Chapter 172 Chapter 172 Father's Favoritism 21

The empty room held a round table and five chairs. Zhuozhuo stood at the head of the table, raising his head. With his hands on his hips, he looked at Zhao Hongwei and Wan Hai, who sat obediently across from him. His childish voice held a surprising degree of authority. "What's going on, Zhao Hongwei? Explain clearly."

It's so cute that people want to pick it up with one hand and rub its little head, face and belly.

Zhao Hongwei suppressed his laughter and told the truth.

After Zhao Hongwei's thinking opened up, he realized that hiring vendors wasn't the best approach. After all, the profits from a small business with four or five people couldn't satisfy his vision for his future. He needed to expand, but he didn't have many reliable and capable acquaintances to hire. Furthermore, the risks of setting up a stall in public were too great, and Zhao Hongwei didn't want Zhuozhuo to grow up being hounded by urban management officers.

So Zhao Hongwei had a flash of inspiration: he could package the goods and sell them to others, who would then retail them. This way, he only needed to find a few retailers, greatly reducing the risk and the effort.

Zhao Hongwei was incredibly quick to act. Once an idea came to him, he immediately went ahead and implemented it. He once again sought out trusted acquaintances, this time targeting their elementary school teacher.

Because the primary school teacher had many children at home, she had been selling things privately to supplement the family income. These ranged from small things like vegetables she grew herself, chickens and ducks she raised, eggs, and rabbits and pheasants she caught in traps in the wild, to large things like reselling meat and cloth coupons. She sold whatever she had.

There are a lot of handles, so there is no need to worry that he will report them.

The elementary school teacher also heard that someone was selling fashionable clothes in the county town these days, and he was also tempted, but he had no connections, so he gave up the idea. It was not until Zhao Hongwei and Wan Hai came to him that he learned that the person selling clothes was his student, and the student wanted to pull him in to make money together!

Having lived for half his life, he naturally knew the concerns and calculations of these two young men, but he was very pleased about it and felt that they were very reliable. After all, when doing business, it would be too scary if the partner was a brainless and reckless person.

After looking at the goods Zhao Hongwei brought, the elementary school teacher learned that he had five times as much at home, of the same quality. He pondered for a few minutes, his eyes, reflecting on the vicissitudes of life and wisdom, flashing across his wrinkled face. He said decisively, "I want them all."

Zhao Hongwei was surprised. "Teacher, why don't you take a small amount to test the waters first? Are you going to use the money you saved for your child's marriage?"

He didn't think he could sell all the goods today, but he decided to give it a try. If it didn't work, he would keep the goods and set up a stall with Wanhai to sell them in retail as planned.

The elementary school teacher laughed and said, "At my age, I know my fate. If I don't give it a try, my life will be like this. The opportunity is right in front of me, and I don't want to regret it in the future because of my cowardice."

Since he was going to fight, he would fight for something big. He wanted to get ahead of others, monopolize resources and be the first to try it out.

Zhao Hongwei was somewhat impressed. "Teacher T, you are very courageous. I guarantee that you will make a lot of money."

The elementary school teacher laughed again, then pondered for a moment and said, "I think that with the recent liberalization of the economy, there might not be any restrictions on individual sales of goods in the future. If you want to continue doing this, you can start preparing early."

Zhao Hongwei sat up straight and asked seriously, "Teacher, is the source of this information reliable?"

"I watch the news every day, and there are signs of this happening. I'm at least 50% sure," the elementary school teacher said, proudly extending his hand. He also lamented Zhao Hongwei's opportune arrival. Previously, he could only speculate and analyze policy trends, but had no chance to capitalize on them. Now, his chance had arrived.

In order to thank the teacher for the information he provided, Zhao Hongwei reduced the wholesale price by 10% and agreed to deliver all the goods tonight, and the payment would be made on the spot.

When they came back, their faces were heavy, because they didn't want to laugh too happily and arouse the envy of others.

Zhuozhuo's eyes widened as he digested Zhao Hongwei's words and concluded, "We won't set up a stall anymore. We'll just go to Haicheng to buy goods."

"Zhuozhuo is right. We have to be the middleman."

Zhuozhuo wrinkled his nose and said worriedly, "Will the money we earn get less?"

This is what Zhuozhuo is most worried about!

Zhao Hongwei also took it seriously. He didn't give Zhuozhuo a half-hearted shrug just because she was young. He carefully analyzed with her the retail price, time, and manpower required to sell the goods in person—the price, time, and labor costs—versus the price and costs of wholesale. He concluded that, within the same timeframe, wholesale sales would generate higher profits.

Moreover, if being a middleman is feasible, they can expand the range of goods and have higher profits.

Another point is that if you want to both purchase and sell goods, then if your stall is too big, it is easy to lose sight of the big picture and end up doing nothing well.

