Without Zhao Youcai buying meat from town and taking vegetables from the farm's warehouse, there would be no good food at home.

Instead of wasting food making plain rice porridge, it's better to save your portion for cooking rice next time.

The fourth daughter-in-law watched Zhao Youcai's thin figure gradually disappear into the distance, and her eyes instantly turned red.

Back in her room, she threw herself into the arms of her fourth brother, Zhao Jianshe, and began to sob. Zhao Jianshe, who had just heard faint voices drifting into the room, panicked instantly.

"Honey, what's wrong? Did Dad scold you again?"

No way!

Dad's been doing well these past few days!

"What's wrong? Don't cry! It breaks my heart!"

The fourth son's wife shook her head desperately, her voice choked with sobs:

"It's all our fault as sons and daughters-in-law. We're so useless, and we have to drag our father out to find work at his age to earn food for us. He left before dawn, he must be going to town to do manual labor to buy meat for us!"

The fourth son's wife's tears fell like raindrops, soaking a small patch of the pillowcase.

The fourth son was shocked to hear this. No wonder his father had been leaving early and returning late these past two days. He guessed that the youngest son's division of the family property had upset him, and he wanted to earn money so that the children in the family could have a better life.

That way, the youngest child won't cause trouble about separating the family.

"We must work hard and try to earn more work points to ease the burden on our father!"

"From today onwards, my husband and I must make an effort to talk to others more. Children who are sweet-talking get treats, and the same applies to adults!"

Zhao Youcai, who was busy on his way, was unaware of the content of the young couple's conversation.

If he knew about the misunderstanding caused by his fourth daughter-in-law when he went out to deliver vegetables today, and how the couple would now proactively change their personalities and ways of handling things, he would definitely think it was a wonderful misunderstanding.

When Zhao Youcai arrived at the steel mill gate, the gate was tightly shut. The gatekeeper in the duty room was fast asleep, snoring loudly.

Zhao Youcai took out the 180 jin of vegetables ordered by the steel factory from the farm warehouse and covered them with a large sack he had brought from home before leaving.

With a thought, he entered the breakfast stall and began frantically making red bean buns.

When the breakfast stall showed that it was closed, Zhao Youcai secretly moved the red bean buns into the basket and took out two to eat.

I was in a hurry to come to town to sell vegetables, and I hadn't eaten breakfast yet, so I was starving.

After Zhao Youcai finished eating two red bean buns, the area in front of the steel mill gradually became lively.

The portly Zhao Yanfeng was regretting not asking Zhao Youcai when he would deliver the vegetables yesterday, as she had some personal business to attend to.

He was overjoyed to see Zhao Youcai waiting at the door.

He hurriedly walked up to Zhao Youcai, grinning so wide his teeth were showing, and his familiar crowing laughter returned once again.

"Big brother, you're here pretty early. Have you been waiting long?"

Just then, a kitchen worker walked over, and the plump woman grabbed him.

"Go to the purchasing department and call any accountant over, and go to the cafeteria and call a few people to come to the entrance and carry the vegetables in to be weighed!"

Zhao Yanfeng then pulled Zhao Youcai into the office, saying, "It's so cold, it's hard for you to come so early. You must be freezing. Come in with me to the office and have some hot tea to warm yourself up."

Zhao Youcai did not refuse; he had forgotten to bring water when he went out today, and he was indeed a little thirsty after eating two red bean buns.

While drinking tea, Zhao Youcai noticed that Zhao Yanfeng seemed to have something on her mind, but he didn't ask any questions, as long as it didn't affect his business.

Just as Zhao Youcai finished downing a ceramic mug of hot tea, the accountant came over with a small notebook.

The chef readily settled the bill for Zhao Youcai with nine yuan. Since the quality of the vegetables was just as good as yesterday's, the canteen chef was very satisfied and even packed several large meat buns in a brown paper bag for the accountant to bring to Zhao Youcai as well.

After the accountant ran off to attend to other matters, only Zhao Yanfeng and Zhao Youcai remained in the purchasing department. Zhao Yanfeng then lowered her voice and said:

"Brother Zhao, do you have any extra vegetables? Or do you have anything else good? Meat or eggs are fine with me! Spend some on me, the price is negotiable. My son is coming back from Beijing next week to visit relatives, and he's bringing a girlfriend to meet us."

Zhao Youcai raised an eyebrow slightly. The chickens on his farm were still growing, and it was hard to say whether they would be able to lay eggs before tomorrow.

"If you're not in a hurry, wait a couple more days, and I'll go back to the village and ask around. If anyone's selling them, I'll help you buy some."

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Zhao Youcai reached into the basket and put some potatoes and green beans from the warehouse inside. He then pulled back the floral cloth covering the basket to show it to Zhao Yanfeng.

"I originally came to town to bring some freshly picked vegetables to my son later, but since you need them urgently, I can give them to you to tide you over."

Zhao Yanfeng's eyes lit up instantly, and she immediately took out a dollar and stuffed it into Zhao Youcai's hand.

Zhao Youcai quickly waved his hand, "We don't need so much! It's only a few pounds!"

Zhao Yanfeng quickly stuffed the money into Zhao Youcai's shirt pocket, deftly took the vegetables out of the basket, and carefully placed them in the floral cloth bag under the desk.

“At any other time, I would definitely haggle with you. This is taking food from your son's mouth, so consider the extra money as compensation. Don't try to pull any of those empty tricks on me; all that back and forth is exhausting.”

Zhao Youcai was taken aback. He had never intended to send anything to that ungrateful youngest son. He had just said it casually to give himself an excuse to carry other fresh vegetables with him. He hadn't expected it to have this effect.

Zhao Yanfeng then asked, "These two kinds of green beans and potatoes look very appealing. How many do you have at home?"

Although he had expected it, Zhao Youcai was still secretly pleased, but on the surface he still looked thoughtful, frowning and pondering for a few seconds before shaking his head slightly.

"These first batch of potatoes have just been harvested, and the green beans have been picked, with only the largest ones being selected. If we want to supply the factory in large quantities like cabbage and radishes, we'll have to wait a couple more days."

This way, the price of vegetables can be raised to the highest level, so as not to give people the impression that they have a lot of vegetables and can arbitrarily bargain.

The steel mill has no shortage of potatoes, but fresh green beans have been out of stock for months. Who wouldn't crave them?

Zhao Yanfeng was a straightforward person, and it wasn't the first time she had dealt with Zhao Youcai, so she directly gave him a number.

"In summer and autumn, green beans are at most three cents a pound. But green beans are a rare commodity this season, even rarer than cabbage and radishes. I'll decide to raise both kinds of green beans to six cents a pound. As for potatoes, there's no shortage. I'll calculate it for you at the market price, two cents a pound, is that acceptable?"

Zhao Youcai frowned slightly. He could accept the price of green beans, but the price of potatoes was significantly lower than he had expected.