Chapter 44 Jinjiang Exclusive Fitness Pants
"A highly elastic, silky fabric? Like the kind used for dance pants?"
Su Ruyi nodded: "Yes, it's similar to dance pants. Aunt Zeng, have you ever heard of bodybuilding pants?"
Su Ruyi didn't know exactly when leggings became popular, but in her memory they were all the rage in the early 1990s.
This is also closely related to the Asian Games, which, along with the hula hoop, suddenly became popular across the country overnight.
However, Su Ruyi rarely saw leggings when she strolled around the wholesale market and the streets of the provincial capital.
Although it exists, it has not become mainstream. At present, it is only a fashion item for trendy women, not a must-have for women across the country.
When Su Ruyi had memories, leggings weren't very fashionable anymore, but she did have them when she was a child. She even found quite a few colorful pairs of leggings while tidying up her mother's clothes.
At its peak, almost every woman across the country, regardless of age, wore one, making it incredibly popular.
These pants are very stretchy and made of smooth fabric. They would feel very comfortable to wear in this era and are also very much in line with current aesthetic standards.
"Lymnastics pants? Are they the kind with footed leggings, made of a very close-fitting fabric?"
"Yes. Leggings are also called footed leggings, and they're starting to become popular in the south. I've seen people wearing them in the provincial capital."
Su Ruyi didn't actually know if it was already popular in the South, but it should be close enough.
Qing Province is always a bit slower than major southern cities. Since there are already women wearing it on the streets, and fashionable young women at that, it means that this trend will eventually take hold. And it's very likely that it's already popular in the south by now, so Su Ruyi said this with great confidence.
Zeng Guoqin nodded: "I have a friend in Guangzhou who said that a new type of pants is becoming popular there. They are very comfortable to wear and also flatter the figure. I asked her to send me two pairs, thinking that Qiuyu can wear the new pants to school when it starts."
Zeng Guoqin was in this line of work after all, so she had many friends in the same industry and was quite well-informed about this information.
She dotes on her daughter and often buys her new clothes from Shanghai and Guangzhou, wanting to dress her up beautifully.
Lu Qiuyu and Wang Huiting were eating watermelon nearby when they heard this. Lu Qiuyu said:
"Mom, I have plenty of clothes, you don't need to buy me any."
“Women don’t have an abundance of clothes,” Zeng Guoqin disagreed.
Wang Huiting was extremely envious: "Aunt Zeng, it's so wonderful to be your daughter!"
Lu Qiuyu wasn't flamboyant; in fact, she was rather aloof. But she was always the best-dressed and prettiest in the class.
Wang Huiting loves pretty clothes, and seeing so many nice clothes on Lu Qiuyu, she wanted to be friends with her.
So, ignoring Lu Qiuyu's cold face, he insisted on going over.
Lu Qiuyu was also touched by her enthusiasm, and the two of them, along with Zhang Yao, have always been best friends.
Although we argue from time to time, we always make up soon after.
Zeng Guoqin laughed and said, "When I was pregnant, I was thinking about having a daughter and then dressing her up from a young age."
Wang Huiting felt even more envious. Although her mother loved her, she knew that her mother wanted to have a son more.
These days, many people are like this, hoping for a son. There are very few women like Aunt Zeng who hoped for a daughter as their first child and didn't have any more children afterward.
When they were born, the one-child policy had not yet been implemented, so they were allowed to have another child.
Even now that it's been implemented, many people still try every possible way to secretly have a second child in order to have a son.
"Qiuyu, your mother is so wonderful."
Lu Qiuyu is also very proud: "My mother is the best mother in the world."
Zeng Guoqin felt very warm upon hearing this, but she did not forget her main task.
"You want to start a business selling leggings?"
If she were an ordinary girl, Zeng Guoqin wouldn't have thought of these things.
Their textile factory only produces fabric; it doesn't make garments.
If you want to start a clothing business, you'll go directly to wholesale ready-made garments instead of buying fabric and making them yourself later.
Adding an extra step adds to the trouble, and since the fabric must be sourced directly from the factory in large quantities, the initial investment will be substantial. Add to that the production costs, and you can't do this without significant capital.
However, Su Ruyi now has a hula hoop business and controls the entire supply chain of Zhaoguang City, so her income is definitely not small-scale.
