Eat My Childless Life: The Little Fisher Girl is Poor and Fierce

Chapter 32 Scarcity Marketing

"You're closing up shop so early today? Luckily, you made it in time." It was the woman who traded steamed buns for duck eggs with Lin Chang'er yesterday.

Lin Chang'er smiled and replied, "Sold out quickly today. We're closing up shop now and we were just about to take the kids to your place for some steamed buns! Business is good today!"

Immediately, a paper package was stuffed into her hand, and then she heard the older woman say, "You're a really interesting girl. Yesterday we agreed that those two tattered vegetable buns were for you to eat."

You even pressed the coin to the bottom of the bowl for me, aren't you trying to humiliate me?

Lin Chang'er touched the paper package in her hand; there were about three or four of them.

"Our business is small; how can we afford to give away so many things?"

He handed the paper packet to the goldfish and then reached into his purse to take a coin.

Upon seeing her action, the older woman quickly grabbed her hand and said anxiously, "If you don't accept this, won't I be labeled as someone who goes back on their word?"

And it's not like this every day, so accept it.

Otherwise, I won't have the face to contact you again.

Lin Chang'er paused. This older sister had asked her to barter yesterday, which showed that she wasn't exactly flush with cash.

But he is an honest person.

I remember when I went to her stall yesterday, there were still quite a few steamed buns and mantou left.

Lin Chang'er's bright eyes darted around, "Then I'll shamelessly accept it."

The older woman then let go of her hand. "That's more like it! There's no one at my stall, so I can't stay out for too long. I have to go back now."

Lin Chang'er then said, "Big sister, would you mind if I brought my child to sit at your stall for a while?"

The woman was taken aback for a moment, then said, "If you're not in a hurry, feel free to come with me."

Lin Chang'er led the little goldfish to the older woman's steamed bun stall, where there were no tables or chairs for customers to sit down.

The older sister warmly offered her stool to the little goldfish, and to prevent him from choking, she thoughtfully poured him a bowl of water, saying, "Eat slowly, there's more here if you're not full."

Then she said to Lin Chang'er, "Tell me what you need, and I'll get it for you."

After settling the mother and child in, he went back to work.

There were four buns in the paper package, and Lin Chang'er and Little Goldfish each took two.

The mother and son ate about half a bun, but didn't see many customers come in.

Lin Chang'er tilted her head to look at the little goldfish and whispered to him, "How do the steamed buns taste?"

The little goldfish nodded, "Delicious!"

Lin Chang'er then asked, "Shall we help this auntie?"

"it is good!"

Without Lin Chang'er's instruction, the little goldfish swiftly jumped off the stool, picked up the basket containing the large turtle, and walked to the stall to call out its wares.

"Selling steamed buns! Delicious steamed buns and mantou! Come and have a taste if you pass by! Buy steamed buns and you can also see a giant soft-shelled turtle..."

The boy's voice was clear and loud, which startled Lin Chang'er and the older woman.

Passersby were also drawn to the shouts, and the little goldfish was not shy at all when it received stares from strangers.

Someone joked, "Kid, are the steamed buns delicious?"

The little goldfish took a big bite of the meat bun, stuffing its cheeks full, and mumbled, "It's delicious! Would you like to try some?"

The man waved his hand, and the boy, though rejected, was not discouraged. He took the initiative to ask the next group.

Soon, a crowd gathered around the steamed bun stall. Some people, finding the little boy amusing, teased him, "If I buy ten steamed buns, can you give me the turtle for free?"

It was a middle-aged man. The little goldfish puffed out its cheeks and shook its head. "Uncle, my big turtle is very valuable. If you buy ten, I can let you touch them. I wish you prosperity every year!"

The uncle laughed heartily, "This kid is quite amusing! I love hearing that. Boss lady, ten meat buns, please!"

"Please wait a moment!" The woman selling steamed buns was so excited that her voice trembled slightly, and her hands were shaking as she handed over the buns.

Seeing this, Lin Chang'er stepped forward to help wrap ten meat buns and handed them over, saying, "Here are your ten meat buns."

The uncle readily counted out 20 coins for her, and the transaction was complete. Only then did he look at the little goldfish again, "Little brother!"

