Gu Yu pulled him over and brought him to the guest room, muttering for a while. He even showed him a business plan he had written himself. This seemed a bit childish in Guo Jingyu’s eyes, but his cousin had worked hard all night on the results. So, he nodded slightly, showing his approval. “The idea is good, but it is difficult to implement. We’re not promoting, we’re selling.”
Gu Yu didn’t quite understand.
Guo Jingyu touched his chin and said, “Promotion is about doing public relations or PR work. But sales are different. You need thicker skin for that. It won’t work if you just set up a few stalls in the school square.”
Gu Yu was dumbfounded. “So what should we do then?”
“It’s simple,” Guo Jingyu replied. “Aren’t you in the student council? You go and find those new students who are coming in every year. Make a deal with them. Sell them a computer for 100 yuan each, have them register with us, and we’ll deliver it to their dorms. Plus, no matter what problems they have, if they don’t want it anymore, we offer a three-day return/exchange policy.” Guo Jingyu continued, “When the time comes, you can hire a truck and two installation technicians, go to each dormitory one by one, and you’re all set.”
Gu Yu said, “Isn’t it a bit awkward to approach the new students like that..?”
Guo Jingyu laughed, “What’s there to be embarrassed about, cousin? Put in the effort you use to sell phone cards!”
Gu Yu was shocked, “How do you know we’re still selling phone cards?!”
Guo Jingyu replied, “Not only do I know you’re selling phone cards, but I also know you can earn a 10 yuan service fee per card.” This was his first job in college. At the time, China Mobile and China Unicom were fiercely competing. The two were trying to seize the student market and attract young customers. China Mobile spent a lot of money advertising on their campus radio, and “M-Zone” was a must-have mobile phone package for every student.
Guo Jingyu remembered and asked, “Cousin, what kind of phone plan are you using now?”
Gu Yu replied, “We usually use the ‘Dragon Fist’ plan from M-Zone, which includes 1000 text messages. It’s very affordable and convenient for informing our classmates about anything.”
Guo Jingyu suggested, “Your uncle sells phones, so you should have him establish some connections with the China Mobile store. Maybe you can get some SIM cards from them to sell. And, by the way, keep some good numbers for now, don’t sell them immediately. Numbers like ‘888’ or ‘999’ are considered lucky or beautiful numbers.”
“Beautiful numbers?”
“In Guangdong, they say that a handsome guy like you is a handsome boy .“
Gu Yu found this amusing and nodded in agreement.
At first, it was a discussion, but later it turned into Guo Jingyu sitting there talking while Gu Yu took notes.
Gu Yu was naturally slow and honest in his work, not one to stand out, but he had the advantage of being obedient. He believed in what Guo Jingyu was saying, took it seriously, and followed his instructions. He didn’t mind that his cousin was a few years younger. Their families had a close relationship, and the trust that came with their blood ties was unparalleled.
If someone else had talked for a whole day and night, Gu Yu, who was timid by nature, would have remained skeptical. But with Guo Jingyu, it was different. With a few words, Gu Yu readily believed and followed his lead.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Gu Yu asked, “What about after the first month or two of the semester?”
“There’s nothing more,” Guo Jingyu replied. “Didn’t you notice when we signed the contract with Mr. Lu earlier? He didn’t mention anything about our side, and it’s just a personal signature, not even a company seal. It’s slightly better than a verbal agreement at best. It’s a mutually beneficial deal, that’s all.”
Gu Yu felt a bit disappointed.
But Guo Jingyu was more optimistic. He knew that the custom PC assembly market would continue to shrink due to the increasing dominance of brand-name products. With the advent of smartphones and tablets, both prices and sales would decrease significantly. These next couple of years were the only time they could make a profit, so there was nothing to be disappointed about.
“Cousin, do your best. Making several tens of thousands in the next month or two should be no problem.”
Gu Yu looked hopeful and while holding his notebook turned to him again. “Can you stay for these two months? I’m a bit worried about doing this on my own.”
