Wang TieZhu, this helper, would eventually be brought under his command. For all the years Granny Wang had taken care of Lin WanWan and her two children, he owed her a helping hand.
However, the fact that this young man harbored such feelings for WanWan still made Xie Sui uncomfortable. Coupled with Chen WenFeng's machinations, he hadn't moved against Wang TieZhu yet; no, not moved against him, but rather brought him into his own camp.
Wang TieZhu was still somewhat skeptical of Xie Sui's words. Zhao XueFei was the village beauty. Every young man wanted to marry her. She was lively, cheerful, generous, and beautiful. How could she be as terrible as Xie Sui described?
It had to be said that Zhao XueFei’s efforts at secrecy were exceptional. Xie Sui only learned many years later how many backup plans Zhao XueFei had cultivated.
Returning home, Lin WanWan was inventorying goods. The house was a mess, with wild rabbits and pheasants filling the yard and emitting a foul odor. Xie Sui could barely stand it.
"This won't do. We need to find a yard specifically to house these live animals. If not, we can rent one. It stinks to high heaven."
"We received a lot of game today. Just bear with it. However, the peaches are much fewer, only a few dozen jin. Have you sold all your canned goods today?"
Since the day before yesterday, Lin WanWan had noticed the supply of peaches dwindling. It should be possible to pick peaches for another month, so they shouldn't suddenly decrease. There was definitely something amiss.
"It's fine. Someone wants to compete with me. They're starting with the raw materials. We can take a couple of days off. I've lost several jin from exhaustion, and my feet are blistered. Wife, it really hurts, look!"
Xie Sui started to take off his shoes, but Lin WanWan spat, "Disgusting! Who wants to see?"
"Whose feet don't get blisters? They'll turn into calluses eventually. You, Young Master Xie, are only just getting blisters now, and you have the nerve to say that?"
Lin WanWan's tone was calm. In her past life, her hands and feet had also blistered. How many nights had she secretly cried while lancing them, only to continue working the next day? Who had ever cared for her?
Xie Sui's heart ached.
He held Lin WanWan's hand. "If we had been together when you first arrived in the countryside, I would never have let you suffer."
Lin WanWan: "Unfortunately, there are no 'ifs' in this world. Enough sentimental talk. We haven't discussed the canned goods yet. Who is competing with us? What will we do in the future?"
There were no "ifs" between them. Love was impossible; only responsibility remained. Lin WanWan was no longer a young girl. Such hypotheticals held no meaning for her.
"I wasn't sure before, but today I'm certain. It's that dog, Zhao TieLin. Don't worry, watch your husband utterly ruin him until he begs for mercy like a grandson."
Xie Sui's old and new grievances surged. Not a single member of that family was decent.
"There's no need. Compete fairly, each according to their own abilities. You, with your youthful arrogance, getting a bit of money and becoming so conceited, will suffer losses."
Lin WanWan advised him. His boasts were endless. She disliked such frivolous people.
She was always so kind, which made Xie Sui even more touched. "WanWan, marrying you is truly the blessing of three lifetimes. I'll listen to you."
"No, it's me who has committed too many sins, and heaven is punishing me."
Xie Sui: "..."
Wife, that stings.
"Dad, you're back? Shall we count cicada shells? Lots of grown-ups are coming to sell me cicada shells. Should we buy them?"
Dou Dou and Ding Ding ran over, hugging him and acting spoiled. Dad was their money god now!
"Yes, of course, we'll buy them. We only look at the goods, not the people. Money is not an enemy. But be careful not to be swindled by adults. If adults want to sell, they should come to the house. Mom can receive them. You just need to play well with other children and be happy." Sudancn.com
"Dad will make you sweet and sour fish. Shall we go to the river to catch fish?"
"Okay! Is sweet and sour fish delicious?"
"You'll know when you eat it. Nothing Dad cooks is not delicious."
The traps set at noon needed to be collected. Xie Sui, carrying an iron bucket, took his sons to catch fish. Accompanying his sons' growth brought him more happiness than making money.
On the way, they encountered the village head, Zhao TieGang. Xie Sui greeted him proactively. "Uncle Village Head, where are you going?"
The village head's eyes darted away. "Nothing much, just wandering around. Little Sui, aren't you making canned goods anymore?"
"Still making them. Sold out today. Going to play with my sons. Uncle Village Head, you're busy. We're leaving."
"Goodbye, Grandpa Village Head."
Dou Dou and Ding Ding said in unison. Xie Sui sighed, "Lin WanWan, you've taught them very well."
"Ah, goodbye."
The village head felt a pang of guilt. Xie Sui was finally on the right path, and Lin ZhiQing's good days were finally coming. His elder brother insisted on competing with them. What kind of situation was this?
Alas, family loyalty trumped justice. Zhao TieGang still had to side with his elder brother.
By the small river, many people were washing vegetables and clothes, chattering animatedly. When they saw Xie Sui arrive, they fell silent. Xie Sui understood with a knowing smile; the villagers were quite endearing!
"Xie Sui, you're back quite early today. How's business?"
"Ah, it's incredibly good. You haven't seen it. A sea of people, all scrambling to buy. It's just that we don't have enough peaches, so we can't make more. However much we make, it sells out.
But it's good to rest for a while too. Money, after all, can't be earned endlessly, and one must spend time with their sons.
Aunties, continue with your washing. I'm accompanying my sons to catch some fish. If anyone wants some, just take it. Don't be polite."
Xie Sui went to catch fish. The crowd murmured amongst themselves. Canned goods were selling so well; perhaps they could make them themselves too? Why let them earn all the money?
In fact, many people were already trying to make canned goods at home. Never underestimate the ingenuity of the working people.
"Dad, so many fish!"
"And Maggi noodles! So many fish!"
Xie Sui smiled. So many fish. Maggi noodles had made quite a bit of money. Such a small item, sold for four yuan; it was extortionate, truly extortionate!
But there was no choice; children bought it.
"Dad will make you lots of fish, potato chips, and fries."
"Didn't you say sweet and sour fish?"
"We'll have everything. You two stay on the bank and don't move. Dad will catch fish for you. Oh, this one is very plump, must be two jin. It will be for the sweet and sour fish."
"These two crucian carp are for stewing soup. Let's make crucian carp and tofu soup."
Xie Sui caught a bucket full, not even letting go of the small fish and shrimp. He scooped them up with a sieve, coated them in batter, and fried them. They were also delicious.
There were many fish in the river, but most people didn't like them. If not cooked well, they had a muddy taste, and it was better to catch wild game in the mountains.
In his previous life, Xie Sui had eaten his way across the country and was half a gourmand. He loved to eat and loved to cook, with countless recipes in his mind, finally finding an outlet for his talents.
Returning with a full load at sunset, he saw his parents' worried faces. Zhao XiuE’s eyes were even red with tears. "Mom, what's wrong?"
"You're still in the mood to play? Everyone wants to make their own canned goods now, and our business is failing. Can you still eat?"
"Oh, I thought it was something big. The canned goods business was never meant to last long. We can sell scorpions, sell game. It also makes good money. Making canned goods is too much work."
Xie Sui comforted the elders, but it was of little effect.