Chapter 51 The Man and Woman in the Bookstore

Su Xiaoqi told Chen Jinniang that many people wanted to buy grain seeds from her. They could cooperate and build this business. "If it works out, the profits will be split fifty-fifty," Su Xiaoqi thought that as long as she was willing to give up some profit, no cooperation would be impossible. Chen Jinniang found that the other party had both supply and customers. She was completely superfluous in this arrangement. She didn't understand why the other party was willing to give up five parts of the profit under such good conditions. Su Xiaoqi smiled at her, "I don't have a shop." She didn't have the immediate ability to buy a shop and start a business in a short period. However, the grain seed business was urgent and couldn't wait. Seeing Chen Jinniang still silent, Su Xiaoqi walked to the door, circled around, and brought back a bag of flour: "This is twenty catties of flour, consider it my sincerity in cooperating with you." Five parts of the profit did not move Chen Jinniang. But the twenty catties of flour made her heart stir. Her previously shriveled face immediately became lively. It was like dried seaweed encountering water, instantly releasing vitality. Su Xiaoqi understood the hint and knew that what she valued was not how much money they earned, but the foundation of their steamed bun shop. She immediately promised that as long as they cooperated, she would provide her with a certain amount of flour every day from now on. She guaranteed that she could make and sell steamed buns every day. In less than half an hour, Su Xiaoqi had secured Chen Jinniang and signed the cooperation agreement. To avoid exposing the secret of her space, Su Xiaoqi specially hired a mule cart to transport the goods. Twenty shi of grain seeds were loaded first, and a large advertisement was written on a thin wooden board: This shop sells high-quality grain seeds, fifteen wen per jin. "So cheap?" Chen Jinniang looked at the wooden board, where the price was the same as grain during a bountiful year, and looked again in disbelief. "In times of disaster, it's already not easy for people to survive. If we sell them at a higher price, they won't be able to afford them," Su Xiaoqi explained calmly. A smile spread across Chen Jinniang's thin face, and her gaze towards Su Xiaoqi held a hint of respect. Previously, seeing her constantly talking about business and profits, she thought she was someone who only cared about money. She didn't expect her to have such great kindness. In her excitement, she said she didn't want five parts of the profit. Three parts would be fine. Su Xiaoqi disagreed and proposed that she become the shopkeeper, responsible for the specific business operations of the shop. "I will only be responsible for supplying the goods, and you will be responsible for the rest of the work. The five parts of the profit are what you deserve." Su Xiaoqi currently did not intend to let others know that she had this business here. Therefore, except for delivering goods, she might not appear at other times. Chen Jinniang looked at Su Xiaoqi with some surprise. Facing this stranger yet incredibly surprising woman, she felt today's experience was somewhat surreal. "You, how did you choose my place?" Chen Jinniang pointed around. There were shops everywhere, and many like hers had failed. Why was she chosen exclusively? "Because you are trustworthy." Su Xiaoqi squinted and pointed to the Fuyue Inn two streets away. It seemed like she had found Chen Jinniang instantly. But in fact, from the moment she decided to open a shop, she had already been inquiring in secret. Through open investigations and secret inquiries, and hearing from others, she had learned about the temperaments of the shop owners in this area. Only Chen Jinniang, although not good at business, was an excellent person. She was trustworthy and valued friendship. Crucially, she was a widow who had lost her husband in his prime. She was raising her sixteen-year-old son who was attending school. The imperial examinations were places where money was needed in many aspects. She needed to cooperate with her to make money. Of course, Su Xiaoqi would not tell Chen Jinniang these details. She just smiled, "Happy cooperation." With the matter settled, Su Xiaoqi turned to leave, only to find that she couldn't find her way. She had to shamelessly turn back and ask Chen Jinniang to take her back to the bookstore to meet Shen Yun. Upon arrival, she thanked Chen Jinniang and Su Xiaoqi walked in familiarly. To her surprise, she saw Shen Yun standing at the corner with his back to the door, talking to someone. Su