My Mother-in-Law is Reborn [Seventies]

Guangzhou Railway Station was bustling with people, and as Zhuang Zhixi and his group followed the flow of the crowd to exit, they spotted someone holding a sign to greet them. For this trip, the staff had shown great emphasis, escorting them all the way to a hotel where everything was arranged meticulously. They were assigned rooms with two people to a room, and Zhuang Zhixi shared with Little Huang.

Despite being called Little Huang, he was a few years older than Zhuang Zhixi. Upon their arrival, they held a small meeting. As part of the attendees, Zhuang Zhixi listened more and spoke less, keeping a low profile. Such meetings didn't require his input, as everyone had their own roles to play.

After the meeting, the afternoon was free for rest, and other team members had their own social engagements. Zhuang Zhixi, after tidying up and doing some light disguise, headed out with his backpack to explore the area. The place was thriving and very prosperous.

Although their hometown, the Capital City, was also prosperous, the style was different. The commercialization here was more apparent, with numerous shops lining the streets. Zhuang Zhixi wandered around for a while and found a small shop in an alley that dealt in buying and selling gold and silver jewelry. The shopfront was so small that it was easy to miss.

Although hesitant, Zhuang Zhixi entered to inquire about the prices, eventually selling his gold jewelry. This was his first time doing such a thing, and though he felt nervous, everything went smoothly. After selling the jewelry, instead of returning directly to his hotel, he took several detours, entering a mall and exiting through a back door, ensuring an extra layer of security for himself. Being cautious never hurt.

After several rounds of twists and turns, he even went to the restroom to wash his face and change clothes before returning to the hotel.

If it weren't for his friendship with Lan Sihai, Zhuang Zhixi would never have thought of disguising himself. The transformations Lan Sihai had given Bai Fendou made Zhuang Zhixi realize the value of such techniques.

Outside, one must always take extra precautions.

With most of the money in his backpack, he returned to the hotel. Little Huang was not in the room, so he boiled some water and drank several cups of tea to calm his nerves. He had never seen so much money before. Although he and Ming Mei had saved some, their salaries were limited, and living expenses and raising their child meant they never had much wealth. Selling these jewelry pieces today almost equated to their combined savings over a decade of marriage.

Zhuang Zhixi carefully hid the money in his travel bag and pushed it under the bed, grateful that they were staying in a hotel reserved for conference attendees, where security was a priority. Without locks on the suitcases, safety was a concern. Still, since no one else carried locked suitcases, Zhuang Zhixi decided not to stand out by bringing one himself.

Lying on the bed, Zhuang Zhixi pondered his observations of the day. The commerce here was more developed, with various products available. Among the younger crowd, bell-bottoms seemed to be the latest trend.

These pants were very popular, and he had seen many young people wearing them during his walk. While older people might find them unconventional and unbecoming, the youth loved them for their fashionable appeal.

Lan Sihai, an older gentleman, had once tried to keep up with the trend during a New Year's celebration, almost causing a stir. However, while he had partaken in the fashion, he didn't find the pants particularly appealing and stopped wearing them after a few days.

Young men in their neighborhood had been looking for them in the mall, but they were still unavailable. Lan Sihai's pair had been a gift from Ming Mei's cousin from another city, highlighting the family's unique character. Nevertheless, Zhuang Zhixi sensed that bell-bottoms had great potential.

Although they might not be a lasting trend, they could certainly be a quick way to make money. Zhuang Zhixi suddenly sat up, not hesitating to leave again. This time, he headed towards various shops, visiting several of them until nightfall. Exhausted, he returned to the hotel, where Little Huang had also just arrived.

Little Huang looked surprised and asked, "Where have you been?"

Zhuang Zhixi replied, "I went out to see if I could find any local specialties to buy. And you?"

Little Huang said, "I had a few drinks with some salespeople from other factories. By the way, have you had dinner yet? There's a buffet prepared for the conference attendees upstairs. It's something new they've picked up from the West, but it's quite convenient. Just give them your room number."

Zhuang Zhixi wasn't aware of this and lit up at the news. "That sounds great. I haven't had dinner yet. You look like you've had quite a bit to drink. Want to join me for a bite?"

Little Huang waved him off. "I won't. I still need to visit our section chief to discuss tomorrow's plan and strategy."

Their trip was primarily work-related, unlike Zhuang Zhixi, whose main task was to observe and record.

"There's hot water in the thermos. Why don't you make some tea to help with the alcohol?" offered Zhuang Zhixi.

Little Huang replied, "Alright, thanks."

He found sharing a room with Zhuang Zhixi quite satisfying. While usually co-workers needed to be wary of each other, things were much more relaxed now. Little Huang added, "I might be back late tonight."

Zhuang Zhixi replied, "Sure."

He headed downstairs alone. It was late, so there weren't many people dining. Zhuang Zhixi figured out the setup, filling his plate with his favorite dishes. This was a time when one needed to enjoy meat above all else.

Zhuang Zhixi was a carnivore, preferring meat over vegetables any day.

