Chapter 21: Big Sale

The seaweed and laver, which no one was interested in, can be sold to the capital, and all the island’s fishermen are very excited. Even if some fishermen are unsure, they are willing to give it a try. In this situation, Su Yuanhang’s father still thought that a whole truckload of goods was too big to handle and didn’t dare to strongly oppose it. But he couldn’t help but dampen the enthusiasm.

Su Yuanhang, worried that delay would bring complications, had the team leader work with him to find a transportation team and send the goods out as soon as possible.

There used to be a transportation team, but later the vehicles were distributed to various factories, and the team was disbanded. The team leader was discouraged: “What should we do?”

The biggest setback Su Yuanhang had encountered in his life was the suspension of the college entrance examination. At that time, everyone faced the same situation, so for him, it wasn’t considered a setback. He eagerly went ashore, only to find that the transportation team was no longer functioning, and the grass was knee-high. Feeling disheartened, he suddenly regained his energy: “Let’s go to the canned food factory.”

“The canned food factory?”

Su Yuanhang replied, “I’m the director of the food factory, and the canned food factory is considered a sister unit. When the mountains are full of oranges and yellow peaches, we’ll inevitably have dealings with the canned food factory. If we open up sales channels, they can benefit too. We only have canned yellow peaches and oranges, but they may not.”

The team leader of Lianhua Village suddenly understood: “No wonder Accountant Ye wanted to open a food factory. Let’s go to the canned food factory right now.”

When Su Yuanhang met with the factory director, he told him that he would rent a vehicle to transport the goods, but there were only oranges and yellow peaches on the island, and they wouldn’t be competing with the canned food factory. If their oranges and yellow peaches had the opportunity to be sold directly to the capital, the canned goods share would be given to the canned food factory.

When the factory’s profits go up, the factory director has a chance for a promotion. He said that the first time, he would treat it as helping a brother unit.

The team leader returned to Hengshan Island, still not believing it: “They’re letting us use it for free?”

Su Yuanhang nodded: “Just this once.”

“One time is fine. Didn’t the city say adding an extra train car wouldn’t cause any problems? They’ll let us use it until the end of the year, and next year we can talk about the rent? Isn’t this basically a no-cost business deal?”

Su Yuanhang replied, “The vehicle fee, along with food and lodging expenses, will cost at least fifty for three people, round trip.”

“You’re the director. When you go on a business trip, the guesthouse will definitely be cheaper,” the team leader said, patting his shoulder. “I didn’t expect a food factory, with just thirteen men and women, to be so useful.”

With transportation settled, the sales channels were handled by Ye Fan. Su Yuanhang threw himself into the various teams, so much so that the next day after Geng Zhiye received Ye Fan’s letter, Su Yuanhang had already compiled the list of goods to be shipped from across the island.

Su Yuanhang went to Su Duofu’s house and asked him to help calculate how many cartons and wooden boxes would be needed. Su Duofu told him to go to Ye Fan to get the money and place an order at the paper factory for packaging paper and boxes with the words “Hengshan Food Factory” printed on them.

When Ye Fan heard that no transportation fees were needed for the time being, he gave Su Yuanhang two hundred yuan.

Su Yuanhang received the money.

When he got to Su Duofu’s house, Su Duofu had already done the calculations. The cartons were expensive, but wooden boxes could be reused, so Su Duofu tried to use as many wooden boxes as possible. As a result, the packaging only cost a little over ten yuan.

After returning from the city, Su Yuanhang went to find Ye Fan and gave her one hundred yuan. Ye Fan sighed: “Su Duofu has been on the island for too long, and his brain isn’t working properly. If there’s a truckload of goods, where will you unload them if you don’t have boxes? Didn’t he say we can’t leave the boxes with the supply and marketing cooperative, or they’ll have to make new ones?”

Su Yuanhang nodded: “Brother Duofu said so.”

Ye Fan rubbed her forehead: “Don’t they package the goods properly at the capital’s food factory? If they use boxes, where will we put our wooden boxes when they come back?”

