Chapter 9

Tossing and turning, he didn't fall asleep until the wee hours of the night.

Hao Meng was a rather precocious and womanizing figure when he was in school. He had a girlfriend in junior high and juggled three relationships in high school, almost drowning himself in the process. After turning twenty, he started to become more stable, but he still had no shortage of female friends, though he rarely kept in touch with them!

"Xiao Meng, the goods have arrived. When are you coming to pick them up?" Early in the morning, Zhang Laosan's call came through.

"I'll be over in a bit!" Hao Meng replied and hung up. Zhang Laosan was definitely not a long-term supplier. After this batch, he would need to find other sources. The used appliances at the second-hand market were also an option, as long as they could be repaired, it didn't matter if they were new or old!

Wei Shufen came downstairs, opened the door, and said, "Xiao Meng, I think the kitchen upstairs can be used. How about we install a stove, buy some bowls and chopsticks, and cook our own meals? It's too wasteful to eat out all the time, and I can cook!"

"Sure, I'll go buy them later!" Hao Meng nodded with a grin, glancing at Wei Shufen. He was increasingly convinced that keeping her and Guo Guo was the right choice!

He didn't rush to Zhang Laosan's place. He had breakfast at the store first, then set out when he thought the time was right. Now, Hao Meng wasn't in a hurry; Zhang Laosan should be the one anxious. He needed to keep him waiting a bit. He didn't ride the old tricycle but hailed a taxi at the intersection for a faster ride!

"What took you so long to get here!" When Hao Meng arrived at Old Zhang's repair shop, Zhang Laosan was squatting at the door, smoking and waiting for him. After tasting the sweet profits last time, he was eager to make even more this time!

"The road was congested. Where are the goods?" Hao Meng asked with a smile.

"They're inside!" Zhang Laosan led Hao Meng into the shop, which had a backyard for storage. "This time, there are twenty air conditioners, all wall-mounted, suitable for restaurant private rooms. There's also a large freezer, which I think the restaurant will need, so I brought it back!"

Hao Meng nodded but was taken aback when he saw the air conditioners. His expression turned grim. These air conditioners, which looked like they had been removed from somewhere, were at most fifty percent new and had been used for at least four to five years. In the second-hand market, they wouldn't be worth more than 800 yuan each. The freezer was a 1.8-meter-tall, 2.5-meter-long upright display cabinet used for storing drinks and beer.

"Brother San, these air conditioners are a bit old, aren't they?"

Zhang Laosan chuckled dryly, "They are a bit old, but they definitely work. If there's any problem, your Brother San will fix them!"

Hao Meng thought for a moment and asked, "What's the price?"

"1000 yuan each!" Zhang Laosan thought for a moment and then whispered with a smile, "Afterward, I'll give you 100 yuan back for each one. How does that sound?"

"Ha ha!" Hao Meng laughed, shaking his head. "Brother San, I've already told you, I'm dealing with family. If I cheat my own family, what kind of person would I be? How about this: 450 yuan each for these air conditioners, and I'll take them!"

"450 yuan? Xiao Meng, where can you find such a price?" Zhang Laosan's face changed.

Hao Meng didn't say anything and turned to leave. Even at 800 yuan, he wouldn't take these old air conditioners. Wasn't Zhang Laosan clearly trying to rip him off? He wasn't stupid. The cost price for these old air conditioners wouldn't exceed 400 yuan!

"Hey, don't go! We can talk about the price!" Zhang Laosan panicked.

Hao Meng frowned and said with a smile, "Brother San, you should know my temper. This is the price. If you want more, find someone else!"

Zhang Laosan's face darkened, and he said coldly, "If you put it that way, Xiao Meng, you're being unreasonable. It was you who came to me, asking me to find you some old air conditioners and freezers. Now that I've found them and brought them home, you don't want them. Isn't that cheating your Brother San?"

"What do you suggest, Brother San?" Hao Meng turned around and asked with a smile.

Zhang Laosan said with a sour face, "You have to take these old air conditioners, whether you want them or not. I can't let them sit in my hands, can I?"

"Ha ha!" Hao Meng laughed, looking at Zhang Laosan. "Are you trying to force me to buy them? Zhang Laosan, I'm not looking down on you, but do you have the power to do that? If you insist, I'll stand my ground today and see how you make me buy them!"

"Xiao Meng, what are you saying? Your Brother San was just talking nonsense out of anxiety. Calm down, Xiao Meng, can't we sit down and talk this out?" At this moment, Zhang Laosan's wife came out to mediate.

Zhang Laosan's face was dark as he said, "It was you who said you wanted them. I, Zhang Laosan, believed you. Now you say you don't want them. Twenty air conditioners sitting in my hands, when will I be able to sell them? Xiao Meng, aren't you cheating your Brother San?"

"Brother San, who is cheating whom, you know in your heart. I've already told you, I'm dealing with family. You're still trying to play tricks on me. Are these old air conditioners worth 1000 yuan? I don't care how much you paid for them. How about this: I'll give you 50 more, 500 yuan each, and I'll take them." Hao Meng frowned and thought for a moment.

Zhang Laosan wanted to say something but was pulled back by his wife. They exchanged a glance.

"Fine, 500 yuan each. I'll take the loss!" Zhang Laosan sighed, looking very reluctant.

For the twenty old air conditioners, Hao Meng paid Zhang Laosan 10,000 yuan. The old display cabinet cost him 1,500 yuan, and Hao Meng didn't haggle over the price.

Actually, Hao Meng was quite happy. The old air conditioners were worth 500 yuan each. After repairing them, he could sell them for around 1,500 yuan without any problem.

"Xiao Meng, you're back. There are three refrigerators that need to be delivered!" Wei Shufen called out to him as soon as he arrived. They had sold three more refrigerators in the morning!

"Sure, I'll go later. The air conditioners have arrived. Sister Shufen, can you clear some space for me to unload them?" Hao Meng said with a smile. The shelves would come in handy.

The twenty air conditioners filled up a quarter of the space, packed tightly.

Wei Shufen was quick and had already put up advertisements.

The store had new 98% new air conditioners for 1,800 yuan each, with free installation! The installation fee was included in the price. Hao Meng had to contact the installation workers separately, as he couldn't handle everything himself.

In the afternoon, Hao Meng went to the second-hand market and bought ten refrigerators for 4,500 yuan, with a fluctuation of 500 yuan. The prices varied based on the condition of the refrigerators.

With over a dozen refrigerators and twenty air conditioners, Hao Meng's second-hand appliance store was now well-stocked. However, the main products were still refrigerators and air conditioners, which were not small items.

"Uncle Xiao Meng, Guo Guo is so hot. Mom won't let me turn on the fan, saying it's a waste of electricity!" The little girl complained to him in a low voice while he was resting on the sofa.

Hao Meng slapped his forehead. With so many air conditioners, how could he forget to install one in the store? It was so hot in the summer without an air conditioner!