Lin Yinghui laughed twice heartily, clapped his hands and said, "Little sister, this idea is great. We can go directly to the countryside to collect vermicelli from farmers. Then we can mail them. This can reduce costs. This matter is up to me. Mom, what’s your decision?"
"Vermicelli here costs one and a half yuan per jin, but our rice noodles are only fifty cents per jin. Can we make money?" Liang Hongmei, who often visits the vegetable market, is quite knowledgeable about this.
"Mom, the vermicelli here sells for one and a half yuan per jin. If we buy directly from the farmers, the cost will be cheaper. Then, after deducting transportation fees, we can sell it for two yuan per jin back home. Here, we can sell it for more than one yuan per jin. The few cents difference per jin is already a considerable profit."
"Alright then, let’s go with your plan."
After the three agreed, Lin Yinghui told his family about their plan. Being a vendor often means receiving guidance from others, so he must make this clear to his family. Otherwise, if they disagree after everything is set up, it would be meaningless.
June’s weather has already started heating up. When his brother returned, Lin Wan discussed with him the selection of dishes for the night market.
To attract customers, the night market needs to have a special feature. The Northeast has many rivers and abundant aquatic resources, making seafood cheap. Lin Wan plans to introduce a specialty: spicy crayfish. Along with chilled vegetables, cucumbers, boiled beef tripe, and grilled lamb skewers.
For this, Lin Yinghui went to a blacksmith shop and had them make a grill according to Lin Wan’s specifications.
They hired someone specialized in selling barbecue.
Li Congnan had already discussed with his friends. Each month, his friend will provide fifty cases of beer, at fifty cents per bottle, along with a thirty yuan commission.
Lin Wan has already learned that the market price for beer is eighty cents per bottle, with twenty-four bottles per case, so it’s fair for them to ask for a thirty yuan difference.
The hot pot restaurant stopped serving hot pot during summer and started a night market business, becoming the first in the city.
The locals were curious and willing to try something new, though the crayfish was too expensive, costing five yuan per plate.
The other dishes were cheap, with the most expensive being just fifty cents per portion.
Not only was there beer, but also grilled lamb and grilled fish. Grilling a jin of lamb costs eight yuan, which compared to the eighty cents for a grilled fish, most working-class people would choose grilled fish.
Business has been booming in recent days, but the vendor providing crayfish increased the price significantly.
The price went up by eighty cents per jin, which is not a small amount. Lin Wan recalled seeing Brother Huang’s wife cleaning crayfish in the cold winter when she went to collect mushrooms.
Coincidentally, this time when collecting mushrooms, she planned to check their crayfish situation as well.
Lin Wan arrived effortlessly at Huang Dashan’s house, where both he and his wife were present.
"Is Lin coming to collect mushrooms? Is it still the same price?" Last year, their family sold the highest-priced mushrooms in the village.
This year, their family harvested plenty, just waiting for Lin Wan to come.
"Yes, Sister-in-law Huang, this time besides mushrooms, I also need something else." During this season, mushrooms grow rapidly, and Lin Wan noticed from the undried mushrooms in their yard.
"Oh, what else does Lin need?" Huang Dashan came out from the side, smiled naively at Lin Wan, and asked.
"Do you have plenty of crayfish here?" Lin Wan was unsure, as their village hadn’t implemented private ownership yet, and food and supplies were still collectivized. According to the rules, crayfish should be part of the commune.