"I inquired very clearly when I arrived. This train won't be later than nine o'clock at night. It's precisely because this time slot is convenient for boarding that I chose this one. Why hasn't it come yet?" Li Qiang said, his expression anxious. In a foreign land, and unfamiliar with the surroundings, any small change could cause immense unease. The two had already been waiting for nearly two hours, with no possibility of finding anyone to ask.
"Let's wait a bit longer. Maybe something delayed it," Zhao Xingwang felt his entire body had frozen. But as soon as it turned dark, people carrying guns patrolled the sides of the tracks. The snowy ground was vast, allowing visibility even without searchlights. Any carelessness could lead to discovery. As they endured, they suddenly heard guttural shouts moving rapidly towards their location. Hearing the sounds, both were instantly terrified, their faces paling.
"Someone over there!" "Don't let them run, you son of a bitch..." Li Qiang, hiding behind a tree, wanted to bolt, but his legs felt as if they were filled with lead, completely immobile. "What are they saying? Have they found us?" No sooner had he spoken than several gunshots rang out, followed by a dark figure collapsing nearby. Li Qiang's head buzzed. Just as he opened his mouth to call out, a hand suddenly reached from behind, clamping tightly over his mouth.
Soon, two tall, burly men approached. With a kick, they overturned the man on the ground onto his back, then began searching his body. They quickly pulled out a wad of rubles. The two exchanged a few words in their native tongue, then laughed heartily and departed. Listening to the footsteps gradually recede until they disappeared, the two, who had been tense, collapsed onto the ground as if their strength had drained away, gasping for breath. For a full five or six minutes, neither spoke.
"Wooo—" Suddenly, a train whistle sounded in the distance. Both Zhao Xingwang and Li Qiang flinched, seeing the intense light flashing in each other's eyes. This was the hope of survival! The train stopped as usual for inspection. The two seized the opportunity to sneak aboard and hide. Until the train started moving, both felt a sense of post-disaster exhaustion.
Upon returning to town, the two didn't even bother to clean their belongings. Instead, they found a restaurant and ate heartily, then returned to the guesthouse and fell into a deep sleep. For days, their nerves had been taut. Once relaxed, they slept until the next morning before opening their eyes. This trip, the two exchanged eighteen pieces of wool fabric, all of the highest quality. The rest was in rubles.
"We really made a killing this time," Li Qiang spat on his finger, then began counting the money. The more he counted, the happier he became. "This trip alone earned me half a year's salary." Zhao Xingwang briefly washed up and then began packing his things, preparing to leave. After all, they had shared a near-death experience, and Li Qiang felt reluctant to part so soon. "Are you going back already?" Zhao Xingwang nodded. "It's been quite some time since I left, and the shop needs this batch of wool fabric. If you get to know anyone in the future, feel free to introduce them. As long as the quality is good, the price is negotiable."
"No problem," Li Qiang readily agreed. "If it weren't for you this time, I might not have made it back alive. I won't say thank you, but let's keep in touch." All good things must come to an end. The two exchanged addresses and contact information, and then Zhao Xingwang departed.
Time flew by, and it was the day for delivery to the National Cotton Mill. Due to the large quantity, Chen Lishu, Wang Aixiang, and Wang Dazhu inspected the goods. After paying the remaining balance, the National Cotton Mill arranged for trucks to transport all the cotton-padded clothes to the store. Agents, who had been notified, arrived early with their tricycles, waiting by the shop. As soon as the goods arrived, they began checking them against the invoices for pickup.
The lively scene at the entrance of 'Shuse' Clothing Store immediately attracted many onlookers. Upon learning that the shop had new cotton-padded clothes, they became curious and wanted to enter. "It's not yet business hours. Please wait patiently. Once we're done with this batch, we'll invite everyone in. Thank you for your cooperation," Wang Aixiang announced loudly, organizing those wanting to enter to queue outside.
Not long after, all the cotton-padded clothes reserved by the agents were taken away. Wang Dazhu carried the goods upstairs, while Chen Lishu and Tian Lin began arranging them on the shelves. People's herd mentality was fascinating. The less they could see, the more curious they were about the appearance of the new cotton-padded clothes. Other passersby, seeing people queuing outside the shop, would approach to inquire about the situation and then unconsciously join the queue.
After a flurry of activity, the shop was finally tidied up to a satisfactory state. Wang Aixiang then began inviting people inside. The cotton-padded clothes ordered from the National Cotton Mill came in three colors: red, yellow, and blue. They were designed with a cinched waist in a style similar to the Lenin jacket, forming a stark contrast with the prevailing loose and oversized cotton-padded jackets. Chen Lishu whispered something to Wang Aixiang, who nodded, cleared her throat, and announced, "These thick cotton-padded clothes are only thirty-five yuan. As they are the latest design, the shop is offering a ten percent discount to new and old customers, making them thirty-one yuan and fifty cents. This offer is valid only for today and tomorrow. If you want to buy, hurry, as the price will revert to the original after tomorrow."
As soon as Wang Aixiang said this, the crowd immediately erupted. They felt they had struck gold by getting a ten percent discount on these two days, instantly feeling they were saving several yuan by buying now. As if on cue, while the shop was bustling with sales, the overcast sky outside suddenly began to show signs of light snow.
Zhao Xingwang returned in the afternoon, carrying a large bag on his shoulder. He looked somewhat haggard, but his spirits seemed good. When everyone heard that Zhao Xingwang had secretly gone to the Soviet Union alone, they were all astonished. Chen Lishu, in particular, felt a wave of trepidation. She sternly reprimanded him, "I wouldn't have my employees take such risks for a bit of wool fabric. It doesn't matter what happens within the country, but that's abroad. We could have bought it domestically, and if that wasn't possible, we would have found other ways. I'd rather the overcoat business fail than have you do something like this." She couldn't control others, but Zhao Xingwang was working for her now. For a few pieces of wool fabric, he had nearly risked his life, and Chen Lishu could not remain indifferent.
Zhao Xingwang chuckled, "I promise I won't go again." With that, he handed over the remaining wad of rubles. "This is the earned money. I don't think exchanging it at the bank is worthwhile. I know a few people privately who can exchange it at a higher rate."
"You've worked hard on this trip. You keep it. You must be tired after such a long journey. Go home and rest for two days, and you can come back to work the day after tomorrow." Chen Lishu did not accept it. She turned to Wang Dazhu and said, "Dazhu, take this wool fabric to Aunt Yuan." Wang Dazhu acknowledged her, hoisted the bag from the ground, and turned to leave.