Chapter 19
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At night, Wen Feng walked home alone, carrying a large bag. The apartment she rented wasn’t far from Jiangchao Park. Walking home would take just over ten minutes. As she walked, Wen Feng pondered what she should do next—should she find a new job? But nowadays, finding work was difficult, especially for a woman nearing thirty and still unmarried. Most companies were reluctant to hire her, fearing she might soon marry and take maternity leave.
What about starting her own business?
Lost in thought, Wen Feng arrived home, opened the door, and casually placed the items she carried into a cabinet without any intention of using them. To be honest, she didn’t believe a word of the boss’s flashy sales pitch just now. After all, the idea of bamboo dragonflies that could make people fly was utterly absurd!
But whether the items were genuine or not, that boss did comfort her. Although she had never truly considered jumping into the river—she just wanted to feel the river breeze—she bought those things anyway, as a token of gratitude for the vendor’s kindness in consoling her for so long.
Wen Feng sank onto the sofa, staring blankly at her phone, unsure of what to do next, overwhelmed by the haze of uncertainty in her life.
Meanwhile, Xia Zui had set up her stall and made her way to the pedestrian street. Nighttime was when the pedestrian street was busiest. Xia Zui placed her stall near the intersection, pulled out a small stool she had just bought, and sat down, waiting for customers.
The system had supplied her with five hundred items—one hundred of each product. She had purchased five for herself and sold ten today, leaving 485 remaining. Once sold out, her weekly task would be complete.
Xia Zui’s stall location wasn’t prime, but it had considerable foot traffic. After all, the best spots deeper inside required rental fees and were long occupied by other vendors. Her reason for coming to the pedestrian street was that the young man she had encountered seemed quite receptive; perhaps selling in a livelier place wouldn’t be a problem. Besides, she had changed her appearance, and the system kept assuring her it would teleport her away if danger arose. This was the small stall’s special feature. Moreover, with so many items to sell, staying in remote areas would take forever. It was better to risk it for greater reward!
Xia Zui obediently sat on the small stool, awaiting customers. The pedestrian street was bustling with car horns and voices.
Next to Xia Zui’s stall sat an uncle who offered phone screen protectors. He hunched in his chair, hands tucked inside his jacket pockets. He glanced at Xia Zui and asked, “Young lady, what are you selling here?”
Xia Zui replied, “Bamboo dragonflies, sunglasses, pots, learning machines, wristbands.”
The uncle scratched his head. “Quite a mixed assortment you’ve got.”
He stood and inspected the stall. After a quick look, he hissed, “These prices…”
“You’re quite the merchant, huh, young lady.”
He had considered buying a pair of sunglasses, but at 199 yuan, he might as well buy ones for nine yuan ninety-nine. Honestly, Heng Jianmu could tell this young lady was new to vending—someone else had occupied this spot yesterday. Besides, the pedestrian street mostly attracted young people out for food and drinks. If anyone wanted expensive goods, they’d go to regular stores. How could these pricey items sell here? She was still too inexperienced!
Xia Zui shook her head. “Uncle… ah, I mean, big brother, you can’t find these items anywhere else. They’re top quality.”
Heng Jianmu hummed, “How so?”
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Xia Zui picked up the sunglasses and demonstrated, “These things let the blind see and the deaf hear.”
Heng Jianmu: …
He returned to his stall, speechless.
Xia Zui urged, “Big brother, trust me!”
Heng Jianmu pressed his hands together in a pleading gesture. “Miss, I may be old, but I’m no fool. If your stuff was really that amazing, would you be selling it on the street?”
Xia Zui held up a wristband. “Big brother, this wristband controls your body temperature. Cold in winter, hot in summer—it can be frustrating. But once you wear it, it maintains a constant temperature. Even if you’re naked, you won’t feel cold!”
Heng Jianmu tucked his hands back into his pockets, grinding his molars in disbelief. “Is it really that good?”
Xia Zui nodded confidently. “Absolutely amazing!”
Heng Jianmu extended a hand. “Put it on me, let me try.”
Thinking no customers were coming, he figured chatting with this young lady would pass the time.
Unexpectedly, Xia Zui waved him off. “Hey, this is a small business—no trials allowed. Buy it first, and then you’ll see how great it is.”
Heng Jianmu chuckled. “Never seen business done like this before. No trials? If you sell it, I’ll admit defeat!”
“All right, how much is this wristband? 199, right? I’ll buy one.”
