The factories could easily absorb 300 eggs with thousands of workers, provided Scarlett could find the right connections. Relying solely on retail sales would be inefficient, so Scarlett planned to explore better sales channels. While official eggs were priced at 1.2 dollars per pound, supply was severely limited. Some workplace logistics departments couldn’t even secure those eggs, presenting an opportunity worth investigating.
That evening, even Amanda helped by weaving more baskets. She cut the straw into shorter pieces and stuffed the gaps with bran to stabilize the eggs during transport.
Michael was too excited to sleep, hoping Scarlett would take him to the city.
But the little boy was bound to be disappointed. Scarlett and Elizabeth left at 5 a.m.
It was safer with two people, as Scarlett’s striking beauty made William and Elizabeth worry.
The bicycle significantly shortened their travel time, and by the time they arrived at the spot where Scarlett had sold duck eggs before, the sun was just rising.
The small market outside the agricultural machinery factory was quiet—most people were too busy with their fields to visit the city.
As Scarlett parked her bike, a familiar customer recognized her.
Her striking appearance and efficient demeanor made her unforgettable to anyone who had dealt with her.
“Oh, you’re here to sell eggs again?”
“Auntie, are you buying eggs today? I have chicken eggs!”
“I still haven’t finished the duck eggs I bought last time.”
Scarlett didn’t let the opportunity slip. “Duck eggs are great for making salted or preserved eggs, but chicken eggs are better for steaming, boiling, or stir-frying.”
She lifted the cover off her basket, revealing neatly arranged eggs, almost as if they were inviting people to eat them. The woman couldn’t help swallowing as she stared. She had salted the wild duck eggs from last time—perhaps it was time to buy some chicken eggs now.
Scarlett could tell the woman was tempted.
“Chicken eggs are usually 15 cents each, but since you’re a regular, I’ll give them to you for 14 cents. The wild duck eggs are still priced as they were the other day.”
State-run stores sold chicken eggs at 1.2 dollars per pound, with 8–10 eggs per pound depending on size. While they were cheaper than Scarlett’s eggs, they were often in short supply. Affordable eggs were hard to come by!
Unable to resist Scarlett’s persuasion, the woman ended up buying ten eggs.
It wasn’t until factory workers began arriving on their bicycles that Scarlett’s business picked up. She stood there confidently, her striking appearance drawing second glances from passersby. And when they glanced her way, she’d ask if they wanted to buy eggs. She was nothing like the other villagers selling goods, who acted furtive and cautious as if they were doing something wrong.
During the morning rush as workers arrived at the agricultural machinery factory, Scarlett managed to sell almost all the eggs she’d brought.
“See? It’s actually pretty safe. Tomorrow, I’ll go to the city by myself.”
Someone needed to stay home to collect eggs, and it wouldn’t be right to keep bothering her Aunt Amanda, who had her own work to do. Once the eggs in Wellwater Village were collected, they’d have to venture further afield, and both of them going to the city would waste a laborer’s time.
Elizabeth wasn’t skilled at persuading people to buy things, so Scarlett was the only one who could handle the city trips.
By 9 a.m., Scarlett had sold out all the eggs and planned to switch her selling spot to the meat processing plant the next day. Her pockets were stuffed with small bills, though she hadn’t counted the exact amount yet. She was confident she’d made a profit based on her buying price. Despite her caution, a few eggs inevitably got cracked—such losses were unavoidable.
As the busy harvest season for rice began, Scarlett’s egg-trading business was booming. Her striking beauty earned her the nickname “The Pretty Egg Seller,” and with that name came the attention of some particularly interested individuals.
