Chapter 49: Counterfeit Goods

A few days ago, Lin Qiao had checked the accounts, and it indeed stated one yuan per jin. Ji Duo had no reason to falsify the accounts for her, so there was definitely an issue here.

Liquid soap had been selling well recently; even those who hadn’t bought it had heard about it. Soon, some female workers came out to take a look. Lin Qiao pretended to be interested and joined them, but a glance into the bucket made her frown.

The color was similar, but it was thinner. It was unclear whether it hadn’t been purified using the salting-out method or diluted with water. However, the female workers didn’t seem to notice, or perhaps they hadn’t seen the real product before and were still debating whether to buy it.

Lin Qiao blended into the crowd and asked, “My sister-in-law bought a jin last week, and it was much thicker than this. Why is yours so thin?”

No one had noticed until she mentioned it. Once she did, others began to agree, discussing it loudly, “Isn’t this fake?”

“How could it be? If you don’t believe me, add some water and try washing with it.” The seller was clearly prepared, “This just hasn’t been left long enough. Give it another three to five days, and it’ll thicken. Our boss’s lease expired, and we had nowhere to store it. Otherwise, do you think we could sell it this cheap?”

He even asked Lin Qiao specifically, “How much did your sister-in-law pay? One yuan per jin, right?”

He seemed well-informed, so Lin Qiao hesitated, “I think so, but I don’t remember clearly.”

“Definitely. We used to sell it for one yuan per jin. Do you want to buy some? It’s cheap now, and you won’t get this deal again.”

The seller was persuasive, and Lin Qiao went along, spending seventy cents to buy a jin and borrowing a bottle with a deposit.

Back at school, ‘Madam’ Bi also brought a bottle, “Is this the liquid soap your friend sells?”

Lin Qiao saw his expression and knew something was wrong, “Did you get the thin one, too?”

“Not me, my sister.” Teacher Bi said, “She heard me say it was good and bought some when she came across it. But when she used it to wash her hair, it was wasteful and didn’t lather well. She told me, and I didn’t believe her, so I had her bring it over. It turns out it’s really different.”

Lin Qiao showed him the bottle she had, “I encountered the same thing and bought a jin to show my friend.”

“So, it’s not your friend selling it?” Teacher Bi shook the bottle, “I thought this stuff was selling well, no need to dilute it and sell it cheap. It’s a waste of effort and ruins the reputation.”

He put his hands on his hips, clearly upset, “Who is so evil? Two yuan for three jin? Even five jin of this isn’t as good as two jin of the real stuff.”

From his reaction, it seemed more like he had bought it himself, trying to save money, and ended up buying several jin…

Of course, there was no need to point that out. Lin Qiao just asked where the items were purchased.

Teacher Bi knew exactly where “his sister” bought the items. Lin Qiao noted it down; it was a bit far from where she bought hers but not too far.

Back at home, she gave the bottle of liquid soap and the two addresses to Ji Duo, “Check it out. I don’t know where this came from.”

There were two main possibilities: one, the father and son who didn’t get the complete formula were trying to recoup some of their losses; two, one of Ji Duo’s friend’s salespeople.

After all, the product quantity was fixed, but diluting it would increase the volume, and if controlled properly, it could make a lot of money. As for ruining the reputation…

The business wasn’t theirs, so if it failed, they could move on to the next one, having already made their money.

Even in units with secure jobs, salespeople often did such things.

Ji Duo understood as soon as he saw the bottle’s contents. He noted the addresses and had Xiao Fang drive to deliver them to Ji Ze the next morning.

Since the items were packaged, Ji Ze, who had stayed up late making soap, was initially confused. But once he opened it, he was instantly alert. For the next few days, he checked his salespeople one by one and staked out the places Lin Qiao mentioned to catch the counterfeit sellers. The seller was cautious, never selling in the same place twice. Ji Ze expanded his search area and finally found them.

Once the situation was clear, he called his uncle, but Captain Liang’s wife said he wasn’t home, and neither of them had returned. It was lunchtime, so even if they had gone to the cafeteria, they should have been back by now.

Ji Ze tried calling Ji Duo’s office, and this time it went through, surprising him, “Uncle, didn’t you go home for lunch?”

How could Ji Duo answer that? Your aunt took students for a social practice class, so I didn’t go home either?

He didn’t address that, “Did you find out about the matter?”

Ji Ze didn’t waste words, “Yes, it was those father and son again. They didn’t waste that formula, selling it as soap water.”

They had spent over a thousand and left a record at the police station, so they had to recoup some of their losses.

They couldn’t sell it continuously, so they moved from place to place, making money off the reputation they had built. Once the liquid soap’s reputation was ruined, they didn’t care, as they were doing one-off deals, and it was even better if they could harm Ji Ze.

