Chapter 182
"Oh, Jinxuan, you are so lucky! When you were studying, you were the most outstanding among us. Later, you were the first to get married. Later, you were admitted to university, and now you are the first to have a child! How come you are so outstanding? You are ahead of us in everything!" Luo Xiangqian laughed and patted Xie Jinxuan's shoulders a few times.
As usual, he couldn't drink much, but even after drinking only a bottle of cold beer, he was a little tipsy now. Not only was his face flushed, but his eyes were also a little straight. But you could tell that he was very happy.
Xie Jinxuan smiled and filled him a bowl of hangover soup: "Drink some of this first."
"Don't interrupt me. Tell me, why are you so awesome?" Luo Xiangqian patted his shoulder again.
Xie Jinxuan said, "What's so great about this? Whether it's getting married or having children, it's all about time. When you meet the right person, it will happen naturally. It's normal to happen earlier or later. Besides, earlier or later can't determine happiness or not. Even if it's later, as long as you live well, it's fine. Besides, aren't you and Xiao Hu settled? You're getting married next summer. Why are you envious of others?"
"Hehehe, yes, Yanni and I are getting married next summer! When I get married, I also want to give birth to a beautiful daughter! Hehehe! She must be as pretty as Xiaoxiao!" Luo Xiangqian turned his head to look at Hu Yanni with a silly smile.
Hu Yanni said, "I went to the school to ask. Older students like me can actually get married while in school, as long as they don't get pregnant. However, I thought about it. Xiang Qian and I are not too old. It would be more appropriate to get married after graduation next year. We have almost decided where to go after graduation. I want to work hard for a year or two before considering having children. Now we can only have one child. I don't want to have a child too late, so that my child and Xiao Xiao are not too far apart in age and we can play together often."
Luo Xiangqian's family has already arranged a house for the two of them to live in after their marriage. It is also in this compound. It is the house allocated to Luo Xiangqian's father. Before, he gave it to someone else to live in, just like Xie Chengye did. But now that his son is getting married, they told people in advance and asked them to move out next spring.
This would give them time to repaint and renovate the house. Once it was ready and Hu Yanni graduated, the two young people could register and move in.
So Hu Yanni and Xia Qingtang will be neighbors from now on, and their children will definitely play together.
Xia Qingtang said: "Yanni, where will you probably go to work?"
"Our alma mater is the No. 1 Middle School of the city." Hu Yanni said: "Some of our classmates will go to the Education Bureau after graduation, but I like the school atmosphere more and I also like teaching. I think it's great to be able to return to my alma mater to teach."
"Indeed, teaching is more suitable for you, but the salary of a teacher is not high." Xia Qingtang said.
Luo Xiangqian said, "It doesn't matter. My salary is okay and my family is not short of money. Yanni can just do the job she wants to do. Anyway, neither of us is a wasteful spender. Now that she has met you, Yanni can even buy fewer pieces of clothes, which will save her even more money."
As soon as this was said, everyone laughed. Hu Yanni blushed slightly and said quickly: "Look at what you are saying. Qingtang always gives me clothes. When I start working, I will buy more gifts for Qingtang."
Xia Qingtang said, "You don't have to buy me a gift. When I was in confinement, you always made those shortbreads, walnut curd, and mung bean cakes for me to eat. I think they are very delicious, much better than those sold outside. If you really want to give me a gift, then when you are free in the future, just make some more food for me! After all, such delicious food cannot be bought even if you have money."
Hu Yanni said, "Do you really think it tastes good? I just made it casually during the summer vacation. Xiang Qian doesn't really like sweets, so he can't tell the difference between good and bad food if I give it to him."
"It's really delicious. Although the things you make don't look as exquisite as those in the store, they definitely taste better than theirs. I think it may be because you grind the raw materials more finely and are more attentive." Xia Qingtang said, "It's a pity that you are not interested in doing business. Otherwise, with your and your brother's excellent craftsmanship, your family can definitely open a dim sum shop. After a few years, when the financial conditions are better, you can make more beautiful and exquisite products and sell them exclusively to rich people."