“This— but I’ve already asked the carpenter to make them.”

Ye Fan replied, “Leave the wooden boxes in the warehouse for future use. You need to go to the paper factory again tomorrow. Wait here, and help me mail a letter. I’ll ask the director of the supply and marketing cooperative to check if we can get a few boxes from the pastry, mooncake, or bread factories.”

Su Yuanhang quickly said, “I forgot to ask the city’s supply and marketing cooperative what they’re short of.”

“Don’t rush. When the weather cools down, bread and pastries can last for ten to fifteen days. If Yongcheng doesn’t want them, we can send them to Hangcheng.” Ye Fan said as she started writing the letter.

It was very easy for the director of the Hai Dian supply and marketing cooperative to get just a few boxes of goods; it was a matter of one sentence. This was also a good opportunity to expand connections. On Sunday, the director rode his bike to visit various food and daily goods factories, making a list of items he thought the fishermen might need and sent it to Ye Fan in a letter.

The day Ye Fan received the director’s urgent express letter, she was at the food factory, supervising four elderly women sorting and packing seafood into boxes. That same day, Su Yuanhang also received the lists of goods needed from several supply and marketing cooperatives in Hangcheng and Yongcheng.

These supply and marketing cooperatives had considered selling some fresh items from the capital, but each one required four or five boxes, and the profit wasn’t enough to cover the travel expenses. If someone else ran the errands for them, they only needed to wait at the station to receive the goods, and it was only fair to give the person a small “hardship fee.”

Su Yuanhang was excited about finalizing the deal and told Ye Fan that he had calculated how much money could be earned from the supply and marketing cooperatives.

Ye Fan didn’t want to dampen his enthusiasm. While the items the cooperatives requested appeared to be many, they weren’t very profitable. For example, the Yongcheng cooperative requested a box of soap, worth two hundred yuan, which seemed like a lot, but the soap only cost three cents a bar. The profit from one box would only be one yuan. The real profits came from large items, but unfortunately, large items were restricted. Overall, though, they would still make a profit.

After he calmed down, Ye Fan said, “The supply and marketing cooperative has a three-wheeled vehicle. You’ll see it when you get there. Ask them to lend it to you for two days. You’ll help them refuel, and that way, you won’t need to rent a vehicle.”

Su Yuanhang said, “But I’ve never driven a three-wheeled vehicle.”

Ye Fan laughed and replied, “The director wouldn’t dare let a foreigner like you drive public property. He’ll definitely ask me, my sister-in-law, or someone else to go with you. He’ll say in a grand manner that he’s worried you won’t know the way since you’re new here.”

Su Yuanhang thought to himself, Is that really necessary? He, a foreigner, didn’t even know where the Great Hall was, so he wouldn’t be able to run far from the city. But Ye Fan definitely knew the director better than he did, so he trusted her judgment.

Su Yuanhang asked, “When are we shipping the goods?”

Ye Fan replied, “The capital is dry and cool, so we can ship a few days earlier, but not too early. And it can’t be too late either. Do you have a calendar?”

The food factory office didn’t have a calendar, but the office of the director of the agricultural products market did. Su Yuanhang quickly went to get it. Ye Fan flipped through a couple of pages and decided, “The day after tomorrow, on the 6th, we’ll load the goods in the morning and depart. On the 7th, we’ll arrive at the supply and marketing cooperative in the afternoon.”

Su Yuanhang asked, “Is it really that urgent? Will we make it in time?”

“Are you and Su Duofu and Su Yuncheng free now? Come over tomorrow to package the products, and we’ll board the ship early the day after tomorrow. Dabao should be done with school by then. If we delay, he’ll complain that I didn’t keep my word.” She handed him the calendar and waved toward the warehouse, saying, “Erbao, you’re off work now.”

Since Dabao started school, Erbao could only play with Ye Fan. Without her mother around, Erbao missed her. Every day she saw her mother, and it became annoying. These past few days, the temporary workers started their shifts, and there were many fish and shrimp in the warehouse that Erbao didn’t recognize, along with people chatting with her. She was so active that she even spent more time at the warehouse than Ye Fan at work, staying there for half the day without minding the strong fishy smell.

