Free Web NovelChapter 148: Chapter 148: Uncle Jiang, You’re Not My Real Father, Are You?
Wen Ci’s eyes went wide. She covered her mouth and whispered, "Uncle Jiang, you’re not my real dad, are you?"
Minister Jiang was stunned for a moment before realizing the girl was just spouting nonsense. Although he had once been fond of Gui Lan, their relationship had been completely platonic.
They had never crossed any boundaries.
"Don’t talk nonsense."
Wen Ci blinked. "It’s not that. When my biological father found me and brought me home, even he wasn’t as excited as you are."
At her words, the smile on Minister Jiang’s face froze. His family and the Jiang Family went way back, and he was one of the few in the entire military region who knew what Jiang Ye looked like.
He also knew about the Jiang Family’s biological daughter.
"Your parents and I are old friends," Minister Jiang explained.
Then, Minister Jiang’s expression grew a little more serious. He asked, "Can I open the nylon sacks on the truck?"
"Go ahead."
With her permission, Minister Jiang had his soldiers climb onto the truck and open a few sacks. Seeing there were both summer and winter clothes inside, he reached out, felt the fabric, and asked, "How much are you planning to sell them for per piece?"
"I’m not selling them by the piece."
"Hmm?" Minister Jiang was a little confused, his brow furrowing slightly. ’The truck has both summer and winter clothes, but winter is still a long way off.’
"If not by the piece, then how?"
"By the pound!"
Wen Ci explained calmly, "Uncle Jiang, outside, a summer garment sells for close to ten yuan at least, and winter clothes are even more expensive.
I’m selling them by the pound for eight yuan. For ten yuan, you could buy two summer items."
"Won’t you lose money that way?"
"I won’t. I got them at cost," Wen Ci said honestly.
’If it weren’t for Xu Jinghe, just shipping this batch of clothes from the Southern region would have cost a fortune. Even selling by the pound, I would have taken a loss.’
’But the cost price Xu Jinghe gave me was a different story.’
Compared to the clothes sold in department stores and wholesale markets, Wen Ci’s prices were a bargain, the quality was exceptionally good, and the styles were the newest available in the north.
Hearing this, Minister Jiang thought it over carefully. He had someone bring an old-fashioned abacus, did a quick calculation, and then asked, "You’re selling this batch of clothes for eight yuan a pound?"
"Yup."
"Sell it for five yuan a pound in the family compound. The Beijing Military Region will subsidize the other three yuan for you. For every pound you sell, we’ll make up the difference."
Wen Ci’s eyes lit up.
’This would make it even more attractive for the families in the compound.’
A smile spread across Wen Ci’s face. "Do I get paid the same day?" she asked.
"The same day."
"Deal," Wen Ci agreed. But then another issue occurred to her. ’What if the families in the compound think it’s too cheap and start buying for all their relatives?’
’Wouldn’t the military region be taking a loss?’
"Uncle Jiang, will there be a purchase limit?"
"A purchase limit?"
Wen Ci explained, "It just means a single person can’t buy too much."
Minister Jiang raised his hand to check the time on his watch. It was two hours until noon. He turned to a subordinate and said, "Have all the soldiers go back at noon and spread the word. The discounted clothing sale ends at five p.m."
’Holy crap?!’
’Is this Minister Jiang really not my real dad?’
’He was even having his subordinates notify everyone in the barracks. That meant I could skip the whole process of running around and hawking my wares. All I had to do was wait in the truck, and the families would come to me in the afternoon.’
"Uncle Jiang, you should pick out a couple of pieces to give to Auntie."
Minister Jiang’s expression darkened.
Everyone in the military region knew that Minister Jiang had never married. He had adopted the son of a fallen comrade-in-arms, and that son was now in his twenties and serving in the army.
"That won’t be necessary." After his reply, Minister Jiang paused for a moment before continuing, "I’ll have some soldiers from the logistics department stay with you to keep records and help you out."
