Gu Chong put one hand on the skinny monkey's shoulder, punched him, and then used him to cover his figure as he slipped into the alley.

Gu Chong was lucky; Brother Sun was inside right now.

He recognized the code, and the person who came to meet him saw that he was a new face and silently scrutinized him for a few seconds.

However, seeing Gu Chong's calm and composed cold face, no one went over to make things difficult for him, nor did anyone ask him what he wanted to see Brother Sun. The person leading the way took him to the door of a small, half-new and half-old house built in the corner of the backyard.

Upon reaching the entrance, the person who had led the way turned and left, leaving Gu Chong alone.

Gu Chong remained calm and not particularly nervous.

He knocked a few times, and after a few seconds, heavy footsteps sounded as the door was opened from the inside.

He met Brother Sun.

Judging from his appearance, Brother Sun is a very honest and approachable person.

Just by looking at his face, your first impression would be that he is a kind and honest old man.

It turns out that this person is the boss of a black market in a certain neighborhood of Haicheng, which is quite a contrast.

However, Gu Chong's expression didn't show much reaction. When he saw Brother Sun, he smiled at him.

Gu Chong's face did not show any obsequious flattery, but rather a hint of humility.

Brother Sun invited him in to sit down and poured the stranger a glass of water.

"What's up?"

Gu Chong didn't drink any water. He succinctly and quickly stated his purpose for coming: "I want to buy a job, a permanent one. Any company will do."

Looking at this cold and sharp man, Brother Sun raised an eyebrow, revealing the shrewd calculation of a businessman.

"What are your qualifications and status?"

"Rural household registration, from province X."

Brother Sun made the final decision with a single word: "Difficult."

“It is difficult, but you didn’t say it was impossible, Brother Sun.”

"hehe."

Brother Sun took a sip of the tea on his table, glanced at Gu Chong, and smiled.

"This job can be done, it'll cost at least three thousand yuan, can you afford it?"

The clothes Gu Chong wore today looked like they cost more than three thousand yuan, if not ten.

If it weren't for his handsome face and his defiant spirit, Brother Sun would have chased him away without even saying a word when he opened the door.

Not to mention sitting down like this now and calmly discussing this business deal.

"The money is available. As long as this matter isn't something that can only be done today."

"Then go back and prepare the money. At least I'll stay in this area and not run away."

"Okay, thank you, Brother Sun."

"Making money in business is not troublesome."

Nobody turns down money.

Brother Sun was skeptical about whether the man in front of him could produce three thousand yuan. However, the temptation of three thousand yuan was too great, and Brother Sun wanted to believe him one more time.

Three thousand...three thousand...

On the train, Gu Chong kept calculating in his mind how to increase income and reduce expenditure to save the three thousand yuan.

He didn't have much money on him right now; he had given Xue Fu some money before leaving Haicheng. He only kept the capital for the next batch of goods for himself.

He had already given her his wife's dowry and his savings account long ago.

What's given to her is hers.

This three thousand yuan was extra money he wanted to earn on his own.

Just as he and Xue Fu promised, he would take Gu Fei to Haicheng at this time next year.

He needs to earn three thousand yuan in that year.

Based on his current business dealings with Zhou Zhi, after each batch of goods is purchased, the two of them split the profits, with each person earning approximately two hundred yuan per batch.

If you choose good products and keep costs low, you can still make a profit of 300.

But they didn't go out to buy goods every month before. Sometimes, they would collect goods from a few villages and then resell them in the county town or a neighboring city.

Buying and selling goods locally can only yield meager profits; after several attempts, one might only earn a few dozen yuan.

Moreover, the three thousand yuan was only the salary for that one job.

He needs to earn more than three thousand. Taking Xiao Fei there involves things like registering her household, renting a place, and enrolling her in school, which will cost a lot.

The fastest way to make money is, of course, to source goods from outside.

But if he goes out every month and is not in Qingtang Village for a few days, it will be too conspicuous.

If someone pays close attention, they'll know what kind of shady business he's involved in.

Gu Chong secretly plotted a way out.

Upon arriving at Qingtang Village, Gu Chong first went to Zhou Zhi's house to pick up Gu Fei.

After arriving home, the two of them, one big and one small, looked at the empty house and yard and both of them missed Xue Fu from Haicheng.

"Brother, have you and sister made a promise? When are we going to go see her?"

Gu Fei's eyes were a little red, making him look pitiful.

"It's a promise. Study hard, and when you're in fifth grade, we'll be able to see her."

Gu Chong reached out and touched the child's fluffy hair: "You know, my sister likes children who are good at studying. Don't let her down."

"Yes, I know. I will study hard and learn to read. I also need to write a letter to my sister."

Gu Fei's mention of writing letters immediately reminded Gu Chong.

That night, Gu Chong lit the lamp in his room and wrote his first letter expressing his longing for her.

He misses her very much.

I wonder how her job is going.

Time flies.

Suddenly, it was the height of summer in June.

Most of the people working at the newspaper were married, while a small number were young girls like Xue Fu who had just graduated from high school.

I don't know if married people all like to play matchmaker, but a fair-skinned and pretty girl like Xue Fu was targeted by the matchmaking older sister.

While eating in the cafeteria, Sister Zhou, who was writing articles in the next office, sat down opposite Xue Fu and started chatting with her with a smile.

"Xiao Xue, have you been working at the newspaper for two months yet? That's been quite a while."

Sister Zhou had noticed this little girl for quite some time.

This pretty young woman is usually very low-key. When she has nothing to do, she usually sits quietly at her office desk reading a book. She doesn't attract attention, but she is still eye-catching.

The single young men at their newspaper were all subtly inquiring whether or not they were in a relationship.

However, they weren't familiar with Xue Fu and didn't have much of a chance to talk. So, the task of gathering information and making connections fell to Sister Zhou.

Xue Fu smiled slightly: "Yes, it's been two months."

She and Sister Zhou would chat briefly when they bumped into each other, but they weren't very close.

Xue Fu and she didn't have much in common.

Sister Zhou likes to talk about the family's mother-in-law and other women's affairs.

Sister Zhou gave birth to a son at the beginning of the year before last. All she talks about is what her son has done and how filial and smart he is.

"By the way, Xiao Xue."

Sister Zhou lowered her voice and leaned closer to Xue Fu, looking mysterious. Xue Fu stopped picking up food and looked at her with a puzzled expression: "Hmm?"

"I don't know yet, Xiao Xue, do you have a boyfriend? Xiao Xue, with your looks and qualities, you must have no shortage of admirers. There must be a bunch of young men chasing after you. Do you have someone you like?"

Sister Zhou felt that Xue Fu's conditions were indeed excellent.

She's undeniably beautiful, with fair skin and a lovely face. She also has a great personality—low-key, easygoing, and patient and meticulous in her work.