Free Web NovelChapter 146: Chapter 146: Welfare
Suddenly, a soldier in uniform appeared at the door. He knocked, holding a lunchbox, and said to Wen Yaozu, "A superior officer asked me to deliver this."
Wen Ci turned and looked at the man sleeping soundly on the bed, then changed her clothes and went downstairs, where she ran into a sweat-drenched Wen Yaozu. "Sis, this is the breakfast the soldier brought. He said from now on, he’ll be delivering three meals a day for brother-in-law."
Wen Ci took the lunchbox. "Got it."
"I’m going to keep running then."
"You’re still running?" Wen Ci asked, perplexed.
Usually, he’d drag his feet when she told him to run. The moment her back was turned, he’d slow down and slack off. But now he was suddenly so motivated.
’Something’s fishy!’
"Where’s Yu Qing?"
Wen Yaozu answered, "She went back to the Northwest."
"When did she leave?"
"Last night, when brother-in-law got back."
Wen Ci was utterly speechless.
When her husband got back last night, his mind was only on fooling around with her. He hadn’t mentioned a single thing about Yu Qing leaving. She clenched her fists.
’Lecherous dog!’
Wen Ci opened the lunchbox and saw there was enough breakfast for two.
She sighed silently to herself, then told Wen Yaozu, "After you finish your run and take a shower, leave some breakfast for your brother-in-law. I’m heading out."
"Sis, where are you going?"
"To sell my goods!"
’That pile of clothes in the warehouse is costing me money every day. If I can sell it all this month, I can have Xu Jinghe ship another batch over and save on costs.’
"Sell what goods?" Wen Yaozu asked, confused.
Wen Ci didn’t feel like explaining too much.
It had rained all night. The trees lining the roads of the military family compound had been battered by the wind, leaving scattered branches, and the ground was dotted with puddles.
Wen Ci first took a trip to Beijing’s most famous department store.
She checked out the prices.
Then she went to one of the wholesale markets.
Similar clothes that sold for a dozen or so yuan at the wholesale market were priced at several dozen in the department store. Although the fabric was different, the price gap was enormous.
Wen Ci calculated in her head.
’What should be the first step to break into the market?’
An idea struck Wen Ci. ’The only place I’m really familiar with in Beijing is the family compound. The military wives there are all frugal and careful with their money, so I should prioritize selling to them. It would be a nice perk for everyone, too.’
’The quality of the clothes from Xu Jinghe’s factory is as good as those in the department store, and the styles are fashionable. I refuse to believe no one would buy them.’
Wen Ci went to the area around her warehouse. It was in the suburbs of Beijing, an area filled with large storage warehouses. Right next door was a hub for private trucking companies.
She hired a truck driver.
And she hired two workers to help load the clothes onto the truck.
They loaded a full truck with clothes, all packed in nylon sacks. On the way back to the military family compound, Wen Ci bought an old-fashioned beam scale with weights.
When the truck reached the gate of the military base, a guard in uniform stopped them. Wen Ci, sitting in the passenger seat, stared with wide eyes.
’How careless of me!’
’I forgot that non-military vehicles need permission from a superior officer to enter.’
Wen Ci sucked in a sharp breath. She got out of the truck, walked over to the guard post, and asked, "Excuse me, I completely forgot. Which superior officer do I need to speak to?"
"What’s in the truck?"
"Clothes. Both winter and summer clothes."
"Military uniforms?"
Wen Ci shook her head. "Not uniforms, just regular clothes. I plan on selling them to the military families in the compound."
After hearing Wen Ci’s explanation, another guard went back into the guard post to report to his superior.
As the Capital City, Beijing placed great importance on the welfare of military families, and selling clothes to them still required approval from a superior officer.
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