Era: Rise from the Wilderness

Regarding her son's calculation, He Ling nodded subconsciously: "That makes sense, one-tenth might even be an underestimate."

She knew all too well that she had given her son pocket money from elementary school to high school, and through chatting with other families, she learned that other children spent money in similar amounts.

"Okay, let's say 150 customers a day."

With his mother's affirmation, Li Yunjing felt a little more at ease and continued, "Next, let's calculate how much profit each person can bring in."

"The convenience store sells small commodities with low unit prices, but the profit margin is not low."

"A pencil costs 10 cents to buy and sells for 15 cents; an exercise book costs 20 cents to buy and sells for 30 cents; a bag of sunflower seeds costs 15 cents to buy and sells for 25 cents; a bottle of soda costs a little over 20 cents wholesale and sells for 50 cents... On average, even if we only make a 10-cent net profit from each customer, isn't that a very conservative assumption?"

Li Hongfeng began to calculate silently in his mind, his expression gradually becoming focused.

"Then, Dad, Mom, you two do the math!"

"If you have 150 customers a day and earn one cent from each, how much will that make in a day?"

Li Yunjing concluded: "150 multiplied by 0.1 equals 15 yuan! In other words, even by the most conservative estimate, this small shop can net more than 15 yuan a day!"

"15 yuan a day?"

He Ling repeated it, her eyes widening instantly.

She knew all too well the purchasing power of 15 yuan in this era!

This is almost equivalent to her previous weekly wage at a small street factory!

Her husband, Li Hongfeng, was a formal employee of a state-owned enterprise, earning a monthly salary of just over 170 yuan, which averaged less than 6 yuan a day!

With his son's summary, Li Hongfeng completely abandoned his contempt.

He subconsciously put down his chopsticks, leaned forward involuntarily, frowned slightly, and began to do rapid mental arithmetic.

That's 15 yuan a day, which is 450 yuan a month!

That's almost double his current salary!

And this is only the "most conservative" estimate!

What if the actual situation is even better?

What if more than one-tenth of the students spend money every day?

What if the profit per person is more than one cent?

This number, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirred up huge waves in the hearts of the couple.

An eerie silence fell over the room.

The ticking of the old-fashioned wall clock was exceptionally clear, and the sunlight slanted across the mottled wall, casting long shadows of the family of three.

The dust particles floating in the air danced slowly in the beam of light, as if they too had been startled and lost their way by what had just been said.

Li Hongfeng and He Cailing exchanged a glance, both seeing unbelievable shock in each other's eyes.

Having lived most of their lives, they discovered for the first time that such trivial business could earn so much money!

"Dad, Mom!"

"This is just the most conservative algorithm."

Li Yunjing spoke at the right moment, his voice low but with a maturity beyond his years, "The actual situation is likely to be better."

"This business is stable; except for summer and winter vacations, we make money every day."

He counted on his fingers, analyzing each point: "Our customers are all regular students. They buy pencils today, soda tomorrow, and snacks the day after. It's a steady stream of business."

"More importantly,"

He looked intently at his parents, "How many people in the whole town can see this? Less competition, more opportunities!"

"Dad, Mom, you've worked so hard all these years, haven't you? All for this family."

Li Yunjing paused, then said sincerely, "The opportunity is right in front of us. Are we just going to watch it slip away because we think 'doing business' is undignified, or because we think I'm too young to speak reliably?"

Li Hongfeng opened his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbing, but no sound came out.

His expression was incredibly complex!

There was the temptation of being persuaded, the fear of the unknown, and the pride of being a state-owned enterprise employee that couldn't be let go.

The only problem is that I can't refute my son!

Because the son's calculations seem to be correct!

It really can make you rich!

He Ling also gripped the corner of her apron tightly, her knuckles turning white.

On one hand, there is wealth within easy reach; on the other hand, there is a stable life that has lasted for half a lifetime. This choice is too heavy.

Li Yunjing knew it was time to make the most crucial move.

"Dad, I know what you're worried about."

His gaze sharpened. "Winning the contract for the convenience store requires connections. But it's not like our family lacks connections!"

"Haven't you and Uncle Ma Zhifu always had a good relationship?"

When the name "Ma Zhifu" was mentioned, Li Hongfeng straightened his back unconsciously.

He did indeed have a good personal relationship with the town's richest man.

"And Uncle Ma's lover,"

Li Yunjing spoke slowly and deliberately, "He's the vice principal of No. 25 Middle School, in charge of logistics!"

This sentence was like a lightning bolt that cleaved through the fog!

Li Hongfeng suddenly stood up, the chair scraping against the cement floor with a screeching sound.

His eyes shone brightly, and all hesitation vanished from his face.

"Yeah! How come I didn't think of that!"

His voice trembled with excitement, "Ma Zhifu! His wife is the vice principal!"

"Old Li!"

He Ling also stood up abruptly, grabbing her husband's arm: "If Brother Ma is willing to help, this...this really can work!"

In the cramped room, the air seemed to be on fire.

The previous dull and hesitant atmosphere was swept away, replaced by an excited sense of anticipation.

Li Yunjing knew the time was right. He cleared his throat and began to calculate the last account:

"Dad, Mom, let's calculate it again."

"Earning fifteen yuan a day, and teaching twenty days a month, that's three hundred yuan!"

"Subtracting summer and winter vacations, that's nine months of regular work a year, which is 2,700 yuan!"

"Work for three years, and you'll be a guaranteed... millionaire!"

He paused deliberately, letting the number echo in the air.

The phrase "ten-thousand-yuan household" carries immense weight. Although it is not as eye-catching as the ten-thousand-yuan household of the 1980s, it is still a remarkable achievement in this small town.

Li Yunjing is 18 years old now, and he can guarantee that his family won't find 1 yuan in savings!

this is the truth!

The mother's lips trembled as she repeatedly murmured, "Ten-thousand-yuan household... three years... ten-thousand-yuan household..."

In an era when workers earned just over a hundred yuan a month, the term "ten-thousand-yuan household" was something that only appeared in newspapers, a symbol of status that everyone dreamed of but dared not imagine.

Li Hongfeng was also completely convinced by this number.

As a purchasing agent, he had seen the world, but he never imagined that wealth could come so steadily and clearly.

Silence fell over the room again, broken only by the heavy breathing of the three people.

"Old Li!"

Suddenly, He Ling slapped her thigh, her voice trembling with excitement: "Did you hear that? This convenience store... we have to fight for this convenience store! It's our family's treasure trove!"

He Ling turned her head and scrutinized Li Yunjing's face, as if she were seeing her son for the first time.