This question was hard to answer. If he said he was buying it as an individual, they'd laugh themselves silly. In this era, a "ten-thousand-yuan household" was a wealthy person. Seven tens of thousands in goods? That was an astronomical figure. These two would probably call the police on the spot.
At this moment, he had to bluff them. He straightened his body, his face haughty, and coolly swept his gaze over Director Zhao. "Which unit am I from? You're not qualified to ask! Just look! What have you done to this People's Department Store? You can only stock five hundred thermal flasks, and you're proud of that? Just because you're the number one doesn't mean you're God's second-in-command!"
Director Zhao was left speechless by the retort. He wanted to argue, but this person's tone was too overbearing. He scrutinized Lu Changqing. He was dressed very ordinarily, not even as well as he, the department store director. But that tone, that imposing aura, indicated he was someone of no small background. He grunted in annoyance, unconvinced. "Fine, if you take this entire truckload of goods today, I'll be impressed." Seventy thousand yuan for goods; if he could truly pay it, Director Zhao would absolutely admire him. This kind of feat could only be accomplished in a major provincial capital city, at least.
Old Liu, after hearing Director Zhao's words, also calmed down. This truckload of goods would need to fill forty department stores. He felt Lu Changqing's words were a bit boastful. "Are you sure you want this entire truckload? I can only accept payment on the spot, no debts."
Lu Changqing snorted. "Look at your pathetic self. Isn't it just seventy thousand yuan? Of course, it'll be settled on the spot. Besides, if I don't pay, will you let me leave? You're not stupid!"
Old Liu rubbed his nose. Although he was being belittled, the man was right. "Alright, you pay, and I'll deliver the goods to your warehouse."
Lu Changqing nodded. "Good, I'm taking the goods. Don't worry. If you're hungry, order something first. In this cold winter, eat your fill and warm yourself up."
Old Liu pulled out a cigarette and offered one to Lu Changqing. "No hurry for food, let's unload the goods first. Once they're unloaded, I'll be at ease."
Lu Changqing glanced at the cigarette in Old Liu's hand. According to current prices, it wasn't cheap, fifty cents a pack. But he couldn't accept it; he had to maintain his imposing demeanor to intimidate the other party. "I'm not used to smoking that brand. I usually smoke 'Huazi'."
"Huazi?"[1] Old Liu was stunned, then understood. "Oh, Zhonghua[2]... Then I'll smoke it myself." Lu Changqing suddenly remembered that "Huazi" might not have been a nickname yet, but luckily, this guy was a driver, well-traveled and knowledgeable. "Go eat. See that restaurant across the street? Happiness Restaurant. Go, order two dishes and a drink. It's on me."
"This... this isn't good!" Old Liu beamed, revealing all his smoke-stained black teeth.
Lu Changqing pushed him. "Just go, anything under twenty yuan is fine. I'll reimburse you. Eat freely. After you've eaten, you can come help me. I'll wait for you here."
Old Liu was full of gratitude, feeling he had met a good person. He kept saying thank you, mentioning he hadn't eaten all morning and would go grab a bite, then cheerfully went to the restaurant across the street.
Director Zhao watched, dumbfounded, increasingly unsure of Lu Changqing's depth. He was puzzled: where did such an impressive figure come from? He wanted to see what this person would do next.
Lu Changqing breathed a sigh of relief. He had finally bluffed the delivery driver. Now it was time to show off his skills. He had to sell this entire truckload of goods on the spot. As long as he sold them, not only would he have money to pay the bill, but he would also make a large profit.
He turned to Director Zhao. "Comrade Zhao, what's the price of the most expensive color TV in your department store?"
Director Zhao frowned, not knowing what Lu Changqing was up to. "Why, do you want to buy one?"
Lu Changqing nodded. "Yes, I'll buy one."
Director Zhao was a little surprised. "Are you really buying it? Think about it. The most expensive one is a twenty-one inch, also the largest screen on the market, one thousand two hundred yuan each."
Lu Changqing held up one finger. "Bring one over here."
Director Zhao hadn't expected to sell a TV. "Alright, give me the money, and I'll handle the paperwork for you."
