Chapter 13 First Signs of Good Fortune 06: Win or Lose?

Lin Tingyue didn't tell the whole truth when she was at the educated youth settlement. In fact, she had used all the oil to make handmade soap a month ago. One pound of oil could make four or five bars of soap. After selling some to the educated youth settlement and keeping some for herself, she could still take thirty bars to sell on the black market.

But the price on the black market can't be as cheap as it is at the educated youth settlement. She sells them for one yuan or one yuan without coupons.

Yu Xingzhou originally planned to go to the black market with her on the day off, but Lin Tingyue felt that it would be troublesome to bring someone along, so she decided to go by herself early the next day.

She brought half a bucket of water so that people could try it out. However, because of this bucket of water, she rode much slower than usual. When she arrived at the black market, it was lunchtime, and the market was crowded.

People coming and going remained cautious and quiet, carefully checking prices before buying and leaving quickly after making their purchases.

Many of the customers were people from other villages who came to sell vegetables from their own plots or eggs they had saved at home. She was the only one selling soap, and she wore a homemade mask, which made her look mysterious. Curious people would always come over to ask her questions.

A woman carrying a shopping basket asked, "How much are your soaps?"

"One yuan each, no coupons needed. One type has mugwort juice added, and the other has goat milk added. You can use it to wash your face and hair; it's good for your skin. You can try it, ma'am. We have samples available." Lin Tingyue said as she put the bucket forward and took out two sample packets cut into the size of sugar cubes.

The older sister often comes to the black market and knows that everything is expensive there, so she didn't question the price. Besides, this soap has goat milk added, so it's understandable that it's a bit more expensive. So she squatted down next to the bucket, scooped up some water with her hand, wet the soap, and started rubbing.

"Did you make this yourself? Won't you have an allergic reaction if you use it?" The young girl next to her was very interested when she heard that it could be used to wash her face and hair, but since it wasn't bought from the supply and marketing cooperative, she wondered where she would find someone if something went wrong.

"It's homemade, but I use it every day myself. If you're worried about allergies, you can take this small sample to try first. If it works well, you can buy it again." Lin Tingyue also gave her two small samples, but there weren't many samples, only about ten pieces. At this moment, many women who came to the black market heard that there were free samples and gathered around to take a small piece home to try.

The first lady who squatted there to try it out bought one immediately after washing off the foam on her hands. She was very decisive and didn't even haggle over the price.

Some people tried to get a discount, arguing that since she made it herself, she couldn't sell it at the supply and marketing cooperative's price. Lin Tingyue just smiled and said, "But my soap is definitely no worse than what's sold at the supply and marketing cooperative. If you buy ten or eight bars, I can give you a whole bar for free. I really can't give you less than that. Besides, the longer this handmade soap is stored, the gentler it feels. We cook and do laundry all day long, and our hands get wet so many times. Our hands are the best indicator of our age, so we have to take good care of them..."

Most of the people who live in the county town have formal jobs, and some young girls are at the age where they love to look good. Some of them don't care about saving a penny or two, but are more interested in getting a dollar free if they buy more. If they have acquaintances, they plan to buy together and then split the money.

"Hey girl, we need twelve yuan, can you give us two yuan free?"

"become!"

Lin Tingyue's products are selling very well; the thirty handmade soaps she brought are almost sold out.

"Is this the handmade soap you made?" A familiar voice rang in her ears. Lin Tingyue looked up and saw Zhou Qichen.

"Want to try it?" Lin Tingyue said, picking up two sample packs and throwing them at him. He caught them precisely and walked over to her stall in a few steps, squatting down.

Actually, you don't even need to try it to know that this handmade soap must be good, otherwise so many people wouldn't buy it. Moreover, Zhou Qichen had been observing her for a long time. When selling things, she was sweet-talking and knew how to add value to her products. She knew what kind of people her target audience was.

Zhou Qichen initially thought she was just a young lady from a fallen family, but he never expected that she would have some real skills.

Just as he was about to continue discussing cooperation, danger quietly approached.

"Run! The patrol is coming!" Someone spotted the uniformed person, shouted, grabbed a corner of the cloth in front of them, stuffed everything into the cloth, carried it on their back, and ran off as if they had done it many times before.

Lin Tingyue originally intended to pack up and leave as soon as she sold out, but she didn't have time to talk to Zhou Qichen now. She didn't want to be caught by the city management committee, otherwise she would not only lose a day's work, but also be fined.

"Do you need a ride?" Lin Tingyue asked the other person as she got on her bicycle.

“Okay.” Zhou Qichen didn’t stand on ceremony and sat directly in the back seat.

But Lin Tingyue was really just being polite...

So when the patrol team arrived, they could only see the departing figures jumping up and down.

As Xu Xingyi watched the figure on the bicycle get further and further away, he almost collapsed to the ground from exhaustion.

