Chapter 43: The Agency for Tape Recorders

“I’ve been working all day and you won’t even buy me a drink, just make me drink plain water.” Jiang Butong took the cup and emptied it in one gulp.

“Look at you, acting all picky. Be grateful you’ve got anything to drink at all.” Wang Yun retorted, refusing to back down.

“I’ll buy you a drink later. Watch and learn from me.” Jiang Butong patted his chest confidently.

“Alright, Boss Jiang…” Wang Yun fluttered her lashes with a smile, drawing out her words in a teasing tone.

Jiang Butong set the cup on the table and asked, “How much have we sold these last couple of days?”

When it came to business, Wang Yun perked up, leaning forward and revealing a swath of fair skin at her neckline.

“We received 2,300 tapes yesterday. I negotiated the price with the supplier—our purchase cost is just over 1.7 yuan per tape.”

Jiang Butong calculated quickly. That price was still a bit high; if he could push it down to 1 yuan per tape, business would be much easier.

“Do you know how many we sold in just two days?” Wang Yun lowered her voice, wary of others overhearing.

“How many?” Jiang Butong asked.

“In two days, we sold 1,400 tapes.” Wang Yun’s voice carried a hint of excitement; she’d never expected the sales to be so high.

“At what price per tape did you sell them?” Jiang Butong inquired.

“For buyers who wanted more than 300 tapes, I gave them a price of 4 yuan each. For less than 300, I dropped the price to 4.5 yuan.” Wang Yun explained.

“You lowered the price?” Jiang Butong realized there had been a change in his absence.

“I had no choice. Three shops next door have started selling these tapes too, and their wholesale price is just 5 yuan.” Wang Yun sounded a bit disgruntled, feeling her business had been poached.

“That’s normal. If they lower their prices again, you follow suit—especially for our big clients. Make sure you look after them.” Jiang Butong instructed.

“I understand. Should we order more stock? The factory sees us as their major customer now. They said if we place a bigger order next time, they can drop the price even further.” Wang Yun said.

Jiang Butong did a quick calculation. He’d invested most of his cash in the clothing store and Chen Sheng’s restaurant, so he didn’t have much liquid capital left. Yet the tape business had the fastest turnover. According to Wang Yun, they’d sold 1,400 tapes in two days; at 4 yuan apiece, they’d recouped 5,600 yuan already.

“Place another order—6,000 yuan worth of tapes.” Jiang Butong said.

“Alright.” This time, Wang Yun had no doubts about his decision, remembering they’d started with just a 1,000 yuan investment, split between them—500 yuan each.

From a 500 yuan investment, in half a month, they’d nearly multiplied their money tenfold.

Even now, Wang Yun felt as if she were dreaming.

“Tell me, why are these tapes selling like crazy?” Wang Yun asked, curiosity shining in her eyes.

Jiang Butong knew Wang Yun still didn’t fully grasp the tape market.

“As the economy grows, people want more than just food, clothing, and shelter—they start to seek enjoyment: TV, movies, music, and all kinds of entertainment. This market is far from saturated. As long as you’ve got products, you don’t have to worry about selling them.” Jiang Butong explained simply.

“Then why didn’t my tapes sell well before?” Wang Yun still had doubts.

Jiang Butong studied her curious expression and thought, I can’t just tell her I’m from the future.

“It’s because the tapes you used to sell were from the mainland. We’re selling tapes from Hong Kong now. Hong Kong is far more vibrant and their music is different—something we don’t have here yet. Plus, most tape buyers now are from the post-70s and post-80s generations; they embrace new things quickly.” Jiang Butong explained.

Wang Yun listened and understood. But another question lingered in her mind: how did Jiang Butong know all this would be a hit, and at such a young age?

“By the way, Zhou Jianliang from the electronics factory came by yesterday. I saw you weren’t here, so I didn’t agree to anything.” Wang Yun said.

“Why did he come? Any progress with the tape recorder?” Jiang Butong asked.