Others didn't know this and only thought that Su Ruyi was working for someone else, and that there were other people behind her.
Zeng Guoqin, however, knew the inside story. Because of Lu Qiuyu, she knew that all of this was Su Ruyi's business.
"We have such an intention at present, but we still need to see the specific situation."
Su Ruyi originally planned to go to the south to purchase goods, but she discovered that although Liulin County was just a county town, it had a lot of factories and its industry had once been glorious.
The textile factory was the most prominent among them. Although its glory days are over, its foundation remains, which gave Su Ruyi a different idea.
If the fabric and production can be done locally, the cost should theoretically be lower.
Labor costs in Liulin County are much cheaper than in the south, and you don't need a large scale; a small garment workshop will suffice.
Although the three major items of the past are no longer popular, many households still have sewing machines.
People started buying ready-made clothes or going to tailors to make them, and rarely made them themselves. Sewing machines were also left idle. She could easily buy or rent them, which would reduce costs.
Leggings are easy to make, requiring little skill in pattern making and other techniques.
Wang Huiting happened to have this connection, so she tried to come and ask about the situation.
Zeng Guoqin pondered for a moment. Although their textile factory had never produced this kind of material before, there shouldn't be any major problems. They had always focused on producing synthetic fabrics such as polyester.
"I've been away from production for a long time now. Whether it's possible or not, I'll have to ask the factory tomorrow and then I'll give you an answer."
"Thank you for your help, Aunt Zeng."
Zeng Guoqin smiled and said, "It's not troublesome at all. You may have heard about our factory's situation from Tingting. This may be a turning point for our factory."
Wang Huiting had mentioned the plastic factory's predicament to Lu Qiuyu, and Lu Qiuyu and her mother always talked about everything. Moreover, everyone had witnessed the overnight popularity of hula hoops in the county.
Therefore, Zeng Guoqin knew just how discerning Su Ruyi, this girl from the South, was.
Although she has many friends in the south, the distance is far, and it is not convenient to keep in touch. Moreover, she only hears snippets of information and is not as familiar with the situation as the people there.
Although Su Ruyi came from a rural area, she had heard that some rural areas in the south were developing rapidly and had a different atmosphere.
They are proactive in business, quick-witted, hardworking, and more adaptable than their locals.
The factory is still sticking to its old working methods, not actively exploring new markets, clinging to the old ways without adapting, and thinking that any change in appearance is a new product.
But getting them to change voluntarily and produce new styles that have never been done before will take at least a year and a half to finalize.
At least now I'm starting to take private orders, unlike before when I would look down on them and refuse any orders that came to me.
Now, as long as the factory can make a profit, the machines can also be put into operation for private individuals.
Su Ruyi said with great certainty, "Lexy pants are just like hula hoops, they will definitely become popular, especially after the Asian Games, they will definitely become a trend."
Although this is a world within a book, and many situations differ slightly from the reality she experienced in her other life, the general trend seems to be the same for now.
Moreover, these things were not created out of thin air; they were already on the market, it's just that the trend hasn't come yet.
Given this, Su Ruyi must seize the opportunity and ride the wave of opportunity.
Based on her calculations, the textile factory certainly wouldn't reply so quickly, and considering the production cycle, she still had plenty of time.
If there's no news from here, she's not worried; she can simply go to Guangzhou to buy more goods.
Zeng Guoqin was deeply moved. Having grown up in a textile factory and dedicated the first half of her life to it, what she least wanted to see was the decline of the textile factory.
The current situation at the textile factory is causing her great concern.
It's important to understand that all textile factories have faced significant challenges in recent years. The liberalization of cloth rationing has meant that cloth is no longer in short supply as it used to be, leaving many textile factories with a backlog of unsold goods.
Zeng Guoqin also knew that many state-owned textile factories in other places had gone bankrupt, something she would never have imagined before.
But things are different now. If they can't withstand the test of the market, they will go bankrupt like private companies.
“Our textile factory currently only accepts orders worth over 50,000 yuan,” Zeng Guoqin said.
Their factory has never produced this kind of material before. They definitely won't start production unless it reaches a certain amount, as that would be too unprofitable. So this amount is their bottom line.
