Chen Mancang and his two accomplices crept into the workshop. After taking out their tools, they were about to dismantle the sewing machine heads directly as they had done last time. Before they could even turn on their flashlights, they saw two beams of flashlight light sweeping across the workshop windows. The three were so scared their faces turned white, and they scrambled back under the sewing machines, not daring to even breathe.
"Captain, you said the thief who stole the sewing machine heads last time was really stupid. How much could a sewing machine head be worth? Luckily, the machines in the next workshop weren't stolen. That one was imported from abroad, and a single component is worth a lot. If that had been stolen, we might lose our jobs."
"Enough talk. I've checked this area, and there's nothing unusual. I'll go check the warehouse area later." Wang Dazhu yawned. "Our Boss Chen really knows how to stir things up. The thief only came a few days ago, how could they be so bold as to come back? It's already this late. If there's nothing unusual later, we'll go back to sleep."
The three men, huddled under the sewing machines, heard the sound of footsteps fading away and laboriously crawled out.
"Uncle Chen is really amazing. I was thinking of waiting a few more days for the heat to die down before making a move. There's a saying, something about doing the opposite…"
"Acting contrary to expectations," another person whispered.
"Did you hear what they were saying just now?" Chen Mancang's eyes flashed with a sinister glint.
"Uncle Chen, you mean go steal the machines next door?" The first man to speak began to look eager.
Chen Mancang nodded. Soon, the three of them, hunched over, crept towards the adjacent workshop.
As the three of them struggled to move an embroidery machine out of the workshop, several flashlight beams suddenly lit up the surroundings.
It was truly unlucky for Chen Mancang and his group. If it had been just him, or even two of them, the situation wouldn't have been so serious. But due to his greed, he had called in another person. Three or more people constituted gang crime.
Coupled with the large amount of stolen goods and the recent high crime rate nationwide, the authorities decided to crack down harder. The three of them would likely be sentenced to at least ten years.
"You fool, why did you provoke that jinx after what happened to Baozhu? What will happen to me and Xiao Hu now?"
Seeing Chen Mancang being led out, Zhang Chunhua rushed forward, sobbing and beating him.
"What sin have I committed!"
"Enough," Chen Mancang said, his hands cuffed. Although his tone was impatient, he didn't push her away.
"You old hag, what do you know about what I've done?"
Seeing Zhang Chunhua almost crying herself into a faint, Chen Mancang, after all these years of marriage, sighed and sat down on a nearby stool. "I went to the hospital a few days ago because the pain was unbearable. The doctor said I have cancer, and I don't have long to live anyway. Since we're not living well, that brat from the second family shouldn't have a good life either."
Zhang Chunhua, already a mess of snot and tears, was now truly scared. In her youth, she had relied on her son, but then she had to bury him. In her old age, only her husband was left, and now this.
Chen Lishu had not told her family about Chen Mancang's affairs.
Wu Chunmei and Chen Mantun were both soft-hearted, and she didn't want to create trouble for herself.
At the end of August, Wu Chunmei took Chen Lizi back to their hometown.
Nan Haitao had called twice. Immediately after her return, she had sent Zhao Xingwang to assist him with his work. The brand had successfully entered Shanghai, and the Kyoto store was also under renovation.
Everything was proceeding as planned.
In September, Rui Rui started school, and the two little ones also celebrated their first birthday.
Xiao Cheng and Xiao Bai, having just passed their first birthday, could already walk without support. Although it was only for a few steps each time, it was a qualitative leap from crawling to walking upright.
The autumn collection received a good response, and another ten thousand pieces were ordered. By the end of the month, the factory's net profit successfully broke through one hundred thousand yuan.
Chen Lishu, to continue her momentum, had already asked Yuan Lihua and Sun Chang to design winter styles in advance.
"People's living standards have improved in the past two years, and their purchasing power will increase accordingly. In addition to adult styles, I want to design two children's wear styles. Before the New Year, it will surely trigger a wave of purchases."
During the weekly meeting, Chen Lishu shared her thoughts with everyone.
In the past, people's living conditions were generally poor, which led to the saying "new for three years, old for three years, patched up for three years."
But times have changed. Especially with the implementation of the one-child policy and shifts in thinking, there are fewer children, and more importance is placed on them.
Many adults would rather not buy new clothes for themselves during the New Year but would buy a piece for their children.
Another reason Chen Lishu proposed children's wear was that she had three children at home and sometimes wanted to buy ready-made clothes, but after looking around, there were no new styles.
Zhao Xingwang said, "When I went to Kyoto and Shanghai with Manager Nan this time, I really saw many adults willing to spend money on their children. I think the market should be good."
Wang Aixiang said, "There are children's clothes sold in department stores. A small amount of fabric costs several yuan, and some even cost twenty yuan or more. The prices are no different from adult clothes."
Nan Haitao said, "I also think children's wear is a development direction, but the name is still 'Shu Se'? Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"
Chen Lishu had indeed overlooked this matter.
"Let's brainstorm. What do you all think the name should be?"
Zhao Xingwang said, "How about 'Wang Wang'?"
The gazes of everyone present fell on him.
Zhao Xingwang awkwardly scratched his head. "I was just thinking that this is the Year of the Dog."
He hadn't attended school for long, and it was quite commendable that he could think of this.
Nan Haitao smiled. "May prosperity, wealth, luck, benefits, wealth, good fortune, and joyous events all increase."
Chen Lishu couldn't help but tease, "It's not even the New Year yet, and the couplets are already prepared?"
"Then let's call it 'Wang Wang.' We'll design a cute puppy icon later. I hope our factory can continue to prosper."
Hearing Chen Lishu's words, Zhao Xingwang couldn't help but grin. His own name also contained 'Wang.' Now it seemed that the name his father gave him was a good one.
Having seen the styles of children's wear in later generations, Chen Lishu could draw out two styles almost without thinking.
But she was not a professional designer, so after describing two styles, she handed them over to the design team.
When the finished products came out, she took a look and then began production.
As the saying goes, one autumn rain brings one cold. It rained the night before, and the temperature outside dropped by at least two or three degrees the next day.
"Jiang Pan Garden has been successfully delivered. We have a company dinner today, so I won't be back for dinner," Gu Xingdong said as he fastened his belt buckle.
Chen Lishu was tying her hair. "It's getting cold. You can't just wear a shirt anymore. Last night, I found all the coats I need to wear and hung them on the clothes rack on the left side of the cabinet."
Gu Xingdong opened the cabinet door and indeed saw the coats neatly hung on the rack. He casually picked one up, leaned down, and kissed her on the cheek. "My wife is the best."
Chen Lishu couldn't help but purse her lips and smile.