Reborn in 1981, starting by smashing my iron rice bowl.

The next day, Liu Weidong and Hao Jianjun set up their stall as usual, but the sign in front of their stall now had the words "authentic" on it, which together read: Authentic Shanghai-style melon seeds.

After yesterday's farce, Liu Weidong can openly and honestly write that on his signboard without worrying about being accused of bragging.

After all, customers who bought Wang Biao's so-called "Shanghai Fragrant Melon Seeds" all said that the two kinds of melon seeds were completely different.

Liu Weidong's Shanghai-style melon seeds are roasted to perfection, fragrant and crispy, with distinct flavors that make you want to keep eating them.

Wang Biao's melon seeds were not only either raw or burnt, but they also tasted terrible. They were so salty that you just wanted to drink water, and they were not even as good as ordinary melon seeds!

So after being fooled before, customers came back to buy Liu Weidong's roasted melon seeds. Everyone said that his melon seeds were worth every penny and absolutely deserved the name "authentic Shanghai-style roasted melon seeds".

Not long after Liu Weidong set up his stall, customers started coming in to buy sunflower seeds. Among them were several familiar faces, as well as new customers who wanted to try them out.

Several regular customers bought sunflower seeds from Wang Biao yesterday because they were cheap, and they were a little embarrassed to see Liu Weidong today.

However, Liu Weidong certainly wouldn't show his displeasure to the customers. He acted as if nothing had happened and didn't change his attitude towards them at all, which made these old customers secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

Just as Liu Weidong was weighing sunflower seeds for a customer, Hao Jianjun, who was next to him, suddenly nudged him hard, scattering the sunflower seeds all over the ground.

Liu Weidong glared at Hao Jianjun with annoyance and said, "What are you doing, kid? It's fine if you don't help, but you're making things worse, aren't you?"

"No, Wei Dong, look, that guy's here again!" Hao Jianjun gestured for Liu Wei Dong to look across the street and whispered to him, "He actually has the nerve to set up a stall right across from us, he's really shameless!"

Liu Weidong looked up and saw that Wang Biao had also come and was seriously setting up his stall!

Although Liu Weidong was also somewhat surprised, he didn't make a fuss like Hao Jianjun. He calmly said, "That's his freedom. We shouldn't meddle. We should just focus on our own business!"

Hao Jianjun sneered, "This guy's reputation is ruined, who would buy his stuff?"

A customer buying sunflower seeds nodded in agreement, saying, "That young man is right. Now everyone knows that guy's sunflower seeds are counterfeit, and no one will buy them!"

Indeed, the vast majority of customers went directly to Liu Weidong to buy sunflower seeds. Only a few unsuspecting customers were attracted by Wang Biao's low prices.

However, in the early 1980s, everyone was very enthusiastic. Whenever this happened, kind people would take the initiative to remind customers and introduce them to Liu Weidong to buy sunflower seeds.

This infuriated Wang Biao. Looking at the thriving melon seed stall across the street, he gritted his teeth and muttered to himself, "Let's see how long you can be so smug. You'll have nowhere to cry when the time comes!"

Just then, two men wearing red armbands walked over unhurriedly. Upon seeing them, Wang Biao's face lit up with joy, eagerly anticipating a good show.

The two men didn't stop at any other stalls, but went straight to Liu Weidong's sunflower seed stall. As they passed Wang Biao, they exchanged a quick glance.

Several steps away from Liu Weidong's stall, the taller man shouted, "Make way, make way, everyone stop! I'm talking to you, you're not doing business here anymore!"

The disturbed customers were somewhat dissatisfied, but seeing that the two were wearing red armbands, no one dared to say anything and they all dispersed to make way for them.

The two men approached the stall. The taller man sized up Liu Weidong and said, "We're from the street patrol team. Someone reported you for speculation and profiteering. These sunflower seeds and stuff are the evidence. Now, take this evidence and come with us!"

Upon hearing the words "speculation and profiteering," the onlookers' expressions immediately changed.

Although the reform and opening up policy has been promoted for several years, the crime of speculation and profiteering has not been abolished. These are definitely the four words that business people fear the most.

Even the customers who had just bought sunflower seeds were a little nervous, afraid that they might be implicated. It would be too unfair to be arrested as Liu Weidong's accomplice; who would have thought that buying some sunflower seeds would involve such risks?

Hao Jianjun was so frightened that he turned pale and couldn't speak at all. Didn't Liu Weidong say there was no risk? How did it suddenly become speculation and profiteering? In serious cases, wouldn't he be executed?

Wang Biao was overjoyed to see this, feeling that giving away those two packs of Peony cigarettes was definitely worth it!

For just over ten yuan, I can get rid of this thorn in my side and make those two kids never dare to set up their stall in the county town again. Then no one will be competing with me for business, and I can sell these counterfeit Shanghai melon seeds however I want. Becoming a millionaire is just around the corner!

However, the smug Wang Biao failed to notice that Liu Weidong showed no fear on his face, but instead revealed a meaningful smile.

Seeing that the young man showed no fear whatsoever, the two men with red armbands became somewhat angry. The short, hot-tempered one said viciously, "You're still laughing, kid? Speculation and profiteering is punishable by death. Let's see if you'll still be laughing then!"

“This comrade wearing the red armband, you should know that you are now representing the government, and you must be responsible for your words!” Liu Weidong retorted without the slightest fear, “Although the leaders have given you some power, it’s not for you to arbitrarily label others!”

These days, people have a natural fear of government employees. However, Liu Weidong, having been the owner of a listed company in his previous life, didn't take these ordinary street office staff seriously at all. So when he spoke to them, he was full of confidence, unlike others who were timid and hesitant.

Seeing that Liu Weidong not only did not obey, but even dared to lecture them, the two women with red armbands got angry.

The tall man immediately shouted, "Whether it's labeling you or not, you'll find out when you get to the neighborhood office. I'm telling you right now, you're a speculator, so what?"

"Nothing much, say whatever you want!" Liu Weidong remained calm and unhurried, saying, "But I definitely need to ask your Director Du what he thinks of his subordinates acting so recklessly."

"You stubborn brat..." Liu Weidong actually dared to say that he was acting recklessly, and the short, hot-tempered man went up to him and was about to overturn his stall.

"Old Wang, wait a minute!" The tall man sensed the problem in Liu Weidong's words and quickly pulled his companion aside to ask, "Do you know our Director Du?"

Under their gazes, Liu Weidong smiled faintly and said, "He and I are friends!"