Five hundred yuan was entirely handed over to Hu Si'er and Lin Da Zhong to handle. They could find a few people and Chen Li Shu would not interfere. Even if it was just the two of them, as long as the work was completed within the agreed time, they would split it fifty-fifty.
Hu Si'er and Lin Da Zhong exchanged a look, seeing excitement in each other's eyes.
As they were leaving, Chen Li Shu suddenly remembered something and said, "When you organize the road construction, remember to ask my uncle's family's Chen Bao Zhu to join. No special treatment is needed. If there's any slacking, just record it and deduct it from his settlement. If he's caught slacking more than three times, fire him directly."
Even though Chen Li Shu said this, Hu Si'er and Lin Da Zhong still had some reservations, "But, he is your elder brother after all. What if..."
"This is work. There are no favors. Entrusting this to you two is a sign of my trust. Treat him the same as you would treat anyone else, don't be polite."
With Chen Li Shu's words, the two were completely relieved.
After the three parted ways, Hu Si'er and Lin Da Zhong went to organize manpower in the village to start work. Chen Li Shu did not go home; instead, she headed straight to town.
With less than half a month left before the New Year, although she didn't have much money, everyone had worked hard for a year. The bonuses that should be given could not be missed.
...
Xie Da Ni arrived at the shop early as usual. Although it was only a little past seven in the morning, if a customer came, she could sell one more piece of clothing.
After opening the shop door, Xie Da Ni first lit the stove and then started cleaning. Before long, customers began to arrive.
Before the New Year was the time when everyone's desire to buy was at its peak. Regardless of whether they had money or not, every household had to prepare something new for good luck and to boost morale.
The clothing sales had been good these past two days. She had even sold two cashmere sweaters.
After serving two customers, Xie Da Ni was just about to put the money into the counter when she heard the shop door bang open. Knowing another customer had arrived, she quickly closed the drawer. Xie Da Ni looked up and saw a young girl, about twenty years old. She immediately smiled and said, "Hello, welcome!"
Li Fang did not reply but stared intently at the dark and sallow face behind the counter. She hadn't expected Chen Li Shu to recruit a new employee so quickly.
After resigning from the shop that day, Li Fang had been waiting at home for Zhao De You's parents to arrange a job for her. However, after waiting for several days, there was still no news. Li Fang became anxious and urged Zhao De You several times, but he just kept making excuses to push her off.
Later, Li Fang found out by inquiring that Zhao De You's parents had given the job opportunity to Zhao De You's sister, who had only just graduated from junior high school. The two had a big argument over this and broke up.
With no job and no boyfriend, Li Fang was completely panicked. She thought Chen Li Shu probably hadn't hired anyone yet, so she could return to work. To her surprise, when she entered the shop, she found a new face had appeared.
"Comrade, what would you like to buy? Do you need me to introduce you to anything?" Xie Da Ni, seeing her staring at her for a long time without saying what she wanted to buy, couldn't help but ask again.
As soon as Xie Da Ni spoke, Li Fang frowned in disdain. Not only was this person plain, but her speech also carried a rustic accent. She really didn't know what Chen Li Shu was thinking, to even hire someone like this into the shop.
However, Li Fang didn't remain disgusted for long. She soon became happy again. Since Chen Li Shu could hire someone like this, it meant she was truly unable to find anyone else. In any aspect, this rustic person was no match for her. If she proposed to return to work at this time, Chen Li Shu would surely be overjoyed, and this person would definitely be sent home.
With this thought, Li Fang looked at Xie Da Ni again, her eyes filled with not only disdain but also a hint of pity.
"I'm not buying anything. I'm a sales assistant in this shop. I took a leave of absence a few days ago due to family matters. You must be a temporary replacement hired by Sister Chen, right?"
Li Fang very naturally went behind the counter and even unceremoniously pushed Xie Da Ni aside.
"Sister Chen didn't tell me I was a temporary replacement." Xie Da Ni felt flustered. In her haste, her accent became even heavier.
Li Fang smiled and kindly explained to her, "Are you stupid? How could Sister Chen tell you the truth? If she only said it was for a few days, would she be able to find anyone?"
Xie Da Ni stopped talking but stubbornly remained by the counter.
"Don't just stand here. I'm here now, you can go back first." Li Fang reached out, gesturing for her to move away from the counter.
Seeing her as someone easy to bully, it would be best if she turned around and left in anger, so that when Chen Li Shu arrived, she would have more to say.
Xie Da Ni took a step back, but still insisted on standing by the counter, "Sister Chen hired me. She didn't tell me to leave, so I can't leave."
"Why are you so stubborn? Look at what you're wearing. We sell clothes, and your outfit is not only plain but also patched. And your speech, the accent is even more rustic than your clothes. Look at what I'm wearing. I've been working in this shop for over a year. I can tell right from wrong. I'm kindly reminding you, when Sister Chen comes, you'll be even more embarrassed than this."
No matter how Li Fang insulted her, Xie Da Ni just stood there awkwardly, refusing to leave.
"Fine, since you're ungrateful, there's nothing I can do. If you want to stand, then stand. But please move aside and don't obstruct my work."
Seeing the shop door open and a customer walk in, Li Fang directly bypassed Xie Da Ni and rushed forward, smiling and introducing, "Hello, welcome! What style of clothes would you like? I can help you find something..."
After arriving in town, Chen Li Shu first went to the small courtyard. Lin Qi was inventorying goods. Seeing her enter, he smiled and called out, "Sister Chen."
Chen Li Shu nodded, "Since you're here, I have something to discuss with you."
Lin Qi stopped what he was doing. The two went to sit on a sofa nearby. "Sister Chen, please tell me what's on your mind."
"It's the end of the year, and everyone has worked hard for a year. I was thinking of giving everyone some benefits and bonuses."
Lin Qi, "Will it be fabric and money like last year?"
Chen Li Shu smiled, "It's not easy to get other things. Since fabric is something everyone needs, that's good. However, I want to increase the bonus a bit compared to last year. Everyone else will get one hundred yuan each, and you and Aunt Yuan have worked hard this year, so you'll each get two hundred yuan."
After explaining everything that needed to be communicated to Lin Qi, Chen Li Shu left the courtyard. Thinking of Xie Da Ni, whom she had just hired, she felt a little uneasy and decided to go to the shop to check on her.
...
With Xie Da Ni present, Li Fang felt a sense of urgency. She became even more diligent in selling clothes. Before long, she successfully sold a piece of clothing. Li Fang couldn't help but cast a triumphant glance at Xie Da Ni, who had already retreated to the wall.
"You're standing there blocking the clothes behind you. How can customers choose clothes when they come in? Don't just stand there like a wooden post. Here, do you see that spot next to the fitting room? Why don't you stand there instead?"