Erbao tried to clean her hands like the temporary workers, rubbing them against her clothes and declaring, “Mom, hug me.”

Ye Fan grimaced, “I really don’t want to hug you. Where’s your handkerchief?”

Erbao patted her pants pocket, “It’s here.”

Ye Fan asked, “Why aren’t you using it?”

“It got dirty.”

Ye Fan was speechless, “The handkerchief gets dirty, but rubbing it on your clothes doesn’t make them dirty? No wonder your dad worries you’ll get tricked by others. Silly girl!”

Erbao shook her head, rejecting the nickname, “I’m not a silly girl.”

Ye Fan checked her watch and realized she had to leave, “Alright, Erbao is a big smart girl.” She turned to Su Yuanhang and said, “We should head back soon. The mountain roads aren’t easy to travel.”

Su Yuanhang nodded. Once she had walked away, he went into the warehouse to help with the packaging.

One of the female workers was from a neighboring team of the Lianhua Brigade. She often saw Su Yuanhang while working in the fields, digging bamboo shoots, and was the only one of the four who had spoken to him. She couldn’t help but ask, “The accountant said we’ll ship the goods the day after tomorrow?”

Su Yuanhang nodded, “There must be a reason for the arrangement. We’ll work hard these next few days, and once I return from the capital, I’ll settle your wages.” He added, “No matter who asks, don’t say it’s paid daily. That’s not how it’s done outside. Since we’re just getting started, we can’t afford to pay by the day. Just say the temporary worker wages are low, about seven or eight yuan a month.”

The four workers nodded in agreement, fearing that if the factory went under, even the seven or eight yuan might be gone.

At six o’clock, Su Yuanhang locked the door and drove the rented hand tractor from the Lianhua Brigade to take the four workers home.

The next morning, Ye Fan dropped Dabao off at school, then carried Erbao to the food factory. There was still a quarter of the goods left to pack in the warehouse. Su Yuncheng grabbed a handful of seaweed no bigger than a fingernail and asked, “Accountant, do we need this too?”

Ye Fan nodded and set Erbao down.

Su Yuncheng made a face of disdain, “My chickens won’t even eat this.”

Ye Fan chuckled, “But the handful you have here can make a bowl of soup. Add some shrimp skins, beat an egg, and it’s enough to feed a family of five with rice porridge. Make sure to pack it well.”

Erbao picked up a piece of paper with the words “Hengshan Food Factory” printed on it and said, “Give me, Erbao will pack.”

Ye Fan said, “Give the paper to Uncle, you help everyone by handing things over.”

Erbao shook her head, “I can do it!”

Ye Fan smiled, “You’re not as fast at packing as they are, but they’re not as quick at handing things over as you. Erbao, do what you’re good at.”

Erbao, half understanding, gave the paper to Su Yuncheng, and Ye Fan pointed to a box nearby. Erbao pulled the box over to the female worker closest to her. The worker, noticing her flushed face, instinctively praised her, but only realized after speaking that Erbao didn’t understand. However, Erbao sweetly smiled and replied in the local dialect. Ye Fan didn’t understand, paused for a moment, and asked Su Yuncheng, “What did Erbao say?”

Su Yuncheng answered without thinking, “She said ‘don’t thank me.'” He paused, then added, “Erbao speaks our local dialect?”

Ye Fan didn’t understand either and asked Su Yuncheng to say a few words to Erbao. Erbao did respond, but only with a few phrases. Ye Fan watched her daughter, who looked like a little bee, and thought for a moment.

In the evening, Geng Zhiyé arrived home. Ye Fan was making seafood rice cake soup in the kitchen. She didn’t need his help but asked Geng Zhiyé to teach Erbao Russian. Geng Zhiyé was puzzled, “Erbao is only two years old. Accountant Ye, you’re rushing things!” After saying that, he realized how absurd it sounded, “Russian isn’t English, even rolling the tongue depends on talent.”