Money? He couldn't even pay for the food, where would he get money for this? Lu Changqing deliberately darkened his face. "I can afford seventy thousand for a truckload of thermal flasks. You think I can't afford your broken color TV? What kind of service attitude is this?" There was actually a loophole in his words—the seventy thousand yuan for the goods hadn't been paid yet—but he spoke with such an imposing manner.
Director Zhao was taken aback. This was the latest model of color TV. Many families didn't even have black-and-white televisions. Yet this expensive 21-inch large-screen color TV was called a "broken television" by him. He couldn't refute it. "Alright, I'll find someone to bring it over for you." He turned and went back into the department store, instructing two sales assistants to help pack and carry it out. The cashier was also called over, holding a receipt ready to issue an invoice on the spot.
Seeing someone buying a color TV, passersby stopped. Some were envious, some asked the price. Upon hearing it was over a thousand, they all gasped in amazement. The crowd grew larger and larger. Despite the falling snow, no one seemed to mind the cold.
Director Zhao pointed at the color TV. "Give me the money, and then quickly take the TV home. With the snow, it's not good if such an expensive item gets damp."
Lu Changqing was still unhurried. "How many towels do you have in your department store?"
Director Zhao was confused. "Towels are consumables. We stocked up for New Year's, probably over ten thousand of them."
Lu Changqing said in a very casual tone, "I'll take them all."
Director Zhao froze. "All of them" again. It was too easy. It almost seemed like a joke.
Lu Changqing raised an eyebrow. "What? You're not selling?"
Director Zhao's facial muscles twitched. Was this person not even going to ask the price? "Sell, of course sell. One yuan each. Are you sure you want them?"
Lu Changqing showed displeasure. "Why wouldn't I? Am I just here to shoot the breeze with you? My time is very precious. Wouldn't it be better to spend this time with my wife and child?"
Director Zhao gritted his teeth and instructed a sales clerk nearby. "Go, pack them all up. Ten in a stack. Bring them over to him."
Lu Changqing thought for a moment. "Also, bring me twenty exercise books. And a red pen and a blue pen. That's all."
This time, Director Zhao didn't waste words, immediately ordering someone to handle it. By now, he genuinely hoped Lu Changqing would buy these items. If they sold this batch of goods, the profit would be substantial, enough to give each employee a five-yuan bonus. It would be good for every employee to buy two more catties of meat to take home.
Soon, people began carrying out towels. The ground was covered in snow, so they couldn't place them there. Instead, they brought out a table and stacked them all on top. The crowd grew even larger. Some latecomers, not knowing what was happening, asked others. Finally, hearing that Lu Changqing wanted over ten thousand towels, everyone clicked their tongues in wonder.
Xiao Qingzhu burped, already full. Eating a warm meal made her feel better, and it was a wonderful sensation. Tongtong's little belly was round and bulging. Looking at the remaining big feast on the plates, her small face showed worry. "Mama, there's so much left. What if I can't finish it?"
Xiao Qingzhu smiled at her daughter's childish question. She had been ravenously hungry that morning, but now she was worried about not finishing a grand meal. It felt like a dream. She reached out and touched her daughter's nose. "If you can't finish it, we'll eat it tomorrow, you silly little thing!"
The steamed bun vendor collected the steaming baskets. "You ordered two baskets of buns, that's two yuan in total."
Xiao Qingzhu apologized with a smile. "Just a moment, I didn't bring any money. My husband will be right over to pay."
The vendor smiled. "Alright, I'll wait a bit longer. I won't close up for another half hour, no rush."
The north wind howled, and snowflakes drifted down. People came and went in a hurry. Another twenty minutes passed. Still, Lu Changqing didn't return. Xiao Qingzhu began to worry. Had her husband, without money, simply fled? The thought sent her into despair. What now? If he ran, who would pay? The more she thought, the angrier she became.
Recalling the suffering she had endured these past three years because of Lu Changqing's hooliganism, old and new grievances combined, making her grit her teeth in hatred. This was his "grand feast." Leaving his wife and child here and running off himself. How shameless! It was absolutely beastly behavior!
Just then, a few more customers came for steamed buns. The vendor, his face dark, said, "You two have been finished eating for half an hour. You haven't paid, and you're still occupying the table. Is your husband coming back or not?"
[1] Premium cigarette brand
[2] This is the actual brand name, 'Huazi' is more like an expression for smoking good stuff.