Su Ruyi was prepared and not surprised. "As long as the price is right and the product quality is up to standard, a minimum order of 50,000 is not a problem."
"Don't worry about the product quality; our factory never compromises on quality. We'll also try our best to offer you a discount; it won't be more expensive than elsewhere."
Zeng Guoqin assured that she was very confident about this.
After all, their factory has a solid foundation; it's just that they haven't kept up with the times, which is why they're in their current state.
The factory is unwilling to take the risk, but if Su Ruyi opens the door and makes them willing to take that step, then the situation could very well be different.
Even if there are no follow-ups, at least this order can get the idle production lines in the factory running again.
Wang Huiting and Lu Qiuyu listened intently, not daring to utter a sound.
Fifty thousand yuan!
That's an enormous number!
Su Ruyi agreed without even blinking.
After leaving Lu Qiuyu's house and not being able to see their building anymore, Wang Huiting finally let out the breath she had been holding.
"Boss, are you really going to go into the clothing business?"
Wang Huiting had only just started making a fortune with her hula hoop business, and she never expected that Su Ruyi was already preparing to open up a new territory.
"It's so hard not to make money when you can."
Su Ruyi knew how precious opportunities were, and she didn't remember much. If she didn't seize them, it would be difficult to accumulate wealth on her own.
She was just lucky before; her family's property was demolished, which gave her capital.
The people around her are all in business and have entrepreneurial mindsets, but she is the kind of person who waits for opportunities rather than actively seeking them out. In the past, she would just follow along and get a share of the profits.
Things are different now. She's like one of those who are the first to smell an opportunity; it would be a real waste if she didn't seize it.
While risks still exist, they are far fewer than for the average person.
"But what kind of address is that?"
Wang Huiting chuckled and said, "Calling you Sister Ruyi feels too distant to me, and calling you Sister would conflict with my Sister. I think you have a lot of style, so calling you Boss is the most appropriate."
Su Ruyi remained silent, but didn't dwell on it.
"Boss, I also want to do business with you," Wang Huiting said eagerly.
She had completely forgotten her previous vow, and when she thought about the money she had earned during this time, she couldn't bear to give it up.
But school starts in a few days, and she won't have time then. How much money is that!
"You should try to get a high school diploma. It won't make a difference if you don't get another year. You'll have a foundation for learning new things later."
Studying is not the only way out, especially in this day and age.
However, Su Ruyi felt that it was better not to enter society too early.
As students, we are still children; once we stop studying and start working, we become adults with responsibilities.
"Fine." Wang Huiting looked completely dejected.
Su Ruyi didn't say anything more. Everyone has to walk their own path. She was just offering advice based on her own experience, which might not be suitable for the other person's situation. Therefore, she wouldn't force the other person to do what they wanted.
"Right now, I'm just doing things haphazardly, so you won't learn much from me. It'll be just right when things settle down in a year."
Wang Huiting perked up again, "Okay, boss, I'll listen to you."
The next day, Su Ruyi finalized the warehouse arrangements.
Zeng Guoqin: "I have already spoken to the factory leaders about the fabric for the bodybuilding pants. Technically, there shouldn't be any major problems. It's just that the factory is still discussing it further, but I don't think there will be any major issues."
Su Ruyi knew that state-owned factories were inefficient, so she wasn't surprised.
Zeng Guoqin added, "You don't need to worry about something like what happened at the furniture factory happening again. The factory leaders also want to take this opportunity to see if your hula hoop business is really that popular."
This is partly why the procedures went so smoothly.
Although everyone knows that hula hoops are very popular right now, there is no specific data on just how popular they are.
But if Su Ruyi puts the warehouse in the textile factory, then the calculation can be roughly done.
The main problem is that Su Ruyi has no qualifications, no employer, is from out of town, and is just a young girl. It feels unsafe to start production with her, given how many scams there are these days.
Su Ruyi smiled and said, "I'm relieved to hear you say that. People from other counties and even cities have been coming to me to buy goods. I have a large volume of goods coming in and going out every day. It would be too troublesome if I didn't have a warehouse."
That same day, Su Ruyi asked Uncle Wang to contact other industry professionals to help transport all the hula hoops from the furniture factory's warehouse to the textile factory.