In the future, more and more people will do business. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, those who had just made a fortune would be willing to spend money. At that time, they would be willing to pay for very expensive things as long as the things were slightly packaged.
Even if they don't follow this route, they can still open a dim sum shop just by relying on the taste. It's a pity that neither Hu Yanni nor her sister are interested in this.
"Forget it. I can cook for myself, but I can't do business." Hu Yanni said, "I... can just teach well in school. Besides, there are winter and summer vacations in school, and I can take care of my children in the future. The environment in school is relatively simple. I am not good at socializing, so I definitely can't open a store."
Everyone has their own aspirations. Hu Yanni's idea is also very good. Teaching and educating is a respectable job. Xia Qingtang also unconditionally supports her dream.
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "Then let's do this. When I need something later, I will buy your formula from you, and then I will open a store."
"You want to open more stores? Can one person open so many stores? Will there be anyone to manage them?" Luo Xiangqian said with a little surprise.
Xia Qingtang said: "No one will care. In a few years, more and more people will do business. Economic development is an inevitable trend. You just have to wait and see."
"So... you really don't plan to work in the factory in the future?" Hu Yanni asked softly.
"My maternity leave this year will last until next year. I will definitely have to work hard for a year next year, and the year after next...it's hard to say. Anyway, I can leave the factory at any time. There are still many things I want to do. Just one clothing store is definitely not enough. I also want to do baby and children's business. In the future, a couple will only have one child, and the child will have to be raised pampered. Toys, beautiful clothes, snacks, etc. are definitely indispensable. These are all business opportunities." Xia Qingtang took a sip of iced soda and smiled with satisfaction.
During her confinement period, she didn't dare touch anything cold, but now she can finally drink a sip of a cold drink.
Hu Yanni said: "It's a pity that you have become the vice chairman of the trade union at such a young age. When your chairman Lin retires, you will definitely be able to take over. By then, you will be the youngest trade union chairman. Moreover, your electrical appliance factory is a big factory, and the sales of the electrical appliances you produce are so good now, and you are willing to resign..."
"Because everyone has their own aspirations. Just like you, if I asked you to go to the Education Bureau, you would definitely not be happy about it. You just like teaching in school. It's the same for me. It's not that I don't like working in a factory. I just prefer to go out and make money. That way I feel more fulfilled." Xia Qingtang laughed and patted Hu Yanni on the shoulder.
Luo Xiangqian said, "Haven't you made a lot of money from your current business? Do you want to make more money?"
"Yes, I am a superficial person and my ideals are also superficial. I just want to make more money." Xia Qingtang said seriously.
Luo Xiangqian was stunned, not knowing what to say.
Leng Feng suddenly said, "It's not a bad thing to like making money, as long as the money comes from legitimate sources. Besides, opening a shop and doing business can also provide employment opportunities for unemployed people, which is also a good thing."
Everyone stared at Leng Feng with wide eyes. Xia Qingtang was the first to say, "Oh my God, Comrade Leng, I never thought that one day you would speak for me like this! Am I hallucinating, or have you really changed, Comrade Leng?"
"That's right, Leng Feng, what's wrong with you? You actually spoke for Xiao Xia! Let me see, you don't have a fever, do you?" Luo Xiangqian also reached out to touch Leng Feng's forehead with an exaggerated look on his face, but he opened his hand.
"I'm just speaking the truth. Is there any problem with that?" Leng Feng said unhappily.
"Are you still sticking to the facts? Have you forgotten how you used to discriminate against good-looking lesbians?" Luo Xiangqian laughed deliberately.
Leng Feng remained calm and said, "I am still wary of good-looking female comrades, but we are already very familiar with Comrade Xia, and she has lived with Jin Xuan steadily over the past few years and even had a child. So, I can no longer say that she has bad intentions."
"It's not easy, it's really not easy. It's been so many years. Comrade Leng finally changed his mind about me!" Xia Qingtang laughed, then raised the Coke bottle to clink glasses with Leng Feng, "Come on, Comrade Leng, let me toast you. Thank you for not treating me like a bad guy anymore!"
