After the old man finished speaking, he frowned slightly and sighed softly. It seemed that there was too much sadness in his heart that he couldn't put into words. However, if he didn't say it out loud, he seemed to be very unhappy in his heart. It could be said that he didn't know whether to say it or not.
"Old man, isn't the income from selling Shengjian enough to cover your expenses? But I think business is pretty good! "
Ang Lee asked.
As the old man prepared the pan-fried food for the customers, he said, "Esteemed guests, you don't know the difficulties of us commoners. If you want to blame someone, blame this old man's family for not being from the capital. We don't have ancestral property in the capital. Otherwise, we wouldn't have such a difficult life."
Obviously, the old man didn't finish his sentence. Ang Lee seemed to have guessed something and continued to ask, "Listening to your accent, you don't sound any different from the people in Beijing! It must be someone from Guanzhong! "
The old man put the five copper coins he had just received into his pocket and said, "To be honest, our family is from Jingyang County in the north. These years, the people of Jingyang County have all come to the capital to make a living. There are fewer and fewer people left, and business is also getting harder and harder. Sometimes, we can't even wait for a few customers a day. Erzi came to the capital earlier to learn some cooking skills, so our whole family came over. This way, we can take care of each other as a family. But who would have thought that living in the capital is such a difficult thing! No matter how good the business is, it can't offset the expenses! "
"Oh, so it's because the expenses are too high. Then what are the main expenses? Can you save a little?"
Ang Lee asked.
The old man's son rushed to say, "To tell you the truth, the main expense is the rent, which accounts for almost half of all our income. The stall fee is also half of the rent. As a result, just the rent and stall fee alone takes up 70% to 80% of our income. We have a family of six adults and three children, a total of nine people. We also need to eat, drink, and defecate. These all cost money, so we can't afford to have any leftovers."
After saying that, a helpless look appeared on his face.
Another old man's son, who was squatting beside the fire, continued, "There are also some patrol officers who like to eat pan-fried food. However, they never give us money, so we don't dare to ask for it. Otherwise, we won't be able to make a living here in the future. When the time comes, if there are ruffians in the market who cause trouble, they won't care. It's really difficult. "
The old man finally said, "There's no other way. We can only make do like this. We're all ordinary people. No matter how much pressure we have, we won't do things that are shoddy. Every pan-fried dish sold is genuine. If you like it, please come and buy a few more when you have time."
Ang Lee smiled. This old man didn't forget to advertise his products in the end. It was very interesting.
Ang Lee generally believed what the old man and his two sons said. However, generally, people who did business would be more or less treacherous. Even if the old man's family looked honest, what they said might not be all the truth. There might be some small concealment. For example, they might be able to save some money, but they said that they didn't have enough money to spend. This was a small concealment.
Of course, the total difference wouldn't be too big. After all, they had nine people in their family, so they definitely had to rent a house to live in. Moreover, they couldn't rent a house that was too small, otherwise, they wouldn't be able to live in it. Ang Lee was very clear about how expensive the rent in the capital was. Saying that the rent was half of their income, Ang Lee really believed it.
From the situation of the old man's family, it could be inferred that there were too many families like them in the capital. These families had greatly reduced their quality of life because of the huge rent pressure. As long as the rent could be greatly reduced, their quality of life would be greatly improved, and the rent had already become a heavy burden that crushed their quality of life. Of course, if the price of the house could be loosened, their lives would be even better, but in the short term, it was almost impossible to reduce the price of the house. It was already good enough to be able to stabilize the price of the house through hard work.
After chatting with the seller for a while, Ang Lee continued to stroll along the street. He passed by the vendors who sold dumplings, rice cakes, and other snacks. He bought some rice cakes that were easier to carry and gave them to the guards. Ang Lee knew that these guards wouldn't be full after eating two or three pan-fried rice cakes.
However, after the rice cakes were given to the guards, they all stuffed them into their pockets. None of the guards even took a bite. Perhaps they were planning to keep them for themselves or for their children. These guards were still young and already had their own families.