So the furniture factory workers saw a line of tricycles carrying hula hoops riding out of the factory, a truly spectacular sight.
"Business is so good, we've shipped out so much stock today."
Many people are paying attention to the warehouse, so they have a general understanding of the daily situation.
Seeing this unfold, some people can't help but feel a little sour.
How much money must they make!
"Don't you know? This isn't a shipment; our factory isn't renting out warehouses anymore. This is being transported somewhere else."
"Huh? Why? Why aren't you renting it anymore?"
"It's because of complaints. They said that without the consent of the factory employees, the Tong family misappropriated your public property."
Su Ruyi was very fast, so some people hadn't heard the news yet.
"Who's so heartless? The warehouse is just sitting empty anyway, what's wrong with renting it out?"
"That's right, a little more money is good, it's not like we're not going to give you any."
"That's not how it works..."
This incident has once again sparked considerable discussion about the furniture factory.
People are not happy to see goods coming and going all the time, and the furniture factory is even more depressed in comparison.
It's something we'll never see again, and the textile factory is so generous in renting out its warehouses, which makes people feel uneasy.
Especially since everyone knows that Li Mei has taken a leave of absence without pay, many people feel incredibly envious.
Li Mei finally became a full-time employee, but she gave it up again. She wouldn't have done that if the benefits weren't so great.
“I originally wanted to get closer to their family and sell some hula hoops, but now I’ve offended them. How can I possibly go to their door now?”
"Why are these women working so hard? All that money they're earning isn't theirs to keep."
Su Ruyi didn't care what people were saying outside; all she wanted to do was make money.
However, she doesn't work all the time; she leaves work and goes home promptly at five o'clock every afternoon.
Everyone else was the same; after 5 p.m., they could no longer linger outside, and at the latest, they could not stay outside past 6 p.m.
The county has relatively good public security, with very few serious incidents, but we still can't let our guard down.
Especially since their family is all women, they are bound to be targeted by others.
So even though Wang Huiting loves making money, she doesn't go home too late and always eats dinner at home.
Now everyone eats lunch separately, and sometimes they eat breakfast out as well, so Li Mei attaches great importance to dinner.
She always makes different dishes, she has a real talent for cooking. Even when the ingredients were limited, she could still create amazing dishes, and now it goes without saying.
Su Ruyi ate to her heart's content every day, thinking that Li Mei could really open her own food shop, as her cooking skills were exceptional.
After we finished eating, there was a knock on the door.
"Grandma Zhou, what brings you here? Please come in and sit down."
Wang Huiting, with her sharp eyes, quickly stood up to greet them.
Grandma Zhou looked at the people in the room; they all had rosy complexions and were a bit plumper than before, which showed how well they were living now.
Wang Huizhen quickly handed a watermelon to Grandma Zhou: "Grandma Zhou, please have some watermelon."
Now their family not only eats fish and meat every day, but also needs fruit.
These were all requested by Su Ruyi; the house couldn't function without fruit.
Grandma Zhou didn't stand on ceremony and accepted the watermelon.
"It seems you've been doing quite well lately."
Li Mei smiled and said, "It's all because Ruyi is capable; she's made our lives better and better."
Grandma Zhou looked at Su Ruyi and nodded approvingly: "I've heard your father talk about you before, and you really are a capable child."
Su Ruyi had delivered things to Grandma Zhou before, so she was not unfamiliar with her and thanked her with a smile.
Grandma Zhou rarely visits, so she must have something to say today. Therefore, everyone sat down and waited for her to speak.
Grandma Zhou had helped them a lot in the past, and they remembered that kindness.
"From now on, when you go out, don't go alone, and don't go to remote places. You're too conspicuous now, and you might be targeted by someone."
Grandma Zhou didn't beat around the bush and directly stated her purpose.
Everyone's expression immediately turned sour, especially Li Mei, whose face turned deathly pale.
"This, this..."
"Don't worry too much, our county is relatively peaceful. It's just that you've been making money lately, and since your family is all women, you don't have anyone to support you, so it's inevitable that people will have their eyes on you."
Grandma Zhou looked at Li Mei: "Some people asked me to introduce you to potential partners before, but I didn't think they were suitable, so I didn't mention it. However, recently, more and more people have been asking me to do this, and I'd like to hear your opinion."
