Zhou Wenxuan thought to himself that he was only using his identity and a bit of talk—he didn’t need to spend any money, yet he could earn more than ten yuan in dividends from a single electronic watch.
Where in the world was there such a good deal?
“Your goods…”
Before he could finish, Shen Nanzhi interrupted him.
“You don’t need to worry about my goods. The channels are fine, and the quality is fine too. Electronic watches and electric fans are the best-selling items right now. I’ll give you one minute to consider. If you don’t want it, I’ll find someone else.”
There was both pressure and temptation in her words.
Zhou Wenxuan was successfully persuaded.
The two of them signed the contract on the spot.
Looking at the agreement in her hands, Shen Nanzhi stood up in satisfaction.
“Zhou Wenxuan, I’m going to call someone to prepare the goods. Get ready. We’ll go to the supply and marketing cooperative later to negotiate the partnership.”
She didn’t give him a chance to respond and turned to leave.
However, she didn’t actually go to make a phone call. Instead, she turned a corner and entered the system supermarket in an empty alley, purchasing several batches of watches.
An hour later, Shen Nanzhi and Zhou Wenxuan were sitting in Director Huang’s office at the supply and marketing cooperative.
Director Huang looked at the electronic watches they brought, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
“Director Huang, your watch counter has no customers at all,” Zhou Wenxuan said confidently. “With our electronic watches, things will be different. They will definitely sell very well.”
Director Huang shifted his gaze from the watches and looked at Zhou Wenxuan.
“These watches are indeed good—new styles, many functions. How do you plan to sell them?”
Zhou Wenxuan glanced at Shen Nanzhi, then said, “Director Huang, besides electronic watches, we also have electric fans, televisions, washing machines, and rice cookers. So we want to rent your space.”
“Renting space? No way!” Director Huang refused immediately.
But then he remembered yesterday’s meeting, where the leadership demanded he boost sales in the electrical department, and he felt a headache coming on.
It was summer—fan sales should be good—but they hadn’t even sold two units in a month. Selling fans was even less profitable than selling paper fans.
So his tone changed.
“You can be allocated a small section, but besides rent, we also require a 10% commission on profits.”
Zhou Wenxuan frowned. “We only rent the space. Whether we make a profit or a loss has nothing to do with the supply and marketing cooperative.”
He took out a pack of unopened Hongta Mountain cigarettes from his pocket and handed it over.
“Director Huang, this is our sincerity. If you can’t accept it, we’ll find another place.”
Director Huang took the cigarettes and put them into his pocket.
Satisfied, he slurred slightly as he spoke, “Fine, rent it is. 500 yuan a month, and during holidays, you should know what to do.”
Bang!
Zhou Wenxuan slammed his hand on the desk.
“You’re really asking for too much! And you still want gifts? How greedy can you be?
Your appliances barely sell anything all year except during weddings. 200 yuan a month. Take it or leave it. If not, we’ll set up stalls ourselves and even save that 200!”
He stood up as if ready to leave immediately.
Director Huang sneered. “Set up stalls? You’ll cry when your goods get confiscated.”
This was exactly what Shen Nanzhi was worried about.
Moreover, they couldn’t explain the origin of their goods. If caught by urban management, not only would the goods be confiscated and fines imposed, but they might even suspect Zhou Wenxuan of being a spy.
That was why she chose the supply and marketing cooperative in the first place.
She tugged at Zhou Wenxuan’s sleeve.
“Boss Zhou, don’t be impulsive. Of course Director Huang wants to do business. How about this—we take a step back. We’ll pay 230 yuan a month, but the receipt will show 200. What do you think?”
She looked at Director Huang.
Director Huang had barely looked at Shen Nanzhi before, but now he narrowed his small eyes and studied her carefully, smiling.
“Mr. Zhou, your girlfriend is quite the businesswoman. 230 yuan? That’s like sending a beggar away.”
Before he finished speaking, Shen Nanzhi grabbed Zhou Wenxuan and turned to leave.
This immediately panicked Director Huang.
He jumped up from his chair.
“Don’t go! Let’s talk again!”
“There’s nothing to discuss. That’s the price.”
As Shen Nanzhi said this, she took another step.
Director Huang, irritated, said, “You two are really stubborn. Fine, fine, we’ll rent it to you for three months first.”
Three months would cover the end-of-year peak season for electronics—he didn’t want to only earn 30 yuan.
When signing the contract, Director Huang deliberately dragged his feet, repeatedly hinting for another pack of Hongta Mountain cigarettes.
Zhou Wenxuan immediately got a headache—he didn’t have any cigarettes on him.
He usually smoked cheap ones costing a few cents per pack, and when he saw Hongta Mountain, he almost wanted one himself.
But those cigarettes had been given by Shen Nanzhi for social situations.
And just now, in a moment of impulse, he had already given them away.
Shen Nanzhi still had some in her bag, but she would not take them out.
People like Director Huang were insatiable. Even if given more, he would only want more.
They spent another half hour there.
Then Shen Nanzhi said, “Boss Zhou, it’s already noon. Director Huang still hasn’t finished the contract—he probably doesn’t want to cooperate. Let’s go somewhere else. If needed, we can go to the supply and marketing cooperative in the neighboring district.”
Her voice was loud enough that even Director Huang, who was eating inside, heard it.
Hearing they might leave, he didn’t even finish his meal. He rushed out anxiously.
“Don’t go! Don’t go! The contract is ready, it’s ready!”
After signing the contract, they left the cooperative, and Shen Nanzhi finally let out a long breath.
She was about to earn her first fortune through her own hands.
In her past life, before age fifty, she had never worked a single day. Apart from her parents’ compensation money, everything she spent came from the Jiang family.
Before marriage, it was Jiang grandfather’s money. After marriage, it was Jiang Feng’s money.
In this life, she would earn her own money and spend only what she earned.
“Nanzhi, it’s already one o’clock. As the big boss, shouldn’t you treat me to lunch?”
Zhou Wenxuan looked at the electronic watch on his wrist for the umpteenth time and complained.
Shen Nanzhi rolled her eyes. “We split the profits. Why should I pay?”
She knew he probably had no money left, but his attitude irritated her.
Zhou Wenxuan didn’t care.
“You know I only have that little money left. Eating is a real problem. Be kind—treat me this time.”
Shen Nanzhi sighed helplessly. “Let’s go.”
The two took their bicycles and headed toward the state-owned restaurant while chatting and laughing.
After the reform and opening-up period, people’s living standards had greatly improved.
For business discussions and entertaining guests, people loved going to state-owned restaurants, which were extremely busy.
When they arrived, the first floor was already full, so they went upstairs.
The second floor had elegant private rooms, but not all of them had fans.
In the scorching summer heat, rooms without fans felt like steamers.
Before the dishes arrived, Shen Nanzhi and Zhou Wenxuan went out to the corridor for some air.
A gentle breeze blew through, easing the heat.
They stood by the railing, chatting and laughing.
Neither of them noticed that from the moment they stepped into the corridor, someone had been watching them closely.
“Nanzhi, you’re amazing. You handled Director Huang perfectly,” Zhou Wenxuan said excitedly.
Shen Nanzhi smiled faintly. “He deserves it. Greedy people should choke on their greed. But…”
Before she could finish, she suddenly felt a chill on her back.
As if someone was staring at her.
She abruptly turned around, but saw nothing unusual.
Frowning slightly, she continued, “Electronic watches have high profit margins. Director Huang won’t let this go easily. We need to be fully prepared. After lunch…”
“Shen Nanzhi.”
A cold voice, as if coming from hell itself, interrupted her words.