“I spent so much effort building a reputation, and they ruined it in two days.”

Ji Ze was furious, “They didn’t even wait for the saponification time, selling it directly. The effect was terrible. They claimed it was from my side, and once they sold it all over Yandu, how could I expand the market?”

This was what made him the angriest. Not only did they shamelessly steal his formula, but they also sold counterfeit goods under his name, deliberately disgusting him.

Ji Duo’s voice remained calm, “What do you plan to do?”

“What can I do? I’ll start by fighting the counterfeits.” Ji Ze had clearly thought this through before making the call, “I’ll give the salespeople uniform clothing and replace all the liquid soap containers with plastic ones. Let’s see where they can buy those.”

In the early days, due to Western technology blockades, the country’s petrochemical industry lagged, and plastic production was very limited. The only common plastic items were summer sandals. He could get plastic barrels for oil because he had connections. The Qin family father and son didn’t have those connections, and even if they did, they wouldn’t spend that much.

Ji Ze sneered, “They can sell counterfeits? I’ll go around under the guise of fighting counterfeits, visiting all the places they’ve sold to, using them as free advertising. And for the places they haven’t sold to, I’ll go myself.”

He had planned to expand slowly, but these people forced his hand.

“I’ll rent a few warehouses elsewhere, fight the counterfeits, and capture the market. Once this wave passes, I’ll talk to stores about cooperation.”

“Like food factories selling soy sauce and vinegar?”

“Yes, selling in bulk to stores. That way, I only need to handle deliveries and won’t have to sell door-to-door.”

Previously, he sold door-to-door because the brand wasn’t recognized, and stores wouldn’t take it. Now that the brand was known, he could quickly sell out and transition from retail to wholesale.

As long as he secured the major stores and got people used to buying their liquid soap, he wouldn’t worry about future competitors.

“Can your production scale keep up?” Ji Duo seemed to pause before asking.

“If not, I’ll expand.” Ji Ze said, “This doesn’t require much equipment, just a big pot. At most, I’ll hire a few dozen more workers.”

Ji Duo’s voice remained low and calm, revealing no emotion, “Didn’t you say you were just using this to practice?”

Ji Ze’s entrepreneurial dreams were suddenly dashed by this question, like encountering a cold wave that froze him completely.

Yes, he initially just wanted to use this to practice and understand the business.

After all, selling liquid soap door-to-door was small-scale compared to making electrical appliances, where even a single item could sell for hundreds or thousands. If he could succeed and overcome technical challenges, maybe the country could use its own appliances in the future, without imports.

That would be a great achievement. Even if it doesn’t surpass his grandfather and uncle, it wouldn’t be inferior to them.

At least when people mention him, he would first be known as the young successful entrepreneur Ji Ze, and only then as his uncle’s nephew and his grandfather’s grandson.

Seeing him silent for a long time, clearly unable to answer, Ji Duo lowered his eyes, “Think about it some more. Goodbye.”

Ji Ze hurriedly called out, “Uncle,” but after that, he didn’t know what to say, and Ji Duo hung up.

After hanging up, Ji Duo didn’t rush back to work. He picked up the thermos and poured himself a cup of water.

Ji Ze probably didn’t notice that his eyes grew brighter every time he talked about business, and he couldn’t stop talking. It was even more enthusiastic than when he used to ask about the military or when he mustered the courage to tell his grandfather he wanted to go into business.

Whether someone stole the formula last time or sold counterfeit goods this time, he was angry but not discouraged, always actively seeking solutions.

Ji Duo wanted Ji Ze to earn his first pot of gold through his own efforts, intending to train him. He just didn’t expect Lin Qiao to be the catalyst for Ji Ze’s growth.

Ji Ze probably didn’t notice that he no longer avoided Lin Qiao as he did initially.

Lin Qiao seemed to have a way of gradually changing the attitudes of those around her. Ji Ze, Captain Liang’s wife, and even him…

Someone returned from lunch and slammed the door in the corridor, making a loud “bang.”

Ji Duo snapped back to reality, realizing the enamel mug in his hand was no longer steaming. He had been lost in thought for a full ten minutes. Except when dealing with issues, he had never spent so much time thinking about a person without doing anything.

On the other side, Lin Qiao had no time to think about her nominal and physical husband. Because it was the first social practice, the students in Class Four were very excited. On the way to the printing factory, some even started singing on the bus.

A group of seventeen or eighteen-year-olds, full of energy, even if they had no technique and sang off-key.

Sitting next to Lin Qiao, the Chinese teacher for Classes Three and Four, couldn’t help but look back, “Your class, if nothing else, has a great atmosphere now.”

