This shop was originally opened by Xu Mei's uncle. Last year, her uncle sold the shop and went to work as a guitar parts maker for Liang Feng.
It is said that he earned over 100,000 yuan in a year.
Although the owner has changed, this shop, as the oldest shop in Liangshuiwan Village, is still quite popular, with many people inside.
But at this time, the people in the shop on the first floor were all middle-aged and elderly people, all from Liangshuiwan Back Street.
When elderly people gather, they usually talk about donkeys and horses.
However, there is no farming in Liangshuiwan Village now, so donkeys and horses no longer exist.
The conversations among these people turned into topics like how much money each family could earn this year, and whose son was getting married.
There were young people too, but they all went upstairs to play mahjong and cards.
The shop owners, a married couple, weren't downstairs; they were probably busy upstairs.
Yang Xiaoli, the daughter of the Yang family, stood gracefully behind the counter, pretending to be the boss.
Liang Feng stood by the counter not far from her, a cigarette dangling from his lips, seemingly listening to the adults chatting, but his eyes kept sneaking glances at Yang Xiaoli.
Yang Xiaoli appeared to be looking straight ahead, but her eyes would subtly drift towards Liang Feng.
Sometimes, when their eyes meet, they look away as if they've been electrocuted.
Liang Liang understood immediately.
In order not to affect the ambiguous relationship that had formed between them, Liang Liang went straight upstairs.
The second floor of the Yang family's house is about 90 square meters and has six tables. Three of the tables are used for playing mahjong, and one table is used for playing cards.
When the shop owner's wife saw Liang Liang come up, she greeted him with a big smile.
Where is Uncle Yang?
"He's downstairs tending the boiler."
The shop owner's wife tossed over a pack of cigarettes with the lid open.
"I don't smoke. How much did you pay for this shop?"
"Including the building and the items in the shop, it's worth 200,000."
The three-story building, with an area of about 300 square meters, plus the original goods, was priced at 200,000. In 1998, it wasn't expensive, but it wasn't cheap either; it was just a reasonable price.
This shop is right next to Liang's Guitar Factory, which has more than 600 employees in its large compound.
These employees, along with the guitar factory, can bring in at least 50,000 yuan in revenue for the store each year.
This is just the price of the goods. Add in the commission from playing mahjong and poker, and this store should be able to earn 60,000 to 70,000 a year without any problem. It should be able to recoup its costs in three or four years.
"Xiao Liang! You'll be twenty-two by next year, right? It's time to think about marriage. Everyone's saying that Xiao Mei from the Xu family has feelings for you, is that true?"
"No, that's not true. We're neighbors, and now we're in a superior-subordinate relationship, nothing more. Don't ruin her reputation."
"Old Xu's daughter is so outstanding, and you still don't like her? Then what kind of person are you planning to find?"
"I am still young, and my career is currently in the development stage. I will not consider personal matters in the short term."
This isn't just empty talk; Liang Liang genuinely has no intention of getting married.
The key issue is that he doesn't know how to handle his own marriage.
"Sigh! All you men who are focused on your careers think this way. I wonder if your brother thinks the same way?"
Holy crap! This woman beat around the bush for ages, and it turns out the key issue was right here.
Could this be her way of testing the waters for her daughter?
"No! I am my brother, and he is my brother. Although we are brothers, we have different thoughts and personalities. I can't speak for others. If he has a girl he likes and says he's getting married tomorrow, I'll immediately make arrangements for her."
The shop owner's wife laughed, a laugh that resembled that of a vixen.
It seems she supports her daughter's flirting with Liang Feng.
The Liang brothers are already the undisputed richest family in Yahe. Although Liang Feng is a bit dull, he is handsome and promising at a young age.
Any girl who finds such a perfect husband would be laughing in her sleep.
The Yang family naturally hoped that their daughter could find such a perfect husband.
Unfortunately, Liang Feng was a man of few words, and he was the same way even when his own daughter died.
When the two of you are together, you just stare at each other. Why don't you say something?
Liang Liang has no concept of social class, and he guarantees he won't object if his younger brother has this idea.
Although he didn't dislike the Yang family's daughter, he wouldn't actively try to accelerate the progress of their relationship.
Given their personality, perhaps they actually enjoy the feeling of being slowly boiled like a frog in water.
Liang Liang chatted with the shop owner's wife for about ten minutes, and then watched them play mahjong for a while.
I went home around 4 a.m. to prepare for the New Year's celebration.
Liang Qiuqiu ran back home and sat down on the sofa to watch TV. Her mother was already cooking dumplings at home.
Liang Liang slapped her on the head.
"He won't even help Mom light the fire, he just sits on the sofa watching TV like a deadbeat! What a piece of trash!"
Unexpectedly, Liang Qiuqiu simply lay down on the sofa.
"Ouch! My head is badly injured; it won't be healed without a thousand yuan."
Liang Liang was amused and took out a red envelope, slapping it into her hand: "Go help Mom with the chores."
The girl who was pretending to be dead just a second ago suddenly got up, grabbed the red envelope and ran outside, but ran back to the outer room.
"Ah! Only one hundred yuan? That can't heal my broken heart."
"Take it back if you think it's too little!"
Once the money is in your hands, there's no reason to take it back; if you take it back, you'll lose all 100 yuan.
Liang Bentang, dressed impeccably, went out, followed by the Liang brothers, Liang Liang and Liang Feng.
"Dad! You don't need to go, my second son and I will go."
The so-called "inviting the New Year" is simply finding a crossroads, burning paper money and incense, setting off a few firecrackers, and chanting things like "May our ancestors come home for the New Year," and that's it.
Liang Bentang thought about it and stopped walking. His two sons were grown up, and he really didn't need to worry about things like the New Year.
Liang Liang had a stack of joss paper tucked under his arm and a bundle of incense in his hand, while Liang Feng carried several firecrackers in a plastic bag as they walked towards the crossroads at the south end of the village.
The two brothers walked and talked.
"Hey bro! I noticed something today, you and Yang Xiaoli seem to be dragging things out... Look at you, so pathetic, why are you blushing?"
"Men should marry when they are of age, and women should marry when they are of age. You will be 20 this year, so it's time to consider marriage."
"Brother! You're nowhere to be seen yet, I'm not worried."
"No! Don't think that just because the older brother isn't married, you, the younger brother, can't get married either. If I were to get married, I'd be at least 25 or 26, maybe even 30. If you wait until I get married, you might not even have a grandson, let alone a son."
Liang Feng smiled but remained silent.
"If you're really interested in Yang Xiaoli, I'll definitely support you. But if you're just playing around, don't mess with her. First, it's bad for your hometown and your reputation. Second, Yang Xiaoli isn't some shady girl, so don't ruin her reputation."
"Brother! We're still young, she's only twenty this year, there's no rush!"
"There's no rush, but if you really want to settle the marriage first, that's not a bad idea. Buy them small gifts when you have free time, and chat with them more. What's the point of just staring at each other like that all the time!"
Liang Feng chuckled but didn't say anything.
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