Chapter 120: Choice Goods

"I see!" Zhong Yuxiu realized what it was, and losing interest, she said, "I'll go help Gou Dan set the table. Comrade Hao, Comrade Tian, please check if the goods are to your satisfaction."

Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo nodded. "All right, thank you for your trouble."

"Don't mention it." Zhong Yuxiu walked quickly toward the kitchen.

The three men gathered around the black cloth. Yan Yushan pulled it back to reveal the items stacked neatly: malted milk extract, fabric, a bicycle, a watch, and a sewing machine—nothing was missing.

"Check the quality and the brands," he said, stepping back to give them space.

Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo stepped forward. Hao Nan picked up the malted milk and the fabric, while Tian Shangguo examined the "three big items." The malted milk was standard, all of the same brand and packaging, and the fabric was high-quality Dacron, which was quite popular at the time.

"Comrade Yan, thank you. The fabric is excellent," Hao Nan said after a glance, looking very satisfied. "How much is the total? I'll go get the money for you."

"Eight yuan per tin for the malted milk, and thirty yuan for the two bolts of fabric, no coupons needed." It was essentially the wholesale price.

"Alright, I'll go get the money. Please wait a moment."

Hao Nan carried the items upstairs and returned a moment later with the cash. "Please count it, thirty-eight."

"No need to count. Can't I trust you?" Yan Yushan tucked the money directly into his pocket. They had a certain mutual understanding of each other’s character, and that level of trust existed.

Hao Nan smiled, feeling at ease. Regardless of the reason, being trusted was a pleasant thing.

After finishing his inspection, Tian Shangguo nodded. "Comrade Yan, the goods are all fine and brand new. How much in money and coupons?"

"The bicycle, watch, and sewing machine don't require coupons. Two hundred and fifty for the bicycle, one hundred and eighty for the watch, and three hundred and fifty for the sewing machine."

"This... isn't this too cheap?" Tian Shangguo had done the math in his head; the three items would usually cost no less than a thousand, and that was even with coupons. The sewing machine, in particular, was very expensive, and prices in the capital were even higher than in the provinces. "Comrade Yan, you're losing money this way. Just charge the proper price; there's no need to give me a special discount. You aren't running this alone."

Not only did they know about Yan Yushan's activities, but the higher-ups were also aware of them. If it weren't for that, his business wouldn't have been so smooth.

Hao Nan nodded. "Are mine considered discounted as well?"

"Not at all. We're all acquaintances now, so the prices naturally shouldn't be the same as those for outsiders. There’s still a profit margin on these," Yan Yushan said calmly. "Don't overthink it. In our line of work, we make sure not to run at a loss."

Tian Shangguo was finally reassured. "Then, I'll go upstairs to get the money."

"Mm." Yan Yushan nodded. Tian Shangguo hurried upstairs, returned with the money, and handed it to him. "Thank you very much this time, Comrade Yan."

"Just a small favor." Yan Yushan took the money and put it in his pocket. "Alright, go ahead and move the items into storage. I'm going to help Yuxiu set the table."

With that, he walked quickly into the kitchen. Hao Nan helped Tian Shangguo move the sewing machine and bicycle into the storage room; the watch could be carried on one's person, so there was no rush to store it.

"Why did you come in?" Zhong Yuxiu had finished washing the dishes and, as she turned, saw him standing behind her, gazing at her with a pleased expression and a smile on his lips. She couldn't help but smile back. "Are they satisfied?"

"I came to help you set the table. They are very satisfied. Everything is brand new and the quality is fine, so naturally, they are pleased." Yan Yushan reached out to take the bowls and chopsticks from her.

Zhong Yuxiu nodded. "The bicycle business can be adjusted appropriately."

"Mm, I was thinking the same thing. I've already made adjustments. Once the current stock of bicycles is sold, I'll only be bringing in a small amount," Yan Yushan said while holding the bowls and chopsticks. "The emergence of small electric scooters will soon replace bicycles, and the bicycle market will take a huge hit. We've taken all of that into account."

There were tricks to selling goods; it wasn't a static process. They had to consider many factors when stocking inventory: the era, the political climate, and current trends.

They didn't just sell one or two things; they sold whatever they could flip.

With a large operation, there were naturally many concerns.

"Yes, that's true." When their thoughts were on the same wavelength, communication was effortless. "Small electric scooters can't be sold to private individuals yet, but given your family background, you should be able to get your hands on some, shouldn't you?"

Yan Yushan shook his head. "It's not that simple. Right now, small electric scooters are a major source of revenue. If they fall into private hands, the pricing can't be controlled. It's not yet time for their widespread adoption."

By the time they were widely available, the price would drop to a level ordinary people could accept.

"That's true," Zhong Yuxiu said, acknowledging the point. She turned and asked, "Brother Yan, you're accumulating capital now. What kind of business do you plan to do in the future?"

"Real estate, clothing, and technology."

Zhong Yuxiu looked thoughtful. "Why do you want to enter the clothing business?"

"Food, clothing, housing, and transportation—you have to occupy at least one of these sectors; you can't do nothing. If possible, I also want to go into the jewelry business." Yan Yuxiu voiced his thoughts. Zhong Yuxiu felt a stir. "The capital required for the jewelry business is immense, no less than real estate or technology. Do you have enough capital?"

Yan Yushan looked at her and chuckled softly. "If the capital isn't enough, I'll accumulate it slowly; I'll reach the goal eventually. The jewelry business isn't easy to succeed in. The processes of sourcing jade, carving, polishing, and sales all require thorough preparation. Otherwise, one cannot simply start."

It would fail the moment it saw the light of day.

"It seems you know quite a lot. I don't know much about business, so just do whatever you want. It's time to eat now. Take the bowls and chopsticks out, and I'll bring the dishes."

Setting aside all her thoughts, she ushered Yan Yushan out of the kitchen. She brought out two plates of food herself. After Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo came out of the storage room, they ran over to help. With more hands, the work was fast, and the meal was soon on the table.

There were three meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and one soup.

After the four of them finished dinner and saw Yan Yushan off, Zhong Yuxiu washed up and went upstairs. Not long after she got to her room, Hao Nan came to call for her.

"Comrade Zhong, are you asleep?"

"No." Zhong Yuxiu sat up from the bed, put on a jacket, and opened the door. "What's the matter?"

Hao Nan said, "Someone downstairs has delivered the range hood."

"Just ask them to help install it. If they want money, give them money; if they want coupons, give them coupons. Gou Dan should be downstairs too. If there's anything they don't understand, just let Gou Dan handle the installation."

"Alright, then please rest."

Hao Nan turned and went downstairs to relay Zhong Yuxiu's instructions to Gou Dan. Gou Dan beeped three times to acknowledge, then turned to help the delivery person install the unit.

The person who delivered the range hood was also a soldier. When Zhong Yuxiu had provided the blueprints, she had mentioned that she wanted one once they were manufactured. Therefore, as soon as they came off the production line, Xi Nian sent someone to deliver one. The man was one of the guards who frequently worked around Xi Nian.