After all, with over sixty kids and being in the last year of high school, the class had a few repeat students this semester. Lin Qiao, worried she couldn’t manage alone, found another teacher to accompany her. This female Chinese teacher volunteered but had a condition: each student had to write an essay after returning.

“If their grades were as good as the atmosphere, that would be great.” Lin Qiao also looked back and smiled.

“Not bad. Class Four used to be the hardest to manage in our grade. You know that. Now, at least, there are fewer fights, and fewer students skip class. The other day, during morning reading, I went to have them recite texts, and Qi Huaiwen actually handed in his work without a single mistake.”

The female Chinese teacher admired Lin Qiao for this. “You’re young, full of ideas, and willing to put in the effort for these students.”

“After all, this is my first class, and it might be my only one.” This was Lin Qiao’s honest thought.

She would take the college entrance exam next year, and even if she graduated, she probably wouldn’t return to teach middle school. This would be the only class she ever taught.

When they arrived at the printing factory, the staff had already arranged for someone to give them a tour and had an experienced worker demonstrate and guide them.

The students had all seen books and used notebooks, but they had never known how these were made.

The typesetting master wore a rubber glove that covered only one finger and knew the position of every lead type in the typesetting room like the back of his hand. Even though the types were arranged in traditional Chinese radicals, he could accurately find the corresponding simplified characters.

The female worker responsible for counting paper was incredibly fast, scraping five sheets with a bamboo board in one go. A student, not believing it, counted and found not a single sheet was missing.

“Is it really that amazing? Finished counting in such a short time?” The students couldn’t believe their eyes.

The female Chinese teacher beside them said, “Haven’t you all learned ‘The Old Man Who Sold Oil’? ‘It is only because of practice.'”

But to become this skilled wasn’t something that could be achieved in a day or two. The worker responsible for operating the printing machine even had a unique rhythm to his paper-cutting movements.

Finally, it was time for the practical session. Although the time was too short for the students to do typesetting and printing, they still made a batch of blank notebooks themselves.

From counting paper, applying glue, cutting, and binding the covers, the students completed every step under guidance, and the sense of accomplishment was immense. They even pooled a few cents each to buy the notebooks they made and brought them back to school.

This was much more interesting than a day of school classes. Even though they had to write an essay afterward, they were already looking forward to the next session.

When they returned to school, the new laboratory building next to the teaching building was being roofed, and they could hear the workers’ chants from afar.

Junzi couldn’t help but stop and ask Qi Huaiwen, “I heard the teacher found you at the construction site. Were you doing this kind of work there?”

Qi Huaiwen, with a calm expression, looked up, “I was a laborer. This kind of work wasn’t for me.”

“There are different levels of workers on a construction site?” Junzi was surprised.

Others noticed the progress of the laboratory building, “They’re just starting the roof. The recruitment is next month. We probably won’t make it in time.”

“Definitely not. To be honest, I really want to take a lab class in the new building. I wonder what experiments Teacher Lin will have us do.”

“And the social practice class, I wonder where we’ll go next month…”

Lin Qiao had scheduled it once a month, but after this session, they eagerly anticipated the next one.

Teacher Lin always seemed to have new ideas, making them enjoy classes, enjoy school, and enjoy exploring new knowledge. They used to think joining the military would free them from school, but now, as the time approached, they felt a bit reluctant.

Amid the discussions, Junzi suddenly said, “I’m not going for the recruitment next month.”

“You’re not going?” Everyone was surprised; even Qi Huaiwen glanced at him.

“I’m not going.” Junzi was initially hesitant, having made a pact with his friends and told his family.

But once he said it, he became resolute, “I’m not old enough anyway. If I join the military now, I’d have to change my household registration. Another year won’t make a difference. Besides, it’s hard to get promoted in the military now. I’d rather finish high school first. Who knows, I might get lucky and get into a military academy.”

The treatment of officers and soldiers was quite different. Even if the rank wasn’t high, officers transitioning to civilian life could usually become leaders.

Junzi patted his chest, “When I become a battalion commander, I’ll be a police station chief back home. You can come to me if you need anything.”

“You just want to follow Teacher Lin for experiments and practice classes,” the classmates laughed.

“As if you don’t want to,” Junzi said, playfully hitting a few who laughed the hardest, then turned serious, “Really, you should think about it.”

He shared what Ji Duo had told him. Though the data wasn’t precise, it was more convincing than Captain Liang’s belt. The boys listened silently, then started joking, “We’d love to get into a military academy, but even two more years of study won’t get us there.”

This wasn’t a joke. Sun Tiejun, who sat in front of Junzi, listened in class and did his homework, but his mistakes were bizarre, and he couldn’t learn no matter what. He was better at sports than studying, always winning first place for the class in school sports events. So, before the first monthly exam, just before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Sun Tiejun packed his things and went home to prepare for military enlistment.

