Nearing noon, officers and soldiers who were "off duty" began to arrive near the canteen to wait for assembly.
Everyone turned their eyes to the tree not far from the cafeteria.
From a distance, Xu Rushan saw a group of people gathered there and asked Chen Shanhe beside him curiously, "What are they doing?"
Chen Shanhe had good eyesight and saw Jiang Shiyue who was surrounded in the center at a glance. He frowned slightly, did not answer Xu Rushan, and subconsciously quickened his pace.
What tricks is she going to pull next?
When I got there, I found Jiang Shiyue and Yangyang sitting at a long table.
Yangyang was still holding the Xinhua Dictionary and reading it as if no one was around. Jiang Shiyue was sitting next to Yangyang. In front of the table was a wooden board with a piece of paper with big words written on it.
It happened that one of the officers and soldiers watching was reading the words on the paper.
"Writing a family letter for five cents per thousand words. Writing a love letter for ten cents per thousand words... You can subscribe monthly, one dollar per month for unlimited writing. Regular customer discount: four cents per thousand words... Love letters for eight cents per thousand words..."
Someone asked Jiang Shiyue, "Sister-in-law, why do you ask for money for helping me write letters?"
"That's right! Those of us who can't read usually ask our comrades to write for us. They're all volunteering to help, so who would ask you for money?"
Jiang Shiyue shook his head when he heard that. "That's not the case. When you ask your comrades to help you write a letter, usually you read a word and they write it for you, right?"
Everyone nodded.
"I don't need that. Just tell me roughly what you want to express, and I can help you organize the language. Especially love letters, let me tell you, only women understand what women want to hear.
Whether it's a family letter or a love letter, you're often too embarrassed to share it with others, yet you need someone to write it for you. You either face harmless ridicule or have to pay them with cigarettes and snacks as hush money. If you let me write it for you, you won't have these worries.
Someone asked, “Why?”
"First, I'm a tight-lipped person and won't reveal your secrets. Second, you know my name, but I don't know yours, and we're not even close. I don't know your situation; I'm just writing for you. Don't worry if I find out. Third, I'm not a good person. The sisters-in-law in the family compound don't want to talk to me, so you don't have to worry about me not being able to stop myself from talking nonsense!"
The officers and soldiers watching: "..."
Chen Shanhe: “…”
Xu Rushan tutted and asked Chen Shanhe, "Is having a bad character an advantage?"
How could Jiang Shiyue speak so confidently and proudly?
A nearby soldier who heard Xu Rushan's voice immediately turned around and saluted and greeted him.
When the others heard his voice, they turned around and saluted Xu Rushan and Chen Shanhe, then scattered like birds and beasts.
Only then did Chen Shanhe see four big words next to the letter written for others: Make money to pay off debts.
He had an inexplicable toothache.
Xu Rushan also saw it, was stunned for a moment and coughed lightly, "I'll go get some food first." Then he left quickly.
Chen Shanhe frowned and said to Jiang Shiyue, "Business is not allowed in the compound."
"I'm not doing business, I'm just helping out out of obligation." Jiang Shiyue explained.
Chen Shanhe: “…”
Once again, “No stalls allowed here.”
"Is that so? Okay!" Jiang Shiyue quickly cleaned up the table and left.
Chen Shanhe was stunned. So easy to talk to?
However, in the evening, Jiang Shiyue appeared in front of the barber shop in the compound with her stall.
Military service has hair length requirements, and basically everyone needs a haircut twice a month, so barbershops are often crowded.
Jiang Shiyue naturally became the focus again.
Chen Shanhe stopped them again and emphasized, "Not only here, but also in the compound, no stalls or businesses are allowed."
Jiang Shiyue nodded to show that he understood, and still packed up his stall and left without saying a word.
Chen Shanhe looked at Jiang Shiyue's back as he left in a leisurely manner, and frowned: He is so easy to talk to, he must have other plans.
Sure enough, another day passed and Chen Shanhe saw Jiang Shiyue setting up a stall next to the archway of the staff quarters again.
Looks like he's very busy.
I don’t know what method she used, but she attracted a lot of customers in just one day.
Chen Shanhe felt a slight pain near his temple.
Jiang Shiyue looked up while shaking her wrist, and happened to see Chen Shanhe. She took the initiative to speak: "I'm not in the compound, this is the family compound. I haven't violated any laws or disciplines, you can't fire me!"
Chen Shanhe: “…”
He said nothing and went home first with the food he had earned.
Writing letters for others is better than causing chaos in the compound, so we can't ask too much of her.
******
At night, Jiang Shiyue lay in bed rubbing her aching wrist and thought that the ghostwriting business was not profitable and was a bit time-consuming.
She earned a total of 70 or 80 cents a day, and she had to deduct the cost of ink, so it was truly hard-earned money.
You can't do this job for long, or your skills will be ruined.
Jiang Shiyue persevered for a few more days, earning a total of 3.6 yuan, one of which was a monthly subscription of 1 yuan. Then he spent 2.3 yuan on fountain pen ink, which was basically a waste of time.
Jiang Shiyue decisively gave up the ghostwriting business and went to find Wang Hong with the remaining clothes.
As soon as I entered the room, I saw Wang Hong leaning on the bed, spitting heart-wrenchingly into the spittoon.
"Sister-in-law Wang Hong, what's wrong with you?" Jiang Shiyue thought Wang Hong was sick. "Shall I help you go to the clinic?"
Wang Hong waved her hands. After she finished vomiting, she took a sip of the warm water Jiang Shiyue poured for her. Then she said embarrassedly, "I'm not sick, it's just... I just have morning sickness."
"Ah?" Jiang Shiyue was stunned for a moment, then smiled and wished Wang Hong: "Congratulations!"
Wang Hong saw the clothes Jiang Shiyue was holding, "Your clothes..."
Jiang Shiyue interrupted her hurriedly, "It's okay! Your health is important. Take good care of yourself. I'll go find the other sisters-in-law to alter the clothes first."
You speak so boldly and confidently, but I really don't know who to look for.
She has a bad reputation and no one wants to talk to her, and she doesn't know who is good at needlework.
Wang Hong had wronged Jiang Shiyue before and felt somewhat guilty towards her, but she was vomiting badly and the doctor said she needed to stay in bed to protect the fetus. She really couldn't help Jiang Shiyue. After thinking for a while, she asked Jiang Shiyue, "Do you know sister-in-law Wang Yingying? She lives in the middle of the row behind our house. She has a sewing machine at home. You can go ask her."
Jiang Shiyue remembered Wang Yingying. The last time she went to the city, she said a few harmless sour words to her. Jiang Shiyue had a good impression of Wang Yingying, but she didn't know whether she was willing to help her.
After leaving Wang Hong's house, Jiang Shiyue went straight to Wang Yingying's house. He had to ask first to find out whether she could help or not.
Wang Yingying is about 27 or 28 years old. Her husband is the second company commander of the repair battalion. They have a seven-year-old daughter named Qiqi.
Wang Yingying was alone at home at this moment. The house was very clean. Jiang Shiyue saw the sewing machine under the windowsill at a glance.
Wang Yingying was very surprised to see Jiang Shiyue coming to her house, "Sister-in-law, what do you want to talk to me about?"
Jiang Shiyue stated her purpose directly, "Sister-in-law Wang Hong asked me to come to you. She said you're a great needlework woman! You even have a sewing machine at home. I want you to help me alter a few clothes. Don't worry, your help will not be in vain. It's 50 cents per piece of clothing, 1 yuan for a suit, and 80 cents for a dress."
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