"Our family has produced a dragon!"
1170 Words
"Xiao Chen, this signature dish is definitely going to become a hit. Thirty yuan per pound is just a starting point. Once it becomes popular, I'll definitely raise the price for you!"
Liu Yumin was worried that Su Chen might not agree, so she quickly reassured him.
Little did she know, Su Chen was already thrilled.
Thirty yuan per pound is just temporary, and it could go up in the future!
If his parents heard this, they would be in disbelief!
"Sister Liu, am I dreaming? Really thirty yuan per pound?"
"Of course, I've already had the contract drafted."
With that, Liu Yumin got up and printed out two copies of the contract.
Su Chen carefully read through it and couldn't help but admire this woman's decisiveness.
"Take your time and look it over. If there's anything you need to add, just let me know."
Liu Yumin propped her chin up and watched Su Chen intently.
Su Chen read for a while, then looked up to see a crescent moon, making his mouth go dry.
Liu Yumin didn’t shy away, she even adjusted her hair and leaned in closer, giving Su Chen an even better view.
"Sister Liu, I’ve finished reading it. Everything looks good!"
Su Chen quickly averted his gaze. He didn’t want to be seen as a p*****t, risking their new partnership.
"Great, let's sign the contract!"
"Okay!"
After signing and stamping the documents, Liu Yumin pulled out five thousand yuan in cash and handed it to Su Chen.
"Xiao Chen, don’t refuse this. It's an advance payment for you to buy good oxygenation equipment and a suitable vehicle for transporting the fish. I don’t want the fish to die before they reach the hotel."
Liu Yumin's reasoning made it hard for Su Chen to refuse. For the sake of their partnership, he had to accept the money.
"Alright, I’ll note this as an advance payment from you."
Su Chen took out a notebook and made a note of the amount.
"Laughing, Liu Yumin said, "Looks like you came prepared, Xiao Chen."
"Of course, opportunities are for those who are prepared."
"Good. The kitchen staff weighed the fish today, and it totaled sixty-nine pounds. Let's round it up to seventy pounds, which comes to two thousand one hundred yuan."
"Great. After subtracting that from the five thousand, I owe you four thousand nine hundred yuan."
Su Chen carefully noted the numbers in his notebook.
"According to the contract, you should deliver thirty fish every morning. If there's a shortage, make sure to deliver more promptly."
"Absolutely. As soon as you call, I’ll have the fish in the kitchen within an hour!"
"Efficient and reliable! Here’s to our successful partnership!"
"It will be a success!"
After chatting for a bit, Liu Yumin, who had other matters to attend to, saw Su Chen out with a reminder.
"Before you leave, make sure to prepare the medicine for me."
"Of course, I’ll get it right away and bring it to you. I wouldn’t feel right otherwise!"
Su Chen left excitedly.
Downstairs, a bald young man blocked his way.
He looked closely and recognized it was Liu Guo from the kitchen.
Earlier, Liu Guo had bet loudly against him, and it was he who had lost the most.
"Brother, I was wrong! You’re really amazing! I shaved my head upside down as per our bet!"
Liu Guo said pitifully.
"Hmm, it looks quite clean and refreshing. Don't gamble so carelessly in the future."
Su Chen said with a laugh.
"Understood, Brother Su!"
Liu Guo now greatly admired Su Chen, having just received the task of liaising with Su Chen for future fish deliveries.
He couldn’t believe this country boy had successfully struck a deal with Liu Yumin.
"Brother Su, here’s my number. Call me before you come, and I'll make sure everything is ready for you."
"Okay, here's two hundred yuan. Buy some water and cigarettes, and give my regards to the team."
Having just beaten the kitchen staff in a bet, Su Chen thought it wise to smooth things over for future dealings.
"Brother Su, you’re really considerate! I'll handle this perfectly!"
Leaving the hotel, Su Chen headed to the largest Chinese medicine shop in the county. He bought two prescriptions for treating cold womb syndrome.
He also purchased a set of eighty-one silver needles, as acupuncture was the true cure for such ailments, with medicine only serving as a supplement.
After completing his purchases, he rushed back to the hotel to deliver the medicine to Liu Yumin and carefully instructed her on how to brew it.
He didn’t leave until she had drunk the medicine.
"Little guy, why are you so good to me, even staying to watch me drink the medicine? It’s bitter, but you’re really warm-hearted, making me feel restless..."
Watching Su Chen’s sturdy and reliable figure, Liu Yumin muttered to herself.
It was only at eleven thirty in the morning that Su Chen finally finished all his tasks.
He was now driving a new three-wheeled motorcycle back to Shanhai Village, with his old, nearly scrapped two-wheeler tied to the back.
He had spent over thirteen thousand yuan in total.
The three-wheeler alone cost nearly ten thousand.
He also bought various groceries, kitchen supplies, new clothes, two new phones, large oxygenation equipment, batteries, fishing tools...
If he had more time, he would have bought even more.
He was eager to get home and show his parents what he had achieved today.
In the yard, seeing the new three-wheeler, Su Yifeng and Zhang Cuihua were shocked.
"Son, you mustn't do anything foolish! Your father’s health can’t take any more shocks!"
Zhang Cuihua said, tearfully.
She thought Su Chen had gone gambling, since she had only given him two hundred yuan, which, along with a few fish, couldn't possibly buy so many things.
"Don’t say such things! Our son must have earned it through skill!"
Su Yifeng also thought Su Chen had gambled, but he was more open-minded: "Xiao Chen, listen to me, don’t do it again. We are honest farmers and can't afford to break the law."
"Dad, Mom! Don't worry! I earned this by selling fish!"
"What? Selling fish?"
They had sold fish before and knew it didn't bring in much money.
Five hundred yuan at best, and that took a whole day unless a big buyer came along and bought all the fish at once.
Su Chen handed the contract to Su Yifeng.
After reading it, Su Yifeng's eyes widened. He had an elementary education, knew all the words, but couldn't believe their combination.
"Thirty yuan per pound, Xiao Chen, you weren’t tricked, were you?"
In his fifty years, he had never heard of such a good deal.
Their fish couldn't possibly sell for that much.
"It’s a legal contract, signed and sealed."
Su Chen also showed them the advance money from Liu Yumin, now reduced to three thousand five hundred yuan.
"My goodness! The ancestors must be smiling on us! Our family has produced a dragon!"
- Writer