Leng Feng frowned, raised the beer bottle and clinked it with Xia Qingtang, then drank the rest of the beer in the bottle.
Xie Jinxuan said: "Ah Feng, do you want to open another bottle? There are some in the refrigerator."
"No need, we've finished our meal and drank our wine." Leng Feng refused.
Xia Qingtang said, "By the way, Comrade Leng, you sent me a lot of good things before, but I didn't thank you properly. My store received another batch of goods this month, which includes some very nice autumn clothes. I prepared one for you as a thank you gift. I'll give it to you now, and you can try it on to see how big it is."
Leng Feng was stunned: "What? Clothes? No need..."
But Xia Qingtang had already run upstairs. Xie Jinxuan said, "That was specially picked for you by Qingtang. Don't refuse it. Besides, it's just a piece of clothing. It's not as valuable as the things you brought. If you charge us for that, it's unreasonable."
The chickens, ducks, fish and meat that Leng Feng brought over were all good stuff, and some of them could only be bought with connections, so not only were they very expensive, but they also required personal connections. Xie Jinxuan was right about this.
Leng Feng could only nod and said, "I understand."
After a while, Xia Qingtang ran down again briskly, holding a folded coat in her hand. The color was not very bright, it was a beige color, but it was still a special color in this era. Almost no one on the street wore such a color, let alone men.
Xia Qingtang smiled and showed the folded coat in front of a few people. It was a very trendy jacket, a style that was very popular in Hong Kong. Young people would wear it with jeans to look youthful.
"Look, this is a type of clothing that sells very well in our Xinfeng Clothing Store, a jacket. It's a thin jacket that can be worn from early autumn to late autumn. I think this off-white color suits you very well. You will definitely look younger when you wear it." Xia Qingtang handed over the jacket, "Comrade Leng, try it on. I bought the jacket according to Jinxuan's body shape, because I think the sizes of you two should be similar."
Leng Feng didn't say anything. He frowned as he looked at the trendy jacket, obviously not wanting to take it.
Luo Xiangqian said, "What are you doing? Try it on quickly. You don't dislike this dress, do you? This is a good dress! You know how beautiful and expensive the clothes in Xinfeng Clothing Store are! Why do you dislike it?"
Leng Feng then said: "I'm not disgusted, it's just that I can't wear clothes like this out."
"You can't wear it at work, but you can wear it when you're not at work." Xia Qingtang said, "We also have black and gray in our store, but I still think this off-white one suits you better. In fact, there are brighter colors, such as light yellow, light green, and light blue, but you won't wear those, so I picked this one. Comrade Leng, you should at least give it a try. Even if you don't wear it this year, you can wear it next year."
"Why can we wear it next year?" Luo Xiangqian asked.
Xia Qingtang said, "Because, as a clothing store owner, I guess that there will be more and more people wearing brightly colored clothes on the street. By then, maybe the people in their bureau will dress like that too. Then, if he wears them, he won't look out of place."
Xie Jinxuan said: "Yes, I also think that young people next year will like dressing up more. So, Afeng, even if you don't like it now, you can keep it for now."
"Yes, just try it. At least give it some face and see if it fits." Xia Qingtang said again.
Leng Feng then took the jacket and put it on to try it out.
The size is right and the color suits him very well, it really makes him look younger.
Leng Feng, like Xie Jinxuan and Luo Xiangqian, is tall and has good proportions, so wearing this kind of clothes makes his legs look longer, and it is also much more decent than his usual old-fashioned attire.
"Hey, it's really nice! Leng Feng, look at how good Xiao Xia is at choosing! I also have two of this jacket, and they are really comfortable to wear." Luo Xiangqian said, "But those are all thick jackets, not this thin one. Are you selling them in your store? Then I'll go buy one tomorrow."
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "You don't have to buy it. I'll give you one too."
"No, no, no, you've given us so many clothes, you can't accept them anymore. You opened a store to make money, how can you keep giving things away?" Luo Xiangqian said: "I'll buy them myself. Of course, you can give me a discount."
