Watching the frames broadcast on the news, Chen Lishu felt deeply.
With the current scarcity of supplies and inconvenient transportation, life would be difficult for everyone in times of natural disasters or man-made calamities.
Her gaze fell on the rescue workers desperately working behind the host. A thought flashed through Chen Lishu’s mind.
The next day, Chen Lishu made a special trip to the Youth League Committee.
When they heard that she intended to donate five thousand T-shirts free of charge, the entire Youth League Committee was stunned.
“Comrade Chen Lishu, are you serious? Are you really planning to donate all five thousand shirts?” President Liu Mingliang’s eyes were wide open, his voice rising an octave due to excitement.
Other staff members also cast sideways glances, their shock no less than Liu Mingliang’s.
Although the reform and opening up had begun, the country’s material resources were still not abundant, and the per capita wage was only a few dozen yuan. Chen Lishu’s intention to donate five thousand shirts spoke volumes about their value.
Chen Lishu nodded, “The country has been promoting activities to learn from Comrade Lei Feng. Although I cannot practice what I preach like everyone here, I also want to contribute what I can. To be honest, this plan has been in my heart for a long time. This time, I designed a T-shirt with the theme ‘Youth Without Regrets,’ a total of five thousand pieces, and I’m donating them without any profit motive.”
“No, no, compared to your contribution, ours is insignificant,” Liu Mingliang’s eyes were slightly moist upon hearing Chen Lishu’s words, and his body trembled slightly.
The original purpose of organizing volunteer services was to learn from Lei Feng, serve others, and contribute to society. They never expected to meet someone as like-minded as Chen Lishu. If everyone were like her, how harmonious and beautiful society would become!
“Actually, besides donating to disaster-stricken areas, I also want to donate some to teachers who are supporting education in remote areas. Perhaps because I graduated from a normal university myself, although I am not in this profession, I deeply admire their spirit of enduring hardship and selfless dedication. Especially in the Sichuan and Tibetan regions where conditions are harsher, I want to donate one thousand pieces to each location.”
Although her original intention was not as noble as she claimed, she was willing to act this way now.
In addition to genuinely wanting to give back to society, she could also gain a decisive advantage in her dealings with Fu Hongxin.
Did he not think she lacked strength and background, and even wanted to bite back at her?
This time, she wanted to see how that Fu fellow would recover.
After arranging to deliver all five thousand T-shirts the next day, Chen Lishu went to the store again.
She had to arrange for staff to accompany her to the State Cotton Mill to count the goods, as delivery was due tomorrow.
“What? You’re donating all of them?” Wang Aixiang’s eyes widened, and she couldn’t recover for a long time after hearing her words.
“Sister, let’s solve any problems slowly. Sister Feng and the others have already told me that they will only stock T-shirts from our ‘Shuse.’ The quantity might not be as large, but we can sell them slowly. Even if we sell them at cost price in the end, we can at least get our capital back. You’re giving away over ten thousand yuan for free right now?”
Over ten thousand yuan was an amount many people couldn’t earn in a lifetime, yet Chen Lishu was donating it without blinking. In Wang Aixiang’s view, she must have been stimulated and was ready to give up completely.
“Aixiang sister, it’s not entirely because the design of the T-shirts was leaked. I watched the news yesterday; it reported that there have been natural disasters in the south recently, and many people have been left homeless.”
Chen Lishu paused before continuing, “I suddenly realized something. Money cannot be earned endlessly. Over ten thousand yuan is indeed a huge sum for others, but for us now, we can afford to spend this money.”
Moreover, her goal was not merely to recoup costs.
“Wuwu…”
As they were talking, they suddenly saw Wang Dazhu beside them, his shoulders trembling slightly.
“Sister-in-law, what you said is so wonderful. We also rescued disaster-affected people with the company commander before, and we witnessed that scene with our own eyes. My heart suddenly couldn’t help but want to cry.” His eyes seemed to conjure up the scene of him and his comrades rescuing people day and night. Although they were tired and hungry, and their bodies were numb, as long as they could save one more person or recover more property, no matter how bitter or tired, their hearts were warm.
Wang Aixiang opened her mouth upon seeing this, but in the end, she held back and said nothing.
Chen Lishu: “We only do what we can, and as long as we have a clear conscience, that’s enough.”
Seeing his eyes still red, Chen Lishu smiled and said, “Alright, you should also do your part. Tomorrow, you and Zhao Xingwang will accompany me to the State Cotton Mill to count the goods and then send this batch to the Youth League Committee.”
Wang Dazhu immediately replied loudly, “Yes!”
However, what Chen Lishu didn’t expect was that her unintentional act caused quite a stir throughout the city.
The next day, she, Wang Dazhu, and Zhao Xingwang went to the State Cotton Mill.
When Secretary Feng saw her, his words were hesitant, and his gaze carried a trace of apology.
Chen Lishu understood; Feng Wenyu must have found out something.
There was no way to keep a secret. Fu Hongxin thought his actions were hidden, but for such a big matter, Feng Wenyu managed such a large factory and had been secretary for so many years, making an investigation easy.
He probably hadn’t decided on the next steps or how to give her an explanation.
Chen Lishu did not press the issue, which relieved Feng Wenyu and also brought him some gratitude.
Although in business one had to be pragmatic, politeness always mattered. Chen Lishu gave him face, and he naturally noted it.
After counting all the goods, Chen Lishu paid the remaining balance of ten thousand yuan.
Feng Wenyu declined, “This, perhaps we can discuss it after the matter has been resolved.”
Chen Lishu insisted, “One thing at a time. Your factory also has a lot of money tied up.”
This was indeed true. Besides the money for this batch of goods, he had also prepared a lot of raw materials, originally planning to make a big move, but then this incident happened. Feng Wenyu did not politely refuse further.
“Shall we have it sent to your store? I’ll tell the driver.”
Chen Lishu shook her head, “Not the store this time. Please trouble Secretary Feng to have this truckload of goods sent to Youyi Road.”
Feng Wenyu didn’t think much of it. He went over and instructed the driver a few words, telling him to proceed as Chen Lishu had said, and then turned to leave.
He had to discuss the matter with the factory leaders, as the factory had relied on Chen Lishu to thrive. If the outcome of the handling was not satisfactory to her, there might be no further cooperation in the future.
As for Chen Lishu, as soon as the truck loaded with goods turned into the intersection of Youyi Road, she saw quite a crowd gathered at the entrance of the Youth League Committee from afar.
After sending Chen Lishu away yesterday, Liu Mingliang had reported the matter to the district leaders.
Upon hearing that the other party intended to donate five thousand T-shirts, the district leaders attached great importance to it.