Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

The person in front of me whom I had met once before.

It was none other than Zhou Qingwan's cousin from her aunt's side.

Xu Bei recognized the other person at a glance because the other person looked very much like Zhou Qingwan's cousin, Liang Huihui.

They are indeed siblings born of the same mother; their eyebrows, noses, and mouths are almost identical.

As Xu Bei took off a pair of jeans that fit the other person and handed them over, he said, "Brother Liang, try these on first."

As soon as Liang Shengjun entered the store with his colleagues, he felt that the very energetic-looking boss looked somewhat familiar.

When she recognized Chen Guomei, who was on good terms with her younger cousin, walking out of a group of people, she suddenly remembered that they had watched the movie "Shaolin Temple" together in the cinema.

"What a coincidence. I didn't expect this shop to be owned by you."

Xu Bei laughed generously, "It's not mine, it's my mother's, and the shop is named after her."

Liang Shengjun smiled, but before he could speak, his colleague blurted out, "Hey, Dajun, so you two actually know each other!"

"If I'd known there was a business opening here, you should have come along. Maybe you could have gotten a discount because you know someone."

These words made Liang Shengjun a little embarrassed, and he didn't know how to respond.

After all, he and Xu Bei weren't really that familiar with each other.

However, after hearing her younger sister Liang Huihui talk about how her cousin Zhou Qingwan's jade pendant was almost lost at the staff bathhouse, and how it was only thanks to Xu Bei's mother that it was found, she felt grateful.

But I didn't expect to meet him in this situation, and there are some things I can't say in front of my colleagues.

Xu Bei could easily see Zhou Qingwan's cousin's embarrassment and awkwardness, and helped to smooth things over, saying, "Yes, I didn't know you were Brother Liang's colleague before. If I had known, I would have given you some freebies even without a discount."

"But it's not too late to find out now, sis. Let this guy choose a pair of gloves he likes."

Although Xu Li didn't know what connection her younger brother had with this person, she still smiled and greeted him, "Okay, big brother, you choose. Our gloves are all from the south, and the quality is excellent."

The bespectacled man happily agreed, "Then I won't stand on ceremony with you."

Then, I left my colleague and went to the counter to choose something.

Xu Bei and Liang Shengjun looked at each other and smiled.

Their smiles held a meaning that only they could understand.

Liang Shengjun whispered a thank you, saying that you had gone to so much trouble.

Xu Bei waved his hand dismissively, "No need to be polite, Brother Liang, why don't you try it on first?"

When Liang Shengjun came out after changing into jeans, his colleague had also chosen his gloves.

The two were about the same height and build, so the pants fit them perfectly.

"Great, I'll take one too."

"Dajun, you should just wear it like me."

"Sure, I don't have anything planned for today anyway."

"Brother Liang, then I'll pack up the one you were wearing before."

"No need to trouble yourself, I'll take it."

Xu Bei didn't argue with the other party. When receiving the money, he didn't show favoritism and also gave Liang Shengjun a pair of gloves.

Liang Shengjun hesitated for a moment before accepting the gift. "Thank you. I wish your business great success."

Who doesn't love to hear auspicious words? Xu Bei was no exception, and he smiled and said, "Thank you. I appreciate your kind words, Brother Liang."

After seeing the two women off, only the two female customers choosing face cream remained in the store, along with the three siblings. Xu Li then approached Xu Bei and began her probing questions.

"Who is this person anyway? They're so generous, even giving me gloves! I didn't even dare ask for anything, couldn't they at least give me a pair of socks?"

"The socks are too cheap, and they don't look as good as the gloves."

When Xu Bei revealed that the other person was Zhou Qingwan's cousin, Xu Juan belatedly realized what had happened.

"Ah, I didn't pay attention to what they looked like when we watched the movie that day. Bro, you really have a good memory."

Xu Bei boasted shamelessly, "That's right, your brother is a master at remembering people. Once I've seen someone, I can usually remember them perfectly."

Xu Li suddenly remembered what her mother had told her about her younger brother having a crush on someone while she was staying at home these past few days, and the connection between the two stories came together.

"You brat, do you think I don't know anything? Mom told me everything."

You're clearly using her cousin as a front to curry favor, your real intention isn't what it seems. You just want the girl to remember you fondly, right? No wonder you're so willing to do that.

"Hey, speaking of which, you've all seen her, but I haven't. Everyone says she's incredibly beautiful. Just how beautiful? I'm so eager to know!"

Xu Bei was both amused and exasperated; he hadn't really thought that much about it.

However, after my sister said that, it actually makes some sense.

"There will definitely be opportunities in the future."

Upon hearing this, Xu Li became even more enthusiastic and certain. "What my sister said, could I see her before the New Year?"

"I don't know how to tell fortunes, how would I know?"

Xu Bei glanced at the time on his watch. It was still early before lunch, so he didn't rush to leave. He changed the subject and whispered, "Let's take advantage of the fewer people here and sort out the morning's revenue."

"Okay."

Xu Li had actually been eyeing the wooden money box in the counter for a long time.

There were quite a few large denomination banknotes and coins at the bottom, but we don't know exactly how many there are yet.

The two gave Xu Juan, who was selling goods, a few instructions, and then went to the fitting room and drew the curtains.

They sold more than ten pairs of jeans, which brought in over two hundred yuan. Adding in all sorts of other small items, the siblings ended up with over five hundred and sixty yuan.

There are less than ten pairs of jeans and some other goods left in the store. As long as they are sold, it will be pure profit.

Xu Li covered her mouth to keep from laughing too loudly.

However, she couldn't resist leaning close to Xu Bei's ear as he was bundling change with a rubber band and whispering, "Brother, this is making so much money! I don't even want to work anymore, I want to open a shop."

Xu Bei had originally planned for his sister to start by selling stools, gradually developing a business so she wouldn't have to go to work and could start earning money as soon as possible. He looked up, smiled, and then said seriously, "Sis, if you want to start a business, that's fine too. I can even help you with the sourcing."

Xu Li's idea was just a sudden thought, but she didn't expect her younger brother to be so supportive. Her eyes lit up with an amazing light. "Little brother, how about I look into opening a shop too?"

As Xu Bei put the bundled change into the money box, he said softly, "Okay. But it won't work the first year. Let's talk about it again after next year and find a bigger place."

Xu Li quickly replied, "Of course! It's great that I was able to help Mom get through the first year. Little brother, are you heading out to buy more goods again tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow won't work. I have to get on the bus this afternoon, or I'll be too late."

Xu Bei had already made a plan in his mind: this time, he would not only go to the provincial capital to stock up on goods, but also to find a place to sell wooden stools and portable folding tables.

With the Lunar New Year approaching, it's always better to set off as early as possible.

Afterwards, Xu Bei took all the large sums of money, leaving only bundles of loose change and some change in the shop, before heading to the state-run restaurant...