Courtyard Houses: Starting with the principle of hard work paying off

Chapter 69 Singing in Harmony

[Host: Li Hongbing]

【Age: 16】

Strength: 58, Agility: 62, Constitution: 61, Intelligence: 86 (Standard adult value is 60)

skill:
【Clothing Design: lv0 (10/100)】

[Running: lv1 (112/500)]

[Cooking Skill: lv2 (345/2000)]

[Calligraphy: lv2 (91/2000)]

【Eight Pieces of Brocade: Level 3 (78/10000)】

……

As the system notification refreshed, Li Hongbing subconsciously checked the system panel and discovered that he had unlocked a new skill: clothing design.

This was something Li Hongbing had not anticipated.

I never expected that just drawing a clothing design sketch would lead to such a pleasant surprise.

Li Hongbing's drawing is not complicated. It simply combines the characteristics of modern training clothes with the reference of later generations. The style is relatively simple, without any fancy details, and focuses on practicality.

After all, it's mainly for wearing when practicing Baduanjin (Eight Pieces of Brocade).

"Your clothes... are a bit unusual."

Chen Xueru, who was watching from the side, hesitated for a moment after seeing that Li Hongbing had finished drawing before finally giving a special evaluation.

"It's just ordinary, Manager Chen, you don't need to save face for me."

Seeing Chen Xueru's reaction, Li Hongbing felt not embarrassed at all, but rather wanted to laugh.

The style of the clothes is indeed simple, without much design, but he is mainly considering practicality now.

After explaining some points to note and more specific requirements to Chen Xueru, Li Hongbing asked before Li Hongmei finished changing and came downstairs, "Manager Chen, could you give me a discount on my sister's outfit?"

Chen Xueru recommended it to Li Hongmei, and it did fit her well. Li Hongmei clearly liked it, so Li Hongbing decided to buy it. However, he still tentatively asked about the price.

"Sure, as I just mentioned, and I feel a strong connection with you guys, so I'm thinking of giving you a 20% discount on the original price. What do you think?"

Chen Xueru said very readily.

It wasn't entirely a lie; Chen Xueru really does have this kind of personality.

Moreover, Chen Xueru had a clear understanding: ready-made clothes are not easy to sell right now. If she can find a suitable buyer and sell them at a lower profit, it's better than keeping them stuck in her hands.

"Okay, we'll take them."

Upon hearing this, Li Hongbing immediately made the decision.

Li Hongbing doesn't know much about market trends.

However, based on his understanding of Chen Xueru, she wasn't the kind of person who would completely cheat people.

Moreover, in business, there are buyers and sellers, and people have to make some profit.

The key point is that after Li Hongmei learned about the price, although she felt it was expensive, she was still tempted and hesitant.

This shows that, in her opinion, the original price was not outrageous.

"This matter...why don't you want to discuss it with your sister?"

Seeing Li Hongbing take out money from his pocket and hand it to her, Chen Xueru did not reach out immediately, but tentatively said.

From Chen Xueru's perspective, among the siblings Li Hongmei and Li Hongbing, although Li Hongbing is opinionated, Li Hongmei clearly makes the decisions more often.

If we accept the money now, and Li Hongmei disagrees later, the deal will fall through.

Doing business is all about mutual consent, and Chen Xueru didn't want to ruin her family's fabric shop's reputation for a little money.

"No need, this is my own money, I can make my own decisions."

Li Hongbing saw Chen Xueru's concerns and immediately said with a smile, "If my sister doesn't agree, I would appreciate it if Manager Chen could help by being firm in her stance."

"Don't worry, Manager Chen, my sister isn't an unreasonable person. She won't make things difficult for you."

"Alright, I'll trust you this once, little brother." Chen Xueru couldn't help but smile.

Money that's already in your hands, might as well be earned.

If that happens...

Li Hongbing's guarantee was useless; at worst, he could just return the money to them, since he wouldn't have to take any responsibility anyway.

Soon.

Li Hongmei changed back into her original clothes and came downstairs. Chen Xueru hurriedly went up to her and said warmly, "Sister, shall I wrap up these clothes for you?"

"No, Manager Chen, let me think about it some more. I haven't made up my mind yet."

Chen Xueru's actions made Li Hongmei take a step back.

She liked and was satisfied with the clothes, but she couldn't get over the price.

She has always been frugal and careful with her money; spending it so extravagantly is clearly not her style.

Even though Chen Xueru used marriage, such a special event, for marketing and promotion, she ultimately failed to completely sway Chen Xueru.

"Sister, I'll give you a 20% discount on this dress, what do you think?"

Chen Xueru said with a smile.

Although Li Hongbing had already decided to buy it, and the two had agreed on it before, it would obviously be the best outcome for Li Hongbing if Li Hongmei could agree on her own.

Chen Xueru is in this state now at Li Hongbing's request.

"I……"

"Sister, don't hesitate, I think it's quite suitable, and Manager Chen is also very straightforward."

“I’ll take the money; consider it a small token of my appreciation as your younger brother.”

"Red Soldier..."

"Manager Chen, please take the money."

"okay!"

"..."

Seeing that Li Hongmei was still hesitating, Li Hongbing immediately added fuel to the fire and handed over the money directly. Chen Xueru, who was prepared in advance, decisively accepted the money.

Li Hongmei was immediately dumbfounded.

"Sister, this is the first time I've bought you anything. I've already paid for it, so please don't make me lose face in front of Manager Chen!"

The incident happened so suddenly that Li Hongmei had no time to stop it.

Moreover, since Li Hongbing had put his words to this point, she still had to consider her brother's reputation in front of others, and she couldn't bring herself to force Li Hongbing to back out on the spot.

"Sis, cheer up."

Knowing that Li Hongmei was distressed about the money, Li Hongbing stepped forward to comfort her, saying, "The money has been spent, but it hasn't disappeared. It has simply changed into another form, accompanying us."

Look, isn't this outfit you're wearing right now?
"If you wear it, the money was well spent, and the clothes themselves have value."

Hearing Li Hongbing's witty remark, even though she knew he was trying to comfort her, Li Hongmei couldn't help but roll her eyes at her clever younger brother.

Chen Xueru, standing to the side, suddenly brightened up.

She increasingly realized that this younger brother, Li Hongbing, was even more eloquent than she was, with a whole repertoire of stories to tell.

The sibling-like relationship between Li Hongbing and Li Hongmei also made Chen Xueru show a hint of envy.

"Sister, you are so lucky to have such a loving and caring younger brother."

Hearing Chen Xueru's heartfelt compliment, Li Hongmei couldn't help but smile.

Although she somewhat blamed Li Hongbing for "wasting money," it would be impossible to say that Li Hongmei felt no warmth or emotion at all.

I just didn't want Li Hongbing to develop a habit of spending money recklessly, so I didn't let it show.

With everything settled down and after working together with Li Hongbing to deal with Li Hongmei, Chen Xueru took out a measuring tape used for tailoring and said to Li Hongbing, "Little brother, come here! Let me take your measurements."

(End of this chapter)