Back To The 80s-Chapter 403 - 413: Help_1

The bureau chief laughed after hearing Gu Xiaobei’s words and said, "Are you afraid we’ll skip out on the bill?"

Gu Xiaobei feigned embarrassment with a chuckle, saying, "All this merchandise is on credit too. It’s right before the New Year, everyone’s eager for money, aren’t they?"

The bureau chief said straightforwardly, "Alright, once you deliver the merchandise, go collect your money from the finance department." He then pointed to a stern-looking middle-aged man beside him and said, "This is Director Zhao from finance. Look for him later." He also reminded Director Zhao to prepare the cash.

Gu Xiaobei cheerfully saw the God of Wealths off to the market’s entrance.

The weather had been unusually warm these past few days, making the icicles under the eaves melt and drip water.

Gu Xiaobei’s mood was even better than the weather. This deal not only solved the inventory problem but also allowed her to recoup the losses from the misplaced merchandise.

Chen Zhao and Xiao Hong were standing at the store’s door, basking in the sun. They chatted intermittently, though there were no intimate movements, a certain closeness was apparent.

When Gu Xiaobei walked up, she teased, "Chen Zhao, are you going home for the New Year?"

Chen Zhao was shocked and said, "Yeah, my house isn’t far away. It’s in Northern Shaanxi."

"Aren’t you going to Xiao Hong’s house for the New Year?" Gu Xiaobei asked with a smile.

As soon as she finished speaking, Chen Zhao and Xiao Hong turned bright red.

Chen Zhao said in a roguish manner, "Her parents don’t want her dating someone from out of town."

Gu Xiaobei was taken aback and said, "It’s not exactly out-of-town, right? It only takes an overnight train trip."

Xiao Hong let out a sigh and said, "My mother said that if I were to date anyone, he should be from our region. At the very least, he should not be from outside the province."

Gu Xiaobei looked at the two, laughed and said, "Chen Zhao, work hard. Eventually, buy a house in the provincial city, and that should be enough, no?"

Looking a bit upset, Chen Zhao said, "Sister-in-law, I’m from the countryside. They have another requirement that the prospective husband should have a non-agricultural household registration."

Gu Xiaobei pondered, every era has different standards for a daughter’s ideal match. For example, household registration is deemed very important now. She said, "Don’t worry. As long as you keep working hard, by next year, Xiao Hong’s parents will certainly agree."

The trio was chatting leisurely at the entrance when the boss across the street came over. He smiled at Gu Xiaobei, saying, "We’ve been neighbors for quite some time and it’s only today that we’ve had a proper face-to-face."

Gu Xiaobei laughed, politely replied, "With the New Year approaching, we’re all busy with our businesses."

"My surname is Ding, and my full name is Ding Daquan. I seem to be a few years older than you, so you can call me big brother Ding in the future," Ding Daquan said genially.

Gu Xiaobei acknowledged with a laugh, "You’re too modest, boss Ding. She didn’t care to go around calling others her big brother.

Ding Daquan didn’t mind, he continued to smile and say, "I see that your business is booming, so I wanted to come and learn something."

"What booming business? We’re just trying to make ends meet," Gu Xiaobei thought Ding Daquan must be up to something, or else why would he not have come when their store first opened?

Ding Daquan shook his head and said, "You’re too modest. In the whole market, only your place is bustling with activity and even has trucks delivering goods."

Gu Xiaobei simply smiled, "It’s all a matter of keeping up appearances, none of it is profitable."

Ding Daquan was almost unable to maintain his smile, any business owner would love to hear sweet words, and yet her indifference never changed. Unable to hold it in any longer, he went straight to the point, "Gu Xiaobei, we are neighbors after all, and as the saying goes, ’better a close neighbor than a distant relative’. I was hoping you could do me a favor."

Gu Xiaobei quietly listened, without saying a word.

Ding Daquan worked up the nerve to say, "Here’s the thing, I’ve got five hundred crates of canned food, and I was wondering if you could help me sell them. I can see your gift box business is doing well."

Gu Xiaobei thought for a while and then said, "We are neighbors and helping each other out is the right thing to do, but we’re going to close for the holidays on the 20th and won’t reopen until after the 15th. I can’t help you with this."

Ding Daquan nodded in agreement, "You’re right, the entire New Year’s period is a lean time for business. If I don’t sell these canned goods in the next few days, fear it’ll be a waste by the time we reopen."

Gu Xiaobei thought for a moment then said, "You can run a special sale in the next few days, buy two get one free small items in the store, then have your staff ride around on tricycles and sell them in the residential areas and employee dormitories."

Ding Daquan’s eyes lit up and he jubilantly said, "That’s a great idea, thank you! In the future, if you need anything, just let me know." With that, he joyfully ran back to his place.

Chen Zhao grumbled unhappily, "Sister-in-law, why would you give him advice? You should have just let his goods go rotten in the warehouse."

Gu Xiaobei laughed and shook her head, "Sometimes an adversary can be a friend too. Besides, it’s no harm in giving a helping hand when it doesn’t hurt our interests. In business, it’s better to have more friends than enemies."

In the afternoon, Gu Xiaobei had a few customers. She told Qin Li she was going to head home early. She had been so busy these past few days that she hadn’t cooked a meal for the trio at home. Every day, Lu Zhanguo took care of the children and cooked meals. With the warmer weather, he even bought groceries while taking care of the two children.

She took two cans of orange from the store, planning to give them to Xiaopang and Mo Wang.

As Gu Xiaobei rode into the residential area, she saw Zhao Hongmei carrying her child and a soy sauce bottle to buy soy sauce. Zhao Hongmei warmly greeted her, "Xiaobei, I haven’t seen you in quite a few days."

Gu Xiaobei had to stop her bike and greet her, "I’ve been a bit busy recently."

Zhao Hongmei laughed and said, "Among all the residents in our community, I admire you the most. You’re managing two kids and yet still so capable."

Gu Xiaobei laughed, "I’ve got nothing to do, so I’m running a small business. I didn’t expect the business to be small but quite time-consuming."

Zhao Hongmei nodded approvingly and said, "But, after all, if you’re busy every day without going home, your children and husband will feel neglected. This isn’t a good thing, it could give a vixen a chance."

Unable to take it seriously, Gu Xiaobei replied, "You’re right, sister-in-law. I’m in a hurry to get home and cook, so I won’t keep you from your shopping."

When Gu Xiaobei entered the house with a smile, Lu Zhanguo was feeding the kids apples and asked, "What happened this time?"

Gu Xiaobei took off her coat, changed her shoes, ran into each room for a look, and said with a smile, "When I wasn’t home, was there any vixen visiting?"

Xiaopang said unclearly with an apple in his mouth, "vixen, vixen." While talking, he sprayed apple pieces everywhere.

Lu Zhanguo was serious, "Stop telling nonsense in front of the kids."

Gu Xiaobei washed her hands and ran over laughing. She bent down and picked up Xiaopang, saying, "Do you know what a vixen is? Don’t parrot my words."

Xiaopang curiously said, "Mom, vixen."

Lu Zhanguo gave Gu Xiaobei a teasing look.

Gu Xiaobei felt as if she had shot herself in the foot.