Chapter 8: Preparing to Sell Seeds

Chapter 8: Preparing to Sell Seeds

The money Duan Lei left was one hundred and fifty-six yuan. He usually had enough money, but he didn’t have the habit of saving. This trip was a spur-of-the-moment decision for both of them, and although the money wasn’t much, it was all he had left after covering the travel expenses.

Ye Xiaoxiao pooled her remaining money, totaling three hundred and fifty-four yuan.

This money was her initial capital, and she needed to do something with it.

"Where are you going? We need to head back to the village today."

Ye Changsheng thought that with all the things they'd bought, they should hurry back to the village.

Moreover, Ye Xiaoxiao's cotton shoes, cotton-padded jacket, and cotton-padded trousers needed to be made quickly so she wouldn’t freeze when the cold weather hit.

Unexpectedly, Ye Xiaoxiao waved her hand, "Going back to the village can wait. I have something very important to do now."

"What important thing do you have?" Ye Changsheng was skeptical.

"Doing market research."

With less than two months until the Spring Festival and two and a half months until the next semester started, Ye Xiaoxiao aimed to earn enough for the living expenses and tuition fees of the Ye family's children for the next semester within that time, and hopefully earn back the money Hao Yanyan had taken.

That way, the eldest brother wouldn’t have to risk working in a mine with inadequate safety measures due to financial pressure and never return because of a mining accident.

By then, Ye Jianguo had already passed away, and Ye Changsheng was bedridden and paralyzed, but there was still hope for recovery.

Ye Changqing shouldered the family’s living expenses, under great pressure, so even though he knew it was unsafe, he still went down the mine. But luck wasn’t on his side, and he died young.

After Ye Changqing's death, his sister-in-law, Zhang Xue, cried daily, her spirit broken.

The mine refused to pay compensation, blaming the accident on the workers’ violation of safety protocols.

The Ye family’s uncle and his family helped with the lawsuit, and Miao Cuifang, overwhelmed by grief and exhaustion, collapsed.

Just as the family was in chaos, the two children, Ye Baocheng and Ye Baoyuan, who were playing by the door, were abducted by traffickers and never found again.

Tragic... unbearably tragic, a heart-wrenching tragedy.

In the book, this family was just a background, their story told in a few brief lines.

But now, Ye Xiaoxiao couldn’t let the story unfold as it was—she was determined to change their fate!

Ignoring Ye Changsheng's opposition, Ye Xiaoxiao took him and Ye Changyuan out.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Where is the busiest place here?"

Ye Changyuan: "That would be the big market, but we have to wait until Friday. There's none today."

The market, encouraged by the local government, was an organized and regulated event. In rural areas, ordinary people who wanted to make some money from buying and selling could only come here.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "What do they sell at the market?"

Ye Changyuan: "Everything, and the prices are cheaper than at the supply and marketing cooperative."

Ye Xiaoxiao was delighted: "Then can we sell something there?"

Ye Changyuan: "We have nothing."

Ye Xiaoxiao was silent...

As a city kid and a medical student, Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t really understand much about business.

Ye Changsheng seemed to grasp her thoughts, "The stuff we have at home isn’t anything special. Every household has the same stuff. Why would anyone buy from us instead?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "...You’ve got a point."

Just as they stood there unsure of where to go, they noticed many people on the street heading in one direction.

Several elderly folks were even carrying small stools.

Ye Changyuan: "Hey... is there a movie showing today? Everyone’s heading over to snag a spot."

The county cultural bureau had dedicated film projectionists who usually roamed around nearby villages, typically coming around once or twice a month.

For people with no other entertainment options, this was the big event of the month.

Ye Xiaoxiao’s eyes sparkled.

A movie!

She knew exactly what to sell.

Ye Xiaoxiao shared her idea.

"How about selling sunflower seeds?"

Both Ye Changsheng and Ye Changyuan thought her idea was a long shot. They also grew sunflower seeds, and every household could easily produce several bags. Why would anyone bother buying from someone else?

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Not just selling sunflower seeds. Is there anyone nearby who sells popcorn? We can sell sunflower seeds and popcorn as a combo."

"There’s a guy in our grandpa’s alley who makes popcorn. You bring your own corn and sugar, and they charge ten cents a batch," Ye Changyuan was quite familiar with it.

"Let’s go, we’ll grab some stuff first," Ye Xiaoxiao suddenly felt confident.

The three of them returned to the supply and marketing cooperative, and Ye Xiaoxiao was ready to buy everything they needed.

Ye Changsheng stopped Ye Xiaoxiao, who was about to go on a spending spree: "We already have sunflower seeds and corn at Grandpa's house. You only need to buy some sugar. After all, we’re just giving it a shot. If it doesn’t sell, there's no loss."

"Alright."

Smart folks really have a knack for everything, always quick to make connections.

After buying the sugar, the three of them started preparing separately.

Ye Xiaoxiao pestered her grandfather to roast sunflower seeds at home, while Ye Changyuan and Ye Changsheng took the supplies to find the popcorn vendor.

Miao Fengshan didn't know what these kids were up to, but he doted on them.

He brought out two sacks of sunflower seeds he had stored at home, as they weren't of much use anyway.

Ye Xiaoxiao helped with the fire, while Miao Fengshan worked vigorously, constantly flipping the seeds in the pan with a shovel.

Roasting sunflower seeds is also a skill—the heat must be just right. Too little, and they won't be fragrant; too much, and they'll burn.

Miao Fengshan roasted them perfectly.

Once done, Ye Xiaoxiao packed the sunflower seeds into bags.

Both the grandfather and granddaughter were sweating profusely from their hard work.

"Grandpa, do we have any old newspapers at home that we don't need?" Ye Xiaoxiao thought of using something to pack items conveniently for customers.

"We have plenty of that."

Miao Fengshan often helped the town with writing tasks. He had taken home old newspapers from previous years, afraid to throw them away because they bore the names of important figures, and used them for calligraphy practice.

Now that they could come in handy, it was just perfect.

Ye Xiaoxiao said, "That's great, thanks, Grandpa."

Miao Fengshan asked, "Xiao Xiao, do you need any help from Grandpa?"

Ye Xiaoxiao replied, "No need, Grandpa. Just enjoy the movie tonight. My two brothers are helping me."

As soon as it got dark, the three of them set off for the threshing ground, carrying a bag of sunflower seeds and two bags of popcorn.

Ye Changyuan, brimming with excitement, said, "Xiao Xiao, we didn't bring a scale or anything."

"No need, I've got two enamel mugs ready. A combo of one mug of sunflower seeds and one mug of popcorn costs ten cents. It's easier to calculate this way."

The enamel mugs, though small, held more sunflower seeds than popcorn, making this combo deal a customer favorite.

Plus, at just ten cents, it was a steal for everyone, and spending it didn't feel like a loss.

Ye Changyuan said, "Even though it's cheap, I doubt anyone will buy it."

Ye Changsheng also seemed skeptical.

No matter how clever they were, they were still just young boys stuck in the mountains. Sometimes, it's not the distance that traps you, but your own mindset.

The threshing ground was already crowded with many people, and the projection machine was set up.

Kids were darting around, while groups of young men and women strolled by.

The trio stood by the threshing ground, going unnoticed by those passing by.

Their stall stood quiet and deserted.