The distribution of the snacks on the street was very unique. Generally, the shops that sold snacks were distributed outside the restaurants, while the vendors that sold rouge, face powder, and jewelry were distributed next to the brothel. This way, it would be easier to find their own customers and earn more money.
When Ang Lee approached a brothel, he smelled a fragrant and charming smell early. These smells came from the vendors selling rouge and face powder, and in front of each rouge and face powder vendor, there were young and beautiful women choosing their favorite products.
Those who came to buy rouge and face powder were not necessarily prostitutes, but the proportion was relatively high because only women in this line of work had more money and needed more rouge and face powder. In addition, because the business here was better, many high-quality rouge and face powder would be sold here.
There were many women in Ang Lee's family. It was good to buy some rouge and face powder and give it to the madam at home. At least, it would make them happy for a while.
Because there were a few young women standing in front of him who were choosing rouge and face powder, Ang Lee just stood behind and watched. He didn't choose any products.
"Distinguished guest, you must be selling it to your sweetheart! These are the best rouge and face powder, choose one! "
Seeing that Ang Lee was blocked in the back, and that Ang Lee was dressed differently, the shrewd vendor quickly greeted him, lest such a high-quality customer be snatched by other vendors.
The two women in front looked back and saw that Ang Lee was so handsome. Their eyes suddenly lit up, and then they continued to choose with a smile.
Ang Lee was not in a hurry to buy rouge and face powder. He took one and smelled it, and asked casually, "Brother, how long have you been selling rouge and face powder here? How is the business?"
The vendor replied with a smile, "I have been selling rouge and face powder here for a few years, almost three years! The business is not bad, especially in the past year, the business is getting better and better, hehe. "
"Oh, do you have a house in the capital? Or are you renting it? "
Ang Lee asked.
"Replying to the distinguished guest, I am a native of the capital. I have a house at home. Although it is a little shabby, it is enough for me to live in."
The vendor replied.
Ang Lee said with a smile, "It is good to have a house! If you have a house, you don't have to spend a lot of money to rent a house. Nowadays, most of the vendors who do small businesses are outsiders who don't have a house, and it is very stressful to rent a house all day! Haha! This tastes good, how much is it? "
Since he had chatted with the vendor for a long time, he could not not buy anything. Ang Lee had to buy some products to take care of the vendor's business.
"Sir, this is the best one, 150 copper coins a box. If you buy it for your sweetheart, she will be happy."
The vendor said enthusiastically.
Li An calculated in his heart. He definitely had to give one to each of the madams. There were also many young and beautiful servants who needed to use rouge and face powder to dress themselves up. He had to give one to each of them as well. Based on his calculations, he didn't even have enough to buy twenty.
"Then give me 30 boxes!"
Ang Lee said generously.
He could only buy more gifts, not less. If he bought more, he could keep it first. If he did not buy enough, it would not be good. Those who did not get a share would be unhappy. How could Ang Lee let the young women in his family be unhappy? This was not Ang Lee's character.
"30 boxes? Sir, are you talking about 30 boxes? How about 150 copper coins a box? "
The vendor said in amazement.
The young women who were choosing rouge and face powder in front of him also turned around in surprise. They looked at Ang Lee with very fiery eyes, as if they were looking at a lump of shining gold.
Ang Lee said calmly, "30 boxes may not be enough. How about 40 boxes? It is just enough money, so it is more convenient. "
After saying that, he nodded to the two women in front of him.
"Okay, I happen to have some stock, enough for 40 boxes."
The vendor was very happy and quickly went to prepare the goods.
"Sir, there are only 42 boxes of this kind of rouge. I will give them to you. Please keep them well."
The vendor was very happy. He directly gave away two boxes and accepted Ang Lee's money.
"Sir, how many sweethearts do you have? You bought so much rouge in one go? "
A young woman with a charming appearance asked in a coquettish voice.
Ang Lee replied with a smile, "Naturally, the more rouge I buy, the more sweethearts I have!"
