That morning, Meng Zhiqiang finally saw how Li Long sold fish, and understood why he could make so much money.
Li Long had not gone to Stone City that day. He sold his fish right at the county morning market.
When Meng Zhiqiang arrived at the morning market, Li Long was calling out to customers. A ring of people surrounded his stall, and as he calmly weighed fish and took payment, he reminded everyone to watch their wallets and keep their hands out of the basins.
Meng Zhiqiang admired him greatly. Whenever he sold fish, even though he never had many, people always squeezed them while choosing. Some fish got squeezed to death, leaving him no choice but to sell them cheap or even throw them away.
Watching Li Long speak to those reaching out their hands, neither meek nor overbearing, he thought Li Long was very brave. Wasn't he afraid they would refuse to buy his fish?
But with so many people surrounding Li Long, he felt he was worrying needlessly. Even if one or two left, there were plenty of others.
Li Long had not brought many fish that day, though. He sold out and left within half an hour.
Meng Zhiqiang admired him and wanted to try calling out like him, but although he opened his mouth several times, nothing came out.
Was it embarrassing? Shameful?
Neither seemed quite right.
Was he too concerned about saving face?
A little, perhaps...
Li Long had actually picked out some fish and left them in basins at the Big Courtyard. After selling the rest, he ate breakfast, returned to the Big Courtyard to change, then took the fish and a bag of reed leaves to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.
Li Xiangqian had just returned to his office after a