Back to the 1970s: Building My Fortune Through Time Trading

Chapter 181: Electric Sewing Machine

"Good, Sun Hongjun, you actually hit me for an outsider? I’m going to fight you!"

As she spoke, Zhang Guilan immediately switched her focus, slapping Sun Hongjun across the face.

Sun Hongjun’s face bore a bright red handprint, his expression alternating between red and white: "You crazy woman, are you mad enough to hit me?"

Without hesitation, he slapped back.

Seeing him retaliate, Zhang Guilan became even angrier, and the two instantly began to brawl, leaving onlookers dumbfounded. These two were fierce enough to look like enemies rather than a married couple.

Su Xiaoxiao noticed that the two were caught up in their fight and weren’t paying attention to them, so she quickly pulled her angry mother to head home.

The four had just reached home when they noticed Zhang Guifang standing at the doorway.

Seeing Liu Cuilan return, her face was filled with a smile: "Sister-in-law..."

But just as she started speaking, the four people before her ignored her and went straight into the yard, closing the gate with a "bang".

Zhang Guifang was so angry she almost ground her molars. She thought Liu Cuilan would be easier to talk to, but didn’t expect her to be even more unpleasant than that girl.

Liu Cuilan was still in a bad mood, angrily entering the house, only then remembering she saw Chen Guifang at the doorway earlier.

She asked, "What’s your second aunt doing here again?"

Su Xiaoxiao spoke frankly, "Said she wanted to see the old lady, but I didn’t let her."

Liu Cuilan frowned slightly, knowing her sister-in-law definitely didn’t have any good intentions and soon came up with, "You did the right thing not letting her in. If she comes again and I’m not home, make sure not to let her in."

Early the next morning, Su Xiaoxiao hurriedly rode her bicycle to work and bumped into her rival Zhang Dongmei at the door.

Thinking she would need to spend some effort arguing again, she was surprised when Zhang Dongmei merely lifted her gaze, as if she didn’t see her, and went straight into the department store with her bag.

Su Xiaoxiao had prepared herself to retaliate, but after all that preparation, Zhang Dongmei just drifted away like that.

This feels wrong, really wrong.

With confusion on her face, she entered the department store and saw Zhang Dongmei quietly organizing things behind the counter, without saying a word.

On a normal day, she would have already started bragging about her boyfriend from Hong Kong, so what’s up today?

Could it be she realized the gold bracelet was fake and got upset?

As she pondered, Chen Meilan approached from behind, greeting Su Xiaoxiao with a smile: "Comrade Su, morning."

Su Xiaoxiao responded with a smile, "Director Chen, morning."

After exchanging greetings, Chen Meilan nodded and smiled at everyone, then went to open the store.

Previously, when Su Xiaoxiao was the acting director of the store department and wasn’t familiar with the procedures, it was Manager Xu who handled the opening.

After finally getting used to it, she hadn’t even done it for long when her temporary position was terminated.

Thinking about those thirty or so yuan, Su Xiaoxiao felt a pang of regret.

Zhang Yulan noticed her demeanor, thinking she was upset over the store department manager issue, and quickly comforted her: "Xiaoxiao, don’t be sad, it’s because others have connections."

Su Xiaoxiao quickly clarified, "Sister Zhang, I’m really fine."

As they spoke, the first batch of customers rushed in.

"Comrade, hello, do you sell electric sewing machines here?"

Upon hearing someone next to her asking Zhang Yulan, Su Xiaoxiao instinctively turned her head to look and saw a middle-aged man standing at the counter, looking anxious.

Zhang Yulan said, "Electric sewing machines? Aren’t those only used in clothing factories?"

The man quickly replied, "Yes, I’m from the city’s Red Star Clothing Factory. Our sewing machines have malfunctioned, and I’m looking to find out if you sell them. Price is not a problem."

Zhang Yulan said, "We don’t have them. These electric sewing machines are expensive, not something ordinary folks can afford."

"Can you please help me check again? It’s urgent."

The middle-aged man was sweating as he urgently wiped his forehead with a handkerchief, his tone eager.

"Sorry, if we don’t have them, maybe try asking elsewhere."

Dong Guoqiang looked disappointed; he’d run around most of the department stores since yesterday in search, but none sold electric sewing machines. Meanwhile, the supplier was out of stock.

The factory’s machines were broken, and orders were pressing. Without replacements, the delivery date couldn’t be met.

Su Xiaoxiao’s gaze flickered; wasn’t the Red Star Clothing Factory the same factory where Liu Xiaocui’s husband is the director and came here last time to buy clothes?

As she thought this, a surprised female voice came from the side: "Guoqiang, why are you here?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Su Xiaoxiao looked towards it and indeed saw Liu Xiaocui and Xu Hualan prepared to go upstairs.

Today, they came to check for new styles and unexpectedly found Dong Guoqiang looking anxious at the entrance.

Seeing his wife, Dong Guoqiang’s eyes momentarily softened: "Wife, I came to see if there are any electric sewing machines, and I’m leaving soon."

He hurriedly explained, wiped his forehead sweat, and turned to leave.

Getting electric sewing machines was urgent, so he needed to hurry.

"Hey, why did he leave so quickly?"

Liu Xiaocui murmured, then saw Su Xiaoxiao behind the counter and smiled: "Comrade Su, I’m here to buy clothes. Could you help me pick out pairings when you have time?"

Su Xiaoxiao said, "No problem, when you’ve chosen, I’ll help once I’m free."

Stern Xu Hualan playfully added: "Just her?"

"Of course, I won’t forget you."

After briefly exchanging pleasantries, the two headed upstairs arm in arm, and their conversation naturally carried over to Su Xiaoxiao.

Liu Xiaocui said, "Hualan, do you know any electric sewing machine suppliers? Guoqiang has a batch of export orders, and time is running short. Plus, many sewing machines in the factory broke down, and they can’t find machines anywhere."

Xu Hualan said, "I’ll ask around when I get back, but don’t expect too much; electric sewing machines are in high demand."

Their voices gradually faded away.

After being busy for a while, thinking of Dong Guoqiang’s electric sewing machine issue, Su Xiaoxiao took advantage of the chance to go to the restroom and found the vendor who had supplied the machines before.

She thought about it - these clothes were for export, affecting both the country’s and Red Star Clothing Factory’s reputation. If she could help, she definitely would.

Luck was on her side; the vendor happened to have a batch of industrial sewing machines available.

Su Xiaoxiao asked and was informed there were about thirty in stock available for 3,600 each.

In today’s prices, it equaled about 360, which shouldn’t be too expensive, allowing her a small profit margin.

Now that she had the sewing machines, the next step was how to connect with Director Dong.