Chapter 758: Changing Careers

As soon as He Yuzhu opened his eyes, he saw He Zheng standing before him. He stood up and asked casually, "What time is it now? I fell asleep the moment I sat down last night."

He Zheng glanced at his watch: "It's already past six. Dad, did those robbers get on the train yesterday?"

He Yuzhu nodded: "Three of them entered our carriage, the rest ran off."

He Zheng was a bit worried: "Do you think they will come back up?"

He Yuzhu shook his head: "That's hard to say."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a passenger from the same carriage ran back in a panic, his face deathly pale: "Comrade Old He, something happened in the front carriage! A lot of people had quite a bit of money stolen, and a whole pile of goods was carried off!"

He Yuzhu sighed and pretended to know nothing: "When did this happen?"

"Around one o'clock! I heard that gang messed around for over an hour, and they all had guns in their hands. Those business people didn't dare to make a peep and obediently handed over their money—no choice, life is more important, right?"

He Zheng's heart tightened. He followed He Yuzhu into the compartment and lowered his voice: "Dad, if there are always robbers on this line, what are we going to do about doing business in the future?"

He Yuzhu shook his head: "Try not to carry large amounts of money on you; there's no other good way. If the amount is too large, come find me, and I'll make the trip myself, but you'll have to pay for the labor."

He Zheng curled his lip.

Three days later, He Yuzhu and his party returned to Beijing, a place they had been away from for a long time.

The old locust tree in the courtyard was already covered in snowy white Huaihua.

As soon as He Yuzhu entered the door, he saw Chen Xueru frowning, flipping through some magazines with a worried look on her face.

The moment she saw He Yuzhu walk in, she stood up immediately and went forward to give him a hug.

He Yuzhu patted her back gently and asked with a smile: "Comrade Chen Xueru, what are you worrying about?"

Chen Xueru sighed and threw the magazine onto the coffee table: "Regarding that batch of goods exported recently, Liushi Trading Company sent word back saying they aren't selling well. They said that internationally, short, navel-baring styles are popular now, and our batch of clothes is a bit outdated. They hope we can change the design for the next batch."

He Yuzhu picked up the magazine and flipped through it; it was printed with photos of foreign models.

He quickly had an idea in his mind. He picked up a pen and, with a few quick strokes, drew several design sketches—navel-baring denim crop tops paired with slim-fit capri pants.

He also designed several elastic bodysuits and close-fitting undergarments, all using fabrics that were highly elastic and comfortable against the skin.

Once worn, they looked clean and sharp; everything that should be tucked in was tucked in, and everything that should be highlighted was highlighted, instantly accentuating the figure.

Chen Xueru looked at the drawings, her eyes lighting up: "Zhuzi, I didn't expect that even though you're nearly fifty, you're still so fashionable."

He Yuzhu smiled and didn't say anything more.

In Beijing's Si Jiu Cheng, near the Sun Palace, was a farmhouse courtyard.

Liu Guangtian led Liu Guangfu to the courtyard gate and knocked for a long time before footsteps could be heard from inside.

When the door opened, Cui Yongli stood at the entrance, his face flushed, looking as if he had just come out of a bathhouse.

"Cui Ge, what are you busy with in broad daylight? It took forever to open the door," Liu Guangtian said with a smile as he walked inside.

Cui Yongli had a rugged appearance, with thick, dense hair and a beard. The most striking feature was the scar by his eye, which ran from the tip of his eyebrow to the corner of his eye. Paired with those hawk-like eyes, even when he smiled, he carried a hint of ferocity.

"Heh, just taking a nap."

Liu Guangtian led Liu Guangfu into the living room, where a smell of smoke mixed with perfume hit them, stinging their noses.

The television opposite was still on, playing a Japanese film, the image frozen there, left unattended.

A rustling sound came from the inner room. A woman walked out while buttoning her clothes, head down, walking quickly through the living room without ever raising her eyes.

Liu Guangfu's eyes were glued to the woman—she was only in her early twenties, with a palm-sized face, big eyes, skin as white as snow, and thin lips pressed into a line. She walked very fast, stirring up a fragrant breeze.

Liu Guangtian kicked him and cursed in a low voice: "What are you looking at!"

Cui Yongli was generous enough; he sat on the sofa, crossed his legs, and introduced her with a look of pride: "This woman is named Wang Qian, from the Literary and Art Troupe. We haven't known each other long. If you want to get to know her, I'll have her introduce you to some of her colleagues."

