Chapter 53 Brother Zhao, would you be willing to... with me?
Outside, Uncle Zhao and the others were still discussing things. When he saw the two of them come out side by side, he thought that his son had finally figured things out and was going to take the initiative. He even gave his son an encouraging look.
However, Zhao Yunjing did not receive the message; he was still guessing what Zhou Mujiao wanted to tell him.
There was a big tree halfway up the mountain, with lush branches and leaves that could block out the scorching sun. Zhao Yunjing suggested that they talk under the tree.
Zhou Mujiao smiled and said, "No need, Brother Zhao. It's just a matter of a few words, and it's not something that others can't hear. Let's just say it here."
"...Okay." It's good to have things out in the open.
"I have a few questions for Brother Zhao. First, do you dislike me?"
Zhao Yunjing was startled and quickly denied it: "No! I don't hate you, I just—"
“Since Brother Zhao doesn’t dislike me, then I’ll ask Brother Zhao a second question: Brother Zhao, would you be willing to be with me?” She paused and looked up at Zhao Yunjing.
Zhao Yunjing's heart pounded. Was he willing to do something with her?
Zhou Mujiao withdrew her gaze and posed the question, "Would you be willing to cooperate with me to make money? Or would you like me to hire you and pay you wages? You can consider both options and then tell me which one you prefer."
It turns out it was a partnership to make money.
The Zhao family is too poor. They have benefited from her good fortune recently, and their appearance has changed drastically. But that is not a long-term solution. The Zhao family cannot keep taking advantage of her good fortune. What if they use up all her good fortune? When the Zhao family gets used to a luxurious life and falls back into poverty, how will they survive?
He also needs to have the ability to earn money to support his family, instead of just relying on brute force to hunt. The Zhao family is plagued by bad luck, and Zhou Mujiao has lost her good fortune. Even if he is willing to work hard, he will still be unable to catch anything, just like before.
Zhao Yunjing immediately made his choice: "Ajiao, I'm willing to work with you to earn money, and you can pay me whatever you want."
"Alright, then you'll be delivering goods with Ma Dalang the day after tomorrow. You'll be responsible for settling payments and verifying accounts. Also, if Liang An and Ma Dalang have any difficulties in building their team, please help them out."
"good."
"The job duties are as described for now, and the salary is five taels of silver per month. What do you think?"
"good."
"How about I give fifteen taels of silver each month for the rent of the embroidery room, as well as for my and Xiao Wu's food and rent expenses?"
"good."
That's really great.
Zhou Mujiao turned and left.
Zhao Yunjing stretched out his hand, then withdrew it, looking dejected.
Xiao Wu leaned closer and clicked his tongue: "Looks like I won't have to call you 'brother-in-law' anymore."
Zhao Yunjing didn't say a word, but picked up Xiao Wu and said, "We haven't practiced yet today. Come with me to the grove."
Xiao Wu rolled her eyes but still went along. The news of Zhao Yun Jing and Zhou Mu Jiao's conflict was brought to Chen Xiu Xiu by Deng San Ya and Tian Er Ya after the embroidery workshop closed.
The three girls huddled together and chatted until dark before going home. That night, Chen Xiuxiu insisted that her mother sleep with her. No one knows what she said to Aunt Chen, but in any case, Aunt Chen's attitude towards her wanting to marry Zhao Yunjing changed from being firmly opposed to turning a blind eye.
Zhao Yunjing was naturally unaware of Aunt Chen's change in attitude.
He got up at dawn to deliver goods to the clothing store today. Zhou Mujiao was only a little later than him. Uncle Zhao and Aunt Zhao also got up to help. Uncle Zhao loaded the goods onto the car, and Aunt Zhao went into the kitchen to make breakfast. The two old people were busy, but they were all listening intently.
Zhou Mujiao held several sheets of paper and a purse. She handed over the papers first: "This one is for the dyeing workshop. You and Liang An need to work together well. Boss Zhu should know soon that Liang An is cooperating directly with the dyeing workshop. When you go there this time, carefully investigate the dyeing workshop, talk to the workers more, and understand their needs."
"good."
Zhou Mujiao glanced at him and continued, "The most important thing is which worker is responsible for which process, what kind of salary they hope to receive, which people are responsible for the core processes, how they feel about the dyeing workshop owner, and whether there is a possibility of them being poached... You need to find out all of these things. Once Boss Zhu makes a move against the dyeing workshop, I hope we can immediately take the workers and start afresh."
"good."
"The pattern on this sheet is the identifier for this batch of goods. You should tell Sister Liu that starting from this batch, only clothing with our logo will be produced by our embroidery workshop. Moreover, each batch will have its own unique logo pattern. I will write down the pattern and the location of the logo for her when I deliver the goods."
This is a confidentiality agreement. You are responsible for explaining it to her, guiding her to sign it, and having it notarized at the government office. This cooperation agreement follows the same process, so please have Brother Zhao handle it as well.
This is a questionnaire, which needs to be coordinated and completed by Sister Liu. I've written the procedures on it; you can just give it to Sister Liu later.
Zhao Yunjing glanced at each chapter, then couldn't help but frown, asking the question that had been lingering in his mind: "When...did you learn to read? How did you learn the format of these contracts and agreements?"
Zhou Mujiao laughed: "I thought Brother Zhao was just a yes-man who only knew how to say 'okay' and never asked any questions."
"Ah Jiao—"
She yawned: "When Ma Dalang comes, you can check it yourselves. I'm sleepy, I'm going to take another nap. Auntie, don't wake me up for breakfast later!"
As soon as the door closed, Uncle Zhao came in and punched Zhao Yunjing: "You really are something! You're going to drive me crazy!"
"Alright, why are you blaming him? It's because we parents are incompetent, and our child lacks confidence." Aunt Zhao helped her son. "Stop talking about how great you were in the past. You're not Yun Jing, and I'm not A Jiao. A Jiao is much better than me. I can only make a few clothes at most, but A Jiao can earn money to support everyone! How can you compare?"
Uncle Zhao pretended to be a quail, and waited until Aunt Zhao went into the kitchen before whispering, "Don't listen to your mother's nonsense about confidence. Don't overthink it. Anyway, you like her, she likes you, and you like each other. That's your confidence. You have the determination to give her a good life, so you have confidence! Son, your parents may not be capable, but we can guarantee that we will treat Ajiao and Xiao Wu as our own children!"
Before long, Ma Dalang arrived with three people. They ate a quick bite at Zhao's house and then set off. They arrived just as dawn was breaking.
First, Zhao Yunjing handed the goods over to Sister Liu and explained everything Zhou Mujiao had told him. He then explained the contract terms to her one by one, but Sister Liu was hearing many of the terms for the first time, and it took her quite a while to understand them.
I've finally signed everything; the last step is notarization.
Sister Liu exclaimed, "Ah Jiao is truly farsighted. She completely eliminated all my worries. We change the style in each batch, or even if we don't change the style, the logo for each batch will be different. Let's see how others can imitate it!"
At this time, Liang An arrived at the tailor shop according to the time Ma Dalang had told him. Zhao Yunjing then said, "Sister Liu, let's go to the yamen now. Brother Liang, come along too. I'll go to the dyeing workshop with you later."
The notarization process at the government office went smoothly; you just pay them to get their stamp and keep a copy for their records. However, I encountered some trouble when I was leaving.
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