She looked at Huang Wenbin seriously and said firmly, "Brother, why do you think others will laugh at you? Our mother's noodles are more delicious than others, and they have never seen or tasted the popcorn I make. This is our family's unique skill. Although our father is the team leader, his salary is not as much as mother's from cooking. In the future, our family will do business and make more and more money. With the money, we can buy a color TV, a house, and install a telephone. Do you think your brothers will laugh at you more or envy you more when they see our family getting better and better?"
Huang Wenbin was stunned by what Xu Mengyao said. He scratched his head and said a little embarrassedly, "If our family really lived this well, there would definitely be a lot of people who envied me! How proud it would be!"
Seeing Huang Wenbin's attitude change, Xu Mengyao continued to strike while the iron was hot: "That's right, so we don't have to worry about face. Our family's business will only bring you honor. Besides, running a business requires manpower, and with the money you make, you can also help friends whose families are not well off. For example, Brother Hu, I can ask him to help sell popcorn. After all, I mainly make it at home. Big Sister and Xiao Xia can help sell it during the day, but it's unsafe and cold at night. It's a good opportunity to hire Brother Hu and let him make some extra money."
Huang Wenbin immediately became excited when he heard this: "Juan, are you serious? Can you really help Hu Zi make money?"
Xu Mengyao smiled and nodded: "Of course it's true. Not only Brother Hu can make money, but anyone in our family who sells it will get money. Brother, don't you like going to the game hall? When I make money, I will buy you one and keep it at home so you can play whenever you want. And you have to buy a motorcycle too, so we can drive to the city when the time comes." Xu Mengyao's last dose of strong medicine made the pie in the sky big and round for her brother.
"What? Game hall? Motorcycle? Juan, do it quickly! I will go with you as soon as you finish. I don't mind being ashamed. No, it's not ashamed to sell things! Let's make money quickly!" Huang Wenbin said with clenched fists and shining eyes.
After dinner, the siblings couldn't wait to set off. Huang's mother carefully helped her tie the wooden box she used to sell steamed bread to the back seat of her bicycle. Inside was more than forty jars of popcorn that Xu Mengyao had personally filled, emitting an enticing aroma.
Huang Wenbin pushed the bicycle steadily, while Xu Mengyao followed closely behind, holding onto the suitcase. Huang Wenrong tucked a stack of newspapers into his arms, holding the lively and adorable Wenxia.
They soon arrived at a cinema surrounded by a workers' village. In front of the cinema stood a long pavilion, where many young men and women sat, some whispering, some laughing and joking. They had just finished dinner, and it was the eve of the movie. The entrance to the cinema was bustling with activity, and among them was a hawker selling sunflower seeds, a large bag hanging from his chest, wandering around asking questions.
Huang Wenbin stopped the car, looked at Xu Mengyao nervously, and asked in a trembling voice, "Juan, how much do you want to sell it for?"
Xu Mengyao calmly opened the wooden box and removed the top cotton cover. A rich aroma instantly spread out. She skillfully poured a bowl of popcorn for Wenxia, and the little girl took it with a smile and began to eat. Then, Xu Mengyao took a deep breath and shouted:
"Popcorn for sale! Fragrant and sweet popcorn, crunchy and sweet popcorn, don't miss it if you pass by!"
Her shout caught everyone off guard, and they all looked over. Huang Wenbin immediately lowered his head, not daring to meet their gaze; Huang Wenrong's face flushed. Only Wenxia remained unaffected, smiling broadly as she continued to eat her popcorn.
Soon, someone gathered around to ask about the price. Xu Mengyao pointed at the teacup in Wenxia's hand and said, "Two cents a cup, it's a great value!"
When the man heard the price, he immediately frowned: "So expensive? A bowl of popcorn during Chinese New Year is only fifty cents."
Xu Mengyao smiled and handed her some popcorn. "Try it! My popcorn is different from that one. I use corn imported from abroad and a unique recipe. It's crispy, sweet, and delicious, and not at all chewy."
The man took a bite, his eyes lit up, and he quickly called his sisters over: "It's really delicious! Let's buy some to eat while watching the movie."
Seeing this, Wenxia also cleverly joined in the sales pitch. She shouted to the couples next to her, "Brother, this is super delicious! Buy some for the pretty girl next to you to try!"
The young men and women felt a little embarrassed when Wenxia said this. One boy came over first and bought a bag of popcorn for his girlfriend, and the others followed suit. In a short while, all forty or so jars of popcorn were sold out.
Finally, there was half a jar of popcorn left. Xu Mengyao shared some with everyone who came to buy it and said:
"Thank you all for coming! We're sold out today, but we'll come back tomorrow. This is my older brother Huang Wenbin, just recognize him. Even if you can't remember the person, you can remember the taste of our popcorn - it's one of a kind!" He said with a smile and pushed Huang Wenbin forward.
After this short sales experience, Huang Wenbin finally let go of his shyness and nervousness and began to feel more confident. He straightened his chest and raised his head towards the crowd. Huang Wenrong, on the other hand, was busy folding newspapers, collecting money, and handing out popcorn.
On the way home, Huang Wenbin was still sighing: "I didn't expect it to be sold out so easily."
Huang Wenrong smiled and reminded him, "That's because Wenjuan's cooking is good! Look at that melon seed stand, it doesn't have much business all night..."
When Xu Mengyao got home, she carefully poured the fruits of her labor onto the table in the main hall. She carefully counted the money, a total of 11.2 yuan. Huang's father watched her carefully counting the money and said with a smile, "You've earned more money this day than your mother and I combined."
Huang's mother also nodded and praised: "Yes, Wenjuan can always think of ways to make money."
Xu Mengyao smiled and said to Huang's father, "Dad, you are the pillar of our family. If you hadn't brought us to the mining area, my mother and I wouldn't be able to earn this much money in the village."
These words made Huang's father feel warm and relieved.
Then, Xu Mengyao pulled three fifty-cent bills from her pocket and handed them to her eldest brother Huang Wenbin, eldest sister Huang Wenrong, and Wenxia. She smiled and said, "As a family, we should be clear about our accounts. You helped sell the goods today, and this is the compensation you deserve."
Wenxia blinked her big eyes and asked in surprise, "Second sister, can I get some money too?"
Xu Mengyao gently pinched her cheek and said with a smile, "Of course, you have made the greatest contribution. How can you be left out?"
Huang Wenbin took the money without hesitation. Huang Wenrong shook his head and said, "Juan'er, please keep it for me. I don't have much use for it."
After hearing this, Wenxia immediately pushed the money to Huang Wenrong: "Keep it for me too. After all, my second sister doesn't charge for making delicious food for me, hehe."
Seeing this, Xu Mengyao did not refuse anymore and began to assign tasks:
"I'll stay home and make popcorn tomorrow. Big brother, you take Big sister and Wenxia out to sell popcorn during the day. When they've sold most of it, you can come back and continue to make the popcorn I make at home."
The three siblings nodded in agreement.
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