"I really didn't expect these people to run so fast, but thank you anyway, comrade," the patrol team leader said to Xu Xingyi.

"...It's nothing, it's what I should do." Xu Xingyi said this, but in his heart he was blaming these people for being useless. They hadn't even caught a glimpse of her, what a waste of his day off to follow Lin Tingyue to the county town.

However, he had just seen a man on the back of Lin Tingyue's bicycle. His build and clothes were definitely not Yu Xingzhou's, and Yu Xingzhou hadn't asked for leave either.

Xu Xingyi racked his brains over the people at the educated youth settlement, but none of them matched up. Could it be that Lin Tingyue had seduced some random man outside the village...?

Zhou Qichen, who was labeled as a wild man, took Lin Tingyue to the place where they had bought alkali last time, which was a soap factory.

On the way there, Zhou Qichen confessed that his uncle was the director of the county soap factory, which was why he was able to get her alkali and rubber gloves last time.

Despite not having very professional equipment, she was able to make handmade soap with a good feel and appearance. Zhou Qichen recommended that she take the soap to a soap factory for inspection.

After Zhou Qichen helped her register at the security office at the gate, he went straight to the factory director's office.

The factory workers were either on their way to lunch or had already finished eating. Many of them who knew Zhou Qichen would come up to greet him, but they would all deliberately sized up Lin Tingyue.

Zhou Qichen declined their pleasantries and inquiries, and quickly led his men to the factory director's office.

The soap factory has its own canteen. Zhou Qichen's uncle, Factory Director Wu, had already finished eating when there were fewer people and was now sitting on a recliner in the room, resting with his eyes closed.

"uncle."

Upon hearing this address, Factory Director Wu didn't even bother to lift his eyelids. "What do you want now?"

Zhou Qichen's tone carried a hint of helplessness, "I'm here to deliver something today."

Factory Director Wu opened his eyes and, seeing a pretty girl beside him, immediately sat up as if he had sprung a fish out of water. "You silly child, why didn't you say anything before bringing someone in!"

Lin Tingyue pursed her lips and secretly glanced at Zhou Qichen, finding him calm and composed.

It seems to have been done on purpose.

After exchanging pleasantries, Lin Tingyue took out two kinds of handmade soaps she had made and gave them to Factory Director Wu to try.

"The product is indeed excellent, but according to regulations, the factory cannot directly purchase your formula with money. However, we can pay you in lieu of payment for your work. Your skill level is already good enough to be a technician in our factory."

After Director Wu finished speaking, Lin Tingyue gave Zhou Qichen a look.

Zhou Qichen asked, "Is it a permanent employee?"

"Of course, our factory's technicians earn fifty yuan a month, and there's also employee dormitory... If Comrade Xiao Lin doesn't want to work here, she can transfer out of the factory." Factory Director Wu was just being direct because she was brought by his nephew. Besides, he thought this girl was much prettier than his nephew's childhood sweetheart, and she had such skills. He would definitely welcome her if she was willing to come.

After a moment's consideration, Lin Tingyue said, "Thank you, Director Wu. May I think about it first?"

"Okay, then go back and think it over. I'll prepare the documents here, and you can come over and sign them once you've made up your mind."

The two parties agreed on a time for their next meeting, and Zhou Qichen accompanied her as they left the factory.

As soon as they stepped out of the soap factory, Lin Tingyue thanked Zhou Qichen, "Thank you so much for making this connection today. I'll treat you to dinner once it's all settled."

The man's lips curled up slightly, and his face looked less cold. "Then we'll have to bring Factory Director Wu along."

"Of course, you two are indispensable."

Zhou Qichen then asked, "What are your thoughts on work?"

Lin Tingyue pondered for a moment and then asked, "How much money can I get if I transfer out of this position?"

"It shouldn't be more than a thousand yuan. Are you planning to transfer out and not work here anymore?" Zhou Qichen didn't expect her to be willing to stay in the village. Although he had never lived in the countryside, he knew that farmers worked very hard in the fields, especially during the busy farming season, when many people died from exhaustion in the fields.

Lin Tingyue explained, "Transferring it out brings in money quickly. You can get two years' salary in one go. You can use that money to do something else that can make money."

Seeing that her thoughts coincided with his own, Zhou Qichen didn't try to persuade her to keep the job. "Just think it over."

Lin Tingyue raised an eyebrow. "Why don't you go all the way and help me find someone willing to buy this job?"

Zhou Qichen rarely laughed when she made him laugh. "How much will you give me if it's successful?"

"How about a month's salary?"

"make a deal."

When they returned to the village, it was still early. Lin Tingyue thought no one was home, but Yu Xingzhou had already returned.

But her face was somehow battle-damaged, both blue and red, which made her pause in her tracks.

"Who did you fight with?" Lin Tingyue reached out to touch his face, but the man turned his face away.