Xia Qingtang laughed and said, "Okay, then it's still the same old rule. I'll give you a 10% discount. If you bring your friends or colleagues to buy it, as long as it's your face that goes to checkout, it's also a 10% discount."
"Okay, okay, I'll go buy it with my colleagues tomorrow at noon!" Luo Xiangqian said, "Leng Feng, this jacket looks really good on you. Look how good Xiao Xia is at giving gifts!"
Leng Feng silently took off his clothes and said, "Thank you, I'll put this dress away."
"Just accept it, I'll feel relieved." Xia Qingtang said: "Thank you for your concern and care during this period. If you need any help in the future, just let me know."
"Yes, if there is anything you need us to do in the future, just let us know." Xie Jinxuan raised her glass and said, "One more toast, then we'll clear the table. Qingtang should go take a nap."
Luo Xiangqian laughed: "Xie Jinxuan, you really love your wife!"
After clinking glasses, Luo Xiangqian was going to send Hu Yanni back home, Xia Qingtang went upstairs to take a nap, and Xie Jinxuan and Leng Feng cleaned up the dishes together.
When Xia Qingtang had a good sleep and came down with Xiaoxiao in her arms, it was quiet downstairs. Xie Jinxuan was not at home either, but there was a note on the coffee table saying that he had gone out to play basketball.
The summer vacation passed by, and Xie Jinxuan returned to school. However, there were fewer courses in the first semester of his senior year, so he still had plenty of time to take care of Xia Qingtang and Xiaoxiao.
Xie Jinyun and a few good classmates boarded a tourist train. Their trip lasted for half a month, and they visited all the places they had planned. After returning from the trip, they packed up and went to Beijing to study.
He is a very simple and kind-hearted young man, but because of Xie Jinxuan's subtle influence over the years, Xie Jinyun has also learned a lot about the dangers of the world, and even knows how to ride a train safely.
Before school started, Xie Jinyun rejected everyone's suggestions and boarded the train to Beijing with his luggage on his back.
After arriving safely, he called his family from Huazhong University to report his safety, and then he studied and lived there steadily.
With one less person at home, grandma could hardly adapt, but fortunately Xiaoxiao came along. Grandma was busy taking care of Xiaoxiao every day and didn’t miss Xie Jinyun that much.
Little baby Xiaoxiao is still growing up healthily. Her skin is as smooth as a baby's, her big black eyes are bright and her long eyelashes are fluttering. She looks especially like Xia Qingtang when she was a child, exactly like a doll.
The whole family took photos with Xiaoxiao, and the elders in the compound also liked to come and see Xiaoxiao. Every time Xia Qingtang walked around the compound with Xiaoxiao in his arms, he would attract a lot of people to watch.
The little baby is not afraid of strangers at all. He will giggle when he sees anyone. He rarely gets sick and is a very strong child.
In addition to taking care of Xiaoxiao, Xia Qingtang is also managing her clothing business seriously. Before the autumn clothes come off the production line, she orders a batch of standard winter clothes from last year's manufacturer. However, she is not particularly satisfied with these clothes because they are almost the same as last year's and they cannot highlight the uniqueness of the Xinfeng Clothing Store.
Just when Xia Qingtang was feeling a little regretful, Xie Xiaoshuang called her from Hsinchu City and said that one of her former co-workers had gone to a new factory that would produce winter clothes, and the winter clothes were very novel and would be sold abroad.
Xia Qingtang immediately perked up and went home to discuss with Xie Jinxuan, saying that he wanted to go over to the new factory to take a look at the winter clothes.
Xie Jinxuan said: "If we go, it will take a week to go back and forth..."
"I know you're worried about Xiaoxiao... This is what I think. My milk supply is not enough to begin with, and Xiaoxiao has to be fed with a lot of formula. It's almost winter now, so why not take this opportunity to stop breastfeeding and let Xiaoxiao only drink formula from now on." Xia Qingtang said, "Of course, I'm just thinking this way. If you all disagree, then forget it."
