Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

"Why not? Mom, you have to believe in yourself!"

"We used to sell popsicles on the streets, but now that we have a shop, we're sheltered from the wind and rain, which is even better. Plus, the government encourages the development of the private sector, and with a few of us helping out, what's there to be afraid of?"

As soon as Xu Bei finished speaking, Xu Li excitedly said, "That's right, why not!"

"Mom, if this shop opens, besides my younger brother, Xiaojuan and my husband and I can help out when we have time. We can make a fortune before the New Year! Wow, my younger brother really has some ideas now."

Xu Juan immediately looked at Xu Bei with admiration and praised, "My brother is amazing! He can come up with a way to make money in the blink of an eye! It's so different from when he only knew how to work and earn a salary!"

Faced with her older and younger sisters' praise, Xu Bei accepted it all, smiling as she said, "Of course, I've figured it out now, so it's definitely different. Besides, I think the shop name, 'Fengying Something Something Shop,' clearly sounds like Mom's business, making those people who say you only know how to work around the stove and don't make money furious!"

Zhao Fengying was already somewhat tempted, and after hearing Xu Bei's next words, she was even more determined to fight for pride rather than fight for the steamed bun.

"Okay, then let's look into opening a shop. It's just that Mom only has a little over two hundred yuan that she brought from home. I don't know if that will be enough."

Xu Li was determined to support her mother's business, so she immediately said, "It's okay if it's not enough, Mom, I have over two hundred here." She then quickly added, "Wenliang definitely won't object if he finds out."

Xu Juan, looking both excited and embarrassed, hurriedly said, "Mom, I brought all the pocket money I've saved over the years, more than thirty yuan. Don't think it's too little."

Deeply moved, Zhao Fengying hugged Xu Juan and Xu Li. "Mom certainly won't think it's too little. But my dear daughter, keep your money for now. If it's really not enough, use your sister's first."

Xu Bei smiled as he looked at the three people, who were now filled with fighting spirit and confidence. "We don't need my sister's money for now. Mom, you can use your two hundred yuan for the shop. I'll arrange the stools tomorrow and then go find a place to open a shop."

After I rent a place and get a business license, I'll buy a ticket to the provincial capital, take an overnight train, and arrive in the morning. I can then go buy goods without any delay.

The message conveyed by Xu Bei's words gave people the illusion that opening a shop was not difficult.

The mother and her two daughters were deeply moved by what they heard. Even though they were usually bedtime, they couldn't fall asleep for a while and chatted excitedly until very late.

The next day.

After having breakfast, Xu Bei took the fifty yuan that Zhao Fengying had given him as start-up capital for opening a shop and left home.

He delivered eighty stools to Old Scar yesterday, so he didn't need to go to the city today. He simply rode his bike around the south and north roads of the Forestry Bureau.

In this day and age, apart from some barbershops, tailor shops, watch repair and key duplication shops, bicycle repair shops, tofu shops, and snack shops run by artisans, there are also those small, portable wooden huts run by shoe repairmen who fix shoe soles.

Finally, Xu Bei turned into the tailor shop in the alley next to the store that had made their pants.

Shop owners are usually good at remembering people, especially Xu Bei, who was a wealthy customer who bought so much polyester fabric to make four pairs of pants.

Therefore, the tailor greeted Xu Bei very warmly.

"Here you are, young man. Was there anything wrong with the pants I picked up yesterday?"

"No, big sister, my mom and my sister kept praising your work. They said they'll definitely ask you for fabric to make clothes next time."

Whether Xu Bei's words were true or not, they made the tailor very happy. "Okay, you can bring them over without worry. I will definitely treat them as if I were making clothes for my own family, and I won't cut corners."

"I'm definitely at ease leaving it with you. Big sister, I don't even know your last name."

"My surname is Liu. You can just call me Sister Liu. And you, young man?"

After introducing himself and exchanging a few pleasantries to build rapport, Xu Bei changed the subject and began to inquire.

"Sister Liu, how much is your monthly rent for this shop? Where is it located?"

The older woman paused for a moment, then asked cautiously, "Xiao Xu, what do you mean? Are you going to open one too?"

Xu Bei waved his hand and laughed, "Sister Liu, don't misunderstand, we don't know how to sew, and we can't run a tailor shop."

My mom wants to open a small general merchandise store, selling things like needles, thread, hair clips, hair ties, hair flowers, and socks, but she doesn't know where to rent a place. So she thought of you; you seem like a really helpful person, so she came to ask you for advice.

Upon hearing this, Sister Liu immediately lowered her guard and regained her enthusiasm. "It would be great to open a store like this. It contains things that every household can use. To be honest, the things sold in the stores of our Forestry Bureau are not very stylish."

To be honest, I rented this from the bureau's housing department for ten yuan a month. If you don't mind the price and still want to rent, there's another place two units next door with a bigger room that costs fifteen yuan.

Even if Xu Bei didn't think fifteen yuan a month was expensive, he certainly wouldn't show it on his face.

After all, in an era when monthly wages were only a few dozen yuan, this rent was exceptionally expensive, and only those with considerable courage would dare to take the plunge.

"That's really expensive. If you rent it, tidy it up, and then don't sell much in a day, it'll be hard to even make back the rent."

Sister Liu echoed, "Who can disagree? Otherwise, that house wouldn't be empty; it would have been rented out long ago. It's because they're afraid of not making a profit."

Xu Bei then inquired about the requirements for obtaining a business license and the approximate processing time before leaving satisfied.

He walked past two houses first, and looked at the empty log cabin with its exterior walls plastered with yellow mud.

Although it looks a bit shabby on the outside, it should look pretty good after some tidying up. It's also about twice the size of a tailor shop, so it could be a good place to open a small general merchandise and clothing store for now.

Afterwards, Xu Bei took advantage of the early hour and went straight to the bureau's real estate department.

As a public property with no income, it was surprisingly easy for people to come to the door wanting to rent it out. The process was faster than Xu Bei had imagined; perhaps they were even worried that he might change his mind.

Before noon, Xu Bei received the rental contract and receipt.

With these documents, you can take two one-inch passport photos of your mother and her household registration booklet to the business registration window to submit your application.

Xu Bei rushed home without stopping.

Smoke was billowing from the chimney, and Zhao Fengying and Xu Juan had already begun preparing lunch.

The mother and daughter never dreamed that they could rent a house so quickly. Overjoyed and excited, they quickly wiped their hands and clothes clean before looking at the brand-new contract and receipt.

"Oh my god, son, you're so fast! You found a house as soon as you said you were looking for one."

"Isn't the rent a bit expensive? Fifteen yuan. How much stuff would I have to sell to earn that back?"

"Yeah, bro, are hair accessories and hair ties really that profitable?"

Xu Bei had been running around outside all morning and was actually quite thirsty.

He went inside, gave instructions on what had been accomplished, then grabbed an enamel mug filled with diluted boiled water and chugged it down. Hearing this, he smiled confidently and said:

"It doesn't matter if the profits are small. Once the store is open, we can accumulate capital and then resell some ready-made clothing."