He wanted to see if the wristband was really as good as claimed. After all, with the stall right here, she wasn’t going anywhere. And this was the first time he’d heard such a bold claim. He was determined to expose her lies.
Heng Jianmu scanned the QR code on his phone and paid 199 yuan. Two young girls gathered behind him, watching.
Xia Zui handed him the wristband. “Wear it; it automatically maintains temperature.”
Heng Jianmu eyed the white wristband, which looked like silicone, skeptically. He fastened it around his wrist.
At that moment, he suddenly felt as if a protective layer enveloped him. The night breeze no longer stung his face. His entire body felt wrapped in spring sunlight—warm and soothing.
The two girls behind him, curious, took a step back and watched the man’s reaction closely.
Heng Jianmu closed his eyes, savoring the feeling, then suddenly opened them wide. “Miss! This thing is real!”
He felt as if he’d been slapped hard across the face. He thought she was bluffing, but it turned out he was the fool.
Xia Zui nodded. “Of course. Do you think I’d lie?”
“Don’t believe me? Take off your jacket.”
Heng Jianmu’s jacket was thin. He quickly removed it, spreading his arms with a look of delight. “Really not cold!”
“My goodness, has the world really advanced this far?”
He scratched his head, baffled. “Why haven’t I heard of this before?”
“What about those sunglasses you mentioned? Are they real too? Blind people can see and deaf people can hear when wearing them?”
Xia Zui nodded. “If you don’t believe me, find a blind or deaf person to try.”
Heng Jianmu: “…”
“Then again, I can’t find one. Nowadays, blind and deaf people don’t often go out; most stay home.”
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The two girls behind him hadn’t left, clearly intrigued.
They were both students at Jiangchao University. The one in red was Yu Yan; the one in black was Gu Miyue.
Gu Miyue whispered to Yu Yan, “This uncle’s acting…”
Yu Yan shook her head. “A bit over the top.”
Gu Miyue grinned. “A temperature-regulating wristband? Must be a scam.”
“Here’s what we do: I’ll buy one, and you be ready to call 911. Then we can bust these two.”
Yu Yan silently took out her phone and gave an OK sign.
“Boss, I want a wristband too,” Gu Miyue said, pulling out her phone to pay.
Honestly, if someone claimed this wristband could cure ailments, she wouldn’t believe it—it would be a scam. But the claim that it maintained body temperature, and that the glasses let the blind see and the deaf hear, was just ridiculous.
So she had to come see the spectacle.
Gu Miyue took the wristband from the vendor and slipped it onto her wrist. Yu Yan, who was wary of the stall owner and the man colluding to scam them, kept her hand on her phone, ready to dial 911 at any moment.
Unexpectedly, Gu Miyue’s expression blanked for a moment, then she started unbuttoning her jacket.
Yu Yan hurriedly grasped her hand. “We’re on the street. What are you doing?”
Gu Miyue looked at her. “Babe, I think I’ve sold something genuine. This wristband really controls temperature.”
Yu Yan: ???
Heng Jianmu smiled at the scene. “Looks like you young folks haven’t seen stuff like this before.”
He turned to Xia Zui. “Where do you get your stock? And are these really selling for 199?”
Has the world really advanced this fast? Maybe he should get some to sell too. This could be lucrative!
Xia Zui shook her head. “Sorry, can’t tell you. Business secrets!”
Nearby, seeing Yu Yan’s skepticism, Gu Miyue buttoned her jacket again and slipped the wristband onto Yu Yan’s wrist.
Yu Yan’s eyes widened. “W-what…”
The cold wind that had howled moments ago transformed into a gentle spring breeze. Her previously freezing hands suddenly felt warmth, as if spring had come overnight, leaving her languid and bathed in sunlight.
Gu Miyue stared at her wide-eyed. “Believe it now?”
Yu Yan gasped and nodded earnestly. “Boss, I want one too!”
“What else are these?” The two girls crouched in front of the stall, curious.
Xia Zui explained each item: “This is the miraculous glasses—blind people can see, deaf people can hear wearing them.”
“This is the sleep-learning machine. Just set the learning content before bed and wear it,” Xia Zui showed the eye mask, “and you can learn while you sleep!”
Gu Miyue: …
“Terrifying learning machine!”
“But it should be great for the CET-4 exam. I’ll buy one,” Yu Yan said, pulling out her phone to scan the code.
Heng Jianmu, seeing this, thought of his own unruly child and said, “I’ll take one too.”
Gu Miyue, seeing everyone buying, thought for a moment and added, “Me too.”