"I'm not, I didn't, I'm being framed."
Xie Sui was eager to explain, but Zhang Wenfeng remained suspicious, his expression clearly labeling him a scumbag.
"This is impossible to explain! Wang Tie Zhu, I'm warning you. We can joke around, but you're not allowed to say anything inappropriate to Wan Wan. Otherwise, we can't be brothers anymore."
Xie Sui spoke with a serious tone. He had a clear conscience and was afraid that the stubborn Wang Tie Zhu might say something to Lin Wan Wan and cause unnecessary trouble.
"I know, but if you wrong Sister Wan Wan, I won't help you."
"That's impossible. I've thought it through. My wife and children are the most important. I just want them to have a good life."
The topic ended there. Upon reaching the county town, they first went to the Chinese medicine station to sell the scorpions and cicada shells. This time, Xie Sui didn't rush off. He took two wild chickens and headed to the station master's office.
"Station Master Hu, still working? You truly serve the country with all your heart, working tirelessly. You must be exhausted."
"Little Xie, have a seat. This is my duty. Is there something you need?"
Station Master Hu, dealing with traditional Chinese medicine, was amiable and lacked bureaucratic airs.
"Nothing much. My father caught two wild chickens at home and insisted I bring them to you for nourishment. Because you helped us, we found a way to make money. Please accept them, or I'll be beaten when I get home."
Station Master Hu smiled, "You, you can't do this again. We have salaries, the country supports us, we can't take advantage of you."
"It's not taking advantage, just a small token of my appreciation.
Also, I was wondering if the scorpions could be processed? Keeping them alive at home might be dangerous, and a sting would be troublesome."
Xie Sui worried about his children. The two boys were very mischievous, and if they were to play with them, it wouldn't be a joke.
"That is indeed a potential hazard. They can be simply processed. The simplest way is heat processing. Wash them clean and roast them in a pot until semi-dry. They will fetch a higher price."
"Then, how much would they be worth?"
"Ten yuan per jin. Since they lose weight, the price is higher."
Xie Sui was satisfied. "Alright, the main thing is safety. I won't bother anyone else with this. Could you give me some antidote medicine? Just in case of a sting, it would be convenient for self-treatment."
"You're young, but you're quite thoughtful. I'll write you a note. Go to the Western medicine pharmacy and buy some ointment. That works faster.
Generally, we don't have extremely venomous scorpions here. As long as you're not surrounded by scorpions with too much venom, it won't be life-threatening."
At most, it would be painful. Villagers would just smear some garlic paste or boil scorpion grass to treat it.
"Thank you."
Buying medicine back then was not like today, with pharmacies everywhere. You couldn't get medicine without a prescription, and the regulations were strict.
Xie Sui also inquired about other medicinal materials needed by the Chinese medicine station. There were many medicinal herbs on the mountain, and digging them up meant money.
The most common were dandelions and honeysuckle. Goji berries were also present, but not in large quantities, and no one thought of selling them for money.
In truth, the mountain was full of treasures, just lacking people to discover them.
Station Master Hu appreciated eager young learners and even gave him a book of medicinal herbs. Xie Sui thanked him and left with the book.
It was almost noon when he came out. Xie Sui habitually raised his wrist to check the time, but found only his bare arm. There were no fancy watches like in his previous life, only his pale wrist.
"I need to buy a wristwatch."
Xie Sui sighed, "I still don't have enough money!"
"Brother Xie, did you sell them?"
Because Master Xu had gone back on his word, Zhang Wenfeng was worried that there might be trouble here too.
Xie Sui's sigh made him even more nervous.
"Of course, I sold them. And I even learned a method for processing scorpions, so I won't have to worry about catching them anymore."
"Then why are you sighing?"
Scared to death, Zhang Wenfeng wanted to roll his eyes.
"I'm sighing because I don't have enough money to spend!"
Wang Tie Zhu: "..."
Zhang Wenfeng: "..."
They didn't want to talk to him. He wasn't earning enough?
He was making twenty to thirty yuan a day, and he still wanted to earn more? Were they, who made a few yuan a day, unable to live?
They suspected Xie Sui was showing off, but they had no proof.
"Hurry up! We're at the gate of the cotton mill. The sisters will be off work soon, and our goods will go to waste."
He had tricked the children a few days ago, and today he was going to target the sisters.
Xie Sui thought gleefully, "Once I have women and children, I'll have the world!"
Didn't Daddy Ma in his previous life become the richest man in the country by earning from women?
Upon arriving at the cotton mill gate, they were a bit late. However, thanks to Director Gu's promotion, many sisters who wanted to buy canned goods were waiting and hadn't rushed home.
They were willing to buy the canned goods for 1.5 yuan, which was a whole yuan cheaper, saving enough money for a jin of pork.
Unfortunately, the shelf life was too short, and they wished they could buy more cans.
"They're here, they're here."
"Young man, why are you so late today?"
"I ran into a bit of trouble. The wild game that was originally ordered went back on their word. I cried by the roadside for a while, and all my capital was lost. I suffered a huge loss."
Xie Sui pretended to wipe his eyes. Zhang Wenfeng looked up at the sky. Xie Sui's words were truly amazing.
But the sisters ate this up, their sympathy instantly overflowing, "What's such a big deal? It's just some wild game. It'll be good for a change at home. Sisters, aunts, we'll take it all!"
"Thank you so much, sisters. I'll treat you another day."
The wild chickens and rabbits weren't sold at a high price, the same as for the state-run restaurant. They were live. The female workers who originally wanted to help felt they were getting a good deal.
This young man is honest, he's reliable!
Even Wang Tie Zhu's fish were sold out, and many people wanted to buy more but there were none left.
"Will there be more tomorrow? I want to buy some more fish, this fish is so fresh."
Wang Tie Zhu stammered, "I'll go catch some first thing in the morning."
The honest boy's words made everyone laugh. With so many women, the young boys became targets for teasing. Wang Tie Zhu's face almost caught fire, he hadn't had such a fever even when he was sick as a child.
"Disperse, everyone, stop bullying the honest boy. What do you all look like!"
Director Gu shooed everyone away, rescuing Xie Sui and the others.
As the crowd dispersed, Xie Sui called out to Director Gu, "Sister Gu, you've helped us so much. I'd like to treat you to a meal to express my gratitude. Please do me the honor."
"This..."
"Is it inconvenient? Then I'll bring some local specialties to your house another day. I don't have much else, but I have plenty of fresh corn flour and sweet potato flour!"
"You're too kind. I helped you because I wanted to, not for your repayment."
"Sister is kind, and I can't be stingy either. How about the state-run restaurant?"
Xie Sui led Director Gu to the state-run restaurant.
"Director Gu, why do you have time to eat here today?"
The waitress greeted her. Don't underestimate a women's director. In a large factory like the cotton mill, she had considerable influence. When important people from above visited, she was qualified to accompany them, hence her familiarity with the staff at the state-run restaurant.