C7 The Strong Cannot Buy the Weak

Within a matter of days after receiving the petri dishes and disposable toothbrushes, a large cardboard sign was hung outside the Old Liu Family Provisions Shop. Scribbled in black ink, it announced, "Teeth cleaning from 8 to 10 am daily. Satisfaction guaranteed or it's free. Only 100 yuan per person." The sign piqued the curiosity of villagers and travelers alike. In Ye County, a small coastal town in the northeast of C Country, 100 yuan was a reasonable sum, affordable for most locals.

What Bao Guo hadn't anticipated was that his first customer would be Liu Yongfa from the big supermarket at the entrance of the village. His visit had a simple motive: to suss out why the shop remained shuttered after its grand opening. "Are you trying to undercut us?" he seemed to imply.

"Little Bao, we're practically family. If your shop's having trouble, just let me know. Whatever you need, your uncle's got you covered."

Bao Guo responded with a wry smile, "Uncle, did you come for a teeth cleaning, or to bring me a gift?" He glanced at the box of nearly expired yogurt Liu Yongfa had placed on the counter, finding the gesture rather absurd.

"Ah, I'm here for a teeth cleaning, of course. Let's see how good you are," Liu Yongfa said, slapping a hundred yuan on the table. Bao Guo chuckled as he accepted the money, then retrieved a petri dish from behind the battered cash box at the counter and carefully opened it.

"Will you be brushing your own teeth, or shall I assist you? Just a single rinse with this green solution will do the trick."

Liu Yongfa eyed the petite dish with bewilderment and questioned, "That's it?"

"Yes, that's all. Will you do the honors, or shall I?"

"I'll handle it myself. It feels odd having someone else brush my teeth."

Moments later, Liu Yongfa was gaping at his reflection in the mirror, his face a mask of shock. He stood frozen for a good three or four minutes before suddenly bolting out the door without a backward glance.

"Hey, hey, what do you think? You haven't given me any feedback yet. Hey~" Bao Guo called after him, but Liu Yongfa, with his protruding belly, was already out of sight.

"Come on, at least give me some feedback on how it works. I personally think it's pretty good."

But within ten minutes, two cars pulled up outside the grocery store. Liu Yongfa headed home and brought back his entire family—his wife, the elders, and the kids.

"Here's seven hundred yuan. Don't count me in; the seven of them will try it once. Just take out the stuff and let them brush away. Check out these pearly whites! I've been a smoker for 18 years, and I thought these stained teeth would follow me to the grave. Who knew your remedy would work wonders and whiten them up just like that? This hundred bucks is the best money I've ever spent."

Bao Guo pocketed the money and cheerfully fulfilled the family's wish for clean teeth.

...

Thanks to the word-of-mouth from Liu Yongfa's family, Bao Guo's grocery store became a local sensation in the neighboring villages and towns. In just three days, opening only in the mornings, he sold over four hundred bottles of teeth cleaning water. Yes, that's the catchy name he coined for the bean pod juice.

The sales of the teeth cleaning water made his wallet swell unexpectedly, giving him a surreal sense of sudden wealth and a creeping sense of unease.

He took time to go home and share the news with his parents, even using the bean juice to whiten their teeth to a snowy sheen. His mother was unfazed, reasoning that there was no harm in honest business—no stealing, no cheating. After all, the business license for the shop now bore Bao Guo's name. Regarding the Teeth Cleaning Water sales, as long as customers were only allowed to use it within the store and not take it home, there was no fear of complaints; they could simply discontinue the service if needed.

His father, Bao Shiyuv, had more reservations. That evening, he probed Bao Guo with many questions. Seeing his son's vague responses on certain critical issues, he felt a mix of helplessness and concern. He cautioned Bao Guo to be vigilant, reminding him that while there are many good people in the world, there are just as many with ill intentions. Making money was not in itself wrong, but envy can blind people. He urged his son to be cautious and ready to abandon ship if necessary.

Early on the fourth day, Bao Guo decided to cut back on his product. He knew that money couldn't be earned endlessly, and it was wiser to proceed with caution. Today, he even went out of his way to purchase a tube of green toothpaste from a particular brand and carefully injected it with bean juice, using a syringe to match the previous quantity.

He had resolved to earn a bit less and play it safe, but instead, he was greeted by a notoriously difficult customer.

