Free Web NovelChapter 105: Chapter 105: School Uniform Debut
Ever since Su Li became a teacher, Mrs. Tang’s attitude toward her had changed drastically. It was almost as if she was trying to curry favor, so she didn’t dare interfere when Su Li said she was going to Fengcheng County.
She entrusted the care of the house and Little Tang Mo to someone else for two days.
In the afternoon, Su Li arrived in Fengcheng County. She first mailed Wu Sheng’s watch back to the address he had given her, then hurried over to the temporary office of Pinjun Clothing.
"Su Li, you’re here." Yin Cuihua had arrived early. Seeing Su Li, she greeted her and quickly handed her a glass of cooled water.
"I’m here. Hasn’t Sister Hongqin arrived yet?"
"She should be here any minute."
They had only been talking for a few minutes when Li Hongqin arrived.
Unlike Su Li, who had traveled light, she came with two mules loaded with school uniforms, escorted by her two nephews.
After a flurry of activity, they moved the clothes inside, and the group finally sat down to eat together.
Yin Cuihua had cooked the meal at home. It wasn’t extravagant, but there was more than enough for everyone.
After the meal, her two nephews herded the mules back to the village, leaving the three women to perform the final inspection.
Su Li did most of the checking, as Li Hongqin had already inspected them several times at home.
"This batch is even better than the last one. Everyone’s gotten used to the work and they’re much faster now."
Li Hongqin said from the side, her face full of confidence and her eyes brimming with hope.
This was a look Li Hongqin never had before. In the two months since the New Year, she had grown a great deal.
Although she still had her shortcomings, her status in the village had changed because she hired people and paid them wages.
"...I heard there’s no more work for now, and they were quite disappointed. They said if another job comes up, to be sure to call them."
Su Li nodded. "If they’re good workers, of course we’ll hire them."
"That’s what I told them," Li Hongqin agreed. "It’s not easy to earn money, and they’re thrilled to be able to make some just by doing a bit of sewing."
She spoke with deep emotion. "With this money, they can finally hold their heads high in their in-laws’ homes."
Su Li laughed at that. "Income determines your status in the family, after all."
Yin Cuihua also laughed. "Well said. Sister Hongqin must be quite the big shot in the village now, right?"
Li Hongqin chuckled.
As they talked, the three women finished their final inspection, folded the uniforms, sorted them by size, and loaded them onto a wooden cart.
Yin Cuihua had borrowed the cart from her factory; it was a bit cumbersome.
The three of them pushed it together. After a long while, they finally reached Fengcheng First Middle School and delivered the batch of uniforms into Principal Zhang’s hands.
"Two hundred and twenty sets, plus the eighty sets from last time, makes three hundred sets of uniforms, all delivered to you."
This time, Principal Zhang received the goods directly at the school’s warehouse. He nodded upon hearing this. "Alright. I’ll have someone count and inspect them."
"Sounds good," Su Li nodded. "We also included two extra sets, one for a boy and one for a girl, free of charge."
"Alright, thanks." Principal Zhang felt that Su Li was competent and easy to work with.
"I’ll have them finish the count tomorrow morning. If there are no problems, you can come by tomorrow, and I’ll settle the payment with you."
"Thank you, Principal." Su Li also appreciated Principal Zhang’s straightforwardness.
"I should be thanking you," Principal Zhang said, full of enthusiasm.
"The weather is just starting to warm up, so the uniforms will be put to use soon. Get your uniform fee ready and pick up a set for yourself."
"Just let me know when to pay," Su Li replied immediately.
"Next Monday will be fine." Principal Zhang smiled. "When you come, remember to go see your homeroom teacher."
"Will do."
After delivering the goods, Su Li went to find her homeroom teacher. Once she had picked up some review materials, the three of them went to celebrate.
With their first deal completed, the three women were overjoyed. They even celebrated like men and had a little to drink.
Even though it was baijiu, it was a proper grain-brewed liquor and tasted quite good.
"Su Li, what’s our next step?" Li Hongqin asked as they drank.