Sitting by the window, he enjoyed a steak. Not entirely understanding the Western way of eating it with a knife and fork, he observed others for a bit before deciding to use chopsticks instead.

Learning was good, but being carefree was better.

After all, as long as one had thick skin, one could face anything without fear.

After finishing his meal, he felt several gazes lingering on him. Zhuang Zhixi calmly poured himself a drink to aid digestion.

As long as he didn't care, no matter how scrutinizing others were, he remained composed.

Perhaps it was Zhuang Zhixi's strong mental resilience, but the onlookers eventually felt somewhat embarrassed. A portly man approached and greeted him, "Hello."

Zhuang Zhixi smiled and replied, "Hello."

The two sat at the same table. The man sincerely said, "Brother, you're quite bold. I always leave feeling unsatisfied because I'm too self-conscious to eat much. Eating more makes me feel like others are watching me, but you're impressive, eating steak with chopsticks so calmly."

Zhuang Zhixi said, "No one here knows me, so I need to make sure I'm full, right?"

"They are watching you."

"Let them watch. It won't make me any less. Maybe they're watching me because I'm handsome."

The portly man: "..."

This is obviously bragging.

Zhuang Zhixi asked, "May I ask where you work?"

The man replied, "I'm from Lin City, a small place. This opportunity to participate in the exhibition was hard-earned. Our factory specializes in bamboo crafts, and I'm the deputy factory director, Zhu Youcai. Originally, another factory was supposed to participate, but we took over at the last minute. I'm feeling a bit uncertain about it."

If it weren't for his lack of confidence, he wouldn't have come to the buffet so late. Seeing this man so carefree, he decided to sit down for a chat, hoping to alleviate some of his stress. Throughout the journey, he had lost weight.

"And you are...?"

Zhuang Zhixi answered, "I'm also here for the exhibition, from Jingcheng Machinery Factory, Zhuang Zhixi."

"Beijing is wonderful. You must have seen much more than us," the man praised.

Smiling, Zhuang Zhixi said, "Not really. I'm from the publicity department, just accompanying and observing. I need to write a report about it. It's my first business trip, so I'm quite uninformed, but luckily, my role is more of a supporting one, so I don't have to worry too much."

Zhuang Zhixi and Zhu Youcai started chatting. Although Zhu Youcai had only come temporarily, he wasn't a novice to the place. He seemed more familiar with the area than Zhuang Zhixi's colleagues. He said, "You're here to buy stuff, right? Let me tell you, it's different from our state-run department stores. These small shops are privately owned, and you have to haggle hard. The first time I came, I was stunned to see a guy reduce a thirty-yuan item to eight yuan. That was shocking! I mean, how could they even ask for thirty yuan in the first place? I didn't dare to ask the price when I heard thirty, but it went down to eight! That scared me."

Zhuang Zhixi: "That big of a difference?"

"That’s right."

Zhuang Zhixi: "I definitely need to keep that in mind."

"Absolutely, or you'll be the one losing out."

Zhu Youcai added, "Actually, things are pretty cheap in Shenzhen too, I’ve been there before…"

Zhuang Zhixi listened with great interest. Compared to someone who had seen the world, he felt like a bumpkin. Even if Zhu Youcai came from a small town, he had a wealth of experience. Zhuang Zhixi felt like a country boy who had just stepped out into the world.

Zhuang Zhixi could chat with anyone, and he quickly became friendly with Zhu Youcai, an older man. They even made plans to explore the area together when they had the time, looking like a harmonious duo. Relieved, Zhuang Zhixi returned happily.

While Zhuang Zhixi had his own motives, he knew that business came first, especially when abroad. On the second day, he joined the company's big shots at the Canton Fair, a major event. Even standing there like a nobody, he felt out of place, but the experience opened his eyes to a whole new world.

He was used to working in the office, mostly using a pen and paper, so seeing so many people—both domestic and international—was a shock. Many of them were factory leaders or top-notch salespeople. Take the group from their machinery factory, for example. They seemed like nothing but blowhards, but once things got busy, they proved they had real skills. Zhuang Zhixi stuck to doing odd jobs, not participating directly, but he learned a lot during those few days.

He really picked up a thing or two.

Not just from their company, but from other booths too. Zhuang Zhixi was meticulous in his work. He might slack off sometimes, but he knew what was valuable. The more he understood, the better it was for him.

He took it seriously, working hard behind the scenes, and wouldn’t you know it, he ran into Zhu Youcai again. Their booth was in a far-off corner, nothing like the prime location of the machinery factory's, but their business was booming.

That bamboo weaving might seem worthless to some, but plenty of foreigners loved it. Their small stall was getting plenty of orders. Zhuang Zhixi, like a sneak, crouched nearby and watched for a while, figuring out why Zhu Youcai’s small factory managed to exhibit.

The key was four words: national characteristics.

To them, bamboo weaving was about practicality, but to some, it was art. Zhuang Zhixi saw Zhu Youcai, a vice-director, sweating and working like a pro. The guy could even handle a bit of foreign language.

Skills never weigh you down, huh?

