He had always envied those who had bicycles, and he never imagined his family would have a new one! Seeing the handlebars gleam in the light, he loved it deeply.
Su Erzhuang came over to help and asked, “What’s all this? So much stuff?”
The two brothers lifted the baskets off the bike and took down the carrying pole. Su Dazhuang carried the baskets into the house.
Suddenly, the entire family, except for a few children still playing outside, crowded into the main room.
Su Dazhuang placed the baskets in front of Sun Xi’e and his father Su Erzhu, saying, “All of this was arranged by the Fifth Sister, and it cost quite a lot!”
Then he remembered the most important thing, unbuttoned his coat, and took out the money and photos hidden in the inner pocket, handing them to Sun Xi’e and Su Erzhu. “This is the fifty yuan Fifth Sister sent for the family, and these are photos of her children. Fifth Sister specially had them taken for me to bring back.”
Sun Xi’e took the money and photos, somewhat incredulously, and reproachfully said, “How could you take her money? Everything in the city costs money! That bit of cash probably came from the factory’s support for her. Why didn’t you listen to me?”
Su Dazhuang hurried to explain, “Mom, listen to me…”
Su Erzhu reached over and took the photos from Sun Xi’e, squinting at them, “How many kids are there here?”
Su Dazhuang said, “Seven! Fifth Sister has seven children! The eldest two are twins, and the fourth, fifth, and sixth are a set.”
Previously, the news from Su Caiqing had always been sporadic; the family didn’t know exactly when she had her children, how many, or their names.
Su Dazhuang recounted each child, “The eldest is mischievous; I saw her getting her mother scolded by her aunt. The second and third are much better behaved. The younger ones… they just play all the time.”
Sun Xi’e held the money, sighing, “I knew your Fifth Sister’s life isn’t easy. Her mother-in-law is difficult, and her eldest sister-in-law is formidable.”
Remembering Su Caiqing’s instructions, Su Dazhuang quickly said, “Mom, it’s not as bad as you think. Fifth Sister has good relations with the street committee director and the factory director’s family. The director’s daughter often has her make clothes! She’s very skilled at making clothes and can earn money with it! The clothes I’m wearing are made by her. She even said next time she comes, she’ll bring your sizes so she can make you clothes too!”
Sun Xi’e had Su Dazhuang turn around, saying, “This outfit looks grand, no wonder I mistook you for an official. Fifth Sister seems good too, smiling, so I feel relieved.”
After viewing the photos, Sun Xi’e and Su Erzhu handed them to Su Xiaozhuang. Su Dazhuang then emptied the baskets: “This is five jin of lamp oil, cheaper in the city. Fifth Sister said since many families now use electric lights, lamp oil isn’t in demand, so it’s cheaper. These are the mung bean cakes Fifth Sister made, delicious, specially for the family. Here’s sugar, salt… and a flashlight. This is fabric. Fifth Sister didn’t know everyone’s sizes, so she couldn’t make clothes for the family and had me bring these instead.”
Sun Xi’e worriedly asked, “Why so much? Why so much?”
“Mom, this fabric was bought cheaply from the textile factory by the factory director’s daughter. Fifth Sister said these fabrics were popular in the city before, but not anymore, so they sold cheap.”
The two baskets of goods indeed astonished the Su family.
Finally, Su Dazhuang pulled out some scrap fabric flowers, “These are made from leftover fabric, for the girls in the family.”
Seventh Sister Su Yaomei asked, “Do I have some?”
“Yes! How could your own sister forget you?”
Su Yaomei was thrilled and immediately picked two she liked, making her second sister roll her eyes.
Eighth Sister Su Genmei divided the remaining fabric flowers among the nieces.
Su Dazhuang told the elders about Su Caiqing’s instructions, “Fifth Sister wants me to send fifty jin of grain every month. She pays one mao five per jin for our grain.”
“How can we let her spend money? She’s family, our own daughter and grandchild,” Su Erzhu said, holding two packs of Red Double Happiness cigarettes.
Su Dazhuang explained, “Fifth Sister knew you’d say that. She said, even though it’s family, fifty jin a month is six hundred jin a year, requiring two to three acres of land. She insists on paying, otherwise she wouldn’t do it. If we don’t have enough, she can get some elsewhere.”
Sun Xi’e understood: her daughter wanted to help without making it too obvious.
“Also, buying grain in the city costs one mao nine or two mao per jin; getting it from home is much cheaper. Fifth Sister also wants us to plant more peanuts and sesame, and raise more chickens, ducks, and pigs this year.”
“What’s the plan for that?” Su Erzhuang asked.
Su Dazhuang said, “Probably to make some New Year gifts.”
Su Caiqing didn’t elaborate on the reason.
In any case, this reassured the family that Su Caiqing was indeed living well in the city; even if she wanted to bluff, she couldn’t pretend to such an extent.
With Su Dazhuang sent off, Su Caiqing focused entirely on her new business.
After a few days of refining the business processes with Liang Qiheng, they began receiving several wedding photography orders besides Wang Chaoying’s cousin.
Of course, not every client was as lavish as Wang Chaoying’s cousin, buying several exclusive dresses; many opted for photography only without clothes.
Additionally, the advertisements in the Jiyang Daily gradually took effect, and Liang Qiheng received many calls inquiring about the service.
Su Caiqing scheduled each order according to appointment times, and within over half a month, the schedule was fully booked, with photography orders every day.
Liang Qiheng was thrilled daily, “Caiqing, I knew your method would work, but I didn’t expect it to be this effective.”
Su Caiqing adjusted her abacus, “We were lucky to hit this point, aligning with the people’s material and cultural needs, so it’s effective. Riding the wind and following the trend is the key.”
Liang Qiheng wholeheartedly agreed, “Beyond that, if it weren’t for your vision, we wouldn’t have noticed this opportunity. So the credit really is yours.”
Lately, Liang Qiheng had been lavish with his praise, and although Su Caiqing was accustomed to it, she still appreciated it.