Wang Guoqiang, after much hesitation and probably consulting his parents, decided to stay in school for another year like Junzi, “It’s just one more year, it’ll pass quickly, and I can still attend Teacher Lin’s experiment and practice classes.”

If Captain Liang weren’t a revolutionary soldier, Liu Cuiying would have bought incense to thank Lin Qiao upon hearing Junzi planned to continue studying at the military academy.

Captain Liang’s comrade brought a large basket of fresh mushrooms from his hometown, and Liu Cuiying gave them all to Lin Qiao.

Lin Qiao was overwhelmed, unsure whether to accept: “This is mainly because Ji Duo talked to Junzi, and we don’t cook at home.”

“If you didn’t teach Junzi, would Ji Duo have talked to him? Besides, I see he really values your experiment and practice classes, always talking about them.” Liu Cuiying insisted, “You don’t cook at home, then take them to Ji Duo’s parents. It’s just in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival.”

She even held Lin Qiao’s hand, “I was ignorant before. A cultured woman like you shouldn’t be doing housework at home. You should be teaching students.”

Such heartfelt words made it hard for Lin Qiao to refuse, especially since they were neighbors.

So, for the Mid-Autumn Festival family reunion, Lin Qiao and Ji Duo returned to the old house for dinner, carrying a large basket of mushrooms.

“These aren’t sold in Yandu yet, are they?” Xu Li, who had been reading inside, came out upon hearing the commotion, adjusting her glasses.

Aunt Zhang, who goes to the market every day to buy groceries, knows best and says, “I haven’t seen these for sale. They must be from out of town.”

Ji Duo had already taken the items into the kitchen, and Lin Qiao, holding Xu Li’s arm, briefly explained the situation.

“Does the second son even bother with such trivial matters?” Xu Li looked at her son with a half-smile.

Ji Duo let her look, rolled up his shirt sleeves, and asked the old man, “What did you say you couldn’t find earlier?”

“My fountain pen.” The old man immediately took his son to the study, “Aunt Zhang has trouble moving around, so since you’re back, help me find where it fell.”

While the father and son were moving things in the study, Ji Jun and his wife returned, followed by Ji Ling, who was tiptoeing and hopping.

It was clearly a ballet move, and Ye Minshu couldn’t help but glance back at her.

The young girl immediately retracted her legs and ran to Xu Li and Lin Qiao, “Auntie, our school has started building a laboratory.”

“Your school was also selected as a pilot?” Lin Qiao was genuinely surprised, “I remember you’re only starting the third year of junior high next year.”

“Yes, starting the third year next year.” The young girl nodded and couldn’t help but ask curiously, “I heard from my dad that it was because you wrote a letter to the leaders suggesting it. Is that true?”

Ji Jun would tell her that?

Lin Qiao glanced at her brother-in-law, making Ji Jun a bit uncomfortable.

Xu Li nodded, “It’s true. The reply from the leader’s office is still in your grandfather’s study, with the leader’s handwritten signature.”

Ji Ling immediately wanted to see it but was stopped by Ye Minshu, “Your grandfather and uncle are busy in the study.”

Ye Minshu’s tone was gentle. After speaking, she took the groceries to the kitchen and casually asked about the mushrooms that weren’t available in Yandu. Then she heard that they were a gift from a student’s parent to thank Lin Qiao, and Lin Qiao brought them back to honor the old couple.

It was a double blow for Ye Minshu. From the moment she entered, everything was about Lin Qiao, and she felt full even before dinner started.

Fortunately, not long after, Ji Ze returned, and she immediately focused on her son, asking about his relationship with Song Jing.

However, Ji Ze seemed distracted from the moment he entered, answering perfunctorily, “Where’s my uncle?”

“All you care about is your uncle.” Ye Minshu was a bit annoyed, “I asked you how Song Jing is doing at school. Your Aunt Cheng specifically entrusted her to me.”

“How would I know? You’d better ask my aunt. She and Song Jing are at the same school.”

For the third time, Ye Minshu felt stifled. What happened to her son? He used to never mention Lin Qiao, but today, he kept saying “my aunt.”

She wanted to say something, but Ji Ze had already seen his father and uncle in the study and went to help move a table.

Soon, they found the fountain pen and some other small items under the table. Ji Duo went to get a broom and dustpan, and Ji Ze quickly took over.

Such eagerness indicated he had something to say, so Ji Duo didn’t rush out.

Sure enough, after the old man returned to the living room, Ji Ze lowered his voice, “Uncle, I’ve decided not to make electrical appliances. I’ll build a factory to make liquid soap.”