Transmigrated as an Unwanted Ugly Girl

Chapter 471: Chapter 247: Laixi’s Fish-Selling Playbook

Liu Xiaomei pouted. "He’s certainly generous, but doesn’t that mean our second brother’s cushion didn’t sell?"

Sanshun laughed. "Of course it sold. It was just sold to the right person. I was in his shop for a bit and realized he’s a natural at sizing people up. He always makes sure customers buy what’s right for them, never tricking them into buying more. Man, his business is booming!"

Liu Xiaomei fell silent. But she seemed to doubt her Third Brother’s words. ’Could that glutton really be so capable?’

Zheng Changhe laughed. "Laixi? He’s a sharp one. That kid’s not bad, much sharper than his older brother."

Zhao San chuckled. "He’s honest with his customers, and that’s why people trust him. Some people are short-sighted. They try to trick customers for a quick profit, but once someone gets fooled a time or two, they stop coming back."

Zhang Dashuan glanced at the young men in the courtyard and said, "There’s a real knack to doing business. Some people are honest like Laixi, but they’re *too* honest and can’t make any money. Laixi, on the other hand, is clever, but what’s rare is that his heart is also in the right place. He’s got both, and that’s why he does so well!"

Everyone nodded in agreement, saying that was exactly right.

Juhua and Qingmu exchanged a smile—they had big plans for Laixi. For one thing, they had entrusted him with renting out their shopfronts. Laixi had thumped his chest and promised he would definitely help his cousin find good tenants and never let anyone trash the properties.

After some more laughter and conversation, the fish were weighed: a total of over one hundred thirty catties.

The Zheng Family all smiled in satisfaction. They had only kept the big fish, throwing many smaller ones back. They even returned most of the eels and loaches to the pond, keeping only a few catties. One could only imagine what a bountiful harvest the next year would bring!

After the meal, the helpers went home, and the family got busy dividing the fish. They separated the ones to be sold from those intended as gifts. The live fish were placed in a large wooden bathtub filled with water to keep them fresh. They also loaded up some lotus roots. Early the next morning, Zheng Changhe and Qingmu set off for the market together in the ox-cart.

When the cart stopped in front of Fuxi Grocery Store, Laixi rushed out to greet them. "Uncle! Cousin Qingmu! What brings you here so early?" he asked, pleasantly surprised. He peered into the back of the cart and couldn’t help but cry out, "Whoa! So many fish! Are you here to sell them?"

Zheng Changhe recalled Sanshun’s assessment of the young man and couldn’t help but smile. "Qingmu is off to deliver fish to his grandma and uncle, and I’m here to sell the rest. Laixi, I’m counting on you today. Even Liu Sanshun from our village says you’ve got a knack for business. Help your uncle sell these fish off quickly; I’ve still got a lot to do back home."

A brilliant smile lit up Laixi’s face. "Don’t you worry, Uncle," he said to Zheng Changhe. "Even if it means closing my shop for the day, I’ll help you sell these fish."

Qingmu chuckled at that. He picked up the prepared baskets and said to Laixi, "Well, I’ll be troubling you today then. I should get going."

Laixi quickly reassured him, then added, "Cousin Qingmu, when you go to my house, have my mother cook some of the fish and bring it back for me. It’s so fresh, but I won’t get to eat any since I’m not home. By the time I get back, all that’s left will surely be the salted ones."

Qingmu nodded, holding back a laugh, then turned and strode away.

Just as he’d said, Laixi stopped doing business for the day. He closed the main door to his shop, ready to go sell fish with Zheng Changhe.

Seeing he was serious, Zheng Changhe asked with some hesitation, "You’ve closed up shop. What if customers come by?"

Laixi laughed. "It’s no problem. Just watch."

With that, he walked over to the general goods store next door and spoke to the middle-aged shopkeeper. "Uncle Yu, could I trouble you to keep an eye on my shop? I have to step out for a bit, but I’ll be back after breakfast. If any customers come by, just tell them if they’re in a rush, they should go about their business and come back later. If they can’t wait, just tell them to try one of the other shops!"

The middle-aged shopkeeper quickly agreed. "Of course, Laixi! You go on and do what you need to. Uncle Yu will keep an eye out for you. It’s so cold today, people won’t be out this early anyway. Even if they are, they’ll wander the market for a bit first. It won’t hurt your business, don’t you worry."

Only then did Laixi turn back, hop onto Zheng Changhe’s ox-cart, and say with a smile, "Uncle, let’s go to Qinghui Restaurant first and see if they want to buy any fish."

Hearing his exchange with the shopkeeper, Zheng Changhe praised him for being so resourceful.

The current manager of Qinghui Restaurant was a man named Jin. Zheng Changhe often sold eggs to the restaurant, so he knew Manager Jin. Manager Mao was now overseeing the restaurant in Qinghui County and rarely returned, so this location was left in Manager Jin’s hands.