"Not bad," Chen Lishu smiled. "It's rare to go out, and I saw this and thought it suited my sister-in-law, so I bought it."
Sun Min happily tied it around her neck, admiring herself in the mirror. She felt the color perfectly suited her and made her complexion look better. "Sister, you are so thoughtful."
After chatting for a while longer, Sun Min suddenly spoke with a serious expression. "Sister, I need to tell you something so you're mentally prepared. I've found that someone else is also making and selling clothes, exactly like yours. Their prices are even cheaper."
She and her husband had been worried about this for a long time. If it affected Chen Lishu's business, they wouldn't be able to get any more work.
Chen Lishu didn't react much to her words. After all, making clothes was a craft, and she knew she wasn't the only one who had connections to get fabric.
"It's okay, sister-in-law. You just keep making them. I also bought some other fabrics from the provincial city to make some underwear. After all, fabric isn't always available, and these use less material. If the business is good, we can continue this long-term."
Although she smiled, Chen Lishu couldn't help but start to ponder.
It seemed the clothing business would have to slow down.
Since buying the house in Beijing, she didn't have much money left, and fabric was also an issue. Furthermore, with the college entrance examination approaching, she simply didn't have the energy to do anything else.
If she couldn't quickly seize the market, her designed clothing styles would only be a stepping stone for others.
After leaving the Wang family's house, Chen Lishu didn't go home directly but went to the Ding family's residence.
"Sister Chen, you're back?" Ding Chen, who was reading at home,'s eyes lit up when he saw her enter. If Chen Lishu was back, then Gu Xingping must be back too.
"Are you off today?" Chen Lishu asked curiously, seeing him home at this hour.
"I've asked your Uncle Ding to arrange a suspension," Sun Shuzhen said as she came out from the inner room, gesturing for Chen Lishu to sit down.
Hearing that Ding Chen had been suspended, Chen Lishu was surprised. Her gaze fell on the book in front of him, and connecting the dots, she understood.
"Auntie, you and Uncle have also heard about the news of the college entrance examinations resuming?"
"Lishu, you've heard too?" Seeing Chen Lishu nod, Sun Shuzhen said excitedly, "Your Uncle and I are in education, so we know earlier than others. We've been hoping for so many years. Although the official documents haven't been issued yet, we both feel we need to prepare early."
Sun Shuzhen glanced at Ding Chen as she spoke. While she was happy, she was also worried. She knew Chen Lishu was different from others. Although her education wasn't high, her insight far surpassed others, which was why she had been diligently studying. It showed she was foresighted.
Thinking of this, Sun Shuzhen took her hand and said, "To be honest, your Uncle and I don't know if this decision is the right one. After all, it's been ten years. If something goes wrong in the meantime, it will be detrimental to Ding Chen."
Although he had taken a leave of absence, the unit couldn't hold his position indefinitely if they were short-handed. If he had to wait for reassignment upon his return, who knew how long that would take.
Chen Lishu understood her worries and smiled, comforting her. "Auntie, the four calamities who caused the current situation in our country have already been removed. The country urgently needs talented people for its development, and the restoration of the college entrance examinations is an inevitable trend."
Chen Lishu couldn't provide exact information but could put Sun Shuzhen's mind at ease by using someone else's words.
"Auntie, I stayed in the provincial city for a few days this time and also bought some reference materials from the bookstore. Many people are already preparing in secret there. I also heard that the attitude of those in power is very firm this time, and they will restore the college entrance examinations this year."
"This year?" Sun Shuzhen exclaimed, surprised. "It's already August. Even if there's an exam, shouldn't it be next year?"
Chen Lishu looked into her eyes and shook her head seriously. "I heard that a recently re-emerged central leader attaches great importance to this matter and is in charge of education and science. If they are determined to implement it, they won't drag it out for too long."
"I agree with Xiao Chen's view," Ding Yongfeng said as he pushed the door open and entered.
"Uncle Ding," Chen Lishu quickly stood up to greet him.
"Sit down, don't be so formal." Ding Yongfeng smiled and gestured for her to sit.
"I overheard what Xiao Chen just said. The principal called us teachers from the graduating classes today precisely for this matter."
Since Chen Lishu was not an outsider, Ding Yongfeng didn't hide anything and roughly explained the content of the meeting.
"To privately establish study groups?" Sun Shuzhen was stunned when she heard her husband's words.
Ding Yongfeng nodded. "It's just an idea. The principal wants to organize private tutoring for students with excellent grades in the graduating classes. You know, these students have wasted too much time over the past few years."
A few years ago, an incident occurred that led to a tense relationship between teachers and students. It only started to improve slightly in the last couple of years.
Chen Lishu felt a flicker of interest when she heard about the study groups mentioned by Ding Yongfeng. However, she was not a student of the school, and the matter was not yet finalized. It would be too presumptuous to speak up rashly.
After chatting with Sun Shuzhen and Ding Yongfeng for a few more sentences, Chen Lishu took out the silk scarf she had brought for Sun Shuzhen. "I didn't bring much when I went to Shanghai. I don't know what you like, Auntie, so I bought you this silk scarf."
Sun Shuzhen was pleasantly surprised to see the scarf she handed over.
She and Ding Yongfeng had only visited Shanghai once when they first got married. That bustling metropolis was naturally incomparable to this small county town. Seeing something from a big city after so many years brought her joy and a touch of nostalgia.
Chen Lishu left the Ding family's house. It was already late. Not long after she returned home, Gu Xingye and Gu Xingmin came looking for them, and then the four of them rode their bicycles back to the village together.
Li Xiulan didn't expect the four of them to return together. She had already prepared dinner, so she immediately went back into the kitchen, beat a few eggs, and quickly stir-fried a plate of eggs.
"Why didn't you call home to let us know you were coming back? I could have prepared more food. If not, I can pick some more vegetables from the private plot."
"Mom, don't bother. It's hot, and my third sister-in-law and I have been traveling all day. We don't have much of an appetite."
Gu Xingping stopped her.
Chen Lishu also smiled and said, "Mom, this is more than enough. You should sit down and eat too."
Seeing that both of them had said so, Li Xiulan finally sat down and began to eat.
After dinner, Chen Lishu started distributing the gifts she had brought back from her trip to everyone.
As it was hot and food wouldn't keep, Chen Lishu didn't buy any more edibles besides the pear syrup candy and milk candy. She also bought a small radio for the family, so they could relax and entertain themselves after finishing work and dinner.
Since silk scarves were not practical in the countryside, Chen Lishu brought a dress for each of the women in the family.
"This is so beautiful!" Liu Yuemin's eyes were glued to the brightly colored dresses. She eagerly picked one up and held it against herself.