Guo Jingyu could agree to almost anything, but separating from Li Tongzhou was absolutely out of the question. He shook his head and said, “Sorry, I need to go back to school. You see, you didn’t do well on your exams and took a two years detour before pursuing your dream abroad. I plan to give it my all in one shot, work hard, and get into the school I want, studying the major I love.”
Gu Yu nodded immediately, “You’re right, education is important.”
Guo Jingyu offered a compromise, “But since we’re partners, I’ll stay for an extra two weeks. I’ll help you get everything set up before the school starts, but remember, even between close brothers, we should keep things fair. I’ll take a 30% cut.”
Gu Yu readily agreed, saying, “Let’s split it fifty-fifty!”
But this time, Guo Jingyu shook his head and smiled, “Giving me 30% of the profits for the first month of school is enough. You can keep the rest for yourself, use it as your tuition.”
After some consideration, Gu Yu nodded and said, “Alright, Jingyu, when I make it big in the future, I’ll remember you forever.”
Guo Jingyu patted his shoulder and said earnestly, “Let’s make a deal in advance. If I ever run short of money in the future, you have to lend a helping hand.”
Gu Yu nodded seriously but then laughed, “Your brain works well. You won’t be short of money in the future.”
Guo Jingyu laughed along with him.
Not to mention anything else, he can now make a living by selling paintings and still support Li Tongzhou.
Guo Jingyu checked the time and insisted on going to sleep. Gu Yu still wants to talk more. As he walked him to the door, he asked Guo Jingyu in a low voice, “It’s only a little past eleven now. Didn’t you used to stay up all night playing games with me every time you visited?”
Guo Jingyu smiled and said, “How can things can’t stay the same forever? I have grown up.”
He waved to his cousin and went back to his room.
Inside the room, Li Tongzhou was already asleep.
Guo Jingyu carefully withdrew his hand and crawled back to lie down in the dark, feeling a bit disappointed at first. But he quickly cheered himself up. It was the first time he and Li Tongzhou had been so close, just lying beside each other. He couldn’t help but imagine their future together. Buying matching pillows, sharing a small blanket, and how he would be considerate enough to cover Li Tongzhou if he kicked the blanket off at night…
As Guo Jingyu let his thoughts wander, he slowly drifted off to sleep.
Probably because he had thought such beautiful thoughts before falling asleep, his dreams that night were exceptionally sweet. He dreamed of going furniture shopping hand in hand with Li Tongzhou, and they even picked out two extra chairs for when friends came over. Li Tongzhou said that their friends could sit on them, and without hesitation, Guo Jingyu carried the chairs back home. But when he returned, he realized that they didn’t quite match the rest of the decor in their house. He was thinking about what to do to decorate them when Li Tongzhou gently pulled his sleeve.
Guo Jingyu slowly opened his eyes and saw Li Tongzhou leaning in, covering him with a thin blanket.
He chuckled and with a slightly nasal tone asked, “Up so early?”
Li Tongzhou moved carefully and replied, “En, just got up.”
Guo Jingyu yawned and sat up. He noticed that he had pulled Li Tongzhou’s blanket over himself, leaving Li Tongzhou’s blanket half on the floor. Li Tongzhou had picked it up for him. Guo Jingyu scratched his cheek and felt a bit embarrassed as he said, “Did I steal your blanket last night? Next time, just push me away if I do. You didn’t get cold, did you?”
Li Tongzhou was pleased with something he had said. He sat on the edge of the bed shaking his head, his eyes filled with a clear and playful smile.
Guo Jingyu remembered the time he had taken Li Tongzhou tea-picking. After getting up, they washed and changed clothes, then headed to the tea plantation together.
Grandma Gu had prepared small baskets for them. Guo Jingyu confidently walked ahead. He looked quite impressive walking along the field. He had stepped out of his role as an international male model, and Li Tongzhou followed behind, listening to his instructions on how to pick tea leaves.
