Five thousand items. They were promoting learning from Comrade Lei Feng everywhere, volunteering to serve society. This was definitely a chance for the district to gain face. If not now, when?
If Chen Li Shu had left her contact information, he could have brought people directly to her door.
City leaders were to be invited, as well as the newspaper and television stations. All necessary preparations were to be made.
Time flew by. It was the next day. Early in the morning, district leaders arrived at the Youth League Association. After a night of reflection, their initial excitement had subsided quite a bit.
As time passed, it was nearly nine in the morning. Staff from major provincial and city newspapers and television stations had all arrived, even city leaders were present. However, there was still no news from Chen Li Shu's side.
"For such a glorious occasion, I've already made the announcements and invited everyone who could be invited. Won't she go back on her word at the last minute?"
Seeing that the people were late, the district leaders grew increasingly uneasy and anxious.
Liu Ming Liang said with great certainty, "She wouldn't. Although Comrade Chen didn't leave her contact information or address, she mentioned she was a graduate of the Provincial Normal College. This kind of thing can be easily investigated. Moreover, her words at the time showed she is a person with very high ideological awareness. I can guarantee with my character that she won't go back on her word."
Hearing him say this, the district leader felt much relieved.
"They're here! The trucks are here. They're bringing trucks," a staff member spotted the approaching trucks and quickly returned to report.
The district leader's eyes lit up and he hurried to meet them with his people.
Chen Li Shu knew there would likely be many people, but she hadn't expected so many. She was momentarily stunned.
"Comrade Chen Li Shu, this is District Chief Sun of our district, and various leaders from the city," Liu Ming Liang quickly introduced her.
"Hello, District Chief Sun. Hello, esteemed leaders," Chen Li Shu quickly regained her composure and began greeting the leaders.
"Young and promising, young and promising!" one of them praised with a smile.
Another leader said, "To have such awareness at such a young age. I heard from Xiao Liu that you are also a university student from the Normal College. At first, I thought it was a shame for you to be in private business. But now, it seems that any profession can produce outstanding individuals. You've donated five thousand pieces of clothing all at once. This time, besides the disaster-stricken areas, there are also teachers supporting education, aren't there?"
Chen Li Shu looked at the leaders in front of her and the five or six reporters beside them. She knew this donation would cause quite a stir, but she never expected the newspaper and television personnel to be mobilized.
Although she still felt a little nervous, this was not her first time being interviewed. Facing the cameras, she answered the leaders' questions generously.
"Yes, although I am a private business owner, I have also founded my own brand, 'Shu Se.' This time, I specifically designed a cultural shirt with the theme 'Youth Without Regrets' for young comrades who cherish their dreams. This clothing is not for profit, and I myself will not accept any fees. All of it will be donated free of charge to disaster areas and teaching support personnel. For anyone who steals the style of this clothing for profit, I will definitely pursue legal responsibility!"
"May I ask Comrade Chen Li Shu, what made you decide to give up good employment opportunities and choose to go into private business?" a reporter asked.
Chen Li Shu replied, "Work itself has no high or low status, only different divisions of labor..."
"Comrade Chen Li Shu, could you show us the clothes you're donating? I heard there are as many as five thousand pieces. You are truly a role model for our generation."
Chen Li Shu smiled, "I dare not accept such praise. I am merely doing my best to contribute to society. As the saying goes, good deeds are not measured by size, only by the act itself."
Zhao Xing Wang, standing nearby, knew this was a good opportunity to promote his brand. Hearing someone ask to see the samples, he quickly fetched a few cultural shirts from the truck and displayed them for everyone to see.
The interview lasted for about ten minutes, and then everyone started unloading the goods from the trucks.
And so, in an era when advertising on television was charged by the second, Chen Li Shu became famous, along with her brand 'Shu Se,' simply because of this one decision.
"Detestable!"
Fu Hong Xin watched the interview on television and was so angry he almost smashed the TV.
This blasted Chen, she was pushing him to a dead end!
It was one thing to donate five thousand pieces of clothing without charging a cent, but she even threatened legal action against anyone who copied her design for sale.
Initially, Fu Hong Xin wasn't afraid of her statement. But now that she had said it in front of the entire nation, with several leaders present, anyone with eyes could see that the leaders were setting an example. If he made any move now, it would be like walking into a firing line.
"Manager, those clients who placed orders with us earlier are here to cancel, and they're demanding their deposits back," Xiao Li suddenly rushed over in a panic.
Fu Hong Xin said with a displeased expression, "Why return deposits? The contracts have already been signed. Don't they know that if they breach the contract, I don't have to return the deposit?"
Xiao Li replied, "I told them the same thing, but they said that you were originally copying the design, and that person on television even said she would pursue legal responsibility. They dare not sell it. If we don't return the deposit, they'll call the police."
Xiao Li felt his intestines were turning green with regret.
He was a salesman for the state-run cotton mill. Back then, he was blinded by the profits promised by Fu Hong Xin and helped him sell the designs privately. As a result, he hadn't made any money and didn't even know if he could extricate himself cleanly.
"Alright, I understand. Try to stall them for a bit longer. I'll find some time to talk to that Chen person about this."
As things stood, he could only find Chen Li Shu and ask her to relent. Otherwise, twenty thousand cultural shirts would likely be stuck on his hands.
Just as Fu Hong Xin finished speaking, the phone at his home rang. He walked to the table and picked up the receiver.
It was Director Xu from the city's garment factory.
"Manager Fu, have you seen the news on television? We had an agreement back then. Now that so much has been produced, this situation has arisen. Not only have we not made any money, but these goods cannot be sold at all. The money you paid isn't even enough for me to buy the raw materials. What do you think we should do about this?"
Fu Hong Xin's forehead began to break out in a sweat. "Director Xu, please give me two more days. I will definitely give you a satisfactory answer."
"Then I'll trust you one more time. But let's be clear, if they truly cannot be sold in the end, all the losses must be borne by you alone."
After hanging up the phone, Fu Hong Xin's expression turned extremely grim.
A compensation of twenty thousand pieces meant sixty thousand yuan. Even if he used all his assets, it would be like a drop in the ocean.
At this point, the person who tied the knot must untie it.
Thinking of Chen Li Shu, Fu Hong Xin told Xiao Li and started heading towards her house.
Meanwhile, Liu Yue Min pointed at the report on the television and jumped up, "That truckload of clothes, you just gave it away?"