Chapter 105 (Catching Bugs)

When they went out in the morning, Zhou Jiani rode her mother's bicycle, and Yu Huifang rode Zhou Wanli's 28-inch bicycle. When she went back to work, Old Zhou would either ride his bicycle to take her, or let his wife ride the bicycle while he walked.

Anyway, as long as their daughter comes back, the couple will give one of their bikes to her to ride.

At this moment, Zhou Jiani was riding her bicycle through the streets and alleys of Qi Yang in the cold wind.

After signing the contract at the Friendship Store, she first went to several black market spots she knew, but after less than two hours she wanted to back out.

It's too cold.

This hasn't even started with going to the supply and marketing cooperative.

The cotton gloves I was wearing were soon penetrated by the biting cold, and my fingertips felt like they were being pricked by needles.

Zhou Jiani found a sheltered corner to park the car, and put her gloves into her sleeves to warm them. After she recovered, she looked around to see if there was anyone around, so she found a pair of white cotton gloves and put them on first. She then took out two heat packs, peeled off the adhesive and stuck them to the outside of the cotton gloves, then put on the big cotton hand warmers again. She felt much better only after the heat packs started to heat up.

Zhou Jiani tried to ride as slowly as possible, but still nearly collided with another car when exiting an alley.

But she reacted quickly enough, the handlebars tilted towards the wall next to her, her foot pushed against the wall and bounced back. With this buffering opportunity, her other foot landed firmly on the ground, and she did not fall directly.

Both of them were wearing thick gloves and were lazy about not ringing the bell, so they were both responsible. Plus, they only strayed slightly, and there was no actual collision. After they regained their composure, they quickly apologized to each other.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't hear anything." Zhou Jiani said apologetically.

The other party also quickly said: "It's okay, it's okay, I was just distracted and didn't notice."

While speaking, Zhou Jiani raised her eyebrows and glanced at the other person, and asked tentatively: "Section Chief Xin...?" At the same time, she parked the car aside.

Xin Guangrong looked at the woman in front of him. She pulled down the scarf that covered her nose, revealing a delicate face. She was a very pretty girl, but he was sure he didn't know her, so he asked doubtfully, "Who are you?"

Zhou Jiani took off her gloves with both hands, making sure to remove the cotton gloves and the heat packs underneath, without taking the cotton gloves out. She introduced herself, "I'm from the Qianjin Brigade in Zhengfeng City..."

Xin Guangrong: He knows Zhengfeng City, but has never heard of the Qianjin Brigade, and... he still doesn't know this comrade.

Zhou Jiani finally took off her gloves, stretched out her hand and said with a smile: "I saw you last time when I was with the transport team delivering cotton yarn to you..."

Xin Guangrong hurriedly extended his hand and shook it. He knew that the transport team was delivering cotton yarn to them, but he still had no impression of this young comrade. What was the connection between them?

It's right that you have no impression. At that time, Zhou Jiani was standing next to the truck waiting. Xin Guangrong happened to push the cart into the factory. The person who was handing over the goods greeted him, and Zhou Jiani just took a few more glances at him.

After Xin Guangrong pushed the cart away that day, Zhang Lihai casually asked the employee who received the goods, and he said it was the section chief of their sales department, Xin Guangrong.

"I saw you were in a hurry, and you were also busy looking after our goods, so I didn't say hello. I didn't expect to run into you here today." Zhou Jiani said with a smile, "What a coincidence."

Xin Guangrong remembered what she mentioned. He hadn't noticed who was next to the truck at the time, but now Zhou Jiani piqued his curiosity. He asked, "Your village? What kind of goods are you carrying?"

"Weaving baskets. Our village has established a weaving factory, and we're collaborating with the Qiyang Department Store and the Friendship Store." Zhou Jiani received the official contract today, and she could boast about it without hesitation. She smiled and said, "The last time I took this ride, it was to deliver something to the department store. I first followed the transport team to the First Textile Factory. After delivering the goods to you, I went to the department store."

"Oh, so that's how it is!" Xin Guangrong was really surprised. At first, he was holding the handlebars, as if ready to go at any time. This time, he propped up the bike and asked seriously, "What products does your factory produce?"

You can also enter the Friendship Store.

The fact that it entered the department store was enough to surprise him. After all, she had just said it was a village. It was really amazing that things from the village could enter the department store, and even entered the Friendship Store.

Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "Weaving baskets, storage stools, storage chairs. We mainly make special woven items, such as lace baskets and ingot baskets..."

"Ouch!" Xin Guangrong exclaimed in surprise before Zhou Jiani could finish. He raised his hand and made a rough shape in the air, then said in sudden realization, "Do you make baskets like this? You also supply the supply and marketing cooperative here, right?"

Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "Yes, but because of the large number of orders, we can't stock so many products, so we've only selected three or four supply and marketing cooperatives. However, only two department stores currently have samples of storage stools, and the main sales channel is still the Friendship Store. The sales volume is completely incomparable to that of woven baskets..."

But one storage stool is equivalent to more than a dozen woven baskets. I bought two sets of goods from the Friendship Store, and the two department stores also sold a few pieces during this period. The quantity is small, but I made a lot of money.

The villagers were very satisfied.

"That's great too." Xin Guangrong works in sales and is very interested in the topic of sales. When he learned that Zhou Jiani was a salesperson in their factory, he asked how their products were selected by the Friendship Store.

In his subconscious, it should be a passive choice. Not only does the product have to have outstanding features, but there must also be a suitable opportunity to be noticed by the buyer of the Friendship Store. He also has to submit an application. The process alone is not simple.

Zhou Jiani wanted to make friends, and this was no secret. The leaders of such a large unit had a greater chance of contacting the leaders of the Friendship Store than she did. If they wanted to find out something, they could get it right. So she told Xin Guangrong about the method used at that time, and the more Xin Guangrong listened, the more shocked he was.

What is shocking is not the method, but the fact that a village can have such awareness and pattern, which is truly unexpected.

Finally, he was full of admiration and sighed, "I am really shocked. Very good, very good. When I pass by Zhengfeng City one day, I will definitely visit your place."

"You're welcome anytime!" Zhou Jiani said with a smile. "Our factory is already making samples of new woven baskets. If the samples are finalized when you come back next time, I'll give you one."

Xin Guangrong felt that a weaving factory like this had nothing to do with them, so he just treated it as a friendship and said, "Okay, okay, our factory has recently introduced printing and dyeing and textile technology from Hai City, and we just released a new floral fabric. Next time you visit the factory, I'll save a piece for you."

As a salesperson, it is normal to exchange samples with each other.

However, he also noticed that Comrade Zhou Jiani had used the word 'come back'. Belatedly realizing that she spoke standard Qiyang dialect, he asked, "Are you from this place? Did you come to Zhengfeng City?"

"Not only are they local, my parents also work at the Second Spinning Mill, a sister company."

Xin Guangrong shook his head and laughed repeatedly: "Aren't we a family now? Haha!"

"We're all family, aren't we? When I get home, I'll ask my dad when the Second Spinning Mill will start producing some nice-looking cloth, haha!" Zhou Jiani took out a notebook and pen, wrote down the village number, and handed it over, smiling. "This is our village's phone number. If you need any help, or if you want to visit us someday, call us in advance. Oh, and our village is also experimenting with growing vegetables in plastic greenhouses. We've already successfully taken the first step. Next time Chief Xin visits, maybe he'll see fields of plastic greenhouses."

"Okay, okay, I'll definitely go if I get a chance, I'll definitely go!"

These days, very few rural areas have telephones installed. Xin Guangrong was surprised again and gave the phone number of his department. He was once again impressed by the brigade and Comrade Zhou.

After saying goodbye, Zhou Jiani went to the supply and marketing cooperative with which she had a cooperation. When she got to the counter, she saw that they had added more goods on their own. They must have asked someone to imitate them.

This situation cannot be avoided unless she can create her own brand with characteristics that others cannot imitate.

However, these supply and marketing cooperatives bought the weaving baskets from her, and she had new styles from time to time, so they would accept as many hair bands as Zhou Jiani brought. It was not like they couldn't sell them all. It was because they didn't have enough to sell that they organized themselves to find people to make them. Moreover, they were supply and marketing cooperatives, and they had an advantage over Zhou Jiani in terms of fabric resources.

When the teller saw Zhou Jiani suddenly come in and glance at the hairband on the counter, he subconsciously felt guilty.

It was a coincidence that the garbage was just collected in the morning, and Zhou Jiani came in when the pile was at its peak.

