【Yiwu Clothing Factory, Yiwu Clothing Factory, the largest clothing factory in Yiwu has gone bankrupt...】
【Boss XXX indulged in drinking, gambling, and womanizing, racking up a debt of 350 million and ran away with his sister-in-law. We had no choice but to use clothes to cover our wages. Clothes originally priced at over 30, 40, or 50 yuan are now all 19 yuan, all 19 yuan...】
The voice from the loudspeaker was the first thing that shocked Hu Yuying.
She had gone with Long Aotian to stock up on goods, and there was no such thing as a boss running off with his sister-in-law after indulging in vices...
Trying to hold back her laughter, she looked at Long Aotian and said, "Long Aotian, you're so bad."
Standing on the tricycle near the loudspeaker, Long Aotian didn't hear what Hu Yuying said, but seeing her smile at him, he couldn't help but smile back.
The road still seemed endless, the shade of the plane trees was lush, the summer sun was just right, and the wind blew past, carrying with it the carefree spirit of youth.
Hu Yuying's heart raced for a moment, and a faint blush appeared on her delicate, innocent face. She couldn't help but steal glances at Long Aotian, then quickly looked away...
The unique sound of the loudspeaker kept attracting attention. When people heard that clothes were only 19 yuan, driven by the desire to snag a bargain, more and more people slowly started walking over.
The new clothes were undeniably eye-catching.
The styles were hung all over the canopy, and at a glance, there were always a few pieces that caught people's eyes.
At 19 yuan, compared to the prices of 20 to 40 yuan in stores, it was hard not to feel tempted.
This was how small street-side businesses worked—if you could gather a crowd, you were bound to do well that day.
The catchy phrases about the boss running off with his sister-in-law and everything being 19 yuan always managed to grab the attention of passersby.
Once the atmosphere was set, if one person tried on clothes, two would follow. If one person paid, a whole group would pay.
Hu Yuying was incredibly quick at collecting money, and her joy was evident as she flashed a bright, innocent smile, her teeth gleaming white.
While Hu Yuying handled the money, Long Aotian was busy finding the right sizes.
"Hey, young man, what size is your girlfriend wearing? My daughter is about the same size. I'll take this back for her to try."
"Ma'am, these pants are a bit more expensive," Long Aotian said, rummaging through the sizes.
"How much? They look really good on her."
"28 yuan, but for you, I'll give it for 25. I'm not making any profit."
Hu Yuying didn't know what to say, as her mind was completely occupied with the word "girlfriend." She nodded dumbly at the woman, "Yeah, 25 yuan, no profit."
It was true that pretty girls could be the best liars.
With Hu Yuying's innocent, guileless face, her words were far more convincing than Long Aotian calling someone "sister" a hundred times.
For the entire morning, Long Aotian had been squatting on the ground, finding sizes without a break.
By noon, people started heading home to cook. It was summer vacation, and no one wanted their kids to go hungry.
"Ouch, Yuying, help me up. My legs are numb."
Hu Yuying happily helped Long Aotian up and supported him as he sat on the tricycle. Her excitement was barely contained, "Long Aotian, we made so much money!"
"This is just the beginning. After lunch, even more people will come."
Looking at Hu Yuying's radiant smile, Long Aotian couldn't resist ruffling her long hair.
"Really?"
"Yep." The women's gossip network was as powerful as the old ladies who spread rumors.
Just the words "19 yuan" were enough to make them come back for more.
And those who bought clothes for their kids would likely return in the afternoon to buy more if the clothes fit well.
"It's about time. I'll go get us some food. You stay here and watch the stall."
After giving Hu Yuying instructions, Long Aotian headed into the morning market.
He had noticed a few roast duck stalls earlier, and they smelled amazing.
While packing up the food, Long Aotian's phone vibrated. It was a message from Hu Yuying.
She said she had sold two more T-shirts.
From the text, it was easy to sense how happy Hu Yuying was.
"Long Aotian is a rough guy, and this is about all I can do to help you."
"The road ahead might be tough, but I hope that someday in the future, when you look back on today, you'll still feel as happy and joyful as you do now."
After packing the food, Long Aotian took a deep breath and headed back.
Two lunch boxes, a sliced roast duck, and a stack of thin pancakes—it wasn't a lavish meal, but it was enough to fill their stomachs.
"Long Aotian, here, eat this." Hu Yuying handed him a rolled-up pancake.
"You eat too. The duck won't taste as good when it's cold." This was already the third pancake Hu Yuying had rolled for him since he started eating.
"I'm not hungry yet."
Hu Yuying loved watching Long Aotian eat. He took such big bites, finishing the pancake in no time.
So impressive.
Watching Long Aotian eat was even more enjoyable than eating herself.
Suddenly, Hu Yuying's bright eyes sparkled, and she pointed to her own mouth. "Long Aotian, right here."
Long Aotian, who was chewing, paused and forgot to swallow.
He stared blankly at Hu Yuying's gesture, her smile sincere, her eyes shining with joy, her fair and delicate finger pointing at her slightly parted red lips.
"I'm a proper guy, Long Aotian."
"You're the least proper," Hu Yuying shot him a glance. "You always tease me, and now you've got sauce all over your mouth."
Sometimes, Long Aotian really seemed like a mature uncle.
He protected her, taught her, helped her, took her to stock up on goods, and sold things with her. In this regard, he didn't seem like someone his age.
His way of thinking was more like that of a seasoned, experienced person who had been through a lot in society.
But at other times, Long Aotian was like a kid who hadn't grown up yet.
He loved teasing her and could get completely absorbed in things that interested him.
Last time, when they saw an excavator tearing down a building, most people their age glanced at it and quickly left, afraid of getting dusty. But Long Aotian squatted by the roadside with a group of thirty-somethings, watching for a long time.
Looking at it from another perspective, Hu Yuying really didn't see what was so fascinating about watching an excavator tear down a building.
He was mature, yet full of childlike curiosity.
He was more vibrant and unrestrained than anyone she knew.
"You little Yuying, now you're even daring to glare at me."
"Long Aotian, I'm so well-behaved. Oh, someone's coming..." Hu Yuying ducked her head and quickly got up to greet the new customer.
Just as Long Aotian had predicted, the lunch hour wasn't as busy as the morning, but there was still a steady flow of people. The money Hu Yuying collected wasn't much less than what they made earlier...