Ye Fan said, “You can give it a try first.”

Geng Zhiyé, feeling a bit bored, waved his hand at his daughter from the living room. “Erbao, I heard you worked all day? Are you tired?”

Erbao nodded. “Dad, Erbao is so tired.”

Geng Zhiyé picked her up and sat her on his lap. “I heard you can speak the local dialect?”

Dabao, lying on the table doing homework, didn’t hear clearly. “Erbao, what can you do?”

Geng Zhiyé repeated, “The local dialect.”

Dabao was incredulous. “Erbao, who taught you?”

Erbao was busy now and had almost forgotten, so she had to think carefully. “Grandpa, Auntie.”

Geng Zhiyé asked, “Your mom said she hired four temporary workers, two elderly people, one man and one woman, and two women in their thirties or forties. Erbao, was it them?”

Erbao nodded. “Does Dad know?”

Geng Zhiyé shook his head. “Dad knows other things. Do you want to learn?”

Erbao, feeling exhausted from work, didn’t want to learn anything. She wanted to go downstairs. Geng Zhiyé immediately said that her mom didn’t know. Erbao instantly became interested and asked, “What should I learn?”

Dabao slapped the table and laughed. After laughing enough, he shouted towards the kitchen, “Ye Fan, did you hear that?”

Ye Fan placed the kettle on the stove and brought out a pot of seafood rice cake soup. “I heard. Not only is Mom not as good as Erbao, you’re the same. Your dad is going to teach Erbao Russian.”

As she finished speaking, Geng Zhiyé said something, and Erbao, like a little parrot, repeated it. She sounded somewhat similar, but even Ye Fan, an outsider, could tell it wasn’t quite right. Despite this, Geng Zhiyé was still quite shocked and asked, in a very uncertain tone, “Erbao has a talent for this?”

Ye Fan nodded. “It seems so for now.” Considering that their daughter was only two, she added, “But she might not like it later. When you have time, teach her a few phrases, so you don’t forget.”

Dabao put away his homework. “Mom, don’t you know?”

Ye Fan explained, “When I was in high school, the country wasn’t on good terms with our northern neighbor. I studied English at school.”

Dabao said, “But Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle, and Aunt all know.”

Geng Zhiyé replied, “Your mom’s maiden name is Chen, and the Chen family doesn’t have this kind of talent.”

Ye Fan smiled and nodded. “That’s right. Because of them, I don’t know Russian, and they still have the nerve to ask me to go back to Shanghai. Dream on!”

Dabao felt that his mom had missed the point. As soon as he saw the seafood rice cake that his mom handed him, he didn’t care about anything else! Dabao was hungry, so Dabao ate first!

That night, after the two kids had fallen asleep, Geng Zhiyé said, “If I had known they were so talented, I would’ve figured out a way to go back to the capital.”

Ye Fan replied, “Are you worried no one here can teach them? One’s just over two years old, and the other’s not even five. Do you want to exhaust them into fools? It’s not too late to learn when they’re ten. Besides, they wouldn’t dare let you stay here for life.”

Staying here for life would be nearly the same as ruling a mountain. Geng Zhiyé caught the underlying meaning in her words and laughed as he turned around. “I forgot. Are you tired today?”

Ye Fan pressed his hand down. “We ship out first thing in the morning.”

Geng Zhiyé immediately lost all his thoughts. “So soon?”

Ye Fan replied, “Mid-Autumn Festival sales are good.”

Geng Zhiyé turned off the light. “Go to sleep.”

There was no dream that night. When Ye Fan woke up, she was in a great mood. Geng Zhiyé went out to buy groceries and saw Su Yuanhang leading a group of people to move goods. Some were using carts, and others were driving hand tractors, even the people buying groceries joined in to help. When Geng Zhiyé got home, he called Ye Fan to go see. Ye Fan was shocked when she arrived at the food factory door. “Why are there so many people?”

Su Yuanhang ran over to explain, “Everyone said they’re just idle anyway.”

