The next day, the family spent another day making hair accessories. As they got used to it, they became faster and faster. Not only could they make them without looking at the pictures, but Miao Miaomiao also drew inferences from one example and came up with several new styles on her own. She was very proud of this. On the way home that night, she said to Song Hehua, "Sister-in-law, what do you say, we should buy some scraps of cloth, make them at home tonight, and then secretly take them to a distant place to sell?"
Song Hehua's heart was moved for a moment, but she quickly shook her head and said, "What will happen if Mom finds out about this? Besides, Youtian is the most filial son. He always gives in to me in other things. If I make Mom so angry, she will beat me."
Miao Miaomiao looked at her with some disdain: "Sister-in-law, it turns out you're just being nice. Why are you so timid? Didn't you say you'd do it secretly and not let Mom know? I've watched these two, and I've also learned how to make the hairpins. They're only fifty cents each, just imagine how much money you can make."
Song Hehua still shook her head: "Where in the world is there a wall that is impenetrable? Where can we go to sell it? Besides, if we become traitors now, we will lose all the benefits in the future. You only think about making a few more dollars now, why don't you think that when Mom becomes the factory director, she will leave us behind? Then we can also get a job as a worker, which is better than selling things on the street. I think you are too careless."
Miao Miaomiao had pulled her along because she thought it would help distract the enemy when something happened. Who knew Song Hehua, who looked so cunning, was actually so cowardly? Well, there was some truth to what she said. Thinking of this, Miao Miaomiao smiled and said, "Sister-in-law, you're still open-minded. You're right. I only thought about making money but didn't think about the consequences. I'd better be like you and work honestly for our mother."
Song Hehua raised her head proudly. This was the truth. Her husband was honest and loyal, so she had to be a bit more loyal, or else she would be a nuisance. Zhu Youtian wasn't very capable, but he wasn't so capable of supporting the family. Most importantly, he wasn't a sly person and was incredibly kind to her and the children, which she found perfectly content. Don't think she didn't know that, with things getting better over the past two years, some men have started drinking and beating their wives again. If Widow Liu wasn't old and San Laizi wasn't someone to be trifled with, her house would be packed with people.
After three days of making headpieces, Huang Mei finally decided to take her things to the textile factory entrance the afternoon before Zhu Youliang and Liang Yuan were due to return to the factory. She took Song Hehua, Liang Yuan, and Zhu Youliang with her and went to the county.
On the way, Song Hehua suddenly mentioned Zhu Youjie, saying he went to the city every day and didn't know what he was doing. Huang Mei then remembered that her youngest son hadn't eaten at home for several days and wondered if he had gone to his father-in-law's house to show his courtesy. But she said, "Why would such a grown man care about him?"
Song Hehua assumed she knew the answer, so she didn't bring it up again. When they arrived at the textile factory, the factory was still closed, but the elementary school across the street had just finished. Seeing this, Liang Yuan asked Zhu Youliang to take a spot in front of the factory, spread out a patched old sheet, and placed some head ornaments on it. The three of them went to the area across from the elementary school and also spread out an old sheet, laying out a bunch of hair ties, hair bands, and small hairpins on it. Hairpins were expensive, so they didn't bring them out, fearing the children wouldn't be able to afford them.
After arranging the hair, Huang Mei and Song Hehua looked eagerly at the elementary school students passing by. Liang Yuan was amused and stood up and shouted, "Hey, take a look, these are beautiful hairbands, hair flowers and hair clips, cheap and beautiful, take a look."
Huang Mei and Song Hehua immediately looked over at her, and the surrounding vendors also looked over. Liang Yuan didn't care what they thought and continued to shout. This shouting actually made a mother and daughter stop in front of them. Judging from their clothes, they were 80% new, so they must be from a well-off family. Liang Yuan smiled and pointed at the items on the stall and said, "Two cents each, take your pick."
"Mom, I want this hairband with a kitten head on it." The little girl picked up a hairband and looked back at her mother.
The young woman also squatted down and flipped through the hair rings. "Boss, can you give me a discount? I want to buy a few more."
"I'm not bragging, I dare say this is the only one in the county. Don't look at the small size of the things, they are all sewn with needle and thread, and we only make a few cents. Since you are the first one to buy our things, for good luck, buy two for thirty cents, buy four for fifty cents, but don't tell anyone else." Liang Yuan's voice became smaller and smaller.
Upon hearing this, the woman immediately said, "Are eight for one dollar? If so, I'll buy it."
"I can't... forget it, just for good luck, don't mention it to anyone, otherwise I won't be able to do business." Liang Yuan said helplessly.
The woman nodded happily, asked her daughter to choose two more hairpins, and she also started picking out her own.
After she finished shopping and left with her daughter, another group of children gathered around. Seeing that Huang Mei and Song Hehua hadn't gotten into the swing of things yet, Liang Yuan immediately assigned them tasks, saying, "Mom, help collect the money. Sister-in-law, just shout louder, just like I did just now. I'm going to work tomorrow, so you'll have to do everything on your own from now on."
She took out a small mirror and showed the effect to the children who tried it on. She also discussed with the children's mothers how to tie their hair beautifully, and she never stopped talking.
Huang Mei watched from the side while collecting money, thinking to herself, "Oh my goodness! How could she not have noticed Yuanyuan was so talkative before?" She'd have to bring Miaomiao along next time and have her discuss hair-tying with others. No one wanted to listen even when she was an old woman. Thinking this way, she began to learn it seriously, and would tell Miaomiao about it later.
Song Hehua also learned to shout and, though a little embarrassed at first, became much more fluent later on. In the village, she was a bit of a brat. But once in the city, she became reserved. She had to be smart and not let her mother-in-law leave her alone. Didn't you see that Miaomiao didn't come today because her mother-in-law complained a few times? Thinking of this, she shouted even more vigorously.
Over here, Zhu Youliang was looking around bored. From a distance, he saw Wang Zhao riding a bicycle towards him, with a girl in a flowery dress on the back. The girl had big perms and heavy makeup on her face. She was hugging Wang Zhao's waist and smiling happily.
Zhu Youliang became furious when he saw this and stood up unconsciously.
Seeing that the textile factory was just around the corner, Wang Zhao asked the girl to get off. The girl did get off, but pointed at Zhu Youliang and said, "Do you recognize that man? He's been staring at you."
Wang Zhao looked up and saw Zhu Youliang staring at him. He remained calm and said with a smile, "I know him. Xiaofang, you go back first. I'll go over and say hello."
After the girl named Xiaofang left, Wang Zhao walked up to Zhu Youliang, looked at the hairband on the ground, and then said with a smile, "Sixth brother, are you setting up a stall?"
Zhu Youliang ignored him and sat back in his chair.
Wang Zhao didn't get angry and explained, "Sixth brother, you misunderstood. I came to pick up Youxian from get off work. I met that girl on the road just now and she asked me to give her a ride. I'm a kind person and didn't refuse."
As he was talking, Zhu Youxian came out of the factory. "Sixth brother, why are you here? Were you fired from the machinery factory? Why are you setting up a stall?"
Zhu Youliang gave her an unpleasant look and pointed at Huang Mei's stall. "I came here with my mom and the others."
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