Chapter 97: You’re Darker Than Dragon Bro
Hu Yu Ying squatted in front of Dragon Brother, who was looking up at her, eyes sparkling like shiny stars: “Dragon Bro, where are we going to sell clothes tomorrow?”
“Early market.”
“The early market?” Hu Yu Ying looked a bit puzzled. She had been to the early market before, and mostly it was stalls selling vegetables and fruits.
They sell clothes—really going to the early market for that?
Seeing her confusion, Dragon Brother gently asked, “What kind of people are usually at the early market?”
Hu Yu Ying thought for a moment: “Grandpas, grandmas, and some women.”
These were the most common folks she saw at the market.
“Correct—the women.”
“They’ve shed their youth’s dazzling glamour, passed the good days of being young, and now they have families, children, and have become mothers. They’re busy with endless chores.”
“Plus, they hold the strings to the household economy—buying vegetables and fresh meat, cooking meals for hardworking husbands, picking fruits to pack nutritious lunches for their kids.”
“They also buy socks, underwear, shoes, winter coats, summer T-shirts—basically, they’re shopping all year round.”
“While shopping, they also try to save a buck or two. Besides essentials, they’ll have a sneaky little thought to snag deals whenever prices seem right.”
At this point, Dragon Brother looked at Hu Yu Ying: “How much did you pay for your T-shirt?”
“This one?” Hu Yu Ying tugged at her T-shirt and shyly said, “Oh, this T-shirt’s been around for a while. I think I bought it at the village market, only about ten-something yuan.”
A few years ago, at the market, ten-something yuan meant she felt like she’d scored a bargain.
It’s understandable—the e-commerce scene hadn’t fully taken off back then. Most folks still preferred shopping in stores.
And in retail shops, prices aren’t cheap with water, electricity, rent, and labor costs piling up.
Dragon Brother could tell when they shopped at the mall during their last outing.
Of course, ignoring quality, cheaper prices were much more budget-friendly.
This trend only sharpened when 4G and online shopping came into play, crushing traditional shops and making prices even more aggressive.
Just look at the online images: even if quality isn’t compared, people pick the lower price by default—just one yuan difference and they’ll go for it.
Dragon Brother’s goal was to keep it affordable, so he avoided sprawling plazas or places bustling with foot traffic and more stores.
Sell at 30–40 yuan? No thanks. Lowering the price means cutting off rivals’ profits—people would let their temper fly if they could get it cheaper.
【Note: I don’t know how other cities are, but when I first asked for prices, that was the quote I got. Later I found out it was wholesale price—only a few yuan. Phew, got scammed once.】
Market stalls here mainly sell vegetables, fruits, and other miscellaneous items. Selling clothes is a niche, a bit unconventional, but at least it avoids direct profit conflicts.
After hearing Dragon Bro’s plan, Hu Yu Ying’s mind quickly clicked into gear—what was she even proud of?
Today she and Dragon Bro went sourcing, buying a wholesale piece for 6 yuan, selling it for ten-something…
“So, Dragon Bro, you wanna go the affordable route?”
Seeing him nod, Hu Yu Ying asked again, “Then what if we sell for 25?”
She had checked online—silk T-shirts now go for around 30 to 35 yuan.
If they sell at 25, wow—Hu Yu Ying covered her mouth with her small hands, amazed at the cash she’d make.
Before she could get caught up in her money daydreams, Dragon Bro lightly tapped her on the head.
Startled, Hu Yu Ying held her head and looked at Dragon Bro with innocent, big, watery eyes: “Dragon Bro, why’d you hit me?”
“You’re even darker than me,” Dragon Bro said. “I think selling at 19 yuan would be good enough. You’re such a little money-grubber…”
“And if we can sell more than expected, the price will basically set itself. Other shops won’t sell well—they’ll lower prices or stockpile inventory. Next time we source, we can do it all openly.”
With that, Dragon Bro handed her some of the selected clothes: “Wear this tomorrow. I’ll wear this. We’ll be the brand!”
“Yep yep, let’s do our best!”
“Let’s do our best!” Dragon Bro said as he prepared to leave. “Call me tomorrow, Dragon Bro will lead you to make that first big profit shot!”
After seeing Dragon Bro off, Hu Yu Ying went back inside her room. She couldn’t resist sneaking a quick try-on of the clothes Dragon Bro picked for her.
The silk was cool and smooth; wearing it felt lightweight and comfy, and it showed off her figure.
She always bought clothes a size bigger, so they’d last longer.
And baggy clothes always helped conceal her figure.
Now dressed in the clothes and pants chosen by Dragon Bro, made of sleek, close-fitting silk, her silhouette from the side—curving from her waist to her beautiful hips—was even more slender and elegant.
Hu Yu Ying looked at herself in the mirror and couldn’t help but steal a couple more glances—everyone loves looking good.
No need to pretend she doesn’t care.
Lying back on bed, hugging her little white rabbit, Hu Yu Ying forced herself to drift into sleep.
Tomorrow’s a new early start.
Oh, I forgot to ask Dragon Bro what he wants for breakfast tomorrow.
Never mind—whatever she makes, Dragon Bro always loves to eat.
Thinking this, Hu Yu Ying suddenly felt a bit narcissistic. She hurriedly crawled into her quilt, not wanting her blush to be noticed.
Next morning.
Dragon Bro was riding a tricycle, Hu Yu Ying sat behind with a small stool, and the pair dashed toward the early market, bustling and lively.
They parked the tricycle on the roadside; Dragon Bro hopped off: “Stay here and be good.”
Then he walked off to a nearby spot.
Hu Yu Ying watched him, blinking those big innocent eyes—only to see Dragon Bro buy a pack of cigarettes.
Soon after, Dragon Bro wandered around the market.
He came back and steered the tricycle to an open space on the other side of the street.
“Done! Time to kick off our money-making plan!”
He set up a sunshade umbrella, square and crisp, casting a neat little shelter.
Seeing Hu Yu Ying neatly arranging the clothes, Dragon Bro thought for a moment and handed her a stack of money: “Count this out, and try to get more ones if you can.”
“Mm-hm.” Hu Yu Ying took the cash and scampered across the street to exchange it.
All her previous self-doubts and gloom seemed to melt away.
“Exactly great,” Dragon Bro sighed, looking at the sun shining overhead.
Continuing to busy himself, after Hu Yu Ying returned, Dragon Bro started recording a broadcast with a loudspeaker.
Once done, he clipped the speaker onto the umbrella frame on the tricycle, pressed play…
【Yi Niao Clothing Factory, Yi Niao Clothing Factory, the biggest clothing factory—Yi Niao—has gone bankrupt…】