She could tell that Yu Xingzhou was truly angry, even angrier than when they first met that night. His eyes were red, and she wondered if he had just been crying.

His white shirt was brand new, bought just a few days ago, but now it was covered in mud and grass. Lin Tingyue turned around to make sure the shirt wasn't torn, otherwise she would have to trouble her neighbor, Sister Su Xiang, to sew it for her.

"Did you win or lose?"

After a long pause, Yu Xingzhou finally uttered two words stiffly, "We won."

Hearing this, she felt relieved; at least the few tricks she had taught Yu Xingzhou before hadn't been taught in vain.

She then asked, "So, will you cook dinner tonight or should I?"

"I'll do it."

Yu Xingzhou got up as he spoke, walked straight into the inner room, and closed the door behind him.

Lin Tingyue didn't want to make a fool of herself, so she went to the kitchen to start a fire and boil water.

The man who entered the house felt even colder when he saw that she hadn't followed him in.

Could it be that what Xu Xingyi said was true...?

The dinner was extremely lavish, giving off an air of "I'll just leave it for tomorrow."

Today was supposed to be a day for celebration, as a large sum of money was about to be deposited into their account. Even if they didn't earn enough work points this year, they wouldn't go hungry.

But now, because Yu Xingzhou got into a fight with someone, she has temporarily suppressed this good news and is trying to pick out a few things to say from her limited repertoire of comforting nonsense.

How are the handmade soaps selling?

It was Yu Xingzhou who started the conversation first, and Lin Tingyue breathed a sigh of relief, "They've all been sold. Although there were some twists and turns along the way, I didn't expect to run into the city management committee patrolling."

"They didn't catch you, did they?" Yu Xingzhou's expression softened slightly, and he immediately put down his chopsticks to check if she had been hurt.

"No need to look, I'm perfectly fine." Although Lin Tingyue said this, she didn't stop him from looking at her, letting Yu Xingzhou lift her arm and pull up her trouser leg.

Lin Tingyue cleared her throat and asked him in a gentle tone, "Would you like to tell me what happened to you today?"

She fell silent at the mere mention of this man, and it was unclear who she was angry at, looking so sullen.

"I fought with Xu Xingyi."

Hearing this name is not surprising. Judging from Yu Xingzhou's style, he will not take the initiative to cause trouble for others; it is others who will cause trouble for him.

"You two don't teach the same grade level, so how did the conflict happen?"

She looked at Yu Xingzhou, hesitating for a long time before finally blurting out her bombshell, "He took leave this morning to go to the county town, and when he came back he said you were seeing someone else outside."

"He's following me?" Lin Tingyue suddenly realized that she had been living too comfortably here and hadn't even noticed that someone was following her.

Seeing that she wasn't focusing on "finding a lover" and didn't even refute it, Yu Xingzhou felt his heart sink even further.

"So it's true that you were riding your bike with a strange man on the back?"

If she hadn't said that, things would have been fine, but the moment she did, Lin Tingyue immediately thought of the city management committee's sudden patrol.

Although they patrol frequently, they don't check every day. According to her conversations with the surrounding vendors, this area was inspected just yesterday, and they prefer to patrol during the morning and afternoon working hours, rarely during lunchtime.

The fact that they suddenly came at this time means someone must have reported them.

They even saw the person in the back seat; they were definitely coming for her.

Lin Tingyue then began to explain how she had made a fortune that day, “I did have someone on the back of my bicycle, but it was a distinguished person…”

Hearing that she was going to sell her job, Yu Xingzhou felt a little sorry for her. "This job is definitely easier than working in the fields. Are you really not going to reconsider?"

"If I go, I'll have to live there. Otherwise, I'll waste time commuting to and from get off work every day. It's okay when the weather is nice, but it'll be hard to travel when it rains or snows. Or do you want to live apart from me?"

Yu Xingzhou immediately shook his head.

Actually, it wasn't just these reasons. At that time, most apartment buildings had shared toilets and kitchens, poor sound insulation, and were noisy. It was better to live in the countryside. In addition, her main goal was to make money, not to find a job as a dedicated cog in the machine.

With the announcement of next year's college entrance examination, many people will probably continue to take the exam. It would be better to sell them at a high price now while everyone wants a job.

To prevent any unforeseen complications, Lin Tingyue went to write down the recipe as soon as she finished eating, including all the details that needed to be paid attention to during the production process, as she would need to coordinate with the workers in the workshop later.

When it's time to go to bed at night, the usually well-behaved person becomes proactive.

He first tentatively hugged her from behind, his slender hands slipping under her clothes and tracing her smooth skin until he encountered a mountain blocking his path, at which point he stopped and slowly began to climb.

Spring was in full bloom at the summit, and he stayed there, unwilling to leave.

Lin Tingyue was attacked from both sides, and soon she was sweating profusely, like a stranded fish struggling wearily, or like the incessant chirping of insects on a summer night...

A note from the author:

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