Chapter 76: What Are You Staring At?

The number of people who showed up for the opening was indeed not many—about forty in total. Li Xian kept things simple, arranging a few tables at a restaurant for the occasion. 

These days, grand celebrations weren't in vogue, and the amount of gifts people brought was modest. For instance, wealthy individuals like Zheng Weishi, Wu Shengli, and Wang Linhe contributed only fifty each. Friends and family from the forest farm were even more frugal, with contributions ranging from ten to twenty yuan, and some even as low as five yuan, like those from the construction team represented by Wang Qinghe.

Li Xian wasn't picky. He appreciated anyone who cared enough to acknowledge his event, regardless of the amount they contributed.

However, Li You meticulously recorded each contribution in a ledger, mumbling about the importance of keeping track and remembering to reciprocate in the future.

Regardless, with the paper factory's opening, Li Xian felt relieved.

After hosting the midday meal, he, along with Xu Bing and a few capable staff members, went to several surrounding areas. With the factory now open, it was crucial to quickly get the toilet paper business underway.

Li Xian had many tasks to attend to and couldn't stray too far, so he headed to the forestry bureau.

The sales team had been preparing a free paper giveaway event according to Li Xian's instructions. Besides newspaper advertisements and targeted distribution of free vouchers to unit employees, the factory hired a local folk dance troupe and secured a space in front of the bureau's sports field.

At that time, promotional methods were still quite limited, but similarly, urban residents had few entertainment options. Thus, the folk dance troupe's performance, combined with distributing flyers, proved effective.

By just after three in the afternoon, a large crowd had already gathered at the square, all clutching small red tickets and surrounding the area where the folk troupe was performing.

In the center of the crowd was a pile of over five hundred pounds of pristine white toilet paper, neatly arranged like a small mountain. Twenty or so colorful flags marked with "Xina Paper" surrounded the "paper mountain," fluttering in the wind.

Nearby, banners displayed slogans such as "Xina Paper Industry Grand Opening, Quality Toilet Paper Free at 4:30 PM," "Xina Premium Toilet Paper Available at the Bureau Supply and Major Wholesale Stores," and "Selling at 0.2 Yuan per Roll, Free During Promotion Period."

When Li Xian arrived at the sports field, he saw the crowd discussing the banners and rolls of paper.

"Is the forestry bureau's paper factory out of its mind? Giving away paper for free? Is that really happening?"

"Who knows? With such a big setup, it should be legitimate, right?"

"Wow, two jiao per roll. One roll of toilet paper costs as much as a bus ticket. At this price, they might as well give it away for free."

Hearing the crowd's chatter, Li Xian couldn't help but smile as he pushed through to join them.

Seeing Li Xian, Chen Shulin set aside what he was doing and approached. The sales team leader, whose eyes were bloodshot from drinking with supply and wholesale department personnel, had a strong smell of alcohol even from a distance.

Chen Shulin sniffed and said with a hiccup, "Old Chen, how's it going?"

Chen Shulin grimaced and burped, "Hmm... there are quite a few people! It's not even four yet, and there must be four or five hundred already."

Noticing Li Xian's satisfaction with this number, Chen Shulin continued, "We've been giving out a lot of free vouchers these past couple of days. I estimate we'll have one or two thousand people soon. Boss, while it hasn't started yet, are we really giving it away for free?"

Li Xian smiled and nodded.

"Geez, that means tonight's expenses will be at least three to four hundred yuan! Be prepared not to lose too much. Don't let anyone say that Old Chen skimmed money."

Li Xian remained silent in the face of Chen Shulin's teasing.

Clearly, Chen Shulin's estimate was off. In this era, it was rare to find something given away for free without a catch. By the designated time of 4:30 PM, the sports field was packed with a noisy crowd!

In the clamor of the crowd, even the folk dance troupe's gongs and drums were drowned out.

The paper giveaway event began under the pressure of the crowd.

Originally, Chen Shulin planned to use five people to check tickets and distribute paper. But at that rate, who knew when it would end?

As winter approached and daylight shortened, it would be dark by five o'clock!

Facing the surging crowd, they had no choice but to enlist the folk dance troupe members to help with distribution. With over ten people working, handing out tickets and paper, it still took more than an hour to finish!

By the time it was completely dark, all the paper—five hundred pounds—had been given away, but there were still over two hundred people holding tickets left.

Chen Shulin immediately looked for Li Xian, wondering whether to fetch more paper from the factory or continue the giveaway the next day.

However, after searching around, he found no sign of the factory owner.

At the sports field entrance, Li Xian was trailing behind a group of women, listening intently to their discussions.

"Oh, this paper is great! Xiao Feng, look, it's so soft! I've never seen such soft toilet paper."

"Yeah, it seems really white too. It's a good deal since it's free. I saw on the banner that if bought at the supply store, it's two jiao a roll!"

"Wow, that's a bit expensive."

"Hey, it's free, so just use it!"

"Yes,"

When the women walked away, he quickly followed another group of women.

"Wow, is the bureau's paper factory crazy? So much white and soft paper is a waste if it's just for wiping!"

"Why so narrow-minded? Does toilet paper only have one use?"

"What else would it be used for?"

"My kid has a cold and runny nose lately, so this will be perfect. Otherwise, his nose would be red from all the wiping."

"Yeah, I'm about to start my period. The coarse paper used before made my thighs sore. I'm hoping this will help."

"Oh! That's a good idea! I'm about to start too. My stomach's been hurting for the past few months... Hey, who are you? Why are you following us? Are you a pervert?"

"Hey! You there, with the broom head, yes, you! What are you staring at?"

Li Xian, engrossed in listening, unconsciously followed closer.

He tilted his head, stretched his ears, and his face displayed either a smug grin or a lecherous smile. Either way, he didn't look like a respectable young man.

The women, noticing such a figure trailing behind them, were immediately enraged.

Faced with the furious women, Li Xian reacted within less than a tenth of a second.

He fled in panic!

In these times, being labeled a pervert could lead to severe consequences—Li Xian didn't want to end up with a face full of mud.

"What are you staring at? Hmph!"

He returned to the sports field, wiped his nose, and responded to the still-pointing women with a final remark.