Grandma Zhou doesn't shy away from having several children. She feels that the children are older now and no longer as ignorant as when they were little, so they should be involved.
Li Mei was stunned: "Why is this related to me?"
This would be her third marriage, and she already has three daughters. At her age, it's impossible for her to have another child, so who would want to marry her?
Li Mei had considered this as well. Su Ruyi wouldn't stay long, and she, as a woman, probably couldn't support a family on her own.
But lately, making money has been so easy that she's forgotten all about it.
Wang Huiting said anxiously, "Mom, you only need us! I can earn money now, you don't need to rely on others anymore."
She was terrified of an adult man entering the house, and although her stepfather was a nice man, it took her a long time to adjust.
Li Mei was conflicted. There was no man in the family, and they were so conspicuous now that they were easily bullied.
Subconsciously, Li Mei looked at Su Ruyi.
Su Ruyi said, "Whether you remarry is your choice, I can't control that. But you don't need to marry someone just to avoid us being bullied. I'm much more useful than a man."
Wang Huiting quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, Sister Ruyi is much better at fighting than any man!"
Tong Yunyun also clenched her fist and said, "Mom, I can fight too! I'm the man of the house!"
Wang Huizhen said quietly, "Mom, there aren't many stepfathers like me, but there are quite a few like my dad."
Upon hearing this, Li Mei shuddered.
“Auntie, I don’t want to think about these things right now. Aihua hasn’t been gone long, and her remains haven’t been found yet. I won’t go to the next place.”
Grandma Zhou nodded upon hearing this, not surprised by the result.
She was just there to confirm things; she didn't intend to play matchmaker.
The reason they were so enthusiastic at the beginning was because Li Mei's two children were still young and she couldn't stand it. Seeing that her job was about to be taken away, they couldn't bear it and encouraged her to marry Tong Aihua.
She only advised, "Be careful yourselves. Life is tough for everyone right now, and people are bound to be envious and spread rumors that could cause trouble for you."
Grandma Zhou's reminder gradually calmed them down.
Li Mei has been quite flamboyant lately, and people have been laughing behind her back about her inability to give birth to a son and the fact that she has caused the deaths of two husbands.
She really wanted to prove herself. Although Su Ruyi needed to eat a lot of meat these days, so she bought a lot every day, she also wanted to show off.
Therefore, he didn't avoid people and walked past everyone with it in a carefree manner.
Looking back now, I feel a bit regretful; one shouldn't flaunt their wealth!
Su Ruyi, however, took it all in stride. Business was so good that it couldn't be hidden.
“I’ve been meaning to say this for a while, but I kept forgetting. You should put all the money you earn into the bank and not keep too much cash on hand.”
Su Ruyi had already opened an account, which made it easier to make payments.
However, Wang Huizhen and Wang Huiting did not have this habit; they kept their money at home.
Li Mei is also very busy every day and has forgotten about this matter.
"Let's go to the bank to deposit the money tomorrow!"
Wang Huiting quickly said that she used to feel especially happy counting her savings every day, but now she just hopes that she doesn't have a single penny in her hands.
“Grandma Zhou said that, so she probably heard something. Maybe you shouldn’t go out to sell things,” Su Ruyi added.
Even Li Mei was unhappy about this: "We'll just be careful. I don't believe anyone would dare to cause trouble in crowded places."
The three sisters shared the same view; they had finally managed to earn some money, so how could they back down?
Thugs are certainly terrible, but poverty is even more terrible.
Therefore, the three sisters, Wang Huiting, Wang Huizhen, and Tong Yunyun, must continue to work together and not sell separately. They should sell less, as safety is the most important thing.
There's no need to worry about Li Mei at the steamed bun shop; there are always people coming and going, so nothing bad will happen. Besides, Su Ruyi isn't far from her either.
Su Ruyi was quite worried about Wang Huiting and the others. Although the three of them were together, and Zhang Yao and Lu Qiuyu came to help from time to time, and Tong Yunyun also had many friends, a group of little girls really didn't have much of a deterrent effect. If they really encountered hooligans, they probably wouldn't be able to handle it.
Unexpectedly, someone was so blind as to cause her trouble first.
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