Chapter 66: Fang Yueqing’s Great Assistance

The train stopped at Zhangmutou once again. Just like last time, the border patrol officers boarded to check border passes.

Normally, a tourist border pass is valid for one month, while a business border pass is valid for three. Wang Qiang had used Secretary Li’s help to get a business pass, and since only a few days had passed, it was still good for some time.

The commotion in the carriage must have woken Fang Yueqing from her sleep. She looked around in confusion and asked, “Have we arrived?”

Wang Qiang nodded toward the border soldiers. “They’re checking documents.”

“Oh.” Fang Yueqing stretched languidly, stifling a graceful yawn, and casually asked, “Where are you going in Shenzhen?”

“Huaqiangbei, to pick up some goods,” Wang Qiang replied without elaborating.

Fang Yueqing blinked. “Huaqiangbei? That’s not far from my university.”

Wang Qiang asked, “Which university?”

“Shenzhen University,” Fang Yueqing said, as if afraid he might not know, and added, “The one the Chairman inscribed personally last year—it was on the news.”

How could he not know Shenzhen University? Not only did Wang Qiang know it, but he also recalled that Shi Yuzhu, currently in trouble, was an alumnus. So was Pony Ma—he and Zhang Zhidong had met at that very university before going on to found the globally renowned Tencent company.

“I know it. What’s your major?” he asked curiously. “Don’t tell me it’s Computer Science and Technology?”

Now it was Fang Yueqing’s turn to be surprised. “How did you guess?”

Wang Qiang hesitated—was it really? That would make her Pony Ma’s junior, but that didn’t count for much, as Pony Ma had graduated just last year. “Just a lucky guess. That major at Shenzhen University is quite famous.”

“I see.” Fang Yueqing nodded thoughtfully, then said, “I need to go to Huaqiangbei to buy a few things anyway—let’s go together.” With the new semester approaching, she needed to get some daily necessities and clothes. Rather than making multiple trips, it made sense to buy everything in Shenzhen.

Wang Qiang replied with a noncommittal sound just as the border patrol officers approached. He handed over his border pass and ID.

In his view, Fang Yueqing was rather naive—otherwise, she wouldn’t suggest shopping together with someone she’d only met on a train, no matter how well they’d conversed. Anyone with more worldly experience would never do so. But then again, sometimes innocence is a blessing; when you think less, you worry less.

The train started up again and soon arrived at Luohu Station.

…

After disembarking, Wang Qiang originally intended to take the bus, but Fang Yueqing insisted on a taxi. When they arrived at Huaqiangbei and he reached to pay, Fang Yueqing, sitting in the front, had already handed the driver a hundred-yuan note. Wang Qiang felt quite awkward—although he was younger than her, he couldn’t shake the sense that he was taking advantage of a young girl.

The current hundred-yuan note was part of the fourth series of renminbi issued in 1987, with portraits of four senior statesmen—Chairman Mao, Premier Zhou, Liu Shaoqi, and Zhu De—hence the nickname “Old Heads.”

Once they’d received their change and stepped onto the sidewalk, Wang Qiang looked around and quickly spotted the shop where he’d picked up a Walkman last time, just around the corner. “Qing, why don’t you go buy your clothes first? I need to pick up some goods,” he said.

“I’ll go with you, and then you can come shopping with me,” Fang Yueqing said cheerfully. “I don’t have any friends in Shenzhen yet, so I’m dragging you along.”

Wang Qiang could only laugh wryly and lead her to the shop from last time.

They walked about a hundred meters and entered the familiar store.

Inside, the skinny proprietor was idly propping his chin on the counter, looking bored.

Before Wang Qiang could greet him, the owner had already spotted him and called out cheerfully, “Hey, you’re back!”

With last time’s successful deal in mind, Wang Qiang returned the greeting in good spirits. “Hello, boss.”

The owner pointed at Fang Yueqing. “And who’s this beauty?”

“My friend,” Wang Qiang replied, not offering more. He knew the shopkeeper’s reputation and, remembering the Lu Junjun incident, decided not to introduce Fang Yueqing in detail—who knew what trouble that might bring her.

Fang Yueqing nodded slightly but said nothing.

The shopkeeper brought over a long bench for them.

Once seated, Wang Qiang got straight to the point. “I want to buy more this time. Same deal as before?”

Unexpectedly, the shopkeeper exclaimed, “I don’t have that many in stock. If you want that many, I’ll have to rush an order—either you wait two days, or pay extra.”

Wang Qiang frowned. Waiting two days wasn’t an option—he could sell dozens of Walkmans in that time. “How much extra?”

The shopkeeper beamed. “Not much, just five yuan more per unit.”