"First, we wait. Once the uniforms for the First Middle School are officially rolled out, a lot of business will come knocking. I’ll handle the negotiations then."
Su Li looked at Yin Cuihua. "Sister Cuihua, over the next few days, order the fabric. Order as much suitable material as the factory has."
Yin Cuihua gritted her teeth and nodded. "Okay."
Then Su Li turned to Li Hongqin. "Sister Hongqin, when you get back, you should also formalize your workforce. It would be best to have the village chief as a witness and sign simple contracts with them..."
Li Hongqin nodded emphatically. "Okay, yes, that’s exactly what we should do."
"I’ll write up a simple contract for you to use as a reference later... The most important thing is you. You have to be a good judge of character..."
Li Hongqin’s expression turned solemn. "I know."
"Tomorrow morning, let’s take a walk around the junior high and elementary schools in the county to get an idea of their student numbers. Then you two can go back and check out your own towns and the nearby ones..."
"Tonight, let’s brainstorm and try designing some new uniforms..."
The uniforms for elementary, junior high, and high school students naturally have to be different to suit the different age groups.
Fueled by the alcohol, the three of them talked for a long time and actually designed several sets of school uniforms before finally going to bed in the middle of the night.
Early the next morning, true to their word, the three of them went out to do their market research.
They went to the schools and also took a stroll through the Fengcheng County department store.
"School uniforms are just one part of the business. In the future, our biggest market will be ordinary people..."
"Lots of people in the villages are buying clothes now. This business is sure to do well..."
The three women talked nonstop all the way. After spending the morning running around and having lunch, they went to the First Middle School.
The uniforms had been counted and inspected. True to his word, Principal Zhang settled the final payment with Su Li.
Two hundred and twenty sets of uniforms at seven yuan per set came out to a grand total of one thousand five hundred and forty yuan.
This was a huge sum of money, the likes of which Yin Cuihua and Li Hongqin had never seen before. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
At that time, one thousand five hundred and forty yuan wasn’t just fifteen or so 100-yuan bills. It was a thick stack of five-yuan, two-yuan, and one-yuan notes that filled an entire bag.
With trembling hands and tears in their eyes, Li Hongqin and Yin Cuihua counted the money.
When they had first taken out their money to invest, their hands had trembled then, too. They had been worried sick that their money would be lost for good. They never imagined that in just two months, not only would they get all their money back, but they would double it.
What a feeling that was.
It was like winning the lottery grand prize!
After collecting the money and leaving the First Middle School, the two of them nearly broke down and wept in each other’s arms.
The experience of that day solidified their determination to follow Su Li and work hard.
The three of them went to their temporary office. After setting aside the capital for costs, they split the remaining profits according to a four-three-three ratio.
It was already two in the afternoon. If they didn’t head back soon, they wouldn’t make it. Li Hongqin and Su Li left Fengcheng County and returned to their respective villages.
After Su Li returned to Xinghua Village, life went on as usual.
The weather gradually warmed. In April, when azaleas bloomed all over the mountains and Su Li had placed some in both her room and her office, the first batch of Pinjun Clothing’s school uniforms finally made their public debut.
The effect... was outstanding.
Principal Zhang had some connections and pulled a few strings. The story was even featured in the city’s daily newspaper, and the county’s education bureau was very supportive.
For the students who were truly too poor to afford the uniform fee, the education bureau ended up providing a subsidy.
All the students at Fengcheng County’s First Middle School changed into their new uniforms. The school’s atmosphere was transformed, filled with youthful energy, becoming the most dazzling sight in the county.
Over the next few days, various organizations from around the county came to inspect them, and the local junior highs and elementary schools all came to visit. They were truly in the spotlight.
As a third-year student at the First Middle School, Qin Shanshan also got a uniform.
Like the other students, she was completely won over by the uniform and absolutely loved it.
Qin Shanshan, who had been living at her uncle’s house and hadn’t even been returning to Xinghua Village on weekends, couldn’t resist going back for a visit after being showered with attention and praise for her new uniform.
She wanted to show off her uniform!
