With the shared experience of applying face masks, the relationship between the two improved significantly. Lin Wanwan even took the initiative to prepare clean clothes for him, ironing his shirts and pants so they were clean and crisp, knowing he liked to look presentable.
Xie Sui was very happy. The lingering resentment from Lin Wanwan not keeping her word instantly vanished.
"Dad, Dad, weren't you going to make us look radiant? We want rosy cheeks too."
Children's memories are peculiar. They might forget what they studied after a night's sleep, but some things they won't forget no matter how many days pass.
The matter of rosy cheeks was one such thing.
Lin Wanwan prepared breakfast and watched him with a suppressed smile, letting him fulfill his promise to his sons himself.
Who was Xie Sui?
Could he be stumped by two children?
He tore down the red couplets from the door frame, rubbed them on his hand, and then smeared them on their faces. Their small faces looked like they were wearing rouge, rosy red like dolls in New Year pictures.
With sufficient nutrition these days, the children's skin had also become fairer, their cheeks plump, and their smiles bright and charming, making them lovable to everyone.
Lin Wanwan didn't expect him to fool the children so easily. She laughed so hard she couldn't straighten up. "Xie Sui, you're tricking your sons!"
"No, I'm satisfying them. Doesn't this make them look more spirited? General Guan Yu, the door god, also has a big red face, and how imposing he looks!"
Doudou and Dingding found it quite good. Children, after all, feel a sense of superiority when they have something others don't, whether it's good or bad.
Old Mr. and Mrs. Xie Dahe arrived. Doudou and Dingding ran over to show off. "Grandpa, Grandma, look how handsome we are!"
The elders were delighted and of course agreed. "You look great, my good grandchildren are the best-looking."
The family ate breakfast together cheerfully. Xie Sui was going to the county town and instructed Lin Wanwan, "If Lu Tianxing comes looking for me, tell him to come this evening. Anyone who wants to work with me, come along, and we'll have a meeting to assign tasks."
"Lu Tianxing? Will he come?"
"He definitely will. Any man with a bit of backbone will come."
Xie Sui couldn't help but sigh. Zhao Xuefei was truly a good person, sending him several helpers. He would have to scold her less harshly when he saw her next, provided she didn't dig her own grave and insist on being scolded. Xie Sui wouldn't indulge her.
Zhang Wenfeng's mule cart also arrived, loaded with goods. Wang Tie Zhu was also going to the town this time. Xie Sui rode his bicycle, finally no longer having to smell the mule's backside.
"Xiao Sui, going to the county town again?"
"Yes, delivering goods. What's made must also be sold. Good morning."
"Xiao Sui, are you still hiring at your place?"
"We have enough for now. I'll let you know when we hire more people."
Xie Sui greeted the villagers along the way, evidently the most popular person in the village, not someone everyone used to curse.
Zhang Wenfeng sighed, "Brother Xie, when he's bad, he makes people grit their teeth in hatred, and when he's good, everyone adores him. How does he do it?"
Wang Tie Zhu, slow-witted, replied, "Ask him!"
That conversation ended quickly. Zhang Wenfeng rolled his eyes and decided not to talk to him anymore.
Upon arriving in the county, Xie Sui led them directly to the courtyard Gu Lei had found. It had already been transformed. The weeds were cleared, the main gate repaired, and glass installed in the windows. It was ready for occupancy.
The mule cart was driven directly into the courtyard. The two were astonished. "Brother Xie, what is this place?"
"We need a place to stay in the county. We'll come here from now on."
Both were full of admiration. As expected of Brother Xie, his business was growing.
Gu Lei was also there, tidying up rooms with a few brothers. He came out to greet him. "Brother Xie, how is it?"
"Not bad, thank you for your hard work."
Xie Sui praised them verbally. It wasn't that he didn't want to give them something substantial, but he was temporarily short on cash. He'd just have to sweet-talk them for now.
"It's no trouble. There's also a cellar here, and a small cold storage room. It used to be for storing meat. It can be used if we connect the electricity, but that thing consumes too much power; ordinary people can't afford it."
Xie Sui was overjoyed. "How could that be? It depends on how we use it. If the profit is sufficient, what is a little electricity bill! Take me to see it."
The cellar was very spacious, allowing a person to stand up straight. The cold storage room was over ten square meters, capable of storing many things!
"That's great! I was worried about insufficient funds, but here's a ready-made money-making opportunity!"
Gu Lei's expression faltered slightly. If he had no money, who would be willing to follow him?
"Brother Xie, are you very short on money?"
"What kind of question is that? Who isn't short on money? Brother, let me tell you, there's never enough money. Right now it's a food factory, but in the future, we'll have a brewery, a clothing factory, an electronics factory, even real estate and appliance factories. The bigger the development, the more money we'll need.
Brother needs one hundred million now. With one hundred million here, Brother can earn hundreds of billions!"
Xie Sui spoke with great spirit. Gu Lei's heart pounded. Hundreds of billions? He couldn't even imagine it. He offered Xie Sui a cigarette. "Brother Xie, when you get rich, don't forget your brother. Your brother will always be your loyal subordinate!"
"Don't say that. Everyone works hard during the initial stage of entrepreneurship. Once the factory is running smoothly, we'll be counting money while lying down, and there will be plenty of talent working for us. We need to learn to enjoy life; isn't money meant for spending?"
"Yes, Brother Xie is right."
Xie Sui walked out of the cellar, a cold smile on his lips. Seeing someone eager to climb up when there are benefits, but ready to retreat when there are none, he realized this brother wasn't entirely honest!
But it was nothing. Xie Sui was best at training his brothers!
The most important thing now was to deal with Yan Xiaoliang. Once the dried fruit business was on track, he would have the energy for this.
Yan Xiaoliang was also waiting for Xie Sui at their usual spot. He was still a bit aloof upon seeing Xie Sui, lighting a cigarette and remaining silent.
"Brother Yan, not playing today?"
"Taking a break."
"I'm itching to play a few rounds!"
"Go ahead and play, no rush."
Xie Sui actually went to play billiards, showcasing his fancy skills and stunning the entire place. A group of young men cheered and clamored to become his apprentices. Su Dan Novel Network.
Yan Xiaoliang: "..."
Are you going to do business or not?
This was a test of patience. Xie Sui, having lived two lives, saw through Yan Xiaoliang's little tricks at a glance and wouldn't indulge him.
"Younger Brother Xie, are you done playing? It's time to talk business."
"Coming, sorry to keep Brother Yan waiting."
Xie Sui drank some tea. "What did Uncle Yan say? Shall I pay him a personal visit?"
"No need. It's a small matter; no need to trouble my father. I can just mention it."
"Thank you so much, Brother Yan. I'll give you one percent of the goods as a commission, for you to buy cigarettes."
Xie Sui said with a smile, not bothered by his condescending attitude. Everything is difficult at the beginning; who doesn't have to humble themselves when starting out?
When he became successful, the Yan surname would have to wait to see if he was in the mood to meet them.
Afterward, things proceeded smoothly. Xie Sui delivered the first batch of goods to the Sugar and Wine Company, which was then loaded and sent to the township supply and marketing cooperatives that same day.
The county's small shops and scattered merchants had their goods delivered by Gu Lei and his companions on bicycles. The first payment would arrive a week later. After a week, his business would be on the right track.