Su Xiaoqi jumped off the mule cart, pulled out ten coins to pay the driver, Zhao Laoshi, and walked towards him.
Seeing her, Zhao Dayou’s anxious heart finally found a place to rest.
He trotted to meet her and said anxiously, “Miss, the market is almost over. Are we still opening today?”
Su Xiaoqi looked at the many people still around and said with certainty, “We are opening. Why wouldn’t we?”
She stood at the foot of the steps and looked at the shop name that had already been hung up, nodding with satisfaction.
It seemed Zhao Dayou was quite reliable at his work.
She took out her key and unlocked the door.
Without being told, Zhao Dayou automatically stepped forward to move the promotional poster she had drawn the day before outside.
Their shop had opened too late today.
Many people who had come to the market early had already gone home.
Most of those who hadn’t left had already bought what they wanted.
Now they were just browsing for fun.
So Zhao Dayou was very worried.
But it was clear his worry was unnecessary.
Because as soon as he moved out the poster indicating the prices of rice and flour, people immediately started to browse.
“What? A dou of rice is only twenty coins, so a sheng is two hundred coins. Are you sure? That Su Ji Rice Shop charges fifty coins a dou.”
“Genuine article. Not only twenty coins a dou, but buy five dou and get a fish free.” Su Xiaoqi pointed at the fish in the wooden basin in the corner.
“This rice, let me see.” The person was clearly tempted. He turned and reached for a cloth bag on the shelf.
Cupping a handful of rice in his hands, he held it gently and let the grains trickle through his fingers.
Hearing the crisp sound, the person exclaimed excitedly, “It’s real, it’s real rice! I, I want it, I’ll take five dou.”
The person was loud, and his shout attracted others.
Everyone was first shocked by the price.
Then, after reacting, they saw that the first person to enter the shop had already bought five dou of rice and the fish, which was strung up with straw rope, and left.
“I want some, I want some.”
“It’s so cheap, I’ll take some too.”
“Exactly, it’s the same price as Su Ji Grain Shop’s coarse flour.”
“I want a sheng of rice. Does that come with two fish?”
“No problem.” Su Xiaoqi listened to the murmuring crowd.
She felt both happy and a little depressed.
She was happy because opening this shop was not only a business but also helping them. Otherwise, at the high price of fifty coins a dou, many people had already given up on buying rice.
She was depressed because she knew the Su Ji Grain Shop they were talking about was the richest man in Mianzhou City, Su Baiwan.
The famine was over, the weather was good, and grain prices should have fallen. Yet, she didn’t know how Su Ji Grain Shop could be so greedy, taking advantage of them at this time.
This group of people consisted of ten individuals.
Most bought a sheng of rice, costing one hundred coins. Mixed with coarse flour and some sweet potatoes, and eaten sparingly, it was enough for a family’s provisions for a month.
The least bought a dou of rice.
In total, she earned five hundred coins.
After paying Zhao Dayou his salary as shopkeeper, the rest was pure profit.
Therefore, Su Xiaoqi sat behind the counter with a very satisfied smile.
However, Zhao Dayou was still unwilling to give up.
After this group, there were no more customers for quite a while.
Seeing that there was no one around, he immediately ran to the entrance and shouted into a makeshift horn, “Come buy, come buy! New store opening, rice and flour big sale! Buy rice and flour, get fish for free!”
His cries were so loud that they not only attracted passersby into the shop but also drew in the blacksmith next door, the innkeeper selling wine, and the auntie selling rouge.
Everyone was initially curious about the new shop that had suddenly opened here. When they heard the cries, they realized it was exactly what they needed and rushed into the shop to buy.
People are naturally drawn to lively scenes. They habitually crowd wherever there are many people.
In no time, the 'supermarket' was packed with people. Everyone knew there was a grain shop here selling cheap grain. Some who had already bought for themselves went back to call their friends and relatives to come and buy too.
Watching the bustling scene, Su Xiaoqi couldn’t help but pat her chest in relief. Fortunately, she had stocked up a lot of goods in the past two days. She wouldn't run out so quickly.
She busied herself until noon, and all five shi of rice and five shi of flour in the shop were sold out. During this time, some people got carried away and even bought a bolt of fine cotton cloth she had placed in the corner.
In total, she sold twenty strings and two hundred and fifty coins.
After finishing the accounts, Su Xiaoqi instructed, “Shopkeeper Zhao, lock the door.”
Zhao Dayou had been standing at the door, lost in thought for a long time. Ten shi of grain in stock… it was sold out in just half a morning? He was still a bit confused, finding it unreal. But the money box in his boss’s hand was clearly piled with strings of copper coins. Senses could deceive, but those tangible copper coins could not. The grain was truly sold out, and it only took less than half a morning. He had initially thought that since the shop opened without any ceremony, business would surely be poor. He had already prepared for a long battle. But he never expected this…
He shifted his gaze from the money box to Su Xiaoqi. No wonder she could buy and open a shop by herself at such a young age. She was truly remarkable.
Su Xiaoqi counted the money and was very pleased. She pushed the money box to him and asked him to take it to the nearby silver shop to exchange it for silver. So many strings of copper coins would be too conspicuous to carry.
Zhao Dayou looked at the strings of copper coins, hesitated for a moment, took them, and turned to leave. Su Xiaoqi watched his retreating back, her expression a little complex. She had already made many preparations in her mind. As time ticked by, Zhao Dayou’s figure did not appear at the street corner. Su Xiaoqi sighed, muttering with some annoyance, “To test someone with twenty strings of money, it’s probably only me.”
As soon as she finished speaking, her eyes widened. Zhao Dayou had returned. He limped into the 'supermarket' and, seeing Su Xiaoqi, gasped for breath. He pulled out two or three silver ingots and a few copper coins from his chest and said apologetically, “I’m sorry, Miss. I was too nervous and fell halfway, which delayed me a little.”
Su Xiaoqi took them, picked out a piece from the triangular silver corner, and handed it back to him. “You’ve worked hard. Rest well today, and come back early tomorrow.” She gave Zhao Dayou a spare key to the shop. Through these events, he had earned her trust.
Zhao Dayou pointed at the empty shop and asked when the goods would arrive so he could help arrange them. Su Xiaoqi waved her hand, saying a batch of goods would arrive in the afternoon. But he was injured, and she didn’t want him to overexert himself. She would handle it. Moreover, she wouldn’t be coming tomorrow, and he might find it too difficult alone.
Zhao Dayou did not refuse, mainly because he had fallen quite badly, and his tailbone was still hurting.
After Zhao Dayou left, Su Xiaoqi locked the door from the inside. She moved some rice and flour from the space and rearranged them neatly. Once everything was ready, Su Xiaoqi stored the silver in the space, locked the door, and left the shop. She had come out a little earlier than the agreed time, so she strolled around the shop. As she walked into a pastry shop, she heard someone call her from behind.
“Little Qi sister…” The voice, even through the air, carried a hint of slipperiness. Su Xiaoqi knew who it was without needing to turn her head.