"Wages are fixed. Even if I work for a lifetime, how much can I earn? Liang Zi and I have already discussed it. We plan to start a demolition team. There are so many buildings being constructed now, this will surely be profitable."
Since the reform and opening up, the city has been undertaking a lot of infrastructure projects. It's inevitable that some troublesome individuals will emerge. Several groups have already asked him to help settle disputes through connections.
Having been in the underworld for so many years, everyone gives him some face. When the authorities can't handle something, or it's inconvenient for them to act, all he needs to do is speak a few words. He can basically get high returns without investing much money, which earns far more than collecting protection fees.
"It's good that you're doing it yourself. How long have you been self-employed? The money you've made is more than your annual salary for several years. Being a formal employee only sounds good, there's nothing to miss."
"Forget it, do whatever you want." Zhao Hong could never change Jin Kun's decisions. Feeling annoyed, Zhao Hong left the room after saying a word.
In June, the days are getting longer. It's past six in the evening, and the sky is still bright.
Zhao Hong walked aimlessly on the street alone. As she walked, she looked up and realized she had unknowingly reached the Lu family's doorstep. The sky outside had already begun to darken.
Lu Chengming was now married to Lin Xiaohui and even had a son. Looking at the home she had lived in for years, and thinking back on the times she had with Lu Chengming, Zhao Hong was filled with mixed emotions.
"Zhao Hong?" The voice from behind startled Zhao Hong, who was lost in memories. She turned to see that it was Lu Chengming. Looking at his familiar features, Zhao Hong's eyes couldn't help but well up.
"Chengming."
Lu Chengming hadn't expected to see Zhao Hong here. However, seeing her appear at his doorstep, he understood everything. She must have missed him and come to see him, but was afraid to go in.
Thinking of this, Lu Chengming felt a surge of joy. Hearing the tremor in her voice, he quickly asked with concern, "Xiao Hong, what's wrong? Your voice sounds off."
At the sound of "Xiao Hong," Zhao Hong could no longer hold back her tears of grievance and burst into tears.
This was the nickname Lu Chengming often used when they were dating, but they couldn't go back to that time now.
Seeing her crying heartbrokenly, Lu Chengming asked, "Did that bastard surnamed Jin bully you? Wait here, I'll stand up for you and settle the score with him."
With that, Lu Chengming turned his bicycle around and was about to ride off.
Seeing that he was really going to stand up for her, Zhao Hong quickly stepped forward and stopped him. "Chengming, I'm fine. No one bullied me. Don't go."
Jin Kun was the most ruthless person. If Lu Chengming went, he would surely suffer.
It was merely a show of intent, and with Zhao Hong stopping him, Lu Chengming didn't insist further. "Then wait for me. I'll take the bike home and come back to keep you company."
Zhao Hong wiped her tears and looked up. "Will your wife agree?"
Looking at her tear-streaked face, Lu Chengming felt a pang of tenderness. "Don't worry. She took the baby to her sister's house. Even if she were here, she couldn't say anything if I accompanied you."
Zhao Hong bit her lip. "Chengming, you're so good to me."
...
The next day, Chen Lishu took some time to take the finished clothes to the store. Wang Aixiang saw her come in and quickly leaned over with a curious expression. "Could this be the work clothes Chun Sheng's brother mentioned? Didn't he say there were characters on top? Huh, you took them off, sis? I must say, these flowers are quite pretty."
Even Wang Aixiang couldn't tell anything, which put Chen Lishu at ease.
"Sister Aixiang, do you think someone would buy a piece of clothing like this for fourteen?"
The "Qilixin" shirts sold at the department store and other supply and marketing cooperatives were fifteen or sixteen. The style of these work clothes was really not very attractive, so Chen Lishu was thinking of selling them for a dollar or two less.
"Yes, just for the flower on your chest, someone will definitely buy it."
As Wang Aixiang spoke, she put the altered piece Chen Lishu had modified onto a mannequin. It did look quite good paired with dark blue bell-bottom pants.
"Sister Aixiang, these are quite easy to alter. I tried yesterday. If the pattern is drawn beforehand, I can finish one in half an hour."
"Sister Huang, who makes swimsuits, has good skills and is steady. There's no seersucker fabric for now. Ask her if she's willing to do this. The processing fee is two mao per piece."
Wang Aixiang smiled. "She asked me a couple of days ago. I said if there was work, I'd definitely find her. And now the work has come."
After briefing Wang Aixiang, Chen Lishu prepared to return to school. She had two classes in the afternoon.
As soon as she left the store, she saw Lu Chengming push open the door of the 'Xiao Hong' Ready-to-Wear store. Although they were far apart, Chen Lishu recognized him at a glance.
Lu Chengming had clearly seen her too. Seeing her look over, he instinctively shrunk back inside and retreated into the store.
Chen Lishu knew that the 'Xiao Hong' Ready-to-Wear store was opened by Zhao Hong. However, she wasn't often in the store, and they didn't interact much. They hadn't spoken since Zhao Hong took over the store.
Seeing Lu Chengming's guilty demeanor, it was obvious that something illicit was going on between him and Zhao Hong.
However, what happened between them had nothing to do with Chen Lishu, so she pretended not to have seen anything and took the bus back to school.
Lu Chengming, however, felt a bit uneasy. According to Lin Xiaohui, Chen Lishu was very close to her sister's family. Now that Lin Xiaohui and he were having a disagreement, if Chen Lishu were to mention it, they would surely argue again, given Lin Xiaohui's temper.
"I just saw Chen Lishu coming out of the store. It's really bad luck to run into such a jinx." Lu Chengming said to Zhao Hong with great annoyance.
"Nothing happened between us, so it doesn't matter if we ran into each other," Zhao Hong said indifferently. She and Chen Lishu ran their own businesses. There was long-standing resentment between them. Even if they passed by each other on the street, they might not even say hello.
"She's good friends with my elder sister. I'm afraid it will reach Xiaohui's ears."
Zhao Hong's expression turned displeased. "What are you going to do then?"
"I should go pick her up first."
Zhao Hong said, "Go ahead. And never step into my store again."
Lu Chengming quickly stepped forward and plastered on a smile. "Look, I'm picking her up to take care of the child. If it weren't for the child, do you think I'd want her?"
Zhao Hong's expression finally improved a bit.
...
The batch of altered work clothes sold quite well. Not long after, Chen Lishu went to the riverside market again to find Dong Ji'an. This time, she directly ordered fifty yuan worth of sequins. After paying, she asked him to deliver the goods directly to the store.
On the way back, when the bus announced "City First Hospital," Chen Lishu's heart stirred, and she got off.
The City First Hospital was renowned for its medical standards throughout the province. Chen Lishu decided to get another check-up.
There weren't many people seeking medical attention at the hospital. She had registered for the gynecology department. Pregnancy check-ups weren't as emphasized back then, so Chen Lishu had been waiting for less than five minutes at the door when she heard a young nurse come out of the consultation room calling her name: "Chen Lishu?"