It’s not that she doesn’t feel sorry for her daughter, but there doesn’t seem to be that big a difference between breast milk and formula. If she really stops breastfeeding, it seems that’s the same.
Xie Jinxuan said, "You are Xiaoxiao's mother. It's your decision whether to breastfeed or not. If you don't want to breastfeed, then just stop. There are people at home, so it may not be a big deal if we leave for a week."
Xia Qingtang hugged him and said, "Xie Jinxuan, thank you! Thank you for supporting me at this time!"
"Isn't that what you should do?" Xie Jinxuan smiled and kissed her forehead. "Although you are Xiaoxiao's mother now, you are still yourself. You should do whatever you want to do as long as the situation allows."
Xia Qingtang was encouraged and went to consult a doctor. She stopped breastfeeding as soon as she came back.
Grandma and the others won't care about these things. Anyway, she and Sixth Aunt stay at home every day, and with them taking care of her, there will be no problem with Xiaoxiao.
After making preparations, Xia Qingtang went to Hsinchu City again with Xie Jinxuan who had taken a leave.
This time, she saw many special styles of winter clothes and particularly beautiful down jackets in the new factory.
Moreover, there are not only winter clothes for adults, but also for children.
Xia Qingtang learned from there that this factory has a workshop dedicated to making children's clothing, and will produce it all year round.
Xia Qingtang ordered a batch of goods he needed from here, and then returned home happily.
I hadn't seen Xiaoxiao for a week. When she saw Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan, she was stunned for a moment and then burst into tears.
Xia Qingtang held her and tried to coax her for a long time but failed.
Grandma said: "She is still too young. She knows everything in her heart even though her mother is not around."
"Yes, every night I wrap her in your pajamas before sleeping. She has to smell her mother's scent." Aunt Liu said.
Xia Qingtang felt a little guilty. She felt that she was not a good mother for being away for such a long time when her child was so young.
Late at night, Xia Qingtang put Xiaoxiao next to him and said softly, "Xie Jinxuan, I seem to have made a mistake this time... Xiaoxiao is too young, and it is not suitable for me to leave her for so long... I have made a decision. Before Xiaoxiao is two years old, I will not leave her for so long."
Xie Jinxuan gently touched her head and said, "Then your children's clothing store will not be open?"
"We have to open it. I'd still purchase goods based on photos. If that doesn't work, I can train Chuntao to help me with purchasing. She has worked in the store for so long that she has already developed a good eye," said Xia Qingtang.
In her previous life, Ma Chuntao opened a large shop with her husband. She actually had a business mind and awareness. Now she has passed the accounting exam. If she can be trained, she will be of great help to Xia Qingtang in the future.
In this life, Ma Chuntao's fate seemed to have changed. Because of the change in her job, she was not introduced to her cousin's husband from her previous life, but to a young man with better conditions.
The two are getting along now, and maybe we will hear good news next year.
Now, Zhao Meiyan and Zhao Zhiqiang are both particularly grateful and close to Xia Qingtang. Even old lady Chen Hongxing, who has always looked down on Xia Qingtang, has become much nicer in her attitude towards Xia Qingtang.
But Xia Qingtang basically has no contact with Chen Hongxing, and only interacts more with Zhao Youxiu and Zhao Meiyan.
As for Zhao Meizhen, she and Xia Qingtang were probably really incompatible. From the time Xiaoxiao was born until now, Zhao Meizhen had never once thought of coming to see her.
You know, even Chen Hongxing came with his eldest son Zhao Zhiqiang to see Xiaoxiao once, and that stingy person even bought Xiaoxiao a small hat, but only Zhao Meizhen, the grandmother, was indifferent.
Xia Qinghai even came over to explain. He said Zhao Meizhen also wanted to come and see Xiaoxiao, but because she was still angry, she wanted Xia Qingtang to bow her head first, and then she would come over to see her as a mother.
