Step by step, a gentle breeze leads to a smooth path

Chapter 110 Sold 1 Out

While Tingnan was doing practice problems, Song Wanli was working on his project. He decided to make 100 of each type and have Tingnan run them, then see how things went later.

This little gadget looks simple, but it's quite labor-intensive. If you're not careful, even a small piece can break, ruining the whole thing. Each one has four small pieces, and putting them together as a whole is a skill in itself. The handle needs to be thicker to apply force. Luckily, he had two helpers who roughly prepared the bamboo strips. Song Wanli then polished the bamboo strips, divided them into four pieces, and shaped the soft rake claws by heating them over a fire... The whole process required complete concentration. After ruining several, Song Wanli finally figured out the trick.

Ten days or so later, Song Wanli's shipment was completed, and Ting Nan immediately went out to promote it, leaving early and returning late under the scorching sun.

She specifically chose to hawk her wares under large trees at the entrances of villages and in secluded spots: "Grandpas and grandmas, come and see our new product! A magic tool for scratching itch without needing anyone else—a back scratcher! Cheap and practical, only 99 cents each! Don't miss it, less than a dollar to solve your itch. When you're not itchy, you can also pat your back and legs to improve blood circulation and relieve bruising!"

After a few shouts, a crowd would always gather. In the countryside, Tingnan usually wouldn't specifically promote patterned items. It was only when they were in the county town, seeing a group of old men playing chess, that Tingnan would bring out patterned ones; the word 'elegant' was particularly appealing to some retired seniors. And once one old man bought one, the others would unanimously choose the patterned ones—nobody was short a few bucks!

And so, one for you, one for me, and one for my wife; you buy one for your parents, your grandparents, he buys one for his parents-in-law, his grandparents... In less than a week, all two hundred were sold out, and the consignment point hadn't even delivered a single one yet.

Luckily, Tingnan cleverly hid one with a pattern. He'll definitely give another one to Liu Dayong when they get to the county town; his master needs to be among the first to use it. Seeing that there are still a dozen or so elderly people at the nursing home, Tingnan decided to give one to each of them next time, just the regular version. This thing is practical, especially in summer when the elderly have dry skin; they really need a back scratcher.

Seeing that the back scratchers were sold out every time Ting Nan came back, Song Wanli was particularly happy with the speed of sales. He hadn't been this busy in a long time. He was happy even working overtime, and the food at home had improved a lot.

Zhao Xiaojuan was also happy. Although the money she earned didn't go into her pocket, as long as her uncle's family was doing well, she and her children would be happy too.

The children also came over eagerly to help drag the bamboo. They were well-trained and could manage to drag the small bamboo, while the larger bamboo required several people to work together.

During this busy period, something happened that infuriated Song Wanli.

Qian Shuzhen's nephew, Qian Yaozu, came to visit one day with his son, Qian Haojie. Since his maternal uncle was there, Song Wanli naturally gave him a warm welcome—after all, "a mother's uncle is the greatest"—but as the conversation went on, the topic shifted: "Wanli, your business is doing quite well these days!"

"Business is doing alright, Uncle."

"Your business has been revitalized thanks to you. My bamboo has played a crucial role in making your business better."

"Thank you for your care, Uncle!" Song Wanli said verbally, but in his heart he thought, "I did pay for it. Your bamboo forest is not cheap. I paid for all the labor and transportation costs."

"I have a plan, so I'll just tell you directly. This is your cousin Haojie, who's sixteen years old this year and just graduated from junior high school. A few days ago, he saw your adopted daughter, what's her name? Nan, and he wants to marry her," Qian Yaozu said casually.