The man known as Master Zhao looked at Long Aotian and Hu Yuying: "And you two are?"
"We're here to check out this year's summer short-sleeve collection."
"Oh, they're right here." Master Zhao pointed to a large package on the floor.
Long Aotian skillfully opened one: "Oh, so this is the new collection for this year. Feels cool—perfect for this scorching weather. It'll be so comfortable to wear."
"Oh, right." Long Aotian suddenly turned to Hu Yuying: "What did Dad say the price was? I was too busy gaming, but I think it was 5 or something?"
Caught off guard by the question, Hu Yuying flinched, feeling a bit awkward. Luckily, she noticed Long Aotian winking at her and quickly stammered, "I think it was 6 yuan?" But her tone lacked confidence.
"Your dad said 6 yuan, right?" Master Zhao chimed in.
"Ah, yes, yes, 6 yuan. It's definitely 6 yuan." Long Aotian repacked the clothes: "All sizes are available, right?"
"As long as they're all there, I'll take 500 pieces."
Long Aotian pulled out the cash he had withdrawn the night before, counted out the amount, and handed it to Master Zhao: "Please give this money to the Factory Director. I'll take the goods with me now."
As he carried the items, Long Aotian laughed: "I was too busy dating during school, and right after the college entrance exams, my dad made me learn how to do business. He even sent me to source goods myself, saying I need to get familiar with it."
"You're Old Wang's kid, aren't you?" Master Zhao asked tentatively, as he was close to Old Wang and had heard his kid wasn't doing well in school.
"Yeah, otherwise why would I come to you?"
Long Aotian tied up the goods with a rope, hoisted them onto his back, and headed out: "Oof, this is heavy. I'll get going now."
After a light cough, he gestured with his head to Hu Yuying, who was still in a daze.
Hu Yuying quickly snapped out of it, her face flushing as she rushed to help support the load.
"Let's go, let's go. Don't look back," Long Aotian whispered as they hurried away.
......
After climbing over a wall, Hu Yuying sat on top of the goods, seemingly entranced, unable to snap out of it. Staring at the goods beneath her, she suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of unreality.
Then she turned her dazed gaze to Long Aotian.
Long Aotian, panting heavily, patted his clothes. When their eyes met, they both froze for a moment before bursting into laughter: "Long, you're really something, huh?"
"Let's get out of here first. We'll head to the train station and buy tickets," Long Aotian said, lifting the goods and walking back the way they came.
Hu Yuying followed closely, trying to help lighten the load: "Long, we're already far enough. Let's take a break."
"We'll rest up ahead."
Leaning against the goods, Hu Yuying gazed at Long Aotian with starry eyes: "Long, why does this all feel so unreal?"
Long Aotian flicked her forehead: "Feel real now?"
Hu Yuying pouted and nodded: "Yeah, it feels real now."
"Silly." He ruffled her hair.
Without even stopping for lunch, they headed straight to the train station.
Once on the train and on their way home, they finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Exciting, huh?" Long Aotian asked Hu Yuying.
"So exciting, Long! This was my first time doing something like this. You have no idea—my heart was about to jump out of my chest earlier," Hu Yuying said, clutching her chest.
"I was so nervous, Long. I don't know how you managed to keep talking to those strangers. I would've been clueless," she added, her voice filled with lingering fear.
"Are we going back after we sell these?" Hu Yuying asked softly.
"Next time, we won't need to climb over walls. I figure we can just come straight here to source goods."
Seeing how many goods they had shipped out, Long Aotian guessed it wouldn't be long before this year's summer collection started circulating in the market. By then, they could probably place orders and have them delivered directly.
"Okay," Hu Yuying sighed in relief. Although the experience was thrilling, if she had to do it again, she'd probably still be as nervous as a little quail, stammering through her words.
"Let's have some ribs when we get back? I'm kinda hungry."
Hu Yuying chuckled: "Of course you're hungry. You carried all that stuff so far. I'll cook for you as soon as we get back. I'll even stew the big bones you brought last time. I'll make sure you eat your fill, Long."
The trip there and back took the whole day.
At the train station entrance, Hu Yuying sat obediently on the goods, quietly waiting.
When she saw Long Aotian riding over on a tricycle, her joy was unmistakable.
She stood up and waved excitedly: "Long!"
After parking and loading the goods, Hu Yuying sat on top of them: "Long, I'm ready."
"Let's go!"
As the tricycle started moving, the wind tousled her hair but couldn't wipe the smile off her face.
She really loved this feeling.
Back home, Hu Yuying helped Long Aotian unload the goods and hurried into the kitchen to cook.
Long Aotian, never one to sit still, sat on the living room floor, unpacking the goods, hanging the clothes on hangers, and arranging them by size.
It was tedious work, but for Long Aotian, it was necessary.
Tomorrow, he would display all the clothes, creating a visual feast.
After finishing, Long Aotian went out into the yard.
He opened the sunshade, which had been reinforced with wire by the old man to hang meat.
Long Aotian adjusted the wire to the right height for hanging clothes.
Then he stopped.
The day had been hectic, but this was the best they could do for now.
"Long, wash your hands. Dinner's ready."
"Okay."
Long Aotian rinsed his hands at the tap and walked into the kitchen.
The aroma of ribs made his mouth water—he was truly hungry today.
"Slow down, I'm not going to steal your food," Hu Yuying laughed, watching Long Aotian devour his meal.
It made her happy, like a different kind of accomplishment, knowing that Long loved her cooking.
After dinner, Long Aotian lay on the sofa, patting his full belly contentedly.
Hu Yuying cleaned up and then pulled out some money from a hidden pocket: "Long, this is for you."
Her reasoning was simple: Long had said he was helping her make money.
But she hadn't contributed any effort or funds.
That meant all the risk was on Long.
Though she trusted him deeply, she knew business wasn't always profitable.
If they didn't make money, she didn't want Long to bear all the losses. She'd take half, and she could work part-time over the next two months to earn her tuition.
"What's this for?"
Hu Yuying shyly looked at Long Aotian: "It's all I have."
Meeting her gaze, Long Aotian seemed to understand her thoughts: "Even a little is something. I'll keep this money safe for you."
"Okay." The little miser watched as her small fortune was taken away, her heart aching...
Seeing Hu Yuying's reluctant yet willing expression, Long Aotian couldn't help but laugh.
So silly, yet so kind. The world always treats kind people gently...
[No more, no more, I'm done for today...]