"It's impossible to fail, it's all money! Don't worry, your husband has already thought of a way, want to know?"
Xie Sui said slyly. Lin Wanwan felt her hands itching. She shouldn't have asked. What if she wanted to slap him?
"I don't want to. 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 composure eased the family's worries. After dinner, the elders returned to the old house. This house had only one main hall, with a living room in the center and bedrooms on both sides.
The kitchen was on the west side, and the toilet was behind the house. The area wasn't small, but they didn't have enough money to build houses on the east and west sides, so the elders had no place to stay.
After dinner, the children would play outside 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 subject of gossip every day for the past few days. He was the hottest topic in the village.
"Xie Sui's canned goods didn't sell out, there's still a lot left, he'll definitely lose money."
"Isn't that right? All the money he earned before will be lost. Is money that easy to make?"
"Look at how proud he was, he was so happy about making a little money, now look, he's been slapped in the face."
"Farming is still the most stable. Let's not think about those unreliable things."
Cai Jinhua, wearing the hair tie her son bought her, joined them, munching on sunflower seeds. After listening for a while, she became unhappy. "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 about it with a clear conscience, did you benefit? Aunt Zhao San, your family sold the most, didn't you get more than twenty yuan? Did you have enough money for your child's tuition?"
Aunt Zhao San said guiltily, "How could it be that much? It's only ten-odd yuan. Cai Jinhua, did you take the wrong medicine today? Why are you speaking up for Xie Sui?"
Before, Cai Jinhua used to look down on Xie Sui the most. Although he was her grandson by seniority, his actions were really disgraceful.
But it was different now. He had truly changed for the better, and as an elder, she naturally had to say a fair word.
"I only look at facts, not people. If Xie Sui really loses money, none of us 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."
"Wish them well. If you have that much energy, go catch scorpions on the mountain. I heard Wu Lao San caught more than two catties yesterday and sold them for five yuan. Wouldn't it be delicious to buy meat to eat?"
Cai Jinhua's tirade made everyone feel awkward. "I still have water boiling at home, I'm leaving."
The conversation couldn't continue. Without a common target for their criticism, what was there to talk about?
However, those who left soon returned. Wu Lao San had indeed made money by catching scorpions, so they wanted to go catch them too. They hadn't eaten meat in a long time.
Thinking of the oily 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 were too embarrassed to even say hello, not knowing what to say. Fortunately, it was dark, so they pretended not to recognize each other and went about their own business, avoiding embarrassment.
Xie Sui didn't know he had become famous in the village again. He had a good night's sleep.
The next morning, Zhang Wenfeng arrived a little late, looking unhappy.
Xie Sui didn't pay attention. He was busy packing the canned goods, scorpions, cicada shells, and amber walnuts, as well as the grain he had exchanged earlier. The cart was full.
"Xie Sui, are you still buying peaches today?"
"Yes, why not? But let's not make canned goods anymore. Let's make something else that can be stored for a longer time. Wait for me to come back!"
Lin Wanwan had no choice but to say, "Okay, drive carefully on the road."
Xie Sui waved goodbye, and the mule cart disappeared at the village entrance.
"Brother Xie, can your business continue to succeed?"
Zhang Wenfeng asked, mainly because he had argued with his father that morning. If Xie Sui's canned goods couldn't sell and he couldn't pay the rent, what would happen?
Zhang Wenfeng was angry. Brother Xie didn't owe him anything, and their family's life had improved a lot. Xie Sui had just encountered some difficulties, and he was going to quit? Was he still a brother?
He had argued with his father for the first time since he grew up. Even his father had to compromise when the honest child became stubborn. In the end, he drove the mule cart to continue working with Xie Sui.
"Of course, why do you ask?"
Xie Sui noticed his unhappy expression and probably understood his situation.
"Wenfeng, a man must be financially independent to stand tall. Your father only earned this mule cart in his lifetime, and he cherishes it like his life. Follow me, and within six months, I'll buy you a tractor. We'll use gasoline, and we won't have to serve large animals anymore."
"Really? That would be great, but I don't know how to drive a tractor."
"We can learn. No one is born knowing everything. If you want to be the head of the family and have your father listen 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 have to do that. You should still respect your father. Don't go against the elders."
You'll be the one who suffers, Xie Sui didn't say it aloud. It's natural for a father to beat his son. Do you want your father to beat your butt until it's swollen?
Xie Sui felt that he really had no intention of inciting discord between father and son. If something happens, don't blame me!
When they arrived at the county town, they first sold the grain. Xie Sui took the amber walnuts and went to see Manager Yang again. Sudan Fiction Network.
"Hello, Manager Yang. My family made some snacks, so I brought some for you to try."
"I can't accept your things, it would be too embarrassing. Serving the people is what we should do, and this is not allowed!"
"This is not considered bribery, it's just a snack, not worth much money to sell. To serve the people, you also need to have a good body. Manager Yang, please take care of yourself and let your wife and children at home try it."
Xie Sui placed it on the table. It was in a canned jar, tied with oiled paper and twine, and looked quite beautiful.
Manager Yang listened with pleasure. "Don't let this be an example."
"I made it myself. If you say it's delicious, it's also an affirmation of my efforts. Manager Yang, I need your help with a small matter."
Xie Sui pulled over a chair, sat next to him, and lit a cigarette. Manager Yang, whose mouth had been sweetened, started chatting with him.
"What can I help you with? It must not be illegal or disciplined. Everything else is fine."
"Of course not. I'm such an honest child, the whole village praises me.
It's like this, there are many fruit trees in our village, and I made some canned goods to sell, to help the villagers earn some pocket money through side jobs. 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, and get one to help the villagers get rich!"
"Cough cough!"
Manager Yang coughed from the smoke. "You kid, you have such big ambitions? Do you know how much a canning production line costs?"
"If there's a price, it's easy to talk about. It's all about serving the villagers!"
Xie Sui smiled obsequiously. After all, the manager of the grain station was a legitimate state cadre with extensive connections to many enterprises in the county. If Xie Sui wanted to set up a cannery, he could only ask for his help.