After the New Year, business at Fang Meili's shop slowed down. The idea of opening a wholesale department in the county town had been on her mind all winter. Last year, when she went to purchase goods and saw the scene of department store owners purchasing goods, she wished that her own wholesale department had already been opened, so that all those big bags and small packages would come from her own warehouse.
Fang Meili left her daughter at home and chose to visit her when Fang Meihao was resting. Fang Meihao had been in the county town for more than half a year, so there were some things she could discuss with her.
After spending a day in the county town, she set her sights on the area next to the county bus station. There were many people coming and going there, and the town's business owners would take the bus to pick up goods. It was just a short walk from the bus stop, saving her a lot of trouble compared to remote places.
"Meihao, I'll go back first today and roughly decide on this area. I'll consider the few shops I looked at today. I'll also discuss it with Xinkang when I get back, and we'll come to look at them together."
"Sister, you're like the head of the family, always taking the lead in everything."
“Xin Kang doesn’t have the same desire to make money as I do. If I don’t pay attention to him, he’ll be content with the status quo. I don’t want that, and I can’t.”
“My brother-in-law is also very good. He doesn’t stop you from doing whatever you want, and he cooperates with whatever you ask him to do. That’s enough.”
"Yeah, that's true. It's not easy for two people with the same personality to get along."
Fang Meili and Yuan Xinkang finalized the location and settled on it. Having experience opening a shop before, everything went much more smoothly.
Unlike when they opened a department store in town, where the area was small and there were few shops, they didn't need much advertising and business would come as soon as they opened. Now, they have some retail customers, but no one comes to buy wholesale. They're just doing retail, so there's no point in opening a store in the county town anymore. Fang Meili couldn't sit still.
“Xin Kang, we can’t just sit here and wait for business to come. Tomorrow you watch the shop, and I’ll ride my bike to the surrounding towns and villages where there are shops and try to get some business.”
"Are you going alone?" Yuan Xinkang asked, a little worried.
"Who should watch the shop between the two of us? It's okay, I'll go early tomorrow and be back before dark."
“Merry,”
"Um."
Yuan Xinkang fell silent again. Fang Meili looked at him and asked, "What's wrong?"
“You’ve been the one taking care of everything at home. I feel like I’m a man,” Yuan Xinkang clicked his tongue.
“Men are strong, so you can do all the work, carry the goods, and I'll handle the talking.” Fang Meili knew what Yuan Xinkang was thinking.
“Okay,” Yuan Xinkang felt a little relieved after hearing Fang Meili’s words. “Don’t go to places that are too far away. Just wander around nearby. Come back as soon as you get tired.”
"Okay, I got it." Fang Meili found some paper and cut it into small sheets. "Here, Xin Kang, let's write the store's address on this. I'll leave a copy for them when I go tomorrow."
"Yes, you've thought of everything." Yuan Xinkang and Fang Meili carefully wrote the store address on the paper, stroke by stroke.
The next day, Yuan Xinkang got up early to check the tires and condition of the bicycle, while Fang Meili packed some dry food and set off on her bicycle.
The late spring sun had just climbed over the rooftops of the county town, and the wind carried a hint of early summer warmth.
Fang Meili rode along the roadside towards the town. The wheat fields on both sides of the road were already turning light yellow, and the fresh scent of wheat straw wafted into her nose.
Wildflowers bloomed riotously along the ridges of the fields, yellow, white, and purple, scattered like stars in the grass. Occasionally, a butterfly would land on a flower, only to be startled by the sound of the wheels and fly away, circling the handlebars before flying off again.
Fang Meili looked around at the scenery and happily rode her bicycle. The fields she once wanted to escape from now looked like beautiful scenery to her.
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