The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead
Chapter 188 - 183: Xia Lin’s Participation

Chapter 188: Chapter 183: Xia Lin’s Participation

Lu Jingqiu didn’t know how things ended up, and the next morning she went to school.

The days in school passed quickly, in contrast to some dormitories where roommates didn’t get along and conflicts arose.

The relationships among the people in her dorm, however, got better and better, and although they were not in the same department, they ate together every afternoon, then went to the library to study and fetched hot water together.

He Yu had called home about changing her major, and this time her father was very supportive of her transferring to the architecture department, but her mother was reluctant, feeling that a girl shouldn’t be dealing with construction.

But after all, they were not by her side, and He Yu had already proposed the change of major to the school, which had agreed, allowing her to move to the architecture department next semester.

In comparison, she and Luo Xinyue occasionally submitted articles to the newspaper or helped the club with a few illustrations.

Chen Qingru’s studies in her department were quite intensive because it was a newly established department with few students, and the professors invited were all well-known artists and experienced teachers. The classes were substantial, focusing on the real skills of each professor.

Thus, Chen Qingru needed to work even harder, spending every day practicing and practicing.

She was busier than all three of them.

It was another Friday, and Jiang Nanzhou personally came to pick her up.

Since she didn’t know the situation with the batch of sheepskin when she left last week, as soon as Lu Jingqiu got in the car, she couldn’t wait to ask about it.

Jiang Nanzhou pondered before saying, "This matter might not work out."

"Huh? What happened, doesn’t the logistics department want this kind of thing?"

"It’s not that, the logistics department really needs it, and Wei Jincheng said that getting it from us is even cheaper than sourcing it themselves."

"So what’s the situation exactly?"

Seeing her anxious look, Jiang Nanzhou didn’t hesitate and explained the recent events, "Originally, Platoon Leader Wei said they could purchase each piece for twelve yuan, but they would also send it to clothing factories for processing into finished clothes.

So he said he would find the factories and supply the fabric, and once the clothes were produced by a few people, they would be sent directly as finished products to the troops.

The usual price for a warm jacket is eighteen, but for this woolen kind, the troops can pay up to twenty-five. For military coats, up to thirty-five.

However, he wants a cut of five yuan for each piece."

"That’s fair, after all, he’s the one finding the factory and supplying the fabric, and this makes more money than just selling the sheepskin."

"The second cousin and Fourth Brother Gao were very happy, too. They didn’t have to do anything, just let Wei Jincheng double their money, naturally, they agreed."

"Then why did it fall through, did the leadership in the military think it wasn’t economical?"

"No, the military is very keen on it. It’s just that Xia Lin found out about the deal, and she is not happy with it."

"Xia Lin, what does it have to do with her?"

"Because the money in Gao Da’s hand includes Xia Lin’s money, so she disagrees with outsourcing and doesn’t agree to make cotton-padded clothes either. She wants them to make cotton-padded jackets or military coats, which fetch a higher price. But the military specifically wants cotton undershirts for this batch; during missions, we certainly won’t be wearing coats or cotton-padded uniforms, as they are not only inconvenient but also prone to exposure."

"Why did Fourth Brother Gao take Xia Lin’s money?" Lu Jingqiu wondered for a long time before suddenly saying, "I see now, Gao Shu must have prevented Xia Lin from doing business, and then she saw Fourth Brother Gao selling televisions last time and thought it was profitable, so she invested the money. But what happened in the end?"

"I’m not too clear, they’re still at a standoff about it."

"Oh."

Jiang Nanzhou didn’t take Lu Jingqiu home but took her to the construction site, saying that he’d also come to supervise the work when he had time these past few days.

Lu Jingqiu couldn’t see any issues and did some accounting with Uncle, and later Jiang Nanzhou took her to a state-owned restaurant for a serving of boiled fish and one of intestines.

It was only after returning home that she found her second cousin at her house.

As soon as he saw her return, he hurriedly said, "Little sister, didn’t you get out of school early? Why are you two just getting back now?"

"Second cousin, she’s got someone now, naturally, they went on a date."

"Nanzhou, the two of you aren’t married yet; you can’t deceive my sister."

Jiang Nanzhou hurriedly laughed, "Second cousin, I don’t know how to sweet-talk girls at all."

Yang Mingchao was choked by this remark and couldn’t be bothered with their lovey-dovey talk, saying, "Alright, alright, we’re willing to wait, it’s not your fault."

Lu Jingqiu saw their urgency and quickly went inside, saying, "I just heard Nanzhou talking about some sheepskin."

Yang Mingchao sighed, "This time, Fourth Brother Gao is being foolish, actually saying he won’t provide for the military and letting Xia Lin do it herself, claiming Xia Lin has connections to get fabric, and Gao Da will try to get her a couple of sewing machines."

