She picked out five thin black bottles and paired them with bright red artificial flowers with beads on the top, and asked the boss for a snakeskin bag to carry the goods.
She continued to shuttle between the stalls with her brother, her eyes like a scanner, accurately locking onto those inexpensive square scarves and colorful hair ornaments. After some fierce bargaining, they finally succeeded in buying 40 scarves and various hair ornaments.
"Look, those vases are plastic!" Xu Mengyao's eyes sparkled with delight as she was drawn to the fake flowers in plastic bottles on a stall. However, when she felt her pockets, she realized she had very little money left. She reluctantly noted the stall's location and planned to come back next time.
As they left the market, they happened to run into the old man on the tricycle. Seeing them, the old man greeted them warmly, "You two are so lucky! I just finished sending someone off, and you guys came out."
The brother and sister smiled at each other and got into the old man's car to go to the train station. Along the way, they were both careful not to break the glass vase. By the time they got on the bus to Daishan Mine, Xu Mengyao was so hungry that she remembered she hadn't eaten lunch yet.
As soon as she got off the car, she ran straight home and shouted, "Mom! We're starving! Hurry up and give us something to eat!"
Huang's mother heard the voice and hurried out to greet him: "What are you talking about? Don't say such unlucky words on New Year's Day! Come in and have dinner!"
The brother and sister wolfed down their meal before showing their trophies to their family. As each item was taken out for display, the family's eyes lit up more and more.
Huang's mother held the artificial flowers in the vase and said lovingly, "This is so beautiful! I want to buy it!"
Xu Mengyao explained with a smile: "I bought it for my family originally! And this flower head is for Sister Wenxia, and the scarf can be worn by my family too."
Huang Wenrong offered a sensible suggestion: "Juan, you should sell these things first. My family doesn't need them urgently, so if you can't sell them all, you can use them yourself. It would be even better if you sell them all. Bring more money with you next time you go buy them."
The others nodded in agreement. Xu Mengyao was speechless. She sighed helplessly and thought to herself, "Big Sister is worthy of being Big Sister."
The next day, the four siblings brought door panels and stools to the bustling street to set up their stall. As soon as they had established their footing, a familiar woman came to greet them.
"Little girl, are you still selling popcorn today?" The woman's voice revealed kindness and familiarity.
Xu Mengyao smiled and responded: "Auntie, you came at the right time. We have new stuff today, you must take a look."
After saying this, she gently took out the bright red artificial flowers and the exquisite vases from her bag. When the woman saw these, her eyes immediately lit up.
"Oh, isn't this flower for brides to wear? I've seen others wearing it. My sister is getting married after the New Year, and this is just right for her." The woman's words were full of surprise and expectation.
Xu Mengyao nodded and said with a smile, "Yes, Auntie, these are the latest styles shipped from the south. Many brides are rushing to buy them for their weddings now. Look at this vase, it will look really nice at home."
The woman fondled the artificial flowers and vases, a satisfied smile on her face. But after her delight wore off, she asked hesitantly, "These aren't cheap, are they?"
"The artificial flowers on my head cost 8 yuan, and the decorative vase cost 32 yuan." Xu Mengyao replied.
The woman silently withdrew her hands. Xu Mengyao noticed that her hands were a little chapped, obviously from constant labor. She began to sell other products: "Auntie, look at this scarf, there are several colors, it's warm and beautiful in winter, and it's only 16 yuan."
The woman picked up a pink scarf, her eyes flashing with admiration: "This color is so bright, I want this one, and I want the bright red artificial flowers too."
After sending off the first order of business, Xu Mengyao turned to Wenxia and her elder sister and said, "Come, let me help you dress up."
As she spoke, she tied purple hair flowers on Wenxia's two ponytails, put a pink artificial flower on her eldest sister's head, and wrapped herself in a sky blue scarf.
The three sisters were already beautiful, and this outfit made them even more eye-catching. People around them cast envious glances at them. Many women with children and older women came around to ask about and buy head flowers, scarves and other items.
Although the most expensive vase received the most inquiries, no one bought it. She immediately decided to change her location and sell her goods in the workers' village, where there were many dual-income families and stronger purchasing power.
As Xu Mengyao had predicted, the vases sold quickly after the change of location. Several female employees who had rushed over after hearing the news expressed regret at not having bought any. Xu Mengyao reassured them with a smile, promising to return after the Lunar New Year to stock up again.
Before noon, they had sold out and packed up their stall. As they walked down the street, Huang Wenrong touched the fake flowers on his head and exclaimed, "Oh, Juan, we forgot to take them off."
Xu Mengyao smiled and took out a vase from her pocket and said, "I didn't forget. I saved these specially. Mom likes this vase, so let's put it at home. And this dark blue scarf is for big brother."
Huang Wenbin took the scarf and smiled happily: "I was saying that there was a vase missing. It turns out you kept it."
A few of them were chatting and laughing on the way home. This morning, Xu Mengyao's small treasury was filled with more than a thousand yuan. She was very satisfied and thought to herself: I can be said to have returned to my old job. No wonder they say that even a pig can take off if it stands in the right place. The profit of doing retail is really high at this time!
On New Year's Eve, the morning air is filled with the lingering aroma of firecrackers. The sound of firecrackers surges in like a tide, one after another, creating a lively atmosphere. New Spring Festival couplets, written in black on red paper, are posted on every door, symbolizing good luck and hope for the new year.
Eldest brother Huang Wenbin brought Wenxia and Qiu Xin excitedly to buy a lot of firecrackers and rubbing firecrackers. They lit the small firecrackers at the gate of the yard. The crackling sounds accompanied by the children's laughter filled the courtyard with a festive atmosphere of joy.
The radio played festive music, its melodies cheerful and upbeat. The village paths were bustling with people visiting relatives and friends, while Uncle Wu and his family embarked on their journey home.
Grandma Qiu's two sons and daughters-in-law also arrived, bearing large and small New Year gifts. Their eldest grandson, Qiu Sheng, also joined Huang Wenbin's firecracker team. Inside and outside the courtyard, childlike fun and family affection danced together.
The tempting aroma wafting from the kitchen indicates that the sumptuous lunch is about to begin. At around eleven o'clock, the villagers begin to eat lunch one after another. The sound of firecrackers accompanies the start of lunch in every household, one after another, and it is very lively.
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