Starting with vegetable greenhouses in 1988

Chapter 186 South
Early in the morning.

Zhou Family Residence, Chuanban Hutong.

The curtain was lifted, and Zhou Yongqiang came out carrying two travel bags, followed by Lin Qiaomei. The couple put the travel bags on the back of their bicycle and pushed the bike out of the courtyard.

At this time, it was not yet fully light, and there was hardly anyone else to be seen in the alley.

A gust of cold wind swept in, and Zhou Yongqiang shivered. "Wow, it's really cold! Honey, how about I go and reserve a stall first, and you can go after it gets warmer?"

"Don't worry about it, we're already out here, there's no reason for us to come back. I'm not that delicate, let's go." Lin Qiaomei wrapped a red scarf around her neck and got on her bicycle.

Zhou Yongqiang followed on his bicycle, saying, "I'm just worried about you."

Lin Qiaomei said dismissively, "I've already been to Guangzhou, why would I care about this little bit of cold wind?"

"Wife, I'm so sorry you've suffered with me!" Zhou Yongqiang felt a little guilty and thought to himself that he would definitely buy his wife a gift when he made money this time.

After Zhou Yongqiang's factory closed for the holidays, he wanted to go to the south to see if there were any ways to make money. Lin Qiaomei was worried about him going alone and insisted on going with him. The couple scraped together 1000 yuan and took a hard-seat train for more than 30 hours to Guangzhou.

The couple spent two days in Guangzhou, visiting all the markets, big and small. They finally bought two kinds of goods at wholesale prices, intending to resell them in Beijing.

It sounds simple, but only the couple knows the hardships involved.

The couple arrived at Dongsi Street and found a small, temporary stall. They took out a digital watch and jeans from their travel bag and set them up on the stall.

It was still early, and there weren't many people in the market. But if you arrived late, you definitely wouldn't be able to rent a good stall.

After the couple set up their stall, Zhou Yongqiang took out a yellow paper package from his pocket. Opening the package, he found two steamed buns made from a mixture of two types of dough. He took one out and handed it to her, saying, "Wife, the bun is still warm, eat it while it's hot."

Lin Qiaomei took the steamed bun, took a bite, and ate it heartily. She was already very satisfied to be able to eat a hot steamed bun.

During their time away from home, in order to save money, they brought their own dry food, eating cold steamed buns and pickled vegetables.

The couple waited patiently for an hour. Around 9 a.m., customers finally started arriving at the market. One female customer's eyes were glued to the jeans on the stall. There were many jeans vendors in Beijing, but she had never seen this style before.

The female customer was in her early twenties, with two pigtails, a typical age when she cared about her appearance. She squatted down and touched the material of the jeans: "Excuse me, how much are these jeans?"

Lin Qiaomei smiled and said, "Little sister, you have a good eye! This is the latest stock, which just arrived last night. It's 80 yuan a piece."

The girl with pigtails widened her eyes: "80? Where can you find jeans that expensive! My friend bought a pair yesterday for only 25 yuan."

"Sister, this is a Hong Kong import, how can it be the same? Look how solid the materials are, you can't buy this anywhere else. This kind of thing is only available at the Friendship Store, and you can't get it for less than a hundred or two foreign exchange certificates!"

The girl with pigtails picked up the jeans and held them up. The jeans had a great cut and looked very nice; she really liked them: "I'll take them for 30 yuan. If it's okay, I'll take them."

"To be honest with you, we can't even get this price; we'd be losing money. If you really want it, I'll sell it to you for 68! I haven't made a sale yet today, just for good luck."

The girl with pigtails hesitated for a moment, but finally put it down: "Comrade, your clothes are nice, and I really like them, but I really can't afford them."

Seeing the girl with pigtails about to leave, Lin Qiaomei called out to her, "Little sister, if you really want it, I'll sell it to you for 58 yuan. I'm really not making any money at this price; I'm just trying to get some publicity. But if anyone asks, you can't say it's such a cheap price!"

The girl with pigtails gritted her teeth: "Fine, I'll take it!"

Seeing that the girl had paid, Zhou Yongqiang said with a smile, "Miss, would you like to take a look at the digital watch? This digital watch is also a Hong Kong import. Look at this style, you won't find another one like it in Beijing! My price is also very reasonable."

The girl crouched down to examine the digital watch. Its design was different from any she'd seen before; it was definitely more attractive. "How much is this digital watch?" she asked.

"The small dial watches are 30 yuan each, and the large dial watches are 50 yuan each. Are you buying them for yourself or as a gift? I can help you choose."

The girl with pigtails pursed her lips: "I want to give this to my boyfriend. What's the difference between these two watches?"

"The 50 yuan one is the latest model, and its configuration in all aspects is top-notch. The 30 yuan one isn't bad either, just with fewer functions. I suggest you buy the 50 yuan one, since it's a gift for your boyfriend, you can't be too stingy, don't you think?"

The girl with pigtails took out her wallet and looked at it: "I don't have much money left, forget it, I'd better not take it."

Zhou Yongqiang called out to her, "Miss, if you really want it, I can give you a discount."

The girl with pigtails took out some money from her bag and counted it: "I only have 19 yuan and 5 mao in total."

