Back to the 70s: My Childhood Sweetheart Spoils Me Rotten-Chapter 744 - 746 Opening of Business

Cao Na looked at the bustling crowd. Even though she had prepared beforehand, she still felt a bit anxious now. She couldn’t help it. Seeing those familiar faces brought back many memories.

It’s cold. Zhao Guangran stood at the door, and it’s a lie to say it wasn’t cold. Although he was used to waiting for business to pick up, Cao Na’s silence wasn’t doing any favors either.

"Aren’t you going to say anything?" Zhao Guangran might teasingly jab at Cao Na if they were indoors, but outside, he was careful not to embarrass her.

It was indeed a bit tough for her. Gong Ruini sighed, contemplating calling Cao Na back. It was an opportunity to practice, but it’s cold in the winter, especially when the wind blows.

Just as Gong Ruini was about to speak up, Cao Na closed her eyes and shouted recklessly, "Selling spring couplets, selling spring couplets."

Perhaps she was embarrassed at first, but once she shouted it out, she instantly felt much more relaxed.

Goodness, her voice was so loud and powerful. Gong Ruini resisted the urge to cover her ears and gave Cao Na a thumbs up, "Selling spring couplets."

"Goodness, such a loud voice," Zhao Guangran seemed to complain, "Cao Na, don’t shout so loudly, or your throat will suffer and you’ll lose your voice."

When Cao Na first heard Zhao Guangran’s complaint, she felt like getting angry. Not shouting is bad, then when she does, he criticizes her. Eventually, she stopped being upset; he’s always so contradictory.

"He’s just average looking, but if his voice isn’t pleasant, what can one do?" Zhao Guangran genuinely worried that if Cao Na kept being so fierce, who would ever like her?

Ugh, this person can never just stay nice. He had barely been decent for a moment.

Even if his intentions were good, she still dared to glare at him fiercely. Isn’t it reasonable? "I meant well."

"We don’t need your kindness," Cao Na puffed up but toned down her voice when shouting next.

Sigh, such a contradictory woman. Zhao Guangran felt quite wronged, "Selling spring couplets, auspicious spring couplets."

Zhao Guangran knew how to do business; not only did he shout about selling, he also recited a few lines of couplets—they were as auspicious as could be.

People started gathering around. They used to write themselves or find someone to write them. The former was manageable, but if they found someone to write them, they owed a favor.

Owing a favor was less desirable than spending money, especially when they found out the spring couplets were cheap, just twenty cents a set.

"Buy ten sets, and you get a ’Fu’ character for free." This was a product of Gong Ruini’s calligraphy practice over the past few days. The paper was also red paper cut from the factory.

The factory didn’t print ’Fu’ characters; Gong Ruini didn’t admire their ’Fu’ characters since they lacked the liveliness of theirs. Why waste money then? They’d write their own.

A free ’Fu’ character might not be valuable, but in these days where bargaining wasn’t common, getting something free felt like making big money.

"Alright, give me ten sets of spring couplets."

"Nicely written, I’ll take ten sets as well."

"Did you write these yourself?"

"Yes." Gong Ruini was surprised by the question, but it wasn’t difficult to answer, "It’s written by a few of us, and whose handwriting you get, it’s random."

Gong Ruini didn’t plan on making them customized; in such cold weather, who would be willing, it’d be fine indoors but outside, the cold environment would freeze hands writing a few ’Fu’ characters.

Upon hearing it was written by Gong Ruini and the others, the person smiled, "How much for the ’Fu’ character?"

Ah, asking solely about the ’Fu’ character? "Ten cents for two pieces."

Ah, isn’t that expensive?

"Spring couplets are printed, but the ’Fu’ characters are handwritten by us." Gong Ruini explained why they were costly.

Actually, Gong Ruini didn’t need to explain, "Give me twenty pieces—no, make it a hundred." The person named a startling number.

Ah, really? My goodness, Gong Ruini was taken aback, "Are you sure you want a hundred pieces?"

"No returns on these bought goods." Gong Ruini wanted to make sure no returns would occur, or she’d really lose out.

Also, if any unfortunate mark appeared on them, she’d be devastated.

"Why would I return them? You’re talented, little prodigies who wrote them might bless our child with some flair and result in better grades."

"Right, I hadn’t thought of that, yes, I’ll take ten ’Fu’ characters too."

"I’ll take six pieces."

The residents around there didn’t live extravagantly, yet they weren’t entirely destitute either. Their spending was quite generous.

Especially some who hadn’t even considered buying spring couplets opened up about wanting ’Fu’ characters, regardless of its actual effect on kids’ enlightenment, the quality justified the price.

Ah, this anticipation was terrifying; Gong Ruini felt immense pressure, her calligraphy seemed to become a talisman, "Whether grades improve, that depends on personal effort."

"We know, we know."

Alright, everyone seemed to want to buy ’Fu’ characters, Gong Ruini couldn’t let this business slip away and started counting the pieces.

"Seems we don’t have enough quantity." Zhao Guangran hadn’t anticipated so many ’Fu’ characters written, thinking they’d last for days, but now realizing they might already be short amazed him.

Upon hearing about the shortage, the initially orderly scene turned chaotic, "I said first, reserve some for me."

"Guangran, we are neighbors, take care of me a bit."

"Guangran, my son has read many books at your home, keep me in mind as an old customer."

Gosh, hearing everyone claim rights bewildered Zhao Guangran, recalling scenes from past visits to markets; no, this was livelier than a marketplace.

"No rush, no rush," Gong Ruini was almost frantic, having thought spring couplets would sell big, not knowing so few had been sold, but ’Fu’ characters were out of stock.

"Limit ten ’Fu’ characters per person, you can buy more tomorrow at the book rental stall if needed," Gong Ruini realized she’d made a bad decision.

Worried if they only bought ’Fu’ characters, not couplets, would be problematic.

Though earning money was sure, writing ’Fu’ characters to exhaustion wasn’t ideal, especially as they had upcoming business trips, leaving scant time to write, being half-dead tired at home writing wasn’t an option.

Despite daily calligraphy practice, writing only ’Fu’ characters wasn’t feasible.

"Great, great." Residents weren’t anxious, Gong Ruini’s promises were believed to be fulfilled, ensuring calmness.

Since some were eager for ’Fu’ characters, neighbors shared the spirit of generosity.

Knowing there wasn’t unlimited supply, mutual courtesy emerged, regaling Gong Ruini with hindsight that if she’d known their politeness, she wouldn’t have spoken as she did; alas, regrets.

"You can’t just buy ’Fu’ characters, buy some spring couplets too." Cao Na worried seeing most buy ’Fu’ characters, fearing Uncle Zhao’s factory prints couldn’t sell, leading to losses.

Noting many spring couplets, some people glanced at them, seeing not just good fortune but the commendable print quality; though print, the annual change didn’t demand extravagance and wallets came out to buy.