If it had been just one or two yuan extra, Wang Qiang might have agreed without comment. But five yuan more was too much—he could tell the owner was trying to fleece him. After all, it had only been three or four days since his last purchase; it was obvious he wasn’t buying for personal use but for business.

“Forget it, I’ll try somewhere else,” Wang Qiang said, rising to leave.

Fang Yueqing stood up with him.

The shopkeeper quickly tried to stop him, smiling apologetically. “Brother, rushing an order takes manpower—five yuan isn’t much. Anywhere else, you’ll pay at least forty per unit. I’m not bragging; they don’t have my connections. My brother-in-law is a deputy sales manager at the factory, so I get good prices.”

Wang Qiang wasn’t sure if he was telling the truth and hesitated. If he left and found the same prices elsewhere, he’d have to come back and accept whatever price the owner named. But not checking also felt wrong.

After a brief calculation, he made up his mind. “Thirty-five is too much. What’s your lowest price?”

The owner considered. “Thirty-three, can’t go any lower.”

Wang Qiang nodded. “Alright, give me fifty units, and throw in the tapes like last time.”

“No problem.” The owner grinned. “Why don’t you find a place to relax for a couple of hours and come back?”

Wang Qiang agreed, then left with Fang Yueqing.

…

Outside, they visited several shops and, as expected, none offered a better price—the cheapest was thirty-five per unit.

Wang Qiang felt a bit helpless but managed a wry smile. So be it—without his own supply channels, he’d have to accept being overcharged.

They used the time to have a meal. Once again, Fang Yueqing insisted on paying, leaving Wang Qiang increasingly embarrassed. All he could do was accompany her on her errands.

She was remarkably generous, spending without the slightest hesitation.

They chatted as they walked.

“Qing, what kind of clothes do you want? Name brands?”

“No, just whatever looks good.”

“In that case, I suggest you try the Jiahua Foreign Trade Garment Market. The clothes there are cheaper.”

“Great, lead the way.”

Having been there before, Wang Qiang easily guided her to the shop where he’d bought jeans previously—he remembered they had some stylish clothes.

At the entrance, the female shopkeeper was busy unloading stock.

Wang Qiang thought of taking Fang Yueqing elsewhere, but the shopkeeper spotted him and called out, so they stayed.

The shopkeeper was quick to speak. “Is this your girlfriend?”

Wang Qiang saw Fang Yueqing blush and hurried to explain, “No, just a friend. We get along well.”

Fang Yueqing added, “Qiangzi is already married—he has a wife.”

“You married young,” the shopkeeper said with a smile. “How were those jeans you got last time?”

“Pretty good. I don’t need any right now, though. She wants to buy some clothes—could you recommend a few nice ones?”

The shopkeeper immediately took Fang Yueqing’s hand, chatting and showing her various outfits, occasionally holding a garment up to see how it suited her.

Fang Yueqing kept darting inside to try things on, then coming out to ask Wang Qiang’s opinion.

After about twenty minutes, she’d chosen four or five outfits.

As she went to pay, Fang Yueqing glanced over. “I just need to pick up a few more daily necessities, then I’ll go with you to collect the Walkmans. I wonder if the owner’s back yet.”

Wang Qiang smiled. “If you’re in a hurry, you can head to campus first.”

“It’s fine—you came shopping with me, I’ll wait with you,” Fang Yueqing replied loyally.

As the shopkeeper counted out change, she remarked offhandedly, “If you’re after Walkmans, I recommend Huayu Electronics—just around the corner on the east side. Old Jia’s brother-in-law is the deputy sales manager at Weijia Electronics, so he gets cheap stock and sells cheap, too. I heard the factory price is only twenty yuan per unit, though I’m not sure if it’s true.”

So the skinny proprietor hadn’t been lying—no wonder his goods were cheaper.

Wang Qiang felt even more resigned. It seemed he was destined to be taken for a ride this time.

Fang Yueqing, not understanding the business, was surprised to hear the price. “Only twenty?” She turned to Wang Qiang. “Qiangzi, you might as well buy directly from the factory.”

The shopkeeper laughed. “If only it were that easy—factories have a minimum order of five hundred units. Otherwise, why do you think Old Jia can sell so cheap on the whole street? It’s all thanks to his well-placed brother-in-law.”

She said it casually, but Wang Qiang was struck by a thought. Yes—why not try going straight to the factory? Five hundred units wasn’t insurmountable; he didn’t need that many himself, but with some unconventional methods, maybe he could manage it and get a better price.

It wouldn’t hurt to try.

Wang Qiang decided to give it a shot. If it didn’t work out, he could always come back for the thirty-three-yuan units. But if it did, his costs would drop dramatically.

He couldn’t help but exclaim, “Qing, you’ve been a huge help this time.”

Fang Yueqing looked at him in confusion. “A huge help? What do you mean?” She was completely puzzled.