Shuangling: Braving the Rapids

Back in his hometown, Chengdong spread out the food he had brought in large and small packages on the table, then immediately started helping his mother with laundry, cooking, and cleaning. Chengdong was meticulous and considerate when it came to housework, which explains why the old lady favored her youngest son.

While the mother and son were chatting, Chengdong revealed his older brother's drinking problem. He knew that his mother was his brother's weakness, and if he and his sister-in-law couldn't persuade him, then only his mother's personal intervention would be effective.

Sure enough, the old lady got so angry after hearing her youngest son's words that she kept slamming her dragon-headed cane on the floor. Judging by this, when her eldest brother Chengxi comes back one day, he'll definitely be in for a world of trouble.

After helping his mother rest, Cheng Dong rushed to Qin Family Village. He hadn't seen his little brother for so many days and wanted to know if the other party had brought back the walnuts from the back mountain.

Although he was somewhat prepared, Cheng Dong's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when he saw the yard full of green walnuts: "Chuan'er! I didn't expect you to have picked so many walnuts in just a few days. This, this, this must weigh over three hundred jin, right?"

"There are still some that have shed their skin on the roof!" Yue Chuan scratched the back of his head, his eyes shining as he asked, "Brother Dong, when are we going to the county town to sell walnuts?"

"We're setting off tomorrow! Pick out a few bags of thoroughly sun-dried ones! And two bags of unskinned ones, to sell them together..."

……

The next day, before dawn, Cheng Dong drove Yue Chuan to the city gate.

The winding mountain road stretches for dozens of miles and takes more than half an hour to drive, but Cheng Dong kept reminding his younger brother of various precautions along the way, so the two of them were not lonely.

"The biggest textile factory in the town is just ahead. We'll set up our stall at the factory gate later. There are a lot of people doing small business here, so don't be shy. Remember to learn how to attract customers from them..."

Cheng Dong was very talkative, and Yue Chuan couldn't get a word in edgewise; he just kept nodding.

A few minutes later, the car finally came to a slow stop on the side of the road. At this moment, Cheng Dong didn't waste any words, quickly got out of the car, picked up two sacks of walnuts, and walked towards the factory gate.

Just as the two finished stacking the bags of walnuts, Cheng Dong's pager beeped. He took it out, checked the message, and frowned slightly. "Chuan'er, I have to go to the shop because of an emergency. You focus on your stall, I'll come pick you up when I'm done!"

"Brother Dong, don't worry, I brought water and dry food, enough to last a day!"

Yue Chuan is a sensible child. People have already helped him this far, so he can't expect everything from them.

"Alright, I'm off now. If anything happens, remember to call me," Cheng Dong said, handing Yue Chuan a slip of paper with his phone number on it. "There are a lot of workers in this factory, so be smart and sell as much as you can..."

After giving a long explanation, Cheng Dong left. Yue Chuan didn't stop there. He spread an old felt cloth on the ground, then used a scale to divide the dried walnuts into several small plastic bags, and finally stacked them neatly together.

The stall was set up, but no one came to inquire about prices. The workers who were rushing to the early shift either hurriedly entered the factory gate or gathered around the breakfast stall across the street.

Although he was prepared for a protracted battle, Yue Chuan couldn't help but feel disappointed. Right now, he stood there like a piece of firewood, feeling increasingly anxious.

Oh dear, when will we be able to open for business?

I'd be happy if my business could be as good as someone else's breakfast stall!

……

Yue Chuan practiced those sales pitches to attract customers repeatedly, but even though he knew them by heart, he still couldn't bring himself to actually hawk his wares.

Well, from dawn till noon, not a single bag of walnuts was sold!

The scorching sun beat down on the boy, but Yue Chuan showed no intention of moving his stall. His mind flashed back to the story of the blind mother's business secrets in the textbook lesson "Deep in the Alley":

"Sitting in the hottest part of the sun and selling there is a sure way to succeed."

