"Grandpa, I’m thinking with this money, we can stock up on more goods," Ji Shuyuan analyzed. "If we take in goods a few more times, we’ll also have some surplus cash. Grandpa, don’t worry, I’ll take care of you in the future."
Ji Shuyuan felt that today was the happiest day of his life. He definitely wanted to make lots of money in the future, move out with Grandpa, and let Grandpa live in a spacious and bright room, instead of being cramped in this small one.
"Good, I’ll be waiting," Ji Xinghua said, grinning, and he even broke precedent by drinking a little alcohol that evening.
Ji Shan guessed that the things Ji Shuyuan was selling must be doing well, but he didn’t reveal his thoughts, merely joining Ji Xinghua in a drink.
The next morning, Ji Shuyuan called Xu Nian’an right away.
He dialed Pei Yicheng’s number and, after some roundabout contacting, Ji Shuyuan found out that Xu Nian’an had already sent out the second batch of goods yesterday.
"Nian’an, thank you," Ji Shuyuan said, gripping the phone tightly.
Xu Nian’an said with a grin, "Nian’an, after school starts, I suggest you do like me and find a store to sell these goods exclusively. After these few batches of sales, you’ll have enough to rent a small store."
"However, Shuyuan, about this matter, with your aunt..." Xu Nian’an wanted to remind him but wasn’t sure how to say it.
The aunt, that is, Ji Shuyuan’s biological mother Deng Juan, was only concerned about her elder son Ji Shuming. If Deng Juan found out about this business, Ji Shuyuan might well be left out of it.
He knew this all too well, but to bluntly tell Ji Shuyuan seemed akin to sowing discord between him, his mother, and his brother.
"I know," Ji Shuyuan changed the subject. "Nian’an, how should I send this money to you?"
"Don’t rush, wait until the third batch of goods arrives, then send the money all together," Xu Nian’an finished speaking and shared some tips on selling the goods with Ji Shuyuan before hanging up the phone.
After Ji Shuyuan hung up, he sighed deeply. Xu Nian’an had sent three batches of goods to him, maybe just as his aunt intended, wanting to help him and Grandpa.
Ji Shuyuan took in a deep breath, thinking of his mother’s treatment toward him, how her favoritism was so blatant. The house Ji Shuming was living in now was the one their mother had divided up for him.
Ji Shuming was married, so he stopped mentioning the house, but why couldn’t his mother support his own desires to study and make money?
Ji Shuming, time after time, took money from their mother, who thought Ji Shuyuan was in the dark, yet he knew it all.
Ji Shuyuan shook his head, casting these thoughts aside. He continued to carry the remaining goods on his back and sold them. He needed to make money, lots and lots of money, enough to rent a place and take better care of Grandpa.
"Sis, you think, each time we send goods back, it’s just too expensive," Xu Nian’an said with pursed lips, realizing that sending goods back home was costly, cutting at least one-third of their profits.
"If, if only there were cheaper trucks available," Xu Nianhua couldn’t help but think of the logistics and express delivery services of the future, but alas, it was not to be. Instead of express delivery, not even freight services were available - everything had to be mailed through the post office.
"We’re still doing fine, splitting it into three shipments." Xu Nianhua and Xu Nian’an had specifically calculated it to find the cheapest way to send the goods.
Pei Yicheng’s voice rose from behind them, "Our Liunian transports a batch of goods to South City every three days."
"That’s wonderful, the next time we send goods to Shuyuan, we can ride along with your shipment," Xu Nianhua said, her face alight with joy.
Xu Nian’an looked at Pei Yicheng with a complex expression, finding that he was always keen to impress his little sister.