Cheng Hui glanced at Tao Juan, who had developed stronger psychological resilience by now and immediately ran back to fetch another 5 bags.
The chubby uncle wanted to buy some liquor to complete his New Year gifts.
He asked Cheng Hui, “You just said the leaders in Jingcheng all like drinking Bei Da Cang?”
“Yes, it’s a northern specialty. We don’t have it where we’re from, so it’s considered rare. Unlike Maotai – everyone gives it, everyone drinks it every year, people get tired of it,” Cheng Hui said.
The portly man laughed, “But this isn’t Jingcheng. Bei Da Cang isn’t rare here, unlike Maotai…”
“But it’s low-key,” Cheng Hui suddenly lowered her voice. “Maotai counts as premium cigarettes and liquor, it’s on the inspection list. If everything’s fine, no problem. But if there’s trouble… then you’re in trouble!”
The three men across from her broke out in a cold sweat instantly!
That was true – when superiors investigated who accepted gifts, they only checked for premium cigarettes and liquor, not local specialties.
It wasn’t like no one had gotten in trouble over this before! Just not many, so they’d been taking chances.
“My father also told me – caution preserves longevity, standing at the finish line is true victory!” Cheng Hui said. “Bei Da Cang counts as a local specialty.”
“Your father speaks wisdom!” the chubby man immediately said. “I’d really like to meet your father.”
Too bad he was an official in Jingcheng – they could only commune in spirit.
He turned to the stunned salesclerk: “Give me two cases of Bei Da Cang!”
The bespectacled man also said, “One case is enough for me.”
He didn’t have as many people to give gifts to.
The young man didn’t follow suit buying liquor – Bei Da Cang cost 2 yuan per bottle, available everywhere.
He just looked at Cheng Hui with an inexplicable expression.
Cheng Hui pretended not to notice. She had Tao Juan return to mind the stall and called Li Yan over, having him and Wang Hui carry baskets to deliver the goods for the two customers.
Where customers couldn’t see, she repeatedly threatened them with her eyes – obey and work hard! Wipe those long donkey faces off!
These two had no concept of “the customer is god.” They’d been educated since childhood that everyone was equal, all were comrades in revolution, no one served anyone.
Cheng Hui whispered, “You’re serving the people! But carrying two cases of liquor is hard work – an extra 1 yuan cash subsidy each.”
Their drooping faces immediately lifted, turning to beam radiantly at the two customers.
Their bright smiles cheered the customers, who also viewed Cheng Hui more highly.
Who would have thought – though young, she was also a leader! And quite skilled at managing subordinates!
Well, she did have such an impressive father.
Listening to your words surpasses reading ten years of books! Today’s trip to the Department Store wasn’t wasted!
The two left happily.
Cheng Hui picked up her tray to leave.
The young man suddenly spoke: “Aren’t you going to help deliver my things home? Playing favorites isn’t good, is it?”
This time Cheng Hui didn’t smile, just said politely, “Sorry, we only brought two male comrades today. If you can wait, they’ll help deliver after they return from these deliveries.”
This was exactly the type of person you absolutely couldn’t smile at randomly.
Otherwise he’d think you were interested in him, trying to seduce him!
Cheng Hui was quite experienced in this regard, though she couldn’t understand why some men were so confident!
The man remained noncommittal. Cheng Hui glanced once more at the bottles of Feitian Maotai in the display case, then walked away with her tray, ignoring the persistent gaze fixed on her back.
……
New customers occasionally stopped by to buy watches, televisions, premium cigarettes, and fine liquor.
Meanwhile, Cheng Hui only had eight large bags of Weifeng Cake left, all of which sold out in less than half an hour.
Cheng Hui returned to her stall with an empty tray.
Tao Juan now looked at her with something akin to worship.
One yuan per cake was shocking, but fifty cents was equally startling!
These pastries, weighing less than half a liang each, were being sold at the price of one jin—a markup of over twenty times! How could that not be shocking?
And they sold out so quickly! She felt no one else could achieve this, because no one else had the deputy factory director’s gift for persuasion!
Suddenly feeling a bit worried, she whispered, “But our technique wasn’t learned from M Country, and the ingredients aren’t imported. What if someone investigates?”
“How do you know the technique wasn’t learned from M Country? I’ll be honest with you—it was,” Cheng Hui replied.
Her master pastry chef was from M Country, and the secret techniques were indeed learned from him. It wasn’t a lie.
Tao Juan’s expression shifted again… How had she been so fortunate to meet someone with such connections?
“But the imported ingredients… these really aren’t…” she fretted nervously.
Forget imported—they hadn’t even left the Commune! It was practically self-produced and self-consumed.
As Cheng Hui sliced a new batch of samples, she popped a piece into her mouth. “See? Imported ingredients.”
Tao Juan: ……You’re incredible! I’m convinced!
After preparing a full tray of samples, Cheng Hui didn’t leave but waited by the entrance.
There were still fifty small packages left to sell!
These were even more important than the twenty-five large ones sold earlier.
She specifically targeted well-dressed elderly people and children, especially elderly people accompanied by children…
“Little one, try a piece—it’s the Number One Cake Under Heaven!”
“Uncle, today’s the best deal! Originally one yuan per Weifeng Cake, now only fifty cents!”
“This is our promotional event, lasting just three days. After this, there won’t be any more discounts—only the original price.”
“And we have a purchase limit—only one per person!”
Those who were initially hesitant usually reached for their wallets promptly upon hearing the last line.
Buying pastries priced at over twenty yuan per jin for a child seemed extravagant—it was more than half a month’s wages for an average person.
But if it was just one to try, and only one at that!
And at half price, just fifty cents? Then it was no problem at all.
To every customer who made a purchase, Cheng Hui made a point to emphasize: “Our Weifeng Cake contains no preservatives or artificial colors that could harm children’s health, so the shelf life is only three days. Please consume it quickly and don’t let it expire!”
Those who were initially dissatisfied with the short shelf life immediately lost their objections upon hearing that preservatives and artificial colors were bad for children’s health!
The people had another virtue: if you said preservatives and artificial colors were harmful, they believed it without questioning why—better safe than sorry! No need to overanalyze!
Swiftly, Cheng Hui closed a sale with nearly every customer.
For those who shook their heads emphatically, she didn’t press further. Instead, she offered a sweet smile and moved on, avoiding awkwardness and never rolling her eyes at anyone.
Before leaving, she would always stuff a free sample into the child’s hand, then turn away decisively.
Everyone who bought something and those who didn’t were equally delighted.
Cui Degui stood watching quietly in the corner, his gaze growing increasingly bright as he stared at Cheng Hui. This was exactly the… right-hand person he had dreamed of!