One Yuan First Recharge: I'm Actually the Boss Behind a Fortune 500 Company

The twenty-sixth day of the twelfth lunar month.

There are four days left until the Chinese New Year.

This is the last market day in town, and also the liveliest time of the year.

Wang Hao got up at around 7 a.m.

In the courtyard, my second aunt was already busy in the kitchen, with steam rising from the steamer.

"Haozi's up?" Auntie peeked out from the kitchen. "The porridge's ready. Call your parents for dinner."

"Okay, Second Aunt."

"..."

After breakfast, Wang Hao drove his car, carrying his father Wang Jianguo and his second uncle Wang Jianjun, to town.

As soon as the car left the village, the difference became apparent.

The usually quiet country roads were bustling with cars and people today.

Motorcycles, tricycles, electric bikes, and many cars with out-of-town license plates were all heading towards the town.

"There are a lot of people today," Wang Jianguo said, looking out the window.

"That's right," Uncle Er chimed in.

"There's only one big market a year, and everyone who works or does business outside comes back. Every household has to prepare for the New Year."

The closer you get to the town, the more bustling the streets become.

Children were already setting off firecrackers by the roadside. The loud "bang" startled a passing electric scooter, causing it to sway.

The adults laughed and scolded a couple of times, and the children ran away laughing.

Under the archway at the entrance of the town, an old man selling toy guns set up his stall, and several children surrounded the stall, watching with longing eyes.

"Dad, Uncle, where should we stop?" Wang Hao asked, looking at the street ahead where traffic was already congested.

"Drive straight ahead, there's an open space near the old supply and marketing cooperative where you can park," Wang Jianguo pointed out. "If you go too late, there won't be any spots left."

The car slowly moved into the town.

The streets were lined with stalls that stretched as far as the eye could see.

There were vendors selling Spring Festival couplets, New Year pictures, lanterns, melon seeds and candies, chicken, duck, fish and meat, vegetables and fruits... a wide variety of goods were available.

There are more people.

Young people who are rarely seen in town have all appeared today.

Girls in fashionable down jackets and young men with dyed hair walked in groups of three or five, carrying large and small bags.

The elderly carried bamboo baskets on their backs, already quite full. Children weaved through the crowd, clutching newly bought toys or snacks.

The sounds of hawking, bargaining, greetings between acquaintances, and children's laughter and crying mingled together, creating a lively and heartwarming atmosphere.

"This is what the New Year should be like," my second uncle exclaimed. "After a year of working away from home, we've been looking forward to these few days."

Wang Hao finally managed to park the car, and the three of them got out and joined the crowd.

"What should we buy first?" Wang Hao asked.

"Spring Festival couplets, the character '福' (good fortune), door gods, and these things," Wang Jianguo said, "you have to choose these things."

When I arrived at the stall selling Spring Festival couplets, everything was bright red.

The stall owner, an elderly gentleman wearing glasses, was writing custom-made Spring Festival couplets for a customer.

"Boss, how much is this pair?" Second Uncle asked, pointing to a pair of Spring Festival couplets printed with gold characters.

"Fifteen yuan." The stall owner said without looking up.

"Make it cheaper, ten yuan."

"Of course, I have all the best paper and ink."

"Twelve yuan, take two sets if you're interested."

"Alright, take it."

My second uncle paid the money, rolled up the Spring Festival couplets, and stuffed them into a cloth bag.

Next, I bought New Year pictures. I picked out a few festive ones: chubby babies holding carp, flowers symbolizing wealth and prosperity, and welcoming pine trees.

"We need to buy a calendar too," Wang Jianguo said. "We're almost out of the ones we have at home."

After buying these, we went to the dried fruit stall.

Sunflower seeds, peanuts, walnuts, pistachios, raisins... the stall was surrounded by people.

"Boss, how much are the sunflower seeds?" Wang Jianguo asked.

"This spiced one is ten yuan a pound. This original flavor one is eight yuan." The proprietress deftly weighed the spiced one for the customer in front of her.

"Three catties of each, please. And the peanuts?"

"Six pieces with shells, twelve pieces peeled."

"Give me five pounds, shells included."

After weighing and bagging, Wang Hao took the heavy bag.

I also bought candy, chocolate, dried persimmons, and red dates. Passing by a fruit stall, I bought apples, oranges, bananas, and pomelos, saying that they would be displayed on a plate for the New Year, symbolizing peace and good fortune.

"Is that enough?" Wang Hao's hands were already full.

"And firecrackers," Uncle said, "but we'll talk about the firecrackers later, let's buy these first."

Back at the parking spot, after putting my things in the car, it was almost ten o'clock.

"Dad, Second Uncle, is there anything else you want to buy?" Wang Hao asked.

"That's about it, we've bought everything we needed." Wang Jianguo looked at the things in the car. "Let's go back and leave these at home."

"become."

We drove back to the village and carried the New Year's goods into the house.

Second Aunt and Wang Hao's mother, Li Xiuying, were already waiting at home. When they saw them return, they hurried out to receive their things.

"You bought so many!" Li Xiuying exclaimed, looking at the bags scattered all over the floor.

"It only happens once a year, so buy more," Wang Jianguo said. "Oh, and Haozi still has to go to town."

"Going again?" my second aunt asked. "Didn't we already buy everything?"

"I...I have something else to do," Wang Hao said vaguely. "Wu Liang is looking for me, so I'm going to go for a walk with him."

"Okay, go ahead then." Li Xiuying didn't think much of it. "Will you be back for lunch?"

"We'll see. If it gets late, we'll eat in town."

Wang Hao got back into the car and drove out of the yard.

Instead of going directly to town, he took a detour and drove to Wu Liang's house.

In Wu Liang's courtyard, Wu Liang was squatting by the well brushing his teeth. When he saw him arrive, he mumbled something indistinctly:

"Haozi, why did you get up so late today? I've been waiting for you for ages, all ready and waiting."

Wang Hao got out of the car and laughed, "I thought you weren't up yet. Let's take my dad and my second uncle to buy New Year's goods first, then bring them back, and then we'll go now."

Wu Liang rinsed his mouth and wiped it: "Have you eaten?"

"I've eaten. My second aunt steamed some buns, and I had two bowls of porridge."

"Okay, let's go then." Wu Liang went inside to grab a coat. "What do you want to buy?"

The two got into the car, and Wang Hao said as he reversed:

"I want to buy some things for the house. An air conditioner, a washing machine, a refrigerator, and a sofa."

Wu Liang turned to look at him: "Replace everything?"

"Mm." Wang Hao nodded.

"Those things at home have been used for over ten years; it's time to replace them."

"My parents are getting old, and it's cold in winter and hot in summer. I want to install an air conditioner."

"The washing machine is only semi-automatic, and my mom's hands get red from the cold when she washes clothes in winter. The refrigerator doesn't work well; food spoils after just two days."

He paused for a moment, then said, "Over the years, I've been away from home, and my family has relied on them the whole time. Now that I can earn money, I want them to have a better life."

After listening, Wu Liang remained silent for a few seconds, then said very seriously, "Haozi, I feel that you've really matured now. Really."

He patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, I've got it covered. I'm an expert at bargaining, for one thing. I'll definitely get things done for you today."

"Thank you, Ryoko."

"No need to thank me, we're like family."

"..."