"Didn't they say it wouldn't start until eleven? Besides, there are so many of us, and the shop can't fit everyone. Let's wait a bit longer," another man with glasses chimed in.
If it weren't for the prizes, he wouldn't have come out in the cold to queue, fearing they'd sell out later.
As soon as Chen Lishu and Zhao Qiuyue entered the shop, they saw Wang Aixiang and Wang Dazhu busily writing out numbered tickets.
Upon seeing her, Wang Aixiang, without stopping her work, said with a worried expression,
"Lishu, there are just too many people. Look at this crowd already queuing. I did a quick count, and there must be over two hundred. It's only past eight, and by eleven, there might be hundreds!"
The crowd wasn't as large during the tug-of-war competition last time.
"We don't have enough numbered tickets for this lottery. Early this morning, people were waiting outside the shop even before we opened. I originally wanted to let them come inside to warm up, but with so many people, Wang Dazhu and I, with just two pairs of eyes, couldn't possibly keep track. So, we decided to let them wait outside."
Chen Lishu nodded, asked Zhao Qiuyue to help Wang Aixiang, and directed Wang Dazhu to bring a table to the entrance.
With limited staff, letting too many people in at once would be unmanageable. It would be better to let them in batches.
"Everyone, listen up! We'll let people in groups of five to buy clothes and draw their numbers. After you've finished, please queue to my right to await the drawing," Chen Lishu announced the process and important notes loudly to the crowd before letting them enter in order.
Wang Dazhu maintained order outside, while Wang Aixiang and Zhao Qiuyue inside were swamped with work.
They continued this from eight until ten minutes before eleven, when Chen Lishu called a halt.
Wang Aixiang and Zhao Qiuyue, looking at the now empty shelves, collectively breathed a sigh of relief. After three hours of non-stop talking, they could finally catch their breath.
"Please, everyone who has a numbered ticket, remember your number. Now, we'll have an audience member help us draw the third prize, which is thirty yuan in cash."
When Chen Lishu brought out three large "Da Tuán Jié" bills, the crowd erupted.
This was real money, given away for free, almost equivalent to a month's salary. For ten-odd yuan, one could have a Western meal, and thirty yuan would significantly improve a family's living conditions.
"Is anyone willing to help?" Chen Lishu asked the crowd.
"Me!" A young man quickly raised his hand and walked out from the crowd.
Wang Dazhu brought over a cardboard box. After letting everyone see its contents, he placed all the numbers corresponding to the customers who had purchased clothing inside.
Soon, the young man approached the cardboard box. Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on his movements.
The young man quickly drew out a slip of paper and was about to hand it to Chen Lishu. Chen Lishu didn't touch it and smiled, saying, "Could you please show it to everyone and read out the number?"
The young man nodded. After opening the slip, he loudly read to the crowd, "Number 63!"
The crowd immediately stirred.
After a few seconds, a woman's scream pierced the air, "Mine, it's mine! It's my number."
The crowd parted, and a woman in her thirties, with an agitated expression, walked out.
"Congratulations," Chen Lishu said, handing her the three "Da Tuán Jié" bills.
"Thank you, thank you." Even after receiving the money and being escorted to the side, the woman was still beaming with the joy of winning.
Those still waiting for the draw looked even more eagerly at the other two prizes on the table.
Although they didn't win the third prize, there were still the first and second prizes, which were even more valuable.
"To ensure fairness and impartiality, let's invite another audience member to draw the prize," Chen Lishu said, then turned to the young man, "Thank you for your cooperation. You'll receive a 10% discount on clothing purchases when you enter the shop later."
The young man, surprised by the unexpected bonus, happily went into the shop.
"I, I'll help draw!" This time, an elderly woman volunteered.
Soon, the second prize winner was also drawn.
As the second and third prizes were claimed one after another, everyone's breathing grew more rapid. Only the first prize remained.
Finally, under the long-awaited gaze of everyone, the first prize was drawn by a young woman in her twenties.
At first, she was unsure and checked the number multiple times. When she confirmed she had won the first prize, a wristwatch, her eyes welled up with happiness, and she almost cried.
Naturally, the winners were ecstatic, while those who didn't win were deeply disappointed.
Regardless, the event had concluded.
After thanking everyone, Chen Lishu and Wang Dazhu began to pack up.
In the afternoon, they tallied the sales of goods and cash, and everyone was shocked.
In less than three hours, the shop had sold nearly four hundred cashmere sweaters and cotton-padded clothes, with a turnover of over ten thousand yuan!
Wang Aixiang gasped, "Good heavens, if we did this every day, how much money would we make?"
Chen Lishu smiled, "Then we wouldn't be far from entering the gates."
Doing it occasionally was fine, but if they did it so brazenly every day, they'd certainly be targeted.
However, regardless, the funds for the State Cotton Mill were largely secured.
When Liang Chunsheng returned, he brought another order for fifty pieces.
On the tenth, Chen Lishu, Wang Dazhu, and Liang Chunsheng went to pick up the goods and settled the final payment in full.
Manager Fu was very pleased with the successful collaboration and expressed his anticipation for future cooperation.
Within two days, Zhou Bin's unit had a vehicle heading to the provincial capital, and they brought along the three cashmere coats made by Yuan Chunhua.
Wang Aixiang and the others had been very busy during this period. Chen Lishu invited everyone, including Zhou Bin, to a meal at a restaurant.
"I'm planning to resign when I go back this time," Zhou Bin suddenly announced during the meal.
Chen Lishu was surprised, "Why are you thinking of resigning when you're doing so well?"
"The materials bureau seems fine now, but its status isn't as good as it was a couple of years ago," Zhou Bin explained. "Besides, there are too many restrictions at the unit. It's better to come out and focus on business."
Chen Lishu had started her business much later than him back then, and now she was miles ahead.
Zhou Bin was a formal employee of the materials bureau and even a minor leader. Chen Lishu had to admire his courage for making such a decision.
"So, what are you planning to do?"
"The heavy truck at our unit is quite old, and the leadership intends to replace it. I estimate I can take it over for five or six thousand yuan. Then, I'll hire someone and run a transport business. I think it's a good line of work."
It was more than good; in the eighties and nineties, the transportation industry was very lucrative, and some even said that a good match for marriage was a truck driver.