Boss Qin: "We moved to a different location, didn't we? I was worried you wouldn't be able to find it. So I left some people here specifically to let me know you'd arrived. Come out!"

A boy, about half a teenager, wearing clothes with large patches, came out. He was quite clever; "Our boss said if you leave, he wants me to let you know where we've moved to. I was just about to call you."

"Hey girl, whether we do business or not, we're still friends. Why don't you come sit at my place for a bit?" Boss Qin was warm and attentive.

Song Yan really wanted to know how Boss Qin would deal with the clown.

Song Yan was wearing a large mask, so Boss Qin really couldn't prepare tea or anything like that. Song Yan didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "Where's that guy of yours called Clown?"

Boss Qin immediately showed deep remorse. "Although I did some shady things, I had a bunch of brothers under me, and we made a good living every year. I thought I was pretty capable, right? You gave me a wake-up call last time. Only then did I realize that I've been doing all these years of foolish things."

The clown has done a lot of things behind my back, using my name.

It's all so shameful. He took a bunch of people with him and now he's started his own faction.

Song Yan: "There's more than one person who can make a living in this industry and protect Boss Qin, right? Has that clown guy gotten in touch with them all?"

Boss Qin looked embarrassed; he'd truly been stabbed in the back by that clown. "The girl is a shrewd one. I won't beat around the bush. That clown has pulled all the strings. Even my suppliers and customers are connected to him. Now we're practically evenly matched. I have people stationed here every day hoping to catch her off guard. Her goods are good; I want her to give me more to overwhelm him. And I think that's what he's thinking too. He'll also have people waiting for you."

Song Yan remained silent, seemingly deep in thought. Helping Boss Qin would allow him to make money while also causing trouble for that clown—it seemed like a good deal.

Boss Qin: "Right now, food is in short supply, so the price is high. I can guarantee it. If you can get me a large quantity of goods, I'll give you all the profits after deducting labor costs and delivery fees."

Song Yan: "Is grain more expensive this year than in previous years?"

"No, not really. Prices are about the same everywhere. I have a long-time customer who always orders a lot of grain. But around the Lunar New Year, all the departments are cracking down really hard. Not much grain from outside is coming into our county. So he didn't get enough of what he needed. Corn can sell for 50 cents a pound, wheat for 60 cents a pound, and processed grain is 10 cents more a pound. He just needs a lot of coarse grains, not much wheat."

"So expensive!" You know, Song Yan used to sell unprocessed corn for 35 cents.

"This is the price he gave me. I'll give it to you directly at this price. After deducting the labor cost, the rest is yours." Boss Qin was determined to keep Song Yan as his source of goods.

"No need for that. I do business based on mutual benefit. How much do you want?" Song Yan asked.

Old Qin was taken aback; the young woman was unmoved by profit. "You're so generous, sister. He'll take even a few tons. This year, we're offering higher prices here. Grain from nearby areas is all coming here, and it's sold out. If there's more grain, several nearby counties will want it." Old Qin was secretly overjoyed. The girl's detailed inquiries meant she likely had grain!

Song Yan: "You're trustworthy, so I trust you too. A fair price is fine. By the way, do you want some soybeans?"

"Yes! Anything edible sells well these days." Boss Qin immediately agreed.

"Is there a place to press oil from soybeans? I want some soybean oil." Song Yan couldn't find a place to press oil; there were no private oil mills around.

"Sure!"

This time, Boss Qin found Song Yan a new courtyard to store his goods.

When Song Yan left, he told him that he valued his reputation and wanted to do business for the long term. He said the goods would be delivered first, and Song Yan would come back to collect the money in a couple of days.

…

No sooner had Song Yan and Boss Qin inspected the yard than Song Yan began moving grain out of his spatial storage.

Wheat and corn, approximately three tons each, and soybeans, about one ton. All weights are estimated by the number of sacks. Rabbits and live fish (Qin Laoda has prepared containers for the live fish) are also included.

The deal with Boss Qin is optional. If we value integrity, we can make some money here.

The way Boss Qin just said it sounded like he hadn't caught something.

Song Yan walked along, pondering the matter. She thought about it for a long time but couldn't figure it out, so she decided to stop thinking about it. When she looked up, she had arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative.

"Is that Xiao Song?" The voice was very eager.

Song Yan turned around and saw Director Liu standing behind him, pushing his bicycle. "Hello, Director Liu!"

"Look at you, how long has it been since you last came? Your sister Han Yu has been talking about you countless times." Director Liu looked a little haggard, but was clearly very excited at the moment.

Song Yan was completely taken aback by Director Liu's excitement.

Seeing Song Yan's stunned expression, Director Liu laughed, "I'm so happy, did I scare you? Han Yu is pregnant and has severe morning sickness. She's been to the county hospital and the city hospital, and has seen several traditional Chinese medicine doctors, but the effects have been minimal. That's why their director recommended you. Last year, when Han Yu visited you at the hospital, he saw you and knew we knew each other."

Song Yan: "Congratulations on Han Yu's pregnancy! I was planning to go there later. But since Han Yu isn't feeling well, I'll go now."

Director Liu gave the instructions, then pushed his bicycle and left with Song Yan.