Lin Shu explained the process of making mosquito coils to Lu Erge and Fang Dihua in the east room, and they quickly understood.

Lu Erge immediately pressed a lump of incense paste into the thick incense mold and started extruding thick incense sticks.

Fang Dihua coiled them into spirals and cut them to the specified length.

Lin Shu found a long, flat-headed awl and poked a small opening at the tip of the incense.

“We also need to make small metal holders for the incense,” Lin Shu added, gesturing with her hands. “We can ask Brother Jiang for help. His sub-factory can make them.”

For the metal incense holders, they turned to Jiang Weidong for assistance.

This time, it would be an official order, a way to support each other’s businesses.

Lu Dage stored the bottles of medicinal ingredients in a cabinet along the eastern wall of the incense workshop.

The cabinet was locked, and only Fang Dihua and Lu Erge had the keys.

No one else could access the cabinet freely, as the ingredients were toxic.

Lu Dage then spoke to Lin Shu: “I ordered a batch of simple paper boxes from Sister Wu at the printing factory this time. They’re basic designs, so we didn’t have to spend much on extra printing costs. Should we also order some paper boxes for the mosquito coils?”

The paper box design had been discussed between Lin Shu and Lu Dage earlier, intended for distribution as high-end gifts to various organizations.

The printing factory didn’t just handle printing; they collaborated with local street factories, which were responsible for gluing paper boxes and bags.

For regular employees, the packaging was simpler paper bags, while higher-end products for leadership were placed in more refined paper boxes.

Lin Shu asked about the cost.

Lu Dage, being resourceful as always, managed to get the same price from the printing factory but with some extra paper boxes thrown in at no additional charge.

He always managed to bring back some extra perks.

Naturally, Lin Shu agreed to proceed with the order.

A few days later, Jiang Weidong came down from Huang County to pick up another batch of hygiene incense.

They didn’t take the entire order at once, preferring to collect it in smaller batches, which allowed him to bring back new orders as well.

This time, he also brought two sets of fabric for clothes, chosen by Li Xiaoru’s classmates, each in a different style.

Lin Shu had previously sent two different skirt designs for Jiang Weidong to take back, varying mainly in the collar, sleeves, hem, and waist.

She didn’t want everyone wearing the same style, like a mass-produced product, as people had different face shapes and shoulder widths, which required varied designs.

Round necklines, V-necks, sweetheart necklines, ruffles—each had its own appeal.

After receiving the fabric and payment, Lin Shu asked Jiang Weidong to help make the metal holders for the mosquito coils.

She wrote up an order and prepaid the amount, so Jiang Weidong wouldn’t need to cover the costs upfront.

Seeing how straightforward she was, Jiang Weidong knew Lin Shu had his best interests in mind.

The incense factory was already profitable, so there was no issue in paying upfront.

Without saying much, Jiang Weidong didn’t stay this time because Lin Xia was very busy.

He stayed close by with families from the production team instead of at Lin Shu’s house.

When Lin Shu walked him out, she asked, “Brother Jiang, have you told Auntie about you and my second sister?”

Jiang Weidong smiled and said, “I’ve been busy lately and haven’t had the chance. I’m waiting for you, little sister, to help me tell her.”

Lin Shu laughed, “You two just had to keep it from Auntie at first. Now Auntie, who wants a daughter-in-law but hasn’t got one, is feeling a bit indifferent, like she doesn’t care if you stay single forever. That’s why she doesn’t talk to you about getting married anymore.”

Before Jiang Weidong left, he made a detour to find Lin Xia.

After passing through two villages, he finally found her in a field.

Jiang Weidong brought her a bottle of malted milk to help her supplement her nutrition.

Seeing his future wife looking even skinnier made him feel distressed.

He wanted to suggest she leave the countryside and return to the factory, but seeing how enthusiastic and energetic she was, he swallowed those words.

Instead, he just focused on her health, reminding her to eat well.

Lin Xia smiled and said, “I’m fine. The charcoal stove you bought me is really handy. When we’re not cooking, we use it to boil water. At mealtimes, we cook noodles and blanch some greens. Lin Shu also gives me eggs and meat, so I’ve been eating well and have even gained weight.”

She pointed to the ox cart at the edge of the field, which carried their work supplies, including the small charcoal stove.