Unlike tea plantations in the south, this area had flat terrain, with tea bushes standing about waist-high and growing lush and green. It had rained a few days ago, and the tea leaves seemed to have been washed clean, shimmering with a vibrant green color.
Guo Jingyu said, “Just pick one or two of the topmost leaves. The rest of the leaves are larger but slightly bitter. This time of year isn’t the best for tea. The flavor isn’t as good as in spring.”
Li Tongzhou didn’t understand and asked, “So, we can’t pick them now?”
Guo Jingyu smiled and said, “You can pick tea leaves all year round. Don’t worry. it won’t affect anything. It’s just that tea is divided into four seasons, and spring and autumn tea taste better. When we have some free time in the future, we can come back in the spring and stay for a few more days. We can pick, roast, and brew the tea right here. That’s when the flavor will be the freshest!”
Li Tongzhou was surprised, “Do you know how to roast tea?”
Guo Jingyu laughed, “Of course not! Everyone picks the tea and sends it to the town. Nowadays, machines are used to roast the tea. It’s more stable and faster than doing it by hand.”
They picked about half a basket of tea leaves, and then Guo Jingyu took Li Tongzhou away from the task at hand and led him to climb a nearby hill.
This area was surrounded by small hills, each of them looking exceptionally beautiful. Climbing them wasn’t tiring, and Guo Jingyu pulled Li Tongzhou along the small path. At first, there were a few stone steps, but later it turned into a beaten path made by people. When they reached the hilltop, they found a spot under the shade of a tree. They sat on a smooth rock and looked back at where they had come from. That’s when they saw the tea plantations neatly arranged, resembling green chess pieces.
Overhead, there were larks chirping with crisp, clear voices. The scent in the air was predominantly the aroma of trees and earth, like the smell of grass but a bit stronger. It felt as if every part of their whole body had opened up.
Guo Jingyu made a frame shape with his hands, looking for the perfect view. After a while, he included Li Tongzhou’s profile in the frame and smiled with satisfaction, “It’s so beautiful.”
Li Tongzhou turned to look at him and saw him lowering their joined hands. He said, “Don’t be silly.”
After saying that, they didn’t let go of each other’s hands.
Guo Jingyu didn’t rush to break free either. He slowly turned his hand, interlocking their fingers.
“I had a dream last night,” Guo Jingyu said, “A really wonderful dream.”
Li Tongzhou waited for a moment before asking, “What was it about?”
This time, Guo Jingyu shook his head and didn’t say anything. He just smiled and replied, “It’s a secret.”
They stayed on the mountain for some time before slowly descending and returning home.
Grandma Gu took their tea leaves and roasted them. Since they were familiar with her, it didn’t take long. By the morning, the tea had been roasted and delivered.
Li Tongzhou was planning to leave in the afternoon, so he didn’t stay long. Grandma Gu gave him several large cans of tea from their home. “Take these with you. They are freshly picked spring tea from this year. It’s still very fresh! Take them back and let your family taste them.”
When an elderly person offered something, it was hard to refuse. Li Tongzhou accepted them, thanking her sincerely, which made Grandma Gu like him even more.
Guo Jingyu’s parents had to go back to work since they had bought the computer, but Guo Jingyu used the excuse of staying to accompany his grandmother. His mother had no choice but to agree. Although she reminded him repeatedly, fearing he would cause trouble while he was here.
Li Tongzhou went back with the car. As soon as he left, Guo Jingyu rolled up his sleeves and went to find Gu Yu, saying, “Cousin, let’s go. I can’t wait a minute longer!”
Gu Yu was overjoyed. “I’ve already prepared the car. I’ve been waiting for you to say that!”
***
The author has something to say:
Guo Jingyu: “Cousin, let’s go make money!”
Gu Yu: “Absolutely!”
I just love the atmosphere in this novel. It feels so peaceful and simple.
+1😊
+2 🥰