Ning Hao turned to look at the others, and Guan Jiefang and the others nodded at him. "Ziyang is right, that's the situation right now. We're doing a little better here, but those people in the countryside, really, I've seen it with my own eyes, they're actually eating dirt—"

Everyone else sighed. Miao Xin spoke up, "These days, anyone who can get their hands on food is a real talent, haha. Let me tell you, there's this guy in my factory named Jiang Ping who actually told my factory manager he could get seafood. My goodness, our boss was so happy, he gave him whatever he wanted. Ha, but it turns out he's a complete idiot; he didn't get anything—"

Ning Hao frowned. "Jiang Ping? Miao Xin, are you sure you're Jiang Ping?"

Miao Xin nodded. "Yes, it's Jiang Ping. I think his family lives in your area too, but I haven't paid attention to where exactly. I don't know him at all. What's wrong? Is there something wrong with him?"

Fu Lin slammed his hand on the table. "A problem? That's a huge problem! Do you know who Jiang Ping is? He's Wang Dahua's son. Have you forgotten about Qiao'er's foster grandmother—"

His reminder made everyone present understand. Ou Ziyang couldn't help but swear, "Damn it, it's their family! My God, isn't Jiang Ping following the same old path we took last time?"

"No, Miao Xin, tell us properly, what exactly happened?"

Miao Xinyi shrugged. "What else is there to say? The people in the fishing village simply won't sell to him. Even if you bring a letter of introduction, it won't work. They have their own tasks to complete. Besides, these days, if you can't even feed yourself, who would dare to sell to others?"

Even if outsiders go to the beach to collect seafood, they won't be allowed to, because it's collective property.

Just think about it, it's no wonder they didn't succeed. They came back empty-handed, and Jiang Ping got a lot of gossip about him. I heard he got a good scolding from our leader.

I can't believe this guy actually went to our place. Hmph, he's so clueless! Does he really think just anyone could do something like that?

Now Ning Hao finally understood why Wang Dahua and the others had those expressions. They hadn't made any money, and they'd even lost face for their son.

He found it funny to think about it. Did that Wang Dahua think everyone was useful in the past? Did she really think she understood everything just because she listened to them back then?

With a smile on his face, he raised his glass. "Come on, let's have a drink! It's not easy for us to get together like this, let's not talk about those sad things anymore, cheers!"

As he drank, his eyes kept darting between the people in front of him. It seemed that time was changing, and so were people. He would have to give Fu Lin a good talking-to later and tell him to stop talking to Jiang Qiao with him.

He still can't figure out what happened to this little girl during the time she was away, and how she came to know such a capable person.

He didn't really care about those things; he was just worried about the girl. Having been locked up in the tenement by Wang Dahua for so long, she didn't know that people outside were unpredictable and that it wasn't so easy to distinguish between good and bad people. The people she was with might not necessarily be good people.

Sigh, thinking about that girl gave Ning Hao a headache again. He couldn't see her anywhere. He hoped she would come back soon.

After the brothers finished eating, they all went home. Fu Lin and Guan Jiefang accompanied Ning Hao back, partly because they were worried he would be lonely, and partly because they wanted to hear what Ning Hao was thinking.

"I really have no ideas. The main problem is that I don't have anything. I'm just a poor soldier, a student soldier, and I don't even have much in subsidies. I want to make money too."

Don't count on the other side of the sea. Wang Dahua went there and came back empty-handed. If there were any chance, things wouldn't have turned out like this. Life must be tough there too.

"What else can we think of? We can't exactly steal or rob, can we?"

Guan Jiefang sighed, "We're all fine, but the elderly and children at home can't take it."

Ning Hao sighed, "The only thing you can do is go to remote areas to buy things and make a profit from the regional price difference. But do you have the time?"

Guan Jiefang hesitated for a moment, then steeled himself and said, "Yes, I have to ask for leave. If that's possible, then we brothers can team up again."

Ning Hao sighed, "Don't worry about me. My family is in a mess. I have to settle things with Wang Zhongquan. Otherwise, my grandparents will suffer in the future. I can't take them in now."

Sigh, to be honest, none of the children my grandparents had, including my good father, were easy to raise.

The brothers all knew about Ning Hao's family affairs, but since they weren't involved, they couldn't interfere. If things got out of hand, and the other party turned out to be a relative, they would be in trouble.

"How about we put a sack over his head, and you come with me to buy it later?"

Ning Hao smiled and said confidently, "No need for sacks, I can handle that. As for the acquisition, you guys should think it over carefully. What if there's nothing in the countryside? Wouldn't you be wasting your time going there? It's best to find out more before you go. What I said earlier was just a suggestion."

Fu Lin misses Jiang Qiao terribly now. With that girl around, maybe her friends can lend a hand again. But he won't tell Guan Jiefang about this.

After Ning Hao returned, Zhu Lin started nagging her grandson, mainly about how good Jiang Qiao and Qiao Jie had been to the elderly couple.

"What? You're saying you were arrested, and Jiang Qiao found you and gave you something?"

Zhu Lin sighed with emotion, "That's right. My daughter and son are right in front of me, but I don't see either of them looking for their mother. It's your grandfather who's getting anxious."

If it weren't for Jiang Qiao, your grandma might not be out so soon now.

The leader said that if Jiang Qiao hadn't pleaded for me, I would still be inside.

To be honest, I'd rather stay inside. Look at the trouble your aunt has caused since we got out; they're all such a handful.

Ning Hao patted the old lady's hand and said, "Grandma, don't worry, I'm back. Wang Zhongquan won't dare to do anything. I'll definitely take care of this for you. Don't worry."

However, you can't be so generous with your money anymore. You've spoiled them. If you don't give them anything, they'll be in trouble. If you do give them something, they won't appreciate it.

"You two, hold onto your possessions and money tightly. If anyone treats you well, you'll be even more lenient. And my uncle too—even though they're your children, it has to be fair. You don't owe them anything. They raised you, you've grown up, you've started your own families, and now they still want more from you? That's not how normal people behave."

Ning Zhengtao sighed, "We two old folks don't know what sins we committed. We thought that our children were all grown up and we could finally enjoy our retirement. Who would have thought that we would end up worse off than Old Qiao? Look at his adopted granddaughter. Sigh, I wouldn't trade her for my own. Old Qiao's food, clothing, and drink are all better than ours."