With her individual business license, Zeng Shuyi could boldly stretch her hands and work freely.
Before, when she sold popsicles, it was out of sheer recklessness—just in case she ran into the Red Sleeve Brigade, she could drop the popsicles anytime since her capital was low anyway.
She used the money she had saved to rent a bicycle for three yuan a month, and spent the rest on stocking up goods.
There were small everyday items like needles, thread, and buttons, as well as pencils and exercise books.
However, for things like soap that required receipts, Zeng Shuyi hadn’t figured out how to get those for now.
On the first day she went out, Zeng Xiangmin followed her nervously.
Zeng Shuyi had him push the bicycle while she walked ahead calling out, “Needles, thread, buttons, maltose, and pencils all available!”
They passed by the riverside where a group of women were washing clothes, and a few kids heard her selling maltose and clamored for some.
Maltose was sold piece by piece, one cent each, and most parents were reluctant to buy it for their kids.
But Zeng Shuyi called out loudly enough that two kids threw tantrums and begged their parents to buy some.
The parents had no choice and came over with two cents.
“You kids really are something, why shout so loud? These days, those speculative traders have way too much nerve. Aren’t you afraid of getting caught?” an auntie said as she bought two pieces of maltose.
Zeng Shuyi pulled out her individual business license, “Auntie, look, we’re operating legally with official documents. Besides maltose, I also have needles, thread, and buttons—all don’t require receipts.”
“I’m not looking, I can’t read anyway. How would I know if it’s legal or not?” But once she heard no receipts were needed, the auntie immediately grew interested. “Your buttons are pretty complete, and you even have insoles. Where do you get these things? Also no receipts?”
If she knew the source, she’d go buy directly—surely cheaper.
The buttons were factory seconds from the garment factory, and the insoles were scraps of fabric discarded by the cloth mill, which Zeng Shuyi took home for her family to sew.
She couldn’t possibly buy these from the state-run store, or else her prices would be higher than theirs.
Who would buy from her then?
In Zeng Shuyi’s basket, only the maltose was bought from the state-run store; the rest were collected from various factories herself.
That was thanks to her mother and the neighbors who often bought cheap goods, so she knew these channels.
Of course, Zeng Shuyi didn’t tell the auntie the truth.
She smiled sweetly, “Auntie, just look at these insoles, they’re good quality. It takes a lot of effort—fabric and thread cost money—but I only sell them for one mao a pair. Very reasonable.”
“I don’t want insoles; we can make those ourselves,” the auntie said, and after failing to get more details, she left bored.
The two kids ate the maltose, their mouths sweet and sticky, rushing off to show their friends.
Other kids saw and wanted some too.
Some stared longingly at Zeng Shuyi’s bicycle; others tried to urge their parents.
Zeng Shuyi was busy selling while her younger brother kept pushing the bike along.
“Little Girl!”
Someone suddenly called out from behind.
Zeng Shuyi turned and saw an old lady holding an egg, looking a little embarrassed as she asked, “Young lady, can I exchange this egg for some of your maltose?”
Eggs at the farmer’s market sold for eight to eleven cents each.
Zeng Shuyi needed money and said she could give four pieces of maltose for one egg.
“Can you give one more piece? Eggs are much more valuable than maltose.” The old lady bargained with her.
Zeng Xiangmin immediately said no, “Maltose isn’t cheap either.”
But Zeng Shuyi smiled and agreed, “Since you’re the first person to offer eggs for maltose, I’ll give you an extra piece.”
After the old lady left, Zeng Shuyi looked at the eggs in the wooden basket and immediately had another idea.
For ordinary families without individual business licenses and with working adults at home, they dared not trade.
But many small items could be conveniently bartered at least once, and they could exchange goods with her.
With that thought, whenever she sold goods afterward, Zeng Shuyi added, “If you don’t have money, that’s okay. If your family has eggs or maltose, you can trade with me.”
By evening, she would add, “Canned food and white sugar are also okay. I buy insoles at six cents a pair, but they have to be good quality.”
At the end of the day, Zeng Shuyi calculated that she hadn’t made cash profit but had earned two cans of maltose, five eggs, an ounce of white sugar, and a chunk of medium-grade soap.
As the siblings headed home, the sunset stained half the sky red, and Zeng Shuyi was in a good mood.
“Third sister, we didn’t make any money today. Why are you so happy?” Zeng Xiangmin didn’t understand, seeing her only trade goods but no money coming in.
To him, having cash in hand was the real profit.
“We made a different kind of profit today,” Zeng Shuyi said.
“Not everyone has extra money to buy things, but every household has some small extra items. Look at this soap and white sugar. If you buy them from the supply and marketing cooperative, you need receipts, but we exchanged for them without receipts. When we sell them later, if people hear no receipts are involved and prices match the cooperative, don’t you think it will be easier to sell?”
“We’re bartering and making a margin. If we only have these few small items, do you think business can thrive?”
When selling, many customers asked for things Zeng Shuyi didn’t have.
She realized that to run a good general store, she had to increase the variety of her small goods.
Zeng Xiangmin seemed to understand a bit, and since his sister said it wasn’t a loss, he figured it wasn’t a loss.
As they neared the alley entrance, they saw Old Liu and some others chatting.
