Since Sun Shuzhen had already spoken, he had nothing to say and could only look at Gu Xingping pleadingly.
Gu Xingping pretended not to see him and, uncharitably, snickered.
Meanwhile, Lin Qi and his father, Lin Yuliang, also went to the Chen family's house.
Chen Liyuan's boyfriend, Chen Mantun, and Wu Chunmei had no objections, and the Lin family showed their utmost sincerity.
Although the betrothal gifts were not mentioned, Lin Yuliang voluntarily took on all the expenses for the wedding.
The couple would first get engaged, and the wedding would be held after the autumn harvest.
As the group was about to leave, Chen Lishu and Gu Xingdong, husband and wife, discussed and decided to have Gu Shoufu accompany them to the provincial capital.
"Dad, you're getting old, and Mom needs to help us with the children. It's not good for you two to be separated for so long. Li Shu and I have discussed it, why don't you come to the provincial capital with us?"
Li Xiulan was also very willing for her husband to come over. "You're already over sixty, and all the children are there. It will be convenient for me to take care of you."
The children had mentioned this to him before, but Gu Shoufu had his own ideas. "The land hasn't been sold yet this year, so I'll farm for another year. Xingping's matter is also about to be settled. I'll save a bit more money this year to prepare more dowry for my youngest daughter. After paying the public grain at the end of the year and selling the crops, I'll go then."
Although his sons were all doing well, especially the third and fourth, they had already separated their households. Now that only this youngest daughter was left, he wanted to try a bit harder.
Hearing him say this, the others stopped trying to persuade him.
Early on the sixth day of the lunar new year, with everyone needing to resume work, open shops, or go to their jobs, they took a car back to the provincial capital.
Early on the morning of the eighth day, after two strings of firecrackers were set off at the entrance of the Shu Se Clothing Factory, it officially opened for business.
As soon as work hours began, the factory's phone lines were almost overwhelmed.
Merchants from all over the country who had watched the Spring Festival Gala were calling to inquire about prices in detail.
The sales team led by Zhao Xingwang was overwhelmed on their first day back to work in the new year.
On the construction company's side, not long after work resumed, the military region gave a definitive reply: the construction project for the military museum had been approved by higher authorities and assigned to Hongyuan Construction Company.
After the Lantern Festival, the couple became even busier.
One day, after Chen Lishu finished a meeting, she suddenly received a call from Jin Kun, asking her to meet him in the city that afternoon.
She suddenly remembered that Nan Haitao had mentioned it to her once, saying that Jin Kun had come to the factory looking for her. However, she had forgotten about it at the time because she was busy with the Spring Festival Gala.
In the afternoon, Chen Lishu arrived at the agreed-upon location, where Jin Kun was already waiting for her.
"I saw the Spring Festival Gala program. You're developing well now." Seeing her approach, Jin Kun quickly put out his cigarette.
Chen Lishu sat down opposite him and smiled, "It's going okay. How have you been lately?"
"Just so-so, neither good nor bad." Thinking of something, Jin Kun said, "You were right before. I haven't done anything recently, and I've already been summoned for questioning twice."
The state was determined to crack down severely, and it wouldn't be a minor affair.
"I've decided to take your advice and leave here."
Chen Lishu: "Where are you planning to go?"
"Haven't thought about it yet." Jin Kun shrugged, "I'm single, so it doesn't matter where I go."
Chen Lishu remained silent.
"Oh, right." Remembering the purpose of his call, Jin Kun said, "Regarding the batch of orders from your factory before the new year, I suspect someone deliberately made trouble for you."
Hearing his words, Chen Lishu's expression became serious. "What do you know?"
Then Jin Kun told her what he knew.
"Although I don't know why Wang Erbiao targeted you, this matter is definitely related to him."
"Wang Erbiao?" Hearing the name abruptly, Chen Lishu didn't react for a moment.
Jin Kun nodded. "He was released from prison just last year. He was originally sentenced to several years, but because of his good behavior inside, he was released early. At the time, I was quite puzzled. Logically, you had no contact with him, so why would he trouble you for no reason?"
Been to prison...
Chen Lishu suddenly remembered who Wang Erbiao was.
"Thank you for the reminder this time. I'll send someone to investigate."
Jin Kun: "I found out by chance. He's been gaining momentum recently. Be careful when you investigate. If you need anything, just say the word. I'll do my best to help before I leave."
Hearing him mention leaving again, Chen Lishu couldn't help but say, "Have you considered developing in the north?"
Jin Kun was stunned when he heard her words. "The north?"
Chen Lishu nodded. "I think, given your personality, you'll achieve great things in the north. Although the current situation with Country Su isn't very open, the situation will definitely improve in a few years. Trade relations between the two sides will also become closer."
After these few encounters, he had come to believe Chen Lishu's words implicitly.
Hearing her recommend him to go north, he seriously began to consider it.
"We are friends now. Don't worry about the funds. I'll give you one hundred thousand first. I don't need the money urgently anyway. If it fails, it fails; if it develops well, you just pay me back the principal."
Jin Kun hadn't expected that at such a time, it would be a woman he had only interacted with a few times who would offer him help.
And she offered a hundred thousand, with unconditional trust in him. He stared intently at the woman in front of him, speechless for a long time.
Chen Lishu looked confused. "What, you think one hundred thousand isn't enough?"
After a pause, Jin Kun looked up and asked the question in his heart: "Why are you lending me the money? If you had offered me a position, I think I would have accepted."
He had given almost all his money to Zhao Liang and his subordinates. He had no money and hadn't even thought about his future path. If Chen Lishu had extended an olive branch, he thought he would have accepted.
Chen Lishu smiled. "You're not someone who can be constrained, and moreover, working under me would be a waste of your talents."
Jin Kun's heart skipped a beat.
It wasn't the flutter of romantic affection, but the excitement of being recognized and appreciated.
"Alright, I'll listen to you and go north." He didn't say polite words because, based on Chen Lishu's words just now, he had to make something of himself.
Chen Lishu left after telling Jin Kun to come to the same place tomorrow to pick up the money.
As soon as she arrived at the factory, she called Wang Dazhu. "You don't need to be at the factory for this period. I have a task for you: investigate a person named Wang Erbiao. Find out everyone he's contacted and everything he's done since his release from prison. Do you still remember the two people who came to the factory to place fraudulent orders? They are likely Wang Erbiao's subordinates. Make sure to find them."
Although Chen Lishu appeared calm and arranged her work methodically, her heart was already filled with extreme anger.
Since they dared to provoke her, they should be prepared for the consequences.