Xia Qingtang said: "Tell her not to bother with that. My Xiaoxiao doesn't want to see her either. Does she think that if my mother doesn't come to see me, my husband's family will look down on me? She is so naive."
"I've told her the same thing, but she's quite stubborn and doesn't listen to me on this." Xia Qinghai was also helpless.
"It's okay. If you don't want to listen, then don't listen. You can control her. She hasn't come to cause me trouble in the past few years. I know you have done a lot." Xia Qingtang said: "I still have to thank you. As for the rest, don't worry about it. I really don't have any feelings for Zhao Meizhen. I'm actually very happy that she doesn't come to see my daughter."
"Okay then, I'll tell her not to come here and bother you again."
"Well, thank you. By the way, how is your small business going?"
Xia Qinghai had taken advantage of the holiday to go to Hsinchu City, where he saw many people doing business. After he came back, he also started a second-hand watch business. I don’t know how his business is going now.
Xia Qinghai smiled and said, "It's not bad. I've been there twice to buy goods. The watches there are really good. After I brought them back, they were in short supply, so I made some money. I also got a lot of old, unusable radios from the local area. I learned how to disassemble them myself, and put together a working one. I sold it for twenty or thirty yuan, which was also picked up money. After returning from that trip to Hsinchu City, I basically didn't need to rely on my father-in-law and mother-in-law for help, and Jinfeng also looked at me with new eyes."
"Really? Congratulations! When more and more people use electrical appliances, you can continue to run this business."
"I think so too. I can't do that kind of big business, but I'm smart. I can still repair bicycles now. In the future, I want to learn something else to see if I can continue to do something." Xia Qinghai said with a smile: "But, my achievements are nothing. Look at the restaurants, clothing stores and shoe stores near your home. They are all privately owned. The Xinfeng clothing store alone makes a lot of money a year."
Xia Qingtang smiled without saying anything. Her clothing store was indeed very profitable, and the amount of money she earned was a number that no one could imagine.
Moreover, her newly introduced winter clothes were indeed a great success. Young people preferred these trendy and fashionable clothes, and the beautiful down jackets she recommended to department stores also sold very well.
This year, those who have good family conditions would not dare to go out to visit relatives unless they wear a down jacket.
While raising children and busying myself with business, before I knew it, the year was already coming to an end.
Before the Chinese New Year holiday, Xia Qingtang went to the Future Electric Appliance Factory, gave some small gifts to the leaders and colleagues there, and also received his own Chinese New Year benefits.
Seeing that she looked so good, Shi Xiaoyu and the others were extremely envious.
"You recovered so quickly after giving birth, and how come you look even more beautiful than before?" Shi Xiaoyu reached out to touch her skin, "Your skin is so good!"
"After I gave birth to the child, I ate very well. I was fed with chicken, duck, fish and meat. It would be unreasonable if my skin was not good." Xia Qingtang said with a smile.
"Sure enough, babies need to be fed with chicken, duck, fish and meat. I have to go back and tell my wife that when I have a baby in the future, I have to feed it this way, too."
Xia Qingtang said: "Why? Do you have good news too?"
"Not yet. I went to the hospital for a checkup and the doctor said there's nothing wrong. But I don't know why I just can't get pregnant." Shi Xiaoyu sighed, "I'm a little worried too. What if I'm not pregnant with a son? What should I do then?"
"Your family requires you to give birth to a son?"
"That's what my mother-in-law meant."
"Then just ignore her. You should know that your income is higher than your lover's, and the house you live in now is also allocated by you. You are better than men in every way. Why does your mother-in-law despise you?"
"I thought so too, but I don't dare to offend her now, otherwise, no one will take care of me after I give birth."
"Where's your own mother?"
Shi Xiaoyu was stunned: "Can you let your own mother take care of it? I see that other people are taken care of by their mother-in-law. Although you are not taken care of by your mother-in-law, you are also taken care of by the man's grandmother, so it's the same thing."
