The wet market was not only the largest indoor vegetable market in the city, but also housed wholesale goods on the third and fourth floors. Its location adjacent to the commercial street ensured a steady stream of customers, and the beaming smile on Liu Yuemin's face indicated her business was doing exceptionally well.
"Third sister-in-law, you have no idea. In just these two short days, I've made over ten yuan profit." She now realized how easy it was to make money in the city. When she had run a restaurant in town, even after paying the head chef, she and her husband were exhausted from working, and their earnings were only comparable to this.
The market closed at five every day, and it was close to home, so it didn't interfere with anything else.
As the two women were chatting, a customer approached to inquire about vegetable prices. Liu Yuemin busied herself explaining in detail.
However, the customer merely nodded, turned, and walked away.
Liu Yuemin's expression soured slightly. She couldn't help but pout and mutter under her breath, "How strange. Why ask about the price if you're not going to buy?"
Another customer followed closely behind and bought two potatoes and half a pound of bean sprouts.
As Liu Yuemin weighed the vegetables, she deliberately leveled the scale beam before announcing the weight. Da Feng Novel Network
The customer's lips moved, but ultimately, they said nothing, paid, and left.
Chen Lishu observed everything. Only after the customer had walked away did she kindly offer advice, "Second sister-in-law, there are many stalls selling vegetables here. To sell more, you primarily need repeat customers. In fact, sometimes things that seem like a loss might not actually be a loss."
Liu Yuemin didn't quite understand her meaning. Frowning, she asked, "Third sister-in-law, what are you trying to say? What do you mean by loss or no loss? Can losing actually be gaining?"
Chen Lishu explained, "The prices for vegetables are all the same. Since customers have the same choice regardless of which stall they pick, they'll naturally choose the one that's friendly and attentive. For example, when you were weighing the potatoes just now, if you had been willing to adjust the scale a little higher, it would only be a difference of an ounce or two at most, but the customer would be very happy. Or, if you threw in an extra scallion with the potatoes, they would be happy to come back to your stall next time."
What seemed like an insignificant investment often yielded unexpected rewards.
Liu Yuemin disagreed with her words, "Third sister-in-law, do you know how many vegetables I sell in a day? If I do as you say, losing an ounce here and an ounce there, ten times would be a pound. I'll go bankrupt sooner or later."
Gu Xingmin also found Chen Lishu's suggestion impractical. "Yes, third sister-in-law. I'm a vegetable seller, and I'm supposed to give them extra vegetables? Then they wouldn't need to buy what they lack."
Chen Lishu, who always distinguished between favors and grievances and disliked owing others, felt grateful for Liu Yuemin's courage in saving Xiao Chengzi and Xiao Bai at her own risk. Thus, she patiently explained:
"Second brother, giving away extra vegetables doesn't mean you should give away all your produce. It's just for items like scallions, which are usually used as a garnish and one is enough. They're not expensive, it's just a small gesture.
"Furthermore, put yourself in their shoes. If you were buying vegetables, wouldn't you be happy if someone gave you an extra scallion? Wouldn't you think the shop owner was generous and decide to patronize that store again next time? Because you'd know that next time, they might even give you two sprigs of cilantro. In fact, think about it, scallions and cilantro probably don't even cost a cent. But if someone buys two mao worth of vegetables, how much profit would you make? If you encounter someone who feels embarrassed and buys five mao or a yuan more of vegetables, what then?"
Liu Yuemin and Gu Xingmin began to seriously consider her words.
Chen Lishu continued, "Let me give you a real-life example. There's a peanut vendor in the south who always gives a little extra with every purchase. Everyone calls him foolish. Think about how much peanuts cost per pound. Yet, he built a successful business, hired over ten to twenty employees, and even got featured in the newspaper."
Liu Yuemin was stunned. "Just selling peanuts, and employing so many people? How much money must he be making?"
Chen Lishu replied, "Conservatively speaking, maybe hundreds of thousands."
The couple's jaws nearly dropped. "H-hundreds of thousands? Third sister-in-law, you're not joking, are you?"
"Why would I joke with you? Besides, second brother and second sister-in-law, think about it. Most people will think as you did before. As long as you provide enthusiastic service and offer small extras occasionally, won't customers flock to your stall?"
The thought of everyone coming to their stall to buy vegetables excited the couple.
Gu Xingmin said, "Third sister-in-law has been in business for so many years; what she says must be right. Why don't we try it her way?"
Liu Yuemin was completely shocked by the story of the peanut vendor. Hearing Gu Xingmin's words, she nodded without hesitation.
She was selling vegetables while he was selling peanuts. She didn't expect to make hundreds of thousands, but even tens of thousands would be good.
A week passed in the blink of an eye, and it was time for the first delivery to the national cotton mill.
The entire batch of two thousand pieces was sold out in just three days, due to its low cost and wholesale price. Those who heard the news later could only pay a deposit to reserve stock for the next arrival.
In just half a month, Chen Lishu had earned nearly ten thousand yuan.
While waiting for the second delivery, Chen Lishu stayed home to accompany her children.
A lot had happened recently, and she had been neglecting her three children. Fortunately, Rui Rui was very sensible, and the other two were generally easy to manage as long as they were well-fed and comfortable.
"Tomorrow is Sunday. Mom will take you and your younger siblings to the zoo, okay?" On Saturday, after picking Rui Rui up from his half-day class, Chen Lishu suggested.
Now that they had a car, taking the three children out was much more convenient.
"Really?" Rui Rui's face showed little emotional fluctuation, but his bright, sparkling eyes indicated his immense joy.
"Mom, I know so many animals. I can tell my younger siblings about them. There are tigers and elephants there. Won't my younger siblings be scared?"
Chen Lishu thought for a moment and said seriously, "Probably not. They don't know anything yet. They'll likely just be curious."
The mother and son returned home chatting and laughing. As they pushed open the door, they saw Zhang Xue standing by the sofa, making exaggerated funny faces. Xiao Chengzi and Xiao Bai were leaning against the cushions, and the children's giggles filled the room.
Chen Lishu asked, "Didn't you say you were busy preparing lessons? Why are you free today?"
Zhang Xue looked up when she heard her voice. Rui Rui obediently called out, "Aunt Xiao Xue."
Zhang Xue exclaimed affectionately, "Rui Rui has gotten even more handsome in just a few days. When he grows up, he'll surely charm many girls."
Chen Lishu replied unabashedly, "My son is still so young. Don't fill his head with nonsense. You seem to be in such a good mood. Did the school give you a bonus?"
"How could that be?" Zhang Xue walked around the sofa, approached her, and dropped a bombshell, "I'm getting married. Prepare your congratulatory money quickly."
"Cough." Chen Lishu, who was drinking water, choked. After recovering for a moment, she said incredulously, "Married? To Li Weimin?"
Zhang Xue couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Who else could it be?"