“Comrade Qin hello. I am Wu Han and this is my sister Wu Qiao,” Wu Han said greeting her with a nervous expression. Wu Qiao looked on equally tense. They shared the same manner which made them feel oddly alike and the resemblance between Wu Han and Lu Qingshen softened slightly. There were many people who looked remarkably like others and Qin Jian did not dwell on it. Lu Qingshen was an only child after all.
“Hello both of you. Granny Wu has already told you about the positions available at my shop. Please come in and sit down while I explain the work.”
“It is not difficult. You will receive goods brought by villagers weigh them pay the suppliers and record everything. It is much like working at the grain supply station so you will find it familiar.”
Both nodded earnestly. Qin Jian was pleased by their composure. “I will be purchasing peanuts sunflower seeds mushrooms duck eggs and chicken eggs to begin with. We will decide on other items later. I will check on things at the shop each morning before my shift.”
“We can manage that,” Wu Han confirmed.
“We will also be selling salted duck eggs preserved eggs tea eggs and one cent cups of tea. You will handle sales and divide the work as you see fit.”
“Sister Qin my brother is not much of a cook. May I learn to make the tea eggs instead?” Wu Qiao asked holding her breath.
Qin Jian tapped the girl’s nose gently. “You need not worry. I will prepare them myself and you can focus on selling. If you would like to learn however I will certainly teach you.” She was happy to share the work.
“I will study very hard,” Wu Qiao beamed.
They went over the details and settled on wages. Wu Han would receive twenty yuan a month and Wu Qiao ten yuan with bonuses when business was good. The next day they began work officially.
Qin Jian stopped by the shop which she had named Qin’s General Merchandise. She watched them selling tea eggs and tea. Customers asked about peanut prices and her rate was two cents higher per jin than the grain station giving her a clear advantage. Satisfied they were coping well she went to her job at the restaurant. When she returned in the afternoon the pair were still serving villagers delivering produce so she stepped in to help. Within half a month the shop was running smoothly.
It was the weekend again. Early in the morning Qin Jian was at the shop meeting a bulk buyer for brown sugar peanuts.
“Boss Qin I would like to buy five hundred jin. Can you give me a better price?” The speaker was a tall broad shouldered man accompanied by a quiet younger companion.
“The very best I can do is another five cents off per jin. Take it or leave it. You could always buy your own peanuts and make them yourself,” Qin Jian replied. Several private merchants had been placing large orders lately including confectioners peanut butter makers and snack sellers all in need of supplies. Under the planned economy goods were rationed and even basic items were often unavailable at supply stores especially for those buying in bulk. Her business permit had been arranged through Xiao Liu and carried special approval. Her shop operated much like a state run enterprise so she did not need ration coupons. Retail prices were slightly higher than elsewhere but steady demand came from fellow private traders purchasing in quantity.
“Sister Qin someone is asking for you,” Wu Qiao called out.
Qin Jian looked up to see Xiao Liu. “What brings you here?”
“Comrade Qin the Battalion Commander is waiting at the hospital. Are you free to go there now?”
“For the divorce papers?” she asked quietly. Xiao Liu nodded.
Qin Jian handed her responsibilities to Wu Han immediately. Wu Han and Xiao Liu exchanged glances. Xiao Liu’s gaze held a moment of scrutiny. He relaxed slightly seeing Wu Han in the wheelchair then frowned again as he studied his face. Why was there a man who looked so much like the Battalion Commander working beside her? Qin Jian remained unaware of his thoughts. She collected her household booklet and letter of introduction and got into the military vehicle. “Xiao Liu why are you standing there? We should go.”
Xiao Liu started the car reluctantly. “Comrade Qin are you absolutely certain about this divorce?”
“Of course I am.”
“Is there something wrong with him?” He knew how concerned Lu Qingshen had been on returning from his mission. It seemed such a pity.
Qin Jian smiled gently. “We get along perfectly well as friends. Divorce will also spare us endless trouble. My mother will have no reason to harass him.”
“But…”
“Xiao Liu please do not speak of it further,” she said firmly. He fell silent.
The vehicle pulled up at the hospital entrance. Lu Qingshen stood there in uniform. Qin Jian stepped out and approached him. “You have finished visiting your comrade? Shall we go straight to the Civil Affairs Bureau?”
“I have not gone in yet. There was a minor delay at the gate. I knew you would be arriving soon so I waited,” Lu Qingshen said calmly.
“Why wait for me? Never mind. You go ahead. I will wait in the car.”
“Come with me,” he said.
“Why? To introduce me as your soon to be ex wife?”
“A comrade’s family member works in foreign trade. I would like to introduce you. They may be able to offer you assistance in future.”
“Very well. I will buy some fruit first,” Qin Jian agreed instantly.
Lu Qingshen looked at her with a faint smile. “Is business always your first concern?”
“Who does not want to earn an honest living?” She spotted the supply store and bought apples and red dates at one yuan fifty cents per jin complete with ration coupons. She was always generous toward potential business connections.