Although he has just started his business, Zhao Hongwei has already understood the trade-offs.

Zhuozhuo nodded slowly, she understood what Zhao Hongwei meant.

Zhao Hongwei was worried that Zhuozhuo would be unhappy, so he coaxed her softly, "If you like selling things, we can still do it when we have time, but we don't have to work so hard."

Zhuozhuo corrected in a baby voice, "I don't like selling things, I like making money."

Zhuozhuo was so enthusiastic about selling things because she had no other way to make money. Since Zhao Hongwei said that the profit from being a middleman was no less than selling things, she had no objection.

"I just came up with this idea on impulse this time, so I didn't tell you in advance. Zhuozhuo, I promise that if there is anything in the future, I will definitely tell you first and ask for your opinion." Zhao Hongwei felt a little guilty. What he did today seemed like he was forcing Zhuozhuo to agree.

"Ah..." Zhuozhuo shook his head and said childishly, "If you think it's right, just do it. It will be too late if you run home and tell Zhuozhuo."

After all, many opportunities are fleeting.

Zhao Hongwei chuckled a few times, then reached across the table, picked up Zhuozhuo, and proudly lifted her up, saying, "You're so smart, Zhuozhuo! When you grow up, you'll definitely be the most powerful businessman!"

Ma Xia was confused and didn't understand what Zhao Hongwei and Zhuozhuo were talking about, but he understood this sentence and quickly said, "Brother! Zhuozhuo is so smart. She wants to be a scientist when she grows up and build airplanes and rockets! Don't teach her the wrong way."

Zhao Hongwei laughed, "Zhuozhuo can do whatever she wants. She's still young and doesn't even know what she likes."

"Zhuozhuo likes money! I like to make money!" Zhuozhuo said in a strong and powerful voice.

Zhao Hongwei nodded. "If you like making money, then make money. But making money doesn't mean selling clothes and being a middleman. There are many other ways to make money."

He was a little worried that Zhuozhuo, obsessed with making money, would become a money-grubber, and when he grew up, he would become illiterate, only good at accounting. He began to reflect on his limited knowledge and what careers required education and could still make a lot of money. Then he realized that his knowledge was too limited and his vision was too narrow to provide much guidance to Zhuozhuo.

At this moment, Zhao Hongwei had the idea of ​​traveling around the country with Zhuozhuo.

After counting the goods, Zhao Hongwei and Wan Hai delivered the goods at night, leaving Ma Xia and Wan Ping to take care of Zhuozhuo and look after the house.

Ma Xia felt a little lost for not being able to be with Zhao Hongwei. He sat on the stone bench in the yard and looked around with a depressed expression, like an abandoned big dog.

Zhuozhuo, who hadn't been awake and separated from Zhao Hongwei for a long time, sat listlessly on the stone table, his chin supported by his small hand, and sighed softly, which made Ma Xia laugh. "Zhuozhuo, what's bothering you?"

Zhuozhuo said worriedly, "Zhao Hongwei is very busy. Zhuozhuo can't be with him. He will always be this busy."

The little girl realized belatedly that she suddenly had free time, but she was happy to earn more money. However, the price she paid was separation from Zhao Hongwei, and she was not so happy again.

Ma Xia nodded. "That's about right. As long as there's business, I'll be busy. It's good to be busy. Only when you're busy can you make money."

Zhuozhuo glanced at him and said nothing more.

Wan Ping, who was cleaning the cabinets nearby, understood what Zhuozhuo meant. She wasn't saying Zhao Hongwei was too busy; she was worried about the increasing amount of time they would be apart from each other. After all, delivering goods was different from setting up a stall, and it wouldn't be convenient to bring Zhuozhuo with you.

But Wan Ping didn't think Zhuozhuo needed to worry too much. Although she'd only been there half a day, she'd witnessed Zhao Hongwei's attitude toward Zhuozhuo. He treated her like a child, an equal partner, and a family member, and he couldn't live without her. After returning in the afternoon, Zhao Hongwei's eyes would linger on Zhuozhuo every few minutes. If he didn't see her, he'd immediately drop his work and go look for her.

He also said that she was hired to take care of Zhuozhuo, but after Zhao Hongwei came back, he had to wash Zhuozhuo's hands, wipe his sweat, feed him, etc. He was the one who did it himself, and she had no chance to help at all. She had to do more housework to justify her salary.

Wan Ping had a premonition that Zhao Hongwei would definitely overcome any difficulties and keep Zhuozhuo by his side.

The night always becomes quiet quickly. I don’t know when the human voices outside stopped, and gradually the barking of dogs and the chirping of insects also died down. Ma Xia was lying on the stone table, drooling in his sleep, and Wan Ping was sitting on the doorstep looking at Zhuozhuo.