"Ugh, this dingy little shop is so filthy and rundown. Mom, who told you this place had some miraculous teeth cleaning service? I'm in a hurry to catch a flight. My face is scheduled for cosmetic surgery by a top specialist in K Country. I can't afford any delays."

"Wenwen, calm down. Your Aunt Sun recommended this place, so it must be good. The shop might not look like much, but I saw Aunt Sun's teeth go from yellow to sparkling white just yesterday. Let's give it a shot; it won't take long. I'll go first, okay?"

Bao Guo approached the stylishly dressed mother and daughter with a welcoming smile, but their request for a 'trial' left him dumbfounded. He responded coolly, "I'm sorry, but we don't offer trials here."

"What's your problem? Do you have any idea who I am? I'm doing you a favor by asking for a trial. How can you be so ungrateful? Hurry up and bring it out. We're pressed for time. Can you afford to be responsible for our delay?" The mother, flamboyantly dressed, pointed at Bao Guo's forehead, leaving him utterly bewildered.

Once he regained his composure, the daughter, while touching up her makeup, remarked, "Ew, this place is so dirty. Even if it could clean teeth, they'd just end up contaminated. Forget it, let's leave. We're going to miss our flight."

Bao Guo quickly concurred, "Absolutely, you're absolutely right, miss. This is just a general store; we don't do anything with teeth cleaning. That sign outside was just for show. I'm taking it down right now. You should both head back, hehe."

The mother and daughter looked confused as Bao Guo ripped down the large cardboard sign from outside the door, then swung it open, gesturing for them to leave.

"Hey, you little weasel, I didn't travel all this way just to be insulted. I refuse to leave empty-handed. You will give me something today, whether you have it or not, or I swear I'll dismantle this pathetic shop of yours. Don't you dare underestimate who I am," the mother exclaimed, hands on her hips, ready to make a scene.

"Look, I'm not sure what you're trying to pull here, but if you think you can force a sale, you're mistaken. I'm closing up shop, so I'd appreciate it if you'd leave my home. If you don't, I'll have no choice but to call the police," Bao Guo said, his face contorted with disgust. It was his first encounter with such brazen individuals who simply wouldn't take a hint.

Then, his surgically altered daughter chimed in with a sneer, "Oh, you're going to call the cops? Go ahead, make the call. We're not going anywhere. I'm not scared of the police. You should know, my brother is Zhai Xiaolong from the South Gate. One phone call from me, and you're done for. Not even the king himself could help you. So, wise up and hand over that toothpaste, or else—just you wait."

Bao Guo, unable to contain his fiery temper, grabbed a watermelon knife, ready to defend his ground. These two were trying to intimidate him into a sale, but he wasn't one to back down. Just then, the Village Chief and the Secretary walked in, followed by two unfamiliar faces.

"Hey, Xiaobao, entertaining guests, are we? What happened to your sign out front?" The old Secretary asked with a grin, a cigarette dangling from his lips as he surveyed the standoffish mother and daughter.

"Perfect timing. I need help calling the police. They're threatening to get Zhai Xiaolong to come after me, claiming that even the governor wouldn't be able to help," Bao Guo explained.

"You're twisting our words. We never said that," the women backpedaled, their bravado fading in the presence of the men. Bao Guo had a knack for making people see what he wanted them to see—sly as a fox.

The old Secretary's eyes narrowed, but before he could speak, the Village Chief pulled him aside.

The current Village Chief, Liu Yongfa, was a generation older than Bao Guo and in the prime of his life. He smirked at the mention of gangsters. "So, you're bringing in thugs now? The whole nation is cracking down on organized crime. Since you've got the gall to spout threats in Liu Family Village, you've invited the trouble that's coming. Er Zhu, get in here and detain these two. Call the cops. Let's see how they like dealing with real law enforcement for trying to play gangster in our village."

"Ah, no, no, it's not what you think. We're just here to shop, that's all. We're definitely not involved with any gangs. Truly, it's a misunderstanding."

"Exactly, we're not part of any gang. We were only having a bit of fun with this gentleman here. Honestly, there's nothing to it. We'll be on our way now. Right away."

The two women made for the door, eager to leave, but Bao Guo stepped forward, blocking their path with an outstretched hand. "Hold on a second. You think you can just come and go as you please? Am I invisible to you?"