After negotiations, Chen Lishu finally signed the contract at a processing fee of twenty yuan per piece.
A deposit of five thousand yuan was paid upfront. They would review the samples the next day, and if satisfactory, delivery would be within half a month.
The following day, after Chen Lishu found the samples acceptable, production officially began.
Two thousand cotton-padded jackets amounted to forty thousand yuan, with the remaining balance to be settled on the delivery date.
With only five thousand yuan left in hand, Chen Lishu pondered for a moment, then asked Wang Aixiang to gather Feng Jie and the other agents for a brief meeting.
"I have a batch of new style cotton-padded jackets this year. Here are the samples, everyone can take a look," Chen Lishu said, putting on a jacket to showcase it.
She was beautiful and had a good figure. Especially now, in her postpartum period, her figure was even more plump, making the sample garment look even better on her.
"This style is so pretty, it will definitely be popular when sold," one of them exclaimed.
"Judging by the style and price, it won't be cheap, will it?"
Chen Lishu smiled, "It's not expensive. This is mainly a benefit for our agents. Each piece is only twenty-five yuan, but the minimum order quantity must be fifty. Payment is required in advance, and delivery will be in half a month."
Sister Feng gasped, "Such thick cotton-padded jackets for only twenty-five?"
Wang Aixiang chimed in with a smile, "Oh, Lishu said it's a benefit, so only those who have been following her for a long time get this price. There are only two thousand pieces in total, and others will be sold at twenty-eight."
Chen Lishu showed everyone the brand label on the jacket. "This batch is our own brand, with 'Shu Se' printed on it. The suggested retail price is thirty-five yuan."
"I'll take a hundred pieces."
"Give me a hundred pieces too."
"It's just right to sell them at a good price before the New Year. I'll take more, give me a hundred and fifty pieces."
The agents had been cooperating with Chen Lishu for two to three years. Besides acknowledging the quality of the goods, they also trusted her character.
Therefore, even though they had to pay in advance, they were all very eager to place orders.
In a short time, six hundred pieces of goods were ordered.
Meanwhile, Zhu Shasha handed a savings passbook to a man.
"This contains all my savings from the past few years. I hope you won't disappoint me."
"Don't worry," the man replied, taking the passbook. "I'm not that fool Zhu Changgui. Within a year, the money in this account will definitely double."
"That idiot Zhu Changgui was too arrogant. The other party was very vigilant. If I hadn't acted quickly, this matter might have continued to be investigated. And Hongyuan Construction Company, that Gu surname cost me so much money this time, and I lost a factory for nothing. I must get even." A fierce glint flashed in Zhu Shasha's eyes.
Everything belonging to the He family must be for her son. She would clear all obstacles for him, and no one could stand in his way.
...
When Chen Lishu returned home, she was surprised to find Gu Xingdong at home. He was sitting on the sofa, chatting with Chen Guoping.
After saying something, Chen Guoping burst into laughter.
"Uncle Chen, Aunt Sun," Chen Lishu greeted with a smile.
"Xiao Chen, thank you so much this time. My nephew and his wife were extremely satisfied with those two new wedding outfits."
Chen Guoping turned and smiled, "Your Aunt Sun hasn't slept well for several days because of this. Xiao Chen, you've helped her solve a big problem."
Chen Lishu poured a cup of water for each of them, then said, "Uncle Chen, please sit down. I'm going upstairs to check on the children."
Chen Guoping waved his hand, "Go quickly. If they're awake, bring them down for us to see. These two little ones are simply too adorable."
Chen Lishu went upstairs. Li Xiulan and Zhao Qiuyue were already in the children's room. The two little ones, who had been sleeping, seemed to sense her arrival. As soon as Chen Lishu stepped in, they woke up.
After feeding the two little ones and checking their diapers, Chen Lishu and Zhao Qiuyue carried them downstairs.
The children, over two months old and nearly three, weighed thirteen to fourteen pounds. Their necks were strong, and their little heads had become much more agile. Xiao Bai lay on Chen Lishu's shoulder, gnawing on his fingers and looking around curiously.
Sun Yongmei's heart melted at the sight of the two adorable, plump babies.
The two little ones were not shy. Xiao Chengzi, in particular, was quite a showman, giggling when tickled a little.
"The girl is a steady one, she seems like Lishu."
Hearing Chen Guoping's words, Chen Lishu glanced at Gu Xingdong with a hint of pride: See, Xiao Bai is like me, and Xiao Chengzi must be like you.
Gu Xingdong felt a mix of amusement and exasperation, but he didn't object. They were his offspring, so naturally, they were all good in his eyes.
Sun Yongmei asked, "Are you going to the Han family's grandson's full moon celebration next month?"
"Yes, Aunt Lin even gave me red envelopes when I was giving birth to them."
At that time, Li Xiulan was ill, and after discussing with Gu Xingdong, they didn't hold a full moon celebration. However, relatives and friends who knew about it still sent red envelopes.
Lin Ying's red envelope was delivered by Zhu Jinfeng.
Sun Yongmei said, "I'll come pick you up then, and we'll go together."
She only had two sons and no daughters. Since interacting more with Chen Lishu, she found that the girl's attitude and way of handling things were all to her liking, and their relationship had grown increasingly close.
The couple sat for a little longer before getting up to leave.
"When did they come to install it?" Chen Lishu asked curiously, looking at the black telephone on the coffee table.
After submitting the application, the post and telecommunications office had only asked them to wait at home for news, as they needed to consider if there were other families nearby also installing telephones to facilitate the wiring.
"I called the company at noon," Gu Xingdong said, taking Xiao Bai. Xiao Bai didn't cry when held in a different embrace, simply staring at him with his dark, clear eyes.
His fair, tender skin contrasted sharply with Gu Xingdong's tanned complexion.
Chen Lishu happily said, "I'll call sister-in-law and the others."
As the weather grew colder, Lin Xiaoyue and Zhao Guiying's roasted sweet potato business became even more prosperous. The two not only sold roasted sweet potatoes but also added roasted nuts, such as sunflower seeds and peanuts. They earned more than before, but they were also busier.
The last time they met was at the children's full moon celebration. It had been such a long time since they last saw each other, and she really missed them.
"When the little soldier called me to the phone, I was a bit confused, thinking something had happened back home. I didn't expect it to be a call from you, little sister-in-law."
Zhao Guiying's hearty voice came through the phone. Chen Lishu couldn't help but curve her lips. "Are you and sister-in-law Yue doing well recently?"
"Doing well, my foot! We're so annoyed lately."
"What's wrong?"
Sensing something was amiss from her tone, Chen Lishu sat up straighter. Beside her, Xiao Chengzi was lying down, happily playing with his hands. His little feet accidentally kicked his mother, and he immediately turned into a little motor, his feet kicking restlessly.