He knew that with tapes selling so well, if the price of recorders dropped, there would definitely be a market.

“He said there’s been progress. The price is down to about 20 yuan now.” Wang Yun reported.

“Twenty yuan is still a bit steep, but it’s getting close. Did he say if he’d come by again today?” Jiang Butong asked.

“I figured you’d be here today, so he might stop by after work.”

“Then I’ll wait for him.” Jiang Butong began calculating the prospects for the recorder business.

“How’s the clothing store going?” Wang Yun asked, knowing Jiang Butong hadn’t been around lately because he was busy with that. She’d helped him with the supply channels.

“It’s alright. You should come by and give me some pointers sometime.” Jiang Butong joked.

“Me? Give you pointers?” Wang Yun shot him a look, remembering she’d only gotten this far thanks to his advice.

“By the way, do you know anyone in the parking lot?” Wang Yun suddenly remembered something.

“I do, why?” Jiang Butong was puzzled by the abrupt question.

Wang Yun tossed him a monthly parking card with her name on it.

“This was given to me by someone named Jiang Yuan. He said since I’m your friend, I’m his friend too. I can park for free from now on.” Wang Yun looked at Jiang Butong, feeling he was hiding a lot of secrets.

“If it’s a gift, just use it. Jiang Yuan is my cousin.” Jiang Butong said.

“Alright, then I’ll keep it. I thought someone was trying to hit on me.” Wang Yun laughed.

Jiang Butong glanced at her curvaceous figure—perfect proportions, a slender waist with just the right amount of softness, trim where it should be, full where it should be. The black cropped pants hugged her round thighs, exposing a stretch of slender calves.

With a body like this, any man with a bit of ambition would be drawn to her.

“What, do you think I look good?” Wang Yun tucked her hair behind her ear, her red lips tinged with seduction.

Jiang Butong gazed into her moist, almond-shaped eyes, brimming with allure—a truly intoxicating beauty.

“You’re playing with fire.” Jiang Butong replied coolly.

Wang Yun looked into his deep eyes, wondering why her beauty and charm failed to captivate him completely.

She couldn’t resist moving closer, her breath sweet and fragrant, wanting to test his weakness.

Jiang Butong didn’t move away. The corner of his mouth curved up as he wrapped an arm around her slender waist.

Wang Yun found herself drawn into his embrace, a hint of panic flashing in her eyes at his boldness.

“Look but not touch—is that what you want?” Jiang Butong held her waist with one hand and clasped her delicate hand with the other.

Her waist and hand felt exquisitely soft to him.

At this moment, Wang Yun’s heart was racing. She’d only meant to tease him.

Especially with his hand at her waist—it felt like a jolt of electricity, setting her whole body aflame and draining her strength.

Jiang Butong felt her supple, full figure pressed against his chest; his hand slid down her waist, squeezing her rounded hips.

“Pervert…” Wang Yun noticed his action and pinched his waist in retaliation.

“Who knows which of us is worse.” Jiang Butong’s face was just a centimeter from hers.

The atmosphere thickened quickly, their breaths mingling, Wang Yun’s mind becoming muddled and her body limp, as if she’d melted against him.

She could hear the strong beat of his heart—youthful passion clouding her reason.

Jiang Butong lowered his head, his breath warming her face, nose, and ear…

Wang Yun felt waves of electricity spreading through her body, making her softer and softer.

No… she murmured inwardly.

A moment of clarity flickered in her eyes as she broke free from his embrace.

Jiang Butong looked at her heaving chest and said, “You think you can toy with me? Be careful, or you’ll lose more than you bargained for.”

Wang Yun glared at him, straightened her rumpled clothes, her blush lingering.

Just then, Zhou Jianliang arrived, bringing with him the improved tape recorder.

“Butong, come see how this new recorder feels.” Zhou Jianliang got straight to the point.

Jiang Butong took it in hand, then inserted a tape to try it out.