Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 506 What to Do

Xia Maosheng said, "If Uncle Chen really gets into the ministry, he'll be amazing. At his age, he could even become a vice president in the future."

Chen Xiao said, "Just you wait, wait until my father-in-law becomes the prime minister and see how I deal with you."

Xiao Hong asked, "So, from what you're saying, does that mean Geng Hui and I need to hurry up and deal with you?"

Chen Xiao choked for a moment, and everyone burst into laughter.

Xiao Wei checked the time and said, "Have you all digested your food yet? If you have, let's go back and chat. It's almost 8:30."

Chen Hui stood up and said, "I'll go and go over the accounts for the past few days with Li Na."

Xia Maosheng said, "I'm going to the restroom. Xiaowei, go talk to Fifth Brother about the house. Xinghai Liuliu, do you need to go to the restroom?"

Everyone got up. Chen Hui went to find Li Na, Xiao Wei went upstairs to find An Laowu, and the rest of the group rushed to the toilet.

Xinghai whispered to Xia Maosheng, "Old Xia, how much will this meal cost today? I'm guessing it'll be several hundred?"

Xia Maosheng put his arm around Xinghai's shoulder and said, "Why bother with that? We don't have to pay anything anyway."

Xinghai said, "Is there? Even if we don't pay, wouldn't we still lose several hundred yuan by eating it? It's such a bad deal."

Xia Maosheng laughed and said, "You can't calculate it like that. This is our own business, what can't we eat? Don't we eat at home? The prices on the menu are for selling to other people, but it's not that much when we eat at home."

Xinghai licked his lips and said, "It feels like such a waste. Several hundred yuan! My family only has a few hundred yuan left over all year round."

Xia Maosheng said, "Now that you're out here, a few hundred yuan is just a day's earnings, don't worry about it. From now on, you're no longer Xinghai, the farmer in the countryside; you're about to be a boss. You need to change your mindset. Observe how these city people around you live, and integrate into the community."

Upon reaching the restroom, Xia Maosheng released his grip on Xinghai, and the three of them went inside.

Liu Liu looked around and said, "Wow, this toilet is so clean, cleaner than my house! It even smells nice." Sniffing the air, Xia Maosheng, relieving himself, said, "You guys just came from the countryside. You can do whatever you want in front of me and Xiao Wei, but outside, in front of strangers, you have to keep a straight face. Don't let them think you've never seen anything before, understand?"

Xinghai said, "Why? I've never seen it before."

Xia Maosheng said, "You can't see into someone's heart. City people and rural people are different; they're much more complicated. In today's society, the poor are dying of poverty and the rich are dying of wealth. You've just come out into the world and don't have much experience, but you'll definitely have money in your hands. When others figure you out, they'll definitely try to harm you. Don't take it lightly; this is something that can definitely happen. By the time you suffer the consequences, it will be too late to regret it."

Liu Liu chimed in, "Huh? Really? Are city people that bad?"

Xia Maosheng laughed and said, "I'm still a city person, you know. Don't say whatever you want. If someone else heard you say that, they would get angry. There are good people and bad people everywhere. Life in the city and life in the countryside are completely different, you know? You're out here to do business, and you're dealing with business people, not ordinary people, so you're more likely to be fooled, understand?"

When you go to Wu'ai and Nanta to stock up on goods, you'll meet people from all over the country doing business. Everyone is hundreds of kilometers away, so who knows whom? If you run into them once, you might never see them again in your life. What wouldn't they do? The market is full of thieves and swindlers.

Besides, you're already vulnerable because you're from out of town. If you honestly reveal all your secrets, wouldn't that just be you trying to get someone to lie to you?

Xinghai thought for a long time before asking, "Then what should we do?"

Xia Maosheng said, "Just keep things to yourself and don't tell outsiders. If you don't understand something, ask me, ask Xiaohui or Xiaowei. When you talk to people, only say three-tenths of what you mean, understand? Don't answer every question. He's not a policeman, why bother with him? Just do your own thing."

People who inexplicably become friendly in that place, and those who act particularly helpful, rushing to talk to you and offer assistance—about 80% of them have ulterior motives.

You'll find all sorts of people selling things there; shills and shills are everywhere. Don't easily believe what others say, understand? Make your own decisions. If you're unsure, call me, call Xiaowei. Don't let anyone try to fool you with counterfeit or really bad quality goods. There's no such thing as a free lunch, and no such thing as unsolicited kindness, understand?

Most of the people who crowd around you and stick close to you are thieves. If someone is all over you after you've finished buying goods and they're very enthusiastic about telling you which store has good products and makes money, they're definitely a shill. They're just trying to trick you into buying the goods. If you have any problems, someone will come up and say, "Hey buddy, I'll watch your stuff for you, you go ahead." The moment you leave, they'll grab the goods and run away.

Some people say they found money and saw it fall from you, or they try to mysteriously offer to share it with you. Don't even look at them, just turn around and walk away, understand? If they come up to you and pester you, just slap them across the face and tell them, "My family works in the provincial criminal investigation team." Remember that? You need to learn how people here talk. People over there talk too directly, too bluntly, and others will immediately understand.

If you see bags or money on the ground, you can call out, but whatever you do, don't pick them up. We're not short of money. Don't try to take advantage of small things; you'll end up losing more in the long run. That saying is always true. Try not to eat around the market. Our restaurant is right here; isn't it better than anywhere else? Come and eat your fill first, then go elsewhere. You're inexperienced, and people might target you.

The three of them came out of the restroom. Xinghai and Liuliu looked completely bewildered, filled with a deep sense of fear about the future.

Xiao Wei happened to be coming downstairs when he saw the three people and turned to look at them. He asked, "What's going on with those two?"

Xia Maosheng said, "I told them some things about society, and they were a bit shocking."

Xiao Wei said, "It's okay, just don't rush. You'll learn from your mistakes. By the way, when you go looking at something, make sure you know the price before you buy it. Don't touch anything you don't want to buy, or people will try to take advantage of you. Ask about the price before you eat or do anything. If you need transportation, take the bus or a taxi. Don't believe anything unlicensed taxi drivers say; just ignore them."

Chen Hui walked over and said, "What are you talking about?"

Xia Maosheng laughed and said, "Xiaowei and I were giving Xinghai and Liuliu some social experience, and we probably scared them."

Chen Hui put his arm around Xinghai's shoulder and said, "Come on, let's not listen to them. I'll take you out for a walk tomorrow and you'll all understand. What's the point of saying this, reciting a textbook? What did Fifth Brother say?"

The group walked towards the back door. Xiao Wei said, "Fifth Brother said he's moving to a different place. He's renting now. He said that even if the storefront becomes valuable in the future, that's a matter for later. It's not worth it now."

Chen Hui said, "What do you think? I told you Fifth Brother should choose this way, didn't I? You always overthink things. Honey, let's go home."

(End of this chapter)