Chapter 65: Sales Channel

Jiang Liyun wrapped dumplings while watching Feng Qiufeng and Gu Lanlan wrap together. The three of them quickly made a pan of dumplings.

At this moment, Feng Yi’s group was still selling pan-fried dumplings. Jiang Liyun, along with Feng Qiufeng, carried the pot of dumplings to the stall.

“Uncle, we made a pot of dumplings. Could you fry them for us?” Jiang Liyun said.

Gu Dafa, upon seeing the pot of dumplings, felt uneasy. “I haven’t made dumplings before…”

“It’s similar to making dumplings,” Jiang Liyun smiled.

Gu Dafa followed Jiang Liyun’s instructions and started frying. Meanwhile, customers buying things noticed Jiang Liyun.

They said, “Boss lady, I haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Been busy with other things; didn’t come over here,” Jiang Liyun smiled.

At this moment, someone noticed that what they were making didn’t seem to be pan-fried dumplings. “What are you making?”

Jiang Liyun replied, “These are pan-fried buns.”

In Nine-Bend Town, located in the south, local farmers generally didn’t grow wheat, and ordinary households rarely made noodles.

For example, people here who ate noodles bought them ready-made; hardly anyone made their own.

However, people still had a fondness for wheat-based food. Many enjoyed noodles and buns for breakfast.

Several people in the town sold buns, but they were mostly steamed. What Jiang Liyun was selling, however, was pan-fried buns.

“How long does it take to make these buns?” someone asked.

Jiang Liyun provided the time, and someone immediately said, “Then I won’t buy pan-fried dumplings. I’ll wait for the buns.”

Knowing that these customers might not find pan-fried buns exceptionally exciting, as their taste was similar to steamed buns but with a crispy layer of fried dough, Jiang Liyun engaged in conversation. Nevertheless, being a new item, people were curious, and for those who lacked oil in their diet at the moment, pan-fried buns were likely more appealing than steamed ones.

As Jiang Liyun chatted with the customers, she learned about various recent happenings in the town. Some even inquired about Jiang Liping.

In this small town, news spread quickly. Everyone knew that Jiang Liping had been away for days, and the recent conflict with the Yang family had become public knowledge.

When asked about Jiang Liping, Jiang Liyun simply claimed ignorance.

“Li’s kid keeps talking about finding a wife every day,” a customer remarked, “and it looks quite pitiful.”

Jiang Liyun also felt sorry for Li Xuyang. He was just a kid and had never harboured ill intentions. However, given his current situation, marriage wasn’t suitable for him.

Apart from that, Jiang Liyun kept her knowledge of Jiang Liping’s situation to herself. The customers shifted the conversation to other topics, like the rising price of chicken.

While Jiang Liyun was busy selling pan-fried buns in town, on the other side, Sun Jinshan and Jiang Lihai had returned to the brick and tile factory.

This time, Sun Jinshan had gone to Shanghai by boat. Upon arrival, he immediately found a room in a guesthouse and started discussing business.

In a place like Nine-Bend Town, there were no pre-cut and packaged chickens for sale. However, in Shanghai, many vendors already sell frozen goods, often alongside frozen seafood.

So, their chickens had a market, but the prices offered by wholesalers were not high.

Jiang Liyun had suggested to Sun Jinshan that, aside from dealing with wholesalers in the local market, they could also explore opportunities with restaurants.

Many restaurants source their goods from wholesalers.

In 1988, Nine-Bend Town had few restaurants, but by then, Shanghai already boasted numerous restaurants, some even grand and invested in by foreigners.

Although it seemed daunting, Sun Jinshan bravely entered one of these impressive restaurants.

The restaurant was indeed splendidly built. Sun Jinshan, upon entering, couldn’t help but imagine having a photo taken of himself dining in such a place to boast about later.

However, he quickly focused on the task at hand, seeking to discuss business.

Sun Jinshan inquired with a waiter and eventually met the person in charge of the restaurant.

The restaurant did need pre-cut chicken parts—not chicken breast but wings, thighs, and feet.

Sun Jinshan explained that his family ran a poultry farm and had been supplying chicken to wholesalers. Now, he wanted to bypass the wholesaler and directly do business with the restaurants.

While the restaurant staff didn’t fully trust Sun Jinshan, they agreed to take some chicken wings and thighs from him to assess the quality.

“Our chicken meat is absolutely top-notch! The goods from wholesalers might have been frozen for who knows how many years, and their taste doesn’t compare to our fresh chicken meat,” Sun Jinshan embellished, securing orders from several hotels in the process.

Wings and thighs were now in demand, but the challenge was the chicken breast.

Undeterred, Sun Jinshan swiftly moved on to a factory that produced ham sausages, following another suggestion from Jiang Liyun.

Jiang Liyun had advised that chicken breast could be sold to factories producing ham sausages and even taught him some sales pitches.

When Sun Jinshan arrived at the sausage factory, he saw many people waiting. Upon enquiry, he learned that they were distributors here to collect goods.

Lately, there has been a high demand for ham sausages.

“You have to wait in line; you can’t cut in front!” A distributor tried to stop Sun Jinshan as he walked forward.

“I’m not a distributor; I’m a supplier for this factory!” Sun Jinshan confidently walked in, determined to meet the person in charge of the factory. “Do you want to improve your factory? How about launching a new product?”

The deputy factory manager of the sausage factory looked perplexed. “Why do we need a new product? We can’t even produce enough of our current items!”

Sun Jinshan returned somewhat disappointed. Fortunately, wholesalers were interested in chicken breast, so he wasn’t worried about being unable to sell it.

After spending a week in Shanghai, Sun Jinshan felt like he had shed a layer of weight from his legs. At the same time, he couldn’t help but think of himself as a remarkable person.