This saying was regarded as gospel by the bookworm Yue Chuan. He could have moved to the shade of a tree to cool off, but he insisted on stretching his neck to be scorched by the sun. This kind of "foolish idea" of torturing himself was probably something only he could come up with.

Lunchtime was approaching, and the middle-aged woman selling breakfast returned to the factory gate on her tricycle. Seeing the young man drenched in sweat from the sun, she, being a fellow vendor herself, felt a pang of sympathy and waved to Yue Chuan, calling out, "Young man, you've been standing there all morning, haven't you? Are you hungry? Auntie has some cold noodles here, would you like a bowl?"

"No...no need, I have some steamed buns with me, and I'm not hungry..." Yue Chuan wasn't lying. He wasn't hungry, but thirsty. Besides, he hadn't made a single sale all morning, so where would he get the spare money to buy food?

The middle-aged woman immediately saw through Yue Chuan's thoughts. She picked up her thermos and called out to Yue Chuan, "Auntie has some tea here, would you like a cup?"

Upon seeing the thermos, Yue Chuan pursed his lips, thanked her, and walked over to the woman with the empty water cup.

After gulping down a large glass of water, Yue Chuan felt revitalized. Just as he was about to return to his stall, the kind woman reminded him, "Young man, you could move your stall next to mine. There's shade and tea here, isn't that nice?"

Seeing Yue Chuan hesitate, the woman chuckled and said, "You're such a stubborn child! Even if you're not bothered by the heat, people buying things are!"

Upon hearing this, the young man felt as if he had been struck by lightning, and realized how naive he had been—yes, I'm not afraid of the heat, but the guests are!

Having figured this out, Yue Chuan decisively moved his stall next to the woman's. This food stall owner, Zhao Sumei, was indeed a kind-hearted person; she not only taught him tips for attracting customers but also found cardboard to help him write his price list.

Shuanglingshan dried walnuts: 1.2 yuan/jin

Green-skinned walnuts: 3 mao/jin

Bulk discounts available, welcome to try!

Clearly, this signboard was tailor-made for the greenhorn Yue Chuan. Having this is definitely better than him standing there waiting for customers to come!

"Aunt Zhao, I don't know how to thank you enough. You gave me water to drink and helped me write the signboard. I have a lot of walnuts here, so... I'll give you two bags!" With that, Yue Chuan picked up two large bags of walnuts and put them into the woman's cart.

Seeing this, Zhao Sumei was taken aback for a moment, then her eyes crinkled into a smile as she said, "You're such a good boy! But Auntie can't just take your walnuts for nothing. How about this, I'll make you a bowl of cold noodles, so you'll have the energy to work after you finish eating!"

Having said that, Yue Chuan stopped being coy and began to enjoy a bowl of smooth and refreshing sesame sauce cold noodles.

Seeing Yue Chuan enjoying his meal, Zhao Sumei's eyes shone with a motherly light. She said softly, "If it's not enough, Auntie has plenty more! You're the same age as my daughter, so you're just a child to me. Don't be shy with me!"

"Oh, your daughter is starting high school this year too?" Yue Chuan asked, wiping the grease from his mouth.

"I just got into Yanghe No.1 High School this year..." Zhao Sumei said with a gratified smile.

"Ah! Me too!" Yue Chuan exclaimed in surprise. He was overjoyed to have met such a helpful person, who turned out to be his classmate's mother. What a coincidence!

"Really! No wonder I find you so pleasing to the eye, you really are a good girl!" Zhao Sumei chuckled a few times, and then launched into a tirade of praise. These words were indeed praising Yue Chuan, but they were also praising her own daughter.

As they got to know each other better, they chatted about everything from college entrance exams to setting up a stall. When Zhao Sumei learned that Yue Chuan was setting up the stall to raise tuition fees, her eyes showed more pity and affection. She immediately made Yue Chuan a big bowl of cold noodles.

After finishing those two bowls of cold noodles, Yue Chuan felt the gloom vanish. Now, it was time for him to unleash his full potential and make a fortune...