Chapter Sixty-Five New Deal

  (123456789)????(123456789)Zhao Tong has not looked for a job since being laid off, due to the need to take care of his family. 123456789123456789With only one month left until Chinese New Year in December, and no factories currently hiring.

  Zhao Tong's desire to do business was stirring again, and now that he had taken over his mother's pancake stall, without anyone causing trouble, the business was picking up.

  After he took over, he studied the door every day. The young man's brain is flexible and quickly became popular.

  It's another year, Song Jie was lost in thought with her chin in her hands. Every Chinese New Year is a time to make money, and she wouldn't miss it, especially with her little brother-in-law around.

  At the dinner table, Song Jie casually asked: "Grandma, are we selling bean sprouts this year?"

  "Bean sprouts? Before the New Year, there was a big market nearby, and I saw many people selling bean sprouts. Your mom made some money last year because she took advantage of no one else selling them. Now that someone is selling, we can't get a good price." Apparently, Zhao Juan had already told her about what happened last year.

  Madam Zhao did not gloss over things just because Song Jie was young, but explained them in great detail. Children cannot be deceived, or they will develop bad habits.

  Song Jie thought about it and agreed, she had been thinking wrongly. The place was different now, the economy would also change, and one couldn't use old perspectives to look at the future. In that case, the method of selling bean sprouts wouldn't work anymore, so what should be done? Song Jie felt a bit troubled...

  Recently, Zhao Juan hasn't come back on weekends because she has exams, so she hasn't been home for a while. The winter break is coming soon and the factory workers will also be on holiday, so my little uncle's stall can't be set up for many more days.

  Song Jie, who felt like she was going to get wrinkles from frowning so much, let out a sigh. Zhao Mu was amused and couldn't help but laugh, hugging her and chuckling, "This little kid trying to act like an adult is just too adorable, isn't it? It's really quite endearing."

  Song Jie, who was being pressed for an answer, couldn't help but put the problem aside and not think about it anymore. She thought that maybe she would suddenly have a bright idea and solve it right away. But what she didn't expect was that it happened so quickly, and by afternoon, she had already come up with a good solution.

  Zhao's mother doesn't need to sell at a stall anymore, and every day is very boring. Plus, the New Year is coming soon, so she still needs to prepare in advance.

  Mrs. Zhao used to study painting and had a good grasp of it. Every year during the Spring Festival, she would paint a few New Year's paintings and distribute them to her neighbors. Now, with an itch in her hand, she started drawing again, spreading out white paper for sketching.

  It just so happened that Song Jie had just entered the door and saw it, Song Jie really thought she was a donkey's head. Grandma and grandpa were so talented, even if she came up with some new ideas casually. Just selling spring couplets could make a fortune, let alone her own grandma having such a skill.

  But she can't bring it up directly, Grandpa is a sly old fox and will definitely see through her. It's better to find Little Uncle instead, Little Uncle has strong adaptability to new things. He doesn't have much experience, he'll definitely agree. Alright, that's what I'll do!

  Zhao Tong finished his business, ate lunch and went back to his room to take a nap. Song Jie carried Xiaoli in her arms and quietly walked in, lifted the door curtain and saw the bulge under the quilt, she smiled slyly. She inserted her icy hand into Zhao Tong's collar.

  I thought Zhao Tong would wake up, but he slept like a dead pig and didn't react at all. Song Jie was anxious. She stuffed Xiaoli into Zhao Tong's quilt. Xiaoli suddenly went dark in front of her eyes, scared and confused, running around wildly, Zhao Tong was kicked several times while sleeping, this time he woke up.

  As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw his niece from next door grinning and staring at him. He reached into the bed and pulled out a small fox.

  He was about to speak, but Song Jie hastily interrupted: "It's not my fault, Xiaoli climbed in by herself, I came in to catch her." She even nodded solemnly, with a look that said "you see, I'm telling the truth".

  After being pinched on the back of her neck, Little Li was extremely wronged. Her round eyes were wet and seemed to be accusing her master of framing her, struggling with all her might for a few times.

  Song Jie "heh heh" dryly laughed a few times, also feeling that she had a suspicion of bullying small animals, and her heart felt a little guilty.

  "Out with it, have you gotten into trouble again and need me to wipe your butt?" Zhao Tong picked up Song Jie and carried her to the bedside.

  "No, no." Song Jie hastily waved her small chubby hand, how could she be wronged like this, she had always been a good kid, never getting into trouble.

  "What's wrong? What happened?" Zhao Tong was puzzled and couldn't think of anything else.

  Song Jie: "......" Can't I come find you if I don't cause trouble? Pointing at his opponent.

  "I've come to see my little uncle, of course there's good news, how can we wrong a good person? My little uncle is so bad."

  "Alright, I won't tease you anymore, Uncle. What's the good news?" Zhao Tong still spoke in a soothing tone.

  Song Jie secretly rolled her eyes and shared her New Year's big plan with Zhao Tong. After listening, Zhao Tong didn't think much of it, but thought the idea was great. If they could do it well, who knows, they might even make a profit. Anyway, selling rice cakes at the end of the year wasn't going too well either, so why not stop doing that? The cost wouldn't be high and they wouldn't lose money either. The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.