"If you live in your mother-in-law's house, then you will definitely have to let her take care of you. But the house you live in now was allocated to you. It's your home. Isn't it right for your mother to take care of you? If it really doesn't work, you can spend some money and invite an experienced sister from the countryside to come to your house to take care of you for two months. You can afford it, right? What era is this? Who still cares about the mother-in-law?" Xia Qingtang whispered.
Shi Xiaoyu woke up as if from a dream: "Xiao Xia, you are so right! Who would care about mother-in-law at this time? I live in my own home now, whoever I want to take care of me can take care of me! Even if I have to pay to hire someone, I can afford it!"
"That's right! It's the same whether you have a boy or a girl. Whatever you give birth to is what it is. If your in-laws don't acknowledge it, then just stop having any contact with them! You have such a good job, why are you afraid of them?" Xia Qingtang patted her shoulder.
Her main purpose in going to the factory this time was to motivate Shi Xiaoyu, allowing her to let go of her psychological burden. After that, she became much more confident in front of her husband's family.
Moreover, I don’t know if it was because I was no longer anxious, but just after returning to work at the factory after the Chinese New Year, Shi Xiaoyu told me the good news that she was pregnant.
Xia Qingtang had finished her maternity leave and returned to the factory to continue working. She was very happy when she heard the news that Shi Xiaoyu was pregnant. She immediately gave her a can of milk powder and asked her to drink two cups a day to replenish her body.
Shi Xiaoyu was also very happy and even said that it was all thanks to Xia Qingtang.
She also asked Xia Qingtang for a photo of baby Xiaoxiao, saying that she wanted to look at Xiaoxiao's little face often, which would help her give birth to a good-looking baby.
This year, Xia Qingtang lived a very regular life. Although many new shops appeared on the street, Xia Qingtang had no plans to expand her business. She just maintained the small businesses in the Xinfeng Clothing Store and the department store. The rest of the time she went to work step by step. After work, she took the bus back home to have dinner and play games with Xiaoxiao, then gave Xiaoxiao a bath and put her to bed.
In July, Xie Jinxuan, who had graduated successfully, returned to work at the provincial party committee. This time, he was promoted to a higher level right after he entered the company, but he was also transferred to another department, with the instruction that he would be allowed to gain some experience at the grassroots level after working there for two or three years.
Those classmates he has a good relationship with have also gone to good companies, and I believe they will all have better development in the future.
Hu Yanni also graduated, and the first thing she did after graduation was to get married. The Luo family did not hold a big banquet, but they also invited two tables of relatives at home. Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan also went to drink a glass of wedding wine, and a lot of photos were taken of them.
After registering, Hu Yanni officially moved to the compound. Her and Luo Xiangqian's house was just one row away from Xia Qingtang and their small courtyard. Because they were close, Hu Yanni would come to see Xiaoxiao whenever she had time.
Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan also moved back into the small courtyard. They renovated the guest room and turned it into Xiaoxiao's exclusive room.
Of course, Xiaoxiao is still too young now, so she still has to sleep with them at night. The crib is placed next to the big bed. If there is any movement, Xie Jinxuan will jump up to check the situation at the first time.
When Xiaoxiao was one year old, Grandpa Tian brought his uncle Tian Guohao to hold a one-year-old birthday ceremony for Xiaoxiao. Before leaving, Grandpa Tian stuffed a big red envelope with eight hundred yuan in it for Xiaoxiao. Tian Guohao also made a pair of gold bracelets for Xiaoxiao and asked Xia Qingtang to give them to Xiaoxiao.
But in this day and age, people still dare not let babies wear such precious things. Xia Qingtang could only put the gold bracelet away for the time being. Occasionally, when there were festivals, she would take it out and let Xiaoxiao wear it to bring good luck.
Nowadays, the atmosphere in the city has become more and more trendy. Not only has the clothing style changed a lot, but many new things have also appeared on the streets.
For example, small stalls can be set up openly anywhere on the street from morning to night. Another example is that a group of people have stopped riding bicycles and started riding motorcycles.
A fashionable person like Luo Xiangqian bought a motorcycle and rode it around the compound every day, showing off like a clown.