Ye Fan asked, “Do they know they’ll get paid for loading the goods onto the trucks?”

Su Yuanhang nodded. “Yes, they know. They’re all volunteering to help. I told the temporary workers we hired to go home for dinner and save their energy to unload the goods when the boat arrives.”

Ye Fan glanced at the fishermen, who were working hard, sweating but very excited, and decided that as soon as Su Yuanhang returned, she would distribute the money. “On the truck, they can sleep or eat; this isn’t a one-time deal.”

Su Yuanhang nodded. “We know. Our families prepared a lot of things for us, we couldn’t finish them all even in the capital.”

Ye Fan reminded him, “Keep my address and phone number safe.”

Worried that he might have been careless, Su Yuanhang copied the details twice: one for Su Yuncheng and one for Su Duofu. Just as Su Yuanhang was about to tell her, Su Yuncheng ran over. “Yuanhang, it’s done.”

Ye Fan was surprised. “Already finished moving?”

Su Yuncheng nodded. “We can set sail now. Everyone’s been waiting impatiently.”

Ye Fan said, “Then let’s go to the dock.”

There was a small dock behind the agricultural and sideline products market that a fisherman had built himself. Ye Fan didn’t walk far before spotting several large fishing boats. Su Yuanhang explained, “Originally, I wanted to reassure everyone that even if we couldn’t sell everything, there wouldn’t be much loss, because the transport vehicles are free. But everyone insisted that we shouldn’t let outsiders unload it, so they’re helping us for free instead.”

Ye Fan nodded. “From now on, just pay what’s due. You can’t run a business by always relying on favors. If you feel awkward, wait until you’re in the capital—listen, observe, and ask more. Whatever they lack, we can grow.”

Su Yuanhang remembered something. “Do you know why our village is called Lianhua Village?”

Ye Fan replied, “Lianhua Village has a low-lying area where rice can be grown, but during the Qingming Festival, it rains continuously, and the water level is too high to plant the rice. The area is too big to drain properly, so it’s a waste not to plant anything. Now, it’s a field of lotus roots.”

Su Yuanhang was shocked. “You know even that?”

Ye Fan thought to herself, “Do you think my gas money is free?” She replied, “Do you want to sell lotus roots? Not realistic. People in the capital grow them, and there are surrounding areas that do as well. You should keep enough for your own consumption, but you can switch to growing lotus seeds. Let the experts who are good at it give it a try—if it’s better than others’, you won’t have trouble selling.”

Su Yuanhang wanted to say that they can’t even fill their stomachs, who would care about drinking lotus seed porridge, but he said, “We could make lotus root powder.”

Ye Fan asked, “Do you have the equipment?”

Su Yuanhang shut up. He then remembered something else. “There’s a teacher from the neighboring village, seems like from a agricultural college.”

Ye Fan nodded. “In that case, get him a more comfortable environment, improve the food a bit.”

Su Yuanhang asked, “You don’t seem surprised?”

Ye Fan: “I’ve heard and seen a lot over the past few years. Don’t be too flattering. If someone with real skills gets sent to the island, they’re probably not the type to flatter others. When you ask him for advice, don’t bring up the food factory. Mention the elderly farmers who’ve spent their lives growing fruits and vegetables instead.”

Su Yuncheng, holding his luggage behind them, couldn’t help but ask, “Accountant, is there something to it?”

Ye Fan: “Most people lower their guard when they see the weak, and sympathy naturally arises. Flattering with good cigarettes, alcohol, and meat is more effective than any of that.”

Su Yuanhang immediately believed that even collecting lotus seeds could be successful if he listened to her.

Ye Fan saw that the goods were all on the ship: “If you need anything, you can find Chen Xiaohui or Geng Zhiqi.”

Su Yuanhang paused for a moment, waved at her as he boarded the ship, and went to check if the goods were placed properly. Su Yuncheng followed him, carrying his bag, and whispered, “Brother, isn’t Chen Xiaohui that person?”