This trip really broadened Zhuang Zhixi’s horizons and taught him that you can’t judge a book by its cover. Zhu Youcai had been a nervous, hesitant fatty before, but now he was a smooth-talking sales ace, flying around the venue effortlessly.

After a while, Zhuang Zhixi left and returned to his factory's booth. While their orders weren’t as high as Zhu Youcai’s, they had higher unit prices, so they had their own edge.

Zhuang Zhixi worked hard for days, helping out and accompanying the higher-ups on tours. Every day was exhausting, and although he ate meat daily, he ended up thinner.

Back home, he never had meat every day, but here, even with all the meat, he lost weight.

Meanwhile, Zhuang Zhixi also took advantage of these busy days to shop around each evening in the first few days and finally chose a store to place an order. Initially, he wanted to visit a factory, but as a newcomer, he was unfamiliar with the place. Plus, he knew his small order wouldn’t be taken seriously, so he directly went to a store to order goods.

Those stores were pretty bold with their prices, demanding tens of yuan. After observing for a couple of days, Zhuang Zhixi chose a medium-sized store, thinking it seemed more reasonable. He went straight to the store, where the owner, an older man, greeted him.

Zhuang Zhixi wanted bell-bottoms, and the owner immediately introduced them: "Check these out. These are the best-sellers—sky blue and pink. The young crowd loves them. This style sells like crazy every day. Bell-bottoms are the fashion youth's favorite, you know? Older folks might not get it, but which young person doesn’t wear them? Even people coming from Hong Kong are into it. And look at these sunglasses. So trendy!"

Zhuang Zhixi: "I want quite a few. Can you lower the price?"

"A few, huh? If you’re buying ten or eight…"

Zhuang Zhixi: "I mean business. Give me a discount—six yuan each!"

The owner gawked. "What the… Get out of here! Who do you think you’re messing with? I was asking for twenty-six, and you offer six? You think I’m an idiot? I don’t run a charity here!"

Zhuang Zhixi stopped him: "Hold on! I’m serious. I’ll take a thousand!"

The owner paused. "A thousand? Even a thousand doesn’t mean you can pay six yuan each. That’s ridiculous. I’ve gotta make a living here!"

Zhuang Zhixi smiled: "Brother, don’t get mad. I know you’ll make less per piece, but it adds up. You’ve only got to sell once, and the stuff sells itself. You’re not losing out. And look, I’m taking all these to my hometown. Your local sales won’t be affected. Plus, I’m making a big purchase, saving you effort, no?"

Seeing the owner hesitating, Zhuang Zhixi continued: "They’re ready-made products. No design or pattern work for you. You’re flipping them for profit. Nothing better than that. To be honest, this is my first time, a rookie deal. If it were an experienced guy, they’d have gone straight to the factory. I’m here not just for convenience but also because I trust you. My friend, mentioned you as a standup guy. A North girl, surnamed Chen. Remember her?"

It was a wild guess, but it was easy to create a bond.

The owner wasn’t just selling off the shelves; he also wholesaled. He’d moved a bundle, so a mention of "Chen from the North” didn’t ring a bell but added some weight to the deal.

After thinking it over, he said, "You’re squeezing me too hard, six yuan. Add fifty cents."

Zhuang Zhixi calculated, then said, "Add twenty cents each."

He added, "There’s cost in shipping this back."

"Fine. How do you want it?"

Zhuang Zhixi: "For men, just sky blue, for women, just pink. Skip the other colors. Two sizes each for males and females—two hundred and fifty pieces for each size."

"Sure."

Zhuang Zhixi already had it planned. Sky blue and pink were the most accepted and scarce in their area, which was his unique selling point.

As for sizes, most people there were thinner, so large sizes were unnecessary. Not stockpiling for a mere percentage was better. Likewise, he skipped the smallest sizes, as thin meant lack of access to good food, meaning fewer would spend money on nice clothes.

They agreed on the deal.

Zhuang Zhixi scheduled the pick-up for three days later.

He returned and counted the money. This time he went out, his wife gave him a thousand yuan, and he had another three hundred yuan in private savings. His mother had sold some gold jewelry for a total of five thousand three hundred yuan. Fortunately, the money was sufficient, otherwise he might have been in a tight spot.

Speaking of which, it was a good thing he had taken more gold jewelry from his mother before leaving. At that time, they hadn't planned to do business; they mainly wanted to take the opportunity to sell some distinctive or marked items since it was rare to go to a foreign place. That’s why they had taken more. As it turned out, it all came in handy.

Zhuang Zhixi was in high spirits, feeling that he still had some good fortune. However, he didn't dare to be too complacent. When the goods arrived, he would certainly check them carefully. He took out his notebook and jotted down all these details. This was Zhuang Zhixi’s habit—he would briefly record important events in life. Whether it was for review later or as a reminder, it was very useful. He sat on the bed, writing and drawing in his notebook. Little Huang came back drunk, saw Zhuang Zhixi writing, and said, "Are you already starting to write?"

Zhuang Zhixi closed the notebook and replied, "No, I’m just recording some key points and ideas so I won’t forget them when I get back."

Little Huang: "That sounds tough."

