Chen Lishu had been observing his expression, and now she stopped beating around the bush. She used her body to block his view for a moment and quickly slipped the cigarette she was holding into the gatekeeper's pocket.
"Uncle, we won't hide it from you. We just want to buy some scrap cloth. If you have a connection, could you help us get started?"
The gatekeeper was startled by her actions at first, but then he became happy when he realized it was a pack of cigarettes. He smiled at Chen Lishu and said, "You clever girl, so you came to get information out of me."
Chen Lishu smiled, "It's a matter of necessity, I hope you can take care of us."
"It's this cold weather, you two should come inside and warm up by the stove first. I'll go say something for you. Whether there is any or not, I can't promise."
It's better to state the unpleasant facts upfront to avoid future complaints.
Zhang Qin watched the gatekeeper leave and then thought about Chen Lishu's actions just now. At this moment, she looked at her as if seeing her for the first time.
Soon, the gatekeeper returned with empty hands.
Before Chen Lishu and Zhang Qin could feel disappointed, he said, "Go to the back of the factory in half an hour. There's a small gate there, and someone will be waiting. Mention my name, and she'll know."
Then the uncle told them his name: Chen Xiangfa.
Chen Lishu heard that he was also surnamed Chen, and immediately smiled, "I didn't expect to be of the same clan as you, Uncle. I hope you'll take care of me more in the future."
When he went out earlier, he had specifically looked and knew that this brand of cigarettes was sold for fifty cents a pack at the supply and marketing cooperative. He usually couldn't afford it and only smoked cigarettes that cost twenty cents a pack.
Moreover, from everything that had happened since they met, he knew in his heart that Chen Lishu was a steady and thoughtful girl. He had a very good impression of her.
"Don't worry. I've specifically spoken to my niece and told her to give you more large pieces of cloth." Chen Xiangfa said with a smile.
Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye. Chen Lishu and Zhang Qin followed Chen Xiangfa's instructions to the back gate and indeed saw a woman in her twenties wearing a factory uniform standing at the entrance, peering outwards. A large nylon bag was placed at her feet.
Chen Lishu quickly walked two steps forward and stated Chen Xiangfa's name. The woman then kicked the bag at her feet, saying, "These are all sold by the jin. They cost one jiao per jin. How much do you want?"
"Can I see the quality?" Although it was cheap, she wasn't sure if it could be used, so Chen Lishu wanted to check the situation first.
"Hurry up, I can't leave for too long." The woman seemed a bit anxious.
Chen Lishu nodded, reached out to open the nylon bag, and saw mostly scrap cloth pieces no bigger than a palm and two fingers wide, with occasional larger pieces of cloth almost as long as her arm. Knowing that Chen Xiangfa hadn't lied to her, she was very happy.
"Comrade, I'll take all of these."
The woman, Liu Xiaoting, was stunned when she heard her words, "These are almost fifty jin. You want all of them?"
Chen Lishu nodded and readily took out five yuan. Seeing that Liu Xiaoting was about to give her change, she quickly stopped her.
"I see there are some large pieces of cloth here too. I'll have to trouble you more in the future, Sister Liu. Consider this as buying you candy."
Although three or five jiao wasn't much for her as a clothing factory employee, Liu Xiaoting was very happy to see that she was thoughtful.
"Alright. If you need anything next time, look for my uncle at the gate. I'll definitely save some better ones for you."
After thanking Liu Xiaoting repeatedly and seeing her leave, the two sisters-in-law carried the bag and walked back.
Zhang Qin had adapted somewhat by now. Carrying the bag, she felt only deep admiration for Chen Lishu.
She had seen it all just now. That kind of cloth was called scrap cloth in the city, but it was a treasure in the countryside.
When they passed by the supply and marketing store, Chen Lishu went in again and bought two meters of elastic band. It cost fifty cents in total.
Since she wasn't sure how the business would go, she didn't buy too much.
"What if someone asks when we get on the cart later?" Zhang Qin suddenly became nervous as they neared their destination.
"Let's tie it up tightly and say it's something from relatives if anyone asks. We don't want this rubbish."
"What if they ask which relative?" They all lived in the same village and basically knew who had relatives.
"Just say it's from second sister-in-law's distant relatives," Chen Lishu replied after thinking.
She and Zhang Qin were from the same village. Liu Yuemin, however, was different; her maiden home was a bit far from Qingshan Village. No one would know if they mentioned her.
Indeed, most people on the cart had already returned, with only the two sisters-in-law left. Seeing them carrying a large bag, everyone came over to inquire. Zhang Qin couldn't lie and blushed before even speaking. Chen Lishu smilingly dealt with everyone one by one.
"Which of Yuemin's relatives is it? I don't know any of them!" Widow Liu's eyes were filled with curiosity as she looked at the bulging bag, her heart filled with an insatiable desire to know. She seemed to have forgotten the unpleasantness of the morning and leaned closer to probe further.
"Aunt Liu, are you a census taker?" Chen Lishu said coldly and indifferently.
"Hmph! Bringing all sorts of rubbish home. Such a poor and pretentious appearance!"
Chen Lishu didn't want to deal with her. She pulled her scarf up and closed her eyes to rest.
Soon, the horse-drawn cart entered the village entrance just before it got completely dark. After saying hello to familiar faces, the two sisters-in-law took their things and went home.
Just as they entered the courtyard, Widow Liu, who had been following them, also wanted to come in. Chen Lishu quickly and deftly closed the courtyard gate, "It's getting dark, Aunt Liu. Hurry home and cook."
"I'm not in a hurry to cook."
Chen Lishu latched the courtyard gate with a click, "My family is in a hurry." After saying that, she walked away.
"You little brat, what are you so arrogant about? You were bought with Gu family's money anyway. What unspeakable things might you have done..."
Before she could finish speaking, Chen Lishu, who was about to enter the house, suddenly bent down. When she straightened up, she abruptly turned her head. Widow Liu felt a white shadow flying towards her rapidly. Before she could react, a snowball heavily hit her nose. The snowball was packed too tightly, and the pain made her cry out "Oh my!" immediately.
Li Xiulan, who was anxiously waiting inside, heard the sound and came out. Seeing her two daughters-in-law carrying so many things, she exclaimed in surprise, "What did you buy?"
Chen Lishu quickly shushed her, afraid Widow Liu was still there, and said softly, "Mom, let's talk inside."
Seeing that there was something to discuss, Li Xiulan didn't ask further and quickly urged the two to come in for dinner.
Having not eaten since morning, Chen Lishu and Zhang Qin couldn't help but feel hungry at the smell of food.
"Eldest sister-in-law, third sister-in-law, what did you buy?" Liu Yuemin was the first to come over after enduring her curiosity and finishing her meal and tidying up.
The gazes of the others also turned to them curiously.
Chen Lishu got up and opened the nylon bag, revealing the scrap cloth pieces filling it.
"Oh my goodness, so much cloth! Where did you get it?" Liu Yuemin exclaimed as she reached in and rummaged through it. She actually saw several large pieces of cloth. If nothing else, they were definitely enough to make a set of clothes for Gu Lin and Gu Ming.
"Third sister-in-law, where did you get so many scrap cloths?" Gu Xingping's eyes were fixed on the small floral pieces of cloth in the bag.