Rebirth in 1986: Unforgettable Regrets
Chapter 197: Fight Back (Second Update)

Chapter 197: Chapter 197: Fight Back (Second Update)

On Saturday, Zhang Hualian made a special trip back to her parental home to discuss this matter with Liu Cuixong and Zhang Huafeng. Zhang Huafeng was somewhat hesitant, asking: "Aren’t there quite a few Southern Goods Stores in town already?"

"Huafeng, there are only two Southern Goods Stores. We can open another one. Besides, these little items might not seem to make much money, but they should suffice to sustain a living," Zhang Hualian elaborated in detail as she conveyed Tang Yue’s advice to Zhang Huafeng.

Shuanghe Town is not small by any means. There’s a large reclamation farm nearby, and many people from outside visit. On regular days, when buying things, most head into town. As long as there are people, there won’t be a fear of having nobody to buy things.

"Big sis, you make it sound so easy, but opening both clothing and Southern Goods stores, where would all the money come from?" Liu Cuixong’s eyes, small and squinting, darted calculating glances towards Zhang Hualian. She had been flattering Zhang Huafeng behind the scenes all along, aiming to take advantage of Zhang Hualian’s family. But now, to her benefit, they’re being encouraged to open stores.

What if there’s a loss? How would that be handled?

Liu Cuixong thought about the two stores. Just setting them up, not to mention anything else, would require a significant amount of money just to purchase inventory, let alone the expense of renting the store space.

"Cuihong," Zhang Hualian began, following Tang Yue’s script, "as for the clothing store, Xiao Yue has spoken to the factory director. They’ll let you stock up first and sell the clothes. All you need to do is rent a store. As for the Southern Goods Store, we can start with a small one, which won’t require too much money."

"Cuihong, think about it, if you really open a store in town, you wouldn’t have to stay at home all day. You could earn money in town and see Xiao Qiang every day," Zhang Hualian said seriously, afraid she might miss saying something critical.

"The county’s Southern Goods Stores, there’s like seven or eight of them in one area. Think about it, with only two in town, if you open one more, you’re sure to make money."

"Huafeng, you and your spouse should consider this matter. You could start with a clothing store first. Just the cost of the store space is needed. After all, once the clothes are sold, then pay the factory. Once you start making money later on, then use it to stock up. This is because it’s you two; if it were someone else, Xiao Yue and Mingli wouldn’t even bring up this matter."

*

Zhang Hualian had a meal at her parents’ place, but she didn’t let slip a single word about borrowing money.

Over the years, the family had always been frugal, saving a little money. Starting a clothing store temporarily should be feasible.

Once they taste the sweetness of profits from the clothing store, naturally, the Southern Goods Store would also be set up.

Back at home, when Tang Yue heard about Zhang Huafeng and Liu Cuixong’s reactions from Zhang Hualian, she particularly asked: "Did Auntie ask to borrow money from you?"

"She did," Zhang Hualian said with a tinge of emotion, looking at her grown-up daughter who indeed had a keen understanding of Liu Cuixong’s nature, having pre-emptively prepared her for such a scenario. Otherwise, they would have lent out the money.

Zhang Hualian was naturally willing to help her own brother, but the fact that Liu Cuixong, who clearly had money in hand, still wanted to borrow money, made her feel uncomfortable deep down.

Moreover, the idea of receiving goods first and paying later was a precedent she had never heard of.

Two days later, Liu Cuixong and Zhang Huafeng came to the county. Liu Cuixong did a lot of inquiries and found that their factory’s clothes were selling well. Furthermore, as more time passed, the factory had been developing more and more styles. Therefore, after finding out that many people were buying and that renting a store was not expensive, Liu Cuixong was immediately tempted.

Tang Yue had gone to school and had already notified Tang Mingli. When she brought them to the factory, Tang Mingli directly took them to meet Factory Director Ding Chao.

Factory Director Ding Chao used to manage several hundred people. Although just a director, his presence always carried an extra dose of managerial authority.

Liu Cuixong had originally thought that through Tang Yue and Tang Mingli, she could take some advantage, or perhaps get more goods on credit and delay payments. To her surprise, Factory Director Ding Chao had already prepared everything in advance.

The first batch of goods, you’d stock them first; later, as business picked up, you’d need to pay cash for the goods—no money, no new stock.

Liu Cuihong kept talking to Ding Chao, but Ding Chao had been a factory director for decades and had a way with words.

In the end, Liu Cuihong could only agree, and once she went to the warehouse and saw the clothes, their beauty dazzled her so much she couldn’t look away.

If all these goods were put in the town, they’d definitely sell.

Full of confidence, Liu Cuihong signed the contract and returned to town with her first batch of goods.

Time flew, and a week had passed.

It was the weekend again, and Liu Cuihong’s clothes were selling well; she was grinning from ear to ear and came back with more money to purchase more stock.

One day, Wang Aihua went to town to buy some socks and saw Liu Cuihong’s clothing store, she asked in surprise, "Hey, aren’t you Tang Jun’s aunt? Is this clothing store yours?"

"Yes," Liu Cuihong responded enthusiastically, "You’re Xiao Jun’s aunt, right? Come, come, do you want to buy some clothes? I’ll give you a discount."

Liu Cuihong was only focused on selling clothes and never considered that Tang Mingli also sold clothes.

Browsing, Wang Aihua found the clothes familiar and asked, "Where did you get these clothes from?"

"From the factory where Tang Mingli works," Liu Cuihong, who had been doing good business these past few days making some money, was quite proud. "Aunt Xiao Jun, the clothes from their factory are really good-looking and comfortable. Look at these pants—I’ve been wearing them for three days without washing, and they’re still like new."

Liu Cuihong tugged at her jeans, feeling particularly pleased with how they looked.

"Do you get your stock for free?" Wang Aihua scrutinized her, eyes nearly spitting jealousy.

"How could that be? I take the goods first, then pay," said Liu Cuihong cheerily.

Wang Aihua then inquired about a few more things, bought socks, and when she returned to the village, she passed the information to Tang Xian and Tang Min as soon as she got home, then immediately shared it with Granny Tang.

Granny Tang furrowed her brow and said, "Running a clothing store is their business, what’s it to you? You want to run one too?"

"Mom, we are Mingli’s and his elder brother’s family. Look, Mingli even got his elder brother to work as a janitor," Wang Aihua was still upset about it.

If it weren’t for Tang Mingli’s arrangements, would she have even considered not allowing Uncle Gen to follow his own path?

"Although Zheng Yuan’s job is not bad now, they’re making good money at that clothing store every day," Wang Aihua exaggerated, making it sound as if a small clothing store could rake in a fortune.

"Aihua, I won’t say ’no’ if you want to do business, but are you sure your mouth won’t drive all the customers away?" Granny Tang glanced at her. She knew Liu Cuihong was sharp-tongued, but she was sweet as honey when she needed to flatter you, blooming smiles on your face.

But Wang Aihua was different; her mouth was like a rock in a cesspit, never a good word, offending others with just a few sentences.