He didn’t even wash up, just laid down on the bed and said, "We’ll be done with work in a few days. We’ll have two or three days to rest locally. Any plans?"

Zhuang Zhixi shook his head, "None. Maybe just wander around a bit since it's my first time here. Then buy some gifts to take back. My older brother is a train conductor and often travels all over. He always brings back gifts for our family. My kids have grown up eating local specialties from their uncle. Since I’m here for the first time, I should buy more."

"That’s true. Brothers are family, but their wives might not always see it that way."

Little Huang sighed, clearly a middle-aged man with some stories.

He said, "I reckon the managers will be meeting with other factory managers. I’ve also made some arrangements. If you don’t feel awkward, you can join us. If you’re embarrassed, I won’t stop you. You can roam around on your own."

Zhuang Zhixi laughed, "Thanks, Brother Huang, but I’m good. I promised a friend I’d visit places with him. Can’t back out now. I wonder if this guy really knows the place or if he’s just pretending. Won’t he sell me out?"

Little Huang laughed, "Sell you out? You’re not some little girl, just a big guy. Not bad, you’ve already made friends in just a few days."

Zhuang Zhixi: "He’s also here for the exhibition. He thinks I eat meat in a very carefree way, unconcerned with public opinion, so he’s been eating with me every day. That’s how we connected."

Little Huang burst out laughing. After he finished laughing, he suddenly remembered something, sat up abruptly, and said, "Wait, hold up. You’re the guy who went to the buffet and used chopsticks to eat steak, right? Didn’t eat any vegetables, just beef?"

After saying that, he felt a bit awkward, realizing calling someone a "hillbilly" wasn’t very polite.

Zhuang Zhixi: "That’s right, that hillbilly is me."

He didn’t feel embarrassed at all. Come on, this is a time when meat isn’t eaten three meals a day. Seeing such an extravagant item as steak, why not indulge? Ate steak? Must be an idiot. Besides, no one knows anyone here, so why pretend?

Zhuang Zhixi: "My friend is amazed by my unorthodox charm, which is why he’s been eating with me every day."

Little Huang: "……"

He twitched his mouth, having heard that at the second-floor buffet, there were two guys, one fat and one thin, who looked like the Fat and Thin Eccentrics from "The Deer Saber." They’d go to the buffet at dinnertime to eat beef, earning the nickname "Youngsteer slayers."

These two not only ate steak but also didn’t know how to use knife and fork so they used chopsticks directly.

And the thin guy, resembling a stick, could eat ten or so steaks in one meal. Nobody knew if his stomach was a bottomless pit. With their eccentric aura, the duo quickly gained a bit of reputation among their peers.

If everyone wasn’t so busy with work, they’d have been investigating by now.

Little Huang hadn’t expected such a character to be sharing a room with him. Even more bizarre was that the guy showed no embarrassment or apprehension at all. It was just startlingly casual. He sincerely asked, "You really don’t feel embarrassed?"

Zhuang Zhixi: "There’s no need for embarrassment. It’s all included in the room fee, so I have to make sure I’m full. Actually, there’s nothing to it."

Little Huang: "……I’ve learned something new."

Looking at Zhuang Zhixi again, he felt this guy was indeed a bit different.

He hesitated, wanting to advise Zhuang Zhixi but hesitating again, feeling that what Zhuang Zhixi said maybe seemed reasonable. There’s no need for embarrassment, after all, no one knows anyone. After a long while of hesitation, he finally said, "Well, do as you please."

He lay down, not sure what was on his mind.

Zhuang Zhixi at this point stopped writing, put the notebook away, and took a bath. At this time of year, the weather in Guangzhou was quite different from that in Beijing. Even wearing a shirt, Zhuang Zhixi was drenched in sweat after a day’s work.

He took a shower, appreciating the convenience of it. No wonder their hotel is considered high-end. A small guesthouse wouldn’t have such convenience. After his shower, he saw that Little Huang was dressing up, now looking normal.

Zhuang Zhixi wondered, "Going out?"

Little Huang nodded, "I’m heading out."

After a pause, he asked him, "Join me? Want to come out and see the sights?"

Feeling a bit awkward, he lowered his voice, revealing a tone that men all understand, ambiguously suggesting, "There are some girls at the hair salon."

Realizing Zhuang Zhixi didn’t seem to understand, he chuckled and said, "There are some girls."

Zhuang Zhixi suddenly understood. He quickly shook his head, "I won’t go, you have fun."

He really isn’t interested in that stuff.

He felt that figuring out how to make money would be much more fun.

He said, "Don’t stay out too late, we still have work tomorrow, and your body might not hold up."

Little Huang proudly raised his chin and said, "What’s the big deal? I’m a pro who can go eight times a night. A couple of ladies won’t affect my work. You’re really not coming?"

Zhuang Zhixi: "Not going, I’m too tired today, just want to go to bed early."

Little Huang: "Alright."

Since Zhuang Zhixi wasn’t going, he didn’t think much of it. After all, there’s a cost to finding girls. He didn’t know what Zhuang Zhixi brought with him, so whether he could afford it. And about treating him? Forget it. He’d rather find two for himself.

