At the market

Mu Shuangshuang and Yu Si Niang stopped at a place selling women’s silk flowers and handkerchiefs, as well as women’s jewelry.

The peddler’s basket was filled with pretty, fresh items.

A crowd of young women and wives surrounded the peddler, all asking about the prices.

Mu Shuangshuang picked a hairpin and compared it against Yu Si Niang’s head.

"Mom, what do you think of this hairpin?" Mu Shuangshuang asked.

Yu Si Niang naturally shook her head.

"Shuangshuang, Mom doesn’t like these flashy things, let’s not buy them. You buy whatever you like for yourself; Mom’s okay."

Yu Si Niang didn’t even look at the hairpin, immediately saying she didn’t like it.

Not for any reason other than not wanting to spend the money.

Mu Shuangshuang ignored her and turned to ask Lu Yuanfeng.

"Fengzi, does this hairpin look good on my mom?"

"It looks good. This blue hairpin really compliments Aunt Si’s skin."

Lu Yuanfeng answered truthfully.

The orchid on the hairpin in Mu Shuangshuang’s hand looked delicate, yet it contained a sense of resilience.

Lu Yuanfeng genuinely thought it suited Yu Si Niang.

"Then let’s buy it!" Mu Shuangshuang said, followed by asking the peddler about the price.

"How much is this hairpin?" Mu Shuangshuang asked.

"Hehe, not expensive, twelve coins." The peddler replied with a grin.

Mu Shuangshuang wasn’t the peddler’s first customer, but her choice was definitely the best.

When the peddler procured his goods, he mixed good and bad quality items, but each one had a different quality; Mu Shuangshuang picked the best batch.

"So expensive, Shuangshuang, let’s not buy it." Yu Si Niang grabbed Mu Shuangshuang’s hand, unwilling to buy.

"Mom, going shopping is all about spending money and buying things, and this hairpin really suits you. Even if you take it back and show it to Dad, he’d definitely find it beautiful too."

While speaking, Mu Shuangshuang found another hairpin with a similar style but in gold color from the peddler’s basket.

She said to the peddler, "Uncle, how about fifteen coins for two hairpins if I always do business with you in the future?"

"Little girl, this is high-quality goods; the hairpin is twelve coins each. How can I sell you two for fifteen coins? Your bargaining is too sharp, no, no." The peddler shook his head like a rattle drum.

"Uncle, I’m also doing business in town, so I know the cost of these items, and I wouldn’t dare to undercut your price.

Moreover, a few days ago, I saw someone else selling the same items at only six coins a piece.

As soon as his goods came out, they were all bought, but you probably didn’t know?" Mu Shuangshuang stared into the peddler’s eyes and asked.

The peddler’s face changed slightly, and he asked, "Are you talking about that short, chubby guy who speaks with a lisp?"

Mu Shuangshuang naturally nodded, "Yes, that’s the one. I was going to buy it, but I left in a rush that day and didn’t bring money."

The peddler stomped his foot in anger.

"Ah, I told you that Ding guy’s goods are unreliable, and he dared to deceive me." The peddler cursed angrily, but he soon realized Mu Shuangshuang was present and chose not to say more.

The peddler quickly put on a smile and said to Mu Shuangshuang, "Little girl, looking at you as a filial child, I’ll give you face today, fifteen coins for two hairpins."

After saying this, the peddler handed the hairpins to Mu Shuangshuang, who also fulfilled her promise and paid for the hairpins.

Yu Si Niang and Zhao Yun, who were watching from the side, were left speechless.

They had been shopping in town for so many years; where could you find hairpins for seven and a half coins each?

How did this Shuang manage to get him to sell the hairpins with just a few words?

Just as they were amazed, Mu Shuangshuang gave one hairpin to Zhao Yun and the other to Yu Si Niang.

Giving one to Yu Si Niang was understandable, but Zhao Yun couldn’t comprehend why she was given one.

She looked astonished, "Shuang, why are you giving me one? I..."

"Aunt Xiao Yun, Shuangshuang is showing appreciation to you. You’ve always taken care of our third branch, shared your food and supplies, whatever you had, you sent our way. Now that Shuangshuang has the ability, it’s time you enjoyed it too."

Zhao Yun was full of emotion and was at a loss for words of gratitude.

The things she’d done were all because she felt she should.

Because her son Da Long’s life was saved by Si Niang.

But now Shuang was genuinely thinking of her...

"By the way, Shuangshuang, why did the peddler agree to sell you two hairpins for fifteen coins?" Zhao Yun remembered her confusion and couldn’t help but ask.

Mu Shuangshuang first turned to look behind, finding herself far from the peddler now.

She then whispered, "Because I know there are only two peddlers on this street, and they both sell items at the same price.

In other words, they’re very likely acquainted and have agreed on certain things, like how much to sell items or whether to discount them.

This way, no matter how expensive things seem, you’ll still feel it’s normal when you see them."

It’s essentially industry monopoly.

Mu Shuangshuang was worried the others present might not understand, so she tried to explain simply.

Zhao Yun started to grasp the idea.

"So, you mean those things aren’t really that expensive, but because the two vendors know each other, they can increase the price."

"Exactly!" Mu Shuangshuang nodded.

"But why did you say someone else sells it for six coins each?" Zhao Yun asked again.

"Because trust is relative! When you hike up your prices, naturally fewer will buy. Sometimes when others slightly decrease their prices, although not the intended price, it’s higher than their cost, to sell or not?

According to the agreement, it’s not to be sold, but if someone sells, aren’t they missing another chance to earn?" Mu Shuangshuang asked.

This time, everyone truly understood.

Shuang won with a trust strategy.

The two peddlers occupied a street, but neither trusted the other entirely.

They could only keep it to themselves.

Shuang put it on the table, and the peddler didn’t want others to occupy the market.

When it comes to women’s items, the cheaper seller gets the business.

"Haha, my daughter is really smart." Yu Si Niang laughed heartily.

Zhao Yun laughed along with her.

"But won’t this break the balance? Can the two continue?" Lu Yuanfeng asked.

"They can. Everyone is doing business and will eventually establish new trust regulations, and the price I gave, the peddler definitely has some to earn."

Mu Shuangshuang didn’t want to cut off anyone’s means of earning.

But she’s also not one to suffer significant losses.

Just like living life, suffering is a blessing, but not suffering greatly, and definitely not making it a habit.

Lu Yuanfeng watched Shuangshuang with bright eyes.

He had always liked Shuangshuang’s personality.

Smart, yet not sinister.

Warm, yet not inflexible.

Lu Yuanfeng felt he had found a treasure this lifetime.