12dz Chapter 452 We Are Not Here to Be Slaves
Chapter 452 We Are Not Here to Be Slaves
Shen Chuxia looked at her speechlessly and said, "You think a lot, don't you? Are you so picky even with your own mother?"
"That's natural."
Although Zhou Rong has a diploma in mechanical engineering, she really doesn't have much skill when it comes to machine parts.
On the contrary, she is particularly interested in food, drinks, and various beautiful gadgets. No matter whether it is a necklace, earrings, or women's bags, she can tell the quality at a glance and has a very accurate eye for selecting goods.
After much deliberation, she decided not to go into the machinery business, but instead chose the lower-cost jewelry business.
They quickly signed a cooperation contract. After receiving the contract, Zhou Rong took out a detailed business plan and drew more than 20 new styles of accessories stroke by stroke.
Shen Chuxia leaned over to take a look, frowning and shaking her head: "With these designs, will anyone really be willing to buy them?"
Zhou Rong, however, was full of confidence, and she smiled and patted her chest and said:
"Don't worry! I have another idea. Why don't we open another clothing store?
Go to the fabric market and buy some nice fabrics, and I will design and make the clothes.
Don't be fooled by my mechanic background, I'm also good at sewing and matching clothes. I guarantee the clothes I make will be fashionable and sell well!"
Shen Chuxia looked Zhou Rong up and down, pouting and saying, "Wow, I never knew you were capable of this."
Zhou Rong immediately straightened her back and said:
"If you give me 30% of the profits, I promise to make your business flourish.
I don't have anyone willing to work with me right now, so I'm looking for you to partner with me!"
Shen Chuxia snorted:
“It’s better not to let me go to waste.
Can you really sell those hair ornaments and hairpins you painted?"
Zhou Rong said with a flattering look:
"Of course! By the way, we don't have to rush to rent a new store.
You've been with the Deng family for so many years, so you must have some connections. Can't you sell your goods in their store?"
Shen Chuxia frowned and sighed:
"How can it be that easy? Why would the Deng family give me a backdoor in their business?
If I can’t sell it, I’ll still owe you a favor.”
Zhou Rong waved her hand nonchalantly, "Just give it a try! I'll release a small batch first, and if it sells well, I'll restock. Just trust me this time!"
Zhou Rong said it lightly, Shen Chuxia sneered:
"How can you just enter Deng's Department Store?
Deng Xiaoyan is in charge now, why should she give me face?
Whether it will succeed or not is still to be seen! We’ll see when the time comes!”
Zhou Rong scratched her head and said with an apologetic smile:
"Don't worry about it for now, let's just make the product first.
If she doesn't agree, we can try other methods and we can always find a store willing to cooperate."
"What do you want to do?" Shen Chuxia snorted again.
"You know that the Deng and Lin families' department stores are the largest in Northeast China.
Can I still go find Lin Panpan? It’s strange that she will agree! "
Zhou Rong sighed and nodded:
“It’s really hard to get into Lin Panpan’s place.
Their store sells all their own products and they don’t need our products at all. It’s very difficult to squeeze in.”
"Don't think about it, just produce these things first.
After the baby is born, I will go find Lao Deng. I have to go upstairs to sleep. You two can live in the back. Aunt Zhang, you take them there. " After Shen Chuxia finished speaking, she went straight upstairs.
Aunt Zhang led the two of them to the backyard. The stone pavement under their feet was bumpy, and there were some untied debris piled on both sides.
As she walked, she turned her head and reminded:
"The people living in the backyard are all servants, with several people crammed into one room.
Now that you're here, don't take yourself too seriously. You won't get anywhere here if you act like you're not."
Turning the corner, the coarse cloth clothes on the clothesline swayed in the wind. Zhang Ma lowered her voice and said:
"You have to remember the rules of the Deng family. You have to get up before dawn, clean, cook, and serve the master. You have to be nimble and skillful.
We can't go to the table until the master has finished eating, and we can't rest until the master has slept.
Speak softly, walk slowly, and don't ask questions."
She pointed to the faded notice on the wall.
"See? Stealing, gossiping, and being kicked out without even getting paid.
Also, if you see a young master or young lady, you must bow your head and give way. If you bump into them, you will be severely punished."
Zhou Cheng was so angry that he was shaking: "We are not here to be slaves, we are going to school in the future."
"Why are you going to school when you're only two or three years old?" Aunt Zhang pouted and looked them up and down.
"It's only because she's soft-hearted that she's willing to take care of you poor relatives. If it were someone else, they would have sent you away long ago.
Since you have entered the Deng family, you have to be more diligent and work regardless of your age.
If you are found to be lazy by the master, you will be kicked out immediately!"
Zhou Rong quickly took out two ten-yuan bills and stuffed them into Aunt Zhang's hand: "Aunt Zhang, I'll be relying on you for my care in the future! Take this little gift."
Zhang Ma's eyes lit up immediately, and she swiftly put the money into her pocket, her face wrinkled with a smile:
"You're so clever! How about this! Everyone else has to squeeze into the big bunk bed, and I'll take you to the small room in the back.
The room is small, but it’s quiet, and no one bothers me if I do some private work.”
After saying that, she hummed a little tune and led the way, with the key chain jingling in her hand.
Aunt Zhang led them through the backyard, which was piled with junk, and pushed open a wooden house.
The palm-sized house was so small that it was difficult to even turn around. There was only a creaking wooden bed inside, the wall paint was peeling and mottled, and the windows were covered with old newspapers.
However, Zhou Rong still breathed a sigh of relief. Compared to the big bunk bed she had heard about before, this small shabby house was already pretty good.
After Zhang Ma walked away, Zhou Cheng sat down on the edge of the bed, his face drawn. "You're so generous! You gave her twenty yuan right away. How long will it take her to earn that back?"
Zhou Rong closed the door tightly and said in a low voice:
"Are you crazy? Didn't you hear Aunt Zhang say that there were eight people crammed into one bunk bed?
We were so young, and we still had the money and passbooks given by our family, and we slept in a big bunk bed at night.
If someone were to target us, having our money stolen would be a minor matter. If…"
She didn't say anything else, but Zhou Cheng shuddered and immediately understood.
Although it hurts to spend ten dollars, it is worth it as it can buy me a safe place to stay.
As soon as the sky was getting light, Shen Chuxia brought more than 20 people to look for Zhou Rong in a hurry.
Among these people were young girls and older women, all carrying large and small bags.
"These people will be under your charge from now on. Hurry and get the small factory up and running." Shen Chuxia said as she had someone put the things they brought on the table. "I've got all the materials you asked for. Let's see if it works."
Zhou Rong looked and saw a lot of things spread out on the table: colorful silk threads, sparkling beads, and all kinds of hairpins and clips, both iron and plastic.
In addition, there are tools such as scissors, needles and thread, glue, and even small packaging bags for hair flowers and hair ties.
"I've stored the fabric in a separate warehouse. It can be used to make headbands and bows." Shen Chuxia added, "Didn't you say you wanted to make some matching accessories? Are these materials enough? If not, tell me."