Zeng Xiangmin felt a little awkward and avoided eye contact, afraid of being mocked.
Zeng Shuyi, however, confidently walked over and greeted, “Old Liu, have you eaten? If you ever need small goods, come find me anytime. We’re neighbors—I’ll give you a good price.”
Liu Xiwang stood up to look at the bamboo basket on the bike’s rear seat, “Well, Shuyi, you have quite a lot in there. But Shuyi, isn’t speculating illegal? How are you so bold?”
“Hey Old Liu, I’m operating legally—I have a license. You don’t have to worry about getting caught when buying from me. See? This is my certificate.” Zeng Shuyi showed her individual business license to the others.
She had to make it clear she was legal, so no jealous neighbor would report her, or else it would be a big hassle.
Also, neighbors were potential customers, and she wanted to earn as much as possible now.
Just then, Wang Juan came back from work, saw Zeng Shuyi at the alley entrance, and muttered softly, “Really shameless.”
Her face flushed crimson.
Afraid of gossip, she hurried home.
Back home, Wang Juan immediately complained to her mother-in-law, “Shuyi isn’t afraid of losing face. Everyone else in speculative trade keeps a low profile, but she stands right at the alley entrance, even asking Old Liu and others to look after her business. Dad, shouldn’t you say something to her? Otherwise, where do we put our dignity?”
Zeng Qingliang also felt embarrassed but didn’t interfere with his daughter—he simply ignored the comment.
Lin Jiazhen quietly wiped the table without saying a word.
Wang Juan got bored and stomped back to her room.
When Zeng Shuyi and her brother got home, Zeng Qingliang still hadn’t spoken to her but called out to his younger son, “I’ve made arrangements with Feng Mujiang.
You’ll apprentice under him for two years, and after that, he’ll teach you carpentry.”
“I don’t want to go! I want to do business with my third sister!” Zeng Xiangmin cried out.
“What business? Your mother agreed to this too. If you don’t go, I’ll make sure you do!” Zeng Qingliang warned his third daughter with a sharp look. “Learning a proper craft is real. Don’t think you can get rich with those worthless things. It’s ridiculous!”
Zeng Xiangmin looked to his third sister for help, “Third sister, please say something for me. I don’t want to learn carpentry.”
Zeng Shuyi felt helpless.
She knew her father valued his sons.
She could “mess around” but not her two brothers.
Otherwise, her second sister wouldn’t have been away in the city so long with no plans at home, and her father instead found an apprenticeship for her brother with a carpenter.
Besides, Zeng Shuyi’s business made her father unhappy. If she dragged her brother into resistance too, her father would really punish her.
“That’s your business. I can’t help,” Zeng Shuyi said as she went to the kitchen to help clear the dishes.
Zeng Xiangmin argued with their father, and when Zeng Shuyi came into the living room, she saw her father slap her brother.
The slap was crisp and loud.
“You’ve gone against me. Do you think I’m just a figurehead in this family? You have to go even if you don’t want to. One person being laughed at in this family is enough. If you dare to join speculative trade, I’ll break your belly!”
Just then, Xu Zhaodi pushed the door open and called, “Shuyi!”
“Shuyi, do you have white sugar for sale?” Xu Zhaodi entered but immediately sensed something was wrong at the Zeng household and awkwardly hesitated whether to stay or leave.
Zeng Shuyi read the situation and quietly pulled Aunt Xu outside to the yard, selling her the white sugar she’d exchanged today.
“What happened at your place? Did your brother get into trouble again?” Aunt Xu gossiped.
“No, Dad found Xiangmin a master. It’s a good thing.” Zeng Shuyi gave a perfunctory reply.
Aunt Xu didn’t believe her for a second.
Outside the Zeng family gate, she leaned against the wall for a long while but didn’t hear any more noise.
She thought it was a pity.
However, since she managed to buy white sugar without receipts, she already made a profit today and thought at least she came quickly enough.
Still worried about being found out, she looked around and hid the paper package in her sleeve before going home.
Who knew if Zeng Shuyi’s claim of legal operation was true or not?
Zeng Xiangmin wasn’t like Zeng Shuyi.
He wasn’t as tough.
After repeated persuasion from their parents, he finally agreed to go and apprentice with Feng Mujiang for a while.
After dinner, Zeng Xiangmin deliberately came over, “Third sister, I’ll hang around at Feng Mujiang’s for a few days. When he gets tired of me, I’ll come back and help you with business.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Once Dad starts talking, you’re scared like a mouse seeing a crow, almost wetting your pants. Study carpentry well. I don’t expect much from you,” Zeng Shuyi said as she washed her face, ignoring her brother’s pitiful expression and went back to her room.
No sooner had she sat down than two groups of people came looking for Zeng Shuyi to buy white sugar.
When they found out she was out of stock, they regretted coming late.
Zeng Shuyi knew white sugar was in short supply and didn’t expect so many people wanted it.
Her mind spun, and she thought of another business opportunity.
Early the next morning, Zeng Shuyi rode her bicycle to find Bai Duoduo.
The Bai family made maltose, the sweet flavor in their family’s jujube syrup coming from maltose.
“Duoduo!” Zeng Shuyi knocked on the Bai family’s door.
When Bai Duoduo opened, she said excitedly, “Are your parents home? I came to discuss something with you!”