Zhuang Zhixi: "Are you coming back tonight?"

Little Huang: "Nope."

Zhuang Zhixi: "...then be careful."

"Heh heh, relax, I know the area."

With Little Huang gone, Zhuang Zhixi turned on the TV and sat on the bed watching. He silently smiled, thinking, "What kind of person is this?" Though Zhuang Zhixi didn’t go to university, it wasn’t because he wasn’t intelligent enough, but rather that his time the universities were shut down. Having graduated high school, he could be considered an intellectual. Deep down, there was a bit of scholar’s aloofness in his bones. Despite seeming like an easy-going person on the surface who could get along with anyone, there were certain things he couldn’t accept.

He pursed his lips, disliking such behavior, but given that it didn’t involve him, he wouldn’t interfere. The TV here picks up not only local channels but also some from across the river.

The TV spoke in Cantonese, which Zhuang Zhixi couldn’t fully understand, but could guess half of it.

However, after watching for a while, he slowly got used to it. In recent days, he’d met many locals speaking Cantonese and seemed to have good language skills, so he could understand some of it. Zhuang Zhixi leaned against the headboard to watch TV but didn’t realize when it had turned into a snow screen and he fell asleep soundly.@@novelbin@@

Sleeping well makes one feel refreshed. After all, being in one's thirties means still being in the prime of life. Zhuang Zhixi, at thirty-two, was one of the youngest among the people on an official business trip. It was another bright day, and perhaps it was just psychological, but Zhixi felt that Little Huang and the others seemed a bit unsteady on their feet.

Well, maybe it was just his imagination.

The exhibition lasted for a week, and after seven days of work, there was still one day left to clean up. Zhixi fully demonstrated his willingness to work hard and endure dirty and tiring work. After everything was tidied up by mid-afternoon, he said goodbye to everyone and headed to pick up his goods, carrying a backpack full of cash.

The seller was already waiting for him. Although six thousand yuan for the goods seemed like a lot to Zhixi, who was handling such a large sum for the first time, it wasn't a big deal for the local shopkeepers. After all, it was 1982, and some people with quick minds and sharp senses had already started smuggling things. Even before the reform and opening up, there were people secretly engaging in black markets, let alone now.

So, there were often people coming to buy goods. Zhixi's transaction, while significant, wasn't particularly large. If this were a garment factory, it would be considered a small deal, barely worth a glance. But in a local shop, it was considered a fairly large customer.

However, even as a large customer, it wasn't something they hadn't seen before, so the seller was much calmer than Zhixi. They conducted the transaction, exchanging money for goods. Zhixi randomly checked some of the clothing and found no issues.

This wasn't just him being cautious; there were already scammers around, and he couldn't be too careful. After inspecting the trousers and finding them satisfactory, Zhixi hired a tricycle and left with his goods.

One thousand bell-bottom pants fit into four large bags, not too difficult to handle.

After picking up the goods, Zhixi was left with less than six hundred yuan. Although six hundred didn't seem like much compared to the thousand pants, its purchasing power was quite strong.

The last two days were free to explore, and Zhixi decided to stick with Zhu Youcai. Sometimes, you can tell what kind of person someone is after just a little interaction. Zhixi got along with Little Huang and the others, but they weren't quite on the same wavelength. As for Zhu Youcai, although they were just casual acquaintances, they both enjoyed good food and felt they got along well. Zhu Youcai's factory was a small one, and this time, four people came. Zhu Youcai separated from his colleagues and decided to hang out with Zhixi.

Zhu Youcai sighed, "Our factory director and the others are just too uptight. I feel drained just being around them."

Zhixi replied, "Then you should hang out with me. I'm not uptight at all."

Zhu Youcai burst out laughing and said, "True. Come on, let's go."

The two of them spent the day wandering around, and Zhixi, knowing they had two days, didn't hold back, buying whatever caught his eye. Zhu Youcai was dumbfounded. He was used to seeing female coworkers go on shopping sprees during business trips, but he had never seen a male coworker so eager to shop.

Zhixi said, "Look at this scarf, it even has peony flowers on it. It's spring in the north now, and by the end of March, it'll be warming up. Scarves like this are perfect for the season."

Zhu Youcai nodded, "Oh, I see."

Zhixi picked four scarves.

Zhu Youcai exclaimed, "Whoa, you're buying that many?"

Zhixi explained, "My wife, my mom, my mother-in-law, that's three already. Plus, my niece, who's a young lady and loves fashion, that makes four."

Zhu Youcai nodded, "Makes sense."

He quickly picked a few scarves himself; his family wasn't small either.

Zhixi asked, "Sister, how much is this?"

"Eighteen yuan."

Zhixi counted and said, "Look, we're buying eight scarves in total. That's a lot. Give us a discount, four yuan each."

Zhu Youcai's face turned pale.

The shopkeeper chuckled, "Young man, you can't bargain like that..."

Zhixi replied, "We're all honest people. I'll promote your shop tonight when I go back. We still have some colleagues here, and I'll tell them I bought them for six yuan each."