"Second cousin, if they’re willing to do that, then let them be. If we do it ourselves, how much can we earn for each piece?"

"Over at Platoon Leader Wei’s, the profit for each piece is seven to eight yuan, and for the cotton overcoats, we can earn up to more than ten yuan. But Xia Lin and Gao Da said that if they do it themselves, making it into military coats or cotton monkey style, they can sell each for forty yuan, which tempted him.

But I feel like this will lead to a long accumulation of inventory. Two sewing machines, can they compare with a factory? Moreover, Xia Lin still has to go to school; everything will be done at night.

Wei Jincheng said he won’t take Xia Lin’s goods, so after they’re made, Xia Lin and Gao Da will have to sell them on their own.

Qiuqiu, I know you don’t like Xia Lin, luckily this time Gao Da and I are doing it separately. Gao Da said the money Xia Lin invested was given during the National Day holiday.

He also knows that you and Xia Lin don’t get along, so he didn’t tell me. I was wondering how he suddenly came up with so much money."

"Second cousin, if they want to do it this way, let them be, you’re not involved anyway. Hey, I don’t want to work with Xia Lin, but Second cousin and Fourth Brother Gao don’t have to feel awkward.

I’ll just invest the money and not get involved with your business matters."

"I am worried about the funding issue. Given their speed, even if they make five pieces a day, it’s going to take a lot of days. I was planning to invest in TVs with Gao Da."

Lu Jingqiu did some quick calculations and indeed felt the same – even with hired help, two sewing machines producing twenty pieces a day would take over a month.

The money is good, but the cycle is long.

"Second cousin, you can’t blame Fourth Brother Gao, it’s a bit slower, but one item’s profit is more than twenty yuan. Eight hundred pieces would mean more than twenty thousand yuan, compared to handing over to Platoon Leader Wei which would be just over ten thousand yuan. It makes sense."

"Xiao Qiu, you don’t understand. Their clothing production cycle is over a month. Even if there’s high demand during that month, it’s still a long time. Believe it or not, if I make a trip to Yangcheng City and return, in this one month I could also make more than ten thousand yuan.

The sheepskin doesn’t need any fussing; one sale and it’s over ten thousand yuan. All that considered, even if not the same, I could earn at least three to four thousand yuan more, and it’s less trouble; no need to worry about selling clothes."

Jiang Nanzhou also agreed with Yang Mingchao. If it were just Gao Da, perhaps he could be persuaded, but currently, Xia Lin’s involvement is the key factor.

"Oh." She didn’t understand these time differences, "Platoon Leader Wei must regret it, right? Does the military still want the sheepskin?"

"Of course they do. I came here today to inquire if you could supply a batch of sheepskin for the logistics department, which is quite urgent. They want our transport team to make a run; since Gao Lao Si has done this route before, he definitely has to go. But Wei Jincheng said their military funds are limited even though their demand is high, and he asked me if I dare to purchase a batch myself and then sell it to them. It’s like last time – the sheepskins upon arrival, and for the rest, he will contact the clothing factory, but the military doesn’t have the money to pay me now; it has to be on credit."

"Ah, if it’s on credit, how will you have the capital to buy TVs then?"

"I think it’s doable, Platoon Leader Wei said that they can only pay me a part before the New Year, and the rest after. Gao Da and I ran some numbers; uhm, Gao Da is also short on money right now. If I secure a batch of goods, that’s almost ten thousand yuan tied up.

Platoon Leader Wei said they can only settle thirty percent initially, another thirty percent during the New Year. The rest won’t be until May."

Jiang Nanzhou said, "Thirty percent isn’t too bad—that’s over five thousand yuan. The year before last, you managed to trade some TVs and radios."

Lu Jingqiu said, "Second cousin, what are you hesitating for? This is a feasible business, and Fourth Brother Gao will surely return some capital before the New Year, which should be enough for you guys to purchase a new batch of stock."

"Okay, if you all think it’s doable, then we’ll set off tomorrow."

"Second cousin, when will you guys be back this time?"

"Back and forth, two weeks. Don’t worry, we won’t be staying long, and since we’ve been there once, we know where to get the supplies. The military needs this batch urgently; we wouldn’t dare delay."

"Why does the military need it so urgently?" After asking, Lu Jingqiu turned and looked at Jiang Nanzhou.

Jiang Nanzhou touched the braid in front of her, pursed his lips with a smile, and did not speak.

Alright, such matters shouldn’t be pried into too much.

Yang Mingchao saw the two exchanging glances and felt like his eyes were being poked, so he hurriedly left. This time he was in a rush, and Wei Jincheng was also going with him.

They needed to get ready.