In the afternoon after school, Lu Jingqiu and Luo Xinyue acpanied Chen Qingru at the school gate waiting for Yang Bo.
Almost half an hour later, Yang Bo arrived on his bike.
The group headed straight to their cafeteria, and Yang Bo, admiring the university atmosphere, was envious beyond measure, "Had I known, I would have applied to university as well."
Although he said that, Yang Bo was still quite satisfied with his current situation. He was making nearly one thousand yuan a year, and recently, some factories had approached him to create exterior wall advertisements, allowing him to set his own price, which took him by surprise.
He originally intended to quote ten yuan for one exterior wall, but they understood it to mean one hundred.
If he could take on several of these jobs a month, there would be no need for him to work any regular job.
So, his enthusiasm for ic booklets was not as high as before.
Yang Bo discussed some requirements with Chen Qingru and also mentioned the price, twenty yuan per book.
Although Lu Jingqiu and Luo Xinyue knew the book was worth more than that, Chen Qingru was taking her first order after all, so they didn’t feel it was their place to say anything.
Chen Qingru, on the other hand, was quite happy. She felt that even if she didn’t make money, having her illustrations published was something to be proud of.
She returned to the dorm exhilarated, and it took He Yu quite a while to understand what was happening, but she also rejoiced for her, feeling that Chen Qingru’s efforts over the past year had not been in vain.
Seeing how hard everyone was working, she knew she had to try even harder.
The four pursued each other petitively, reviving their interest in studying.
And on Thursday, Lu Jingqiu received the story from the author delivered by Editor Ban.
After reading it, Lu Jingqiu found the story both humorous and lively.
She thought that with interesting illustrations, it would be even more engaging, and felt that Luo Xinyue’s simple drawing style was more suited for this book.
Editor Ban mented, "That’s exactly what I thought. I didn’t expect rade Lu to agree. I can’t just let this go; I’ll go back and discuss it with him further. rade Luo, do you have any of your own illustrations on hand? Give me a few to let him have a look."
Luo Xinyue was there only to acpany Lu Jingqiu to meet Editor Ban, but now Lu Jingqiu was remending her, "Jingqiu, you really think my style is suitable?"
This was about thirty or more illustrations, amounting to quite a sum of money. She hadn’t expected Lu Jingqiu to pass the opportunity to her just like that.
"I think you’re suitable for this story." In future generations, many would like the style of Luo Xinyue. She felt a bit nervous, unsure whether the current public would appreciate it, but this book should indeed be paired with Luo Xinyue’s style of illustrations.
After receiving the feedback, Editor Ban decisively took Luo Xinyue’s illustrations back to the publishing house.
Lu Jingqiu did not head straight home on Friday but was instead caught by Xue Jianian in advance at the school gate.
"You’re here for me?"
"Yeah, I have something to tell you, something I couldn’t wait to share, so I rushed over here as soon as school ended. Let’s walk and talk."
Lu Jingqiu pushed her bike, walking beside her towards the store, and asked, "What is it?"
Xue Jianian, seeing no one paying attention to them among the passing crowd, revealed, "Xia Lin is pregnant."
Just as she finished speaking, Lu Jingqiu remained expressionless, and with some disappointment, Xue Jianian said, "How e you don’t show any reaction? You’re so indifferent."
Lu Jingqiu had guessed as much by Sunday. To speak the truth, Xia Lin’s child should have arrived earlier; it was already a year late, and who knows if it would be the same one as before.
"They’ve been married for so long, isn’t it quite normal for her to be pregnant?"
Xue Jianian sighed lightly, "The issue is, she doesn’t want it."
Lu Jingqiu turned to her with a look of inquiry, "How do you know?"
"The other night, I overheard Gao Shu ing back, questioning her loudly. It seems that day Xia Lin didn’t go to class and went to the hospital instead. Coincidentally, Gao Shu was at the hospital helping an injured classmate and happened to run into her.
"They started arguing last night."
"Xia Lin wouldn’t have gone to the hospital to get an abortion, would she?"
"Mm, I just don’t understand, isn’t having a child a good thing? Why would they think about not wanting it? Although the two of them are still in school, they’re not short on money. Xia Lin has made quite a bit of money, even more than some working families."
Lu Jingqiu smiled, she knew the reason, but didn’t expect Xia Lin to be so averse to it.
In this era, being unable to have children and not wanting them were pletely different things. It wasn’t just about Aunt Gao and Uncle Gao, Gao Shu wouldn’t agree to it, would he?
Xue Jianian was just discussing this matter with Lu Jingqiu as they reached the store.
Xue Jianian’s shop was already almost set up.
The only thing missing was finding employees. Xue Jianian said, "Jincheng said not to look anymore, and just to open on Saturdays and Sundays. He can help me pick up the stock on those days."
"Oh, if you’re only open on Saturdays and Sundays and you still have to pick up stock, how can you manage alone? Besides, if you’re only open a few days each month, can you really make any money?"
Xue Jianian chuckled, she couldn’t share her secret with Lu Jingqiu, twenty yuan was definitely possible, just selling a few kilograms of meat would be enough. Although it was just eight days a month, she could still make several hundred.
Jincheng asked her to open on Sundays to prevent her from opening for too long and selling too much stock. As a student, if people noticed something amiss, he wouldn’t feel at ease.
After thinking it over, Xue Jianian agreed as well.
Now, she just needed to deliver vegetables to two or three restaurants every morning.
She would e to mind the shop on Sundays. As for picking up stock on Sunday, she could have Jincheng run an errand, or tell Lu Jingqiu that some farmers would deliver it themselves.
These things wouldn’t be noticed by many at the beginning.
Of course, to not arouse suspicion, she would indeed go to the countryside to pick up items.
It’s just that she didn’t have to go too often.
"When will your second cousin stock up his shop? I saw he put up a sign but I didn’t see any stock."
"It might be a while, he has to make a trip to Shanghai."
Xue Jianian understood and said, "You could ask your cousin to bring back some rice cookers, those things are really handy."
Lu Jingqiu nodded in agreement, finding them convenient and also good for keeping food warm. She regretted buying only one.
No problem, she’d ask her second cousin to bring a few back when he went again.
After parting ways with Xue Jianian, Lu Jingqiu went straight home.
Around seven o’clock, her uncle came by, bringing her a package, "This is from your aunt. She sent it from over there, it’s for your marriage."
"Uncle, I’ve already prepared everything I need for the wedding. Please don’t let Aunt buy me more. How is my older cousin’s wife doing?"
Yang Pinggui laughed, "She’s doing well. Your aunt says she can eat and drink just fine, and every day your older cousin’s wife praises your aunt’s cooking skills."
"Haha, my older cousin’s wife is indeed lucky."
"Indeed, your older cousin and his wife can’t do without your aunt now. Oh, by the way, it’s Old Xu’s daughter’s wedding tomorrow, don’t forget to give a gift."
Lu Jingqiu asked, "Is it Xu Li getting married?"
"Mm."
Aunt Cuihua said they were planning a wedding after the New Year. When she left last week, there was no sign of it, and Lu Jingqiu thought perhaps the plans had fallen through.
But thinking about the feast tomorrow, Lu Jingqiu’s mouth watered.
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