Living like a widow? My rough neighbor is coaxing me to have a baby every night.

Chapter 204: The Rough Man Goes to War, His Beautiful Wife Earns Her First Pot of Gold by Setting Up

Qin Rushan strode up to Li Xianglian, his tall frame shielding her from the chilly morning breeze.

People were coming and going around them, all busy with final checks, and no one paid any attention to the young couple.

"Is there enough money at home to cover expenses?"

Qin Rushan reached out and tucked the stray hairs that had been blown about by the wind behind her ear, his rough fingertips brushing against her delicate cheek with a hint of reluctance.

This trip will take another two or three days, and this mission is even more important, so it might be delayed for a few more days, meaning I won't be able to see my wife for several days.

Qin Rushan felt he was already missing his wife even before they set off!

I miss my wife, I want to kiss my wife, I want to sleep with my sweet and soft wife in my arms!

Li Xianglian subconsciously clutched her pocket, which contained a stack of ten-yuan notes that Qin Rushan had insisted on giving her the night before.

"That's enough, too much."

Li Xianglian said softly, her eyes red, "You're the one who needs money when you're out there. 'A poor family needs money on the road, but you've given me all of it. What are you going to do now?'"

"I've got plenty in my pocket."

Qin Rushan grinned, revealing a set of bright white teeth. "What's given to you is for you to spend. Remember, don't try to save me any money. If you want meat, buy meat; if you want cloth, buy cloth. If I come back and see you've gotten thinner, I'll teach you a lesson."

Although his tone was fierce, his eyes were so soft they could melt your heart.

Li Xianglian knew the man was just trying to scare her, but she still nodded emphatically: "Yes, I'll be good. I'll eat meat every meal."

"That's right."

Qin Rushan patted her head with satisfaction, then, as if remembering something, his expression became slightly serious. "If you encounter any difficulties while I'm away, or if that Niu Guihua comes looking for trouble again, don't try to handle it yourself. Go find Xiao Lan."

"Sister Xiao Lan?" Li Xianglian was taken aback.

"Yes, that woman may be cunning and have a sharp tongue, but nobody in this area dares to bully her. She's the kind of smart woman who'll stick with you as long as your interests align. I've already spoken to Old Xu, and he's told her to look after you."

Qin Rushan's arrangement was flawless.

He knew his wife was gentle by nature. Although she had improved a bit recently, if they really encountered a scoundrel, it would still be someone as shrewish as Xiao Lan who could keep them in check.

"I understand," Li Xianglian replied obediently.

"And one more thing," Qin Rushan whispered in her ear, his voice low and slightly hoarse, "remember to think of me!"

In the distance, Xu Yuecheng was already honking his horn to urge them on.

"drop--!"

The piercing sound of the air horn shattered the tender moment between the two.

"Let's go!"

Qin Rushan gave her one last deep look, then turned and strode towards the lead car.

He nimbly climbed up to the tall driver's cab, leaned half his body out of the dark green metal shell, and waved to Li Xianglian.

"Boom!"

The convoy started moving.

The huge wheels rolled over the ground, kicking up clouds of dust.

Five Liberation trucks drove out of the transport team's gate in a grand procession, heading towards the rising sun.

Li Xianglian stood still, craning her neck to look until even the last wisp of black smoke dissipated, before slowly withdrawing her gaze.

She didn't go back to her own room, but instead turned around and went to Xiao Lan's courtyard.

As soon as I entered, I saw Xiao Lan sitting under the pomegranate tree, holding a pair of scissors and cutting strips of cloth with a "snip, snip" sound.

She wore a red polyester shirt today, which made her face even more radiant and beautiful.

"Oh, you've finished seeing your lover off?"

Xiao Lan didn't even look up, a smile playing on her lips. "I think Captain Qin's steps are so heavy, he's probably been bewitched by you."

Li Xianglian blushed, but wasn't annoyed. She moved a small stool to sit opposite her, picked up her needle and thread, and began to work.

"Sister Xiao Lan, please stop making fun of me."

The two sat there in the shade of the tree, their needle and thread flying up and down.

Those colorful scraps of fabric were magically transformed into beautiful scrunchies between their nimble fingers.

It must be said that Li Xianglian's cooking skills are truly excellent.

Her stitches are fine and even, and her color matching is also meticulous.

Those scraps that nobody wanted before, she pieced them together and they turned out even better than what's sold in stores.

"Xianglian, you have such skillful hands."

Xiao Lan picked up a finished product and held it up to the sunlight. "This pink color with small white flowers and a touch of lace makes it look very stylish."

"It was all just random thinking," Li Xianglian said somewhat embarrassedly. "I was just wondering what kind I would like to wear myself."

"That's right! Doing business is all about understanding people's hearts."

Xiao Lan's eyes lit up, and she slipped the hair tie onto her wrist. "Tell me, what price should we set for this if we were to sell it?"