Zhuozhuo's eyes remained wide open, staring intently at the gate. Suddenly, a series of dog barks in the distance broke the silence of the night. She didn't even blink, for she had already gotten excited several times in vain. But this time, the sound was different. The barking continued, rising and falling, and getting closer and closer.

Zhuozhuo stood up with her butt sticking out, looking between the stone bench and the ground, struggling to decide which one to jump on. Before she could make a decision, Wan Ping rushed over and carried her to the ground, "Zhuozhuo, call me when you want to get down next time."

"Okay, thank you, big sister!" Zhuozhuo said as she ran towards the courtyard gate. The door was locked. She pushed it open a little and put her face against it, but then she retracted her head the next second.

It’s so dark outside, I’m a little scared.

Wan Ping, who had chased after her, held Zhuo Zhuo farther away and shielded her behind him, signaling her to be quiet. Who knew if someone was a good person out there at night?

Ma Xia also woke up, walked over lightly, blocked Wan Ping and Zhuo Zhuo behind him, and watched the outside vigilantly.

Zhuozhuo listened to Ma Xia's advice and stood obediently behind him, but he couldn't help but poke his head out from beside his legs and asked in his mind, "Tongtong, is it Zhao Hongwei?"

[Yes.] 9972 distracted Zhuozhuo, [Baby, don't get excited. I suggest you get a dog. Dogs can distinguish their owner's footsteps, so you can tell who's outside from the dog's barking.]

It really couldn't bear to see Zhuozhuo waiting for most of the night and then being frightened by the noise outside.

"Okay, I'll raise him!" Zhuozhuo answered in her mind, and with a cheer she rushed towards the gate. Ma Xia quickly caught her. She struggled hard, "It's Daddy!"

"Hush, even Dad would have to wait." Ma Xia didn't believe it, but didn't want to make any more noise, so he whispered, "Don't let the neighbors know we're out at night."

After he finished speaking, Zhao Hongwei's low voice came from outside the courtyard gate, "Zhuo Zhuo?"

Zhuozhuo was almost drowned out by the loud barking of dogs, but she heard it. She wanted to respond loudly immediately, but then she remembered what Ma Xia said, so she quickly covered her mouth and whispered, "Dad, it's Zhuozhuo."

This sound was even quieter. Fortunately, Ma Xia had already carried her to the gate and opened it.

Zhao Hongwei flashed in, hugged Zhuozhuo and rocked him, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Ma Xia followed closely, "I was waiting for you. No matter how much I coaxed you, you refused to sleep. You just sat on the stone table, motionless, waiting until now. You only ran to the gate when you heard the dog barking. Wan Ping and I thought it was someone passing by, but Zhuo Zhuo recognized it was you. Your ears are sharper than a dog's!"

Zhuozhuo hugged Zhao Hongwei's neck and said, "It's too dark outside the door. I can't see."

"Are you scared? Dad will hang two big lanterns at the door tomorrow. We'll light them when it gets dark and illuminate the doorway brightly."

Zhuozhuo shook his head and said, "I also need to raise a dog."

"Okay, let's raise a dog." Zhao Hongwei patted Zhuozhuo's back gently. The little guy didn't ask for money at the first time. It seemed that he was really worried about him.

The group entered the house and closed the door. Zhao Hongwei put his wallet on the table and asked Wanhai to unzip it, revealing a neatly arranged stack of money inside.

The teacher had withdrawn this money from the bank that afternoon. It was all brand new bills. Ma Xia's eyes were glued to it. When he saw the wallet was emptied, he thought something had happened and didn't dare to ask directly. Unexpectedly, it was all large bills.

Zhao Hongwei said, "This is the payment for the goods. We will leave for Hai City tomorrow. Ma Xia and Wan Ping will go with me. Wan Hai, you go to the neighboring county."

Wan Hai immediately understood Zhao Hongwei's plan and hesitated for a moment, "Wan Ping has never been out of the county. If she follows you to Thai City, will it cause trouble?"

Before Zhao Hongwei could say anything, Wan Ping, who had been a little nervous and hesitant, spoke up. "Brother, I can do it." She looked at Zhao Hongwei and said firmly, "Brother Hongwei, I won't hold you back. I will take good care of Zhuozhuo."

"Yeah." Zhao Hongwei looked at Wan Hai. "Don't worry, Wan Ping will be fine with me. But you, on the other hand, are going to the neighboring county to investigate the market alone, without anyone to look after you. You must be careful and don't get targeted."

The current economy is still constrained, and the more distributors they find, the greater the risk. Zhao Hongwei decided to temporarily hand over the local market to his teacher. However, they would import more goods and distribute the excess to neighboring counties. No one in the neighboring counties knew them, so if something went wrong, they would be more likely to flee.