I can travel back and forth in 1986

Chapter 18 The Big Fat Sheep

After carrying the package home, Zhang Beichuan, panting heavily, looked at the two large boxes in front of him and laughed.

Now that I'm out of work, I can fully dedicate my energy to the business.

After unpacking the watch delivery box, Zhang Beichuan selected several watches with different dial colors and put them into a gift box.

He then took out a black watch face and tried adjusting the watch according to the instructions sent by the seller.

After putting the lighter and watch into the canvas bag, Zhang Beichuan waited for the pig-herding device to fully charge before carefully studying the instruction manual.

For a few hundred yuan, this thing can not only be used to herd pigs, but also as a flashlight. It's really a great product.

Fully charged, Zhang Beichuan pushed the switch, and a "buzzing" sound rang out, which sounded quite energetic.

Now, even if he encountered someone with ill intentions again, he figured he should have the ability to protect himself. Then, with a thought, he disappeared from the rented house in 2026.

Back in 1986, the sun was still blazing overhead.

Zhang Beichuan went to the department store, checked his watch, set the time to 3:35 PM, and wandered around inside until 5 PM.

Taking advantage of the cooler sun, I ran straight to the entrance of the vinegar factory to prepare for setting up my stall this afternoon.

A sour smell wafted from the entrance of the vinegar factory. Zhang Beichuan chose a conspicuous spot and laid out the lighter and electronic watch from his canvas bag.

At 5:30, the bell rang precisely when the vinegar factory closed for the day, and workers walked out of the factory gate one after another, each with a smile on their face.

This smile was genuine, completely different from the fake smiles of his colleagues who were also his fellow laborers.

Soon, several middle-aged male employees in overalls were attracted by the exquisite watches displayed on the stall.

"Comrade, your watch looks pretty good!" A square-faced man squatted down and stared at the watch curiously.

Seeing that he liked it, Zhang Beichuan smiled and handed him a black-faced digital watch.

"Yes, it's the latest digital watch from the coastal area. No need to wind it, it keeps accurate time, and it comes with an alarm clock and a compass."

"It even comes with an alarm clock and a compass?"

"Yes." Zhang Beichuan glanced at the time on his watch and quickly set an alarm for one minute later. "Comrade, just wait one minute."

He then demonstrated the compass to the group. Everyone stared in astonishment at the exquisitely crafted electronic watch, which resembled a work of art and could not only tell time but also indicate direction.

As everyone gasped in surprise, the watch in their hand started beeping.

"Holy crap, it really is! It even has a built-in alarm clock!" the square-faced man excitedly told his coworker.

Seeing how much they liked it, Zhang Beichuan said, "Comrade, cover your watch and hide in the corner to take a look; there's a surprise."

The square-faced man was momentarily confused, but following Zhang Beichuan's instructions, he hid in the corner by the wall at the entrance of the vinegar factory, covering his watch and looking at the green light emanating from its dial.

"Huh? This watch can light up?"

"This is called a luminous function; it doesn't need electricity. If there's sunlight during the day, the watch will glow at night, making it easy to tell the time even without turning on the lights!"

The workers crowded around even closer, their eyes fixed on the watch.

The square-faced man stroked the watch face with obvious delight. "How much does this watch cost?"

"30 yuan," Zhang Beichuan announced the price he had already decided on.

"30?" A young worker nearby exclaimed in surprise. "More than half the price of a Shanghai license plate!"

"That's for sure!" Zhang Beichuan pressed his advantage. "This watch keeps accurate time, has many functions, and it's a respectable item to wear. The best part is, it doesn't require a coupon; you can buy it anytime."

The square-faced man was clearly tempted; he touched his pocket and hesitated.

"Can you make it cheaper? How about 28 yuan?"

Zhang Beichuan shook his head, his tone sincere.

"Comrade, this is really the lowest price. I brought it from the coast, and I have to factor in the travel expenses and risks, so I have to make a little profit. Think about it, 30 yuan for a digital watch that can last for ten years or so, which works out to one or two mao a month."

