Chapter 114: My Stomach Hurts

“So, after all these days of work, you still haven’t figured out how they’re canning the peaches?”

Yang Shushi’s wife shrugged. “It’s not like we were allowed into the last workshop.”

“Right!”

Village Head Lin’s face darkened immediately. These women were always meddling in everything, but when they were finally needed, they suddenly started playing by the rules.

Yang Shushi cleared his throat twice and looked at his wife. “Couldn’t you sneak a peek?”

Seeing her husband’s innocent expression, Yang Shushi’s wife was furious. “What do you think? Ping’an Village is exactly trying to keep us Taolin villagers out. There’s no way they’d make it easy for us to see anything.”

“Can’t you find an opportunity…?”

“No, I’m not like that.”

A surge of frustration rushed to Village Head Lin’s chest. To get the canning factory started, he had traveled everywhere, begging people and using every connection. He had finally managed to get all the paperwork done, and the factory was up and running. But it seemed like Taolin Village was still left out of the loop?

It was their lack of technical knowledge that was the problem. Luckily, Ping’an Village had a bit of a conscience, so the profits were split 50/50. Otherwise, he would’ve been so angry, he might have spit blood.

Village Head Lin waved his hand at Yang Shushi, irritated. “Old Yang, get your wife out of here, and stop letting her annoy me.”

Only Yang Shushi, being a straightforward guy, could tolerate a stubborn wife like that. Anyone else would’ve been driven crazy by her.

Never mind. He’d have to find someone smarter to handle this.

…

On the other side, Qiu Yinuo had already created flyers and was out every day, distributing them with Jinzi and Qingqing.

They distributed the flyers in a three-kilometer radius centered around the supply and marketing cooperative.

Some people did start asking about the peach preserves.

What did they taste like?

Were they any good?

How was the texture?

How much did they cost?

With the leaders’ instructions, the salespeople at the supply and marketing cooperative, who had a good relationship with Gao Xiulan, responded to the questions warmly. At least, when people bought other products, they hadn’t received such a friendly reception.

When people found out that the peach preserves weren’t even on the shelves yet, even those who weren’t originally interested were intrigued.

“I wonder how good these peach preserves are. The product isn’t even on the shelves yet, and they’re already advertising it everywhere?”

“Tell me about it. I’ve had hawthorn preserves, apple preserves, but never peach preserves. I’ll buy some when it finally arrives.”

The number of people coming in to ask about the peach preserves was overwhelming, and Gao Xiulan immediately took it upon herself to explain. The peach preserves come in both soft and firm varieties, suitable for all ages.

“I’ve tried them, and let me tell you, they taste way better than hawthorn. Hawthorn’s too sour, and apple doesn’t compare to peach. Oh, I’m not explaining it well, but once they’re in, you can come and try them for yourselves.”

In this era, anything new made people’s mouths water.

Even those who hadn’t been expecting much now wanted to buy and try them.

Although eighty-eight cents wasn’t cheap, it wasn’t exactly expensive either.

But who wouldn’t want to try something new?

Qiu Yinuo was pleased with the results. She called Taolin Village to check when the goods would be ready.

“Yesterday I spoke with your village head. We’ve been working overtime, so we should have everything ready by the day after tomorrow morning. I’m going to see the county chief this afternoon to get his signature, and we’ll arrange for a special train to transport the goods.”

“Great, let’s have you and our village head keep an eye on things. The supply and marketing cooperative will probably send someone for the handover the day after tomorrow. Our job is just to ensure that the peach preserves arrive safely at the train station in perfect condition.”

This was also why Qiu Yinuo had chosen to cooperate with Village Head Lin from the start—the county chief was just too useful.

If it were any other village, they might not have the same level of support as Taolin Village.

“No problem. This is a big matter for both our villages. Village Head Sun and I have put aside all the work in the fields these days,” he said, thinking about the past few days. Both villages, regardless of age or gender, had worked together packing and sticking labels for the goods.

Estimating the time, from their Qingtong Town to the provincial capital, it would take at most half a day by train.

It seemed they could move forward with their next plan.

That afternoon, Village Head Lin went to the county government. When the county chief saw him, there was no sign of a warm reception anymore.

“What are you doing here again?”

“Brother, I need to ask a favor.” Village Head Lin forced a smile.

The county chief took a deep breath. “Didn’t I already arrange 200 jars for you? Why are you coming to find me again? You call me ‘brother,’ it’s like you’re asking for my life.”

“It’s not that bad. I came today to ask if you can approve a special vehicle for us.”

At this moment, the county chief’s patience was nearly exhausted. He rubbed his aching temple. “I already told you, if you sell well, I’ll approve a special vehicle for you. But you can’t expect me to approve one for just a hundred or two hundred jars!”

Village Head Lin was taken aback. “What about the five hundred jars? Is that too much?”

The county chief sucked in a sharp breath. “What did you say?”

“The South China Supply and Marketing Cooperative in the provincial capital wants to buy five hundred jars of Jinxiu Peach Preserves.”

“Who arranged that? The supply and marketing cooperative just wants five hundred jars just like that?” This seemed like a huge order. It made the county chief’s previous order look small in comparison.

“Comrade Qiu Yinuo,” said Village Head Lin.

This was the second time the county chief had heard the name Qiu Yinuo from Village Head Lin, and it piqued his curiosity.

“This comrade is impressive. She managed to secure such a big order just like that?”

“Yes, I heard she knows someone in the provincial capital’s supply and marketing cooperative.”

The county chief waved his hand. “Knowing someone doesn’t mean you can just secure such a deal. At most, they might order a hundred or so jars, just to see how it sells. But if they’re willing to take so much stock, it means they’re not afraid it won’t sell. Looks like Comrade Qiu Yinuo must have made some promise to them.”

Village Head Lin didn’t deny it. In his mind, he agreed—Comrade Qiu Yinuo had the ability to do this.

“By the way, has Comrade Qiu returned from the provincial capital?”

“Not yet. She might stay there a little longer to see how our Jinxiu Peach Preserves are doing.”

“When she returns, arrange for me to meet her. I’d like to see what kind of remarkable person this young comrade really is.”

If they wanted to make the Jinxiu Peach Preserves well known, the key was to shape public perception early. It was about planting a strong suggestion in consumers’ minds, making them instinctively believe that it was something truly good.

But how could they do that?

A phrase she once heard flashed through Qiu Yinuo’s mind: “The Yellow Peach God will bless every child in the northeast.”

Qiu Yinuo furrowed her brow. How could she let children know about the magic of peach preserves?

She couldn’t just go to schools and brainwash them, right?

The teachers would probably kick her out, and the principal would chase her away with a broom.

Where else could she find a group of kids?

Lost in thought, she was interrupted when Qiu Qianjin clutched his stomach, groaning in pain. “Sister, my stomach hurts.”