After the business was finished, Xie Yuyao put away the list and politely said to Qi Tai, "You've come all this way, why don't you have lunch here? Honghui will be back soon."
"Thank you! I still have some things to take care of, so I'll head back to the county town now. I'll treat you to something when you come to the county town another day," Qi Tai said with a smile, declining the offer and getting up to leave.
The most important thing right now is to finalize the order as soon as possible. Only if he leaves first will Xie Yuyao have time to contact her friend.
As for the quality of the goods, he was not worried at all.
Since the tripartite cooperation began, he has also exchanged some fine grains with Zhao Honghui. With that gem as a precedent, the fruits and vegetables must be of good quality as well.
When saying goodbye, Xie Yuyao instructed Qi Tai and Zhao Dayong that she did not want anyone else to know that she was the supplier, including his subordinates.
Doing business now is a taboo thing. Qi Tai's group has complicated personnel. Even if everyone is in the same boat, it is hard to guarantee that they won't be bribed by competitors.
Qi Tai and the other man were aware of her concerns and agreed earnestly, assuring her that only the two of them knew about it and they wouldn't tell a third person.
A little over an hour later, Qi Tai had just returned to his base in the county town when Uncle Qian came up to him with the news: "Boss, Second Master Zheng just sent someone to ask us for a definite answer on whether or not we should buy fruits and vegetables from him. He also said that arranging the goods will take time, and he wants you to reply to them by tomorrow at the latest."
Qi Tai's face darkened abruptly, and he said sarcastically, "Send someone to tell him right now that we don't want his goods."
He originally wanted to wait until Xie Yuyao confirmed things before revealing his true intentions, but since she kept pressuring him, he simply refused.
He didn't know Xie Yuyao, but he was familiar with Zhao Honghui. The woman who could be with him wouldn't be a pretty face with no substance. Since she had agreed to it, she wouldn't fail to do it.
"How do we solve the problem of fruits and vegetables?" Uncle Qian asked hesitantly, his heart filled with worry.
Qi Tai slightly raised the corners of his mouth: "A loss may turn out to be a blessing in disguise."
After saying that, he walked inside with a relaxed expression. Uncle Qian lowered his head and pondered for a while, then his pupils suddenly dilated, and he caught up with him in a few quick steps: "So, there's a new channel?"
Qi Tai nodded, pleased that Qi Tai had guessed correctly every time.
"As expected of the boss, he solved a major problem that had been bothering us for days in just one trip." Upon hearing Uncle Qian's voice and seeing Qi Tai nod in confirmation, the bald man in the room immediately flattered him.
He thought of something and said gloatingly, "Master Zheng will probably be furious to death watching the cooked duck fly away."
"He deserves it! How dare he kick someone when they're down and take advantage of their misfortune? Doesn't he even know who our boss is?" Uncle Qian sneered.
Seeing the two of them working together so well, Qi Tai didn't get carried away. He solemnly ordered, "You two keep your mouths shut. We absolutely cannot let anyone know about our new channel. There can't be any more accidents in the fruit and vegetable trade."
"yes!"
Meanwhile, on Master Zheng's side, after receiving the message that Qi Tai refused to buy goods from him, he was so angry that he slammed the water glass in his hand onto the table: "Go and find out immediately who is ruining my plans!"
In such a short time, even if Qi Tai has connections in the south and can find a source of goods, it would be difficult to develop a new transportation route. And if it's the same route, isn't he afraid that the second batch of goods will be seized again?
Knowing Qi Tai as he did, he knew he wouldn't take such a risk. If he could find someone to help him secure the necessary pre-orders, that would be fine.
The worst-case scenario is that he finds new channels that not only ensure timely delivery of pre-orders but also release even more stock into the market.
"From now on, focus on selling fruits and vegetables. Find some people to go door-to-door selling them. We must sell as many as possible before Qi Tai gets his goods," Qi Tai ordered, and his subordinates immediately went to carry it out.
He looked up at the low-hanging sky shrouded in thick clouds, and a sense of foreboding welled up inside him.
*
Zhao Honghui had already returned to the educated youth compound. Xie Yuyao pulled him into the room, closed the door, and whispered to him about what had happened to Qi Tailai that morning.
"...I've made up a story about a friend from afar. If it works out, we can work together long-term. If not, this will be our only chance to help him through this difficult time."
After listening, Zhao Honghui frowned and said, "I don't know how deep the water is here. I'll go to the county town this afternoon to find out."
He didn't blame Yao Yao for agreeing without waiting for him to return and discuss it. Yao Yao had her own ideas, and his job was to ensure her safety, not to make decisions for her.
"Is there anything else I don't know?" Xie Yuyao asked, puzzled. Given the relationship between the two sides, Qi Tai shouldn't be hiding anything from her!
Zhao Honghui explained to her: "As you know, there are several black market forces in the county. In this case, I wonder if it was a case of vicious competition among peers, using the authorities to weaken their rivals."
"What if it's really a case of competitors undermining each other?" Xie Yuyao frowned as well; she had been oversimplifying things.
Zhao Honghui raised his hand to smooth her brow and rubbed her hand to comfort her, saying, "Don't worry, even if someone is secretly sabotaging us, we just need to be careful."
"Then you shouldn't go looking for Qi Tai. There might be someone secretly watching his every move. If you go, you'll be suspected and investigated. Let's arrange a place for contactless delivery."
Zhao Honghui had never heard of this transaction method before and asked in confusion, "Contactless?"
"Yes, contactless means that neither party meets, so that no one else will know that we are the supplier. I just reminded them this morning, and they promised not to tell anyone else."
Seeing Zhao Honghui deep in thought, Xie Yuyao explained in detail, "Similar to the previous delivery of coarse grains, we'll have Qi Tai find a secluded and safe empty courtyard to store the goods. The difference is that no one should stay inside. He'll leave the money inside, and we'll deliver the goods to the courtyard within three to five days, take the money, and leave. After that time, he'll go back to collect the goods."
"That's a good idea. It just so happens that Zhao Dayong is in the same brigade and has inside information, so let him pass on the information." Zhao Honghui decided not to go to the county town and would ask Zhao Dayong for details when he returned in the evening.
Xie Yuyao agreed, "That's the best way. It's good that we've established a foundation of trust with Qi Tai. With this kind of transaction model, strangers won't end up paying a lot of money and not receiving the goods."
“Qi Tai has that much guts. Even if we don’t have any other cooperation with him, he will still give it a try,” Zhao Honghui said with a smile. “My hometown and work are both in this area. I can’t just run away from him.”
Xie Yuyao suppressed a laugh and said, "I was the one negotiating with him. We're not even married yet. If I donate the money and run away, it won't do him any good looking for you!"
"Where can you run to?" Zhao Honghui threatened her in a pretentious manner.
"The world is so vast... Ah! What are you doing!" Xie Yuyao cried out in surprise as she was pounced on by a wild wolf and thrown onto the kang (a heated brick bed). In her struggle, a large hand grabbed her slender waist, and the man's scent filled her nostrils...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