Several workers whispered among themselves. The square-faced man looked at the watch in his hand, then at a pink-faced watch on the ground.

"Comrade, may I take a look?"

"Sure." Zhang Beichuan picked up the pink digital watch from the ground and handed it over, watching the man look him up and down carefully. "Brother, is this for your wife?"

"Huh? Yeah." The square-faced man responded, chuckling and scratching his head, explaining, "Our fifth wedding anniversary with my wife is coming up soon, and I was thinking of buying a Shanghai brand women's watch, but the price is too high."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Beichuan rummaged through his bag and pulled out a light blue packaging box.

"Brother, if you want it, I'll give you another gift box. Take it back for your wife; I guarantee she'll love it!"

The square-faced man looked at the gift box in his hand, which was exquisitely crafted, then looked at the watch in his hand, and gritted his teeth.

"Okay, give me one, I'll take the pink one."

"Okay!" Zhang Beichuan quickly packed the box and handed it over. "If you have any problems using it, feel free to come to me anytime. I'm often in this area."

The first order was completed, and the women watching looked at the square-faced man with envy, thinking to themselves how wonderful it would be if their own men were so considerate!

Before long, more and more people gathered in front of Zhang Beichuan's stall.

Most people were looking at watches; no one had ever seen such high-end electronic watches before. Some were also buying lighters.

In just over two hours, they sold 12 flint lighters, 3 piezoelectric lighters, and 5 watches.

Touching the four hundred yuan in his pocket, Zhang Beichuan looked at the darkening sky, turned around, and left the vinegar factory.

Over the next three days, Zhang Beichuan visited factories throughout the county, and his money kept increasing.

Just to be on the safe side, he would make a special trip to 2026 every day to keep the money he earned at home.

After finishing his morning's stall business, Zhang Beichuan calculated his earnings over the past few days.

The watches sold for 16 yuan each, and a total of 82 lighters of two types were sold. The most popular lighters were the powder-wheel lighters, with 65 sold. The total sales amounted to 1255 yuan.

Including the previous 194, Zhang Beichuan earned a total of 1449 yuan in the past five days!

That adds up to nearly 300 yuan a day, which doesn't sound like much.

But this is still in its early stages, and not many people in the county know about lighters and digital watches.

Once the people who bought the items go back, they will gradually become his free walking tools.

Just as Zhang Beichuan finished packing his things, walking and calculating with a wide smile, several people followed him not far behind.

"Finally, I've run into you again, kid!" Zhao Xueming watched Zhang Beichuan walk towards the department store, tossing away his cigarette. "I knew this kid wouldn't back down while he was ahead!"

Two days ago, he learned from his younger brother that Zhang Beichuan had set up a stall in the county town again.

Considering what he had seen last time, Zhao Xueming did not act rashly, but instead used his connections to inquire about the situation.

After learning that Lu Ya and Zhang Beichuan did not know each other, he wanted to teach Zhang Beichuan a lesson yesterday and get some money to spend.

But when he arrived at the location, seeing Zhang Beichuan's stall surrounded by layers of people, he realized that this kid was a big fat sheep.

If we just let it go after being tricked by this kid, wouldn't that be letting him get away with it by making a little money?

Therefore, Zhao Xueming was not in a hurry and kept observing Zhang Beichuan's daily income.

Based on what I've observed over the past two days, this kid's daily income is higher than the county magistrate's monthly income!

"Brother, what do we do now?" the man with slanted eyes asked.

Zhao Xueming thought for a moment, then turned to look at his underling beside him.

"Qiang, Lao Wu, he recognizes us. Let's go back first. Have the other brothers continue to follow him, see where he lives, and where he hides the goods! Then..."

"We'll catch them all in one fell swoop then, hehehe!" Ah Qiang added with a laugh.

Zhao Xueming smiled, revealing his gleaming white teeth.

"It's good that you know, don't alarm him anymore."