Once off the ship, he faced the workers at the brick and tile factory and proudly declared, “During my trip to Shanghai, I dined at a grand hotel. It was truly magnificent.” He hadn’t actually eaten there, but bragging is free!

The workers at the factory were highly impressed.

Seeing their envious gazes, Sun Jinshan revelled in his success.

Observing that Jiang Lihai had finished his work, Sun Jinshan said to him, “Jiang Lihai, let’s go to your place!”

Jiang Lihai hesitated. “Just got back, and we’re going to my place already? Well, it’s not the first time; let’s go.”

Sun Jinshan and Jiang Lihai had spent quite a bit of time together, chatting about everything, and had become good friends.

When they arrived at Jiang’s home, Jiang Liyun and Feng Yi hadn’t returned yet. Only Jiang Liping was at home.

During this idle period, Jiang Liping had taken up knitting and was using the yarn Jiang Liyun had bought to knit herself a sweater.

Seeing the knitted sweaters made by Feng Yi, Jiang Liping wanted one too.

Sun Jinshan’s eyes lit up when he saw Jiang Liping.

Ever since their previous conversation, Sun Jinshan has developed a favourable impression of Jiang Liping.

Jiang Liping was truly beautiful!

The first time he saw Jiang Liyun, he felt an attraction, and the same happened when he saw Jiang Liping for the first time. However, back then, he learned that Jiang Liping was already married, so he didn’t dwell on it.

But wasn’t Jiang Liping considering divorce?

During his recent travels, Sun Jinshan pondered various matters, and it crossed his mind that Jiang Liping might have feelings for him.

Being liked by a beauty is truly delightful!

Moreover, Jiang Liping was genuinely good. She could make clothes and knit sweaters, giving off a gentle and virtuous impression, unlike Jiang Liyun, who made Feng Yi knit the sweaters.

Jiang Liping was also pitiful. She didn’t demand a dowry when she got married, but her in-laws forced her to compensate for the things they bought for her.

Despite facing challenges, Jiang Liping remained strong.

“Liping, it’s been a while,” Sun Jinshan said with a smile.

“Sun ge, you’re back from Shanghai? You must have seen many things I can’t even imagine.” Jiang Liping’s eyes curled.

Indeed! Sun Jinshan immediately began sharing his experiences in Shanghai, describing many things he had seen.

Jiang Lihai wanted to ask about lunch, but he almost couldn’t get a word in. Learning that recently Jiang Lamei and her husband brought back lunch from town, Jiang Lihai went to prepare some food.

He had just returned, and Sun Jinshan was already this familiar with Jiang Liping?

Come to think of it, during the trip to Shanghai, Sun Jinshan had asked him about Jiang Liping.

Among the three sisters, Jiang Lihai favoured Jiang Liyun the most, followed by Jiang Liru, and finally Jiang Liping.

He and Jiang Liping had many conflicts while growing up, but those were family matters he wouldn’t discuss outside. When Sun Jinshan asked, he only shared positive things.

Now, things seem a bit… Could Sun Jinshan be interested in Jiang Liping? Did Jiang Liping also have feelings for Sun Jinshan?

Jiang Lihai didn’t know what to say for a moment. His initial reaction was that Sun Jinshan’s family wouldn’t approve.

Sun Jinshan could earn money himself, and his parents were capable as well. The Sun family’s financial condition was among the best in the village. Although Sun Jinshan clamoured about wanting to buy a large colour TV, they actually already had a black and white TV at home.

If Jiang Liping had never been married, there might be a chance for the two. However, Jiang Liping not only had a passionate ex-boyfriend but was also currently entangled with the Li family.

Before going to Shanghai, he had advised Jiang Liping to borrow money and settle things with the Li family first. However, Jiang Liping was unwilling…

Jiang Lihai’s heart was in turmoil. He witnessed Jiang Liping being exceptionally gentle in front of Sun Jinshan, making him feel a shiver down his spine. However, in the end, he didn’t say anything.

Jiang Liping glanced at Jiang Lihai, not taking him seriously. She knew he wouldn’t speak out of turn. Even if he did, Sun Jinshan might not believe him.

When Jiang Lihai finished preparing the meal, Jiang Liyun and others returned. Seeing Sun Jinshan and Jiang Liping engrossed in conversation, Jiang Liyun sensed a romantic connection.

Jiang Liyun asked Sun Jinshan, “Sun Jinshan, did you secure a market for the chicken in Shanghai this time?”

Before Sun Jinshan could respond, Jiang Liping interjected, “Liyun, why address him directly by his name? He’s older than you; you should call him brother.”

Sun Jinshan appreciated her comment, feeling that Jiang Liping truly understood him. Jiang Liyun inquired, “So… have you found a market?”

She had informed Jiang Liping about their business partnership, but Jiang Liping thought both she and Jiang Lihai were just working for Sun Jinshan.

Sun Jinshan replied, “Yes, we’ve found outlets. Some restaurants want chicken wings and thighs, and we’ll sell chicken breast to wholesalers.”

Sun Jinshan wasn’t eager to report work details to Jiang Liyun in front of Jiang Liping, fearing it might diminish his image. However, he couldn’t avoid it.

Wait a minute; he didn’t need to fear Jiang Liyun! They were business partners, and he wasn’t her subordinate!

Sun Jinshan sat up straight, continuing with his report. As Jiang Liping poured him a bowl of tea, he realised something: if he married Jiang Liping, he would be Jiang Liyun’s brother-in-law!

Previously, he had felt an inexplicable fear of Jiang Liyun, considering her like an elder or a big boss. But once he became Jiang Liyun’s brother-in-law, he wouldn’t have to be afraid anymore!