Chapter 331: Doing Business

Chapter 331: Doing Business

Ye Jianguo and his group were about to leave, so Ye Xiaoxiao decided to take the kids shopping.

Ye Mei and Ye Lian said they'd already been shopping and didn't want to go out again. In the end, only Zhang Xue and Ye Changsheng helped take care of the five children.

Ye Xiaoxiao and Lu Hanchuan each drove a car, which had just enough seats for everyone.

Zhang Xue said, "Xiaoxiao, you really don't need to buy them anything. Changning has already given them plenty of toys."

Ye Xiaoxiao replied, "Eldest sister-in-law, there are lots of educational materials in Beijing's bookstores. I think they all should read more. Let's buy more learning materials this time."

Hearing this, Zhang Xue couldn't refuse.

Xiaoxiao and Changsheng were the college-educated ones in the family, so they surely knew which books would benefit the children.

When Xiaohu heard they were going to buy books, his face fell.

"Bookstores aren't just full of boring textbooks. There are plenty of fun children's books too. You'll like them," Ye Changsheng said sternly, looking at the kids. "You really should read more."

Lu Hanchuan totally got the children's feelings. "Books as a first gift? They're going to hate you."

Ye Xiaoxiao crossed her arms proudly. "I knew Third Brother would never think of giving something like this. I'm being creative."

"Auntie, I don't hate you," Zhen Yunshuang piped up, looking up with her little face.

Ye Xiaoxiao shot a sideways glance at Lu Hanchuan with her beautiful eyes. "See? Even the kids are more sensible than you."

Lu Hanchuan could only sigh at the unfair dig.

When they arrived at Beijing's largest Xinhua Bookstore, the kids' eyes went wide.

It dwarfed their school library.

And unlike their school library, which was kept under lock and key, they could freely browse the books here.

Ye Xiaoxiao let them pick out books they liked while she and Ye Changsheng selected suitable study materials for them.

...

Back at the villa, Ye Mei and Zhen Wanlin happened to seek out Ye Changning at the same time.

"Eldest brother-in-law, Second Sister... is something the matter?" Ye Changning asked with a smile.

Zhen Wanlin clearly hadn't expected Ye Mei to be there, and his resolve instantly wavered.

Ye Mei also looked at Zhen Wanlin curiously. "Brother-in-law, you...?"

Zhen Wanlin said, "It's nothing urgent. Maybe I'll come back later."

"Don't go. We're all family. There's nothing I can't say openly," Ye Mei laid out her request plainly.

"Actually, I want to quit my job and go into business for myself, but my husband doesn't agree. Changning, do you think I can do it?"

"Of course," Ye Changning voiced his support first, then added, "But you're in for some hard work, Second Sister."

Hearing his support, Ye Mei felt relieved. "Hard work is fine. I just wanted to ask if I could get supplies directly from you and settle up once I start turning a profit."

Of course, there are risks involved. If Ye Mei doesn’t make any money, she won’t be able to pay for the goods anytime soon.

But with his big business now, Ye Changning didn’t mind much. At most, Ye Mei’s small shop would only take a few thousand dollars’ worth of goods.

He readily agreed, “No problem. Here’s the factory manager’s contact info. Second Sister can even go check out the factory herself to pick out what styles would sell well in our area.”

Ye Mei: “That works. I used to be in the fabric business, so I know what I’m doing.”

After finishing her conversation with Ye Changning, Ye Mei turned to Zhen Wanlin. “Alright, Brother-in-law, spill it—why’d you come?”

With Ye Mei breaking the ice, Zhen Wanlin found it easier to speak up.

“Actually, I have the same idea as Second Sister. I want to find another job too. My current one is stable, but the pay’s lousy.”

Ye Mei widened her eyes. “Brother-in-law, how about teaming up with me? There’s a lot I can’t manage alone as a woman. With you here, we can discuss things together.”

Ye Changning nodded. “Sounds good to me. Besides, opening a clothing store is better suited for a bigger city. Our town’s too small to make real money.”

Ye Mei: “Let’s try things out in the county first. If it goes well, then we’ll expand to the city later.”

Zhen Wanlin had to admit that Ye Mei was smarter, more flexible, and adaptable than him. His doubts faded, and he made up his mind.

“Alright, I’m in!”

Seeing how motivated the two were, Ye Changning thought they should seize the moment and go select the goods today so delivery could be arranged when Ye Mei left.

Normally, you’d have to pick up the goods yourself, but since Ye Mei was family, Ye Changning paid for shipping himself. When family members wanted to stand on their own feet, Ye Changning naturally supported them.

After going downstairs, the rest of the family had all kinds of reactions upon hearing that Ye Mei and Zhen Wanlin were quitting their jobs to open a clothing store.

Ye Jianguo looked at Ye Changning. “Was this your idea?”

Ye Changning protested, “Not me!”

Wang Dongqiang, on the other hand, questioned Ye Mei. “You’re not only quitting your job—you’re roping Brother-in-law into this too?”

Wang Dongqiang wasn’t entirely against his wife starting a business, but getting others involved was risky—lose money, and relatives might feud.

Zhen Wanlin explained, “I was the one who wanted to join. Ye Mei didn’t persuade me.”

Ye Mei shot her husband a look. “Brother-in-law gets it better than you. If you won’t support me, others will.”

Seeing his sister’s bluntness, Ye Changning quickly interjected, “Brother-in-law, Second Sister’s plan could work. If you’re worried, start by selling the goods first. Once the business proves profitable, then quit and open the store.”

Wang Dongqiang: “It’s not that I don’t support your sister. I’m just afraid she’s being too impulsive.”

Ye Mei: “I’m not!”

Li Guilan, watching her daughter’s stubbornness, chimed in, “Ye Mei, whatever you do, you must talk it through with the family. No attitude.”

Facing her mother, Ye Mei didn’t dare act as boldly as she did with her husband.

“I know. That’s exactly what we’re doing now.”

Ye Changning: “I’ll take Second Sister and Brother-in-law to the factory first. If the rest of you want to go out, tell the butler—he’ll get you a car.”

After giving instructions to the family, Ye Changning called for Jiang Nan to drive him to the factory.

After Ye Changning left with the two would-be entrepreneurs, the family continued discussing the matter.

"When did Wanlin [Ye Lian's husband] get the idea to start a business? Lian, did he talk to you about it before?" Miao Cuifang asked.

Ye Lian also found the idea quite sudden and shook her head.

"It must be something he’s recently thought of, probably because the salary at the post office is too low."

Miao Cuifang said, "Since he has this idea, you shouldn’t discourage him too much. Let him try. If he succeeds, great; if not, the family will support him no matter what."