Rebirth in 1986: Unforgettable Regrets
Chapter 89: Qi Song’s Insight (Five Updates)

Chapter 89: Chapter 89: Qi Song’s Insight (Five Updates)

At dusk, Deng Lanhua and Qi Song, accompanied by Qi Wenlei, arrived at the breakfast shop mentioned by Tang Yue, where she enthusiastically welcomed them. Tang Mingli assessed Qi Song and his wife, thinking to himself that his niece certainly had a particularly good eye.

Qi Song and his wife were both straightforward, honest people, which greatly pleased Tang Mingli about this partnership.

After the usual pleasantries, the dishes were quickly served, the shop door was shut, and a lively fire was lit, warming up the entire place.

Qi Song, spirited and direct, was only a few years older than Tang Mingli. They talked easily, finding common ground and feeling no barriers between them.

Tang Zhengde kept encouraging everyone to drink and enjoy the meal.

The table was lively.

Once the conversation about the partnership started, it flowed smoothly.

After finalizing the partnership details, Tang Mingli got straight to the point, casually mentioning that it seemed there was only one cotton candy seller in the county.

Qi Song wasn’t familiar with this, only aware that many children clamored to buy cotton candy after school.

Many children in the county had a few coins for spending, and some even had a whole yuan.

"Yes, last time I went to the Provincial City to buy goods, I heard that a cotton candy machine only costs fifty yuan. Think about it, selling one for twenty cents and making a profit of five cents per piece, it would be easy to break even."

"Is a cotton candy machine that cheap?" Qi Song was intrigued, not very knowledgeable about this, but Tang Mingli’s words immediately caught his interest.

Tang Mingli then explained earnestly that selling cotton candy wouldn’t make a fortune daily, but making one yuan per day was feasible.

That would amount to thirty yuan a month, and with more people around during festivals and children having more money, the earnings could even be higher.

Qi Song quietly calculated; if this venture succeeded, Lanhua would not need to work so hard at home anymore.

Seeing Qi Song’s interest, Tang Yue also relieved a sigh, feeling that the 1980s was possibly the easiest time to make money. As long as one was willing to dare, the rewards could far exceed expectations.

Zhang Hualian entertained Deng Lanhua, and was also very fond of Leilei, who was quiet and lovable, especially when there was food involved.

After dinner, Qi Song began to observe around the county, checking how many others were selling cotton candy and how many each vendor sold a day.

Being the Lunar New Year, children had their New Year’s money. Qi Song noticed one vendor selling fifty to sixty cotton candies each day, making two to three yuan daily.

That could sum up to sixty to ninety yuan a month. Even accounting for a few slow days, earning fifty yuan monthly seemed feasible.

Of course, this was just a projection. If no one bought them, the fifty yuan spent on the machine would be wasted.

On the fifteenth of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival, every household was eating rice balls and gathering for family meals, including Tang Mingli and Tang Zhengde’s family, who made a special trip back to Qianjin Village to celebrate with Granny Tang.

Tang Zhengyuan’s leg still hadn’t healed, and had even started swelling. Granny Tang said, "Zhengde, take your brother to the county hospital to check his leg. It’s been so long and it’s still not getting better."

Granny Tang had been constantly worried about Tang Zhengyuan’s leg.

"Brother, follow me to the county tomorrow, and we’ll check it at the People’s Hospital. It shouldn’t be swelling like this," Tang Zhengde said, concerned about Tang Zhengyuan’s long-unhealed leg.

"Will it cost a lot?" Tang Zhengyuan asked uncertainly.

Tang Zhengde firmly replied, "Brother, no matter the cost, we have to heal your leg. If we don’t, it’ll hinder your walking later on."

"Sigh." Aunt Wang Aihua sighed and said, "Tomorrow Xiao Xian and Xiao Min are starting school, and that needs money too. The year has just begun, and we don’t have that much money at home."

"Sister-in-law, we have to treat big brother’s leg," Tang Zhengde thought for a while and added, "I still owe money myself, otherwise I could have lent some."

"Then don’t pay it back yet, lend some to us," Wang Aihua said eagerly, waiting for this response. "Zhengde, as you said, we must treat his leg."

In silence, Tang Yue felt uneasy hearing Granny Tang speak and sensed that Aunt Wang was specifically waiting for this moment to borrow money from her father and uncle.

"Mingli, you’ve made quite a bit from selling clothes, right? How about you and your brother each chip in thirty? Let your brother get his leg checked. If it really fails, our whole family will struggle to get by," Wang Aihua tearfully proposed.

Inside, Tang Yue scoffed at her aunt’s bold request for each to contribute thirty, totaling up to sixty. Her surgery hadn’t even cost that much.

As the youngest, Tang Yue felt it wasn’t her place to speak up, especially as the money was indeed for Uncle Tang’s medical treatment, so she quietly continued eating.

"I don’t have that much," Tang Zhengde confessed honestly, feeling a pang in his heart hearing the suggested amount, especially since he had recently repaid a debt and still owed Mingli quite a sum.

"Sister-in-law, let’s get the leg checked tomorrow. It might not end up costing much," Tang Mingli, with his education and business experience, clearly understood Wang Aihua’s intentions.

If the money was to treat his brother, he was willing to spend it, but not for general family expenses.

His money was also hard-earned.

"Sister-in-law, let’s focus on the medical treatment first, and if it really requires money, we’ll discuss further," Tang Mingli continued eating and reassured, "Mom, don’t worry, just take care of yourself."

"Alright then," Granny Tang felt immediately relieved hearing Tang Mingli’s words, leaving Wang Aihua with nothing further to say.

With the new semester starting on the sixteenth, it meant Tang Jun would stay at the school five days a week and only travel to the county for the remaining two days.

After paying Tang Jun’s school fees, as they were leaving, Tang Zhengde carefully instructed him to reach out if needed, or send a message through someone to the county.