The widow Liu had always been greedy, but who knew that Wu Chunmei, upon hearing she could have a son, agreed to the price without haggling and immediately paid. The widow Liu’s mouth couldn’t help but curve upwards. It seemed her guess was spot on this time.
“It’s not feasible to give it to you now. After all, what if I give you the medicine, and you don’t pay the remaining amount?”
Seeing Wu Chunmei’s anxiety, Widow Liu quickly appeased her, “Auntie, don’t rush. This money you’ve paid is considered a deposit. I guarantee I’ll keep the medicine for you. Just pay the rest as soon as possible, and I’ll give you the medicine right away.”
...
After settling her accounts with Nan Haitao, Chen Lishu found herself with money and coupons. As the weather gradually warmed, in addition to continuing her ‘fake collar’ business, she also began to venture into making clothing.
She first went to the department store to look at fabrics. Chen Lishu fancied a herringbone tweed, but the fabric only came in dark grey and dark blue, and the supply was limited, with only a little over one bolt of each color. The price wasn't cheap, one yuan and fifty per foot, and it required full coupon redemption.
Chen Lishu did some mental calculations. A short jacket with a suit collar would require about five to six feet of fabric. Including the acrylic buttons, each jacket would cost around ten yuan. However, hers would be unique in the market, so Chen Lishu decided not to require coupons and set the price at twenty yuan.
After buying the fabric, Chen Lishu returned home and first tried cutting and making a piece for herself. After sewing it, she felt it was a bit too plain, so she used black fabric to add a thin piping along the edges. Once finished, she tried it on in front of the mirror and was quite satisfied.
Seeing that it was almost time for Gu Xingping to return from school, Chen Lishu took off the garment to cook.
The next day, she first called Nan Haitao, agreed on a time and place, and then took the finished garment to the department store.
Nan Haitao looked at the unfolded garment in front of him, his eyes widening in surprise. “Did you really make this?”
He then seemed to realize his words might be misconstrued and quickly added with a smile, “Don’t misunderstand. I was just surprised because, well, it’s truly beautiful.”
Chen Lishu understood. He was surprised that a woman from the countryside like herself could produce such a garment. However, she didn’t offer further explanation, simply looking at Nan Haitao and waiting for his decision.
“How much are you planning to sell it for this time?”
“Twenty yuan each without coupons. If you buy more, I can give you a discount to eighteen.”
“Eighteen?”
Nan Haitao chuckled softly. “I assume you bought this fabric from our store, right? And as far as I know, only four bolts of this herringbone tweed arrived this time. Deducting what’s already sold, you should have less than two or three bolts left.
Nan Haitao paused before continuing, “Assuming each garment requires at least five feet of fabric, what’s the maximum number of pieces you can provide me with? With only thirty-something jackets, you only make two yuan profit per piece. For a few dozen yuan, I have to bear the risk of being discovered at any time. This business doesn’t seem very profitable, does it?”
Chen Lishu remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
Seeing her calm and composed expression, Nan Haitao, who had been leaning back in his chair, found himself sitting up straighter. This time, he genuinely felt a sense of admiration for the young and beautiful woman before him.
In reality, Chen Lishu’s lack of a strong reaction was entirely due to Nan Haitao stating facts. If it were her, she might also have considered the deal unfavorable. However, she had already made up her mind. Given the limited quantity, she wouldn’t budge on the price. If the deal fell through, it wouldn’t be a big deal; at most, she would just have to go to a few more places and spend a little more time.
“How about this? I’ll provide the fabric, you’ll do the manufacturing, and I’ll handle the sales. The profit will be split fifty-fifty. What do you think?”
Fifty-fifty? That would mean she would only earn about two yuan per garment. Wouldn’t that be equivalent to just earning a processing fee?
Chen Lishu’s smile faded. She looked up and said seriously, “Thirty-seventy, as the design is mine.”
“I’m providing the fabric and the sales channels. You should be aware of the risks involved, shouldn’t you?”
Chen Lishu argued, “Excellent design is also crucial for a garment. After all, ordinary styles are everywhere on the streets. What do you say?”
Nan Haitao clasped his hands on the table in front of him, looking at Chen Lishu, and chuckled, “Then it seems we won’t be able to come to an agreement this time?”
Chen Lishu smiled politely. “It’s alright. I hope we have the chance to cooperate again next time.” With that, she reached for the garment on the table. As her fingers just touched it, a slender hand from the side stopped her.
Their warm skin made contact, and Chen Lishu instantly recoiled as if scalded, swiftly withdrawing her hand.
“My apologies,” Nan Haitao said slowly, withdrawing his hand. His fingertips seemed to still retain a soft, warm sensation. Nan Haitao unnoticeably clenched his fist, then lightly coughed into his mouth, “I’ve reconsidered. Let’s go with your three-seven split.”
Chen Lishu paused for a moment, then let out a quiet scoff in her mind. This trick again? The last time with the sewing machine purchase, and now this cooperation negotiation.
“Alright,” Chen Lishu nodded, not bothering to dwell on his intentions.
Afterward, they discussed the specific details and finalized when to pick up the fabric and the monthly supply quantity. Chen Lishu then took her leave. As she was about to exit, she suddenly turned back and asked, “Manager Nan, have you ever been beaten before?”
Nan Haitao blinked, looking up in surprise. “What?”
Chen Lishu smiled and shook her head. “It’s nothing.”
Nan Haitao: “…”
After leaving the department store, Chen Lishu found Zhou Bin standing at her doorstep when she returned home.
“Brother Zhou, how long have you been here?” Chen Lishu quickened her pace, took out her key to open the door, and invited him in.
“I just arrived not long ago,” Zhou Bin said with a smile.
Chen Lishu invited him inside and was about to pour him water when Zhou Bin stopped her. “I came today to ask if you’re still doing the ‘fake collar’ business, little sister. I’ll be going to another county in a while, and I have a good friend there, so I’d like to bring some along.”
The thirty sets of finished garments he bought from Chen Lishu before the new year required a lot of fabric coupons, and they hadn’t sold very well. Therefore, he decided to continue selling ‘fake collars,’ as they didn’t require coupons, and he was already familiar with the process.
“How many do you want, Brother Zhou?” Chen Lishu asked.
After all, she had already agreed to supply Nan Haitao with at least thirty finished garments per month. If Zhou Bin wanted too many, she was afraid she wouldn’t have enough time.
“Let’s start with fifty pieces. The deadline from my unit is a week from now.”
Chen Lishu frowned upon hearing his words. Fifty pieces in a week. If it weren’t for Nan Haitao’s order, with Zhang Qin and the others helping, she might have been able to manage. But now…
“What’s wrong? Do you have some difficulty, little sister?”
“No,” Chen Lishu shook her head. “Don’t worry, Brother Zhou. You can pick them up in a week.”
Fifty pieces, while not a small amount, could still be made within a week with some effort. As for Nan Haitao’s order, she could simply step up her pace later.