Back to the 1970s: Building My Fortune Through Time Trading

Chapter 182: A Day’s Earnings Equal to Half a Year’s Salary

Su Xiaoxiao thought and thought again, feeling that she couldn’t be too proactive with this matter. This was a big deal, and if she messed it up and someone reported her out of jealousy, it wouldn’t be worth the loss.

So, this matter needed careful planning.

There weren’t too many people in the department store that morning. After returning from the bathroom and working for a while, Su Xiaoxiao found herself idle.

She propped her head and leaned on the counter, thinking about the sewing machine deal.

While she was deep in thought, a fair hand appeared on the counter, tapping the glass lightly twice.

"Comrade Su, what are you thinking about? Could it be that you’re thinking about a romantic interest?"

Liu Xiaocui noticed her engrossed expression and couldn’t help but tease.

Even the usual stern-faced Xu Hualan showed a rare smile, saying, "Isn’t it normal for young girls to think about romantic interests? If she’s not thinking about that, should she be thinking about you?"

Hearing them discussing this topic, Su Xiaoxiao’s face immediately turned bright red: "Please, sisters, stop teasing me. I don’t have anyone like that."

Liu Xiaocui perked up instantly: "How about I introduce someone to you? I have a nephew who’s the deputy head of a workshop at the towel factory, he’s twenty-four this year..."

Hearing that someone was being introduced to her, Su Xiaoxiao felt a headache and quickly waved her hand: "Sister Liu, I’m still young, there’s no rush. Let’s talk about the clothes first."

Liu Xiaocui then remembered the main topic: "Right, right, let’s look at the clothes first."

As it was approaching off-work time, Xu Hualan suggested, "Why don’t we go to the state-run restaurant for a meal, my treat."

Liu Xiaocui widened her eyes: "Why should you treat? I’ll treat."

The two argued all the way about who would pay for the meal. Eventually, they decided that Xu Hualan would treat this time, and Liu Xiaocui would treat next time.

The three walked to the state-run restaurant arm in arm.

They arrived early, so there weren’t many people in the restaurant yet.

As soon as Liu Xiaocui entered, she spotted Dong Guoqiang sitting in a corner and hurriedly pulled the two over.

"Guoqiang, how’s the sewing machine issue going?"

Dong Guoqiang had been busy all morning, nearly wearing out his tongue, and after much persuasion, he managed to borrow five or six sewing machines from a brother enterprise, but it was still far from enough.

When he saw his wife, he forced a little energy and said, "Don’t mention it, I’ve been running around all morning and couldn’t buy any. I just shamelessly borrowed a few from the factory next door."

He sighed when saying this, looking at the three of them, "Are you here to eat? Just in time, join me, my treat."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on Su Xiaoxiao, recognizing her as an employee from the department store in the morning, couldn’t help but ask again: "Comrade, does your department store really not have electric sewing machines? Even one or two would do."

He was so anxious over the past two days that he even dreamed about finding sewing machines.

Su Xiaoxiao hadn’t thought about how to start the conversation, but Director Dong unexpectedly brought it up himself.

She pretended to be in a difficult position, "Our department store really doesn’t have any, but..."

"But what?"

Dong Guoqiang originally looked disheartened when he heard there were none, but when he heard there might be a chance, he was so excited he almost stood up.

"Here’s the thing, I have a cousin working at a sewing machine factory in another province, and they have a batch of stockpiled sewing machines there. If you need them, I could contact him."

As soon as she said this, Dong Guoqiang jumped up: "Then what are we waiting for, hurry, I’ll go find a vehicle to bring them back now."

"No rush, for orders of more than ten machines, they can arrange for delivery right to your door."

This was her first time buying such large items, and she wasn’t sure how to handle the delivery logistics, so she had to take a bold step and try.

"That’s great, I need sixteen machines, could you arrange for delivery as soon as possible?"

Sixteen machines, at ten bucks profit per machine, that’s a hundred and sixty.

That’s almost as much as her salary for half a year.

How many stainless steel cups and flashlights would she have to sell to match this?

Su Xiaoxiao was almost crazy with excitement inside, but she tried hard to maintain a calm facade: "Director Dong, the thing is, these sewing machines are a little more expensive, but I guarantee the quality is excellent."

"No problem, how much money? Let me know, I’ll bring it over right away."

At this moment, Dong Guoqiang had no mind for eating; he looked at Su Xiaoxiao as if seeing a living Bodhisattva rescuing people from suffering.

Su Xiaoxiao quickly said: "No rush, let’s discuss it once they arrive tomorrow morning."

The sewing machine boss only asked for a ten percent advance payment, saying the remaining amount could be settled when the goods arrived.

"The price per unit is three hundred and seventy, and it’s without an invoice. Director Dong, what do you think..."

Three hundred and seventy without an invoice, this price was simply too reasonable.

Dong Guoqiang was almost moved to tears; this young comrade was really the savior of their factory.

Su Xiaoxiao said: "Director Dong, in that case, could you give me the factory’s address and phone number? I’ll have them delivered first thing in the morning, and you can pay after receiving the goods."

This kind of cross-spatial delivery was a mystery to Su Xiaoxiao, but she was sure the stuff would arrive on time, though she herself wasn’t clear on how it would be done.

Dong Guoqiang hurriedly took out paper and pen from his handbag and wrote down the factory address and phone number for her.

After Su Xiaoxiao put the note away in her pocket, her stomach growled in protest.

Liu Xiaocui smiled: "Guoqiang, look, Comrade Xiao Su has been busy all morning and hasn’t eaten yet."

Xu Hualan also laughed: "Yeah, Director Dong, better let our young comrade eat, otherwise, who would help you with the sewing machines if she’s too hungry?"

"I’m really sorry, comrade, for delaying your meal, come on, feel free to order anything since we’re celebrating today."

Only then did Dong Guoqiang remember they came to eat; he scratched his head and looked at Su Xiaoxiao apologetically.

Having resolved a major issue weighing on his mind, he ordered four dishes and a soup in one go, and the three enjoyed a very satisfying meal.

The chef at this state-run restaurant was truly skilled; the sweet and sour ribs were tender and flavorful, and the stir-fried vegetables were refreshing and delicious. Su Xiaoxiao ate two large bowls of rice before setting her chopsticks down, her rounded belly signaling she was full.

As she looked up, she saw that Liu Xiaocui and Xu Hualan had already finished and were staring at her in disbelief.

Who would have thought this little girl, looking so slim and small, had such a big appetite, Liu Xiaocui marveled silently.

Xu Hualan withdrew her shocked gaze and patted the clothes she had just bought: "Comrade Xiao Su, are you done eating? If so, help us look at these clothes."

The topic that followed didn’t interest Director Dong, so he bade them farewell and hurried back to the factory to prepare the payment.

Having been busy all afternoon, Su Xiaoxiao returned home and immediately dove into her room to figure out how to manage the delivery of such large items.

The boss had said they could deliver to the door, but how exactly this delivery to the door worked, Su Xiaoxiao hadn’t quite figured out.

No, she needed to try it out first to avoid making a big mistake tomorrow.

She opened the game shop and saw a manufacturer was handling semi-automatic washing machines, and she immediately had an idea.