Chapter 66: The Charm of the Times
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Chapter 66: The Charm of the Times
Early the next morning, Li Yi woke up early, had a quick breakfast, and stepped out of his house. Today, he had a lot to do.
His first stop was the packaging factory. If everything went according to plan, Wei Sanpao and the first batch of clothing would arrive before noon tomorrow. He needed to prepare the warehouse for storage, ensuring everything was in order.
As for decorating the warehouse, Li Yi had no immediate plans. After all, it was just a storage space. As long as it was functional, it would serve its purpose.
In the afternoon, he planned to visit the Industrial and Commercial Bureau to obtain a business license. The government was currently encouraging private businesses, but formal registration was essential to operate legally.
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A Visit to the Packaging Factory
Upon arriving at the packaging factory, Li Yi saw the doors wide open, with workers moving equipment out. Even before stepping inside, he heard Xiao Wu's voice echoing from within.
Inside, he found Xiao Wu, Da Chu, Wei Zi, Da Long, and a few others busy working. As soon as they saw Li Yi, they greeted him warmly.
"Brother Yi, we heard you took over Xiao Wu's packaging factory, so we all came to help!"
"Brother Yi, didn't Third Brother go out with you? Why isn't he back yet?"
Li Yi smiled and reassured them, "Wei Sanpao is on his way back with the goods. He should arrive in Jiangcheng around noon tomorrow. I returned first to prepare for the store's opening."
One of the men asked curiously, "Brother Yi, are you planning to sell clothes here?"
"Of course not. This will only be a warehouse. The actual store will be in Lianhua Plaza, right in the city center. It's a 600-square-meter space, and it's currently being renovated."
"Lianhua Plaza? 600 square meters? That must be expensive! The rent alone must cost tens of thousands!" someone exclaimed.
Li Yi simply smiled, not bothering to comment. Instead, he turned to Xiao Wu.
"How's the cleaning going?"
"Almost done. The large machines have been moved out, and only some motors and raw materials remain. They should be cleared out by noon."
Li Yi nodded and then asked, "Do any of you know a good welder? We need to weld some shelves for the warehouse."
At that moment, Da Chu spoke up.
"Brother Yi, you don't need to hire an outsider. I can do it!"
"You?" Li Yi raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah! My dad has been a welder at our factory for years. If you need, I can borrow a welding machine and a cutting tool from the factory. You just need to tell me the shelf specifications and get the raw materials."
Li Yi was pleased. "That's perfect! Each shelf should be two meters long, 60 centimeters wide, and two meters high, divided into three levels."
"How many do you need?"
"Let's start with a hundred and see how it goes."
"Got it!"
Turning to Xiao Wu, Li Yi added, "Once Weizi and the others are free, have them go to the steel market and buy the materials."
"Understood!" Xiao Wu responded.
Just then, Weizi spoke up.
"Brother Yi, do you need employees for the clothing store?"
"Yes, I do."
"Can we join?"
Li Yi was surprised. "Why? Aren't factory jobs considered secure?"
Weizi sighed. "An iron rice bowl doesn't mean much if you haven't been paid for months. We need to find a better path."
Li Yi grinned. "If you guys are interested, I have no problem hiring you. I'll finalize the salary details soon, but rest assured—it'll be better than what you're making at the factory."
Hearing this, everyone exchanged excited glances.
Li Yi loved this camaraderie. Before his rebirth, despite having wealth and success, he had been lonely. Now, he preferred this life—building something with his brothers, working together toward a common goal.
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Running Business Errands
By noon, the warehouse cleanup was nearly complete. Li Yi handed Xiao Wu some money to buy lunch for everyone, while he caught a bus to the Industrial and Commercial Bureau to apply for a business license.
As he sat on the old, slow-moving bus, he couldn't help but think about the Bentley and Bugatti he had owned in his previous life. He missed the convenience of a car.
He made a mental note: achieve financial freedom as soon as possible and buy a house and a car.
After more than half an hour, he arrived in the city center.
Since the Industrial and Commercial Bureau wouldn't open until 2 PM, he decided to visit Lianhua Plaza first.
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Checking on the Store Renovation
When he arrived at the store, construction workers were already busy. The walls had grooves cut in them, indicating that the water and electricity systems were being adjusted.
Li Yi found Lao Liu, the head of the renovation team, and handed him the store's design plans.
His store would feature a European-American style interior, something fresh and appealing to Chinese consumers in the early '90s. At this time, many admired foreign culture, believing that Western brands represented quality and sophistication.
"Brother Liu, follow these plans carefully," Li Yi instructed.
Lao Liu, an experienced contractor, was visibly impressed by the luxurious design. "Young man, this is quite grand! But don't worry, my team can handle it."
Li Yi nodded. "Good. The store must be finished within a week."
After confirming the renovation timeline, he left the store and walked toward the Industrial and Commercial Bureau.
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Reflections on the Era
Walking through the city streets, Li Yi took in the simple architecture and the people bustling about.
Unlike decades later, the city was still in its early stages of modernization. There were no towering skyscrapers, and even in a provincial capital like Jiangcheng, most buildings were modest and functional.
Bus stops were nothing fancy, just a simple sign on an electric pole—purely practical.
This era had no smartphones, no internet, and no modern distractions.
People interacted face-to-face, and life felt real and unpretentious.
Li Yi smiled.
This was an era of innocence—an era of endless opportunities.
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