August 1st, 2023 — Shuangqing City.
Army Day.
Cai Xinzi's humble model shop, usually as quiet as a monk's vow, had suddenly transformed into a full-blown battlefield supply depot. Military models were selling so quickly that even the cash register sounded exhausted.
Liaoning-class carrier? Sold.Chongqing warship? Sold.Paratrooper figurines? Selling faster than actual paratroopers could land.
If the PLA ever ran out of equipment, they could probably borrow from Cai Xinzi's shelves.
Cai hummed happily, counting money with the kind of joy only capitalism can bring. Her eyebrows practically blossomed into fireworks.
She was just about to greet the next customer when the door jingled and in walked an old "friend" — Li Daoxuan.
And by "friend," we mean the type who borrows money, forgets to return it, and then shows up smiling like a peach blossom.
"Daoxuan?" Cai raised a brow. "Why are you free today? Here to pick up your custom Hakka enclosure? I told you, you still need ten more days."
Li Daoxuan grinned mysteriously, like a man who had come to cause trouble but intended to package it as a business opportunity.
"I'm not here to pick up goods today," he said. "I'm here to supply you."
Cai narrowed her eyes. "…You're going to cheat me again, aren't you?"
"Cheat you? Me?" Li put a hand to his chest in theatrical innocence. "I'm helping you make money! Honestly, you treat your friends terribly."
Then, with the flourish of a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat, he reached into his trouser pocket and produced a tiny wooden figurine — barely one centimeter tall — and placed it on the counter.
Cai glanced at it without interest."A Sun Wukong Supreme Treasure edition? This small? What is it, plastic? Five yuan at most."
"Solid wood," Li Daoxuan said.
That stopped Cai mid-breath.
Solid wood?
He leaned in. "Maybe use a magnifying glass. You know, for your old eyes."
Cai bristled, but curiosity dragged him in like a fishing hook. He waved a clerk over to handle customers while he bent over the figurine.
One look — and he nearly levitated.
This wasn't a mere model. It was a masterpiece. Despite being only a centimeter tall, every detail was perfect: the facial features, the tiny monkey hair, the armor plates so thin they looked like painted shadows. It was a micro-carved Sun Wukong of absurd craftsmanship.
"This… this is art!" Cai gasped.
"Confidential source," Li said vaguely.
Cai glared. "You didn't steal it, right? Don't drag me into your dirty business."
"How dare you!" Li huffed. "Do I look like someone who'd commit theft?"
"Not only do you look like it," Cai said, "you practically radiate it. But fine, you're not a thief — just a jealous, slightly scheming bastard."
Li accepted this as a compliment. "Anyway, I want to sell these but I don't have the channels. You do."
Cai snorted. "Old buddies for how many years? I'll list it for you, no problem."
"No, you take a commission," Li insisted. "This is going to be a long-term business."
Cai blinked.Long-term?
Ah. So Li had found a micro-carver.He'd handle production, Li handled middleman duties, and Cai supplied storefront legitimacy.
A perfect triangle of mild corruption — just like ancient Ming bureaucratic partnerships.
"Fine," Cai said. "I'll test the market, but don't blame me if it sells low."
"Sell boldly!" Li said. "Even if we lose, I won't blame you."
Cai took photos using macro mode, added a reference shot with fingers to show scale, and posted:
"New rare micro-carved Supreme Treasure! One centimeter tall! Magnifying-glass level craftsmanship!Only one piece—first come, first served!Friendship price: 8888 RMB!!"
Within seconds, it vanished.
Li refreshed.
Gone.
Cai messaged.
"Bro I swear to heaven — an old customer murdered the post instantly. He transferred 8888 without a word and is already driving here. Damn it, I should've priced it higher! We're losing money together!!"
Li nearly skipped with joy."Eight thousand is great! I'm rich! Technically. A little."
Cai: "You have more stock? I can negotiate a long-term deal."
Li: "No stock. Need to carve more."
Cai: "You can customize?"
Li: "Of course."
Cai: "Good. Leave it to me."
He transferred 8000 yuan to Li.
Li accepted it like a starving monk receiving alms. Finally — after half a month of feeding the little sculptor in the box — he saw money coming back. Talent really was the ultimate investment.
The more talented his tiny villagers grew, the bigger the ideas he could invent.
Life was good.
He bought pork tenderloin on the way home, humming triumphantly.
Back in the box world, it was dusk. Cooking smoke curled lazily in the sky. The village children prepared dinner.
Li cut off a tiny piece of tenderloin and placed it gently in the center of the miniature village.
The villagers gasped.
"Meat! A whole slab of tenderloin!"
Li puffed up proudly. "Yiye! Announce to everyone: tonight, we're having meat. Two taels per person. Our two sculptors get extra. They carved the Buddha and saved the whole operation — give them the rest as reward!"
And thus, in the land of tiny craftsmen and rising talent, tonight… they feasted.