One eel noodle shop might use twenty jin of eels per day. It took Xia Xiaolan over two hours to reach the provincial capital, meaning five hours round trip – all to deliver just twenty jin of eels to Shang Du.

It wasn’t very profitable. She could earn about ten yuan daily selling eggs in Anqing County. She couldn’t travel farther only to earn half as much.

However, if she could sell over a hundred jin of eels each trip to Shang Du, even going every other day would earn her four to five hundred yuan monthly. Well, four to five hundred yuan per month wasn’t much to brag about – two months of savings without spending a cent wouldn’t even buy the Rolex on Zhou Cheng’s wrist.

Xia Xiaolan gazed at 1983’s Shang Du with eager eyes.

Business opportunities were everywhere, but she lacked capital. Not just in Shang Du – the winds of reform and opening up were blowing across China. Bold ones like Zhou Cheng, willing to smuggle, had likely already quietly amassed considerable wealth. Xia Xiaolan knew she was behind but remained determined.

“Then we’ll ask every shop. Surely Shang Du has more than one eel noodle shop? If not noodle shops, there are restaurants!”

The scar on her forehead had healed further, looking like a pink flower bud.

Xia Xiaolan was exceptionally fair-skinned – even daily exposure to the scorching sun hadn’t tanned her. Her voice was delicate; even her most forceful statements sounded like sweet talk to Zhou Cheng’s ears. Zhou Cheng’s mood lifted – though he typically looked down on such small-profit businesses, Xia Xiaolan’s enthusiasm was contagious:

“Let’s try then.”

With Xia Xiaolan’s drive, she would eventually escape the scandal-ridden Dahe Village, even without help.

Walking through Shang Du’s streets with such a bright and energetic Xia Xiaolan made Zhou Cheng feel completely at ease. Though they hadn’t even held hands, the emotions stirring in his heart nearly overflowed… This was a feeling he’d never experienced in his twenty years!

Together they reached the farmers’ market.

Shang Du was large, with major farmers’ markets in both the south and north. Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng had come to the southern one.

It was already 10 AM – early morning shoppers had gone home. Those still at the market now were wealthy and leisurely. These were exactly the customers Xia Xiaolan needed!

Having two people made setting up easier – Zhou Cheng watched the stall while Xia Xiaolan quickly toured the market.

The farmers’ market sold more than just food; there was even a clothing stall.

Several young women were picking through clothes, complaining they looked old-fashioned. The vendor’s eyes widened: “These are all from Yang City, cheaper and better-looking than department store clothes, yet you’re still picky!”

The vendor pulled out a floral dress, making the women sheepish. They simply dropped the clothes and walked away.

As they left, they discussed:

“Department store clothes are too expensive. Last time I wanted to buy a wool coat – guess how much? 128 yuan!”

“In a place as big as Shang Du, we only have department stores or street vendors – one’s expensive, one’s poor quality. There’s nothing both fashionable and affordable.”

“Let’s go, who’d buy these shabby clothes.”

Though spoken casually, these words caught Xia Xiaolan’s attention.

She knew clothes were very cheap wholesale in Yang City, and while she wasn’t exactly a fashion expert, she had better taste than market vendors. Bringing stylish clothes from Yang City to sell in Shang Du would surely do well!

The profit margin between wholesale and retail clothing prices wasn’t just a matter of a few cents.

Xia Xiaolan kept this in mind while gathering market intelligence. After noting various commodity prices, she returned to their temporary stall. The farmers’ market allowed casual vendors – as long as you didn’t block the walkways and paid management fees, you could set up shop. Larger stalls paid more, smaller ones less. Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t argue about such things – paying fees to profit from others’ space was only fair.

After cheerfully paying the fee, she found Zhou Cheng had already started a business.

He’d borrowed paper and pen from somewhere, writing “Eggs: 0.15 yuan each, Eels: 1.2 yuan per jin.”

Zhou Cheng’s handwriting, like his appearance, was striking and energetic.

Several people surrounded Zhou Cheng, though it wasn’t clear if these sisters wanted to buy eggs or flirt with him:

“Others sell eggs by jin, why are you selling them individually?”

“Eels are too expensive! Pork is only 1.4 yuan today – for two more cents, I could buy a jin of fatty meat!”

“Young man, you don’t sound like you’re from Shang Du. Do you have a girlfriend?”

Zhou Cheng was truly tired of dealing with these women. Seeing Xia Xiaolan return, he pointed at her:

“My girlfriend’s back. She’s the seller – I’m just watching the stall.”

Xia Xiaolan glared at him.

The sister hoping to matchmake was disappointed. “You young people always like this type. Round faces bring good fortune!”

After being labeled “unlucky,” Xia Xiaolan’s tone cooled: “Sister, are you buying eggs or not? Look how large each egg is. If you don’t want to buy them individually, we can sell them at 1.5 yuan per jin.”

Large eggs – definitely fewer than ten per jin.

The sister continued arguing: “The eggs must be different sizes. Some people will pick the big ones, leaving small eggs for others – that’s unfair!”

Xia Xiaolan agreed: “That’s why early buyers get to pick the big ones!”

Before the sister could respond, others pushed her aside. They wanted to pick the large eggs, leaving smaller ones for latecomers. Xia Xiaolan repeatedly emphasized two principles – handle gently and no vigorous shaking – then let them choose.

Though Xia Xiaolan had endured all sorts of attitudes to secure orders, this didn’t mean she was a pushover. Criticizing the goods was fine, but personal attacks weren’t. She ignored the one who said she had no fortune, warmly attending to genuine customers instead.

“Sister, why not buy some eels? They’re a bit expensive but very nutritious. Autumn’s coming – make an eel pot to boost the whole family’s health. Pork is good, but isn’t it nice to have variety?”

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t kill eels herself.

People still used baskets and cloth bags for shopping – plastic bags weren’t common yet. Dead eels didn’t keep well, and connoisseurs knew eels should be cooked live for maximum nutrition.

Zhou Cheng helped nearby.

Despite her delicate appearance, Xia Xiaolan had an iron core. She dared to run her own business, threaten thugs with scissors and wasn’t blindly accommodating to customers. When her principles were challenged, she wouldn’t budge an inch.

Though they’d missed the morning market, Shang Du’s large population meant the farmers’ market stayed busy all day. Xia Xiaolan had brought 500 eggs and 38 jin of eels to Shang Du. After the eel noodle shop bought 15 jin of eels, the remaining stock sold out in less than three hours. The 38 jin of eels earned more than the 500 eggs – she felt this business deserved careful consideration.

“Brother Zhou, if you’re not busy, I’d like to explore Shang Du more.”