The shopkeeper giggled, knowing this was just a bargaining tactic but still said, "Add a little more, then."

Zhixi insisted, "Just three yuan each. You know, there are plenty of scarf sellers on this street, but I came straight to you. I can tell you're a kind person..."

He kept talking, and Zhu Youcai felt completely redundant, standing by the side. Was little Zhixi so skilled at bargaining?

Sure enough, the shopkeeper agreed, "Alright, alright. I'll sell them to you, young man, you're quite the talker. Want to look at anything else? I'll give you a discount."

Zhixi replied, "Sure, this undershirt looks good."

Zhu Youcai asked, "Why are you buying so many undershirts?"

Zhixi listed, "Me, my dad, my brother, my grandpa, my father-in-law, my brother-in-law, my nephew..."

Zhu Youcai nodded, "That makes sense."

When they managed to haggle the undershirt down to four and a half yuan each, Zhu Youcai was amazed.

A few days ago, he was the one teaching Zhixi how to bargain when shopping. But now, look at this guy, he was a natural!

Zhixi also bought new school bags and cute dresses for his children and some red envelope candies.

Zhu Youcai didn't need to say anything; he just followed along and bought what he needed. He thought Zhixi was the best bargainer he had ever seen, better than most men or women.

The two of them, carrying bags of goods, stopped by a fruit stand. Fruits were still relatively expensive, and the variety common in the north was limited. Zhixi approached the stand and asked curiously, "What's this fruit with such a strange smell?"

Zhu Youcai thought, "He's quite polite. The smell isn't strange, it's downright stinky."

The seller replied, "This is durian, brother. Want to try one?"

Zhixi asked, "How much is it?"

Hearing the price, even Zhu Youcai was taken aback. It was more expensive than the clothes they had bought; what was the point of eating something so stinky? It might as well be eating... well, never mind.

Zhixi, however, seemed deep in thought.

The seller added, "It's a bit pricey, but durians aren't common right now. Even here, they don't come in very often. Buying one to try could be worth it. Some people absolutely love it, and maybe you'll be one of them."

Zhixi said, "Then give me a discount."

Zhu Youcai quickly pulled Zhixi aside and asked, "Are you really going to buy it?"

Zhixi nodded, "Of course. Otherwise, why would I bargain?"

Zhu Youcai stammered, "Isn't it like eating... uh, something stinky?"

Zhixi replied, "I don't think so."

He reasoned, "Look at the price. If it wasn't good, why would they sell it for so much? Over ten yuan for one. That's a lot of money—enough for two pieces of clothing."

Zhixi insisted, "So we need to bargain."

He haggled fiercely, eventually buying the durian for seven yuan, a hefty sum.

This time, Zhu Youcai absolutely refused to buy any. It wasn't worth it to him, but he was impressed that Zhixi could even haggle over fruit. This man was truly something.

Zhu Youcai sincerely said, "I think you shouldn't limit yourself to working in the Publicity Department. If you could come to our factory as a deputy director in the sales department, I think you could convince anyone to buy anything."

Zhixi chuckled and said, "That's not entirely accurate. Being good at bargaining doesn't mean I'm suited for sales. That requires skills. I've seen how you sell things; it's really impressive. I just do some smaller things."

"Don't sell yourself short. I think you have a natural talent for it," Zhu Youcai insisted.

Zhixi laughed and said, "Are we going to keep complimenting each other? Come on, let's keep looking around."

The two of them returned, carrying large and small bags, and ran into Little Huang and the others at the entrance. The group was heading out to get their hair done. You could skip meals, but you couldn't skip a good hair wash. Little Huang, who, in terms of age, was more appropriately called "Old Huang" by Zhixi, was going out to wash his hair.

Little Huang exclaimed, "Whoa, did you fall into a pit latrine?"

Zhuang Zhixi smiled: "No, since I came here, I couldn't just leave empty-handed. I wanted to buy some exotic fruits. They taste a bit odd, but they're not common in the north. My family will definitely like them."

Everyone exchanged wary glances, their thoughts screaming: "Not necessarily, not at all."

Zhuang Zhixi said, "Why are you all looking at me like that? Do you think this stuff is cheap? It was priced at twelve yuan, and I only managed to talk the seller down to seven yuan with my unmatched eloquence!"

"Holy cow, seven yuan? That's way too expensive!"

"This stinky thing dares to ask for twelve yuan? You're not being scammed, are you?"

Zhuang Zhixi replied, "How could that be? It's expensive because it's rare."

"Really? Is this thing that expensive?"

Zhuang Zhixi nodded: "That's right! I thought it must be a good thing since it's so pricey. Some things smell weird but taste great. Think about stinky tofu—same principle!"

He enthusiastically urged everyone, "Why don't you all buy some? Let's go together once we've bought them."

If everyone buys it, then it won't be just him making the place smell bad.

Yes, his intention was indeed a bit malicious.

But everyone firmly shook their heads. Spending so much money on something so stinky and not even sure if it tastes good? If it's not good... that would be seven yuan wasted! That's just too painful. Seven yuan could even get them a haircut.

"No, no, no, you can buy it yourself."