The brothers had often visited the vegetable market these days and heard people mention that Ye Fan’s real surname was Chen. Su Yuanhang had once worried that the Capital Supply and Marketing Cooperative might change its decision because of this. But now that things had come to this point, he had to try. Otherwise, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

In the end, Ye Fan brought it up herself.

Su Yuanhang couldn’t understand: “You’ll know when you get to the capital.”

One day and one night, plus half a day—dozens of hours—sounded like a long time. The three first-timers to the capital were unusually excited and felt that they hadn’t had enough time to enjoy the scenery along the way before they arrived.

As Ye Fan had said, they arrived at the Haidian Supply and Marketing Cooperative that afternoon.

Since Ye Fan left, discounted goods had been dwindling day by day, and the neighbors had many complaints. But they didn’t dare to provoke the purchasing station responsible for buying agricultural and sideline products. Instead, they aimlessly wandered around the cooperative, hoping that one day Ye Fan would return.

Today was the weekend, and there were many people near the cooperative. When they saw a lot of goods being brought in, it was clearly not from the purchasing station. A familiar neighbor who knew Geng Zhiqin well pushed through and asked, “Comrade Geng, what’s this?”

Geng Zhiqin: “Seafood.”

The aunt was very disappointed. She couldn’t afford it.

The director, casually glancing at the scene, immediately shouted, “These goods outside are not limited for purchase, everyone don’t panic or hoard. These are sent by Accountant Ye. There will be more in the future.”

When the limited goods were in a frenzy of people grabbing them, as soon as they heard that the items weren’t limited, the elderly men and women who were trying to sneakily open the cardboard boxes immediately stopped.

The director and accountant from the Xicheng Supply and Marketing Cooperative were also present at the scene. They were concerned that people from the north might not be used to southern seafood, so they didn’t dare to agree to the Haidian Supply and Marketing Cooperative director’s suggestion to take half of it. They said they would first take a look at what was available. The Xicheng director then asked the Haidian director to open a box to see.

The Haidian director quietly said, “We haven’t discussed the price yet, no need to rush.” He waved at Su Yuanhang and the others. “Come to my office for some water.”

The two people from Xicheng went in to pour water for the three of them, while the Haidian director took out the prepared price list. Su Yuanhang’s expression subtly changed upon seeing it. The director seemed about to say something, but Su Yuanhang quickly said, “It’s fine!”

Su Duofu immediately wanted to slip away, feeling completely embarrassed.

The price the director offered wasn’t high, but it turned out to be higher than expected. However, upon noticing Su Duofu’s expression, the director realized that he was experienced, so he didn’t want to play tricks and quickly clarified that it was the retail price. The director flipped to a blank page, took out a pen, and asked, “Shall we weigh it then?”

Su Yuanhang quickly stood up, worried that the director might change his mind.

The director smiled and said, “No need to hurry, I’m not going anywhere. Let me see your credentials.”

Su Yuanhang: “I’m—”

Director: “I know you’re the factory manager of the food factory. Let me see which organization issued your certificate. If the higher-ups ask, I’ll be able to tell them to reach out to your leaders.”

Su Yuanhang quickly handed over the documents. The director took a look and confirmed that it was indeed from the same food factory that regularly delivered goods to them, so he felt reassured. He then called for Geng Zhiqin to weigh the goods and for Chen Xiaohui to do the accounting.

An aunt from Jiangnan, who had come to the capital for various reasons, asked, “Director, when will it be sold?”

The director replied, “Let me take a look first.”

Geng Zhiqin weighed the goods, and the director inspected them. After everything was weighed, the director had a rough idea in his mind.

The fishermen had labeled the boxes with three categories—high, medium, and low quality—so the director didn’t need to ask anyone to take the goods out and reprice them. He went through everything again, this time writing down the selling prices on his notebook as he looked. After about ten minutes, the director carefully reviewed everything, ensuring there were no mistakes. He then pointed at the boxes and said, “These are the cheapest, these are the most expensive, and we have kelp, seaweed, and abalone.”

Upon hearing “abalone,” the elderly men and women immediately began chattering, saying they couldn’t afford it.

