Chapter 126: Cheap but Not Good
Gu Qiuyue's heartbeat pounded in her chest, as if it was about to burst. She held her breath, hiding in the shadows at the corner of the building, her eyes fixed on the man in the printed shirt not far away.
Zhang Xiumei had her back to her, her figure somewhat stiff, and she subconsciously dodged the hand that was trying to pat her arm. This subtle movement helped Gu Qiuyue calm down a bit. Sister Xiumei was just hesitant and wasn't immediately persuaded.
We can’t wait any longer!
Gu Qiuyue took a deep breath, straightened her hair, put on a perfect smile of surprise on her face, and walked out from the corner.
"Sister Xiumei, are there guests so early?" She spoke in a clear voice and walked over slowly.
Zhang Xiumei turned around suddenly and saw Gu Qiuyue. She felt relieved as if she had seen a savior. "Qiuyue! Why are you back again?" She quickly turned to the man and said, "Comrade Liu, this is the person in charge of our workshop, Comrade Gu Qiuyue."
Comrade Liu's enthusiastic smile froze for a moment, but soon it returned to an even brighter one. He extended his hand, "Oh, Comrade Gu, I've heard a lot about you. I've heard for a long time that there's a capable person in charge of the Military Dependents Workshop. Today I finally get to meet you. I'm..."
Gu Qiuyue simply nodded without reaching out to shake his hand. Her eyes swept over the fabric behind his car. "Comrade Liu looks unfamiliar. He's not from our compound, is he? How did you get in?"
Comrade Liu retracted his hand awkwardly and rubbed it: "Oh, my cousin lives here. She hasn't been home for a few years. My aunt and uncle missed me very much. Knowing that I came to Pingcheng, they asked me to come and see her.
To be honest with you, Comrade Gu, I'm also running a small fabric business. My cousin told me that our military workshop needs fabric, so I sent some samples over to take a look. The price is absolutely favorable!" He was about to untie the rope that bound the fabric. "Touch it and feel the quality and the feel..."
"No need." Gu Qiuyue's tone was gentle but unquestionable. "Our workshop has a long-term supplier, and the materials we use are strictly controlled. We are not considering replacing them for the time being. Comrade Liu, you have made a wasted trip."
Liu Zhiqiang didn't expect her to refuse so bluntly. He was stunned for a moment and said hurriedly: "Comrade Gu, please take another look. The price is negotiable, and... and I was introduced by my cousin, not an outsider." He hinted vaguely.
Gu Qiuyue sneered in her heart but didn't show it on her face: "Thank you for your kindness, I appreciate it. Sister Xiumei, don't we still have to go to a meeting? It's almost time." She winked at Zhang Xiumei.
Zhang Xiumei immediately understood and quickly said to Comrade Liu, "Yes, Comrade Liu, we have something else to do. Please go back."
Comrade Liu looked at Gu Qiuyue, then at Zhang Xiumei, his expression changed several times, and finally he slumped his shoulders in disappointment, pushed his bicycle and walked away, looking back every few steps.
Only after the eye-catching printed shirt disappeared at the gate did Zhang Xiumei let out a long sigh and patted her chest, "Oh my god, he's finally gone. Qiuyue, thank goodness you came. This guy's tongue is so sharp, I almost..."
"He is Li Caifeng's cousin?" Gu Qiuyue grasped the key point.
Zhang Xiumei lowered her voice and said, "Yes, I saw Li Caifeng bring him in."
Gu Qiuyue's eyes narrowed. Li Caifeng, the one who was kicked out of the workshop for selling inferior products as good ones.
"Sister Xiumei," Gu Qiuyue said, her expression becoming serious. "I just met Master Hu. He said there are some new suppliers in the market recently. The fabric prices are ridiculously low, but the quality is terrible. The color fades and deforms after washing. He reminded me to be careful when buying the fabrics. I also think that we must not be tempted by such cheap prices and must stick to the old suppliers."
Zhang Xiumei nodded repeatedly. "I know, I know! 'Cheap goods are always bad,' that old saying is true. I just couldn't save face just now... I definitely won't do that next time."
"It's not enough for just the two of us to know." Gu Qiuyue made a quick decision, "Call a meeting immediately and explain this matter and the new management system clearly."
At the emergency meeting of the workshop in the morning, Gu Qiuyue first emphasized the issue of inferior fabrics. Seeing that many military wives' faces changed, it was obvious that some of them had heard about it or had thought about it. Then, she announced the new regulations of grouping responsibilities, detailed quality inspection and material registration and collection.
Most people expressed their support, but Gu Qiuyue keenly noticed that Li Aiying, who was sitting in the corner, kept her head down, twisting the corner of her clothes with her fingers, and looked uneasy.
When she returned home at noon, Gu Qiuyue rubbed her forehead with a slightly tired look. Xie Shiyu was wearing an apron and cooking noodles in the kitchen. When he saw her come back, he poked his head out and asked, "What happened?"
"Yes, a salesman selling low-quality fabrics, claiming to be Li Caifeng's cousin." Gu Qiuyue washed her hands and went over to help him with the dishes. "But how did he get into the compound? Although the guards will ask for registration, salesmen like this usually can't get in without a greeting from someone inside."
Xie Shiyu turned off the fire and scooped the noodles into a bowl, frowning slightly. "Someone must have brought a message or given a heads-up. You should pay attention to this matter." He wiped his hands and took out a thin booklet from his military bag. "Oh, by the way, Old Chen from the Logistics Department found this book, 'Key Points for Identifying Common Labor Protection Fabrics'. Take a look and see if it's useful."
Gu Qiuyue took the booklet, overjoyed. She flipped through the detailed illustrations and instructions, feeling warm inside. "It's so useful! I'll take it with me next time I go shopping." She looked up at her husband, who was wearing an apron, and couldn't help but smile. "Deputy Master Xie, you're so skilled."
Xie Shiyu put the fried egg in her bowl and said in a teasing tone: "There's nothing we can do. The family members are too busy. We have to rely on ourselves."
In the afternoon, Gu Qiuyue and Zhang Xiumei checked the costs together and found that the consumption of auxiliary materials such as cotton thread was indeed a little higher than the budget. The two discussed that the material receipt and registration system should be strictly implemented as soon as possible.
At night, after the two children went to bed, Gu Qiuyue studied the identification manual carefully under the lamp, while Xie Shiyu sat beside her reading his military theory book, occasionally handing her a pen or filling her water cup. The light was dim, but it was shrouded in a peaceful warmth.
"Thank goodness you're here." Gu Qiuyue put down the manual and said softly.
Xie Shiyu raised his head and said seriously: "Just be nice and stop talking. A little reward would be the most practical." The invitation in his eyes was self-evident.
Gu Qiuyue smiled and glared at him, but the tense string in her heart slowly relaxed.
However, this tranquility was broken in the early morning of the next day. Just as Gu Qiuyue was about to go to the workshop, she was stopped at the gate by a menacing figure.
The person who came was Li Aiying's mother-in-law. She stood with her hands on her hips and spoke in a shrill and bright voice, instantly attracting the attention of the neighbors:
"Teacher Gu! I finally caught up with you. I was just about to ask you, what's going on in your workshop? Are you withholding wages? Why did my Aiying get so much less money this month? You must give me an explanation!"
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