"Her family?" Liu Widow's first thought was refusal. That wretched Chen Li Shu had caused her and her two sons so much trouble; how could she agree to her son marrying a daughter from their family? Besides, Chen Man Tuan and his wife would certainly not agree.
"My youngest uncle's family has no sons. If you agree to let Da Bao marry into their family as a live-in son-in-law..."
Upon hearing "live-in son-in-law," Liu Widow waved her hands repeatedly, "How could my own son become a live-in son-in-law? No, no."
"You say you're stubborn, but you don't believe it." Zhang Chun Hua moved closer, "Think about it. Their family has no sons. If you're willing to move in, they'll surely be delighted. Once the person is married, whatever Da Bao says goes. With money, how can you worry about your second son not finding a wife?"
Liu Widow listened to her words and no longer rushed to object. Instead, she narrowed her eyes and began to ponder seriously.
...
"You little bastard! Doing homework is like it's going to kill you. Are there thorns on the stool pricking your butt? You take half an hour to write two lines of text."
Just as Wang Ai Xiang was about to hit her child, she looked up and saw Chen Li Shu approaching. She quickly threw down the broom she was holding and went to open the door, "Sister, why do you have time to visit today?"
Chen Li Shu smiled, "I had no classes this afternoon, so I came to see you. I was afraid you wouldn't be home on the way."
Wang Ai Xiang sighed, "Children are little debtors. He caused trouble at school, and I just picked him up."
As they spoke, they entered the house. The child looked up when Chen Li Shu entered and called out obediently, "Aunt Chen."
Chen Li Shu smiled, "Xiao Peng, you're so well-behaved."
Wang Xiao Peng had never heard anyone praise him so gently. He became shy, his small face flushing, and his small body unconsciously straightened a little.
"Sister, you've come at just the right time. Otherwise, I was thinking of finding you at school to discuss this matter," Wang Ai Xiang said as she watched Chen Li Shu sit down.
Chen Li Shu replied, "Sister Ai Xiang, please tell me."
"Someone found out from others that we are selling fabric. They came to me yesterday and said they wanted to take more goods from me. But they didn't have enough money, so they wanted to pay a portion first and settle the rest after they sold it."
Wang Ai Xiang had been doing this for so long that it was always cash for goods. If the other party took the fabric and didn't pay, she wouldn't dare to gamble.
Chen Li Shu didn't respond directly but asked, "How much does the other party want to take?"
"They said two bolts. But I told him I couldn't make the decision myself and had to wait for your opinion. He left his address before he left," Wang Ai Xiang said, reaching for a small green leather-covered diary on the cabinet.
It simply recorded daily income and expenses, and the back recorded the phone numbers and addresses of some important people.
Wang Ai Xiang flipped open the diary and pointed to a page for Chen Li Shu to see, "This is what he left."
The page was written with the name Liang Chun Sheng in bold strokes, followed by a detailed home address. Judging by the handwriting, he seemed to be an educated person.
Knowing the address, Chen Li Shu decided to see for herself.
After all, Wang Ai Xiang was the only salesperson for now. Even with the friends she knew, they only bought in small quantities, and sales remained stagnant.
"Xiao Peng, study diligently at home," Wang Ai Xiang instructed her son, then went out of the compound with Chen Li Shu.
Hong Qi Road was about half the city away from their place. By the time the two found the address Liang Chun Sheng had given, it was past one in the afternoon.
"You are?" Liang Chun Sheng, who had just returned from selling goods outside, saw two people standing at his doorstep and asked.
Wang Ai Xiang turned her head when she heard the voice. Liang Chun Sheng also recognized her and quickly took out his keys to open the door, "Everyone in the family is at work. Please come in and sit."
As Liang Chun Sheng invited them in, his gaze inadvertently fell on Chen Li Shu. Seeing that she was only eighteen or nineteen years old, with a beautiful appearance and outstanding temperament, he guessed she might be the person in charge that Wang Ai Xiang had mentioned.
"Please have a seat inside. I'll get you some water," Liang Chun Sheng said, putting down the things in his hands and turning to the kitchen.
Chen Li Shu's gaze fell on the cloth bag he had just placed on the table. Through the open mouth of the bag, needlework threads, glass beads, socks, elastic fabric, and the like were faintly visible.
Soon, Liang Chun Sheng came out with two cups of water. Chen Li Shu subtly withdrew her gaze from the pile of things and focused on Liang Chun Sheng.
He was around twenty years old. Although his appearance was average, his eyes were clear, and he seemed like a steady person.
"You want to take the fabric?" Chen Li Shu asked directly, without beating around the bush.
"Yes," Liang Chun Sheng answered readily. "But I don't have that much money on hand." Then he briefly explained his family situation.
The Liang family had many siblings. He was a sent-down youth returning to the city. The factory and the neighborhood had not yet assigned him a job, and he couldn't be idle, so he thought about dealing in some goods himself.
"How much money can you sell these things for in a day?" Chen Li Shu asked curiously, glancing at the bundle on the table.
Liang Chun Sheng smiled sheepishly, "The profit from these small items is not high, only a few cents per item. I can earn about one to two yuan a day."
"How much money do you have on hand now?"
"I only have less than forty yuan on hand, but I guarantee that as soon as I sell the goods, I will settle the payment immediately. I can also write an IOU."
Chen Li Shu thought for a moment and finally shook her head, "You have too little money. If you want to take the goods, you must pay a fifty percent deposit first. With your current amount, I can only give you one bolt of fabric."
Liang Chun Sheng was slightly disappointed, but then he thought that with no relatives or friends, it was already good enough for them to let him take a bolt of fabric on credit.
Just as he was about to agree, he heard the young woman opposite him say, "Actually, there is another way. I will hire you as our salesperson and sign an employment agreement. You will receive a monthly salary of thirty yuan, and you can get a two-yuan commission for every bolt of fabric sold."
"This..." Liang Chun Sheng hesitated upon hearing her words.
"After signing the agreement, if you are caught by the Red Guards, I will bear the loss."
As soon as Chen Li Shu said this, Liang Chun Sheng's heart was moved. The 'Red Guards' were indeed a big trouble. His goods had already been confiscated twice. Fortunately, he gained experience later and ran faster, and things gradually improved.
Chen Li Shu did not urge him, waiting for him to think slowly.
After a long pause, Liang Chun Sheng seemed to have made a big decision and looked up at Chen Li Shu with an apologetic smile, "I'm truly sorry, but I still choose to pick up the goods myself."
Chen Li Shu was surprised by his refusal. After a moment of stunned silence, she couldn't help but ask, "Why?"
Wang Ai Xiang was also very curious, "Yes, brother. If you worked with us, you could earn at least forty to fifty a month."
The frontline workers in the factory earned at most over thirty yuan a month.