The director calmly explained that abalone wasn’t expensive and casually mentioned the price. Su Yuanhang’s expression slightly changed because it was 50% higher than the price he had been given. Su Yuanhang lowered his voice and asked Su Duofu, “At this price, will anyone buy it?”

These days, no one dares to stand out. Even if they have money and want to buy something, they won’t be the first to step forward.

Chen Xiaohui seemed to want to say something, but the director quickly pulled her back. The girl looked smart, but that was just how it seemed. The director loudly reminded everyone that the Mid-Autumn Festival was coming up, which would be a perfect opportunity to entertain the new son-in-law or future daughter-in-law. Abalone could also be used as a gift for elders.

Once this reason was given, the elderly men and women who weren’t short on money immediately called for the salespeople inside to weigh them a pound.

Seeing this, Chen Xiaohui understood why the director didn’t want her to speak. She hadn’t thought to present the idea this way. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Chen Xiaohui didn’t ask the director but instead asked Geng Zhiqin, “How much are the seaweed?”

Su Duofu opened the boxes containing the seaweed, dried shrimp, and shrimp skins, explaining to the elderly people how to prepare them and how much they cost per pound.

Most of the elderly people still couldn’t bring themselves to buy the abalone. But when they heard that the price was half of last year’s, they immediately began grabbing them, as if they were buying cabbage.

Su Yuncheng stared, murmuring, “The people in the capital really have money…”

There were many dual-income families near the Haidian Supply and Marketing Cooperative. In some families where the parents were still alive, there were three or four people eating commercial grain. Furthermore, after soaking, seaweed could be used to make a small dish the size of an adult’s palm. There was also the belief that eating seaweed could prevent goiter, so every household was happy to buy a few pounds.

Half an hour later, as the golden sun set in the west, the seaweed was completely sold out.

Even the well-traveled Su Duofu had never seen people buy things like this. It felt like seeing the scene from twenty years ago when everything was in a state of rebuilding, and everyone was full of energy.

The director of the Xicheng Supply and Marketing Cooperative pulled the Haidian director back into the shop. “We can’t sell anymore.”

The Haidian director replied, “We’ve kept the large eels and dried abalone for you.”

The Xicheng director was speechless. “I—I’m supposed to sell them to whom?”

The Haidian director responded, “Is there anyone in the imperial capital who wouldn’t buy? The people from your side have more money than mine.”

The Xicheng director sneered, “You’re closer to the factory; I have nothing but old courtyard houses over here!”

“Don’t all the workers live in the old courtyard houses?”

“Who in their right mind would live in an old courtyard house if they had money? You must leave me some seaweed, and some shrimp skins and seaweed sheets, those small things.”

The Haidian director held firm, “Let’s see. If it sells out in the next two days, I’ll have them bring another truck.”

The Xicheng director asked, “Are there any left on the island?”

“There are more on the island.”

Many fishermen initially supported Su Yuanhang, but when they heard that the party secretary wasn’t optimistic about it, they didn’t show up when Su Yuanhang went to the village office to collect goods. Su Yuanhang wanted to ask these people what the situation was, but Su Duofu said that they might have been delayed by something. If they didn’t come, it was actually fine. In fact, he wasn’t confident and was worried that Su Yuanhang and Ye Fan wouldn’t be able to sell the goods and wouldn’t know how to wrap things up.

When the Haidian Supply and Marketing Cooperative director accompanied the Xicheng director to ask Su Yuanhang how much seafood was left on the island, Su Duofu answered for him, saying there was still half a truck. He then mentioned that the fishermen had been going out to sea every day and had been catching plenty. The island was hotter than the capital, and in just a few days, they could dry many large fish and shrimp.

Hearing this, both directors realized that bringing another truckload wouldn’t be difficult. They instructed them to go back tomorrow morning and deliver another truck before August 13th.

As they were standing behind Geng Zhiqin, she heard this and told her colleagues inside to keep an eye on things for her. She was going home to grab a comic book for Dabao and some clothes her mother had made for Dabao and Erbao.