The teller was a little embarrassed, so her tone was particularly cordial, and she said with a smile: "Jiani, are you on a business trip again?"

"Sister Yuan!" Zhou Jiani's face didn't show any abnormality. She greeted with a smile as usual and picked up a few to take a look. Maybe it was because she was very strict, she felt that the ones in her hands that she couldn't examine closely were better than the batch made by the supply and marketing cooperative itself.

The corners of her mouth twitched slightly, and she thought to herself, what's the difference between this quality and the substandard products she sent back? If she could accept such products, she could bring at least dozens more.

The more Zhou Jiani acted as if she didn't care, the more embarrassed the teller felt. As a result, the teller gave Zhou Jiani a few quotas that didn't require a ticket. When she left the supply and marketing cooperative, she carried a full woven bag with things.

I bought a small handkerchief and rubber-soled cloth shoes for free, five enamel pots and two enamel basins for free, and also bought five feet of defective cloth and two pieces of beautiful floral cloth.

They had received a ticket for the flowered cloth, but this was their own money and had been withheld from sale. They gave three feet to Zhou Jiani, which was quite a favor.

I bought a few more aluminum lunch boxes.

Zhou Jiani walked to a deserted place and poured the garbage into the warehouse, then ran to the next supply and marketing cooperative.

I was busy until the evening before going back. When I was almost home, I took some apples and pears and put them in my bag, then carried them into the dormitory area.

The neighbors in the dormitory were no longer surprised by her return. Someone even asked about Liu Ailing's current situation. Zhou Jiani didn't hide anything and said, "She made some mistakes and was punished to go to the farm."

The neighbor was shocked: "Oh, what did she do wrong?"

Zhou Jiani said, "She steals things and colludes with other brigades. No one knows what she's trying to do." She was not polite at all when she revealed Liu Ailing's affairs. After she finished speaking, she went upstairs, but the neighbors were in an uproar.

During dinner, Lv Cuilan wanted to come over and make a scene, accusing Zhou Jiani of spreading rumors about her daughter. Zhou Jiani said calmly, "Don't you know that there are telephones in the village? Just call and verify and you'll know if I'm spreading rumors or not."

A neighbor who came out to watch the fun asked in surprise, "You've got a telephone installed in the countryside? When did you install it?"

"It's been installed a long time ago." Zhou Jiani looked at Lu Cuilan. "Why? Didn't your daughter call you to tell you? Didn't she mention it in the letter?"

When talking about writing letters, everyone's expressions became complicated.

It was Liu Ailing who had spread rumors about Zhou Jiani, and the two families had a huge fight. As a result, Zhou's daughter would often come back to stay for a few days, while Liu's daughter reportedly rarely even wrote letters.

There was a telephone installed in the village, but Liu Ailing didn't even call home to contact her.

Lu Cuilan's desire to cause trouble disappeared, and she returned home in a daze, and the house erupted in wailing.

After Zhou Jiani finished her meal, no one from the Liu family came over.

She was puzzled and asked her parents, "When the village installed a phone, didn't it connect to the factory? Didn't anyone tell Liu Jiefang?"

Zhou Wanli was stunned for a moment. It had been quite a while since Qianjin Brigade installed a telephone. His daughter would call home from time to time, and they would ask his daughter to go to the post office and call Qianjin Brigade. It was true that no one had told the Liu family, and the key point was that Liu Ailing herself didn't tell anyone.

Zhou Wanli smiled: "This family."

That's really interesting.

What’s even more interesting is yet to come. On the third day after Zhang Kaishan’s surgery was successfully completed and he passed the critical period, Liu Jiefang published a statement in the newspaper severing his relationship with Liu Ailing.

Zhou Jiani couldn't help but take a breath.

Zhou Wanli looked at the newspaper, frowning and saying, "Listen to you, what Liu Ailing did wasn't that serious. Was it worth scaring Liu Jiefang like this?"

Liu Jiefang must have called to find out the details. Let's just say what happened. No matter how angry the Qianjin Brigade is about what Liu Ailing did, they won't exaggerate or make it sound serious.

But Liu Jiefang was still afraid that a daughter who had been a thief would affect his future, so he directly published an announcement in the newspaper to sever ties with her.

So cruel!

Yu Huifang sighed a little: "Is it really that serious? Lv Cuilan didn't even stop her."

