"Is that all?"
From the moment Zhang Wenfeng entered the courtyard, he didn't know where to put his hands or feet. Ordinary people naturally felt a sense of awe towards official departments.
Seeing Xie Sui happily pocket the money, Zhang Wenfeng felt as if he were dreaming.
"What else? Let's go, I'll treat you to a meal."
Xie Sui was delighted. With this first step, the business was smoothed out and could continue for several months.
With money in their pockets, the two were in a good mood to stroll around. After all, this was a county town, much more bustling than their town. The supply and marketing cooperative even had two floors, selling daily sundries on the lower floor and cloth and daily necessities on the upper floor.
The streets already had noodle stalls, wonton stalls, and various food vendors. The market economy was flourishing day by day.
Xie Sui bought two sesame flatbreads and found a noodle stall. "Boss, two large bowls of noodles, with extra meat!"
"Coming right up, please wait a moment, it'll be ready soon."
The stall owner nimbly put the noodles in the pot. They were ready in two minutes. With meat broth, a few slices of braised meat, and a few sprigs of cilantro, he served them to the table. "There's chili oil and garlic on the table, help yourselves."
"Thank you."
Xie Sui started eating first. The noodles were chewy, the broth was rich but not greasy, and the taste was excellent.
"Eat up. When brother makes big money, I'll take you to a restaurant for braised pork and rice. For now, we'll eat at roadside stalls. Life will get better and better."
"It's already great to be able to eat white noodles. I dare not even think of braised pork and white rice. Making money isn't easy. Xie Sui, spend your money wisely."
Zhang Wenfeng spoke while eating his noodles. With a few slurps, he finished a bowl of noodles and the sesame flatbread with the broth. He let out a satisfied burp, feeling comfortable!
Xie Sui had only eaten half of his, picking at it delicately like a young lady.
After the meal, Xie Sui paid the stall owner. Six mao for a bowl of noodles wasn't cheap, but it was quite reasonable. The owner used large bones to make the broth, a true bone broth, worth the price.
"We'll eat at your place again next time. The taste is good."
"Of course, it's ancestral craftsmanship. Remember Ma's Noodles."
"Alright, you prosper. I and my brother are going to the supply and marketing cooperative to browse. Can you keep an eye on the donkey cart for a while?"
The stall owner was pleased by his flattery and readily agreed.
Xie Sui went straight upstairs, his gaze lingering on women's and children's clothing. "How much is this shirt?"
"Eight yuan."
The sales assistant was indifferent, chatting and cracking sunflower seeds with her colleagues, thinking these peasants couldn't afford it even if they asked.
"Do you have small sizes? Get me one."
This was the latest style of georgette fabric, long-sleeved, white with small floral prints. Paired with blue pants and wedge heels, it was very fashionable, the most popular outfit for girls in the city.
"You really want it?"
"What's the matter? Am I not paying you?"
Xie Sui disliked her attitude and retorted, "Taking money but not working, acting like a noble. Money makes you a big shot, but do I have to look at your face to buy something?"
Xie Sui was very sweet-talking to those who needed to be buttered up, but for service industry workers like her, if they didn't provide good service, Xie Sui wouldn't waste his breath. Sudian Novel Network.
Although a bit snobbish, nobody is a Bodhisattva, treating everyone with deference. That's not being a good person, that's being stupid.
"Here you go."
The sales assistant's face turned displeased by his retort. She had a fair complexion but a fiery temper.
Xie Sui checked it and found no issues. He paid and didn't bother arguing with a woman. He then went to the children's clothing section.
There were more styles of girls' dresses, all looking beautiful. Unfortunately, Xie Sui had no daughters, only two mischievous boys.
Zhang Wenfeng reminded him, "We usually buy fabric and make the boys' clothes ourselves. Don't waste money, or you'll get scolded when you get home."
Xie Sui hesitated. Did Lin Wanwan know how to sew?
"What if my wife doesn't know how to sew?"
"Lin Wanwan is so capable, how could she not know how to sew? Even if she doesn't, she can ask the neighbor aunties for help. Listen to me, let's buy fabric."
"Alright, we'll look at fabric, but we still need to buy shoes."
Xie Sui suddenly remembered that he didn't know their sizes, so he had to give up on that idea.
Finally, they bought some pastries and candies, and also some egg cakes and brown sugar for his grandmother. The money they earned this time was all spent, mainly because their home was so poor, they needed money for everything.
On the first floor, they bought some canned jars and white sugar. The donkey cart was more than half full.
Zhang Wenfeng couldn't help but gasp. Spending money like this, his father would break his legs.
"Here's your two yuan for rent. Do you want to buy something for your wife?"
Xie Sui certainly wouldn't forget his money. He still needed this good brother to run errands for him in the future. Big animals needed them, and small animals did too.
"Then I'll accept it."
Zhang Wenfeng smiled sheepishly and turned to run back. He had just seen a butterfly-shaped hair clip, sparkling brightly. His wife would definitely like it, and it cost fifty cents. He had only looked at it with longing.
"Come back."
Xie Sui called him again. "You silly boy, if you only buy for your wife, won't your parents get angry? They'll scold you for marrying a wife and forgetting your mother! Buy your father some good tobacco leaves, and your mother some pastries. Then, inflate the reimbursement and secretly give your wife the things you bought for her. I guarantee you'll be happy with your whole family."
"That's true. Thanks, Brother Xie."
This time, he called him "Brother" with genuine sincerity.
They came back with fewer things, so it was much faster. The cart full of goods attracted countless curious glances. "Young Xie, you've really made money!"
"Just a little hard-earned money, barely enough to eat. I bought some raw materials, and it's all gone. Back to square one overnight. Come over for a drink sometime, my treat."
"Okay, I just caught a pheasant, do you want it?"
"Yes, my wife is at home. Send it to her."
Xie Sui greeted everyone and arrived at his doorstep. Zhang Wenfeng helped him unload the goods and drove the donkey cart away.
"Daddy, Daddy's back."
Doudou and Dingding pounced into his arms like little cannonballs, their muddy clothes rubbing against him. In the past, Xie Sui would have scolded them long ago. He disliked messy children the most.
But today, he was filled with joy. He picked them up one by one, kissing each of them. "Missed Daddy? How was your harvest today?"
"Zhao Xiaoshan cried and went home to his mom. The other kids are playing with us. We're not charging money anymore. Those who find cicada shells can play for free."
Doudou's eyes sparkled with intelligence, exceptionally bright.
"Then aren't you losing money? When will you save enough to buy frogs?"
Dingding eagerly showed off, "Brother said, Dad charges us one cent for two, and we charge them three cents for one. This way, we can earn one cent, which is more than renting frogs."
Xie Sui looked at Doudou in surprise. He was only five years old, yet he could come up with a method to profit from the middleman's margin. He was simply a genius.
But such a good son, in his previous life, died at the age of five in the summer because of his own dissolute behavior. Xie Sui's pain intensified, and his heart ached unbearably, almost bringing him to tears.
"Doudou is so smart, Daddy's good son."
He kissed Doudou, put him down, and said, "Let's see what delicious things Daddy bought for you?"