Eighties Sweetheart Wife
Chapter 100 Are You On the Way or Did You Make a Special Trip?_1

Chapter 100: Chapter 100 Are You On the Way or Did You Make a Special Trip?_1

Chu Zizhou examined the straw hat, turning it over and over, pondering Song Yunuan’s words. Connections, they were very important.

If they could really make them, this would be Erdao River’s side business. Nowadays, everyone was advocating for side businesses, and he had also discussed this with the Branch Secretary, mainly focusing on raising chickens and ducks, aiming to supply the demand in the villages.

This was also a side business, and a very important one at that.

However, the infrastructure wasn’t ready yet, funds had not been secured, and moreover, the first batch was for a pilot program. If it was feasible, it would officially start next year.

The Branch Secretary could follow up on that; once the chicken coops and pig pens were built, they would need to train people on how to raise the animals. That was what kept them busy these days.

But Chu Zizhou was not much interested in chickens, ducks, or geese.

Of course, as a leader of a rural village, soon to be called the village head, could he dare to be disinterested in raising chickens, ducks, and pigs?

Was he asking for trouble?

He certainly didn’t dare say so, especially since Gu Huai’an was leading the initiative. It had to be executed well.

With that in mind, Chu Zizhou felt that it was unlikely for him to leave Erdao River; he couldn’t trust anyone else with it.

Even so, Chu Zizhou knew that it would take a while to see any money from this endeavor.

Hence, weaving straw hats, that was really promising.

Chu Zizhou and Old Man Song started chatting, not about how to weave just yet, but rather about how many could be made in a day, whether the raw materials needed separate treatment, and how many people in the village knew how to do it...

Old Man Song was thrilled; he had found his calling.

He spared no detail, telling Chu Zizhou everything without holding back, honestly explaining where the suitable grass was, how to process the water grass, and how to shape the hats.

Chu Zizhou told Old Man Song that he would contact his friends in Beidu to find out more, and then he left, full of excitement.

Song Yunuan smiled.

She listened to her grandmother complain about how many people had come to borrow money these past few days and how many were envious.

But they couldn’t refuse to lend because Old Mrs. Song had borrowed from others in the past too.

In a village, you can’t just turn your back on your neighbors just because you have a little money.

In just these few days, they had lent out over thirty yuan.

Old Mrs. Song didn’t dare show off her wealth, only saying that they had a large capital, which was coordinated by friends from the county town. The capital had already been paid to them.

As to which friend, that wasn’t mentioned.

Nevertheless, the Song family had become known as a wealthy household.

So now, what was needed was common prosperity.

It was only the eighties, and Song Yunuan didn’t want her family to stand out too much.

So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get to it.

-----------------

Chu Zizhou was a man of action. He contacted his friends in Beidu the same day, and they burst into laughter upon hearing that he wanted to sell straw hats. However, after laughing, they slapped their chests and guaranteed that no matter how many, they could sell them all.

With that, Chu Zizhou convened a large meeting, informing the villagers that the surplus labor needed to get moving. The families would weave straw hats, which the village leadership would buy in bulk. As long as the products met the standards, they would be bought for eighty cents each. The requirements for the size and quality of the hats were specified by sample hats provided by the village leadership. Of course, if anyone felt that the purchase price was unfair, they were free to sell the hats elsewhere.

When this was announced, the entire Erdao River was abuzz.

The idea of selling the hats on their own? Not a single person entertained that thought.

Not at all.

Still, many people had no idea how to weave and were so anxious that they were on the verge of tears. But Chu Zizhou had a solution for that, too. He had invited Old Man Song, Old Man Li, and a few others skilled in the craft to teach at the village office. The teachers were given a daily subsidy of one yuan, sponsored by the village office.

In no time, the whole Erdao River was bustling with activity.

When Gu Huai’an came to Erdao River to give Song Yunuan her bonus, he found the entire village in a whirlwind of activity.

And Song Yunuan just happened to be at home.

She learned from Sister Zhao that although there were no clear rules allowing it, there were also no clear rules against it.

Everything was in the experimental phase, as long as it was good, beneficial, and favorable for the common folk, there should be no problem at all.

So the Song family began to get busy.

They cut the fabric, dividing it into three standard sizes, not using SML but large, medium, and small which the common folk found clear and easy to categorize.

This time, they were preparing to make a batch and then release it to the market.

There was no need to set up a stall in the department store; they could go to other places.

But first, they had to make the finished product well and gradually get everyone accustomed to it. Slowly, the finished product would start to take over the market.

As for Gu Huai’an, he was the one who had asked Song Yunuan to go to the brigade headquarters.

At that moment, only he and Song Yunuan were in the brigade headquarters.

Gu Huai’an sat in his chair, and before she arrived, his thoughts did: "Ah, my little brother has finally come."

He wasn’t in a particular hurry, he just really wanted to know how much bonus money she could get.

Upon entering, she looked around but saw no briefcase or bundles of cash on the office desk.

She turned to look at Gu Huai’an, who was seated there. Her big, limpid eyes blinked, and Gu Huai’an seemed to have empty hands.

"Eh, where’s the money? Little brother, you wouldn’t have it in your pocket close to your body, would you?"

Gu Huai’an produced a stack of ten-yuan bills as if by magic.

He actually gave her one thousand yuan.

That was a lot.

Song Yunuan immediately walked over with a beaming smile, standing opposite Gu Huai’an, and asked, "Is this the bonus?"

Gu Huai’an nodded, took out a piece of paper and a pen: "Write me a receipt."

Song Yunuan took the paper and pen; this was a necessary procedure.

She glanced at Gu Huai’an, thought for a moment, and then said directly, "Professor Gu, may I ask you a question?"

Gu Huai’an replied indifferently, "Yes, go ahead."

"Did you come by the way or did you make a special trip?"

After speaking, she stared at Gu Huai’an, her lips curling up slightly, looking very sincere.

Gu Huai’an also asked her, "What if it was on the way, and what if it was a special trip?"

"If it were on the way, I wouldn’t give it another thought, but if it were intentional, I would be very curious. Just what are your designs on me, old sir?"

Old sir?

Gu Huai’an looked at Song Yunuan with an amused expression, "Why aren’t you talking?"

Song Yunuan sincerely replied, "If it was intentional, I would be very touched. You really are a great person. If it was on the way, I would still want to thank you. Thanks!"

Gu Huai’an raised an eyebrow: "No need to thank me."

He then stood up and said to Song Yunuan, "How about the receipt, why aren’t you writing it?"

Song Yunuan glanced at Gu Huai’an who seemed about to leave and asked with a smile, "Where will we meet next time?"

Gu Huai’an’s eyes darkened slightly, his voice carrying a hint of rasp, "This time is not over yet, and you’re already looking forward to the next meeting?"

Song Yunuan was not at all shy: "Can’t help it, it must be fate that brings us together."

Gu Huai’an walked over, looking down at the characters Song Yunuan was writing.

The handwriting was beautiful, but it seemed to have an indescribable taste.

As the saying goes, the writing reveals the writer.

The two of them were very close, close enough that for a moment, it seemed their breaths were mingling together.

Song Yunuan looked up, her lips curving into a crafty smile, "Professor Gu, you’re standing so close to me, I’m so nervous I can’t even write. Oh dear, how do I write ’receipt’ again..."

Gu Huai’an watched Song Yunuan with amusement, "You, nervous? That really is rare!"