"Sir, do you think the two of us can become your sweetheart?"
"Yes! Anyway, I have so many sweethearts, a few more won't make a difference! Hehehe! "
The two young women frequently threw flirtatious glances at Ang Lee. They were very seductive, and how could Ang Lee not understand their thoughts? They saw that Ang Lee was generous and understood that Ang Lee was a rich man. Therefore, they wanted to hug the big tree that was Ang Lee and develop him into their target customer. At the very least, they could make Ang Lee happy and get a box of rouge. That was the most basic thing. In short, as long as they said something nice, they would not lose out.
However, Ang Lee had seen too many beautiful women. Therefore, even if the two young women in front of him were ordinary in the eyes of Ang Lee. They were not very attractive. Whether he would pay attention to them depended entirely on his mood.
"Ladies, who are you from? I don't seem to have seen you before!"
Ang Lee asked.
One of the women replied, "Sir, we are from Li San Niang's family. It's not far ahead. If you have time, please come and have a seat now!"
The prostitute was bold. As she spoke, she placed her slender hand on Ang Lee's chest and stroked Ang Lee's body. Her seductive intentions were quite obvious.
"Sir, since you are already here, you will be there in a few steps. Come in and have a seat! Let me serve you. I'm sure you'll be satisfied. "
If it was a young man in his early twenties, it would be difficult for him to resist such temptation. However, Ang Lee was already a man with a family. Naturally, he would not be so weak. This kind of temptation was nothing to Ang Lee.
"Forget about it. I still have things to do. If there is a chance in the future, I will definitely come and have a seat. Haha! "
Ang Lee said perfunctorily.
"Aiya! Words have no proof. Sir, how can you prove it? "
"Sir, you can't lie to us. You have to leave proof."
The two young ladies said in a coquettish voice. Their appearance was so charming that a young man with weak willpower would have pounced on them.
This was blatant extortion. In fact, what they wanted was not proof. Why would he agree to go to the brothel to get proof? They just wanted to extort a box of rouge. This was a high-quality rouge. Although it was not too expensive, it was not cheap either! Every bit of it was worth it.
"Then what proof do you want?"
Ang Lee had already understood everything, but he deliberately pretended not to know.
"Sir, why don't you leave something here with us? When you are free next time, we will return it, okay?"
"Sir, you have to give us something to remember. Let us sisters think of you when we see something! If you don't agree, we won't let you leave just like that. "
The two young ladies became more and more nauseating as they spoke. They used all their skills and hugged Ang Lee on both sides, afraid that Ang Lee would agree.
Ang Lee was obviously entangled. Although he could use violence to get rid of these entanglements, it would inevitably cause a disturbance. At that time, not to mention the yamen runners, the reporters from major newspapers would also be likely to be alarmed. At that time, Ang Lee's identity would inevitably be exposed. Although it was not Ang Lee's fault, some things could not be explained clearly. Once something happened, all kinds of rumors would spread everywhere. Ordinary people would not be able to distinguish between the truth and the lies. In this way, it would bring a lot of trouble to Ang Lee. Obviously, Ang Lee did not want to be in so much trouble, so he really could not use force. No matter how the two young ladies misbehaved, he could not use force.
The women in the brothel spared no effort to please men in order to make a living. In fact, they were poor and pitiful. If their families were rich, who would come to the brothel to serve strange men? There were also some who were forced, which was even more pitiful.
Ang Lee never bullied the weak. Naturally, he would not bully these women in the brothel. Even if they deliberately pestered him, Ang Lee would not use force on them.
"Come on, one for each. Now you can think of me when you see something!"
Ang Lee did not hesitate. He directly took out two boxes of rouge and put them in the hands of the two young ladies, and said with a smile.
"Oh! Thank you so much, sir. Thank you so much. "
"Sir, good things come in pairs. Isn't it better to have two for each of us?"
The two prostitutes said.
Ang Lee had no choice. He simply took out two more boxes of rouge and put them in the hands of the two women. He said, "Okay! You can rest assured now. "
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