Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Lao Cai Asks for Advice I
Mei Yiliang and the others lived in simple houses, with plywood partitions dividing up the space into small rooms. It was unbearable to live inside in the summer, so on this hot and clear evening, the workers took their cool beds into the courtyard and slept out in the open air.
By the time Feng Yiping and the others returned to the factory, the video had finished playing, and some people were already snoring on their cool beds, while others were lying there, the hand fans in their hands 'whirring' in the breeze.
It was of course inconvenient to go see Cai Hong so late at night, so Mei Yiliang had to suppress his enthusiasm and take Feng Yiping to wash up. Then he took out the cool bed for Feng Yiping to sleep on, while he himself used the one that Lao Cai sometimes used for shade.
It was actually quite interesting to sleep outside like this for the first time. The moonlight was as cool as water, and the silver radiance it cast softly enveloped the whole world. In the flowerbeds, unknown insects were chirping, and every now and then, you could hear cars driving past on Jiangbin Road. Fortunately, at that time, the provincial capital was not a city that never slept, and there were not many cars, otherwise you would never be able to sleep peacefully outdoors.
Mei Yiliang next to him kept fanning him with a fan, but after a while the fan stopped moving and a light snoring sound could be heard. You would think that he, being an adult, would have fewer worries than a child like me, but...
However, tonight, the surrounding snoring and grunting sounds seemed to have a hypnotic effect. Feng Yiping looked up at the moon and muttered to himself, 'Bright as jade, pure as the moon,' and before he knew it, he had fallen asleep.
The next day, when Feng Yiping was woken up, the sky was still dark blue, and the whole city was still quiet. Distantly, one could hear the low whistle of a ship on the river far away.
The workers moved the bed frame into the room with great care, occasionally clearing their throats in a low voice. Mei Yiliang looked like he was going to carry Feng Yiping into the room. He watched as Feng Yiping woke up with sleepy eyes and whispered, 'Go inside and sleep. It's cool.'
For students from a rural mountain village, sleeping in was a rare luxury. At school, of course, you had to get up early, but at home, more often than not, you had to get up even earlier than that.
So even though he knows that the mornings in the city are beautiful and the air is fresh, Feng Yiping is too lazy to experience it right now. He got up dazedly, walked dazedly into his brother-in-law's room, collapsed on the bed, and fell asleep again in no time.
Mei Yiliang used to practice martial arts, and although he didn't achieve anything of note, he kept up the habit of exercising. He returned from running and saw that Feng Yiping was still asleep, so he went to wash up quietly.
Feng Yiping was awakened by the heat. There was nothing he could do about it. In a house like this, as soon as the sun came up, it would get hot inside immediately.
There was no one in the dormitory, and there was no movement in the small building, so it was very lively in the workshop. After he finished washing up, he was going to go to the old street outside for breakfast. Cai Hong came out of the workshop and waved at her, 'Come, I'll heat up your breakfast for you.'
On the kitchen table was a bowl of noodles covered with a lid, and next to it on a plate were a few soft fried dough sticks.
Cai Hong put the noodles back in the heat, threw in the fried dough sticks and served them in a bowl. She didn't go away, but sat next to him and watched him eat with a smile. Feng Yiping guessed that she was definitely making an excuse to be lazy.
It's not pleasant to be watched while eating. Feng Yiping lowered his head and took a few big bites, then asked her, 'Aren't you going back to the workshop?'
Cai Hong smiled with her head resting on the back of her chair, 'What's the matter? You love sleeping in, that's a bit childish! After you finish eating, you can play for a while, go to my father's office to read the newspaper, or go to the second floor to watch TV. You must tell us when you leave the yard.'
Cai Hong returned to the workshop. It wasn't long before Feng Yiping finished eating, and then Lao Cai arrived. He was also wearing work clothes, with gloves and a mask hanging from one ear. He must be getting old, and the workshop is full of wood dust, so he needs to protect himself.
'Haha, are you full? If not, I'll go buy some more,'
'That's enough, I'm full,' Feng Yiping finished in a few bites and followed Lao Cai to the office.
Lao Cai brewed some tea and exchanged the usual pleasantries, asking Feng Yiping if he had slept well that night. Lao Cai then asked Feng Yiping directly, 'Young man, you're smart, quick-witted and full of ideas, unlike me, an old man whose mind is no longer working. Starting this year, this business has become increasingly difficult. Do you have any ideas to help me out?'
Lao Cai didn't really have high hopes, but after seeing Feng Yiping's performance over the past few days, he realised that Feng had hit the nail on the head a few times. Holding the attitude of a businessman who is willing to try anything, he still wanted to ask Feng, as it wouldn't take much time.
'I'm from the mountains, and I don't really know much about furniture. However, starting this year, not just your industry, but many industries will become increasingly competitive. As you know, since last year, more and more people have started their own businesses, and many people from all walks of life have joined in. They will definitely use every means possible to grab business, so in the short term, those who have been in the industry will be affected in one way or another.'
These reasons are not surprising. Lao Cai and the others have analysed them themselves. But Feng Yiping, a junior high school student, can see them, which proves that he really has not misjudged the situation. Today, there may be a surprise.
'What do you mean by short term?' Lao Cai asked.
'Many people who just go into business don't have any clear goals. They just want to make money. He might see that opening a restaurant is a good idea today, so he opens one, but if it doesn't work out, he probably won't last long. A few months later, he might decide that the clothing business is not only more profitable, but also easier than running a restaurant, so he switches to selling clothes.'
'Yes, you're right. At the beginning of the year, just in our area, four or five furniture factories opened. Some even hired my old retired colleagues. So far, just over half a year later, most of them have already gone out of business. The remaining one or two are just hanging on, with little business.' Lao Cai felt a bit of schadenfreude when he mentioned this.
'Yes, you've been there. You must know that no matter what industry you're in, the most difficult time is the first six months. If you can't get through those six months, then there's no point in doing anything else.' Feng Yiping gave him a little compliment.
'Yes, when I first started, I didn't have much business in the first few months, and I made less than I lost. At the time, I was thinking that I would try harder and if that didn't work, then so be it. But then I went around looking for connections, and with my old face and some old connections, I was able to get some business, and then things slowly picked up.' No matter who you are, you'll brag about your success story if you get the chance, and Lao Cai is no exception.
'Yes, no matter which industry, as long as those who were doing well in the past don't make mistakes, they will definitely get better and better. Those who come later will only find it more difficult to do business.'
Lao Cai took a puff of his cigarette and said, 'You are right. It is difficult for us to do business, and it is even more difficult for those who come later. It all depends on who can persevere and develop well and quickly.'
'You are really a smart young man. You know all about these situations just by saying a few words. So, what do you think? Do you have any good ideas in this situation?' Lao Cai asked again.
'I can't say I have any good ideas, but I do have some rough thoughts. Don't laugh if I say them,' Feng Yiping thought about how to organise his words and spoke slowly.