"Yeah, I can't stand the smell."

"It's way too expensive. I can't afford it. Why don't you tell us later if it's good?" The implication was clear—it probably wouldn't be good.

Everyone firmly refused and covered their noses, saying, "We're leaving first."

Little Huang said, "Uh, Zhixi, I won't be back tonight."

Zhuang Zhixi replied, "Alright."

One by one, they all left. Zhu Youcai looked at Zhixi with a complex expression and suggested, "Why don't you ask if you can return it?"

Zhuang Zhixi insisted, "No, I think this thing will taste great."

A man should stick to his beliefs. He wouldn't be swayed by others' doubts.

Besides, the truth is always in the hands of a few. He wouldn't return it, not now, not ever.

Zhuang Zhixi continued, "I think it's quite good, though I'm a bit worried it might bother others..."

He paused and added, "I'll get some newspapers from the front desk and wrap it up properly."

Zhu Youcai looked worried. "What if people think you're carrying poop on the train and beat you up?"

Zhuang Zhixi smiled. "This is a civilized society. You're overthinking it."

Yes, he decided to wrap it in a couple more layers.

Although Zhuang Zhixi had only been in this place for a few days, he had gotten along well with Zhu Youcai. Zhu Youcai and his group were leaving earlier—their train was the next evening, while Zhuang Zhixi's was the following midday.

Despite the short time together, they exchanged contact information. Zhu Youcai said, "If you come to Lin City, I'll show you around. Our Lin City may not be as grand as your Beijing, but it's still fun."

Zhuang Zhixi laughed. "Why are you stealing my line? If you come to Beijing, I'll be your tour guide. Let's go climb the Great Wall."

"I like that idea."

Though their time together was brief, their friendship was strong. After Zhu Youcai and his group left, Zhuang Zhixi soon prepared to depart as well. He had a total of six bags, which left the mechanical factory staff in stunned silence.

What on earth was he here for?

Six bags were already a lot, but they also seemed to emit a faint, strange odor.

The vice factory director, who had some experience, asked, "Did you buy durians?"

Zhuang Zhixi nodded. "Yes, I bought some."

He smiled humbly. "I've never seen these before, so I thought my family should try them. I wrapped them in dozens of layers of newspaper, but I guess the smell still leaks out."

Everyone glanced at his massive collection of bags, wondering just what else he had bought. However, they were all educated people and refrained from commenting. Zhuang Zhixi hired a porter to help carry his bags to the train, realizing that sometimes hiring help was worth the money.

Everyone's train tickets were organized by the committee, so they were all on the same route. Having a durian with him, Zhuang Zhixi felt a bit self-conscious. He didn't mind eating steak with chopsticks, as that didn't bother others. This time, however, the smell was affecting others, and he felt slightly guilty.

Luckily, the people sharing the sleeping compartment with them were also heading to Beijing after the exhibition. They were salespeople and knew each other. They didn't say much and quickly started playing poker together once on the train.

With so many bags and the infamous durian, Zhuang Zhixi proactively offered to fetch water for everyone, smiling, "I'm sorry for the strong smell from my stuff. If you need anything, let me know. I'll help out to make up for the inconvenience."

His words were comforting, and everyone smiled, saying, "It's no problem."

"That's great to hear."

There wasn't much else he could do, really just fetching water, but it made everyone feel better.

It's often said that those who can't do much tend to talk a lot, trying to impress. But when it comes to salespeople like them, who've seen it all, they usually don't bother with that. Everyone knows each other, so they keep things real.

So, they weren't loud, just enjoying the journey. The train was old and green, and the trip would take several days. Zhuang Zhixi had the top bunk. Being tall, he found it quite cramped, though he was luckily also slim. If it had been Zhu Youcai, it would've been even worse.

Likewise, Zhu Youcai hadn't reached his destination yet, despite leaving earlier.

A female colleague in Zhu Youcai's group looked at him with concern. "Old Zhu, you bought such a cheap thing—why didn't you tell us? We should've gone shopping with you. Your friend is really good at bargaining."

Zhu Youcai chuckled, "He's quite a character."

"Whether he's interesting or not, he sure knows how to bargain."

Zhuang Zhixi, the master of bargaining.

They continued their journey, stopping at each station where vendors outside the train offered their goods. Zhuang Zhixi wasn't shy and stuck his head out, buying even more things. Everyone was left speechless.

Little Huang exclaimed, "Are you planning to stop living altogether? Buying so many things?"

Zhuang Zhixi simply replied, "I'm here already."

Indeed, since he was here, he might as well buy.

Zhuang Zhixi didn't have many chances like this.

Everyone understood but was still shocked.

Luckily, they all started and ended their journey at the same stations, so Zhuang Zhixi's mountain of purchases wasn't too much of a burden. With a little help and a rickshaw ride, everything went smoothly.

Finally, the train arrived in the capital of Beijing, and Zhuang Zhixi had been away for about half a month.

It felt less cold than when he left, but stepping off the train still brought a chill. After all, they had come from Guangzhou.

