In a rented farmhouse, Zhang Wei's family was preparing dinner. After cooking some stir-fried vegetables on the coal stove, Cheng Lin brought them to the table, while Zhang Aiguo served the rice. The family was happily getting ready to eat.
Looking at the extinguished coal stove, Zhang Wei felt a surge of emotions. He realized that in a few years, these coal stoves would be phased out, and every household would switch to gas stoves or induction cookers. Although the dishes made on a coal stove weren't the best, they were certainly nostalgic—a product of their time.
During dinner, Zhang Wei took a couple of bites and said, "Dad, Mom, let's not go to Daylight City to set up our stall tomorrow!" He decided it was time to share his thoughts with his parents, and he was determined not to make a mistake this time.
Zhang Aiguo and Cheng Lin paused, looking at their son with puzzled expressions.
"If we don't set up a stall, how will we make money? Hurry up and eat," Cheng Lin said.
Zhang Wei explained, "What I mean is we should change our location for the stall, not stop selling altogether."
"Where should we set up?" Zhang Aiguo asked, picking up some vegetables.
Zhang Wei gestured, "Just across the street from Daylight City, it's not far from the vegetable market." He had observed that foot traffic there was much better than at Daylight City, which he hadn't realized before due to the distance.
"I heard there are two rice vendors inside the market with great business. If we set up there, won't we have worse sales?" Cheng Lin shook her head in disagreement.
Seeing the confusion in his parents' eyes, Zhang Wei understood that they were limited by their experiences. Logically, people preferred sellers with storefronts, so being near the market would mean tough competition against the two rice vendors inside.
In reality, he wasn't looking to compete with those vendors; he simply wanted to improve their family business. The area next to the market had more foot traffic, and people buying vegetables might impulsively decide to buy rice as well. In contrast, the customers near Daylight City were mostly heading home after already purchasing their groceries.
After Zhang Wei explained his reasoning in detail, his parents seemed to grasp his point.
Zhang Aiguo couldn't help but ask, "Then why do Lao Yang and the others have business?"
This question was straightforward; the concepts of service and product sales were entirely different. One thrived on proximity, while the other relied on quality.
"Because they fix shoes, repair electrical appliances, and do tailoring. Dad, if you need your shoes repaired, would you go far away or look for someone nearby?" Zhang Wei smiled, knowing these points were clear to anyone who thought about it.
The couple finally understood.
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**The Next Day, Early Morning**
At the entrance of Daylight City, Lao Lin grabbed Xiao Wang and said, "Hurry up and hand over the money, or I'll beat you up again today."
Xiao Wang dared not speak, taking out a stack of cash to give to Lao Lin. He felt extremely frustrated; he didn't want to part with this money, but Lao Lin knew where he lived. After all, who could resist the consequences of sleeping with someone else's wife?
After being beaten up and having to pay two thousand yuan, Xiao Wang had never felt so humiliated. If it weren't for that little brat, he wouldn't have ended up in this situation. He regretted it deeply!
After receiving the money, Lao Lin left. Just then, Zhang Wei's family was approaching from a distance.
Xiao Wang looked at Zhang Wei with a ghostly expression. This kid was too cunning; he didn't know how to face Zhang Wei's family again. The thought of encountering the family that had made him suffer again filled him with both anger and inexplicable fear.
Fortunately, Zhang Wei's family didn't stop and continued on their way.
"Where are you going?" Xiao Wang couldn't help but shout. Were they not going to set up a stall here? Were they giving up? It had to be that way!
Zhang Wei turned to Xiao Wang, puzzled. His family was heading across the river to set up their stall, and they had to pass by Daylight City.
"We're just changing locations. What, do you miss us leaving?" Zhang Wei smiled.
"Hmph!" Xiao Wang huffed, raising his chin.
"Son, let's go. Don't pay attention to bad people," Cheng Lin said, pulling Zhang Wei away.
Bad people? Who's worse than your son? After Zhang Wei's family left, Xiao Wang couldn't help but think: Changing locations will lead to better business? I don't believe that this family can pick a good spot.
This wasn't entirely his fault,