Jiang Weidong looked at her and said, “You look thinner to me.”

Lin Xia, fearing he didn’t believe her, pinched a bit of flesh on her waist and said, “See? I’ve put on weight.”

She moved so quickly and with such force that her shirt lifted slightly, revealing her fair skin underneath.

Jiang Weidong’s face turned red, and he quickly looked away, saying, “I believe you, I believe you.”

He thought she looked thinner because of her tan; darker skin can give that impression.

After chatting for a while, Jiang Weidong gave Lin Xia two peaches that Lin Shu had prepared for Jiang’s grandmother and Han Yun.

He wanted to leave more for her, but she refused to take them.

“Lin Shu’s house isn’t far from here. If I want more, I can just walk over.”

They exchanged a few more words, and since it was getting late, Lin Xia urged him to head back early and not travel in the dark.

Jiang Weidong held her hand for a moment before saying goodbye and leaving.

After he left, a few colleagues who were measuring distances and marking spots nearby came over and joked, “Master Lin, when are you and Factory Director Jiang going to have your wedding banquet? You’d better invite us to have a drink when it happens!”

Lin Xia smiled and said, “At the end of the year. Don’t worry, you’ll all be invited to come and celebrate.”

Everyone laughed.

Shen Meizhi stood off to the side, sneering, “What’s there to show off about?”

How could someone on their second marriage expect to have a more extravagant celebration than someone’s first?

Just then, the captain of the surveying team ran over and shouted, “The survey and planning here are almost done. In a couple of days, once the utility poles arrive, we can start planting them.”

Lin Xia suggested, “Captain, back when we were in Huang County, they assigned nearby commune members to help, but it was chaotic. They kept swapping people out just as they were getting the hang of things, which slowed everything down and led to mistakes. This time, why don’t we have the commune assign a fixed group of people to work with us? Once they get used to the process, we won’t need to keep explaining things.”

The captain agreed with the idea, but some commune leaders were too rigid and only wanted to recruit workers locally, insisting the nearest brigade send people to help.

“Let’s see if the leadership at Fendou Commune is more reasonable,” the captain said.

Lin Xia volunteered, “I’m from this commune, so I can go with you.”

The captain, happy with the suggestion, rode with Lin Xia on his bike to the commune.

Although Secretary Qin wasn’t there, the deputy director in charge of the electrification project was.

Upon hearing the captain’s proposal, his initial reaction was to oppose it.

After all, organizing a fixed group of workers was more complicated than pulling in nearby brigade members.

This wasn’t a large-scale project where everyone was expected to contribute.

It was more of a specialized task, and questions arose about payment and meals—would they need to compensate workers?

Who would provide food?

All of these details seemed like extra hassle compared to simply having the nearest brigade take care of both workers and meals.

Lin Xia then laid out the reasoning again, and just as the deputy director hesitated, Secretary Jing arrived.

Smiling, Secretary Jing said, “Director Wang, Secretary Qin discussed this issue before. Pulling people from the brigades every time is too complicated. It would be more efficient to recruit a team of quick and capable commune members.”

Secretary Qin didn’t like dealing with minor squabbles over who did more or less work, or with people shirking responsibilities.

A centralized management system would be much more effective.

The deputy director asked, “Did the secretary mention anything about compensation?”

After all, no one would work for free. Without work points, no one would be motivated.

Secretary Jing responded, “No meals provided, but one yuan per day.”

The work points would still be calculated by each brigade, but the commune didn’t want to handle meals.

Providing food for all the workers, especially out in the field, would be too difficult.

The technicians from the city could receive meals, but not the large group of commune workers—there would be complaints.

It was simpler to pay a flat rate of one yuan per day and have each worker bring their own meals.

Since the average commune member couldn’t earn even 40 cents a day in the production teams, being selected for this work and making one yuan a day would certainly attract plenty of willing participants.

Secretary Jing, knowing that Lin Xia was Lin Shu’s second sister, gestured to her, signaling that she was capable and diligent.

Willing relatives can be recommended. At least twenty people are needed, so giving a few spots to acquaintances isn’t a big deal. After all, it doesn’t matter who gets hired, does it?

Lin Xia thanked him and borrowed a bike from Secretary Jing to visit Lu’s village in the evening.