"Daddy, I miss Grandma and Grandpa," the little one said.
"I haven't brought them roast duck yet."
In the early morning, Chen Yang was helping the little one wash up. The child clung to him like an octopus.
The little one missed home.
This was her first time traveling so far since she was born. She had been away from home for two days and was feeling homesick, missing her grandparents.
"Yan Yan is so good, you still remember to bring roast duck for Grandma and Grandpa."
"Once Daddy finishes his business here, we'll take you home, okay?"
"Look, what delicious food did Daddy bring you?"
Chen Yang pulled out a small bag of raisins and several small packets of plum powder from his pocket. He and Zhang Weiyang had been busy at the shop until after ten o'clock last night to meet the deadline.
By the time he returned to the guesthouse, the little one had already fallen asleep. The little one had given him raisins during the day, and Chen Yang remembered to buy her some treats. He waited until she woke up in the morning before giving them to her.
"Daddy, kiss."
Raisins were delicious, the little one knew, but she hadn't tried plum powder before. It tasted sweet and sour, something children loved.
Chen Yang only gave her a tiny bit to lick. The child's eyes lit up immediately, and she hugged Chen Yang tightly, giving him a big kiss.
"When Daddy is done, we'll go home, Yan Yan."
Chen Yang also kissed the little one. He cared deeply about her feelings. If the child was homesick, his in-laws were likely worried sick too. This was the era before widespread telephones for constant communication.
Fortunately, the shop was officially opening today. As long as there were no major issues, they could return, easing his in-laws' worries.
"Brother wants to see the little chicks Daddy bought for me."
"I promised to give him one, just one, okay? The rest are all Yan Yan's."
The little one licked the plum powder from the small packet, her eyes sparkling with joy at the thought of going home.
Unfamiliar surroundings could easily make children feel insecure, so the little one preferred being at home.
Most importantly, her chicks were at home. Yan Yan still needed to feed them. Grandma said that once the chicks grew bigger, she could play with them.
"Okay, just one. Whatever Yan Yan wants, Daddy will buy it for you."
The little one was always protective of her things, and these chicks were her most treasured pets. Being willing to share one with Hu Hao showed she liked her brother. Chen Yang, on the other hand, wasn't even allowed to touch her chicks.
Chen Yang secretly wondered if these chickens would be edible in the future, and if the little one would shed tears and eat two bowls of rice while consuming chicken.
Should he get her a couple of rabbits to raise?
Little rabbits were so cute.
They also seemed tastier?
But he was just thinking about it. He couldn't bear to make his precious "little padded jacket" cry. He would have to treat these few chicks like royalty once they returned.
After soothing the little one, Chen Yang headed to the shop. The sign and cabinets had been finished overnight, and the firecrackers were ready.
He just didn't know if Zhang Weiyang had arranged for any "shills" when he returned. To be honest, having lived two lives, this was Chen Yang's first time opening a shop.
In his previous life, he was in real estate and had never opened a shop. Although he had copied many mature business models from later generations, he was a bit nervous about whether it would be successful at this crucial moment.
Qinghe was holding its monthly market fair today. It wasn't a holiday, and the market only happened once a month, attracting many people from surrounding towns and villages who came to the city to shop.
It was precisely to capture the crowd from this market fair that Chen Yang and Zhang Weiyang had worked so hard and late last night.
By the time Chen Yang arrived, Zhang Weiyang was already waiting at the shop entrance.
"How's the preparation?"
Chen Yang gave Zhang Weiyang a signal, and Zhang Weiyang immediately gave him an "OK" gesture. He had learned this from Chen Yang and found it quite interesting, so he used it often.
"Brother, there are quite a few people now. You unveil the red cloth, and I'll set off the firecrackers. Let's make a name for ourselves today."
Zhang Weiyang also knew that their venture of openly doing business was risky.
But he had no choice. If he didn't get the business up and running quickly, where would he get the money to treat his father?
Although Chen Yang had never mentioned any compensation, he knew that Chen Yang would not mistreat him. It was his intuition.
He had no other aspirations. As long as Chen Yang had money and could help cure his father's illness, his life would belong to Chen Yang from now on.
Even if they were accused of speculation and profiteering, he was willing to take the blame for Chen Yang.
"Alright, let's begin."
And so, in this era, perhaps the first bold private shop to unveil its sign in all of China, Meng Hui Radios, opened its doors!
"Crackling!"
As the firecrackers went off, they startled many people. Customers who were queuing to enter the state-run department store were instantly drawn to the Meng Hui Radios shop.
"Come one, come all! Take a look, take a look!"
"Meng Hui Radios, no coupons needed! Starting from 30 yuan. Listen to 'The East is Red,' what a glorious song."
After setting off the firecrackers, Zhang Weiyang turned on a radio and cranked up the volume.
He held a Panda brand radio, the best-looking one, which had once sold for up to 175 yuan. The sound quality was superb.
This advertising strategy was also taught by Chen Yang. The cheapest second-hand radios, which cost four or five yuan and had rusty casings, would be sold for thirty yuan after repair.
When dealing in second-hand goods, one naturally had to offer products at a heavily discounted price compared to new items to attract customers.
As for this minimum price, it was an old trick from modern businesses. If you wanted the 30 yuan model, it would be the worst. If you wanted a better one, it wouldn't be 30 yuan anymore.
As long as people were drawn in, there would be those who looked down on the 30 yuan option. Then, persuading them to spend any amount would depend solely on Zhang Weiyang's eloquence.
"Meng Hui Radios grand opening! Cheap, no coupons needed, practical and guaranteed. Everyone, come in and take a look!"
While Zhang Weiyang played the radio, Chen Yang, holding a tin megaphone, shouted.
At first, many people were stunned. In those days, no one dared to do business, and even small businesses were conducted stealthily.
Therefore, no one expected someone to open a shop so openly. For a moment, no one dared to move. This was within Chen Yang's expectations.
Soon, a middle-aged man in a blue worker's uniform walked to the shop entrance.
"My son is getting married, and we're just missing a radio. New ones are too expensive, I can't afford them. His bride is about to run away. Are these radios really thirty yuan each?"
The man gazed longingly at the radio in Zhang Weiyang's hand, his expression perfectly portraying a worried father agonizing over his son's wedding.
"Comrade, the goods are all displayed in the cabinets with clear prices. Please come and take a look."
Zhang Weiyang smoothly led the man into the shop. All eyes followed Zhang Weiyang and the customer buying a radio into the shop.
This old father was, of course, the shill arranged by Zhang Weiyang.
Now, it was time for Mr. Zhang's performance.