  "Little uncle, don't say it was my idea, mom will scold me." Song Jie said pitifully.

  Zhao Tong heard his niece's words and stopped thinking, assuming that Song Jie was afraid of being blamed, so he hastily nodded. In fact, he had doubts in his heart, Song Jie was too clever, he didn't think crookedly, but was worried that Huiji would be hurt, which wasn't good for the child.

  Putting on her coat, Zhao Tong led Song Jie out of the room and into the main hall. The weather was getting colder, and the elderly couldn't stand the chill, so they had lit the stove early. The kettle on the stove was emitting a gentle hum as it released hot air, making the room warm and cozy.

  He rubbed his hands together and took another sip of hot tea, then Zhao Tong expressed his not-so-mature idea, just a proposal, which he hadn't had time to think about in detail.

  Zhao's father was more seasoned: "The cost is just some paper and ink, the expenditure isn't too great. Even if they don't sell, we can just give them to our neighbors. I have to ask, with so many people selling Spring Festival couplets in the market, how do you plan on making a profit?"

  Zhao Tong didn't answer immediately, but thought for a moment before saying: "Of course it's different from what others sell. If you sell the same thing, there's no profit to be made. It's like pancakes - if there are good ones, who would buy inferior ones?"

  Zhao's father nodded in agreement: "Let's take a look first, see how it sells. If it goes well, we can stock up on more paper. If not, we'll think of something else. This business is still doable."

  Zhao Tong is a restless person, and these days he has been sleeping at home every day. He really can't bear it. With new business, he immediately had motivation, and now he wants to go out, a complete man of action.

  Song Jie took a look and said, "I'm going too." She grabbed her little brother-in-law's arm and wouldn't let go, insisting on following along. Not only was Zhao Tong idle and worried, but she herself was also bored out of her mind, so she had to follow along as well.

  "Let Nini come along, she hasn't been out for several days, let her go out and get some fresh air." As soon as Zhao's father met his granddaughter, he was helpless, with a soft spot.

  Zhao Tong had no opinion on this matter, originally it was Song Jie's proposal, let her follow and say that there might be some good ideas.

  Song Jie was taken away like this, and she was still smiling happily.

  Although the outside air was cold, Song Jiebai couldn't help but feel refreshed. It's great to be able to come out and get some fresh ideas for business too.

  Two people wearing thick coats ran swiftly in the cold wind. There was little time left in the afternoon, and if they hadn't been close by, it would have been dark by the time they returned.

  Not far from the big market, there is a wholesale street where some goods are wholesaled at much cheaper prices than retail. Those who need to buy in bulk will come here to purchase.

  Song Jie got off her bicycle on the street and followed a block, this street was very quiet, almost no one, looked very desolate.

  Two men walked into a paper-selling store, inquired about the prices of various papers, compared them with other stores, and decided to buy the one that was reasonably priced.

  How can this be done? Song Jie quickly stopped him and told Zhao Tong that it would be best to print gold patterns on red paper, let the vendors go to the paper mill to order a batch, if they rely solely on hand-painting, they will have to paint until the new year.

  Zhao Tong thought that if he booked in advance, the vendors would see that it was selling well and would definitely book a lot more later on. By then, his own family's goods wouldn't be so novel anymore, and the timing would be too close. This business is done just for the first time, and afterwards, it might not sell well.

  The two men expressed their opinions, and finally Zhao Tong said, "Let's not book in advance. Let's buy a batch here first and paint it ourselves. When we sell it at a good price and others start to follow suit, we'll book together then. This way, we can take the initiative, which is better than being copied from the beginning."

  Song Jie thought it was reasonable and didn't stop Zhao Tong from buying things anymore, but this time the quantity must be a little more, otherwise, there would be too many followers, too little initial investment, and it would be regrettable.

  The two of them compromised a bit, and Zhao Tong didn't ignore Song Jie's suggestions just because she was a kid. They treated her like an adult, and they were able to discuss things fairly and reasonably.

  Song Jie was also very satisfied. Finally, there is someone in this family who can listen to her suggestions without having to beat around the bush.

  Two people bought dozens of rolls of red paper and several dozen thick white cardboard, which can be used to paint New Year's paintings. They also bought a lot of paints and brushes. This completely violated the previous decision to invest less, but these two goods thought they would definitely make money, with 100% confidence.

  During this time, the two people also carefully examined the market for Spring Festival couplets and New Year's paintings, and found that they were all old styles, so they put their minds at ease. Every year, there is only one Chinese New Year, if it's good, who will buy another one?

  Song Jie also felt that if their own family had new styles and still couldn't beat other stalls, then it would be their own problem.

  The two of them were loaded with goods and Song Jie was almost unable to sit down, yet she still had a stack of papers in her hands.

  The sky is gradually darkening, the sun is about to set in the west, two people are walking in the twilight, hurrying home, and the shadows of the two people on the road are very long.