Reborn in 1977, I will no longer be my brother's blood bag.

Lin Xiuhe rushed back to Linzhou overnight.

The next morning, she arrived just as the street factory opened.

Last night, the workshop was busy until very late in order to make up for the 110 items that had been temporarily removed. The finished product racks were filled again, and several female workers who stayed to work overtime came in a little late today, all of them looking tired.

Xiaomei entered the room carrying an insulation cover, yawning as she walked.

"Mr. Lin, is Director Du really coming this afternoon?"

"There are two points."

"Then I'll stay away from these four hundred this morning. I was dreaming about tying up baskets last night."

Director Ye happened to come in from behind, and upon hearing this, he raised his hand and patted her on the back.

"Zheng Qiaoyun, how dare you say that? Last night, when we were counting, who counted thirty-seven as forty-seven?"

Laughter immediately filled the workshop.

Zheng Qiaoyun clutched her back and exclaimed, "Didn't I count it again later?"

"So let's stop joking around and get to work today."

Lin Xiuhe smiled too.

She was indeed on edge when she rushed back last night. But once she stepped into the workshop and saw that the four hundred sets of goods had been replenished and the rework that needed to be done had been dealt with last night, her tension eased a bit.

The goods are right here.

Whether it's good or bad, let others test it.

Just after 10 a.m., the sound of a car could be heard outside the gate.

Director Ye came out of his office, his brows immediately furrowing.

"Isn't it afternoon?"

Director Du has already gotten off the bus.

Besides the money for the purchase, he was accompanied by two people from the West City Textile Factory. One of them was carrying a lunchbox basket that had just been delivered yesterday, which even contained three aluminum lunchboxes.

Qian Caigou quickly entered the hospital.

"Their factory has already started using it this morning. Director Du said that instead of sitting here watching this afternoon, we should bring people who have actually used it."

Director Ye, who was initially a little nervous, laughed upon hearing this.

"That's perfect. If there's anything wrong, just say it to my face."

The worker from the west of the city put the basket on the table and carried it a few steps in front of everyone.

"The heat insulation sleeve works well, and it holds three lunch boxes securely. It's just that the bottom layer could be a bit wider. Some of the older workers in our workshop have large lunch boxes, and it's a bit tight to stuff them in."

As he spoke, he took out a large aluminum lunchbox and put it back on the bottom shelf, where it was indeed securely locked.

Lin Xiuhe tried it herself and had already memorized the question.

This is the area that will be modified in the next batch, but it won't affect the current four hundred sets.

Director Du didn't dwell on the matter and immediately ordered people to start inspecting the goods.

This inspection was more thorough than originally planned.

The purchasing agent drew from different bundles, and the workers from the west of the city packed them into the bundles according to their usual usage. After trying dozens of baskets, they finally found two with misaligned insulation covers and one with an uneven bottom.

The smile on Director Ye's face faded, and he immediately moved the three animals aside.

"We'll replace these three."

Director Du didn't rush to a conclusion, but instead had another batch drawn up.

A crowd gradually gathered in the courtyard. The female workers in the workshop said they wouldn't look, but their work noticeably slowed down. Zheng Qiaoyun peeked out several times, but Director Ye glared at her and drove her away.

The procurement department only reported the quantity after the last batch was inspected.

Four hundred sets.

Three replacements.

All others passed.

The seriousness on Director Du's face finally subsided a bit.

"We've accepted this batch of department store goods."

Cheers erupted first in the workshop.

Zheng Qiaoyun suddenly appeared from the doorway.

"Really passed?"

Director Ye himself was beaming with joy, yet he still scolded her.

"How many times have I told you? You're so careless. They're just receiving the goods, not giving you an award."

"Just pay them their wages."

Zheng Qiaoyun answered confidently and righteously.

Several female workers nearby laughed.

They stayed up so late last night because this was exactly what they were thinking about. If the goods couldn't be delivered, rework would take a day; only if the goods were successfully delivered could this batch of work be truly settled.

Director Ye knew exactly what they were thinking, so he simply addressed the workshop:

"Those who worked overtime yesterday will be paid separately, and will receive the same amount as before. The goods have been inspected and approved, so you won't be shortchanged by a single penny."

