Journey 1995:Non-Stop

Chapter 74 Trends
Innovation is truly the primary productive force; this statement will never be outdated in any era.

Yan Hui himself did not expect that in just one month, his income would reach nearly 3000 yuan. Although there were about 400 yuan in cost expenditures, such a "output ratio" is almost "profiteering".

During this period, because he made money quickly, Yan Hui never clashed with Da Kai and the others. He would avoid them whenever possible, and even if they did run into each other, Yan Hui would sometimes offer Da Kai a cigarette.

Da Kai isn't a man of great ambition, nor is he the type to be aggressive or confrontational. He's easily satisfied with small gains, a fact Yan Hui is well aware of. Now that Yan Hui is making so much money, avoiding unnecessary conflicts and wasting time aligns with the principle his teachers taught him: "Time is money."

While Yan Hui could easily take on two Da Kais in a fight, the trouble that would follow would be endless. Leaving their homes was always for survival and development, not for fighting or making enemies.

To put it bluntly, it's not cost-effective to start a conflict for short-term gains.

Yan Hui carried a small bag, and his entire demeanor and state seemed to have changed. Although he was still thin, as long as he had more confidence and hope in his bones, his steps seemed to carry a bit more of a breeze.

Over the past month, his bag has become increasingly filled with interesting items. Besides matches and short measuring tapes used as "gifts," Yan Hui has also prepared some professional tools, including a rebound hammer, magnifying glass, spring scale, probe, and hammer.

When talking to clients, simply showing them professional equipment like probes and rebound hammers immediately increases their trust in you. After all, professional "packaging" is important and necessary in any market.

Yan Hui knew very well that since all the clients he was currently targeting were new clients, nothing was more important than demonstrating his professionalism. In addition, he was familiar enough with market prices that he even had previous clients refer new clients.

There's a saying in Southern Fujian: "Don't fight for fish on the plate; go catch fish in the sea." After leaving his second brother's place, Yan Hui was "unemployed," and the market was filled with competitors like Da Kai. So, if Yan Hui didn't want to fight for fish on the plate, he had no choice but to go catch fish in the sea. He constantly thought and analyzed, eventually developing his "business model" into what it is today. In a sense, this was an innovation in Yan Hui's life.

If Yan Hui were still working as a foreman under his second brother, and if Da Kai and his ilk hadn't interfered, he would probably still be stuck in the familiar cycle, "lying flat," even hoping to one day "win without lifting a finger." This past month, for the first time, Yan Hui stepped out of his "comfort zone," and for the first time, he achieved a "leap" through his own thinking and analysis. At this moment, Yan Hui is no longer just a middleman, but more like an expert.

When he inserted the probe into the wood, a serious expression appeared on his youthful face. Even the owner of the lumber shop was a little confused, because the shop owner probably didn't know anything about this.

If Yan Hui hadn't been exposed to the entire process of the timber industry, and if he hadn't kept up with his studies and notes, he wouldn't have been able to understand it.

This is Yan Hui's moat in this "field," something that someone like Da Kai, who pulls a cart, can hardly understand.

As time went on, Yan Hui's communication skills improved and became more proficient. He quickly learned how to offer cigarettes from Song Zhiyuan and Lao Song, and even Da Kai started to learn it.

But Yan Hui wasn't worried at all. He was already ahead of the industry and was still working hard. One hot day in mid-July, Yan Hui bought an ice pop at the East Gate. Just as he tore open the packaging and was about to enjoy it, he looked up and saw his fourth uncle driving back from outside.

Uncle Si beckoned to Yan Hui, and Yan Hui got into the car.

As soon as Yan Hui got into the car, he felt a shiver run through him; it was so cool inside! Was this a car with air conditioning?!
Yan Hui rarely had the opportunity to ride in his fourth uncle's car. In the past, he mostly rode in minivans, and in the summer, to save fuel, the windows of minivans were usually open. Moreover, many of these minivans didn't even have air conditioning!
This was Yan Hui's first time experiencing an air conditioner, and it felt so cool!
The iciness of an ice pop can't compare to even a fraction of the comfort of air conditioning!
"I've noticed you've been quite busy lately. How have you been doing?" Uncle Si asked.

“Okay, I’ll introduce clients here, and the income is pretty good.” Yan Hui didn’t need to hide it from his fourth uncle.

"Well, my processing plant will officially start production at the end of the month. When you come over, you won't need to do work like carrying wood or planks. Your main job will be to help me clean up the sawdust and keep an eye on the machines. If there are any problems, let me know as soon as possible. I'll pay you 1000 yuan a month, how about that?" Uncle Si asked.

"That's great!" Yan Hui readily agreed.

Yan Hui had naturally seen the processing plant; the hardest job in the processing plant was definitely moving wood.

Logs are heavy and difficult to move, and often need to be lifted onto machines, which is not as simple as just stacking them. As for split boards, they are full of splinters because they have just been split, which is even more troublesome. Moreover, during the processing, there is no time to rest until the saw blade is changed.

In contrast, sawdust is much simpler to make. Just shovel it into a basket, and fill it with more when you have the energy and less when you're tired.

This job pays 1000 yuan a month. If you advertised it in the market, I reckon hundreds of people would want to do it. Although it's not a lot compared to Yan Hui's current income, it's stable, he can learn more "professional knowledge," and after more than a year of wandering, it seems he finally has a stable place. For a teenager, this sense of security and stability is far more valuable than a few hundred yuan more a month. Yan Hui already has a certain confidence in making money; compared to immediate gains, learning and stability will allow him to walk a more solid path in the future.

"Well, it won't be too busy. You can learn about wood processing while you're at it; it'll be good for you. You can't just keep dabbling in the market all the time. I won't keep anything from you; if you don't understand anything, just ask me." Sure enough, Uncle Si knew everything Yan Hui knew.

As Uncle Si spoke, the car had already arrived at his shop. "Okay, I'll drop you off here. Let me know if you need anything."

"No problem, Uncle. I'll come over every day from now on. Just let me know whenever you need me." Yan Hui readily agreed.

Throughout the entire timber processing process, from logging to fine processing, the experience Yan Hui lacked most was in board processing. What he usually saw were mostly logs and processed boards. Although he often saw various machines cutting timber, he could only watch the spectacle; he didn't understand the specific processes at all.

(End of this chapter)