Upon hearing this, Zhang Xuemei became anxious. She had stockpiled so many goods; if she couldn't sell them, wouldn't she lose everything?
So he smiled ingratiatingly at Lu Qiang and said, "Boss, you see, I've already informed the market in advance. It's only for a few days. Could you please give me a few more days?"
Lu Qiang put his hands behind his back, looking helpless. "It's not that I'm not lenient, but look at all these merchants around here who have complaints. If you lower the price, they won't have any business. This market isn't just for you, is it?"
"I know, I know the leaders are in a difficult position too,"
"Alright, alright, let's leave it at that for today, but we can't sell like this tomorrow." Zhang Xuemei was interrupted by Lu Qiang before she could finish speaking.
Zhang Xuemei watched Lu Qiang's departing figure, her heart filled with anger. She had informed him in advance, although it wasn't the same person, but now he had pulled this trick on her. She had been careless; making money so easily before had made her a little blinded.
Back at the shop, Zhang Xuemei didn't say anything. She figured she'd just go there this afternoon.
The clothing market started clearing out at 5:30 p.m., and every shop began to shut down, including Zhang Xuemei's shop.
Xu Mingwan plopped down in a chair. She had been standing and collecting money all afternoon, and now she felt like her legs weren't even her own anymore.
"Sister-in-law, I was worried that we had stocked up on too much, but we sold quite a lot in just one afternoon. You were very farsighted, sister-in-law."
Zhang Xuemei glanced at Xu Mingwan, then said with a bitter face, "Xiaowan, we might have to start setting up a stall again tomorrow."
"What do you mean? What happened?" Xu Mingwan jumped up from her chair and looked at her sister-in-law with a serious expression.
“The market staff came earlier and said that our way of selling was disrupting market prices, and that we wouldn’t be allowed to sell tomorrow,” Zhang Xuemei said, feeling confused and unsure of what to do next.
If the store doesn't allow them to sell, they can only set up a stall, but setting up a stall depends on the weather; they can't set up a stall if it rains.
She had just bought so many clothes; she wouldn't be able to sleep at night if she didn't sell them all quickly.
Xu Mingwan felt a pang of sadness and opened her mouth to say something, but seeing her sister-in-law's exhausted face, she pretended to be relaxed and comforted her:
"Sister-in-law, it's alright. At worst, we can go back to our old business and set up a stall. If we keep doing that, we'll eventually sell out. If all else fails, we can lower the price and we'll definitely recoup our costs."
"It was my carelessness, I was too overconfident. Don't worry, I'll cover any unsold stock.
Zhang Xuemei looked guilty. She had originally planned to help her sister-in-law make money, but now she might lose all the money she had earned before.
"Sister-in-law, what are you saying? Do you think I'm that kind of person? We're partners, and I'll share the risks and profits with you. Stop talking, let's set up a stall tomorrow."
"Oh, Xiaowan, I'm so sorry."
"Um, may I come in?" The two women were chatting when they heard a small voice coming from outside the door.
Zhang Xuemei turned her head and looked at her, not recognizing her, and asked in confusion, "Who are you?"
Chu Xiaoxiao glanced outside, walked in, and said softly, "I live across the street from you, and I heard what happened earlier."
"So what are you doing?" Zhang Xuemei was a little confused about what she was trying to do. Was she mocking her? It didn't seem like it either; she couldn't possibly be here to help, could she?
"Hey, I just came to give you a heads-up. If you want to continue selling like this for the next few days, I suggest you go find Lu Qiang. If he agrees, that's fine."
Zhang Xuemei immediately understood the implication in her words, "You mean to give him gifts? Is that acceptable? Didn't he say we're disrupting the market and that many people are dissatisfied?"
Chu Xiaoxiao gave him a knowing look and replied with a smile, "Of course it will work! Just send him some money, and it'll be fine. I don't know how long, but four or five days should be enough. It's not like it's a long-term sale, right?"
Xu Mingwan thought the idea was good, so he tugged at Zhang Xuemei's sleeve and whispered, "Sister-in-law, it sounds reliable. Why don't we give it a try?"
Zhang Xuemei looked at Chu Xiaoxiao with some hesitation, "Aren't you afraid that we'll affect your shop's business?"
Chu Xiaoxiao shrugged and smiled indifferently, "What am I afraid of? We don't sell the same type of products. You can see for yourself when you go to my store. I only sell jeans. I just can't stand some people. Whether you do it or not is up to you."
Zhang Xuemei wasn't that suspicious. Besides, she didn't have anything that anyone could take advantage of her.
"No matter what, I accept your favor. My name is Zhang Xuemei, and this is my sister-in-law, Xu Mingwan. We will definitely help each other if there is anything we can do in the future."
Chu Xiaoxiao smiled. "My name is Chu Xiaoxiao, you can just call me Xiaoxiao. Okay, I'm going home now, see you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
"I'm locking up. If you're still here, hurry up and leave. I'm locking up now," the security guard at the clothing market said as soon as he saw the lights were still on in Zhang Xuemei's shop.
"Okay, okay, sir, we'll be right there." Zhang Xuemei hurriedly instructed Xu Mingwan to turn off all the lights in the shop, and the two locked the door before slowly walking out.
The clothing market they were in was a rectangular building, divided into three streets with rows of small shops on both sides. Zhang Xuemei and her companion were at the very end of the first street, so they had to keep walking to reach the exit.
"Sister-in-law, are we really going to give a gift to that Lu Qiang?" Xu Mingwan leaned against Zhang Xuemei and asked in a low voice. She had never given a gift before and was not familiar with it!
Zhang Xuemei nodded. "That's the only way. It's better to spend money on things that can be solved with money. But Xiaowan, how much do you think we should send?"
Xu Mingwan shook her head. "Sister-in-law, I've never given anyone gifts before. You've really stumped me. But, there's another question: do you know where Lu Qiang lives?"
Zhang Xuemei: "..." Damn it, I really forgot about this. Chu Xiaoxiao is gone. Where are they supposed to ask now?
Xu Mingwan was suddenly struck by a light in front of him, and squinted before realizing it was the security booth at the entrance.
Seeing this, she suddenly had an idea. She tugged at Zhang Xuemei's hand and pointed ahead, "Sister-in-law, look, the security guard is right outside. Why don't we ask him?"
“That’s right. He’s been here for so long, he should know where Lu Qiang’s house is. Give me twenty, and we’ll go ask him.”
Zhang Xuemei led Xu Mingwan straight to the security booth, gently knocked on the window a few times, and pointed to the door when the old man inside looked in her direction.
"You haven't left yet? Is there anything I can help you with?" The security guard asked with a smile as he opened the door.
Zhang Xuemei smiled and replied, "Uncle, it's like this. When Director Lu came to our store for inspection before, he left some things here. We were thinking of returning them to him, so we wanted to ask if you knew where he lives?" As she spoke, she slipped a twenty-yuan bill into his hand.
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