Zhao Guiying couldn't steal her business selling fruit, so she asked Chen Lishu for help in thinking of other ideas. Before, the children were too young and she didn't dare to think about it. Now that they were a bit older, her mother-in-law could help with the children, and it was a good time to earn some money to supplement the household expenses.
"Sister-in-law, why don't you work with me? We'll have a companion and can chat on the road. Besides, I can't transport much cargo alone. With your help, we can handle more and split the profits equally."
Zhao Guiying wasn't being polite; she was stating facts. After selling goods for so long, she had learned from experience that without a helper, she, who wasn't quick-witted to begin with, would get flustered when many customers came at once, and even miscalculate the accounts.
Lin Xiaoyue repeatedly waved her hands, "Sister-in-law, you've been doing this all along. How can I steal your business?"
Chen Lishu smiled, "I think Sister-in-law Guiying's idea is good. Working together, we can go to more crowded places, like train stations or bus stations. If business is good, we might even make two trips a day."
The two women's eyes lit up at her words. Zhao Guiying had been afraid of getting confused and dared not go to crowded places. With Lin Xiaoyue looking out for her, it would surely be fine.
The more they thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. As both were impatient, they immediately pulled Chen Lishu and the children to the nearby village to collect plums.
...
"Battalion Commander, you called for me?" Wang Dazhu asked in a deep voice as he entered Gu Xingdong's office.
"Sit," Gu Xingdong pointed to the stool opposite his desk and looked at Wang Dazhu's arm wrapped in bandages. "I heard from Li Weimin that you submitted your demobilization application."
This time Wang Dazhu had received a second-class personal merit, but his arm could no longer withstand high-intensity training. Gu Xingdong had originally planned to transfer him to the quartermaster's office or the mess hall, but early this morning Li Weimin told him that Wang Dazhu had submitted his demobilization application.
"Yes," Wang Dazhu nodded. "I don't know how well this arm will recover, so I won't be a burden to the organization."
Gu Xingdong: "Have you thought about what you'll do after demobilizing?"
"Anything is fine. I've thought it all through. With my strength, I won't have trouble finding work. If all else fails, I'll go back to my hometown to farm. Don't worry, Battalion Commander, I can support myself no matter what."
Gu Xingdong nodded, "Since you've thought it through, I won't try to persuade you otherwise."
Seeing Wang Dazhu get up to leave, Gu Xingdong called out, "Wait."
Wang Dazhu turned back in confusion, "Battalion Commander, is there anything else?"
"Regarding your sister-in-law, I can't always be by her side, and I'm worried about her safety. Why don't you stop looking for work elsewhere? When your arm is healed, you can go work for her directly?"
Gu Xingdong saw that he didn't answer for a long time and assumed he was unwilling. Thinking his tone might have been off, he added, "If you don't want to, that's fine. Just pretend I didn't say anything."
"Wuwu..." Wang Dazhu suddenly wiped his eyes and said, "Battalion Commander, you're too good to me, wuwu."
He was just an insignificant soldier, and he never expected Gu Xingdong to care so much about him. Knowing he was unemployed, he even wanted to introduce him to Chen Lishu. He was so touched.
Gu Xingdong: "..."
"Battalion Commander, you are my reborn parents, no, my reborn father. From now on, I, Wang Dazhu, will repay you like an ox or a horse, wuwu."
The man's voice was naturally rough. Anyone else would have thought he had done something to someone. Gu Xingdong was annoyed by his fussing and said with a dark face, "Stop crying here, get out!"
"Yes!"
Wang Dazhu instinctively saluted and, wiping his face again, turned and left.
Only after leaving Gu Xingdong's office did Wang Dazhu belatedly realize, "Oh my, I'm going to work under my sister-in-law."
Who was his sister-in-law? She was their Battalion Commander's wife, the most respected person in the Battalion Commander's family.
The Battalion Commander had so many subordinates, but from now on, his sister-in-law would only have him. Thinking about it this way, wasn't he even more impressive than Li Weimin and the others?
As he was secretly rejoicing, he suddenly bumped into Li Weimin, who was coming upstairs to deliver materials.
"Dazhu, why are you standing here grinning to yourself? Your mouth is split to your ears. Did the Battalion Commander secretly give you money?"
When Wang Dazhu saw him coming up, his posture was straighter than usual. "It's even better than money, but I can't tell you."
"Tch, acting all mysterious. Then keep it to yourself. I'm leaving."
Wang Dazhu had expected Li Weimin to ask a few more questions, and then he would tell him. But to his surprise, Li Weimin turned and left directly. Wang Dazhu's shoulders drooped with disappointment.
...
When Chen Lishu, Zhao Guiying, and Lin Xiaoyue returned from the village, they each carried quite a few things.
The other two each carried a basket of plums, while Chen Lishu, in addition to buying some plums, also bought a hen and over twenty eggs from the villagers.
At the bottom of the building, they parted ways and went home to cook.
For dinner, Chen Lishu planned to make flatbread and simmer chicken soup. As she was mixing the dough and preparing to take the chicken out, she saw Gu Xingdong returning and beckoned him over, "You're back, perfect. Kill this chicken for me."
"Sister-in-law, are you having chicken tonight?" Wu Zheng followed closely behind. Seeing the chicken in Chen Lishu's hand, he chuckled and walked over.
"Stop asking the obvious," Gu Xingdong took the chicken from Chen Lishu. "Don't get greedy. This one isn't enough for me to even get between my teeth."
Wu Zheng pouted, "Your teeth must have quite large gaps."
Watching the two bicker, Chen Lishu couldn't help but smile.
Before Gu Xingdong could glare at him, Wu Zheng wisely slipped away.
"...I told Wang Dazhu today that after his injury heals, he will come to help you at your shop. Although he's a bit slow, he's honest, and his physical training is among the best in their company. With him there, I can be a little more at ease." Gu Xingdong said during dinner.
He still felt a lingering fear, thinking about that day if he hadn't returned, Chen Lishu would surely have been at a disadvantage.
Hearing Gu Xingdong's words, Chen Lishu's eyes lit up instantly. She was in need of someone like him, but had never found a suitable person. She hadn't expected Gu Xingdong to arrange it beforehand.
"Wang Dazhu? Is that the tall and strong one who came to our house for dinner once?"
"Yes," Gu Xingdong nodded. After taking a sip of the chicken soup, it was so flavorful that he almost swallowed his tongue.
Seeing that he liked the soup, Chen Lishu got up and added another spoonful for him.
"Mom, can I go out to play after dinner? Brother Yanchao and the others invited me to Bai Erpang's house to watch TV."
Chen Lishu glanced at the sky outside and then at her watch. It was almost seven o'clock. At this hour, without much entertainment, everyone slept quite early. The children would surely be noisy and disturb others' rest if they went over. So, after thinking for a moment, she said, "It's too late today, let's go tomorrow."
"Okay," Rui Rui obediently nodded. "Actually, I don't really want to watch TV that much."
How could adults not know what children were thinking? Chen Lishu stroked his head and then turned to discuss with Gu Xingdong, "Why don't we buy a TV for our family?"