Chapter 452
On her way back to find Jiang Yexun, Su Xiaoxiao bought two skewers of candied hawthorn.
From a distance, she saw only two men left at Jiang Yexun’s stall, chatting with him about something. The customers who had been shopping were long gone.
Feeling uneasy, Su Xiaoxiao hurried over to him.
Sensing her approach, Jiang Yexun looked up and quickly came forward to meet her. “Why are you rushing over like this? I’ve been standing here all along,” he said, steadying his petite wife with a concerned tone.
Su Xiaoxiao pouted, clearly annoyed. “I saw you weren’t doing business anymore and were just chatting with them. I was worried something might have happened to you.”
“The goods are all sold out. They came to talk to me about the Whitening Pill and Moisture Pill,” Jiang Yexun explained.
“You sold all those Whitening Pills and Moisture Pills?” Su Xiaoxiao asked, stunned.
In less than an hour and a half, with so much meat, fabric, and snacks also on sale, how had he managed to sell them all so quickly?
“Yes,” Jiang Yexun nodded. “People in Shanghai care about appearances more than those in Beijing.”
While the comment wasn’t exactly flattering, it made sense. Beijing, as the heart of China, had a more focused, resilient mindset with an emphasis on simplicity and hard work. Frugality was still a popular trend there.
Shanghai, on the other hand, had always been a city of lights, extravagance, and indulgence, both in the past and present.
“Are you really going to discuss business in the alley?” Su Xiaoxiao asked worriedly, afraid that others might overhear, grow jealous, and report them, leading to trouble for everyone involved.
“No, we just casually discussed the effects of the Whitening Pill and Moisture Pill. Now that you’re back, we’ll find a proper place to talk,” Jiang Yexun replied, holding Su Xiaoxiao’s hand as he walked toward the two men.
The men approached them, smiling. “This must be your wife. Since she’s here, let’s head to our courtyard to discuss further?”
“Alright,” Jiang Yexun agreed with a nod.
The two men grinned widely and led the way, while Jiang Yexun followed, holding Su Xiaoxiao’s hand.
The stall vendors along the alley watched enviously as the local black-market managers openly associated with this new vendor. Many of them had been eking out a living by selling their homemade goods. While profitable, it was nowhere near as lucrative as striking a deal with the black-market leaders.
If the black-market managers took a liking to someone’s goods, it usually meant large orders and significant profits—enough to make anyone jealous.
After navigating several twists and turns, the group finally arrived at a courtyard.
Black-market gathering spots like this all looked fairly similar. Having seen Big Gao’s setup in Beijing a few times, Su Xiaoxiao wasn’t particularly curious about Shanghai’s version.
Their calm and composed demeanor intrigued the black-market leaders.
The two men led them into the living room, where another man lounged lazily on the sofa, smoking a cigarette.
“Boss, these are the ones I mentioned—the couple selling Moisture Pills and Whitening Pills in the black market,” one of the men quickly explained.
The man on the sofa raised his hand to silence him, then lazily glanced at Jiang Yexun and Su Xiaoxiao, sizing them up.
“I’ve heard your Moisture Pill and Whitening Pill are selling like crazy. Do these products really work as well as they claim?”
It wasn’t that he doubted the existence of such items, but he found it hard to believe that two young people like them could possess such treasures.
Without a word, Jiang Yexun took out two oiled paper packages from his pocket, placed them on the coffee table, and pushed them toward the man.
“You can try them now and feel the immediate effects. With consistent use, they’ll definitely improve your skin. After a week, you’ll see visible results. To make the difference obvious, I suggest using it on only half of your face for the week.”
“You’re pretty confident about your products, aren’t you?” The man twirled the package between his fingers.
“Don’t you already have an idea whether they work?” Jiang Yexun replied calmly.
Black-market bosses across the country might not have direct contact, but they were undoubtedly aware of popular products selling well in other regions. It was no secret that Moisture Pills and Whitening Pills were in high demand in Beijing, with customers returning for more and recommending them to others.
Hearing this, the man’s arrogant expression softened instantly, replaced by a more sincere smile. “I figured anyone capable of making such items must be an expert in business. I’ve known for some time that these products are hot sellers in Beijing’s black market. Buyers not only return but also spread the word to their friends.
“But I also know that even Beijing’s supply can’t keep up with demand. So how could you possibly have enough stock to supply us in Shanghai?”
“We can’t guarantee supply,” Jiang Yexun replied in a measured tone. “But in times like these, nothing can guarantee that everyone can get what they want.”
The man chuckled. “Actually, I have a way to ensure a steady supply for both Shanghai and Beijing.”
Jiang Yexun and Su Xiaoxiao listened intently, their expressions remaining unchanged. However, their gazes grew deeper, making the man—Yuan Lifei—feel slightly uncomfortable.