Zhou Wanli whispered, "I just learned that Liu Jiefang has been secretly busy lately, using his connections everywhere, still determined to fight for a chance. He didn't expect his third daughter to be in trouble, and after being exposed by Jiani, he was worried that his efforts would be in vain, so he quickly put the story in the newspaper."

He added, "A piece of paper doesn't say much. How can he really deny it? When things calm down, we can still be father and daughter."

Zhou Jiani also felt that if Liu Ailing became successful one day, it would be as if this newspaper had never appeared.

The twins were resting the next day. Zhou Jiani took them to the park to skate for the whole morning and went to the hospital in the afternoon.

Zhang Kaishan was still lying there unable to move, but his eyes were much brighter than when he first arrived.

Zhao Mei looked thinner. Although she was thinner, the smile on her face looked more relaxed than before, her brows were no longer wrinkled easily, and she looked very relaxed.

Zhou Jiani packed chicken soup in a lunch box, and also took two steamed buns made with two-grain flour and a lunch box of rice.

Zhao Mei felt bad and insisted on giving her money and food coupons, but Zhou Jiani refused and said with a smile, "Just owe it to me first. When Brother Zhang starts earning a salary, I'll ask him to pay it back."

Zhang Kaishan grinned happily.

No wonder Comrade Xiao Zhou is so popular in the village. He is good at speaking. Although there is not a single word of blessing in his words, everyone can hear that it is the best wish.

Zhao Mei was no longer polite to her. She owed Xiao Zhou's comrades too much. She was not worried about the debt, but she still remembered it in her heart.

After confirming that Zhang Kaishan's condition was stable, Zhou Jiani took the hairband Zhao Mei had made recently, went out to the post office, and called the village to ask when the goods would be delivered. She first explained Zhang Kaishan's condition and finally asked, "Have you finished the sample of the basket with handles on both sides and in the shape of a round pumpkin?"

It was Zhang Baosheng who answered the phone. He said, "It's done. What's up? Does the department store want it?"

The samples have just come out and haven't even been made public in the factory, and there are already orders?

Zhou Jiani smiled, "No, I just want to repay a favor." She held the microphone and said, "You know my parents work at the Second Spinning Mill, but the fabric there isn't as good-looking as the First Spinning Mill. A few days ago, I spoke with the sales manager at the First Spinning Mill. They've just introduced textile technology and new patterns from Hai City. If we can get some from them, we can improve the fabric pattern of the storage stool and raise its quality. If we have a regular supply, we can also use it in woven baskets. I'm planning to release a few woven baskets with fabric art, which will also be our specialty."

"If I could get some nice floral fabric, the scrunchies would sell better."

The staff nearby looked at her curiously and pricked up their ears to listen.

Zhang Baosheng said hurriedly, "Okay, you can do whatever you want. Xiao Qiu said it can't be shipped until the afternoon of the day after tomorrow, so I'll give you the two samples by then."

"Just put the pumpkin one on there, and then make seven or eight of each of the other two samples as usual. I'll take them out to try selling when I get back and see how the market responds," Zhou Jiani said seriously. Finally, "If there are any vegetables in the greenhouse that can be picked, please bring some over. I'll also send some to the teacher who helped us collect the information, the leaders of the Second Textile Factory, and our neighborhood office. Besides expressing my gratitude, I want everyone to see our achievements."

"Okay, okay, that's what I should do. I'll go check it out and pick it when I leave." Zhang Baosheng was very proactive in this regard and didn't feel sorry at all. He also said, "I'll bring some back to your family so they can have a taste too. This is a gift from the village."

"Okay!" Zhou Jiani didn't refuse. Seeing the post office staff looking at her, she deliberately asked, "What can be picked in the greenhouse these days?"

Zhang Baosheng simply reported truthfully: "The peppers and eggplants are ready to be picked, and I can pick about ten cucumbers. The tomatoes are also quite red. As for the loofah..."

Zhou Jiani repeated herself in a mumbling voice, and finally said, "Okay, we'll pick whatever we can when the time comes."

After hanging up the phone, the teller nearby couldn't help but ask, "Are you doing that plastic greenhouse experiment?"

The post office distributed newspapers, and they read every issue themselves without missing a single one. They remembered news from several years ago clearly, so it was not surprising that they could make such a judgment from Zhou Jiani's few words.

Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "Yes, this year I just tried it out on a small scale, with only half an acre of land. I was lucky enough to get in touch with the plastic greenhouse experiment team, and they gave me remote guidance. Otherwise, I wouldn't have succeeded on the first try."

Everyone gathered around, asking for details. They also wanted Zhou Jiani to send some over, asking for as much as they could. Zhou Jiani waved her hand and declined, smiling, "Our local restaurant has been eyeing it for a while, and the commune, county, and city also want it. But we're already expanding, and we'll have a batch of vegetables with a short growth cycle by the end of the year. If there's any surplus, we'll definitely give some to you guys then."

Now she just wants to buy stamps.

Teller: What stamps do you want to buy? Their curiosity has not been satisfied yet, and they are asking about the woven baskets she mentioned.

Just hearing the description seems very fresh, there is also a hair circle.

Zhou Jiani shook her head to let them see what she was wearing on her head, and then took out a bunch of hair ties from her schoolbag, which were sold out on the spot.

After buying several sets of stamps, Zhou Jiani left with satisfaction.

On the day of receiving the goods, Zhou Jiani asked her father to go with her, as she couldn't carry the vegetables to the department store.

Zhou Wanli carefully brought back the juicy green vegetables. When he went upstairs, his neighbor came out to cook. Seeing the fresh cucumbers, red persimmons, and peppers in his hands, his eyes widened and he couldn't help but ask loudly, "Old Zhou, where did you buy these?"

Zhou Wanli smiled and said, "The Qianjin Brigade grew them themselves. Jiani will come back later and take them out to thank those who helped them find the information."

There was a portion for them, tied up separately with straw ropes, and the daughter also gave it to them.

The neighbor's eyes seemed to be glued to the dishes, and he kept asking, "Are there any more? If there are any, please share them with us!"

Yu Huifang came out to explain, smiling, "Shuqin, this is a favor from the Qianjin Brigade. My daughter told me she was preparing to do that experiment, but she was completely clueless. She called her teacher to help her find the information, and it took a lot of effort. Now that she's done it with their information, shouldn't she thank them first?"

That's the truth, but it's really enviable.

The neighbor also knew that the Zhou family must have their own share, but it was understandable that they were reluctant to share. After all, if she got some, what would happen if others came?

Soon all the neighbors on this floor knew about it. If they couldn’t get it, why not come to the head office?

Suddenly the Zhou family was crowded with people.

Some neighbors murmured that since they all went to the countryside, why didn't their children come back as often as Zhou Jiani? Apart from sending back some food, she only wrote letters asking for money and tickets.

Some people can go home and write letters to their children who have gone out, telling them about these envious things in the letters.

After the neighbors had gone home for dinner, Zhou Wanli took out a few of the items and whispered, "Jia Ni said these are for us. They were given to us by the village!"

This kind of thing is mutual. Zhang Baosheng has always been thinking about the Zhou family's care. Now that he can come up with something rare, the Zhou family must get a share.

Jiang Xinfeng smiled so much that her eyebrows were not visible and she said, "These vegetables are grown really well."

Zhou Wanli said, "I heard they contacted experts, and they are giving them guidance. I'm sure they will grow well."

Yu Huifang put it into the house and said, "We can eat it after Jiani comes back to confirm it. Use it quickly first, so that there won't be enough."

Jiang Xinfeng: "That's right!"

Thinking about delivering the vegetables, Zhou Jiani delivered the goods and took part of the payment and came back.

As soon as she got home, a neighbor who had heard her voice came over, still wanting vegetables. Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "Auntie, let's do it before the New Year. There's only half an acre of experimental land, and the local people have already reserved it. But the greenhouse has been expanded. If all goes well, we can have a batch of vegetables before the New Year. Our village is grateful for everyone's help in generating income in the fall. If there is a harvest at the end of the year, please give us some priority."

He added, "There really isn't enough to share this time. We'll make a big pot of tomato and egg soup at noon, and we'll share it out so everyone can have a taste."

Whether she was talking or doing things, she was thorough and impeccable. When she mentioned the autumn vegetable shopping incident, we realized that Zhou Jiani still remembered it. The neighbors were very pleased to hear her talk.

As for what was promised to be shared here, Zhou Jiani would definitely go to the village to apply for it. Favors are something that flows back and forth, and only when they flow can relationships become stronger and stronger.

Otherwise, will you still need me next time?