Kang Wei had earned quite a bit following Zhou Cheng.

He started his “business venture” around the same time as Xia Xiaolan – when she was reselling eggs in Anqing County, Kang Wei was making his first southern trip with Zhou Cheng. While Xia Xiaolan had only earned about ten thousand yuan, Kang Wei had so much money he didn’t know how to spend it.

He rather envied Pan San’s Polonia, even if it was only 80% new – at least it was his car, right?

But Zhou Cheng said buying a car wasn’t appropriate for him. The Kang family was watching, and if Kang Wei flaunted his wealth, what would his family think? Others might assume his parents were subsidizing him and be unhappy. Truth be told, it was uncertain whether they could continue this business.

So despite his full pockets, Kang Wei only upgraded his standard of food and clothing.

What was the point of earning so much money then?

Kang Wei watched Xia Xiaolan and Bai Zhenzhu’s enthusiasm with intense envy. The south was more open than Beijing – Pan San driving a small car didn’t draw attention. Kang Wei felt restless; being in Beijing meant restrictions everywhere. How could he use his earnings? The cigarette business was somewhat sensitive, so Kang Wei wondered if he could join Xia Xiaolan’s ventures – at least to have somewhere to spend his money!

Xia Xiaolan studied him.

Unlike proletarians like herself, Kang Wei didn’t need to do business. He could just convert his money into Beijing’s siheyuan courtyard houses – no matter how small or run-down, selling them after 30 years would bring more money than he could spend.

Well, she’d already given Zhou Cheng the same advice – buying property to wait for appreciation was for those with spare money.

Kang Wei couldn’t put all his money into houses; he’d need to use money before property prices truly soared. Money needed to flow, to bring happiness and satisfaction, not just be meaningless numbers.

After some thought, Xia Xiaolan didn’t speak rashly:

“Let’s discuss this properly on our way back to Shangdu.”

The cigarette business was profitable enough – did Kang Wei have energy for anything else? If he only invested without managing personally, could he find someone both trustworthy and capable?

Kang Wei wasn’t in a hurry.

After expenses, Bai Zhenzhu earned over 5,400 yuan, and she asked Xia Xiaolan about profit sharing.

They had both invested 500 yuan in stock, but Bai Zhenzhu had done all the running around. Xia Xiaolan said she’d only take 30% of the profits: “Sister Bai, you’ve earned back your capital too. I’ll withdraw my investment now!”

30% of 5,400 yuan was 1,600, plus Xia Xiaolan’s initial 500 yuan investment. She had just given Bai Zhenzhu an idea, and in less than a month, her 500 yuan investment had turned into 2,100 yuan – what was there to be dissatisfied about?

Bai Zhenzhu was confused, “Why do you want to withdraw?”

She wondered if there were issues with the accounts, or if Xia Xiaolan thought she hadn’t earned enough during this period. Besides, Xia Xiaolan only wanted 30% of the profits – that wouldn’t do, they had invested the same amount.

“Even with profit-sharing, it should be half each. You should get 2,700 yuan!”

Xia Xiaolan shook her head, “Sister Bai, you need to factor in your labor costs. Though we invested the same amount, you did all the work for this business. I didn’t help, so we can’t split it equally. I know you’re not calculative – you even gave away your profitable fruit stall. But I want to be your long-term friend, so I can’t keep taking advantage of you. That’s why I’m withdrawing – I can’t provide valuable help with the Shenzhen clothing business, so I shouldn’t keep benefiting… This was just short-term cooperation. There will be more opportunities to make money in the future; let’s not spoil our friendship.”

Xia Xiaolan wasn’t being altruistic. She could have taken advantage of Bai Zhenzhu’s honesty before the material world taught her to be “clever.” Bai Zhenzhu’s monthly earnings in Shenzhen matched what Xia Xiaolan made running between Shangdu and Yangcheng – she could get tens of thousands from Bai Zhenzhu in a year.

But then what?

In a few months or longer, Bai Zhenzhu would grow resentful. Where would Xia Xiaolan find another honest partner?

Bai Zhenzhu didn’t fully understand Xia Xiaolan’s thinking, but Xia Xiaolan was undoubtedly smarter. Her junior had immediately asked for the fruit stall, while Xia Xiaolan had shown her ways to make money. The comparison couldn’t help but move Bai Zhenzhu.

While reselling clothes in Shenzhen was profitable, Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to take more of her profits. Bai Zhenzhu secretly resolved to quickly help Xia Xiaolan establish a route for getting electronics from Shenzhen.

“Alright, we can partner on other ventures, but this time you must take half.”

Xia Xiaolan agreed after some thought – Bai Zhenzhu probably couldn’t get over it otherwise. She remembered Zhou Cheng saying Bai Zhenzhu’s brother was trustworthy, and judging from this profit distribution, Bai Zhenzhu was trustworthy too.

At least for now – who could say if Bai Zhenzhu would change in the future? One should never test human nature recklessly.

Including the initial investment, Xia Xiaolan’s purse grew by 3,400 yuan. This wasn’t from her partnership with her uncle’s family but her private money. Being penniless had made her cautious about spending. With these three thousand yuan, whether or not the clothing store paid dividends before the new year, Xia Xiaolan and her mother could have a prosperous year!

“You must get a spot at People’s Bridge Small Goods Market. It’ll only get harder later.”

Xia Xiaolan added one more reminder.

Kang Wei’s ears perked up – a stall at Shenzhen Special Zone’s People’s Bridge Small Goods Market? It sounded profitable; he wondered if he should get involved.

Near sunset, as the clothing wholesale market began bustling, Pan San drove them there again.

Xia Xiaolan went to Chen Xiliang’s stall as usual. The owner looked quite unhappy.

His eye twitched as he glanced backward. Seeing Xia Xiaolan didn’t understand his hint, Chen Xiliang’s eye twitched even more severely.

“Boss Chen, I’m taking more stock this time. Can you give me a discount?”

Chen Xiliang rolled his eyes, thinking he’d give her the whole stall if she could leave Yangcheng alive!

Such a pretty face but stupid as death. Look at her companions – an androgynous short-haired person, a pampered young master who’d never known hardship, and a bandit-looking character. What use were they? Could they handle Ke Yixiong’s gang alone?

“It’s already the lowest price. If you think it’s expensive, buy elsewhere!”

Chen Xiliang snapped.

Kang Wei’s hands itched – did this guy know how to talk? Was this how you treat someone bringing you business?

“Hahaha, Boss Chen, what if you scare away your customers?”

A person slowly emerged from behind Chen Xiliang’s stall – it was the round-faced, affable Ke Yixiong.

In the crowded clothing wholesale market, Xia Xiaolan’s group had somehow been surrounded by Ke Yixiong’s men. Chen Xiliang glared at Xia Xiaolan angrily.

“Boss Ke, this doesn’t seem like how someone who wants to make friends would act. Don’t you know your behavior has caused me great trouble? I almost decided not to do business in Yangcheng anymore.”

Xia Xiaolan had understood Chen Xiliang’s hints, but how could she have left then?

Until this matter was resolved, she’d always be on edge in Yangcheng.

Ke Yixiong looked at her admiringly, “No, I think you’re very brave. You’re not afraid of me at all, are you? Not even surprised to see me at Boss Chen’s stall.”

Chen Xiliang’s expression was awful. Ke Yixiong glanced at him: “Boss Chen is very loyal. I asked several times, but he always said he didn’t know where you were from. I don’t like people who lie.”

Xia Xiaolan thought, well, I don’t like people who act tough – have you watched too many Hong Kong movies?!