CHAPTER 202: CHAPTER 202: WHOLESALE POPSICLES

Lin Xiang had seen it on TV, characters in period dramas selling ice cream from street to street. She understood the basic principle of those insulated boxes, but creating an effective one would be a bit difficult.

She finished eating her last ice pop, "I’ll go ask the ice pop factory owner and be right back."

Fortunately, the ice pop factory wasn’t far from the Ge Family’s place, or else Lin Xiang wouldn’t want to make such a trip under the scorching sun.

When Lin Xiang arrived again, she happened to see someone picking up ice cream using the kind of insulated box she had in mind.

After the person left, Lin Xiang directly asked the owner, "Boss, you’re well-informed. Do you know how those boxes are made?"

"Why? Are you planning to sell ice pops too? Are you giving up the barbecue business? What about my grilled fish?"

"The barbecue business will definitely continue. I’m asking for someone else’s sake."

"Hold on!"

The owner headed to the back and returned with two boxes, one large and one small, both looking just like the box from earlier.

"If you want them, I’ll sell you one for three yuan. The big one will be five yuan."

"How many ice creams can the small one hold? And how many in the big one?"

The boxes were made by the owner himself, so he knew best, "The small one can hold a hundred, and the big one can hold a hundred and fifty. If you’re traveling a long distance, I’d recommend getting the big one, as I put more foam inside the layers for better insulation, which reduces the risk of melting."

Only then did Lin Xiang understand the internal structure of these boxes.

It was actually quite simple: made of wooden boards, with each side consisting of two boards and plastic foam sandwiched in between.

After putting ice pops inside, an old, unused quilt is laid over the top.

Plastic foam and the quilt are poor conductors of heat and can effectively stop external heat from reaching the ice pops, making them less likely to melt.

There’s no denying, the wisdom of working people is limitless.

"If I buy a lot at once, can the price of ice pops be cheaper?"

"If you buy more than a hundred sticks at once, it’s two and a half cents each. More than two hundred sticks, it’s two cents for you."

Lin Xiang pointed to the big box, "But that big box can only hold a hundred and fifty sticks at most. We can’t carry two boxes at once. How about considering a hundred and fifty sticks at two cents?"

"That’s not possible!" The owner refused without thinking, the difference of half a cent per ice pop makes seventy-five cents for a hundred and fifty sticks, enough for many skewers!

No compromises on principle!

After some bargaining, the wholesale price for a hundred and fifty sticks was set at two cents and seven.

Lin Xiang got a large box and ordered a hundred and fifty ice pops, spending a total of nine yuan.

The extra five cents were exempted by the owner.

Carrying a heavy box full of ice pops, Lin Xiang returned home huffing and puffing.

Fifth Uncle was amazed at Lin Xiang’s efficiency, "You already brought them back?"

"Today, I’ll test how long these ice pops can last without melting, just to have an idea."

So today, Lin Xiang planned to sell these ice pops next to the barbecue stall.

After hearing Lin Xiang’s account of the ice pop factory, Fifth Uncle silently calculated in his head.

Excluding the five yuan for the box, the ice pops cost two and seven cents each. If taken to sell in the village, the price shouldn’t be too high, or people wouldn’t spend the money. Let’s set it at four cents a stick for now; the cost price for a hundred and fifty sticks is four yuan, and they could sell for six yuan, earning a net profit of two yuan for a day’s work.

That’s sixty yuan a month.

Not much different from the profits of the spicy noodle business.

Since summer began, fewer and fewer people have been coming to the market, making it harder to sell spicy noodles. Selling fifty bowls a day would be considered great business.

"I’ll test today, and if the ice pops last ten hours without melting, then this can be done. Fifth Uncle, I think Dong Sheng could do this job."

"Dong Sheng? No way, he’s still a child."

Fifth Uncle refused without even thinking.

Dong Sheng immediately spoke up, "Dad, I think I can do it! You still need to sell spicy noodles with Mom, or she can’t manage the stall alone! If you’re not confident in me, I can start off with fewer sticks, and increase them once I get the hang of it. What do you think?"

Fifth Uncle still shook his head, "Let me think about it."

From Dong Sheng’s words, Lin Xiang sensed another message and quietly asked him, "Wasn’t Chunya always managing the spicy noodle stall with Fifth Aunt? Why is it just Fifth Aunt now?"

Dong Sheng instinctively glanced at Fifth Uncle, who was frowning and not paying attention, then whispered to Lin Xiang, "My mom doesn’t let my sister go to the market now, afraid she might sneak off with someone..."

"Lin Dongsheng!" Fifth Uncle happened to hear Dong Sheng’s words and sternly said, "Don’t talk nonsense about things that haven’t happened. If others hear, it’ll ruin your sister’s reputation!"

Originally, the situation with Chunya breaking off her engagement with Zhao Chunshui already affected her reputation. If Dong Sheng’s words spread, regardless of whether it happened or not, Chunya might never find a good match in her lifetime.

Dong Sheng shrank his neck, "I’m just telling Sister Niu about it, she wouldn’t spread it."

Lin Xiang placed a hand on Dong Sheng’s shoulder, "Your dad is right, trouble comes out of the mouth. There should be a clear measure of what to say and what not to say. You trust me now, think I won’t tell, but what if I fail your trust? Plus, walls have ears, you never know who might overhear you speaking carelessly."

Lin Xiang’s advice got through to Dong Sheng.

He murmured, "But I don’t want my sister to be involved with that person."

Judging from Fifth Uncle’s and Dong Sheng’s reactions, Lin Xiang figured the matter was somewhat serious, so she asked Fifth Uncle, "What’s really going on?"

"Ah!" Fifth Uncle let out a heavy sigh, "Previously at the market, Chunya caught the eye of a young man. The youngster is decent, but the problem is his parents are deceased, and he has a younger brother about the same age as Dong Sheng to support, with nothing at home."

"I’m not saying Chunya must find someone with great conditions, given our situation. I don’t seek to climb high, but she shouldn’t find someone impoverished, either. If they can’t even feed themselves, what hope is there for such a life?"

Fifth Uncle’s worry isn’t unfounded, but Chunya is stubbornly focused on being with that person.

To prevent Chunya from making a mistake due to unclear thinking, Fifth Uncle and Fifth Aunt could only keep her locked at home, preventing contact with the guy.

Fortunately, before Lin Xiang came to town, she gave Chunya some fabric to make clothes when she found time.