Chapter 5: Let's Start with One
Chapter 5: Let’s Start with One
The electronic components factory was still a state-owned enterprise for now, but due to its rigid production system, business wasn’t going well.
According to memories from a previous life, it would close down by the end of this year, causing many workers to lose their jobs and even sparking some unrest.
At present, the factory was in disarray, with a severe backlog of products.
For the company, this was unfortunate.
But from another perspective, it might not be so bad for Chen Jianghai.
You might as well seize the opportunity while it lasts.
Half an hour later, Chen Jianghai, pockets stuffed with two packs of Da Qianmen cigarettes, rode his old two-eight bicycle in a hurry to the components factory in the northern part of town.
He glanced inside and couldn’t help raising an eyebrow.
A few workers were lazily sitting in a corner, surrounded by smoke, shouting and laughing loudly.
Wow, these guys really had some nerve—gathering to play cards in broad daylight was one thing, but actually smoking in the warehouse, a restricted area, was another!
“Ahem, excuse me, who’s in charge here?” Chen Jianghai cleared his throat and asked.
The sudden voice startled the workers, but when they saw he was a young stranger, they relaxed.
“Who are you? Who sent you here?” one of them demanded, taking a long drag from his cigarette.
Having lived two lives, Chen Jianghai was street-smart and understood human nature without needing lessons. He quickly pulled out the prepared Da Qianmen cigarettes, distributing them as he spoke.
“My name’s Chen Jianghai. I repair electrical appliances and have some business to discuss.”
It’s hard to refuse a friendly face bearing gifts. Seeing the cigarettes, the man’s expression softened.
A plump man in his thirties stood up, took a cigarette, sniffed it, and finally said, “Speak. What’s the matter?”
Chen Jianghai sized him up, guessing he was the person in charge. He then slipped the rest of the cigarette box into the man’s pocket with a smile.
“Brother Dong, can we have a quick word?”
The man glanced at him, waved to the others, and said, “Carry on with your game.”
“Brother Dong, hurry up, don’t take too long!” the others teased with envy.
Once aside, Chen Jianghai lit the man’s cigarette and smiled.
The man didn’t refuse such courtesy and inhaled deeply, saying, “I’m Xu Dong. And you are?”
“I’m Chen Jianghai. I want to buy something from you,” Chen Jianghai said frankly.
Xu Dong’s expression suddenly became cautious. “What do you mean? What do you want to buy?”
Chen Jianghai wasn’t surprised by this reaction.
In the nineties, smuggling was rampant; Xu Dong probably suspected something along those lines.
“Brother Dong, I repair electrical appliances. You know, broken parts come in all sorts, and many aren’t available on the market,” Chen Jianghai explained.
Xu Dong’s face brightened a little, his eyes lighting up. “I get it—you’re here to stock up. What do you need?”
“The heating tubes your factory makes,” Chen Jianghai went straight to the point.
“How many?” Xu Dong asked.
“One to start,” Chen Jianghai smiled.
“One?!” Xu Dong’s face stiffened as he frowned at Chen Jianghai.
Are you kidding me?
Chen Jianghai remained calm. “Brother Dong, business grows slowly. Besides, I just opened a repair shop and am standing my ground now. When business picks up, there will be plenty of opportunities for us to cooperate.”
“Even if I gave you a thousand now, could you take them all? And I need to check the goods too,” Xu Dong said.
One day, he vowed to take over this components factory!
Xu Dong studied Chen Jianghai carefully, still trying to gauge his background.
Chen Jianghai thought to himself, what a cautious man—he won’t act without seeing the proof.
“Brother Dong, here’s the money first.”
Chen Jianghai pulled a two-yuan note from his pocket and handed it to Xu Dong.
A heating tube’s retail price was at most three yuan, but Chen Jianghai offered two yuan to build goodwill and secure future supplies.
For now, it was an opportunity to make a quick gain.
Xu Dong eyed the money, pondered for a moment, then said, “Alright, wait here.”
Five minutes later, Xu Dong returned, tossing a slender tube to Chen Jianghai.
A thousand or just one, business is business.
“Here you go, off you go!”
“Thanks, Brother Dong!”
Chen Jianghai nodded and hurried off.
“Young man, did you get the parts?” Old Hu, who had been eagerly waiting, stepped forward and asked.
“Got it!” Chen Jianghai nodded, holding up the heating tube.
“Then hurry up and fix it!” Old Hu pointed at the refrigerator, urging him.
Chen Jianghai waved his hand calmly. “Old Hu, let’s settle the price first, according to the rules.”
Old Hu glanced at him, frowning. “Can it be fixed? Talking about money now seems premature.”
Chen Jianghai smiled slightly. “Old Hu, I’m not asking for payment now. Agreeing on the price beforehand avoids any disputes—that’s the way of our trade.”
“Good point, good point,” Old Jiang nodded, giving Old Hu a knowing look.
Old Hu hesitated, then said, “Alright, you name your price.”
“Fifty,” Chen Jianghai answered without hesitation, holding up five fingers.
Old Hu’s eyes widened. “That expensive?!”
Old Jiang frowned. “Young man, that’s a bit steep.”
Chen Jianghai replied smoothly, “Gentlemen, there’s no one in our county who fixes refrigerators. If you take it to the city, you’ll need to hire a vehicle twice over, costing more time and money.”
They exchanged glances, thinking it over.
Chen Jianghai’s reasoning sounded convincing.
“Sir, seafood spoils faster the longer it’s left out. That’s money saved too,” he added.
“Are you sure you can fix it?” Old Hu seemed interested, looking up.
Chen Jianghai confidently patted his chest. “As long as the price is agreed, I’ll get started right now.”
“Alright!” Old Hu said firmly, “But I warn you, no fix, no pay!”
Chen Jianghai smiled and nodded, moving over to the refrigerator.
With the heating tube in hand, the repair would be much easier.
He removed the refrigerator’s back panel and took out the broken heating tube.
A strong burnt smell hit him as he worked.
(End of chapter)