Little Goldfish hurriedly placed the half-eaten bun on the stall, then picked up the large turtle with both hands. "Uncle, feel it, but don't touch its head. This turtle is very fierce. You'll make a fortune later."

"Tsk tsk tsk!" The uncle, whose teeth were barely visible, exclaimed, "This little mouth of hers is so eloquent, I'm even thinking of putting her in a sack and taking her home..."

He reached out and touched the turtle's back, then took the steamed buns and left, satisfied.

The little goldfish said goodbye to him, "Take care, uncle, and may you make a fortune soon."

Many people came to watch the spectacle, and many others joined in the fun. After this uncle started asking questions, more and more people began to ask.

"I'll buy ten too, can I touch them too?"

"If I buy five, can I touch one?"

"Can I buy three?"

The little goldfish didn't answer immediately, but instead turned to look at Lin Chang'er.

Lin Chang'er lowered her eyes and pondered for a moment before stepping forward with a smile, "Everyone, our turtle has a bad temper. If it's touched too much, it might throw a tantrum, which wouldn't be nice. So we only have five spots available! First come, first served."

The people who had come to join in the fun already believed in metaphysics and wanted to get some good luck. After hearing what she said, they thought it made sense. Some of them were quick-witted and immediately counted out their money and handed it over, saying, "I'll go first."

Those eager to join in the fun, fearing they'd miss out on a spot, all paid first to touch the turtle before asking for steamed buns.

Some people were just there for the spectacle, but seeing how much the little boy was enjoying his food, they bought one to try too.

In about 15 minutes, the steamed buns on the stall were sold out, and not even a single steamed bread was left.

The little goldfish asked Lin Chang'er for a water pouch and a damp cotton cloth to clean the big turtle's back, carefully wiping it, saying, "Thank you for your hard work, turtle immortal."

Lin Chang'er then handed the money she had collected to the woman selling steamed buns, saying, "Sister, this is money I collected for you. Please count it."

The woman selling steamed buns grabbed her hand and said, "We're all honest people, there's nothing you need."

She'd been running a stall at this market for years, but this was the first time she'd sold everything so cleanly.

"Little sister, you're truly my benefactor. My surname is Gu, and I'm honored to have such a high reputation. From now on, please call me Sister Gu."

Lin Chang'er laughed and said, "What a coincidence! My husband's family also has the surname Gu. Who knows, maybe we were related a hundred years ago?"

Sister Gu also smiled and said, "That's really a coincidence. I'm not good with words and don't know how to thank you. We've sold out of steamed buns today. From now on, if you bring your children here, just treat it as your own home and I won't charge you."

Lin Chang'er had figured out her personality; she knew that refusing would only make her uneasy, so she simply told her to pay the bill when they ate.

He nodded in agreement, "Okay. We have things to do today, so we'll head back now. See you tomorrow."

Sister Gu said goodbye to them with reluctance, and told them to be careful on the road. She waited until Lin Chang'er and her son were far away before turning back to pack her things.

Little Goldfish helped her mother set up a stall today and even helped the auntie who sells steamed buns. She was unusually wide-eyed, and the corners of her mouth never looked down.

The mother and son left the market hand in hand. Little Goldfish, remembering something, asked Lin Chang'er, "Mother, so many uncles and elders wanted to touch the big turtle, why did you limit the number of people?"

Lin Chang'er turned her head and smiled at him, "Then why do you think the uncles and elders are scrambling to touch the giant soft-shelled turtle?"

The little goldfish thought for a moment, "Because I said something auspicious about getting rich?"

Lin Chang'er continued, "That's true, but first, you need to have a big turtle, right? And if everyone has a big turtle, would they still want to touch your big turtle?"

The little goldfish paused, then said, "I understand, because big turtles are rare."

Lin Chang'er hummed in agreement. "Things are valued for their scarcity. In economics, this is called scarcity marketing, which means keeping customers in suspense so that those who buy it feel a sense of accomplishment."

The little goldfish nodded thoughtfully. "Mom, are we going to sell turtles now?"

Lin Chang'er responded, and the little goldfish suddenly stopped, looking at her expectantly, "Mother, can we not sell it?"

Lin Chang'er was taken aback. Had they developed feelings for each other?

As she was pondering, she caught a glimpse of several men huddled around the corner, furtively watching them. When they saw her looking over, they immediately ducked back down…