Time flew by, and it was January, the graduation season for the Class of '77.
After collecting their graduation certificates, Chen Lishu, Zhang Xue, Li Zhiwei, and Feng Pangzi had dinner together.
"Things in America are basically settled. They've been urging me to report for duty. I definitely won't be able to celebrate the New Year at home this year," Li Zhiwei said, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness as he gazed at the silently falling snow outside the window.
He had previously felt that it didn't matter where he went and was even filled with anticipation about going abroad. But now, as the time for separation approached, he felt a sudden reluctance to leave.
Zhang Xue smiled and comforted him, "If you can't celebrate the New Year at home this year, we three will treat you to a big meal when you return next year. After all, Fatty and I will soon be earning salaries too."
"That's right," Feng Pangzi nodded. "Braised pork, pork knuckles – I'll splurge a month's salary. What do you say, is that generous enough?"
Li Zhiwei playfully punched his shoulder. "A month isn't enough. I want to go to the most expensive restaurant and order the most expensive dishes!"
Feng Pangzi's expression immediately changed. "Then you'd better not come back."
Li Zhiwei narrowed his eyes. "You good-for-nothing Feng Pangzi! Our brotherhood of over ten years can't even compare to a meal. I've misjudged you."
Feng Pangzi retorted, "That's not eating, that's eating my hard-earned money and my future wife's dowry. Brotherhood is out of the question."
"..."
Watching the two bicker, Chen Lishu and Zhang Xue couldn't help but laugh, feeling as if they were back in school during class.
After parting ways with them, Zhang Xue planned to return to her school dormitory to pack. Her job had been confirmed: she would be a teacher at the Experimental Middle School, officially reporting for duty after the New Year.
The Experimental Middle School provided faculty dormitories, and they had informed her that she could move her belongings in anytime.
As Zhang Xue reached the school gate, she suddenly spotted a figure in military green standing not far away, and her eyes lit up.
She quickened her pace. Upon seeing the snow on the person's shoulders, she frowned. "Why didn't you say something before coming? You must have been waiting for a long time. Why didn't you find a place to shelter from the wind?"
Li Weimin smiled sheepishly. "I haven't been here long. You were moving your things today. I asked your classmates, and they said you were out. I was afraid I'd miss you when you returned."
Zhang Xue nodded. "It's cold here. Why don't you come with me to the dormitory?"
The other students had already gone home for the break. Only their graduating class remained to collect their certificates, and they were gradually moving out of their dormitories. The dorm supervisor wasn't being particularly strict.
"My leave for visiting relatives has been approved. It's for about a month. I'll accompany you home first, and then return to my hometown for the New Year."
Zhang Xue smiled and nodded. "Yes, that's perfect. I haven't booked my ticket yet, so we can travel together then."
As they spoke, they went upstairs. Most of the other beds had already been cleared out, and Zhang Xue's belongings were mostly packed.
Four years of life naturally accumulated quite a few things. When she first reported to school, she only had one bundle of luggage and two sets of clothes. Now, she had several bundles of miscellaneous items.
"The school said we can clear out before the semester starts, so there's still time. We can just make a couple more trips," Zhang Xue said, bending down to pick up her luggage, but Li Weimin stopped her.
"You do have quite a bit of stuff. You wait here for me for a bit. I'll be back soon."
With that, Li Weimin turned and walked out of the dormitory.
About twenty minutes later, Zhang Xue suddenly heard hurried footsteps in the hallway. Soon, Li Weimin pushed open the dormitory door and walked in.
"Let's go," he said, reaching out to pick up the two bundles Zhang Xue had placed on the bed.
Seeing Zhang Xue also about to lift something, he quickly said, "You go wait downstairs. Leave the heavy lifting to me."
Zhang Xue was displeased. "Are you underestimating me? I carried that heavy luggage roll up here by myself when I first arrived."
To prove she could do it, she reached for the largest bag to show Li Weimin.
"My dear, you're the strongest, okay? Be careful not to strain your arm." Li Weimin anxiously took it from her. He then pointed to the thermos and basin beside them. "You can take those two. My hands are clumsy, I might drop them."
He mused that having a strong-willed wife meant he couldn't just say anything.
"Oh, see how important we women are now?" Zhang Xue reluctantly picked up the thermos.
Li Weimin leaned closer and said, "Who says women aren't important? I'm waiting for you to marry me and have sons."
Zhang Xue's face blushed. "Who said I'm going to have sons for you?"
"It's you, of course. I wouldn't even want anyone else to have children for me," Li Weimin said with a grin as he carried the items out.
"Hmph, shameless!" Zhang Xue picked up the thermos and chased after him. "Li Weimin, clarify what you said. Do you prefer sons over daughters?"
Soon, they carried their things downstairs and saw the tricycle parked at the entrance. Zhang Xue finally understood that Li Weimin had gone to find a vehicle.
Zhang Xue watched the luggage from below while Li Weimin made two more trips. After all the items were loaded onto the tricycle, he gave her a ride towards the Experimental Middle School.
Meanwhile, after parting ways with the others, Chen Lishu first returned home. After feeding the two little ones, she went to the shop.
The four thousand pieces of base shirts and flared skirts she had ordered from the National Cotton Mill had been delivered. As the family planned to return to their hometown before the New Year, she needed to arrange work matters as soon as possible.
When she arrived, Wang Aixiang was checking inventory for an agent. Chen Lishu didn't disturb her and instead turned to ask about the sales of the spring clothing.
"They've been displayed for three or four days. Because the price is cheap, many people are buying the base shirts, and agents are snatching them up."
The cost was seven yuan, with a wholesale price of ten yuan and a retail price of fourteen. Coupled with the novelty of the base shirt's design, which could be worn in spring, autumn, and winter, sales were naturally good.
However, Chen Lishu also detected another meaning in her words. "What about the flared skirts?"
Tian Lin replied, "Some people are buying them, but the sales aren't as good as the base shirts."
Chen Lishu asked, "How many have been sold? Let me see the records."
Wang Aixiang, having finished checking the inventory, came over. Upon hearing Chen Lishu's question, she went to the counter and took out the account book. "Besides our own store in the county town, which took one hundred pieces of each style, Manager Nan also ordered two hundred pieces of each style from his end... So far, we've sold eight hundred base shirts and six hundred flared skirts."
Recalling something, Wang Aixiang smiled and said, "Manager Nan is really something. He never even looks at the samples and just orders directly."
Speaking of Nan Haitao, it was indeed as Wang Aixiang described. As long as Chen Lishu told him about new products, he would always order a portion of the goods, regardless of the quantity.
Although it was out of trust in her, his boldness was quite significant. After all, the order amounts often ran into thousands of yuan. Several times, he had even paid in advance, jokingly saying he was afraid others would sell them out first.
"I'll be going back to my hometown in a few days and won't return until after the New Year. I'll need you to look after the shop, Sister Aixiang. Everyone has done well this year, and you've all worked hard. I'll give each of you a bonus of two hundred yuan at the end of the year."