"Today I've called everyone here to officially inform you that our brigade will also be implementing the household-based contract responsibility system. Some of you might ask, what is the household-based contract responsibility system? From the sound of it, you can probably understand..."
Zhang Changhe first carefully explained the meaning of contracting to households, then solicited opinions on several issues.
"After all, we are a collective. Now that we are separating, some matters require everyone's cooperation to be completed faster and better. The first thing is to re-measure the land. If we are to divide the land, it must be fair and just. Let's see if each household can send someone out. We will strive to measure the land as quickly as possible."
No one had any objections to this, and they all agreed to send representatives.
"Another thing is the livestock and farming tools in the brigade. These are all collective property. According to our brigade's discussion, after dividing the land, we can change from the original three production teams to several families sharing a set of tools."
As soon as Zhang Changhe finished speaking, discussions erupted below.
Widow Liu's eyes darted around, and she loudly asked, "Secretary, if several families share, where will the livestock and tools be kept?"
If it was kept at someone's house, it would be theirs. She was certainly going to grab a set first.
She wasn't the only one with this idea. Keeping the livestock and tools at someone's house would only add a little fodder, but having the livestock at your own home meant you had the final say.
"Our village now has a total of 145 households. How about we group them into units of five households? They can decide among themselves whose house the livestock and tools will be kept at," suggested the head of the brigade, Sun Yuzhu.
They had been neighbors for decades, and other brigades had implemented this system, so their brigade should not have much trouble.
Zhang Changhe felt this suggestion was feasible and nodded in agreement. "The matter hasn't been finalized yet. You can all go back and discuss it. If you have any better suggestions, we can discuss them then."
"The brigade leader just said grouping into units of five households, how will it be divided? Won't it be left and right neighbors? Then we'll have to be in a group with the Liu family?"
The thought of dealing with Widow Liu's family from now on made Liu Yuemin's first reaction a refusal.
Widow Liu was troublesome and unreasonable, and Li Xiulan and Zhang Qin were also unwilling.
"Didn't they say it's not decided yet? Let's wait until your dad and the others come back, and we'll all discuss it before deciding what to do."
"What's there to discuss? The horse and tools must be kept at our house, otherwise, I won't feel at ease with them being kept anywhere else."
Suddenly, Widow Liu interjected from the side, her chin slightly raised, her expression full of defiance.
Liu Yuemin: "You say they should be kept at your house, but you have to ask the other families if they agree, right?"
"I don't care if they agree or not. If they don't agree, I'll make sure this land division falls through."
She knew her own sons. During the "iron rice bowl" era, their family could slack off a bit. As long as her two sons worked, no matter how poorly, they would get work points. Now that the land was actually being divided, she would have to do all the work herself.
Since she wouldn't benefit, Widow Liu had no intention of letting the land be divided.
Li Xiulan scoffed, "Wang Juhua, you're really getting thicker-skinned with age. By what right do the tools have to be kept at your house? Do you really think you're that important? You think the land won't be divided just because you say so? What are you?"
"Hmph, we'll see about that," Widow Liu said, then, as if deliberately to provoke them, she walked away with a sway of her body.
Li Xiulan was furious, "Look at her obnoxious behavior."
Chen Lishu advised, "It's okay, Mom. There's no need to get angry with people like that. Besides, it's not up to her alone where the livestock will be kept. There are other families too."
Li Xiulan thought about it and agreed. The other families would surely not let Widow Liu act recklessly.
In the evening, Gu Shouf and the others returned. Although they already knew about the land division, they were still very happy when it was finally implemented. Gu Shouf proactively said, "Measuring the land is a major event that cannot be delayed. Since each family is sending someone, I'll go from tomorrow onwards. You brothers should continue collecting the grain."
The matter was thus settled. The next day, after breakfast, Gu Shouf went with the villagers to measure the land. The three brothers Gu Xingguo continued to collect grain, while Chen Lishu went to town.
"Sister Chen."
Lin Qi had just opened the shop door not long ago when she saw Chen Lishu enter and called out.
"Have there been any applicants?"
Lin Qi nodded, "There were a few who inquired about the situation, but in the end, none of them followed through."
Chen Lishu nodded and said nothing more.
After all, it was working for her as a private business owner. In the eyes of others, no matter how much money they earned, it couldn't compare to a formal job.
"I'll go check on Zhou Bin and Nan Haitian later. They interact with more people, so I'll have them help me inquire."
As they were talking, the shop door was suddenly pushed open from the outside, and a girl with a round face, large eyes, and two braided pigtails came in.
"Hello, welcome." Chen Lishu smiled and said, "Feel free to pick whatever you like. We have fitting rooms, and you can try them on for free."
The girl didn't speak immediately. She first shyly looked around the shop and then timidly said, "I, I saw the recruitment notice on the door?"
Chen Lishu quickly nodded, "Yes, we are recruiting, we're hiring sales assistants."
The girl's hesitant gaze finally landed on Chen Lishu. "Do you think I'm suitable?"
"What's your name? How old are you?"
"My name is Xie Dani. I'll be eighteen by the New Year. I can endure any hardship, as long as I'm provided with food and lodging."
After asking a few more questions, Chen Lishu learned that Xie Dani was not from this area. Her parents had died early, and she came to live with her uncle and aunt. However, her uncle and aunt considered her a burden and kicked her out directly.
"I'm sorry, we don't provide room and board here."
Upon hearing Chen Lishu's words, Xie Dani's eyes dimmed. After being kicked out, she only had two yuan. For the past two days, she had been sleeping in the hospital. If she couldn't find a job soon, she might really have to beg.
Before she could turn away in disappointment, Chen Lishu continued, "However, you can try working for a day first. If both parties are satisfied, I can advance you half a month's salary."
Xie Dani's eyes instantly welled up with tears of excitement, and she nodded repeatedly, "I promise I can do a good job."
Thus, Xie Dani was temporarily hired. Chen Lishu looked at Lin Qi, "You go ahead and get busy. I'll train her first. You can come back to take over in the afternoon."
It got dark early, and for safety, Chen Lishu had to leave early.
"Alright, Sister Chen, I'm leaving now." Lin Qi responded and turned to leave the shop.
Afterward, Chen Lishu explained the sales assistant's workflow and precautions to Xie Dani.
"The most important thing is to pay attention to your service attitude. You must always greet customers with a smile. They are here to spend money, not to be looked down upon."
Xie Dani nodded, "I understand."
Seeing her constantly using "俺" (ǎn), Chen Lishu's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. She emphasized again, "I'm not forcing you to speak Mandarin, but when you face customers, you absolutely cannot be in this state."
Xie Dani immediately nodded, "Yes, I, I will definitely change."