Back to 1979: Sending the Educated Youth’s Wife Back to the City

Chapter 57 Hot Sale of Sandals
The sandals were counted and strung together. There was no doubt that there were more than 360 pairs.

Including the money spent on gifts, the total cost was three dollars and forty dollars a pair.

Fang Mingche asked Uncle Yuan for a cardboard cover to cover it, then said goodbye to his uncle and took it back with Song Quan.

My uncle looked at their backs, still a little worried. Before leaving, he glared at Old Yuan and said, "Don't drink too much yellow soup in the future! You become outspoken when you drink too much."

The sandals were carried to the small side yard, and Uncle Gu sat at the door looking towards the direction.

He was waiting for the postman and couldn't help looking over when he heard the bell.

I was a little surprised to see Mingche coming back during the day. Even the water delivery in the compound was done by someone else.

Because Song Quan's business was booming and he was too busy to handle the job, he gave it to another young man who had just returned to the city.

Nowadays, the big bowl tea stall has a good business, and the tea needs to be refilled five times a day. This delivery can also make 50 cents a day, which is 15 yuan a month.

It only takes 20 minutes each way, and I can take care of housework at the same time.

Uncle Gu asked, "Why did you come back at this time?"

Fang Mingche said, "Ayan's uncle works at the supply and marketing cooperative. He introduced us to buy a batch of unsalable goods. I just went with Brother Song to pick them up."

Uncle Gu followed to see what the slow-selling product was. If it was something he could use daily, he could help out with the business. No tickets required anyway!

When I saw they were children's rubber sandals, I almost laughed out loud.

"Are you sure he's your wife's relative and not an enemy?"

Fang Mingche said: "You don't understand this. This is called off-season purchases."

Fang Mingche called Song Quan and ordered 25 pairs of the same size to stay in the car. That made 100 pairs. They were put into two boxes made of cardboard that Uncle Yuan had found.

These blue rubber sandals can be worn by both men and women. They look a bit rustic in BJ, but they are actually OK in small places.

The rest were moved into the room and placed.

Fang Mingche also brought the shoe rack that the handicraft cooperative had made with wire two days ago. He would use it for display, and could hold 20 pairs of shoes at a time. The rest would be placed in a cardboard box, which would be used as a small warehouse.

Then the two of them rushed to the square again.

Passing by a small restaurant, Fang Mingche said to the boss: "At six o'clock in the evening, give me eight dishes and one soup. Eight adults and two children, for ten people. Mostly meat dishes!"

"Good Le!"

Now it’s time to prepare the food!

Then Fang Mingche said to Song Quan: "Call my sister-in-law and nephew to have dinner together in the evening."

When Song Quan asked the boss to prepare the dishes, he thought that Xiao Fang wanted to express his gratitude.

He still said, "You're too polite. We're just neighbors, just lending a hand. Besides, you've helped us so much."

"I'll ask Lao Wang to treat me with public funds for my help, and then I'll invite you to be his guest. As for this meal, it's my way of thanking you. Let's talk about our own affairs!"

"That's great, I won't be polite to you."

Arriving at the square, Fang Mingche invited Lao Wang and two of the staff who often came to help out to have dinner together. He also invited the guy who had accompanied A Yan to get the money.

Lao Wang said: "How can this be so embarrassing? We are here to help each other."

"It won't affect everyone treating each other to dinner." Fang Mingche said with a smile.

Lao Wang nodded, "Okay, I'll apply for some funding later."

Fang Mingche nodded, "Call Brother Song as well."

That’s no problem. This matter all depends on Lao Song’s mediation.

But, “These rubber sandals of yours…” Can they be sold?
Old Wang looked at Fang Mingche with some concern as he was putting out the shoe rack and placing sandals on it.

"It's man-made."

Fang Mingche put the sign made of paper shell, which was clamped and tied tightly with broken bamboo poles, on the shoe rack.

Written in brush calligraphy on it were: Off-season discount, no tickets needed! One pair for 5 yuan, two pairs for 9.6 yuan, three pairs for 14 yuan, four pairs for 18 yuan. Each person is limited to four pairs.

As a teacher, his writing on the blackboard must be good. He borrowed the brush and ink from Grandpa Gu.

Lin Yan also came over to take a look. "Are you still going to limit purchases?"

"Ah."

At this moment, the two helpers in the logistics department had just accepted the invitation and were very enthusiastic about their work. They would not object if she walked away from the front line of making tea for a while.

Fang Mingche nodded, "Yes, the purchase limit is four pairs."

Then he started to shout: "Buy rubber sandals - made by the big factory in BJ, no tickets needed! Off-season discount, take them home and keep them for two or three months, you can save at least one dollar a pair! The supply and marketing cooperative sells them for five or six dollars a pair, and you need a ticket!"

There is one last small climax in the morning, so he opens his shop first.

People from his own big bowl tea stall, the surrounding stalls, and even a few others like Lao Cheng who were a little far away all looked over.

Many people laughed when they saw him selling rubber sandals in the cold spring weather.

Some even said: "Are you kidding me to attract customers' attention?"

Fang Mingche smiled and said, "Do I need it?"

With the help of craftsmen to attract traffic, he has enough traffic.

Fang Mingche shouted again.

There were actually tourists who had just walked out of the Forbidden City and heard the noise and came over.

You do need a ticket to buy rubber sandals at the supply and marketing cooperatives in all places.

The boss is right. You can wear them after two or three months. When you come to the capital, buy a pair of sandals for each of your children.

“Oh, there’s still a purchase limit?”

Fang Mingche smiled and said, "It's just a small business."

"Can it be less?"

"No, there is a purchase limit, how can there be less?"

The man asked and walked away.

Fang Mingche was not discouraged and continued to shout. Soon another customer came and bought three pairs after looking at them.

I spent a total of fourteen dollars and made a net profit of three dollars and eighty cents.

Lin Yan was relieved to see that it could really be sold. At worst, she could just sell it slowly.

She went back to make tea.

People came to buy them one after another. Most of them bought two pairs. They were in different lengths.

Nowadays, there are many children, and usually the older ones wear them first before the younger ones do. If they are broken, parents often burn them with a red-hot hook. It will be a black patch! It doesn't look good, but it can be worn.

But some children wear out their shoes. After wearing them for one or two years, the shoes become unwearable.

This does not require a ticket, and the more you buy, the cheaper it is.

Some people who come on business trips can receive travel allowances. I was determined to just give each of my two or three children a pair.

Let the little children be happy for once, so that they don't have to complain that the clothes they wear are old.

There were people sitting here drinking tea again. Seeing that Fang Mingche really had no more tea left, he also stood up and prepared to buy some.

Just as I was about to speak, the first person who came to ask questions came back with a briefcase and brought a colleague with him.

The other person looked at it and nodded. The first person said directly, "Give me four pairs."

Fang Mingche smiled slightly, and went to share the bill with his colleagues who were on the business trip.

Those who had just finished their tea and were about to place an order were inspired. Yes, it is entirely possible for everyone to pool together and buy four pairs.

He whispered a few words with the person who was sharing the table with him and drinking tea, and then he made four pairs.

Those who wanted to see a joke just now just watched Mingche collecting money and handing out shoes.

(End of this chapter)