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

Chapter 197: The Bidding

She quickly spoke up, "Sister-in-law, we are family after all, flesh and blood tied together. You can’t do this, Zhiqiang is your nephew."

Liu Cuilan replied, "If I remember correctly, we’re not related anymore. How do you count as family?"

The two were at a loss for words from that comment.

After a moment of silence, Chen Guifang spoke first, "Fine, I’ll be honest with you. When our mom left, she took quite a bit of money from my house, and I’m here to get it back."

Liu Cuilan didn’t believe a single word. Knowing Chen Guifang’s stingy nature, she prioritizes money over anything, how could she let Wang Chunhua steal it?

Seeing her not speaking, Chen Guifang said, "Anyway, I’ve given my reason. If you really don’t believe, just send us to the police."

Liu Cuilan knew she was lying but couldn’t bear to actually send them to the police station.

In the end, she could only let them go.

They still had to participate in tomorrow’s department store bidding, not having the time to fool around with them. They could only wait until the bidding was over to find a chance to question the old lady in detail.

Early the next morning, Su Xiaoxiao got up to wash up. Just as she held the enamel cup under the courtyard faucet to get water, she looked up and saw Xu Zhaodi come out of the house like a ghost.

Seeing her face, Su Xiaoxiao was startled, "Sister Zhaodi, what happened to you?"

Xu Zhaodi’s eyelids were dark and bruised, as if her energy had been drained by a malevolent spirit.

"Ah, Xiaoxiao, were you calling me?"

Not only did she look drained, her entire response was delayed.

"Sister Zhaodi, what happened?"

"Ah?"

Focusing, Xu Zhaodi’s face tightened into a frown, "Don’t mention it, I was so nervous last night I couldn’t sleep at all. Xiaoxiao, maybe Aunt Liu should go by herself to the bidding."

Speak of the devil.

Just then, Liu Cuilan walked out of the room, also with big dark circles under her eyes.

Su Xiaoxiao said, "It’s just a bid, is it really worth this much worry for you two?"

Liu Cuilan also wore a troubled expression, "Old third, maybe this should..."

Before she could finish, Su Xiaoxiao interrupted.

"No way, I’ve already paid the deposit. If we don’t go, the money would be wasted."

"Besides, you’ve been practicing for so many days, giving up now means all the practice would be in vain."

"Don’t worry, I’ll take a leave from work and go with you. It’ll be fine."

Hearing she would also go, both were relieved and quickly went to wash up and eat.

Su Xiaoxiao looked at the time, grabbed a steamed bun, and jumped on her bicycle heading straight for the department store.

It was such a struggle, every day going to work like this, all because those alarm clocks can’t handle being smashed.

She hurried to the department store and saw quite a crowd at the entrance.

Each person dressed in bright and fashionable clothes, definitely not regular customers here to shop, presumably all here for the bidding.

Su Xiaoxiao counted quietly, gosh, there were actually over a dozen people.

She never expected the bidding for such a small canteen would be so competitive.

Seeing that time was running out, she hurriedly slung her bag over her shoulder to go inside, only to be squeezed aside by someone.

Su Xiaoxiao looked, and it was none other than her archenemy Zhang Dongmei.

Zhang Dongmei haughtily lifted her chin, adjusted her new dress, and left with her bag.

Su Xiaoxiao remarked, "What a nut."

Seeing time running short, she followed inside.

Reaching up to fluff her messy hair, she held half-eaten steamed bun in her mouth, heading to the condiments counter.

As she arrived, she heard people discussing today’s canteen bidding.

"I heard quite a few chefs from state-run restaurants came over, this event sure is grand!"

"I’ve heard the canteen bidding not only requires delicious dishes but also needs to control prices. Who knows who’ll win?"

"Who cares who wins, as long as we get good food out of it."

Zhang Yulan was in the crowd listening attentively, as she raised her head and saw Su Xiaoxiao, she quickly called her over.

"Xiaoxiao, come quick! We’ve been discussing the canteen. Do you have any inside information?"

Inside information she had, but she couldn’t spill.

People fear fame like pigs fear gaining weight, so as a newcomer cashier, she couldn’t stand out and risk getting sabotaged.

Su Xiaoxiao immediately shook her head, "I’m just a small cashier, how would I know these confidential things?"

Just as she finished speaking, Chen Meilan walked over.

Clapping her hands, she said, "We’re about to open. What are you all standing around for? Want to get docked pay?"

With her last word, everyone quickly dispersed, returning to their positions, ready to start the workday.

Su Xiaoxiao quickly stuffed the rest of the bun in her mouth and stood behind her counter.

The morning passed in a blur, and Su Xiaoxiao found a break to go upstairs to ask Chen Meilan for leave.

During this time of working together, Chen Meilan had a fairly positive impression of Su Xiaoxiao, and hearing she wanted leave, she agreed right away.

Getting permission, Su Xiaoxiao rushed to the department store entrance to wait for Liu Cuilan and Xu Zhaodi.

But as she waited, neither showed up, which made her anxious.

Could they have missed the bus?

Just as she was thinking, she saw two familiar figures rush over.

Seeing that there was still time, she finally breathed a sigh of relief, and waved desperately to them, "Mom, Sister Zhaodi, over here!"

The two arrived panting, and Su Xiaoxiao grabbed them, one with each hand, rushing straight to the fifth-floor conference room.

When the three arrived, the conference room was already filled with people.

In the center was a long table with a group sitting around it, directly in front was General Manager Yan Guohua.

As they entered, all eyes fell on the trio, making Xu Zhaodi and Liu Cuilan even more nervous.

Su Xiaoxiao hurriedly pulled them to the corner to sit.

Once seated, Yan Guohua cleared his throat and began.

"Hello everyone, I’m Yan Guohua, General Manager of our department store. Next, I’ll announce today’s bidding process."

"Today’s bidding is divided into two parts. The first is pricing, and the second is culinary skills demonstration. These parts will be combined to select a partner."

"So let’s proceed, and everyone can hand in their dish price lists."

Once he finished, everyone took out their bidding form, submitting them in order.

Beside Su Xiaoxiao was a middle-aged man in a Mao suit, with meticulously groomed hair, craning his neck toward them.

She immediately slapped her price list onto the table, blocking his view.

The man scoffed and turned away, "You lot look like bumpkins from the countryside. Actually think just knowing how to cook qualifies you to bid?"