Xia Qingtang asked Xie Jinxuan if she wanted a motorcycle, but Xie Jinxuan refused, saying that his current job was not suitable for riding one.
Xia Qingtang thought about it and it made sense. Grandpa Xie had just retired and the small car they used before could no longer be used, so Xia Qingtang decided to buy a car for the family.
A car factory had already been built in the large area opposite the Future Electrical Appliance Factory. Therefore, there were actually a lot more cars on the roads in this city.
However, if a private individual wants to buy a car, it is still a very conspicuous thing. In addition, cars are very expensive. If Xia Qingtang wants to buy one, he needs to continue to make money.
But now that buying a car was on the agenda, Xia Qingtang became more motivated to expand his business empire.
At the end of the year, Xia Qingtang encountered another opportunity to open a new store. She immediately seized the chance, rented a store, and then after decoration and training, opened the store for business before the Chinese New Year, making the first children's clothing store in the provincial capital deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
The children's clothing here starts from infancy to teenage years. As long as you have money, you can find nice clothes here and dress up your children carefully.
In addition to clothing, there are also many children's toys and stationery sold here. As long as you bring your children in, you will basically not leave empty-handed. Even the most stingy parents will at least buy an eraser for their children to take away.
Xia Qingtang's family has a living signboard in the children's clothing business. Xiaoxiao, their daughter, is now over one year old. She can talk, laugh and walk. Xia Qingtang dresses her up like a doll and takes her everywhere.
Almost everyone who saw Xiaoxiao couldn't help but ask how this pretty baby could dress so cutely. Xia Qingtang would then say calmly, "I bought this at the Little Duck Children's Clothing Store. The children's clothing there is very nice, and it will look great on any child."
In a short while, almost all the children in the compound were wearing beautiful clothes from the Little Duck Children's Clothing Store.
It’s no wonder that the clothes Xia Qingtang brought back were beautiful. All the children became more fashionable and generous, especially the little girls, who could run around in pretty little skirts even in winter. As a result, the business of this store was getting better and better.
After another new year, Xia Qingtang was almost 26 years old. Because of her hard work in the factory and her contributions in recent years, she was selected as an advanced worker and also the city's March 8th Red Flag Bearer.
To be honest, she was also surprised because she felt that Chai Qiaoying and others were more qualified for this honor than her.
However, Yan Jianshun said: "Our factory is different from other factories. We value young and capable people. Although we are a young factory, we have made great contributions. The young people in our factory are also like this. Although they are young, they are very capable. Therefore, this honor belongs to you. Besides, it has been reported a long time ago. It is useless for you to refuse. Just go to the city to attend the meeting honestly."
On March 8th, Xia Qingtang went to the city to receive this great honor wearing the work clothes of the Future Electric Appliance Factory.
She felt very proud, but at the same time she was reluctant to leave the future electrical appliance factory.
She came out of the cotton mill and was appreciated and well developed in the Future Electrical Appliance Factory. Very few people could achieve such achievements at her age. Even Yan Jianshun had known that she had opened a shop outside, but he was still willing to promote her in this way.
Xia Qingtang was deeply moved by such an organization and leader.
But she knew that all good things must come to an end. Moreover, even someone like Xia Qinghai knew that he had to seize the opportunity to make money and do business, let alone her who knew about the future development?
It is now 1984, and the changes every day are like a wild horse running out of control. She must seize such changes to fulfill her dream.
In addition to opening a store, she also thought about setting up her own factory. After a few years, she would make her own brand of clothing, both women's and children's clothing, especially children's clothing.
Because of Xiaoxiao, Xia Qingtang is particularly keen on dressing up children. When he sees different children on the street, he will imagine what they would look like wearing his own children's clothes.
Therefore, in the next one or two years, she will only speed up her pace to continue doing business, so that the day when she will be on unpaid leave will be getting closer and closer.
After the conference, Xia Qingtang walked out of the auditorium wearing a big red flower and holding a big award certificate. After she had taken a few steps, she heard an extremely enthusiastic voice coming from behind.
"Comrade Xia! Long time no see!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