Although the girl didn't finish her sentence, her meaning was clear: I only have this much money. If you want to sell, I'll buy; if you think it's too little, then forget it.

"Oh dear, this is too little..." Zhou Yongqiang pretended to be troubled.

Lin Qiaomei, standing nearby, picked up a small black digital watch with a small screen: "Little sister, you're our first customer, we're destined to meet. I'll sell it to you!" "Thank you, sister!" The girl with pigtails happily took the watch and handed over a wad of coins.

Watching the girl with pigtails leave happily, the couple exchanged a glance and couldn't help but smile. The two digital watches cost 5 yuan and 10 yuan respectively, while the jeans cost 15 yuan.

In this one transaction alone, the couple earned 57.5 yuan.

"Wife, what did I tell you? I, Zhou Yongqiang, will definitely make money and give you a good life!" Zhou Yongqiang's tone was full of longing for the future.

"Alright, you've only sold two items, and you're already bragging again," Lin Qiaomei said, though she was secretly delighted. Seeing more people approaching, she called out, "The latest style of jeans, beautiful and fashionable! Girl, buy a pair, they'll look amazing on you!"

The couple sold their goods from morning until after 3 p.m. They had already sold more than half of their jeans and digital watches.

Zhou Yongqiang then sold a more expensive watch for 32 yuan. "Honey, after this sale, we've already broken even," he said excitedly.

Lin Qiaomei asked in a low voice, "Have you included travel expenses and food and lodging costs?"

"That's it! All the expenses are included, it's exactly 1000 yuan." Zhou Yongqiang and his wife left with 1000 yuan, spending about 200 yuan on transportation and accommodation. The remaining nearly 800 yuan was used to buy jeans and a digital watch.

Today alone, they've already made 1000 yuan. That's equivalent to recouping their initial investment; every pair of jeans and watch they sell is pure profit.

The couple, afraid of being overheard, didn't dare say much. Their hands, however, involuntarily clasped together.

Suddenly, Lin Qiaomei felt a chill on her face. She looked up and saw that it was snowing.

"Oh dear! My digital watch can't get wet." Zhou Yongqiang quickly put the digital watch into his bag.

Lin Qiaomei also packed the jeans into her travel bag: "Let's not sell today, let's go back and come back tomorrow."

"Okay! I'll buy some meat on the way back and cook you guys something delicious tonight so we can celebrate!"

The couple packed their things, got on their bicycles, and left Dongsi Market.

When they reached Chongwenmen West Street, Zhou Yongqiang slowed down his bicycle. He pointed ahead and said, "Wife, do you see that person? Isn't that Brother Li?"

Lin Qiaomei also looked over and saw a green truck parked by the roadside. Several people wearing old cotton-padded coats were climbing into the back of the truck, and Li Zhe was waving goodbye to the truck.

“It’s him. Even if I mistake someone for someone else, I wouldn’t mistake this truck.” The restaurant where she works is right across from Li Zhe’s house, and she often sees this truck there.

Zhou Yongqiang couldn't help but ask in confusion, "What is he doing here in this freezing weather?"

The couple stopped their bicycles by the roadside, and Zhou Yongqiang walked up to greet them: "Brother Li, what are you busy with here?"

"Brother Zhou! Where did you and your wife come from?" Li Zhe asked, somewhat puzzled, seeing the couple carrying two travel bags.

“Come over from the Dongsi Market area. Brother, it’s my treat tonight, let’s have a couple of drinks!” Zhou Yongqiang had a good impression of Li Zhe; this young man was not only capable but also respected him.

Li Zhe asked with a smile, "What happy news has happened? You seem so pleased!"

Zhou Yongqiang didn't hide anything and said directly, "Your sister-in-law and I went to Guangzhou a while ago to buy goods wholesale and resell them in Beijing. We made a little money. It's my treat tonight!"

Upon hearing the name Guangzhou, Li Zhe became interested. This was the forefront of reform, and he was eager to know what it was like there.

"Brother Zhou, come to my place. We'll have hot pot tonight. I've prepared the meat and vegetables."

"Okay, I'll go home and get two bottles of good wine later." Zhou Yongqiang had made 1000 yuan today, so he spoke with more confidence.

During the conversation, Tan Jingya came out of a nearby shop. "Qiaomei! You're back from Guangzhou? Why didn't you tell me?"

"We just got back yesterday and haven't had a chance to look for you yet. This is... the location of the new restaurant you found?" Lin Qiaomei asked with a hint of surprise in her eyes. She knew that Tan Jingya wanted to open a restaurant, but she didn't expect the location to be so good.

"Let's not talk outside, let's go inside and talk," Tan Jingya said, leading Lin Qiaomei into the store.

Zhou Yongqiang was stunned for a moment, unable to react for a while: "Brother Li, she... Tan... how come she's here too?" He didn't even know how to address the other party for a moment.

Li Zhe said, "Sister Tan and I are planning to open a restaurant. This is the location we chose, and we've already started renovations. Come on, let me show you inside."

Zhou Yongqiang picked up his travel bag, followed her a few steps somewhat blankly, and asked in a low voice, "Does Ji Hongbin know about you and her opening a restaurant together?"

"Ji Hongbin has already gone abroad."

(End of this chapter)