The custom-made cotton-padded clothes from the state-run cotton mill had all been sold out within half a month, apart from the six hundred pieces taken by the agent, two hundred were kept at the provincial store, one hundred at the county town store, and Nan Hai Tao had ordered two hundred. Chen Lishu sold the remaining cotton-padded clothes at twenty-eight yuan each.
The state-run cotton mill had independently increased production by three hundred pieces, and sales were unexpectedly strong. As there weren't many similar styles on the market yet, they urgently purchased raw materials and rushed to produce another five hundred pieces.
Although sales slowed down towards the end compared to the initial rush, all pieces were sold before New Year's Day, and Chen Lishu earned eight hundred yuan in commission.
With the first snowfall, construction entered the winter phase, presenting numerous difficulties and significantly slowing down progress.
By the end of November, the three completed buildings of Jiangpan Garden officially went on sale.
This was the first commercial housing complex in the province, and all three parties attached great importance to it. Besides newspaper advertisements, it even featured on television interviews.
"We're really on TV?"
Li Xiulan, after hearing Gu Xingye's words, was still a little uncertain. "Were you and your third brother both on?"
Gu Xingye nodded. "Otherwise, we would have had our holiday by mid-month. They said they needed to set up a sales office and refine other areas, which is why it's been delayed until now. But my third brother is truly amazing. The mayor specifically called him over to introduce him. I overheard them saying it was because of several things my third brother had done previously, like having a good public reputation, which would be beneficial for sales."
"Someone from our family is on TV. I think I could wake up smiling from a dream thinking about it." After being happy for a while, she suddenly remembered something and anxiously asked, "Which channel? Do you know when it will be broadcast?"
Gu Xingdong looked up. "It's probably a local channel. There weren't many scenes, and the focus was on selling the houses."
"Even with just a few scenes, Mom and I will be happy watching it." Chen Lishu smiled and got up to turn on the television.
At this time, there were few television channels, and the signal reception wasn't particularly good. Besides the Central Channel, there were only two local channels.
As soon as the channel was switched to a local station, the program playing was "The侠 Zhang Sanfeng."
Gu Xingye and Rui Rui immediately perked up upon seeing it, their bodies involuntarily straightening up a lot.
Li Xiulan and Zhao Qiuyue, while knitting yarn, kept glancing at the television and occasionally chatted.
Gu Xingdong lowered his head, continuing to play with the two little ones lying on the sofa.
'Da Wang' was lounging lazily at Chen Lishu's feet with its paws tucked in, occasionally letting out a rumbling sound from its throat.
Not long after, the television began to intersperse news reports.
Rui Rui and Gu Xingye were engrossed in the program, and the sudden interruption was quite disappointing. As they patiently waited for the news to finish, Rui Rui suddenly pointed at the television and exclaimed, "That's Dad."
The adults all looked over in unison and indeed saw that the television was reporting on the sale of Jiangpan Garden.
Gu Xingye gently patted Rui Rui's head, deliberately teasing him, "You only saw your dad, didn't you see your fourth uncle?"
Children have sharp eyes; they can see clearly even in fleeting scenes.
Rui Rui immediately felt a little embarrassed and tried to make amends, saying, "Fourth Uncle, I'll definitely watch carefully next time you're on."
Besides Mayor Yu, Chen Lishu also saw Zhu Shasha. She was completely composed in front of the camera, even speaking eloquently.
Gu Xingdong also spoke concisely, but it was all about the project itself and its quality.
"Your father and older brother are probably asleep by now. Sigh, it's a shame we don't have a TV at home, otherwise, we could let your father see it too, and everyone would be happy."
If only Gu Shoufu could see his son's success and being on television.
Chen Lishu chimed in, "Mom, the news will likely be replayed tomorrow. I heard Xingye say that Uncle Zhang bought a TV. When we go back for New Year's this year, let Xingdong buy one for our home too. Now that there are color TVs, they look much better than black and white ones."
Li Xiulan was tempted, but upon hearing it was a color TV, she hesitated. "Color TVs are quite expensive, aren't they? Your father and I will be fine with a black and white one."
Chen Lishu replied, "Black and white and color TVs aren't that different in price. Since we're buying one, let's just go all out."
Gu Xingdong added, "Mom, just listen to Lishu. I'll go buy one when the company has a break in a couple of days."
Although she felt a little pained by the expense, it was ultimately her son and daughter-in-law's thoughtfulness. Li Xiulan was happy and didn't say anything more.
Seeing that it was getting late, the couple took the children upstairs to get ready for bed.
After settling the three little ones, they began to wash up.
"I just realized something." Chen Lishu turned her head, looking at his handsome face, her clear eyes curving into a crescent moon. "You don't look as good on TV as you do in person. I feel relieved."
"Relieved about what?"
Gu Xingdong looked up. He had just finished washing his face and hadn't wiped it yet. As he spoke, a water droplet from his forehead rolled down his well-defined brow bone to his jawline.
Watching the water droplet hanging precariously, Chen Lishu felt her throat go dry and couldn't help but swallow.
"I'm relieved no one will covet your beauty," Chen Lishu said softly. Unable to resist, she stood on tiptoe and gently licked his jaw.
"You belong only to me."
Gu Xingdong was startled by her bold move, and his earlobes flushed uncontrollably. His breathing began to quicken.
Chen Lishu met his passionate gaze and reached up to embrace his neck. "I..."
She had barely uttered a word when she felt herself lighten, being lifted by Gu Xingdong's hands and cradled onto the washbasin counter. The two quickly became entangled...
Chen Lishu tilted her head back, her fingers gripping the edge of the washbasin. Sweat beaded on her forehead, trickling down her fair cheek and disappearing into her dark hair.
After an unknown amount of time, her slender legs suddenly tensed, and her breathing became rapid and shallow. The fingers gripping the washbasin edge unconsciously tightened. Gu Xingdong leaned down, capturing all her gasps in his throat.
As he pressed down, Chen Lishu's eyes narrowed, and a layer of ambiguous moisture gradually spread across them.
Exhausted, Chen Lishu didn't know when she had fallen asleep. When she woke up the next day, she found herself lying in bed with her pajamas intact.
"Little Bai, quickly see if Mommy is awake."
Gu Xingdong entered holding Little Bai. As soon as he saw Chen Lishu's silhouette, Little Bai immediately pouted her small mouth, her big eyes filling with tears.
Chen Lishu's heart melted at her pitiful little appearance and she quickly reached out to take her into her arms.
This child had always been the most worry-free, never crying or fussing, only letting out whimpers when she was extremely hungry.
As expected, as soon as Little Bai was in Chen Lishu's arms, she instinctively nuzzled against her milk pocket.