Wang Aixiang at the Wang family’s home was fiddling with her new sewing machine. Chen Lishu had mentioned sewing machines to her last time, and she had taken it to heart. Besides, with elders and children at home, it was truly inconvenient to make clothes without one.
After months of frugal living, they had finally saved enough money. She went to her husband’s factory and asked a leader for a sewing machine ticket.
Although her husband had courted disaster, logically, after his death, her job should have been taken over by her, his wife. However, the factory leadership had sneakily arranged for the work to be given to someone else. Therefore, this small “difficulty” of a sewing machine ticket was granted by the factory leader without any hesitation.
A sewing machine cost one hundred and fifty yuan, which used up almost all her savings from this period. However, following Chen Lishu, she felt reassured that this money would be earned back sooner or later.
Wang Aixiang was about to try out the sewing machine to see if it worked well when she looked up and saw Chen Lishu approaching. Her eyes lit up, and she quickly got up to greet her.
“Sister Aixiang.”
“Sister, you’re back. I was so bored while you were away, I felt like I was going to get oily.”
Chen Lishu smiled, “I need you to go with me to the textile factory later. We’ll get some fabric, and there’s a vehicle coming to the provincial capital the day after tomorrow. Along with it will be a batch of clothes, about three hundred pieces.”
Upon hearing that more clothes were coming, Wang Aixiang became extremely excited. The clothes from last time were not even enough to satisfy everyone’s appetite. This time, everyone would finally be able to earn money again.
“Sister, you wait in the house for a moment. I’ll go tell my mother-in-law, and then we’ll leave.”
Wang Aixiang went out and returned a few minutes later. She then rode her bicycle with Chen Lishu to the textile factory.
The midday sun was strong, and the cicadas chirped loudly in the trees. Everyone in the office was drowsy.
Li Zhengxing got up, about to go to the bed in the inner rest room for a nap, when he suddenly heard a knock at the door.
“Enter.”
Soon, Chen Lishu pushed the door open, “Section Chief Li.”
Seeing it was her, Li Zhengxing’s furrowed brow immediately smoothed out. He smiled and invited her to sit down, “Little Chen, you haven’t been here for a while.”
Chen Lishu smiled, “I went back to my hometown a while ago, and I’ve just returned.”
After a few more words, Li Zhengxing proactively said, “The factory’s production volume has increased recently. I have a significant shortfall in my hand. I wonder if you can handle it.”
Currently, the profit sharing from cooperating with Chen Lishu was the highest. Therefore, when she hadn’t come over for a while, Li Zhengxing hadn’t allocated his fabric to others. However, since she hadn’t shown up, he couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy, thinking there might have been some mishap. Now that she was here, he felt much more at ease.
Chen Lishu smiled, “Section Chief Li, please rest assured. I’ll take as much as you have.”
Seeing her so readily agree, Li Zhengxing happily took out the vouchers and issued her a permit.
“Giving you too much at once is too conspicuous. How about this, I’ll give you thirty bolts today, and you can come back in a couple of days, and I’ll give you another thirty bolts.”
Sixty bolts? Chen Lishu was slightly surprised. That was truly not a small amount.
“Okay, Section Chief Li. I’ll come back in a couple of days then.” After receiving the permit and saying goodbye to Li Zhengxing, Chen Lishu left the office.
After paying the money at the finance department, Chen Lishu and Wang Aixiang went to the warehouse to collect the fabric.
This time, Li Zhengxing had issued her serge. It was estimated that by the time this batch of fabric was made into finished garments, the weather would start to cool down, and it would be just right to sell them seasonally.
After transporting the fabric back in two trips with Wang Aixiang, Chen Lishu left. She didn’t go straight home but first went to the market.
She was lucky today and actually saw fish for sale.
“Freshly caught from the river this morning. Look at this size, still jumping. Don’t all rush. Those who want it, bring your money and purchase book and line up at the back!”
Thinking of the copper pot at home, it had been put away after being used twice for hot pot since it was bought. The fish looked like it was at least four or five catties heavy. It would be perfect for a fish pot.
With that in mind, Chen Lishu quickly joined the queue with everyone else.
Fortunately, large fish were generally too expensive for most people to buy. When it was her turn, there was still one left. Seeing a small fish about the size of a palm next to it, Chen Lishu bought that one too, planning to improve the diet of ‘Da Wang’ when she got back.
…
“Comrade Lu, I’m not disturbing your work, am I?” Lin Xiaohui said somewhat shyly, looking at the tall and handsome figure in front of her.
“No, I’m doing alright at the factory. It’s fine to leave for a short while.”
“This is the money you are owed. Thank you so much that day.” Lin Xiaohui took out the money she had borrowed from her sister Lin Xiaoyue and handed it to him.
Lu Chengming did not refuse. After taking it, he looked at his watch and smiled, saying, “I know a good restaurant. How about I treat you to a meal?”
Go to a restaurant for a meal? Lin Xiaohui had never eaten in a restaurant before in her life.
“This, I should be thanking you. How can I let you treat me?”
“How can I, a grown man, let you, a girl, spend money?” Lu Chengming stepped forward and led the way, “Let’s go.”
…
Chen Lishu returned home with two fish. As soon as she opened the door, she saw the elusive cat, Da Wang, standing at the entrance. Seeing her come in, it immediately tilted its little head and meowed at her twice.
Chen Lishu couldn’t help but feel amused. She bent down and tapped its forehead, “Don’t you have a nose like a dog?”
“Elder Sister, you’re back? I’ve already cooked the rice and washed the vegetables. I figured there was still some time before Brother-in-law gets off work, so I didn’t rush to stir-fry.”
Chen Lishu changed her shoes and went to the kitchen first to take a look. She found that the green peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes had already been washed and placed in basins. She smiled, “It’s good that you haven’t stir-fried. I bought fish today. Let’s have fish pot tonight, so we don’t have to find another basin to keep it in.”
Although she didn’t know what Chen Lishu meant by fish pot, just from the literal meaning, she knew they would be eating fish for dinner. Chen Liyuan was very happy. Seeing the large fish in Chen Lishu’s hand, she quickly got the biggest basin at home. “Elder Sister, you’ve been running around all day. Go and rest first. I’ll clean the fish.”
Chen Lishu nodded. It was a hot day, and she had walked quite a distance. She felt sticky and uncomfortable all over, and the moment she moved, it was unpleasant. After handing the fish to Chen Liyuan, she turned back into the room, put down her bag, and went to the bathroom to wash up.
On the training ground, the soldiers were undergoing endurance training under the scorching sun. Sweat poured down like an open faucet, dripping from their browbones onto their eyelids, passing through their eyelashes, and sliding into their eyes, causing a sharp stinging sensation. However, at most, they just blinked hard. Their posture was like pine trees, and they still stood straight.
“Alright, rest here for ten minutes.”
A voice that sounded like heavenly music sounded from behind them. The next second, they automatically gathered together.
“Weimin, I heard them say your wife brought such a big fish back today,” Wang Dazhu said in a deep voice, sharing the latest news he had obtained.