Although she had some doubts, Ji Xia wasn't too worried.
In terms of survival skills, relationship management skills, and environmental adaptability, Chen Jing is miles ahead of her. Even if she were reborn, she wouldn't dare say she's more reasonable than Chen Jing.
Moreover, Chen Jing is a loyal and sociable person, and it's normal for him to go out at night when he has many friends.
She went to the kitchen, where a small stove was warming water on its lowest flame, specially reserved for her to take a bath.
In the dry and cold autumn and winter seasons in the north, locals are used to going to the community bathhouse to take a bath.
Ji Xia and her group of five were from the south and were not used to standing naked in a bathhouse scrubbing each other. Fortunately, when Ji Xia and Chen Jing renovated this courtyard house, they specially had small bathrooms and toilets built in the front and back yards.
With a bathroom, a group of southerners no longer needed to go to public bathhouses; they could simply boil some water and carry it to the bathroom themselves.
Once they start manufacturing water heaters, we can have them installed and connected to the tap water system.
Because it's convenient, some female workers occasionally bring their clothes here, boil water, take a bath, and then go home.
Ji Xia took a shower in the bathroom and changed into clean clothes. When she returned, she found the light in the embroidery room still on. She peeked in and saw Hou Xiaolian still engrossed in embroidering a dragon and phoenix.
Ji Xia knocked on the door and peeked in, gently advising, "Xiao Lian, it's so late at night, don't hurt your eyes with needles, go to bed early."
Xiaolian looked up at her and smiled gently: "Sister, it's okay, I'm taking care of it. I'll just finish it little by little. I'll go back to my room in a bit."
"Then be careful not to push yourself too hard."
"I know, don't worry, sister."
Ji Xia left the embroidery room, and Chen Qiuyu stood behind her, sighing: "Ever since she bought that courtyard and incurred a debt of two thousand yuan, she's been working incredibly hard, putting in an extra hour or two every night just to earn a little more."
The small workshop adopts a pay system based on the amount of work done. For the first half month, workers are paid a monthly salary, and after that, they are paid on a piece-rate basis. As a result, their wages are higher than the monthly salary.
The workers in this workshop haven't seen it before. In the small workshops in the south, some workers are quick and efficient and can easily earn hundreds of yuan a month. Hou Xiaolian is one of them.
Now burdened with debt, the two siblings are working even harder than before.
Ji Xia smirked: "Where's Hou Fang? He's making his sister work overtime every day to earn money while he goes out with Chen Jing?"
Chen Qiuyu shrugged upon hearing this: "Hou Fang is also working very hard. He goes over to tidy up that little courtyard when he has time in the evening. I heard him and Xiaolian talking a couple of days ago that he plans to learn the skills from Master Lin when he has time, and then repair the courtyard himself when he has time off."
Ji Xia shook her head inwardly. Everyone has their own expertise. Saving this little bit of money will only result in a poorly done house and a waste of time.
Why not try to earn more money and then ask Master Lin to bring two apprentices to help out for a week?
However, thinking of Hou Fang and Hou Xiaolian's small courtyard, Ji Xia wondered if she should remind Chen Jing that if there were suitable courtyards or shops available and the account had sufficient funds, they could buy a few more to keep on hand.
The next day, Ji Xia was about to talk to Chen Jing about the house and shop when she was told that Chen Jing planned to go home.
Ji Xia was taken aback: "Go back to the county town? We've only been in the capital for two months, and we're busy right now. Why would we go back at this time?"
To be honest, they should be extremely busy right now, with weekly wholesale orders, renovations to be done in Wangfujing, preparation of supplies, and a large-scale stocking before New Year's Day.
Chen Jing put his arm around her shoulder and chuckled, "Isn't it you who's in charge of things in the capital? They handle the daily work, and Hou Fang and Xiao Lian will naturally consult you on important matters. I'll be back in no more than half a month."
Moreover, the small workshop was already on track, with someone following up on the shipments and purchases, and it had a good relationship with the surrounding neighbors. It hadn't offended anyone here, so Chen Jing didn't believe anything serious would happen.
Ji Xia looked at him with dissatisfaction: "What's going on? Why do I have to go back? Is it impossible without you?"
"This really is something that can't be done without me."
Chen Jing hugged her and kissed her: "Things aren't settled yet, and I'm not sure. Xiao Gang sent me a telegram saying that someone is interested in our goods, but they think our small workshop is too informal. They want me to go back and discuss expansion and development."
"Rural workshops expanding?"
"Yes, the specifics are still unclear. Xiaogang is undecided and asked me to go back and communicate with the people there. He said that a large merchant has taken a liking to our products and wants to cooperate with us long-term. He asked us to go back and discuss the details."
Chen Jing hugged her tightly, his face beaming with joy: "Although we've come to Beijing to open a new workshop, our hometown is our foundation. Besides, Xiao Gang said that the supply of goods at Baima Wholesale Market is insufficient. If possible, it would be best to expand steadily."
Chen Jing analyzed their current situation and development plan in a methodical manner.
Ji Xia also knew that this was the best time for development, as supply was less than demand and there were almost no competitors.
Some people in later generations said that in that era, if you stood on the right spot, even a fat pig could take off.
This era truly is one where courage and boldness reign supreme; as long as you're daring enough to take risks, you won't be let down.
She thought about it and agreed.
Having traveled such a long way back, it was impossible to leave empty-handed. Ji Xia accompanied Chen Jing on a shopping spree at the department store that very evening.
The women bought wool scarves and gloves, the men bought tonics, and the children bought snacks and treats. The two of them bought four large boxes of Beijing-style snacks.
The weather had turned cool in late autumn, so there was no fear of spoilage. Ji Xia and Chen Jing specially packed four roast ducks, put them in a sealed bag, and packed them with ice.
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