?" Sun Ling curiously turned back.
Zhang Xue gave her a side-eye. "Why are you asking?"
"I'm curious, is that not allowed?" "No."
"I think you don't know either, right? Aren't you two best friends? She doesn't even tell you this?"
"Teacher, Sun Ling says she knows the answer to this question." The teacher on the podium had just asked a question, and Zhang Xue directly pointed to Sun Ling and said.
"Alright, then, Sun Ling, you will explain this question to everyone."
Suddenly being called upon, Sun Ling was stunned.
She had been so focused on eavesdropping about Chen Lishu that she hadn't heard what the teacher was saying. Glaring at Zhang Xue hatefully, she stood up and could only admit her mistake under duress.
"Brother Zhou."
Having not seen him for nearly three months, Chen Lishu was very happy to see him.
"You haven't eaten at this time, have you? There's a People's Restaurant next to our school, and the chef there cooks quite well. Let's go there for a meal first."
Chen Lishu had heard about it from Li Zhiwei and had tried it once with Zhang Xue, finding the taste quite good. That's why she wanted to bring Zhou Bin to try it.
"Okay," Zhou Bin smiled. "I'm a bit hungry too."
The two went to the People's Restaurant. Chen Lishu had already eaten lunch and wasn't hungry, so she ordered two liang of rice for Zhou Bin, along with one meat and one vegetable dish.
"Sister, what good stuff have you gotten this time?" Zhou Bin asked curiously in a low voice during their meal.
Chen Lishu glanced around. Most students were in class, and it wasn't mealtime, so there were only a couple of people in the entire room. Chen Lishu then lowered her voice and said, "I got some Dacron fabric."
Upon hearing the words "Dacron," Zhou Bin's eyes lit up. Dacron was a sought-after commodity now. Whenever the county store got some stock, it was quickly snapped up.