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Chapter 97 – Buying and selling (1)
Su Ergou was furious and said, “We are just doing our business, how can we get in the way of someone?”
“Yo, Miss Su, Brother Su, what a coincidence?”
On the street ahead, Shopkeeper Sun leisurely got out from the carriage and walked towards the two with a smile.
He glanced at his siblings who were wearing linen cotton padded clothes with empty hands in the cold wind, and his smile deepened. “Are you also here to buy something? It seems like you haven’t bought anything. Is it because it’s almost New Year now, so all the shops are out of stock?”
“Why do you care?!” Su Ergou asked back in a bad mood.
Shopkeeper Sun smiled and said, “Brother Su, don’t be so angry. We are all businessmen, and amiability makes you rich1!”
1Amiability makes you rich : treating people kindly can attract wealth and fortune.
Su Ergou said unhappily, “Who wants to do business with you?”
Shopkeeper Sun looked at Su Xiaoxiao who was standing on the side.
Compared to her furious younger brother, this chubby little village girl seemed much calmer. She did not look too surprised to see him, as if she had expected him to appear here at any time.
“Miss Su, what do you want to buy? If you can’t buy it, you can tell me! I will be happy to help you guys out!”
Shopkeeper Sun said pompously.
Su Xiaoxiao calmly said, “Aren’t you a bit too shameless to say that?”
“Ah! It’s you! You’re the one who caused it! You didn’t let the shops sell their flour to us!” Su Ergou, who was at the side, finally realized it.
Shopkeeper Sun’s smile faded a little, but he didn’t deny it anymore.
Originally, if they were comparable opponents, then it was better for him to be careful in dealing with them. But for these two tiny ants, then he didn’t need to be cautious at all.
In the past, he cherished Jinji’s reputation. Moreover, this chubby village girl was the girl who once stood in the spotlight because she saved people, that was why he thought to buy her recipes.
But who would have thought that she mercilessly refused his offers.
Shopkeeper Sun could tell that although Su Ergou was a man, it was this little chubby village girl who made the decision.
He looked at Su Xiaoxiao and smiled meaningfully, “Some people don’t know how to appreciate favors, refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit2. Miss Su, what do you think?”
2To refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit : to hesitate to do something until forced to do even more.
Su Xiaoxiao said bluntly, “Then tell me, what do you want?”
Shopkeeper Sun placed his hands behind his back, and proudly said: “My Jinji has been open in Xinghua Town for 21 years, I don’t know how many people in the same industry have left. Business nowadays, if you want to say it’s good, then it’s good, and if you want to say it’s not good, then it’s not good. It depends on how and who will do it. For example, Miss Su, you have skills and craftsmanship, but unfortunately you are just a village girl. Anyone who comes on the street can easily crush you to bankruptcy. Believe it or not, as long as I, Sun3 say something, then no one within a hundred miles would dare to sell flour to you! Even the cleverest wife cannot cook without rice4. Without flour, how can you make cakes?”
3Sun : Shopekeeper Sun is calling himself with his surname, as his surname is Sun.
4the cleverest wife can’t cook without rice (idiom) : You won’t get anywhere without equipment ; It’s difficult to accomplish things because they lack the necessary conditions.
Su Ergou said angrily, “Hey! You’re too vicious! We are only selling our own cakes, How can it be in the way of your Jinji? You still have so many customers! Business is still so good! I didn’t see you making less money ah!”
This statement was correct and incorrect at the same time.
It was right because Su Xiaoxiao’s production was limited, so Jinji’s sales had not been significantly affected in the short term.
It was not right because Jinji’s reputation was constantly declining.
Customers who had eaten the snacks that were sold by Su Xiaoxiao would feel that Jinji’s snack  was not worth the price.
“You have done so much, it is nothing more than for the sake of the recipe.” Su Xiaoxiao hit the nail on the head5.
5hit the nail on the head: speak straightforwardly and to the point.
Shopkeeper Sun’s thought was exposed, he couldn’t hold his expression for a moment: “Oh, these words, how can I answer this? I, Sun wanted to make a good relationship with Miss Su, but Miss Su has never given Sun a chance. Now even the owner also heard a few rumors, it’s really not easy for Sun to explain it to the owner.”