Everyone disembarked together, and the office director glanced at Zhuang Zhixi's large bundles, smiling and shaking his head. "Alright, since you're back, go home and rest. Take today to relax, and come to work tomorrow."

Zhuang Zhixi: "..."

The director sure knew how to speak. Arriving in Beijing at three thirty, getting home at four thirty—only half an hour earlier than usual—and he made it sound like they could rest for a whole day.

Everyone smiled gratefully, of course. That was just how it was.

Zhuang Zhixi didn't offer to see the director off; he didn't have that ability either. With his numerous bags, he hired a rickshaw to take him home. As he entered the alley, a familiar scent hit his nose. He spotted Su Jinlai coming out of the bathroom.

Zhuang Zhixi called out, "Jinlai, long time no see!"

Su Jinlai turned around.

Zhuang Zhixi exclaimed, "Holy cow!"

He was shocked. "Why are you so skinny? And those dark circles... what happened?"

The deep dark circles made him look like a panda in the zoo. He seemed forlorn. Zhuang Zhixi asked worriedly, "Are you okay?"

Su Jinlai proudly lifted his chin and snapped, "Mind your own business."

Clearly, he wasn't very friendly.

Unfriendly as ever, Comrade Su, head held high, didn't even spare Zhuang Zhixi a glance, striding purposefully towards home, though his frail body looked as though it could topple over at any moment.

Zhuang Zhixi: "Goodness me. It's like meeting a ghost—he looks completely drained."

He muttered this under his breath and didn't bother with the rude youngster, instead heading to the door and calling out loudly, "Ma, Zhao Guihua, your most beloved little son is home!"

With a shout, Zhao Guihua promptly appeared, her eyebrows knit in a frown as she scolded, "Stop making such a racket! You'll attract wolves next."

Though her words were sharp, a smile danced in her eyes as she hurried forward, saying, "You do look worn out."

Zhuang Zhixi: "That I do. I've been on a train for days. But our courtyard has someone even worse off than me, doesn't it?"

He gestured toward Su's house, then turned to the rickshaw driver and said, "Master, would you help me unload the goods?"

Rickshaw Driver: "Sure thing."

For money, why not?

After Zhuang Zhixi unloaded his things and paid the driver, he noticed Su Jinlai peeking out from his house window, watching them.

Zhuang Zhixi: "What's with this kid, sneaking around like a ghost?"

Then he remembered, saying, "Oh right, didn't he run away a few days ago?"

Zhao Guihua: "He's back already."

She pursed her lips and said, "Those first few days, he looked like he was on his last legs."

Without any hesitation, she added, "He must have been off getting busy with someone."

Zhuang Zhixi: "..."

Zhao Guihua: "If you don't have the stamina, don't try to make that kind of money. Can't even tell if he's up to it."

Zhuang Zhixi: "..."

Softly, he asked, "How did you know about that?"

Zhao Guihua: "I've lived longer than you've walked, so his little tricks don't fool me. Not only me, but Aunt Zhou and Aunt Wang saw through him too. Who couldn't see it?"

She figured it must have been Hu Huihui who set him up with clients.

Recalling her past life, she speculated that, in her previous lifetime, Tonglai had been in this line of work, likely also through Hu Huihui's matchmaking. This time, though, it was someone else. But even so, Zhao Guihua felt Tonglai would have been more suited to this trade, given his ability to humble himself, sweet-talk, charm, and read people.

As for Su Jinlai?

He wasn't cut out for it.

The guy wasn't as sharp as his brother.

Despite saying this, Zhao Guihua was glad Tonglai hadn't gone down that path in this lifetime. Different circumstances led to different outcomes, and the boy wasn't the same as in her previous life. Though he had his little schemes, he was a decent child.

Zhao Guihua truly hoped Tonglai would get into college and have a bright future.

And she firmly believed he could do it.

The kid knew how to strive forward.

"Wang Xiangxiu has been cooking Jinlai a chicken every three days—his recovery's getting top-notch care," Zhao Guihua noted. "But anyway, why talk about their family? If he wants to watch, let him. How did things go on your trip?"

Zhuang Zhixi: "When I'm on the job, I get it done. I sold all the goods and even bought a thousand pairs of bell-bottoms."

Zhao Guihua's eyebrows nearly arched into an 'eight' shape as she exclaimed, "Bell-bottoms? Those ugly things—how are you supposed to sell so many?"

Zhuang Zhixi, shocked, said, "Ma, you don't even get fashion."

Zhao Guihua: "I think it's you all who lack taste."

Zhuang Zhixi: "These will definitely sell."

Zhao Guihua: "Will they...?"

Zhuang Zhixi: "Leave it to me! You'll see—when it comes to business, you can't judge by your own standards. You have to ride the wave of the times. I'm telling you, Ma, to your generation, these bell-bottoms might seem hideous. But to young lads, they'll think, 'Damn, I'm the coolest cat on the street.'"

Zhao Guihua: "..."

It was hard to agree.

But deep down, she felt that her third son might just be right.

Taking a deep breath, she said, "I'll go set up a stall with you."

She rolled up her sleeves. "Your old lady is going to hustle too!"