Sweet Nostalgia of the 80s

Chapter 111: Chapter 111: Business Booming

An Hao was so busy all morning that she could hardly catch her breath.

Seeing this, Erchun was utterly astonished.

She had never expected that her goods would almost be sold out by An Hao.

She helped An Hao on the side, following her instructions on what to do.

Moreover, An Hao was lively in business, not stuck on a single price, selling items for one yuan fifty, one yuan twenty, and one yuan each.

By noon, she had sold half of her Snowflake Cream.

Erchun saw An Hao was so busy that she didn’t even have time to drink water. When lunchtime came, and the street became less crowded, Erchun took the opportunity to pour An Hao some water and handed her two steamed buns with radish filling that she had brought from home.

”Eat now while there’s no one around,” she urged.

”Erchun, I’ve got some pancakes.” An Hao began to search for her food, but Erchun stopped her, ”What do you need pancakes for? Eat the buns quickly, you’ll be busy in a bit!”

An Hao saw that Erchun genuinely wanted her to eat, so she took the buns and finished them in just a few bites.

In the afternoon, An Hao sold about another twenty boxes in one breath, but there were still about ten boxes left that she couldn’t sell.

As the festival crowd thinned, An Hao saw that it was getting late, so she packed up her things and took out the money she had made for the day.

”Sister, I’ll give you the money for your goods at the price they sold for,” An Hao said, mentally calculating before pulling out fifteen yuan, ”Sister, this is what you’re owed.”

Erchun counted the money and quickly shook her head, ”No, no! Little sister, my goods couldn’t have sold for so much. Even at market price, they would only come to thirteen yuan fifty. You’ve given me too much. I can’t take this, I can’t!”

An Hao and Erchun went back and forth refusing each other, but Erchun simply would not accept the money.

So, An Hao gave her a box of Snowflake Cream instead.

After counting the remaining money, she had made a total of seventy yuan, and after deducting costs, she still had fifty yuan left.

The pock-faced woman watched enviously, regretting that she hadn’t let An Hao sell at her stall and also coveting her Snowflake Cream. So, she came over with a smile and asked, ”Little sister, would you sell me a box of Snowflake Cream for cheap?”

An Hao glanced at her and replied, ”Who’s your little sister! If you want to buy my Snowflake Cream, I have just two words for you, ’Not selling!’”

”Oh...” The pock-faced woman watched helplessly as the girl with the schoolbag walked away.

She truly regretted it so much that her guts were turning green!

On her way home, An Hao pondered how to spend the money.

She decided to hold onto the fifty yuan for now and wait until she could go to the city to buy more stock, and after selling it a couple more times, she should have enough to pay off her debt.

With the lessons from the last time in mind, An Hao was very cautious, looking around as she headed home to make sure no one would steal her money.

The setting sun’s lingering glow filled the sky, and a gentle breeze came blowing, tender willow shoots sprouting by the roadside, swaying lightly in the air.

Spring was coming, and warmth filled An Hao’s heart as well.

Once she paid off the debt, she could focus on preparing for college.

To study at the university she had always dreamed of!

Just as An Hao reached the entrance of the village, she saw Shen Zhihua standing under the big willow tree, dressed in a gray jacket, holding a military canteen and looking in her direction.

When he saw An Hao coming, he dashed over in a few quick strides, ”An Hao, have you finally finished selling?”

”Pretty much. Today’s earnings were not bad; a few more times and I should be able to pay off the debt and even save some for tuition,” An Hao said cheerfully, more talkative than usual.

Shen Zhihua nodded and handed her the water canteen, ”You must be thirsty. Here, drink some water.”

”I am indeed very thirsty. I’ve been talking all day, my mouth hasn’t stopped.” Even now, her voice was getting a bit hoarse.

She took the canteen, tipped it back, and drank deeply, a drop of water trickling from the corner of her mouth, sliding down her chin to her fair neck.