Momo's Gradual Change

C61. Business Acumen.

Chapter 61: Business Acumen

Miao Zhiruo seemed burdened all day, and Song Yimo knew why. She wasn't good at comforting people, so she tried to use her spare time to come up with a simple plan that only she could understand.

After school, she went to have dinner at the Miao family's house.

The atmosphere at the Miao family's home was not great in the past few days due to Miao Jun's dismissal. But when they saw Song Yimo, they both smiled, "Yimo is here, come in."

Seeing Miao Mama with red eyes, Song Yimo went forward and hugged her, "Don't worry, things will get better."

He Yi's eyes welled up with tears again instantly, she lightly patted Song Yimo's back, "You, child."

With emotions building up all day, Miao Zhiruo couldn't hold it in anymore. She hugged both of them from behind, resting her head on Yimo's shoulder, as if drawing strength from her.

It made no sense how Song Yimo could withstand so much hardship, while she couldn't compare even a tenth of it.

He Yi looked at her daughter with pride, caressing the heads of the two children, "Close the door, the wind is coming in."

Miao Jun stood at the bedroom door, still standing tall, but the proud man seemed to have lost his spirit.

Song Yimo had originally planned to talk to Miao Dad about her plans after dinner, but seeing the impact on him, she couldn't bear it. She couldn't just watch him struggle with his emotions alone.

"I'll make a call to Grandma first, Miao Dad, I need to talk to you about something."

Miao Jun glanced at her and nodded.

He Yi took her daughter back to her room to put away her backpack, and went to the kitchen to tidy up without rushing to cook.

She knew what kind of child Yimo was. Remember to be grateful. At this moment, she must have understood Miao Jun's situation and thought of a solution.

She decided that no matter how unrealistic Yimo's words might be, she would listen attentively and not discourage her. If it were any other child, she wouldn't take it so seriously

Song Yimo made a few remarks and then hung up the phone. Grandma didn't ask anything, just told her to have Miao Jun send her back.

Taking out a notebook from her backpack, Song Yimo sat opposite Miao Jun, looking very serious and ready to discuss business.

He Yi smiled and sat beside her husband.

Miao Zhiruo glanced around and sat next to Yimo, feeling outnumbered.

"Miao Dad, I'm here to persuade you to do business."

Song Yimo got straight to the point without any nonsense, "Please don't speak first, listen to me."

She opened her notebook and turned to the page she had written earlier in the day. Song Yimo's earnest expression made Miao Zhiruo and her sit up straight.

"Miao Mama often buys fruit and knows that the fruit shops in Xinghu County sell a variety of products, mostly mixing fruit with cigarettes, alcohol, and snacks. There's only one shop that sells fruits separately, but it's a small store with ordinary apples and pears, not very high-grade. They even have to display some of the fruits outside because there's not enough space inside, making them look cheap. Miao Mama, am I right?"

He Yi nodded, "That's the situation. Even if it's a good product, if you randomly set a higher price, I'll find it expensive. Sometimes I know the price isn't cheating me, but I always have that feeling."

"Many people think the same way as you, Miao Mama."

Song Yimo wiped her nose with a tissue, "Not just in Xinghu County, I'm not sure about other places, but even in Mang City, as a provincial city, the situation in fruit shops is slightly better than here. Although no one has yet thought of putting this into action, if there is demand, there will be supply. Someone will eventually take this step. Why can't it be us?"

Miao Jun crossed his hands over his abdomen, "Expand the fruit shop?"

"Not just expanding, but turning it into a fruit supermarket, maybe even adding some unique touches. The counter doesn't have to be perfectly neat, as long as it's clean and bright. Even with the same apples, where they are placed can create a distinction between cheap and high-end," said Song Yimo.

Miao Zhiruo nodded repeatedly, "That's a great idea."

"Don't speak," He Yi gave her a stern look, then her gaze softened as she looked at Song Yimo, "Xinghu County is small, and I'm worried we can't digest upscale items like that here."

"Although Xinghu County hasn't developed yet, given its geographical location, it will eventually catch up. And Miao Mama, you may not have noticed, but the consumption level in Xinghu County is actually quite high, comparable to Mang City, even higher than some prefecture-level cities," Song Yimo explained.

He Yi looked surprised, she had no idea about that.

"But the county is still not quite ready for this. It might be better to wait a couple more years, and if you decide to open a shop, it's better to do it in Mang City," Song Yimo suggested.

He Yi glanced at her husband, who had been silent all this time. She was actually quite tempted; her current job barely kept them afloat, so doing business would be better than earning a stagnant salary.

Reputation was crucial in Miao Jun's industry, and being in his current situation made it difficult for him to advance in that field. Perhaps it was time for a change of profession.

However, she knew her husband well, he was a bit old-fashioned and had a hint of intellectual pride, which is why he disliked Jiang Yi. He saw Yimo as his responsibility, and that was a good thing.

But looking at it from another perspective, it might not be so easy to convince him to go into business.

Not wanting Yimo to overthink, He Yi tactfully said, "Opening a shop in Mang City would require a lot of money, and we probably don't have enough at home."

To her surprise, Song Yimo replied without hesitation, "I have some, and if we open a shop, we need to find a good location and do some renovations. It's only a month until Chinese New Year, so it won't be possible before that. But after the New Year, I'll have more resources available, maybe enough to open two shops at once."

He Yi chuckled to herself, thinking it was amusing how Yimo was already thinking about opening two shops without even knowing if she could afford one, she was still a child after all.

"To do business in Mang City, especially with the high standards for renovation that you mentioned, we would need at least fifteen thousand. That's a stretch, and we don't have that kind of money lying around at home," He Yi remarked.

"I have." As He Yi hesitated, Song Yimo nodded confidently, "I can come up with it after the New Year."

Miao Zhiruo exclaimed, "Yimo, you have fifteen thousand? How do you have so much money? Did Zhai Dage give it to you?"

Song Yimo realized she had never told Miao Zhiruo about her writing novels, so she forgave her for speaking bluntly.

"Why would I take money from Zhai Dage? I earned it myself. My book is doing well, although I don't have fifteen thousand yet, I will have it after the New Year," Song Yimo explained proudly, like a child hoping to impress her family.

Song Yimo's face, taut with anticipation, her voice, though restrained, carried a subtle undercurrent of pride as he announced, "I earned over forty thousand last month."

Miao Zhiruo's mouth formed an 'o' shape in surprise.

He Yi, equally wide-eyed, suppressed the urge to question further and turned to her husband.

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TN:
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