Li Xianglian thought for a moment: "The cost is just a little effort and the price of rubber bands; the fabric scraps are free. How about... two cents?"

"Two cents?" Xiao Lan stared wide-eyed at Li Xianglian as if she were a fool. "My dear sister, are you doing charity? Two cents isn't even enough to cover your work fee!"

She held up her hand and shook it fiercely: "Five cents! Not a penny less!"

"Five cents?!" Li Xianglian exclaimed in surprise. "How much does that big meat bun cost? That's too expensive! Will anyone buy it?"

These days, 50 cents is no small amount; it can buy a pound of good rice.

"Where is it expensive?"

Xiao Lan's almond-shaped eyes gleamed with shrewdness. "Are we selling hair ties? We're selling fashion and beauty! Those young girls and married women, for the sake of beauty, are willing to spend not just 50 cents, but even a dollar! Besides, this is unique in the county; even the supply and marketing cooperative doesn't sell it. It's a rare commodity!"

Xiao Lan slammed the scissors on the table.

"Have we made fifty or sixty today?"

Li Xianglian counted the stock in the bamboo basket: "About that, including yesterday's, there should be seventy or eighty."

"That's enough, this is the first batch of goods, we need to test the waters."

Xiao Lan stood up, straightened her clothes, and said, "Xianglian, we'll set off tonight."

"Huh? What for?"

"Go make money!"

Xiao Lan pointed to the clock on the wall, "As soon as it gets dark, let's take these hair ties and set up a stall in front of the county cinema!"

"Cinema?"

That place is crowded and chaotic, mostly with fashionable young people.

She had never been there before in her entire life.

"Yes! It's the movie theater!"

Xiao Lan said confidently, "Think about it, who goes to the movies? Young couples! Those guys, just to impress their girlfriends, they'll pay up, even if it's just five dollars, let alone fifty cents! Besides, it's dark at night, so our little stall won't attract attention. Those guys from the Industry and Commerce Bureau have long since gone home to their wives, nobody cares!"

This analysis is very logical and well-reasoned.

Although Li Xianglian was still a little apprehensive, she gritted her teeth when she thought of the license in her pocket and Qin Rushan's parting words.

"Okay! I'll do as Sister Xiao Lan says!"

The two spent the entire afternoon preparing goods.

Xiao Lan even found a piece of black velvet and used it to attach the hair ties one by one, making them look high-end, like jewelry in a store.

A gentle evening breeze carried away the daytime heat.

The large light bulbs at the entrance of the county cinema were bright enough to illuminate the concrete ground as if it were daytime.

The crowd below was bustling with people. The young people waiting to enter all had slicked-back hair or wore bell-bottoms, with cigarettes in their hands, and they all tried to look serious.

The girls chatted in small groups, talking about the latest trendy dresses and the kissing scenes in the movie "Romance on Lushan Mountain".

Xiao Lan had seen the world, and she felt right at home here.

She pushed Li Xianglian under the most conspicuous streetlight, and held the tray covered with black velvet in front of her chest.

"Girl, lift your head!"

Xiao Lan nudged Li Xianglian's lower back lightly with her elbow. "We earn money with our skills, we don't steal or rob, so why are you cowering like that? Show some boss lady attitude!"

Li Xianglian took a deep breath; her palms were sweaty.

She remembered Qin Rushan's determined look when he left, and the license she had just received.

Yes, she's a legal self-employed individual, so who's she afraid of?

As she looked up, the light from the streetlamp shone directly on her face.

It was a face that, though unadorned, was fair and delicate.

These days, with Qin Rushan feeding her in various ways and in a good mood, Li Xianglian has long since shed the withered and shriveled look she had at Old Zhao's house.

Now, her cheeks are slightly moist, and her eyes are full of spring. Standing there, she looks like a little lily that has just been rained on, so clear and pure that you can't take your eyes off her.

Add to that Xiao Lan's alluring charm with a touch of worldliness, and these two beauties standing there are a living advertisement.

"Hey, look at this! The latest hair tie from the provincial capital! So stylish and chic, it's the same one worn by the female lead in 'Romance on Lushan Mountain'!"

Xiao Lan's voice was crisp and clear, instantly silencing half of the surrounding noise.

"The same style worn by the female lead?"

These days, associating with a movie star is the biggest gimmick.

Several young girls who were holding their partners' arms immediately stopped and curiously gathered around.

"What is this? Why is it so fancy?" A girl wearing a floral shirt reached out and touched the hair tie on the velvet.

"Hey girl, this is called a scrunchie, it's all the rage in big cities right now!"

Xiao Lan, quick-witted and eloquent, picked up a pink one and held it up to the girl's wrist. "Look at the craftsmanship, the lace trim! With your fair skin, this will make you look so charming! Whether you wear it in a ponytail or as a wrist accessory, it's one of a kind!"

The girl's eyes lit up; she was clearly interested: "How much for one?"