Liu Guangtian shook his head with a smile: "I don't have your constitution, Cui Ge. Take it easy."

Cui Yongli's eyes widened: "I spent seven years inside; I was stifled and miserable. Now that I'm making money, can't I enjoy myself properly?"

"Don't overdo the enjoyment." Liu Guangtian slumped onto the sofa, looking listless, like a frost-bitten eggplant: "I was just showing off to you a few days ago, but I didn't expect to fall into the hands of a farmer and lose tens of thousands."

Cui Yongli laughed and scolded: "I told you long ago, brother, you aren't cut out for that line of work, why meddle in it? If you had started trading these things for women earlier, you would have made a fortune!"

Liu Guangtian sighed: "Wasn't I just jealous of Xu Damao making money? I wanted to try it, but it really didn't work out. This time I've made up my mind; I'm just going to sell the things you mentioned."

Cui Yongli laughed, turned around, and dragged two large cardboard boxes out from the inner room, slicing the tape open with a utility knife in one swift motion.

As soon as the boxes were opened, Liu Guangfu's eyes nearly popped out—stockings, women's lingerie, panties, and bras were packed full in all sorts of colors.

He reached out and pinched a pair of women's panties; they were thin enough to see through, like cicada wings, and still elastic.

He tugged at them with his fingers and muttered: "This stuff could be used as a slingshot rubber band... Brother, what's the difference between wearing these little panties and not wearing anything at all?"

Liu Guangtian scolded: "What do you know!"

Cui Yongli chuckled and patted the box: "This is your younger brother Guangfu, right?"

Liu Guangtian nodded.

Cui Yongli patted the box lid: "I was the same as him at first. But after spending two years in Guangdong Province, I realized that women out there love wearing these. The benefit is that you can't see any lines when wearing outer clothes... These were all brought over from Hong Kong; they're very fashionable."

Liu Guangtian said seriously: "Even brothers must settle accounts clearly. Cui Ge, how much should I pay you for these two boxes of goods?"

Cui Yongli waved his hand: "What kind of accounts are we settling between brothers? You take them to sell first; once you've sold them and made money, pay me whatever you want."

Liu Guangtian shook his head: "That won't do."

Cui Yongli scratched his messy hair and thought for a moment: "Then one box is fifteen hundred, two boxes total three thousand yuan."

Liu Guangfu's eyes went round—he had thought he could get them for two or three hundred, never expecting them to be so expensive. Three thousand yuan at this time was not a small amount.

Liu Guangtian didn't say a word; he took three thousand yuan out from his person and slapped it into Cui Yongli's hand, quick and decisive.

The brothers didn't linger. They tied the two cardboard boxes firmly to the back seats of their bicycles with rope, each pushed one, and walked home along the street.

The spring breeze blew, and the boxes swayed on the back seats, the ropes creaking against the boxes.

Liu Guangfu asked as they walked: "Brother, how much money do you think Cui Yongli actually has? That woman he found was way too pretty."

Liu Guangtian rolled his eyes at him: "Look at your lack of ambition, losing your soul the moment you see a woman. You have to make money first; if you don't make money, why would anyone be with you?"

Liu Guangfu chuckled and pushed his bike a little faster: "Brother, I actually admire you quite a bit now. If it were me, if I had two hundred thousand in my hands, I wouldn't do any business; I'd just be like Cui Yongli, find a beautiful woman to live with, how comfortable that would be."

Liu Guangtian scolded: "Money is like water; if it only goes out and never comes in, there will come a day when it's all spent."

Liu Guangfu nodded vigorously, his steps steadying: "Brother, this time I'll listen to you. We brothers shouldn't aim too high; we'll earn a little bit at a time. Once we've earned some money, we'll buy a small courtyard first and live a stable life."

Liu Guangtian nodded, "That's right. Haven't you seen Cui Yongli? That man is the most restless. Do you know how he got his start?"

Liu Guangfu shook his head.

"You've seen those films he plays on the television, right?" Liu Guangtian asked.

Liu Guangfu still shook his head.

"Those things of his were all brought in from abroad. He copies the videotapes and secretly sells them over to the Northeast. He says the people there just love this stuff, and with one flip, he makes several times the profit."

Liu Guangfu's eyes widened instantly, and his pace slowed: "Brother, that stuff... isn't it illegal?"

Liu Guangtian nodded: "That old guy does nothing but illegal business. I've thought it over; the only legitimate trade we can manage is selling these undergarments and socks, at least it's not against the law."