Chapter Forty-Five: Such a Vast Difference

Wei Xiaofan, have you decided what you want to sell yet? Zhang Liying asked.

Not yet. We’re just planning to do it. We’ll only know what to sell after Xiao Ping and I go take a look this Saturday and Sunday, Wei Xiaofan replied.

Then I’ll join you! Every summer holiday, I have nothing to do—it’s so boring. I’ll go with you, gain some experience in business, and help you build your confidence! Zhang Liying said.

Oh, Class President Zhang, looking at you, so refined and delicate—can you really handle that kind of hardship? Xiao Ping and I are both children from poor families, so we’re used to it! Besides, my father is also in business, said Wei Xiaoping.

Zhang Xiaoyan giggled, Our Class President Zhang is indeed a delicate flower…

Zhang Xiaoyan—shut up! Zhang Liying seemed to sense that Zhang Xiaoyan was about to reveal some secret, so she laughed and slapped her hand lightly.

Yes! Zhang Xiaoyan replied, mimicking the manner of a servant from a period drama responding to their master.

Zhang Xiaoyan, don’t you get bored every summer holiday too? Why don’t you join us and learn some business skills? Zhang Liying patted Zhang Xiaoyan’s hand.

My parents are so strict with me, they might not let me participate! Zhang Xiaoyan replied.

But you have a brother and sister—your parents are still strict? I’m an only child, and my parents don’t manage me that closely, Zhang Liying said.

My parents are probably just more protective, I guess! Hehe! As for you, your father is always away on business trips or comes home late, so when does he manage you? Your mother is a big boss, busy with her own business every day, no time to look after you. Honestly, you’re much freer than me! Zhang Xiaoyan said.

So our Class President’s mother is a strong businesswoman! In that case, you must have inherited her business acumen. We’ll be glad to have you join us—we’ll learn from you! Wei Xiaoping said with a smile.

So, Wei Xiaoping, Wei Xiaofan, you both agree? Zhang Liying asked.

Of course! If the Class President herself wants to join, how could we refuse? Besides, with one more person, we’ll have more capital and can do bigger business, right? Wei Xiaoping said.

Alright, it’s settled then. As for the starting capital, Wei Xiaofan, you’re in a tougher situation. When we really start, I’ll put up the capital for you. Once we make some money, you can gradually pay me back out of your share of the profits. Is that okay? Zhang Liying looked at Wei Xiaofan for his opinion.

Wei Xiaofan was surprised and touched by Zhang Liying’s offer, but then he thought: It’s good that she’s willing to lend me money, but what if the business fails? She’s a girl, after all. If I can’t pay her back, wouldn’t that make me someone who doesn’t keep his word? No, I’d better borrow from Xiaoping or my uncle instead.

Thank you, Class President, for your kindness, but I’d rather use my own money. That way, whether I win or lose, I’ll feel more at ease. If I borrowed yours and the business lost money, and I couldn’t pay you back, that’d be so embarrassing for a boy like me, Wei Xiaofan replied.

Listening to him, Zhang Liying thought, This Wei Xiaofan may be poor, but he has integrity!

Your own money? Where are you going to find it? Don’t tell me you’re saving up from your meals? That’s not okay! I heard from the cafeteria staff that you often skip buying dishes to save money. Wei Xiaofan, we’re at an age where we need nutrition to grow tall—don’t sacrifice that just to save a little! As for the business money, I have plenty. I’m just wondering how to spend it meaningfully, Zhang Liying said.

Your own money? Class President, how do you have your own money? Isn’t it from your parents? Zhang Xiaoyan and Wei Xiaoping asked.

Of course it’s mine! It’s money others gave me, I didn’t spend it—I saved it! Zhang Liying replied.

Oh, Class President, you’re getting outrageous! You said it’s money others gave you? Zhang Xiaoyan said.

It’s New Year’s lucky money! I couldn’t bear to spend it, so I asked my mom to open an account and saved it, Zhang Liying explained.

Ah, that explains it! Zhang Liying, you really are your mother’s daughter, with a business mind! Sigh, as another girl, why didn’t I think to save my New Year’s money in the bank? Every year I get quite a bit, but I spend it all on toys and snacks! Zhang Xiaoyan said regretfully.

Wei Xiaoping, hearing Zhang Liying, thought to herself: Zhang Liying is so clever! Why didn’t I ever think of this? I get several hundred yuan each year in New Year’s money and spend it like Xiaoyan does. If I’d started saving at age ten, I’d have two or three thousand by now! If only I’d known we’d need it today—if I’d saved for years, I wouldn’t worry about the small capital needed for a street stall business!

Wei Xiaofan was also reminded of his own New Year’s money.

In his memory, when he was little, he got New Year’s money every year, but only from close relatives like his uncle and aunt, just one or two yuan each, at most three from his uncle. And every year, whatever little money he received was taken by his parents, who said he couldn’t handle money, might lose it, or “hurt someone’s foot”—meaning someone else might pick it up if he dropped it.

Now, hearing Zhang Liying was willing to use her New Year’s money for business, and even lend him capital, Wei Xiaofan found it hard to believe. How much do city kids get every year? Is it really possible to save it in the bank? For us village kids, that’s unimaginable!

Class President, how much New Year’s money do city kids usually get? You even have enough to save in the bank! For us rural children, it’s hard to believe and even harder to imagine, Wei Xiaofan said.

Zhang Xiaoyan replied, It depends on how many relatives and friends your parents have in the city and how often they visit. But even if you have many relatives, when they come to your house and give your child New Year’s money, you have to visit them and give their kids money too—it’s like exchanging New Year’s money, so it doesn’t add up to much. But if your parents are leaders in a certain sector, their children get more. Besides relatives, it’s usually subordinates visiting the leader’s home for New Year’s, so the children of leaders get more from these visits. Some leader’s kids receive five or six thousand yuan over the New Year—that’s normal!

Wei Xiaofan was startled, his eyes wide. He thought, A leader’s child gets that much New Year’s money in one holiday—more than a rural family’s yearly income! How much must their family earn in a year? He couldn’t imagine it. The gap was just too vast!