Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 501 Social Economy

Xia Maosheng, with his shifty eyes, said, "That's not necessarily true. Just because you're afraid of your wife doesn't mean everyone is. Xiaowei doesn't let Xiaohong manage his money."

Chen Hui pursed his lips and said, "You talk like you're not afraid of your wife. How about we have a contest and see who's more afraid?"

Xia Maosheng said, "No, I'm not as thick-skinned as you. Besides, I just got married, I can't afford to get angry."

All four of them laughed. Xia Maosheng said to Xinghai, "Anyway, we've already rented the stall, so don't rush to open it. Walk around and see what other people are selling. Go all the way to the end of Wu'ai South Tower. Even if the items look exactly the same, they might not be. You have to compare the quality. Selling here is not like in Fengtian. Fengtian has a lot of migrant workers, but here you're selling to locals. If the quality is bad, it's not worth it if people come looking for you."

Chen Hui nodded and said, "Yes, yes, Lao Xia is right. We can't just try to make a little extra money by bluffing people. We don't need that kind of honest money. You guys need to learn from Xiao Wei. You have to guarantee your attitude and quality. That's the only way to go in the long run."

Xia Maosheng said, "Also, you don't go out often, so you have no experience with many things outside. Be careful with your words and actions. Don't always assume others are good people. Be cautious wherever you go, and think carefully before you speak. There are plenty of liars these days."

Chen Hui said, "There are also thieves. Don't put all your money together when you go to buy goods; keep it in separate bags. Be careful when you go back and forth to get money, and don't let anyone steal it. Also, not all the wholesalers there are good people; some are in cahoots with outsiders to make money, so be extra careful. If anything happens, grab the person and then call us, understand? Don't be afraid of anything. You two, make sure you have my phone number and pager number."

Back then, Wu'ai and Nanta were quite chaotic, with a lot of hoodlums. There was no way around it, there were many people from other places, and at that time everything was done in cash, with people carrying thousands or tens of thousands of yuan on them when they were buying goods.

Every day, people get their money stolen. With tens of thousands of people crowding together, who are you going to look for? There are also those who work together with the stall owners to set up scams. The owners attract the attention of out-of-towners while the thieves steal from the side. It's not just money, but also high-quality goods. They take them from the side and throw them directly into their partner's stall, and no one can find them.

Back then, you could often see people from other places sitting in the freezing cold crying in the market; they had lost everything they owned and their lives.

Xia Maosheng said, "That's right. Don't tell anyone you're from Beixi, oh no. Don't tell anyone you did it on your own. If people ask, just say you came from Beixi to work for a boss in Fengtian. If they ask what your boss does, just say he works for the provincial power company, or the provincial criminal police. Don't worry about anything else. If they ask where you sell, just say you sell everywhere, Taiyuan Street, Zhongjie Street, Tiexi, Huanggu, whatever."

Xinghai said, "Lying? You think that's possible? I'm afraid I'll give myself away as soon as I tell you. I've never dared to lie since I was a child. You're really something."

Chen Hui said, "It's not a lie. I work for the provincial power company. Xiao Wei and the provincial criminal investigation team are acquaintances, we have a very good relationship, you know? This relationship is real. If anything happens, one phone call is all it takes."

Liu Liu exclaimed in surprise, "Xiao Wei is so capable now?"

Chen Hui laughed and said, "You haven't seen what's even more capable than this. To be honest, Xiao Wei is a very sentimental person; I never expected him to bring you all out here. Keep up the good work."

Ahead, Xiao Wei was also talking to the three girls.

"I'm not worried about anything else; we won't lose money in this business, no matter how much we earn. What I'm a little worried about is that they'll get scammed. People in the countryside are honest and straightforward; they can't tell the difference between truth and falsehood. They'll be easily fooled by someone who knows how to talk. I reckon they'll get ripped off a few times."

Chen Xiao said, "I think so too. There's nothing we can do about it; they can only learn from their mistakes. You can't teach them this kind of thing."

Geng Hui said, "Xiao Wei, you can't just let them run the business on their own right away. Instead, tell them that the business is yours and they're just getting paid to work. Once you've made your initial investment, you can gradually hand it over to them. That way, since the business isn't yours yet, you'll probably feel more pressure and be more careful in your actions and words."

Xiao Wei said, "I don't think it will be of much use. The key is regional differences. The way people in rural areas talk and do things is completely different from that in the city. It's like two different worlds. It's impossible to change them all at once. They'll have to suffer a few losses eventually. Let's take it slowly."

Chen Xiao asked, "Then how come you're so shrewd? I've never seen you suffer a loss."

Xiao Wei thought for a moment and said, "I was lucky. I came out with Lao Xia and Xiao Hui, and they actually handled a lot of things for me. I didn't have to worry about anything. I just had to make sure the business was running smoothly. In the beginning, it was all thanks to their relationship. Also, I tend to overthink things. Maybe it's my nature. I always habitually think things through several times before I say or do anything."

Chen Xiao said, "He's just cunning. I bet if you just sell us all out, we'll still be counting the money for you. It's really pathetic."

Xiao Hong chuckled in the passenger seat. Chen Xiao reached out and pinched her, saying, "What are you laughing at? You're the first one I'd ever sell, you're so vain."

Xiao Hong glanced at Xiao Wei and said smugly, "He can't bear to part with it."

At 6:30, two cars drove into the restaurant's backyard one after the other, parked under the direction of the chauffeur, and everyone got out of the cars.

Xinghai and Liuliu stared in disbelief at the towering buildings around them and asked, "Where is this? My goodness, these buildings are so tall, how are we going to climb them?"

Xiao Wei said, "We'll just climb it with our feet. There are too many people and not enough space in the city, so we can only build it as high as possible."

Liu Liu said, "My goodness, isn't climbing all year round more tiring than farming? City people have it so tough."

Xiao Hong and Geng Hui were already laughing uncontrollably as they listened from the side. Chen Xiao clutched his stomach and said, "Let's go inside, let's go inside. I can't take it anymore, I have to hold it in, it's too uncomfortable."

Xia Maosheng said, "Don't listen to Xiaowei's nonsense. There's an elevator in this building. Just press the button and you're up. No need to climb. Come on in. I'll take you to sit down and try it out later." He pushed Xinghai and Liuliu towards the back door of the hotel.

It was lunchtime, and the restaurant was bustling with noise. Even the most elegant place becomes noisy when there are many people. There's nothing we can do about it.

Li Na stood in her usual spot, observing the restaurant. Fortunately, the second floor consisted entirely of private rooms. As long as the initial cleaning and inspection were done properly, there was little need to manage it. Each guest could eat in their own room, and even a little noise wouldn't affect others. The first floor was different; everyone was watching, and the staff's every move and attitude would influence a whole group of people, so she had to keep a close eye on it.

As soon as Xiaohong and her two friends came in, they ran over to hug and talk to Li Na. Xinghai and Liuliu couldn't take their eyes off the luxurious place. The seats were all leather, and they looked incredibly expensive. The waitresses were all beautiful, with amazing waists, great hips, and long legs. The two of them swallowed hard several times without even realizing it.

(End of this chapter)