214: Mom's Marketing Strategy

Mom Zheng Jin said to the Northeast Auntie:

"I specifically brought you some Crabs and a Sea Bass. They were just landed less than an hour ago. Take them home and try them. Seafood is best eaten fresh."

The Northeast Auntie thought to herself:

"With what I bought yesterday and what you gave me, I still have quite a bit at home. I wasn't planning on buying fish today!"

"Oh well, since she's already brought it over, I'll buy it! I have my pride too."

She said aloud: "Alright, little sister, go ahead and weigh it! My husband just happens to love eating Crabs."

"Oh, no need to weigh it! This is something your little sister specially brought over for you to eat."

Mom Zheng Jin took a big step forward and put the plastic bag into the Northeast Auntie's hand.

The Northeast Auntie was momentarily stunned, then quickly said:

"Oh, no, no, I can't take it. You should keep it to sell for money! These Crabs are quite expensive."

"Big sister, what's expensive or not? These were caught by our own family's boat, not inventory bought by the wet market. They're not that expensive. Just keep them and enjoy!"

"This... no, no, I still can't take it."

The Northeast Auntie insisted on putting the plastic bag back on the stall. She estimated it weighed about twenty catties.

"Big sister, are you looking down on us fishermen? You don't want to acknowledge me as your little sister."

"I consider you my big sister, and besides, you helped me so much yesterday."

The Northeast Auntie hesitated for a moment: "This... I acknowledge you as my little sister, but this..."

"Auntie, just accept it with peace of mind. This is something my mom specifically brought for you. She's only been here for a few months and doesn't have many friends yet. She probably just clicked with you."

"Besides, my mom is right, the cost of fish caught by our own fishing boat really isn't high."

Yang Qi stepped forward to persuade her.

"Alright, little sister, from now on we're sisters. If you ever need anything, just say the word. I'll definitely help if I can, and if I can't, I'll help you find connections."

The Northeast Auntie's personality was indeed very straightforward, quite similar to Mom's.

"You two sell here for now. I'll take these home first and call the neighbors. I'll be back soon to help you sell."

The Auntie turned and strode towards the residential complex.

Less than five minutes later, four Women arrived at the stall and started picking out fish.

One of them asked Zheng Jin: "Sister, you're Dali's sister, right? I ran into her inside just now, and she said her little sister was selling fresh seafood at the entrance."

Yang Qi guessed that Dali was probably the Northeast Auntie's nickname.

Sure enough, he heard Mom say:

"Yes, yes, I am her sister. These fish were landed less than an hour ago. Although they're not big, they're incredibly fresh."

"You are all my sister's friends, coming to support me, so you all get a discount. Everyone here gets them for 18 yuan a jin."

When the Women heard 18 yuan a jin, they realized it was indeed cheap. For miscellaneous fish of that size, they would typically pay around 30 yuan a jin at the wet market.

What they didn't know was that for Zheng Jin, these fish were first-hand goods. Even if she sold them wholesale to a merchant, they would only fetch about fourteen or fifteen yuan a jin.

Fish at the wet market, however, usually passed through one or two intermediaries. With spoilage, they'd starve if they didn't sell them for a bit more.

Today, she intended to leverage the Northeast Auntie's favor to make a name for herself. Soon, everyone in the vicinity would know that her family sold cheap fish.

These plans were all discussed with Chen Lanying last night. Both sides would operate this way, aiming for an instant success.

Just then, the Northeast Auntie, accompanied by seven or eight middle-aged and elderly Women, emerged from the residential complex and headed towards the stall.

This group of people surrounded the stall, making it impenetrable. People entering and exiting the complex, including those cycling past, all came over to see what was being sold.

What if there was a bargain to be had? It would be a loss not to check it out.

So, more and more people gathered, truly three layers deep inside and three layers outside. Some even pushed hard to get in, afraid of missing out on a good deal.

Once inside, they saw it was a fish stall and couldn't help but feel disappointed, as they weren't planning on cooking dinner tonight!

However, since they had gone to such trouble to squeeze in, they might as well ask the price. Upon inquiring, they learned that the stall owner was putting on a big promotion at 18 yuan a jin to give her big sister face.

They absolutely had to buy some! If they didn't eat it tonight, they could surely eat it tomorrow!

It's a shame not to take advantage of a good deal!

"Little sister! Won't you lose money selling it so cheaply?"

The Northeast Auntie started to worry as soon as she heard the price.

"It's fine, big sister. They're all caught by our own family's fishing boat, so the cost isn't high. Today, as long as you're her neighbor, you can get the freshest fish at cost price."

Zheng Jin said with a smile, reassuring her.

Several Women who seemed to be good friends with Zhang Li began to scold her:

"Dali, go play somewhere else. Your sister already said she's giving your neighbors a big discount. What, are you trying to stop her?"

Some residents of the complex, upon seeing the information posted by the Northeast Auntie, immediately came out to buy fish. After purchasing, they uploaded photos of the crowded stall to the owner's group chat.

They also explained that this was Zhang Li's sister, a resident of Building 16, selling fish. As long as they mentioned being Dali's neighbor when buying, the fish price would be 18 yuan a jin, plus two extra fish.

Now everyone couldn't sit still. What if they arrived too late and everything was sold out? Wouldn't that be a loss?

Now, even more people started coming out of the residential complex.

Yang Qi saw that something was wrong! The remaining fish might not be enough to sell!

Yang took out his phone, walked to the side, and called Bai Xue:

"Wife, are you busy?"

Bai Xue saw Yang Qi's call, happily answered, and heard Yang Qi call her his wife. She immediately nervously looked at Chen Lanying, who was weighing fish for a customer. She seemed not to have noticed her side.

She quickly and flusteredly turned off the speakerphone and said:

"You want to die?! I'm outside!" Bai Xue pouted playfully.

"My hands were dirty just now, so I had it on speakerphone! What's up? Hurry and say it, I'm busy."

Yang Qi was also stunned to hear that it had been on speakerphone, but after thinking about it, he said naturally:

"My mom might not have enough to sell here. How's it on your end? Do you want me to come over and pick some up?"

"No need, I'm probably doing fine here. An Auntie is helping to sell, and sales are great! Isn't that impressive!"

Bai Xue said proudly.

"Impressive, my wife is even more impressive. Hehehe!"

"Of course! That's all for now, bye, husband!"

With a soft "husband" from the other end, the call disconnected.

Yang Qi smiled, put his phone in his pocket, and looked at Chen Lanxin, who was busy butchering fish with her head down, but he didn't say anything.

When selling large fish, butchering was free, but for small fish, there was a charge of 3 yuan per jin for labor. Customers could also choose to butcher them at home.