The aloof military doctor arrives at the unit, and the tough guy can't sit still.

Xia Qiuran followed Aunt Lü into the house. After Aunt Lü poured her a cup of tea, she couldn't stop smiling.

"Xiao Han said that the documents from above have been issued, and ordinary people like us can now sell our own products on a small scale."

"Really! That's great! We won't have to worry about being investigated when we sell plasters anymore." Xia Qiuran was overjoyed. If the plasters really sold well, she could earn more money.

"Yes, and Xiao Han has already negotiated a cooperation with the state-run pharmacy. We can put our plasters there and let them sell them on our behalf. We'll give them five cents as commission for every day they sell." As she spoke, Aunt Lü stood up from her chair to take Xia Qiuran out. "By the way, Xiao Han just went there. Come on, I'll take you to see him too."

Since she had some free time today, Xia Qiuran didn't hesitate and went out to the street with Lü Sao.

After crossing the road, we soon arrived at the pharmacy that Aunt Lü had mentioned, but as soon as we reached the door, we heard arguing coming from inside.

"Our plasters are made with genuine ingredients. What makes you think our plasters are ineffective and made with substandard herbs?" The two walked in, and Han Yu shouted at the pharmacy clerk, his voice filled with emotion.

The sales clerk scoffed, her face full of disdain. "You sell this for 50 cents, while that one sells for 80 cents. Even a fool could tell you don't use any good materials. Is there anything wrong with what I'm saying?"

After saying that, he turned to look at the customers buying medicine. "Sir, if you want to save money, buy theirs. But if you want something really good, don't skimp on the three cents. I'm a pharmacy clerk here, and I've been doing this for years. Do you think I would cheat my customers?"

The old man, already bewildered by the noise, picked up two plasters from the counter and examined them closely. "I'm buying medicine to cure my illness; a few extra cents don't matter."

After saying that, he put down four yuan and took five plasters.

Han Yu's face flushed red and then turned pale with anger. "Where is your director?"

"It's no use talking to anyone about the warehouse. Who told you to sell your plasters so cheaply? You're only fit to be a stepping stone for other medicines," the salesperson said nonchalantly.

Han Yu turned around to confront the pharmacy manager, but just then he saw the manager coming out of the storeroom and immediately went up to him.

"Director Liu, didn't we agree that you'd get a five-cent commission for each plaster you apply? Why are you allowing your employee to speak so disparagingly of my plaster?"

Director Liu calmly poured himself a glass of water and said, "Xiao Han, don't blame me for being blunt, but you sell your plasters for 50 cents and I get a 5-cent commission, while other people sell their plasters for 80 cents and I get a 40-cent commission. If you were in this situation, whose products would you sell?"

Four cents commission! It was indeed very tempting. After hearing this, Xia Qiuran went to the counter, picked up another plaster, and smelled it, but the more she smelled it, the more something seemed off.

"The ingredients for this plaster are aged herbs. Plasters made from such herbs are not very effective. Director, you can manage such a large pharmacy, surely you can't even smell this?" Xia Qiuran said, bringing the plaster to the director's side.

Director Liu just sneered, "So what if he can smell it? Plasters are just for psychological comfort. As long as they don't cure the problem or make it worse, that's fine. If he's really in unbearable pain, then he should go to the hospital."

"Then aren't you selling fake medicine! You've lost all shame just to make a little money!" Aunt Lu was furious and retorted angrily.

Director Liu slammed his water glass on the table in anger. "Watch your mouth. The plasters we sell here are never guaranteed to cure your ailments 100%. Whether you buy them or not is entirely voluntary."

"If you don't want to sell it here, you can take it away right now."

"You..." Han Yu was so angry that his face turned ashen, but he didn't dare to offend the pharmacy manager too much.

The current regulations only allow small-scale sales and do not permit individuals to open their own stores. Therefore, placing products in various state-run stores for resale has become the main form of sales. If one leaves this state-run pharmacy, there may not even be a way to sell the products in the future.

"Go ahead and leave. We use the real deal. Patients can see for themselves. Director Liu, selling medicine like this will only ruin your reputation," Xia Qiuran said, stepping forward.

Director Liu glanced coldly at Xia Qiuran. "Are you kidding me? I've lived for over 40 years. Do you think I know more than a little girl like you? Take your plasters and get out of here."

After saying that, he yelled at the sales clerk, "Xiao Li, keep a close eye on the door from now on, don't let just anyone in."

"Yes, Director."

Xiao Li glanced at the group, then threw out all of Xia Qiuran's plasters from the counter.

The three men walked out of the pharmacy, each carrying a large stack of plasters. At first, they were furious, but then they lowered their heads.

After calming down, Han Yu sighed, "It's all my fault. If I hadn't been so impulsive and gone to argue with them, maybe some of the plaster could have been sold at the pharmacy."

"It's no use. In their eyes, our plasters are just a control group for those high-commission drugs. No one will buy them even if they expire," Xia Qiuran said calmly.

Having lived through two lifetimes, I've come to see these things in a much more relaxed way.

"Control group?" Upon hearing this, Han Yu looked at Xia Qiuran with some confusion.

Xia Qiuran then realized she had misspoke and quickly explained, "This is what we call 'the local dialect.' It means that in their eyes, our plasters are just a stepping stone to highlight those high-commission drugs, a tool they use for comparison."

"Then what should we do? Should we just keep selling to people around us like before?" Aunt Lü sighed as well.

"Of course not. The more they look down on us, the more we need to set an example for them."

Xia Qiuran straightened her back, her eyes dark as if tempered with cold light.

"Our plasters are made with high-quality ingredients and are inexpensive. I refuse to believe that those who make products with integrity can't even compete with those who sell counterfeit medicines."

"Comrade Han, Aunt Lü, I'd like to try a different sales model, but that might be risky, and I can't let you share that risk with me."

"I'll take all these plasters today, and then I'll pay separately to make another batch. I have work and it's inconvenient for me to do this, so Aunt Lü, you can continue to stay at home and help me make plasters. If you have time, you can come out and set up a stall again. The payment will still be the same as we agreed before."

"Comrade Han, if my method succeeds in testing, I'll come to you for help again when I need manpower."

After thinking for a moment, Xia Qiuran said that now is the early stage of recovery, and she decided to take a gamble, but there was no reason to let innocent people take risks with her.

"Sister Xia, are you going to abandon me?!" A hint of nervousness flashed in Han Yu's eyes.

"It's not about abandoning you, it's that the sales method I've come up with carries considerable risk, and I don't want you to take that risk with me," Xia Qiuran explained.

Han Yu immediately patted his chest and said, "Sister Xia, you're underestimating me. There's no such thing as making 100% money in business. I trust you. Just tell me what to do."

Xia Qiuran lowered her head and thought for a moment. To be honest, she wasn't absolutely sure she could do this well. If she succeeded, that would be fine, but if she failed, wouldn't she drag everyone else down with her?

"That won't work either. My method is a bit risky. I'll test it out first, and once things stabilize, I'll definitely call you back to help me. Until then, I'll give you a commission on every plaster I sell."

"Okay, Sister Xia, can you promise me something?" Han Yu didn't insist after hearing Xia Qiuran's words, and then said.

Xia Qiuran: "You go ahead."