The next day, when Li Qiuju heard that the two siblings were going out to sell popcorn, she felt uneasy. "Can you sell it? You're both still children. Why don't I go with you?"
Zhou Sui thought for a moment, since Li Qiuju had nothing to do at home anyway, why not go together? She wouldn't have to do any work; it would be like going to town for a stroll.
Li Qiuju was unaware of her daughter's thoughts, only knowing that she needed to help her.
When she arrived at the movie theater and saw the crowds coming and going, Li Qiuju felt inexplicably nervous. She had always worked in the fields and talked to people from the village.
She doesn't know how to sell these things either.
While she was still at a loss, Zhou Sui had already set up her stall. "Puffed rice, fragrant and crispy puffed rice, a small portion is three mao, a large portion is five mao."
"Hey beautiful, how about some rice puffs? I can eat them while watching the movie."
A couple passing by looked over and asked, "How many of Sanmao's are there?"
Zhou Sui took out the folded paper cups. "The small ones are three mao, and the large ones are five mao, and they are all filled to the brim."
"It's too expensive, can you make it cheaper?" The woman hesitated.
"Beautiful lady, this is all made from this year's new corn and rice, and we've added a lot of sugar. Please try some." As soon as she finished speaking, Zhou Sui scooped some out with a shovel and handed it to the couple opposite her.
The two tasted it and found it to be quite delicious. "Let us have some," they said.
"Alright, one large portion is enough for the two of you." Zhou Sui opened the box and filled it to the brim.
As soon as the bag of rice puffs was opened, its sweet aroma immediately wafted out. Zhou Sui didn't even need to call out to sell it; people who smelled the aroma came over on their own.
At first, Li Qiuju didn't react, but when she saw more and more people gathering around, she rushed over to help, though she looked flustered and overwhelmed.
"Mom, you just take care of collecting the money, Ah Xu and I will handle the installation."
Perhaps due to nervousness, Li Qiuju's hands trembled, and she spilled the rice puffs several times.
There were two movies showing at the cinema at this time, and once the people going to see those movies went in, the entrance became much quieter.
Li Qiuju clutched the money in her pocket tightly. "Sui Sui, Mom didn't take too much money, did she?"
Because the movie was about to start and some people were rushing her, Li Qiuju had to hurry. She didn't know if she had undercharged or given too little change.
Zhou Sui comforted her, "Mom, no, I saw it all, nothing is missing and nothing is extra."
Actually, she didn't pay attention when she was busy. She said this just to avoid worrying Li Qiuju. Anyway, it was only a few cents, so it wasn't a big deal to charge less.
"Sis, there aren't many people around now." Zhou Xu tied the two plastic bags tightly, because the rice puffs wouldn't be crisp if the bags were left open for too long.
"Wait here, I'll go ask." Zhou Sui looked at the ticket booth across the street, where a woman was selling tickets.
She took two steps, then turned back, filled two large portions with rice puffs, and then went over again.
After delivering two portions of rice puffs, Zhou Sui also found out the start time of the next movie.
The next movie doesn't start for another hour, and it's a waste of time for the three of us to just sit here and wait.
"Ah Xu, why don't you pack a copy and sell it at the department store?" There are just as many people there as here.
“Sure, I know where it is. It’s a holiday today, so it’s super crowded.” Zhou Xu was bold and outgoing. After learning from Zhou Sui for a short while, he immediately got the hang of it.
Li Qiuju was a little worried. "Axu, can you manage alone? Mom will go with you."
Zhou Xu refused outright, saying, "Why can't I, a grown man, do it? It's much simpler than studying."
"You stay here with my sister, I'll go by myself."
Zhou Sui trusted him quite a bit; selling popcorn wasn't a big problem for Zhou Xu.
Li Qiuju only looked away when she couldn't see Zhou Xu anymore. "Sui Sui, Xu said you went to sell clothes and hair clips a few days ago. What happened?"
She's only been away from home for a few days, but it feels like so many things have happened at home that she doesn't know about.
With hardly anyone around, Zhou Sui decided to share her thoughts with Li Qiuju: "Mom, I want to start a business and buy a house."
"What kind of business are you doing? If you need money, just tell your parents. Here's some money. What kind of business can a girl like you do?"
Li Qiuju wasn't against it; she just hadn't encountered anything like this before and was worried that Zhou Sui would suffer.
Zhou Sui then explained how she set up her stall and how much money she made: "Even without adding the money I made from selling rice cakes today, I've already earned almost four hundred."
"Four hundred?" Li Qiuju's voice suddenly rose, causing passersby to turn around and look at her. She quickly covered her mouth, but the expression on her face was still one of shock.
"You're not lying to Mom, are you?" This money represents two months of Zhou Dayong's salary.
"Why would I lie to you? I have all the money with me. Why don't you count it?" Zhou Sui reached out to take out the money, but Li Qiuju grabbed her hand, looked around warily, and lowered her voice.
"No, don't take it out. There are so many people here, it's not safe." She believed her daughter's words, but the amount was too large, and she was shocked.
"Why are you carrying so much money on your person? What if someone touches it?"
"Ouch, ptooey, ptooey, my foul mouth!" Li Qiuju patted her mouth, afraid that her words might come true.
Seeing her mother's childlike actions, Zhou Sui couldn't help but laugh. "Mom, don't worry, I've hidden it all well."
"I'm thinking of buying some ingredients later. We'll officially start setting up our stall tomorrow."
Zhou Sui has many recipes in her mind. She could make a different one every day for a month without repeating the same dish. If she wants to make money, she has to start with food. The cost is low and the profit is high.
"Ingredients? What ingredients do you need? Don't we have any at home?"
"Aren't you selling rice popcorn anymore?" Li Qiuju asked one question after another, like a curious child.
Zhou Sui patiently explained to her, "We'll also sell rice puffs. You can sell rice puffs, and I'll sell other things. Let's try to earn more money."
"Ah, I'm here to sell?" Li Qiuju only heard the first sentence. She rubbed her hands together. "I don't know how to do this. I won't sell it well."
Just then, someone came over and asked, and Zhou Sui nudged Li Qiuju, "Mom, you go."
Encouraged by her daughter's gaze, Li Qiuju stepped forward. There weren't many people around, so she wasn't flustered. She just spoke in a soft, gentle voice, and others had to listen twice to hear her clearly.
Zhou Sui stopped interfering and just watched from the side. When Li Qiuju was too busy, she would go up and help pack the rice. By the afternoon, the half bag of rice puffs left there had been sold out.
"Girl, come back tomorrow to eat, we'll come back to sell again tomorrow," Li Qiuju could still explain to customers who hadn't bought anything.
A short while later, Zhou Xu returned. Judging from his brisk pace, grin, and the bag he was carrying, it was clear that his business was doing very well.
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