Chapter 250: Sister's Business Talent

After leaving the Traffic Police Unit, Lu Cheng called Da Kui and the others, and went to the warehouse.

Lu Cheng walked ahead: "Big guy, you're getting married; how do you feel?"

Zhao Jinzhu scratched his head from behind and said, "Happy."

Lu Cheng only heard the two words, turned his head, and saw Zhao Jinzhu with a shy expression.

"Hehe, as long as you're happy, you must treat the girl well from now on."

"Mm, I know, leader, I'll treat her well."

Lu Cheng nodded; his reminder was unnecessary, as Zhao Jinzhu was already honest, only fearing that Mei Ju might bully him.

But Mei Ju's older sister was also fine, a quite diligent person; although she agreed to marry him because Zhao Jinzhu's family conditions were good, nowadays men and women marry, and that's basically the usual thinking.

When arranging a match, the first thing to check is whether you have a secure, iron‑rice‑bowl job; under such conditions, the chance of a successful match becomes much higher.

If the remaining candidate is constantly advancing, that gives people a headache; you can only look for someone shorter, though it's not without chance.

When they reached the warehouse entrance, Niu Da Kui stepped forward and said, "I also want a wife."

Seeing Niu Da Kui's serious expression, Lu Cheng sighed helplessly.

Which good girl would marry someone with a problem in intelligence.

"Y‑you wait a bit longer, ah, don't be anxious."

Lu Cheng said as he opened the warehouse doors, looking at the mountain of Smuggled Goods, he clicked his tongue; if all of this were sold, it would fetch at least tens of thousands of yuan.

There was a category that couldn't be sold; Lu Cheng walked to a pile of Magnetic Tape, just as he was about to pocket a few boxes, he suddenly remembered the oath he made with the Red Book, shook his head and tossed them away.

Da Kui and the others began moving items to the Tea Stall; this time they didn't move much, only one TV was moved.

Lu Ying waited at the newly renovated department store to receive them; seeing Lu Cheng bring people over, she couldn't help asking, "Lu Cheng, didn't the warehouse have a dozen TVs? Why did you only bring one?"

The Tea Stall's original business, such as Big Bowl Tea, would continue to be sold; Lu Cheng took a bowl for himself, sipping and saying, "Sis, you don't get this—that's called Hunger Marketing."

"Hunger Marketing?"

Lu Cheng set down the Big Bowl Tea; he intended to draw out his sister's business talent properly.

"Exactly. We control the quantity of products on the market, creating a sense of scarcity, giving people the illusion of excess demand. This not only stimulates everyone's desire to buy, but also lets you raise prices for resale."

He didn't know if his sister understood, but Zhao Bin beside him grasped the gist.

"Sss, this sounds just like a capitalist method."

Lu Ying glared, "Stop arguing. How could this be capitalism? I think Lu Cheng is right; this is also for the good of our department store.

Think about it: instead of selling everything at once, selling in batches can draw foot traffic every day; then can our other goods also gain selling points?"

Seeing Zhao Bin still looking bewildered, Lu Ying continued, "Why are you so slow? For example, when they wait in line for a long time, they might get bored—buy some sunflower seeds to pass the time, right? If they're thirsty, a bowl of tea will do."

At the same time, the items on our shelves get another chance to be displayed; later when they want to buy something, they'll think of our department store first. That's called Habit Formation."

This time Zhao Bin understood: "Mm, Ying Ying sis, what you said makes sense."

Lu Cheng also nodded, acknowledging that his sister truly had a business talent that shines through at a glance.

He just hadn't expected that his sister's ideas went far beyond that.

Lu Ying pinched her chin, thought for a moment, then said, "Zhao Bin, aren't there still a batch of Cotton‑padded Jackets and cotton shoes left in the warehouse?"

"Yeah, now that the weather's warm, the leftover stock can't be sold; if it really doesn't work, just return them."

Zhao Bin thought, since next year they'd still need Ding Yuanmin's goods, our department store has the final say; unsold items can't be held, they must be returned.

Lu Ying disagreed, "Why return? There's not enough turnover; instead, bring people in later."

Zhao Bin didn't understand, "No way, Ying Ying sis, you didn't see I didn't even wear a sweater today. It's this season; who still wants a Cotton‑padded Jacket? There's not enough space for it."

"I have a way to sell them."

Lu Ying, seeing Zhao Bin's disbelief, explained, "For our big items—TVs, radios, and the like—we don't need tickets or old industrial coupons, so I thought we could bundle them for sale."

"Bundle sale?"

"Right, just like in summer at a restaurant you have to order a side dish with a beer; we can do the same—if you want a big item, you must buy a Cotton‑padded Jacket."

Capital City's beer, being in short supply, often has restaurants bundling side dishes for sale.

Zhao Bin couldn't stop nodding; actually, customers buying a Cotton‑padded Jacket aren't at a loss—just can't wear it now, but that doesn't mean they won't need it next winter.

In this way, the leftover stock gets sold.

"Ying Ying sis, you're just too clever; I'll bring the Cotton‑padded Jackets right now."

Zhao Bin took two people to the back warehouse, while Lu Ying continued directing, placing whatever was eye‑catching at the entrance.

Before this, she had already walked around the state‑run department building several times; she found that best‑selling, attention‑grabbing items were those with relatively bright colors, instantly catching people's eyes.

Watching his sister's orderly command of the scene, Lu Cheng couldn't help but sigh; he had merely suggested a Hunger Marketing model, never expecting his sister to expand it into so many ideas.

Lu Cheng put his arm around his sister's shoulder: "Sis, I have something to tell you."

"What is it? I have no money."

He said, "Look at me, I'm not asking you for money; I just want to say, if you become successful in the future, you have to buy me a small car."

Lu Ying rolled her eyes: "Why are you still hung up on that? With my current salary of just over thirty yuan a month, it'll be ages—like the Year of the Monkey and the Month of the Horse—before I could buy you a small car."

Lu Ying, of course, didn't know how the future would change, so she said that.

"I'm just saying, if you become successful, you have to buy it for me."

Lu Ying was busy and had no time to deal with him: "Alright, alright, alright, I'll buy it for you, I'll buy you a plane, let you fly to the heavens."

"A plane is even better—no traffic jams—so I guess…"

"Ah, ah, agreed, agreed, hurry home then, you're such a pest."

Lu Cheng laughed merrily; having a sister is wonderful, but old Lu isn't capable—if he could have a few more sisters, that would be even better.

The next day, at the entrance of the Iron Science Institute.

Lu Cheng stood there, with a wooden sign bearing the unit's name on the left, and revolutionary slogans painted in white on the wall.

Compared with the noisy, bustling factories, this place—where research is done—appears much quieter.

In the courtyard, occasional staff pass by, also bowing their heads to look at the documents in their hands, hurrying away as if racing against time.

They pull out the Introduction Letter from their pocket and immediately walk toward the Security Department.