This time, everyone laughed even harder than before.

Zheng Qiaoyun had already started making plans.

"I'll buy another half a pound of meat when I get back today."

Someone laughed at her, saying, "Didn't you just buy it last night?"

"I earned this last night by working overtime, so this piece of meat today has to be accepted as proof of its worth."

Lin Xiuhe stood to the side, listening and couldn't help but laugh.

Back in the research institute, when a project was completed and the results were put into practice, she was happy that her judgment was recognized.

But things are different now.

A single order can lead to the wages of more than a dozen people, the question of whether Director Ye will dare to take on more orders next month, and whether Xinghe Business Department, which she only recently established, can survive.

In the morning, two trucks hauled away all four hundred sets.

Director Ye escorted him all the way to the hospital gate, and only after watching the last car turn out of the alley did he stretch his aching back.

"This batch has finally been sent away."

Lin Xiuhe, however, was still thinking about the long-term contract she had just secured yesterday.

"Director Du, does the 600 sets still count?"

Director Du was fastening the car door when he heard this and immediately laughed.

"You just signed it yesterday, and you're already afraid I'll renege on the agreement?"

"I'm earning my own money now, so it never hurts to be careful."

"rest assured."

Director Du answered readily this time.

"Six hundred will be paid according to the original terms."

He also reminded her that the 400 sets handed over today should be inspected and put into storage according to the procedures, and the final payment should be settled within 15 days at the latest.

fifteen days.

After listening, Lin Xiuhe already knew what was going on.

The first order that truly belonged to Xinghe was finally delivered, but she had to pay for the materials, processing, female workers' wages, and transportation costs upfront. The goods were shipped out, but the money was still on its way for half a month.

She is now truly grasping the biggest difference between doing business and working on projects in a research institute.

Once the project is completed, all you have to do is wait for the results.

After the business is done, you still have to wait for the money.

But this pressure didn't dampen her good mood.

At least from today onwards, the four hundred sets have truly become Xinghe's first receivable.

Director Du and his group had just left, but the employee from the west of the city was still standing under the shade of the tree.

He waited until most of the people in the courtyard had left before coming over.

"Comrade Lin, will you continue making these baskets in the future?"

"Do."

"Then leave me your contact information."

Lin Xiuhe looked up.

Seeing her serious expression, the man explained it clearly.

"There's a transport company next to our factory, and their drivers are always out on the road. This morning they saw us carrying lunchboxes and asked us where we got them."

"The baskets they're using now are heavy, and they get icy cold to the touch if you carry them for a long time in winter."

He pointed to the basket in his hand.

"I'll pass on a message for you. If you really want to do business, go and negotiate yourself."

These words made Lin Xiuhe even happier than a simple compliment.

She didn't press the other party for how much they wanted, nor did she immediately pocket a deal that hadn't even materialized yet. She simply asked about the location of the transport team.

After everyone rode their bikes out of the alley, Director Ye walked over, his tone already carrying a smile.

"Would you say this counts as sending out goods and incidentally bringing you a customer back?"

"They were just asking."

"You're quite good at talking."

Director Ye saw that she had already gone to push her bicycle, so he knew exactly what she was up to.

"Ready to run away again?"

"Let's go take a look first."

Just as Lin Xiuhe pushed her bike to the gate of the courtyard, the urgent sound of a bicycle bell came from outside the alley.

The money for procurement actually came back.

He was sweating profusely from riding, and when he stopped, he didn't even bother to brace himself with the kickstand.

"Xiuhe, don't go yet."

Lin Xiuhe held onto his bicycle handlebars.

"What's wrong with the department store this time?"

"This time it's not a bad thing."

Qian Caigou caught his breath, and a smile had already appeared on his face.

"The factory in the west of the city just called."

"After the 110 units from yesterday were distributed today, several workshops came to inquire. Not counting the original batch, they want another 200 units."

Lin Xiuhe's eyebrows twitched slightly.

"Should we go to the department store?"

"Go to department stores and buy separately."

Qian Caigou's smile widened even more.

"And they said—"

"These two hundred are specifically requested to be made by Xinghe."