Chapter 9: What’s the Lowest Price You Can Offer

After all the back-and-forth, Coach Liu was overjoyed as if he had found a treasure. But the next step wasn’t something a “good sister” like Ning Ning could decide.

“Isn’t it enough if she agrees herself? Why do we need to discuss it further? Is food and lodging included? Will she get a stipend? Her family situation is a bit complicated.”

“No, her parents must consent. She’s just a girl, she can’t make such decisions alone. Food and lodging are covered, but the stipend is very little, with only two days off per month. You know how it is here in a small county—limited funding. Once she competes, wins medals, and joins the provincial team, then she’ll get nutrition subsidies and other allowances. At that point, it’ll be more.”

Coach Liu patiently explained.

“Alright then, give us two days. We’ll sort things out with her parents and contact you afterward.”

Ning Ning thought for a while before setting a time.

“Fine. But first let’s get something to eat. You’ve been running around all this time, you must be hungry. Come, it’s not every day I meet such a promising talent—I’ll treat you to the state-owned restaurant! But Lin Xiao, since I’m feeding you, you must come for training. No quitting allowed!”

Coach Liu, crafty as ever, pushed them all toward a nearby state-owned restaurant. At thirty-five, still a bachelor, he spent his money on himself with no family burdens. Whenever he was happy, he dined out—often—without a thought for thrift.

“How much does it cost to eat here?”

Lin Xiao stood at the entrance, staring up at the four bold characters “State-owned Restaurant.” Her eyes were full of awe and fear, as though she might be sold off to pay for the meal.

“I’m treating, what are you afraid of? Hurry up and get inside.”

Coach Liu was a regular here. He swaggered in, and the waiter immediately greeted him with a smile.

“Old Liu, here again? Skipping the canteen today?”

“Not eating there, I’m sick of it. Bring us a plate of braised pork, a plate of steamed tofu, and…”

As he ordered, he turned back to Lin Xiao.

“Enjoy eating whatever you like while you can. Once you officially join the team, you’ll be on strict diet control. Even if you have money, you won’t get to eat whatever you want.”

Athletes had food restrictions and closed training.

“It’s fine. As long as there’s food, I’m happy.”

Lin Xiao spoke softly, messy strands of hair clinging to her thin cheeks, making her look even frailer.

Coach Liu didn’t say more. With cases like hers, he could already guess the story. After the meal, he left. Ning Ning suggested they stroll around the county town and buy a few things—she had brought money.

“Alright, but only for an hour. If it’s too late, we might miss the last bus back.”

Yue Chi glanced at his watch and reminded her gently.

“An hour is enough.”

Ning Ning was very purposeful. She skipped the supply cooperative and asked for directions to the busiest street—a row of stalls selling everything imaginable.

“Ning Ning, what are you buying? Wow, that hat is so pretty!”

The county bustled with bicycles zipping past. Some wore work uniforms, others—girls with permed hair, trendy blouses, and flared pants—looked lively and stylish. Lin Xiao’s eyes darted everywhere, gaping at people and things alike, like Granny Liu entering the Grand View Garden for the first time.

Ning Ning, too, curiously observed the unique vibe of this era. She stood still, head turning left and right, her pale slender neck following, eyes blinking quickly, hair tips bouncing—looking both silly and adorable.

“Let’s buy hair clips. Those stalls attract the most people and have the highest turnover. They’re cheap, easy to resell, and perfect for beginners.”

The moment she spoke, her cuteness vanished—replaced by the aura of a sharp businesswoman. She had been analyzing all along.

“Ning Ning, are you going to resell the hair clips?”

Lin Xiao blinked in confusion, barely following Ning Ning’s hidden meaning.

“Mhm. Correct. Later, when we have more money, I’ll buy you a hat. But not now.”

She only had five yuan to start with.

Ning Ning pulled Lin Xiao straight to the most popular accessories stall. She picked up a few clips: the pearls were glued on, some with glue spilling over—rough and cheap. But the designs were new, unavailable in the countryside. Once clipped on, no one would notice the flaws. Ning Ning raised her eyes to Lin Xiao.

“Pretty? Do you like them?”

“Pretty. I like them.”

Lin Xiao answered dutifully, her eyes full of envy. Good enough—Lin Xiao represented the tastes of local girls. They would sell.

“Boss, how much are the hair clips? What’s the price per piece?”

Ning Ning checked a few more, confirming the glue held well enough, and asked directly.

“Ten cents each. Our clips are very stylish, lots of designs, all with pearls—so fancy. More than half the girls in town wear these! How about it, young lady, want a few?”

“If you buy more, I can give you one cent off each. Then you can share them with your sisters, mom, aunt—so fashionable!”

The vendor eagerly pitched.

“Only one cent? What if I buy five yuan’s worth? What’s the lowest price you can give me?

These pearls have no luster, irregular shapes, uneven sizes—they’re the lowest grade. The clips are secondhand, made from recycled material. The glue is thin, and the pearls aren’t firmly attached. Even adding labor and shipping, if you buy in bulk, each piece costs you maybe two cents. You’re making eight cents profit on each one.”

Ning Ning’s calm, razor-sharp analysis hit home.

The stall owner cursed inwardly—she nailed it. But a vendor couldn’t just surrender. She put on a tough face.

“Five yuan isn’t much. A cent discount is already generous—I can’t go lower. Young lady, look around—who else has my low prices and good quality? I’m barely making a living. If I go lower, I won’t earn anything.”

The universal merchant’s line: I’m not making money on this.

“Alright then, we’ll check other stalls.”

Without hesitation, Ning Ning set the clips down and pulled Lin Xiao away. The vendor shouted after them.

“Hey, hey! Come back, young lady! Let’s talk this over, don’t leave!”

“Young lady!”

“Ning Ning, aren’t we going back?”

Lin Xiao, unused to this, stared blankly. Ning Ning was amazing—even bargaining so well.

“We’ll go back later. First, let’s check other stalls.”

Ning Ning spoke calmly, her pure, pretty face flashing a sly smile. She strolled with Lin Xiao through the area, asking prices at each stall. When they passed the first stall again, the vendor hurriedly pulled her aside and whispered:

“See? You asked around, right? The cheaper ones are ugly, the prettier ones cost more. Mine are the best—cheap and good-looking. You won’t lose out! Forget about my costs—fine, I’ll knock off two cents each. How about that?”