Li Jian was just about to grab his food tray for the canteen when he saw the person and raised an eyebrow, “Are you afraid I will ride off with your bicycle?”
It was a scorching hot day and he was sweating profusely, not afraid of getting a heat stroke.
Lin Chuxia wiped the sweat from her forehead and tucked her damp hair behind her ears, “No, Brother Li is not that kind of person. I just thought about having a meal with Brother Li. It’s been a long time, and the canteen probably doesn’t have good food anymore. Let’s go, let’s go to the State-Owned Restaurant instead.”
Li Jian didn’t know why, but he found this girl quite interesting the first time he interacted with her.
He worked at the vegetable station every day and had seen all sorts of young women and wives, but a girl like Lin Chuxia, who had her little schemes yet wasn’t annoying and was straightforward, was really rare.
Thinking about how his mother nagged him about daughters-in-law all day long, nearly nagging his ears off, Li Jian took another look at Lin Chuxia.
Tall and slim, though her clothes were old, they were clean, and her rolled-up sleeves revealed a chunk of her fair arm.
An oval face, willow brows, almond eyes, a high nose bridge, lips that were neither too big nor too small, with a hint of red – a very compelling appearance that was pleasant to behold.
Especially her aura; if he hadn’t seen her delivering vegetables, he would never have guessed she was a rural girl.
“Let’s go then.”
Li Jian set the food tray aside on a windowsill and stepped out of the vegetable station with Lin Chuxia.
There weren’t many people at the State-Owned Restaurant at that moment. Lin Chuxia chose a seat by the side and went to the window to order dishes.
Braised pork, three-vegetable dish, sweet and sour pork ribs, and she also ordered a serving of cold dish with mashed garlic and green beans, opting for two bowls of white rice as the main dish.
The service attendant at the State-Owned Restaurant was as indifferent as always, placing all the dishes at the window to be picked up personally.
This was precisely why the business at the State-Owned Restaurant had been declining.
Many people would rather run to a small food stall outside and snack on a couple of pancakes than put up with the service at the State-Owned Restaurant.
Seeing these dishes, Li Jian felt a bit embarrassed, “You’re spending too much.”
He had only intended to have a casual meal with this girl and had not expected her to order several of the restaurant’s top dishes today.
Lin Chuxia smiled and passed him a pair of chopsticks, “What expense? If it weren’t for Brother Li’s help today, how could I have bought that cart?”
“It’s nothing.”
Li Jian didn’t mention that he had just been promoted the day before yesterday, now managing a small team of about a dozen people.
On the surface, he didn’t show much, but upon privately inquiring, he understood that recently upper management had been focusing on service issues in their field.
Coincidentally, Director overheard Lin Chuxia’s comments that day, resulting him to be cited as an example.
You could say he had a stroke of luck or that he was fortunate because of Lin Chuxia’s favor, which is why he proactively helped her get a cart.
Looking at the girl opposite him who ate heartily but not rudely, and reminded of her ability to read faces, whether true or not,
“I see you came back so quickly, your family is from Qin Family Village?”
The closest village to their vegetable station, mainly of vegetable farmers, was indeed Qin Family Village.
“Yes, my in-laws are from Qin Family Village.”
Li Jian paused slightly, “You’re married? Where is your husband? Why are you here selling vegetables alone?”
“My husband works out of town.”
Lin Chuxia did not hide anything, since she would inevitably have to deal with Li Jian frequently in the future, and someone intent on finding out could easily do so, thus there was no need for secrecy.
Li Jian: “…”
It sounds like something shattered.
After lunch, Lin Chuxia bought Li Jian two more packs of cigarettes.
Fenghuang brand cigarettes, 0.46 yuan per pack, 10 packs per carton, two cartons for 9.2 yuan.
During the meal, she saw that Li Jian smoked Daqianmen, which cost 0.35 yuan per pack, but required cigarette tickets, which she didn’t have.
Nowadays, that’s how the market is. Although it has gradually opened up, some goods are still in short supply and continue to be bought through a ticketing system.
Daqianmen is a popular brand that many people like to smoke. Fenghuang cigarettes, slightly more expensive and with a strong fragrance, are not as accustomed by many people, hence fewer buyers.
Thus, both being cigarettes, Daqianmen requires cigarette tickets, but Fenghuang does not.
However, when it comes to giving gifts, no one dislikes something more expensive.
Lin Chuxia could see that Li Jian was very pleased with the cigarettes, and he mentioned that she could reach out to him if needed.
This time, Lin Chuxia did not take it as just a polite remark.
After saying goodbye to Li Jian, she rode her bicycle home.
It was noon, neither Mr. Qin nor Brother Qin had taken their nap. They were fiddling with a flatbed cart under the big tree in the yard.
Seeing Lin Chuxia return, Mr. Qin said, “The cart isn’t too damaged. I oiled the chain and patched the tires, it’s still usable, but the wooden board on top is in bad shape. Let your brother make a new board and fit it in the next few days.”
Brother Qin also said, “Yes, it’d be more convenient for you to sell vegetables with this cart. Three wheels are more stable than two.”
(Eighties flatbed cart)
They all thought Lin Chuxia bought the cart just for convenience in delivering vegetables. Lin Chuxia parked her bicycle, pulled out a pack of Hongqi cigarettes from her pocket, and handed it to Brother Qin, “Then I’ll trouble you to spare some time in the next few days to make a board for me.”
Mr. Qin’s health wasn’t good, he couldn’t smoke, and Qin Han rarely did too. When he craved a smoke, he would go for Hongqi, which was weaker and cheaper.
Seeing the cigarettes, Qin Han was a bit surprised but accepted them without hesitation, “It’s no trouble at all. There’s not much to do in the fields recently. I’ll get some wood tomorrow, and in a couple of days, you’ll be able to use the cart for your deliveries.”
Lin Chuxia said, “I didn’t buy this flatbed cart just for delivering vegetables. Dad, brother, I want to start a business.”
“Start a business?”
Mrs. Qin, hearing Lin Chuxia’s voice, came out just in time to catch this sentence.
With everyone present, Lin Chuxia shared her thoughts.
“I’m not cut out for farming. I was thinking of starting a small business. The national policies are relaxed now, as long as one is hardworking, one wouldn’t starve.”
Mr. Qin nodded, “What business are you planning to do?”
“I’m planning to sell food. People have to eat, and as long as it tastes good, selling food shouldn’t lead to losses. I’ll start with meat buns, then slowly expand depending on the situation.”
At this point, she looked towards Qin Han, “Brother, sister-in-law, do you have any plans to start a business? I looked around the county these past few days, and there’s a market for it. Our Qin Family Village’s geographical location is so advantageous, it would be a waste not to do business.”
Qin Han was slightly stunned, then his eyes lit up with enthusiasm, “This…” He glanced towards his house, “Your sister-in-law is putting Zhuangzhuang to sleep right now.”
“No rush, discuss it with sister-in-law. If you’re willing, we can further discuss what to do next.”
“Alright, I’ll talk to her in a bit,” Qin Han responded, energized at the prospect of doing business.
Mrs. Qin, worried, said, “Chuxia, have you discussed this business idea with Yangyang? Our family has been vegetable farmers for generations. Apart from farming, we know nothing about doing business. I’m not even sure how to go about it.”
Lin Chuxia: “…”
Forgive her for forgetting about Qin Yang for a moment.