"It's impossible to just discard it, it's all money! Don't worry, your husband has already thought of a solution, do you want to know?"
Xie Sui said slyly. Lin Wanwan's hand itched, she shouldn't have asked, what should she do if she wanted to slap him?
"No, let's eat."
Xie Sui wasn't angry. His wife was just being proud and reserved, he understood, that's how girls are.
Xie Sui's calmness somewhat reassured the family. After dinner, the elders returned to the old house. This house only had one main hall, with a living room in the middle and bedrooms on either side.
The west side was the kitchen, and the toilet was behind the house. The area wasn't small, but they didn't have enough money at the time to build houses on the east and west sides, so the elders had nowhere to stay.
After dinner, the children would still go out to play for a while, playing hide-and-seek and catching crickets. Villagers would also sit by their doors, fanning themselves and chatting about village gossip.
Today, the most talked about person was Xie Sui. Of course, he had been the topic of conversation every day for the past few days. The hottest topic in the village.
"Xie Sui's canned goods didn't sell out, there's still a lot left, he's definitely going to lose money."
"Exactly! Everything he earned before will be lost. Is money that easy to make?"
"Look at him acting so proud, he'll float to the sky with a little bit of money, and now he's been slapped in the face, hasn't he?"
"Farming is still the most stable way, let's not think about those unreliable things."
Cai Jinhua, wearing the hair ties her son bought her, joined them while munching on melon seeds. After listening for a while, she became displeased, "Hey, what are you all thinking?"
"If Xie Sui's canned goods don't sell, what about your peaches? Will they rot on the trees like before?"
"Think with your conscience, did you benefit from it? Aunt Zhao San, your family sold the most, didn't you get over twenty yuan? That's enough for your child's tuition, right?"
Aunt Zhao San said guiltily, "Where did I get so much? It was only ten-odd yuan. Cai Jinhua, did you take the wrong medicine today? Why are you speaking up for Xie Sui?"
Before, Cai Jinhua despised Xie Sui the most, even though he was her grandson in terms of seniority. It was just that what he did was too unreliable.
But now it was different, he had truly reformed. As an elder, it was natural to speak a fair word.
"I only look at facts, not people. If Xie Sui truly loses money, no one will have a good life. Don't forget he also collects wild game, scorpions, and cicada shells. If the canned goods business doesn't work out, he has other options, doesn't he?"
"Hope for people's good fortune. With that time, you might as well go to the mountain to catch scorpions. I heard Wu Lao San caught over two catties yesterday and sold them for five yuan. Isn't it delicious to buy meat to eat?"
Cai Jinhua's scolding left everyone feeling awkward. "I still have water boiling at home, I'm leaving."
The conversation couldn't continue. Without a common target for their complaints, what else was there to talk about?
However, those who left soon returned. Wu Lao San had really made money catching scorpions, so they wanted to go catch them too. They hadn't eaten meat in a long time.
Thinking of the greasy braised pork, their mouths watered, and they were filled with energy.
As a result, they saw the people who had been bad-mouthing Xie Sui at the foot of the mountain. They felt ashamed and didn't know what to say when they wanted to greet them. Fortunately, it was dark, so they pretended not to see them clearly and went about their business, avoiding embarrassment.
Xie Sui didn't know he had become famous in the village again and had a good night's sleep.
The next morning, Zhang Wenfeng arrived a little late and seemed unhappy.
Xie Sui didn't pay attention and busied himself packing the canned goods, scorpions, cicada shells, and candied walnuts. He also packed the grain he had exchanged earlier, filling a cart to the brim.
"Xie Sui, are you still buying peaches today?"
"Yes, why wouldn't I? But let's not make canned goods. Let's make something else that can be stored for a longer time. Wait for me to come back!"
Lin Wanwan could only say, "Okay, drive slowly on the road."
Xie Sui waved goodbye, and the mule cart disappeared at the entrance of the village.
"Brother Xie, can your business continue?"
Zhang Wenfeng asked, mainly because he had a fight with his father that morning. Xie Sui's canned goods couldn't be sold, so what if he couldn't pay the rent?
Zhang Wenfeng was angry. Xie Sui didn't owe him a single penny, and their family's life had improved significantly. Xie Sui had just encountered some difficulties, and he was going to quit. Were they still brothers?
For the first time in his life, he argued with his father. The honest child became stubborn, and even his father had to compromise. In the end, he still drove the mule cart to continue working with Xie Sui.
"Of course, why?"
Xie Sui finally noticed his unhappy expression and probably understood his situation.
"Wenfeng, a man needs to be economically independent to stand tall. Your father only earned this mule cart in his life, and he cherishes it like his life. Follow brother, and within half a year, I'll buy you a tractor. We'll burn gasoline, no more serving large livestock."
"Really? That would be great, but I don't know how to drive a tractor."
"We can learn. Nothing is learned from birth. If you want to be the head of the family, and your father listens to you, you need to step up."
Zhang Wenfeng was instantly filled with ambition, "Yes, I will definitely step up and slap my father in the face."
"You don't need to do that. You should still respect your father. Don't go against the elders."
You're the one who suffers, Xie Sui didn't say it out loud. It's natural for a father to beat his son. You want to slap your father's face, aren't you afraid he'll spank your butt until it's swollen?
Xie Sui expressed that he really didn't mean to instigate discord between father and son, don't blame me if something happens!
When they arrived at the county town, they first sold the grain. Xie Sui took the candied walnuts and went to see Manager Yang again. Sudan Novel Network
"Good morning, Manager Yang. My family made some snacks, I brought some for you to try."
"I can't accept your things, it's too embarrassing. Serving the people is what we should do, this is not allowed!"
"This doesn't count as bribery or gift-giving, it's just a snack, it's not worth much to sell. Serving the people also requires a good body. Manager Yang, you must take care of yourself. Let your wife and children at home try it."
Xie Sui placed them on the table, packed in a jar and tied with oiled paper and straw rope, looking quite beautiful.
Manager Yang felt pleased. "This is the last time."
"I made it myself. If you like it, it's also an affirmation of my work. Manager Yang, I have a small matter I need your help with."
Xie Sui pulled over a chair, sat next to him, and lit a cigarette. Manager Yang, having accepted the gifts, chatted with him.
"What help? As long as it's not illegal, it's all negotiable."
"Of course not. I'm such an honest child, the whole village praises me.
It's like this, there are many fruit trees in the village. I made some canned goods to sell, to help the villagers with side businesses and earn some pocket money. But as you know, things I make myself have a short shelf life. I want to ask you to inquire about where there is a canning production line, so I can get one to help the folks get rich!"
"Cough cough!"
Manager Yang coughed, choked by the smoke, "You kid, you have such big ambitions? Do you know how much a canning production line costs?"
"As long as there's a price, it's worth discussing. It's all for serving the folks!"
Xie Sui smiled obsequiously. After all, the person had wide connections. The grain station manager was a legitimate state cadre, very influential, and could speak to many enterprises in the county. If Xie Sui wanted to open a canning factory, he could only ask him.