It wasn't even noon yet, but the news of Yang Niannian buying a color TV and a refrigerator had caused an uproar in the military family compound.
Many military wives came to join in the fun. Looking at the 14-inch color TV, everyone was a little jealous, but no one dared to say anything sour to anyone's face.
They have seen the scene of Yang Niannian and Ding Lanying fighting two or three times. Although the girl is young, she is very eloquent. Even if all the military wives were put together, they would not be as good as Yang Niannian in speaking.
This is not in the countryside. The men are all serving in the army. The tricks of throwing tantrums and making trouble that they use in the countryside won't work here. It will affect the men's future. The military wives dare not make themselves unhappy, and no one bothers Yang Niannian.
"Niannian, how much do this refrigerator and color TV cost?" Mrs. Xu asked curiously.
"One or two thousand yuan." The prices of the refrigerator and color TV were welded together. Even if no one said it, everyone could guess the approximate price. Yang Niannian simply gave a rough estimate.
All the military wives present were shocked and became jealous. They were all military wives, but none of them was as lucky as Yang Niannian.
How long have you been with the army?
He has everything, including a bicycle, an electric fan, a color TV and a refrigerator. Even the big leaders in the city don’t have such an easy life, right?
Lu Shishen only has such a small allowance, it is impossible for him to buy such expensive things. This money must have been earned by Yang Niannian.
These military wives began to have ideas.
"Niannian, what kind of business do you do in the city that makes so much money? Do you think I can follow you and do the same?"
"Yes, Nian Nian, why don't you take us to start a small business? My children are grown up now and I don't have to take care of them. I have plenty of free time."
"I have time, and I am full of energy. I am not afraid of hardship or fatigue."
Among these military wives, there were a few who had been working with Yu Hongli behind Yang Niannian's back to make money by doing dirty deeds. Now that they really saw Yang Niannian making money, they no longer mind that it was dirty money, but only hated that they were not the ones who made the money.
Yang Niannian didn't want to meddle in other people's business. Some people made money from the same business, but some people lost money. She didn't want to end up with a bunch of enemies.
The answer was lukewarm, "It's the changing season now, business is slow, and I'm just sitting around at home."
Mrs. Xu rolled her eyes and said, "Nian Nian, what kind of business do you think is good to do now? For someone like me who stays at home to take care of the kids and wants to earn some pocket money, what kind of business is suitable?"
Mrs. Xu could see that Yang Niannian was young, smart, and had many ideas for making money. If she followed her, she might really be able to make some money.
Unfortunately, Yang Niannian's personality is a bit unsociable. No matter how people flatter her or say nice things to her, she is always lukewarm and doesn't get close to anyone except Wang Fengjiao.
The other military wives also noticed Yang Niannian and pricked up their ears to listen to the class, for fear of missing a word that could make money.
Yang Niannian didn't mind pointing them out. "Buy some poultry and raise them. There's a lot of open space outside the family compound. You can build a small fence around it and raise dozens of them. You can earn a lot of pocket money."
Mrs. Xu curled her lips and said disdainfully, "Isn't that the same as back home in the countryside? You're still raising chickens and ducks after joining the army. If people back home hear about this, the villagers will laugh at you."
When she sent letters back home, she said that she was enjoying a good life there and her relatives envied her. Raising some livestock was too shameful.
The other military wives didn't say anything, but their eyes showed similar emotions to Mrs. Xu's. Although they were not afraid of being laughed at by the villagers, they didn't have extra money to invest.
They are all tightening their belts to make ends meet, so where would they get food to feed the poultry?
Besides, if I really keep these, what if my man is laughed at by his comrades?
How embarrassing!
It’s still better to sell clothes. At least Yang Niannian makes real money from selling clothes. It’s more respectable than raising poultry, and she can wear new clothes every day.
"Niannian, when are you going to continue selling clothes next time? Why don't you take us with you to sell clothes?" a military wife suggested.
"Yeah, I think selling clothes is good too."
Yang Niannian had guessed this result a long time ago. To put it bluntly, this is what most people think. On the one hand, they envy others for making money, but on the other hand, they are very picky about their money-making plans.
I wish I could just sit at home and have money delivered to my door.
Yang Niannian said calmly, "I haven't decided when to sell clothes again. Besides, selling clothes requires capital. Winter clothes are more expensive than summer clothes, so it takes more investment. Where there is investment, there is risk. If you want to sell clothes, just go to the wholesale market to get the goods and sell them. This is not a skill. There is no need to teach, and there is no way to teach."
Changing the subject, she added, "Sister-in-law Yu also approached me before and wanted to start a business with me, but when she heard that she had to invest money, she gave up."
When Mrs. Xu heard that it would take a lot of capital, she immediately gave up the idea of selling clothes. She was shy and couldn't bring herself to stand on the street alone to sell clothes.
When she heard that Yu Hongli also wanted to sell clothes, she curled her lips and said, "Hongli also approached you? She is really tight-lipped. I have never heard her mention this matter."
When the other military wives heard that Yu Hongli wanted to sell clothes, they gave up the idea. They thought that this business must be difficult to do, otherwise, someone as smart as Yu Hongli would have done it long ago.
After thinking it over, they all started to back out. It is not easy for men to earn money through hard work, and they cannot lose it all.
Seeing that it was time to cook, the military wives went back home.
Everyone went to Yang Niannian's house to look at the color TV and refrigerator, but Yu Hongli didn't go. She went to the vegetable garden to pick some vegetables. When she was returning home, she happened to meet Ding Lanying pushing a bicycle into the yard.
Finally, she found an ally. Yu Hongli was so excited that she almost wanted to run away with her shoes. "Director Ding, Director Ding, wait a minute. I have something to tell you."
Ding Lanying stopped and turned to look at Yu Hongli who had caught up with her. She frowned and asked, "What's the matter that makes you so flustered?"
She especially couldn't stand other people who panicked when something happened, like an ignorant country woman.
Yu Hongli took two deep breaths, looked around, and when she saw that there was no one around, she spoke.
"Director Ding, Yang Niannian's family also bought a TV."
Ding Lanying's eyelids twitched. Was this Yang Niannian deliberately comparing himself with her?
Humph, buying a TV probably emptied out all of Lu Shishen’s savings over the years.
Ding Lanying looked nonchalant, "What does her buying a TV have to do with me?"
If she showed her unhappiness when Yang Niannian bought a TV, people might laugh at her behind her back for being petty and unable to stand others doing well.
Even if you feel uncomfortable, you can't show it.
"She not only bought a TV, but a 14-inch color TV," Yu Hongli gestured exaggeratedly, "she also bought a refrigerator that is a head taller than a person."
Ding Lanying narrowed her eyes, "Are you sure you didn't see it wrong?"
Her face looked a little unhappy, "Where did Yang Niannian get so much money?"
Yu Hongli shook her head. "No doubt about it. There were two large cardboard boxes. A group of people helped carry them back. All the sisters-in-law from the military dependents' compound went to her house to join in the fun."