Zhao Xingwang finished speaking without minding Liang Chunsheng's fluctuating complexion, and walked into the hall.
Since he had betrayed her, there was nothing more to say. Chen Lishu hadn't mentioned it at all, yet he was now acting like he wanted to be a saint after being a whore. Zhao Xingwang found such people utterly disgusting.
Chen Lishu received a call from Zhao Xingwang as soon as she got home from school.
After hearing the situation reported by the other party, her brow furrowed unconsciously: "What is Sun Wu's attitude?"
Zhao Xingwang hesitated and said, "This side has always been handled by Liang Chunsheng. From the looks of it, he leans more towards Liang Chunsheng."
This northern region would have enormous development prospects in the future, especially after the disintegration of the Soviet Union in a few years. Trade would experience explosive growth. Chen Lishu felt that as long as she could seize the opportunity, it would even have more prospects than the south.
Moreover, opportunities to obtain good raw wool in the market were scarce now. With the custom-made coat business only just starting to pick up, Chen Lishu would naturally not give up easily.
"If he can provide the raw wool, the price for cashmere sweaters can be appropriately relaxed. If he's too unreasonable, there's no need to indulge him. Also, besides Sun Wu, see if you can cooperate with others."
With Chen Lishu's words, Zhao Xingwang knew what he had to do. After hanging up the phone, he paid the fee and then left the post and telecommunications office.
Sun Wu's reply could not be rushed. Rushing things too much would easily lead to being led by the nose.
Therefore, Zhao Xingwang returned to the guesthouse first. Although there weren't many people there, apart from a very small number who were visiting relatives, most of the others were trying their luck or preparing to go abroad.
It was difficult to get international train tickets, so they could only come here to "speculate."
When Zhao Xingwang returned, the stove in the middle of the hall was lit. The room was too cold, so the guests were mostly gathered around the stove, chatting.
Zhao Xingwang turned his steps and joined the others.
"This damnable weather, looks like it's going to snow again. It's really troublesome to go out," said a man wearing a dog-skin coat.
"This is nothing. If this snow isn't knee-deep, it doesn't even count as winter."
A short, stout man, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, looked at the gloomy weather outside and said to himself, "I've bet all my assets on this. I hope this trip isn't in vain."
Great profits naturally came with high risks, but as the saying goes, people die for wealth and birds die for food.
Zhao Xingwang's ears twitched when he heard his words but didn't ask further. When traveling, especially in such a mixed environment, it was better to talk less, listen more, and observe more.
He waited until everyone had dispersed before seizing the opportunity. He sidled up to the short, stout man and said in a low voice, "Old brother, where are you planning to go?"
"There" naturally referred to the Soviet Union.
The man sized him up. Seeing that he was an inconspicuous, thin, and small man, it was easy to lower his guard.
"Are you planning to go there too?"
Zhao Xingwang shook his head. "I want to buy raw wool from there. I wonder if you have any."
"To be honest, this is only my third trip on this route. It's good enough if I can find a way back. I really don't dare to bring back too many things."
The man seemed to remember something and said kindly, "I heard there's a Sun Wu locally. Whoever wants to trade anything usually goes to him. He's quite capable. I heard he even has 'tools' on him."
At first, Zhao Xingwang didn't understand what "tools" meant. Later, when the man gestured with his thumb and index finger, he suddenly understood.
"Doing this kind of business means putting your head on your belt. Some people make money and immediately switch to other professions, while others are simply reckless. I'll go and see this time. If possible, I'll try my best to bring back a couple of pieces for you."
"Oh, thank you so much, old brother." Zhao Xingwang said, offering him a cigarette and then lighting it for him. "I wonder when you're departing?"
"Tomorrow night."
Zhao Xingwang: "Let's go, we'll have some dumplings. Wishing you a safe return in advance, old brother."
The man immediately became happy. "Thank you for your good wishes, little brother."
After they had dinner, Zhao Xingwang went to Sun Wu's place.
To his surprise, Sun Wu and Liang Chunsheng were drinking together.
Sun Wu got up and greeted him, "Come, come, we're all familiar with each other. Sit down and have something to eat."
Zhao Xingwang smiled, "I just had dinner. You guys eat."
"Even if you don't eat, have a drink to warm up. It's called 'Mendoulu,' potent and full of spirit. Try it."
Then, Zhao Xingwang was pulled to the table by Sun Wu, who then got him a glass and poured some baijiu.
"Are you here to haggle? I advise you to forget it. It's your first time here, how much do you understand about the situation?" Liang Chunsheng was already frustrated because of Chen Lishu's matter, and had been sarcastically provoked by Zhao Xingwang earlier. Now that he had some alcohol in him, he spoke without reservation.
"I'm well aware of your bottom price. It's meaningless to go back and forth. Let me tell you the truth, the price for cashmere sweaters is only one yuan lower than your cost. Moreover, it's not just cashmere sweaters. I'll provide whatever Brother Sun needs. Can you do that?"
Zhao Xingwang's expression was a bit unpleasant, but after dealing with all sorts of people for so many years, even without a high level of education, he knew what to say on what occasion.
Especially with Sun Wu sitting beside him.
"It seems the alcohol is indeed quite strong," Zhao Xingwang said meaningfully, then raised his glass and took a sip. A pungent spiciness flowed down his throat into his stomach, and his whole body began to warm up.
"Of course. Brother Chunsheng is a straightforward person. We've been in contact for so long, he's a good person."
Good person.
Zhao Xingwang scoffed inwardly.
For Sun Wu, someone who was willing to lose money to poach business was a great "good person."
After sitting for a while longer, until he proposed to leave, Sun Wu did not invite him to come over the next day. Zhao Xingwang could see that there was basically no hope from this side.
On the way back, he recalled Chen Lishu's words. He definitely couldn't let go of this business. Rather than looking for others with uncertain sources of goods, Zhao Xingwang thought he might as well try it himself.
When dealing in foreign exchange certificates, he found his Russian to be more fluent than other languages. It was a matter of being unfamiliar then becoming familiar. Sun Wu had been doing this for a long time without any problems, which showed that as long as one found the pattern, money could be made.
Another point was that he was somewhat provoked by Liang Chunsheng. But to have Sun Wu, who was indirectly mocking him, he really couldn't understand why such a person was so arrogant.
After returning to the guesthouse, he went to Li Qiang's room.
Li Qiang was the short, stout man from earlier.
When he heard that he also wanted to go with him, Li Qiang was not particularly happy. Instead, he advised, "The profit margin is indeed high, but the risk is also great. If I had known you would be tempted, I wouldn't have chatted so aimlessly with you before."
Zhao Xingwang: "I can speak Russian, so simple communication is definitely not a problem. You've already made two trips, so you have experience. This is a golden opportunity, and having two people together also means looking out for each other."