Tang Zhengde and Zhang Hualian discussed, noting the time was tight and Zhang Hualian’s parental home was far away. If they delayed further, they might miss even the last bus.
"No worries, we will be back by the 28th at the latest." Zhang Hualian reassured that it was fine as long as they could return before the New Year, neither Hua Feng nor her mother would be angry.
"Every year we visit your family with hardly anything, this year let’s bring two bottles of liquor, since I remember Hua Feng likes drinking, and buy a new outfit for mom." Tang Zhengde, feeling guilty, looked at Zhang Hualian. Throughout the years, during the three main festivals, they only symbolically brought something, which was quite modest.
Zhang Hualian smiled and nodded, feeling a sense of relief as if the hardships had passed, grateful that after so many years, they could finally bring more than usual and stop worrying her mom and Hua Feng.
During the Little New Year, when the festive and family reunion atmosphere is in full swing, the town was more than ten times its usual buzz, lined with all sorts of goods, not as fancy as in later times, but still full of New Year’s spirit.
"Xiao Jun, this one is one yuan fifty, this one is two yuan, and here, this one is thirty cents." Tang Yue was discussing with Tang Jun about the couplets and celebratory animal paintings, having coordinated with her uncle in advance, they had taken US$ 100 as start-up funds. They used this opportunity before Little New Year to stock up the latest fashion couplets from the Provincial City. The couplets, compared to ordinary ones written with a brush, were more brilliant in color and beautiful in writing, adorned with flowers and birds, which made them exceptionally attractive.
The upcoming year, 1987, is the Year of the Rabbit. The adorable rabbit design and the festive, beautiful character for ’blessing’ made the couplets versatile and affordable.
Although most people usually handwrite their couplets, she believed that the ones she sold would still be popular.
"Sister, don’t worry, I have a good memory." This was Tang Jun’s first time handling such activities, and he had memorized the selling prices mentioned by Tang Yue countless times by heart.
Seeing the couplets slowly being set up, Tang Jun felt extraordinarily excited.
They did not rent a special booth for selling couplets but used a small part of Tang Mingli’s booth. The festive couplets hung up, clipped in place, immediately giving off a New Year vibe.
"Xiao Yue, who will buy these couplets?" Tang Mingli looked at the many couplets, the most expensive being two yuan per pair and the cheapest at thirty cents. If it were him, he wouldn’t pay someone else to write them when he could just ask the old folks in his village to help write a pair to hang on the door frame, which would look just as good.
"Of course, someone will buy." Tang Yue mysteriously said, "Uncle, we weren’t prepared this year. Next year let’s prepare well and bring in more beautiful items. We will definitely make good money."
"Alright then," Tang Mingli intuitively trusted Tang Yue, whether it was selling clothes or the scarves they ventured into later, she had indeed helped him make good money. So, when Tang Yue spoke about selling couplets, Tang Mingli didn’t even think twice before taking out US$ 100, which was originally meant for stocking up on goods.
Just when the booth was set up, Tang Mingli’s booth was surrounded by people; his clothes were attractive, and during the New Year, many wanted new outfits, hence the constant flow of customers.
As for the adjacent booth selling couplets, aside from the initial price inquiries, no one had approached it afterward.
During her bustle, Tang Yue assured a person hesitating to purchase, "These couplets are beautiful, look at this pair ’Jade Rabbit Brings Fortune to All Families, Golden Dragon Portends Fortune Step by Step’—what a great omen! Next year is the Year of the Rabbit, these are larger than ordinary couplets and will look festive on both sides of a main door, it even includes flowers, something not found in others’ homes."
"That does look nice," the person became tempted after seeing the unfolded pair of couplets that Tang Yue presented.
"These uniquely prosperous couplets symbolize harmony and success for your family in the coming year," Tang Yue’s mouth was as sweet as honey, especially when she claimed exclusive sale, which swayed the person to buy immediately.
Once someone took the lead, the other couplets also started selling well.
When Tang Yue was initially finding these couplets, she had searched many places. If not for discovering that some in the county were selling such beautiful couplets, Tang Yue wouldn’t have known that they were usually handwritten.
Tang Yue added, "And these pair of rabbits, looking festive by the door, and this big character for ’blessing’, hanging it upside down means ’blessing arrives.’"
The person bought the ’blessing’ and rabbit too.
Tang Jun was initially shy to speak out, but seeing Tang Yue successfully selling several pairs, he began speaking up. Initially, he stumbled over his words, but later, he spoke smoothly.
In this way, they remained busy until evening when it darkened and every household turned on their lights, only then did Tang Mingli and the others start packing up to go home. In less than a day, the couplets had almost sold out.
Tang Mingli, observing this scene, immediately regretted, "If I had known, I would have stocked up more couplets."
"Uncle, be content," Tang Yue chuckled while covering her mouth, "You’ve nearly sold all the clothes too, it’s similar."
Once at home, Tang Jun sat by the fire, unwilling to move, and said, "Uncle, sister, this is too tiring. I spent the morning talking so much my mouth was dry, my hands are sore, my feet hurt, and it was past 2 p.m. when I ate and the food was cold."
Tang Jun moved around his body, feeling uncomfortable all over.
"Xiao Jun, here, this is your reward for today." Tang Mingli chuckled, handing five yuan to Tang Jun and splitting another five to Tang Yue.
Tang Yue said, "Uncle, I won’t take my share because then you would end up distributing your own share as well."
"Uncle, this is too much," Tang Jun looked at the five yuan; despite the tiredness, five yuan was still a lot.
"No worries, there are still many days left, but I won’t give this out later," Tang Mingli answered, forcibly handing the five yuan to Tang Yue, and added, "Xiao Yue, this is for you from your uncle, don’t you want it?"
"I do," Tang Yue immediately accepted with a bright smile.
In the following days, they remained busy. Even Tang Zhengde and Zhang Hualian’s breakfast diner was exceptionally popular at noon.
It wasn’t until the 28th that they finally took a break amidst the hustle.
Tang Zhengde and Zhang Hualian were going home, unable to stay for the New Year’s Eve as their home was still in disarray.
Tang Mingli, on the other hand, took a break because all the clothes were sold out. Indeed, they were all sold out, and he decided not to restock before the New Year. So, he packed up and rested.
As for the couplets, they had long been sold out. With an initial investment of US$ 100, they made a profit of US$ 150, making Tang Mingli highly regretful. If he had stocked more, he could have earned even more.