Xie Sui underestimated the other party's pride and completely ignored him. With a dark face, he waved to dismiss him: "You can leave."
Xie Sui's expression turned cold: "Fine, very good. Don't come begging me later."
If it were just himself, Xie Sui wouldn't have bothered, but with his wife present, Xie Sui cared about his pride. Today you don't give me face, but circumstances change. When the time comes that you beg me, I'll settle the score.
As a person, don't be so arrogant, thinking you're superior. When you're slapped in the face, don't complain.
"Let's go. People like that will always be this way."
Lin Wanwan checked the clothes. The items from the state-run factory were well-made, with no loose threads and neat stitches. Xie Lin Wanwan and Xie Sui carried the clothes away together.
With the car, Xie Sui also bought his son's assault rifle and scooter, as well as dolls and red checkered skirts that girls liked. They bought a whole carload.
Lin Wanwan had two thousand yuan to earn, so she didn't mind spending money. She bought the latest style of clothes and said with some emotion, "When it comes to clothing styles, Haishi is the place to be. It's the most fashionable place in the country, and you can shop all day without seeing the same outfit twice."
Xie Sui said, "I'll take you back to shop another day. We'll buy the latest styles, make them, and sell them for profit. It will definitely be profitable."
"Okay, that's a good idea."
Lin Wanwan didn't have much concept of plagiarism. The main reason was that the era wasn't that strict, and no one felt ashamed to wear the same thing as someone else. On the contrary, everyone followed the same style, and it was everywhere. If you didn't buy it, it meant you weren't fashionable enough and couldn't afford new clothes.
However, Xie Sui still reminded her: "We can't copy the styles directly. We need to ask if they have applied for patents. Infringement could lead to compensation."
Lin Wanwan asked, "Can clothing styles be patented? Then if I design a piece of clothing, can others not make it?"
Xie Sui was surprised: "Wife, you have big ambitions! If you really like it, we can get you a degree in fashion design. It's a very promising career. I'll live off your earnings."
Xie Sui was a bit moved. They could indeed let Lin Wanwan study fashion design and business administration. That small mountain village shouldn't be her whole world.
"Can I?"
"As long as you want to, I, your husband, will support you. In the future, we'll be international design masters, holding fashion shows in Paris. Think how glorious that would be."
Lin Wanwan's eyes sparkled. He thought so far ahead.
Women are to be coaxed. Even if it's not realized, at least there's a dream. Respect and support made Lin Wanwan's heart feel sweet.
The two of them, with so many things, rented a tricycle and paid two yuan to get them back.
Coincidentally, Xu Donglai and his wife also returned. Yu Lili's eyes were red, as if she had been crying.
"What's wrong? Did someone bully you?"
Xu Donglai pulled him aside. It turned out that today they had met Director Shen. Director Shen had scolded Yu Lili in front of many people, and they had also met Su Ning. Speaking of which, Xu Donglai was full of anger: "That kid actually dared to humiliate Lili. If she hadn't stopped me, I would have beaten him to death."
So that's what happened. Xie Sui asked, "Have you gotten your marriage certificate yet?"
Xu Donglai was in a difficult position: "We still need household registration books and introduction letters from the work unit. It's not that easy to get."
Xie Sui said sternly: "This matter must be handled quickly to avoid further complications. You don't have a formal job, so you don't need an introduction letter. Spend some money, and let Yu Lili find a way to get one.
As for the household registration book... you can ask Yao Jinling for help. This cousin is quite cunning, she should have a way."
Xu Donglai threw down his cigarette butt: "Okay, I'll let Lili handle it. It's just that scumbag Su Ning. He couldn't even afford the betrothal gifts, and he still dares to look down on Lili. I'm furious just thinking about it."
Xie Sui smiled: "This is easy to handle. Sometimes you don't have to solve problems with your fists. People like Su Ning are extremely insecure yet proud. It seems contradictory, but it's understandable.
He wanted to marry Yu Lili and "help her out of poverty." Now that his plan is ruined, he's naturally unbalanced. Plus, there are whispers at the factory. He'll definitely instigate public opinion and belittle Yu Lili as much as possible to prove he's right and won't be looked down upon."
"Brother Xie, just tell me what to do. I don't care what he thinks. He extorted a hundred yuan from my mother-in-law. No man would do such a thing."
Xie Sui said, "The more he lacks something, the more we should flaunt it. Do as I say, and I guarantee you'll feel satisfied."
In the afternoon, Xu Donglai rode his family's bicycle, wearing the new groom's clothes Xie Sui bought him – a white shirt and blue pants, his leather shoes polished bright, and his hair neatly cut and handsome, looking even better than when he was a groom.
Yu Lili changed into a red checkered skirt, a white short-sleeved blouse, leather sandals, and her hair in two braids. Her youthful vitality made her so beautiful that people couldn't look away.
The wedding candies bought were the most expensive, filling two large bags. They spent thirty yuan just on candy, which pained Xu Donglai.
How much meat could that buy?
"It's right for you to feel the pinch. Your colleagues will be surprised and will know you have money and treat Yu Lili well, and then they'll speak up for you.
Su Ning lacks money; he probably wouldn't even buy melon seeds and peanuts, let alone wedding candy. When people get tangible benefits in their hands, tell me, if he speaks ill of you, who will agree with him?
No one is foolish. Everyone at the factory sees his intentions more clearly than we do. I don't believe he has that good of a reputation at the factory."
Reputation, sometimes, is also a part of material wealth. If you have money and are confident, colleagues are willing to associate with you. If you are poor and stingy, always trying to take advantage of others, who would befriend you?
Xu Donglai took Yu Lili back to the factory. This time, they were distributing candies and introduction letters. In the morning, they only gave them to a few close friends of Yu Lili. This time, it was for all the factory workers, giving them to anyone they knew.
The two picked the busiest times to arrive. The couple was sweet and loving, attracting countless gazes. They were the talk of the factory.
Some people originally wanted to make sarcastic remarks, but as soon as the wedding candies came out, and they were imported ones at that, their tone immediately changed: "Congratulations, congratulations!"
"Thank you."
Director Shen stood by the window on the second floor, watching them distribute wedding candies. Xu Donglai looked presentable and capable, which made her feel a little more inclined.
A colleague came in and said, "Director Shen, I think Little Xu is quite good. She's your own daughter; there are no grudges that last overnight.
I heard that his parents' situation has also been clarified, and the factory has asked him to return and has provided compensation for funeral expenses and other damages. Your daughter will have a good life marrying him."
Director Shen snorted: "No matter how good he is, without my approval and respect, I won't like him."
"Ah, didn't he come to apologize this morning? Look, Su Ning is coming over. That guy has been slandering your family relentlessly lately, saying some truly nasty things.
It's not that we look down on rural people; it's good for him to study hard and succeed. It's just that he has that stingy, petty demeanor that's really unlikable."
Director Shen said, "Can he afford not to be stingy? The entire family depends on him. His meager salary isn't enough to support them."