On the road, Zhang Wenfeng was somewhat silent. It was impossible not to feel bothered. He was uneducated, easily swayed, and lacked conviction. He was honest, but not bold.
Xie Sui didn't quite understand why many women preferred to find honest men. What did they seek in them?
Did they seek someone who would only hide when facing trouble? Did they seek coldness and lack of opinion? Or did they seek someone content with the status quo, stubborn and uncooperative?
Besides being a fallback, Xie Sui couldn't fathom what use honest men were.
Getting back on track, Xie Sui brought up the current matter. "If you want to go solo, you can too. Just say the word, and I'll support you. It's not a big deal."
"I haven't thought of that. I'm sorry, Brother Xie. Please don't take what my wife said to heart. I won't betray you."
Zhang Wenfeng felt guilty and embarrassed, ashamed of his momentary wavering.
"It's really nothing, Wenfeng. There's a lot of money to be made. No one can earn it all alone. This village is just a temporary stop for me. Sooner or later, we'll move to the county town and build something bigger."
"I'm aiming for the whole country, the whole world. I truly don't have much regard for the money in the village."
Xie Sui wasn't pretending this time; he meant it sincerely. Chinese people never lacked imitators, and trends would quickly form. Once his dried fruit business took off, countless similar products would surely follow.
Even preserved fruits were being made by some, sold in town, but they weren't making money. Instead, they were losing money because of the shelf life; if they weren't sold within two days, they would spoil.
Zhang Wenfeng shook his head. "Brother Xie, when you say that, you're putting me down. I don't have that kind of capability."
"Capability is learned bit by bit. Don't underestimate yourself. I told you about driving tractors. If you're interested, you can learn. I won't be using mule carts anymore, but I'll need drivers, people for loading and unloading. There's a lot of work. Why do you think you'll be unemployed?"
"There's a saying: When women rule the household, the walls will collapse. Some things require listening to your wife, and some things require having your own say. A man should have the bearing of a man!"
Xie Sui was earnestly teaching the honest young man to be a bit mischievous. It wouldn't hurt their marriage anyway, not a broken one. If his wife had ulterior motives and treated him poorly, it would be a different story.
"Isn't Wanwan in charge of your household too? How dare you lecture me?"
The stone in Zhang Wenfeng's heart was lifted. Not being unemployed was enough. He was used to making money with Xie Sui, and going back to manual labor in the fields would be like a person accustomed to eating meat being forced to eat grass.
"It's not the same for me. Let's not even mention that Wanwan graduated from high school and is more educated than I am. In my household, I make the major decisions, and she handles the minor affairs. We are of one mind as husband and wife, and our unity can break any metal."
Zhang Wenfeng chuckled. "Then what constitutes a major decision, and what constitutes a minor one?"
"Major decisions are about what to eat today, meat or eggs. Minor decisions are about household expenses, accounting, social obligations, and so on!"
Zhang Wenfeng said expressionlessly, "Brother Xie, I know you have no shame, but I didn't expect you to have so little. You might as well say Sister Wanwan decides everything."
"Why don't you believe me when I tell you the truth!"
Xie Sui truly didn't care about money anymore. He cared more about his family. If Lin Wanwan was happy, the whole family was happy. If she was unhappy, no one in the family would have a good day.
"Alright, I believe you. Brother Xie, as long as you don't kick me out, I'll keep working for you."
"I can only promise you this: even if I leave, I will ensure you are provided for your entire life."
A small county town was just the beginning. His business would spread across the country and into countless industries, requiring more professional talent. Zhang Wenfeng's low education level meant he wouldn't be able to keep up with Xie Sui's pace and would eventually have to give up.
That day, whether three to five years or one to two years, what Xie Sui could do was help him establish himself, build his own career, and live a life far better than the average person.