"Don't worry, it's good that he can eat. It's better than being sickly and not eating or drinking anything before," Xie Sui said, ruffling Hu Zi's hair. This child had died from this illness in his past life, hadn't he? He had already left home then, and only found out years later. His eldest sister also passed away due to complications after her child, and in her grief, she died prematurely a few years later. Apart from Lin Wanwan and her two sons, this was another great regret for him.
Xie Lan smiled with relief. It was a good thing that the child could eat and be mischievous. "You don't need to worry about the money, Eldest Sister. I've already saved enough. Eldest Sister, you should eat something good too and don't wear yourself out."
"Okay, Xiao Sui, you've become successful. Eldest Sister can manage."
"How about Brother-in-law?"
As they spoke, Li Wenjun entered, carrying a tin thermos. He looked at Xie Sui with a complex expression. "Xiao Sui, you're here."
"Yes, Eldest Sister's husband. What did the doctor say?"
Li Wenjun immediately exclaimed in surprise, "He's recovering very well, and the surgery was a success. We owe some medical fees, and they want us to pay them as soon as possible, otherwise, they can't prescribe further medication."
"Xiao Sui, this money is what Brother-in-law owes you. I'll definitely repay you. We really owe you this time."
"It's nothing. Brother-in-law took good care of me before. We're family, no need for formalities. I'll go ask the doctor. Don't worry about the subsequent medical fees, I've brought them."
"Thank you, Xiao Sui. You've saved Brother-in-law's entire family. To be honest, your sister was injured during childbirth and can't conceive anymore. Brother-in-law's family only has this one son."
Xie Sui felt very guilty. He genuinely didn't know. Perhaps he wouldn't have cared even if he had known then. He felt like he had lived in a daze, caring about nothing but eating, drinking, and gambling.
"Everything will be alright. Eldest Sister's health also needs proper treatment."
Xie Sui walked out of the ward, exhaling a sigh of relief. Having his loved ones around and rectifying regrets felt truly good.
After getting information from the doctor about Hu Zi's illness and paying the remaining medical fees, Xie Sui was ready to go home.
Xie Lan and her husband saw him off at the hospital entrance. Xie Sui waved. "Go back. Take good care of Hu Zi. I won't come when he's discharged. You can take him home yourselves. Later, when you come to my place, I'm starting a business and need people. Come help out, and I'll pay you the same wages as everyone else."
Li Wenjun rubbed his hands. "Really? What kind of business are you starting? Brother-in-law doesn't need money. I can work for free."
"No, let's keep things clear between brothers. Half of your salary will be deducted. Consider it repayment for Hu Zi's medical expenses. Hurry back, Hu Zi is still alone in the ward."
The couple was extremely grateful. They watched him and Zhang Wenfeng leave with the mule cart before returning to the ward. To their surprise, upon entering, they found Hu Zi had already eaten half of the canned goods. He had also eaten a lot of the cake and pastries. Half of the food on the table was gone. Xie Lan, angered, raised her hand to hit him. "You child, who told you to eat so much? Are you a hungry ghost reincarnated? You're not even well yet, wait for the doctor to give you an injection!"
Hu Zi grinned fawningly. "No, the doctor said I'm much better. Uncle bought this for me, why can't I eat it? Mom, you eat too. It's delicious. I saved half the canned food for you, it's sweet."
Xie Lan's anger dissipated, and she resigned herself to tidying up.
...
The entire village was waiting to see Xie Sui make a fool of himself. To their surprise, he returned with an empty cart but brought back two large bags of white sugar and bought more than ten catties of meat. So many good things, it made people envious.
Zhang Wenfeng helped unload the items and was driving the mule cart home. Not long after they left, they were surrounded. "Wenfeng, where did Xie Sui sell all those canned goods?"
"Yeah, and the scorpions, and cicada shells, did he sell them? Did he get the money?"
Zhang Wenfeng said impatiently, "Brother Xie definitely has his own methods. Don't ask. Even if I told you, you couldn't do it."
"In short, Brother Xie is very capable. Follow Brother Xie closely, and you'll always make money. If you have any crooked ideas and provoke Brother Xie, you'll bear the consequences."
Zhang Wenfeng had heard his father talk about the villagers' character many times – envious of others getting rich but unwilling to work hard themselves, always having people who were unbalanced and tried to sabotage others. Although Xie Sui hadn't instructed him, Zhang Wenfeng wouldn't say anything. He was earning two yuan a day from Brother Xie; he couldn't betray him.
"Oh, Zhang Wenfeng, only a few days have passed? And you're already calling Xie Sui 'Brother'? You're a capable man yourself, aren't you ashamed to be following someone and picking up scraps?" someone said sarcastically, unable to get the information they wanted.
"That's right. If you have money, you're the boss. Zhang Wenfeng, you're really looked down upon."
"Let's go. Whether you say it or not, we'll find out. The county is not that big, we'll find a way."
Zhang Wenfeng's face turned red with anger. By the time he wanted to retort, they had already dispersed, leaving him with a belly full of fury. He returned home.
His father, Zhang Yutian, saw his son returning dejectedly. He remembered their argument that morning and said gloatingly, "Didn't you get the money?"
"Slap!" Zhang Wenfeng slammed two yuan on the table. "Here. I told you Xie Sui would have a way, but you didn't believe me, just like those people in the village with short-sightedness."
"You brat, you've turned against your father! How dare you talk back to me!" Zhang Yutian happily pocketed the money and then asked, "Then why are you looking so down? I'm earning two yuan a day, I'd be smiling in my sleep."
"It's those people in the village. Seeing Xie Sui making money, they insisted on asking me about the sales channels. When I didn't tell them, they called me a disgrace, a lackey following behind someone. How could I not be angry?"
Zhang Yutian took a puff of his pipe, his cloudy old eyes revealing a hint of wisdom. "That's all? You're getting worked up over that? Just treat them as farting. Are you still sniffing it to disgust yourself?"
"Since Xie Sui has ideas, you should follow him closely. That kid is genuinely smart, he just didn't use it for good in the past. Now that he knows how to make money, following him will be enough for you to live a lifetime, even if you just get a little." Sudangxiaoshuwang
"Your personality is too honest. Xie Sui values this honesty of yours. Do you think he'd look for anyone in the village but you?"
"Isn't it because of our mule cart?"
Zhang Wenfeng wasn't scolded; instead, he received his father's support, and his mood improved. Being recognized felt really good!
"There are several families with mule carts. Two yuan a day, who wouldn't rent it out to them!"
"Hmph, what's a mule cart? Brother Xie said that within half a year, he'll buy a tractor and teach me how to drive it. Our family will depend on me to get rich. You just wait to enjoy the good life!"
Zhang Yutian was completely stunned. "A tractor costs thousands of yuan. He dares to brag, and you dare to believe it? You also need various permits. You can't buy one without connections. Stop dreaming and go to sleep."
Zhang Wenfeng didn't argue. He felt it would definitely happen. Brother Xie could talk to the manager of the grain station, and he had a cousin at the restaurant. Buying a tractor didn't seem that difficult, did it?