Xia Liang was pleased to see her father so happy. She thought about how her mother had no entertainment at home except for making clothes, cooking, growing vegetables and doing housework. So she started thinking that while televisions were hard to come by these days, radios were still available.
After getting off work, Xia Liang went to the factory gate of the women she had arranged to have her clothes made. After meeting them, she arranged to pick up the goods at the previous pick-up location after get off work the next day. After they left, Xia Liang went straight to the department store. There were several radios on the counter. Xia Liang went up and asked the price. It cost two hundred yuan. After paying, the salesperson taught Xia Liang how to operate it. Xia Liang said she had learned how and then took the radio home.
When she got home, she saw Xia's mother feeding the chickens, so she pulled her into the living room, took out the radio she had bought, and taught Xia's mother how to use it. Xia's mother was overjoyed, but also asked worriedly, "Ah Liang, you should be more careful with your money. Don't be so extravagant. Save it for your dowry." Xia Liang waved her hand, "Mom, don't think too much. This is nothing to me. You don't have any entertainment at home all day, just work and work. Buying you this will allow you to listen to the news and pass the time." Hearing her daughter's words, Xia's mother still warned her not to spend money recklessly, and then happily took the cash register to the storeroom to fiddle with it. Xia Liang was happy to see her mother so happy. Thinking that the marinated meat strips she had prepared were almost ready, she washed her hands and put all the meat strips on the steamer to steam until cooked, and then put them outside to dry.
At this moment, in the director's office of the provincial garment factory, Director Li asked Deputy Director Yang, who was sitting opposite him, "Old Yang, where exactly are we going to find this consultant? Look at how many gray hairs I've gotten from worrying so much!" It turned out that the provincial garment factory's consultant had been recruited by a garment factory in Beijing. People naturally gravitate towards higher positions, and the former consultant happily left with the Beijing factory, leaving them wondering where to find another consultant. Deputy Director Yang, who had already drunk several cups of tea, forced a smile and said, "How about we look at those guys from the competition before the New Year? Wasn't there a young man who was very fast and had excellent workmanship?" The director, having exhausted all other options, kept pouring him tea, unable to think of a way to keep him from leaving, and could only try mentioning it. Unexpectedly, Director Li clapped his hands, "That's it! How come I didn't think of that? It's all thanks to you, Old Yang!" He then laughed heartily, "That's settled then, Old Yang, you make the arrangements. I have to go to a meeting in the next province; my train leaves at 2 PM, I have to go." With that, he called his secretary and left. Deputy Factory Director Yang was left there with a black line on his face.
At this moment, Xia Liang was unaware that someone was eyeing her. After work, she took the clothes she had ordered for the women to the agreed-upon location. When she arrived, the women were already there, and upon closer inspection, she saw a few unfamiliar faces. One of the women who had previously ordered clothes spoke up, "Comrade Xia, these are my colleagues. They saw my dress and wanted to order a few from you too." Xia Liang thought to herself, "Great, my business network is expanding again." She quickly replied, "It's alright, but you know my rules: you have to pay a deposit before ordering clothes." The woman who had spoken earlier answered, "It's okay, they already know." Xia Liang nodded, "Alright, let's see what you want." She then gave them the shirts they had ordered last time. Seeing their delighted faces, she knew they were very satisfied and readily paid the money. She waited for the other women to discuss the style and color. After receiving the deposit, Xia Liang simply gave them her home address so they could go there directly for future orders. Then she said goodbye and left.
Back home, Xia Liang gave her mother the money for the clothes and the remaining deposit. Having learned from her previous experience, her mother wasn't too surprised, but she was still happy to see so much money. After all, it was money she had earned herself, and having an income would ease the burden on her children. She took the money back to her room to put it away and then went back to the kitchen to cook. Xia Liang checked the time; there was still some time before dinner, so she went out. Thinking about the resumption of the college entrance exam in six years, she decided to start studying now. Not getting into university in her previous life was a regret in Xia Liang's heart, so she resolved to study hard and get into university in this life. Xia Liang went to the secondhand market and saw many old books. She found a complete set of textbooks and bought two sets for just over three yuan. The seller was happy too; selling useless scrap materials for just over three yuan! They found a burlap sack and helped Xia Liang pack the books, carrying it for her. Xia Liang happily carried the sack home.
After arriving home, Xia's father also returned, and Xia Rong, who had gone on a business trip to the next city, also came back. After the family finished eating, Xia Rong called his younger sister to the study to talk. The two siblings entered the room, and Xia Rong turned around and closed the door. Xia Liang sat in a chair looking at her brother, and Xia Rong began, "Liang, this time I went to the next city and discovered a business opportunity. There are a lot of unsold silk scarves there, which are sold cheaply there, for just a few cents each. But when they're brought here, they sell for three yuan each. Our handmade cloth shoes are well-made, of good quality, and durable. I checked the price before; if we buy them, it's about one yuan and one jiao a pair. We can sell them for two yuan over there." Because the two cities are quite far apart, and transportation is not well-developed, even within the same province, many things don't circulate. Things from here can't be sold there, and things from there can't be sold here. Even if a small amount does circulate, the price is ridiculously high. Xia Liang pondered for a moment and said, "But what about you and that driver?" Xia Rong understood what her sister meant: "I found out, all the drivers, including the ones accompanying the trucks, are doing it, but each one does it differently, and the amount of cargo they carry is also different." She couldn't help but get excited as she said this. Xia Liang nodded: "Okay, then take it slow. Start by carrying a little bit, and if it's feasible later, you can add more. You also need to learn more. If you can drive yourself, we can save up money and buy our own car in the future, and then we can carry as much cargo as we want." Xia Rong nodded, thinking that this was unrealistic. Nowadays, only companies can buy cars; it's impossible for individuals to buy one privately.
Having made up their minds, the brother and sister rode their bicycles to the village where cloth shoes were made. They found the auntie they had previously consulted about prices, explained their purpose, and the auntie invited them to her home. She brought out more than ten pairs of cotton shoes she had made herself, and then called her relatives and friends, who pooled together more than a hundred pairs for Xia Rong. Finally, they negotiated a price of one yuan per pair. Xia Liang asked, "Auntie, is it difficult to get the fabric for your shoes?" The auntie nodded worriedly, "That's right. If it weren't for the difficulty in obtaining fabric, I would have made far more than just these few pairs of shoes." Xia Liang smiled and said, "Then how about this? I'll provide you with the materials for making shoes from now on. After the shoes are finished, I'll give you fifty cents for each pair. Other people in your village who want to make shoes can join in. What do you think?" The auntie pondered for a moment. They were skilled at making these shoes and could do it quickly. There wasn't enough fabric, so they couldn't make the shoes even if they wanted to. If they could use any fabric they wanted, they could still make a lot of money at 50 cents per pair. So they nodded and said, "Okay, when will you deliver the fabric to me?" Xia Liang said seriously, "But there's one thing I hope you understand: what consequences will our actions have? I believe you don't want this to be exposed, so when you're looking for people, don't hire those who aren't discreet. After all, if something goes wrong, none of us can bear the responsibility." The aunt herself was a frequent speculator, so she knew how serious it would be if this got out. She immediately nodded and said, "Don't worry, I won't hire anyone who isn't someone I know well." Xia Liang was satisfied, so they set a delivery time, paid, and left with the shoes.
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