We always talk about scarce goods, but what exactly makes something scarce?
The most obvious example is the old-fashioned gasoline can, especially the small gasoline cans that have appeared in the last two years that are suitable for cars to carry.
Don't underestimate these seemingly insignificant gasoline cans; they're military products that ordinary people can't buy even if they have the money.
In those days, gas stations were scarce, and gasoline cans were an essential item for car travel.
Of course, no one would do that now, because that would be like carrying a time bomb with them at all times.
Then there's the "Friendship" brand, a classic bed sheet made by the Shanghai Minguang Bed Sheet Factory—a must-have for any dowry.
As soon as it hits the market, it's guaranteed to sell out instantly.
Fatty's house has Friendship sheets, pink ones. When Chen Mengqi was little, she loved rolling around on these sheets, sometimes holding comic books, sometimes doing somersaults on them. She just loved the soft, fluffy feeling.
Then there's Hangzhou's "brocade," specifically silk quilt covers, which were often the prized possessions of wealthy families when their daughters married...
Finally, there's the wool blanket that Fatty is familiar with. It's purplish-red with a peony pattern, like felt. It's prickly when used as a mattress, and when used as a blanket, it's too heavy to breathe under, and it can't be washed.
But this thing happens to be a luxury item among the scarce commodities!
The fat man's family already had a bed, which accompanied him from high school to university, and then to when he started working.
He kept it in the cabinet and even bought mothballs online because his mother often said, "Take good care of it, don't let insects bite holes in it."
"..."
Xu Damao finally felt relieved. The reason he came today was that among the people he knew, Fatty had the biggest business and made the most money; so he wanted to ask Fatty if he and Liu Haizhong could actually make money.
However, Xu Damao now understands: "That old bastard Second Uncle is insatiable. Doing business with him is like asking a tiger for its skin. And those two brothers, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, are just like him. But brother, I really want to do business honestly. Putting everything else aside, I have to save up for Xu Xiyue's dowry!"
When the time was right, the fat man asked him, "Didn't you want to start a factory in the first place? Why did you change your mind later?"
Xu Damao sighed: "What else could it be? We don't have enough capital! I've heard about it. You know Jingru's village, right? Nobody farms anymore. Every family is involved in tertiary industries. It's almost like the Beijing city area! Brother, let me tell you, this year, their village is going to set up a parts factory. I was thinking of taking it over, but guess how much it cost? 150,000!"
The fat man remembered that Qin Jingru's village had indeed become rich. That place was originally part of the Beiping urban area, so it would be strange if it didn't develop.
My brother-in-law was thinking of going into the sex industry before, and this is like a pillow being delivered to someone who's just fallen asleep!
The fat man said to Xu Damao, "I'll introduce you to someone, how about you two do it?"
Xu Damao instinctively wanted to object, but he was too embarrassed to say it aloud: "Who is it?"
"Brother-in-law, don't you need a workshop foreman if you're running a factory? Do you understand production or the process?"
Xu Damao was taken aback by what he said. Yes, he had only ever worked as a projectionist and had never actually been involved in production.
Actually, with Xu Damao's abilities, contracting a movie theater would have been the most practical thing to do. Unfortunately, private contracting of movie theaters wasn't allowed until 2002.
Having no other option, the fat man could only try to fool Xu Damao by saying, "Don't you have enough money? My brother-in-law has plenty. He has money and manpower, and they're all experienced workers with excellent skills. I have faith in you. This factory will definitely grow into a big and successful business under your leadership."
Xu Damao's mustache twitched up again as he laughed: "Brother, you think so highly of me?"
"Of course! My second sister said you did an excellent job on the construction team. You and I both know what kind of project it was. You were able to handle such complicated conditions. By the way, I heard that you were the one who finally persuaded that old man who refused to move to agree to the move?"
This really hit Xu Damao where it hurt: "Of course! I can't go into details, but I can only say that that family is incredibly difficult to deal with. It's only because of me that they're so difficult; anyone else would be completely stumped!"
The fat man continued to flatter him: "That's right, this is your forte! Selling rebar is nothing special. You can sell it even by setting up a stall, and you can even do things like barley stalks. Brother Da Mao, don't you think it's beneath you to go and get involved in this mess?"
Fatty's analysis really confused Xu Damao.
When we arrived, everything seemed fine, and the business looked great. But now, thanks to what the fat man said, it feels like the business has lost its prestige.
Yes, what kind of person is Xu Damao? How could he possibly be on par with Liu Haizhong, and even have Liu Haizhong take the lion's share? He might as well swallow this insult!
So after Xu Damao went back, he seriously discussed it with Qin Jingru, mainly to confirm whether her family could have influence in the village.
Qin Jingru never dared to go home in the past. She had been away for many years and never returned. Her relatives all thought she was dead.
But times have changed. With the reform and opening up, Qin Jingru has transformed into a state cadre.
Especially since Xu Damao is so rich, Qin Jingru's family had long wanted to bring them back to the village to work together.
Qin Jingru assured Xu Damao, "Damao, don't worry! The current village chief is my brother's childhood friend. Besides, we're taking real money back with us, how could they possibly refuse?"
Xu Damao finally made up his mind: "Then let's do it! Who does Second Uncle think he is, daring to go toe-to-toe with me? Bah! I want to see how he can do this business without me."
"..."
Without further ado, as soon as Xu Damao received confirmation, the fat man went home to find Cao Zhengyang.
Chen Gangqiang and Zhou Haiqin, the elderly couple, were quite surprised: "Wow, that's unusual! It's not a holiday, how did you, such a busy person, know to come back?"
The fat man rubbed his hands together and said, "Hehe, I need to talk to my brother-in-law about something."
Even Chen Rong couldn't sit still anymore, and asked him with a suspicious look, "What could you possibly want with him?"
"Great news! Incredible good news!"
As they were talking, Cao Zhengyang returned from outside, carrying a blueprint tucked under his arm.
He paused for a moment when he saw the fat man: "Little brother, please sit down first, I'll go buy some meat."
Sigh, no wonder my brother-in-law wants to go into business. Of the four sisters, Fatty and Chen Rong are the ones who have the worst life. They don't even buy meat during holidays...
Logically speaking, things shouldn't be this difficult, but Chen Rong resolutely refused any living expenses for the elderly couple. Otherwise, what would her younger siblings think if word got back to her?
No wonder you agreed to move back in with your parents; it turns out you were after their meager retirement pensions…
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