The sky grew darker.
It was just past three quarters past the hour of Shen (around four or five in the afternoon) and it was already so dark that it was impossible to see anything.
There were a few more people in the rest stop, all of them passing businessmen, some visiting relatives and friends, and some doing business.
A middle-aged peasant woman came to the rest stop carrying a basket on her back.
She stood there for a while, and only when she saw someone coming out did she timidly ask, "Are you accepting deliveries here?"
She has a thick accent.
Wang Mazi glanced at her backpack. It was covered with straw and he couldn't see what was inside.
"Collect it! What are you carrying?"
The peasant woman carefully put down the backpack, removed the straw, and revealed the things inside.
Wang Mazi went closer and found that they were unexpectedly fresh black fungus and dried shiitake mushrooms.
"Where did this black fungus come from?"
The peasant woman was very nervous and stammered in silence.
Only then did Wang Mazi realize that the peasant woman was a little afraid of him, probably because she could not understand Mandarin very well.
"Mr. Wang, please come out for a moment."
When Mr. Wang heard the shouting, he ran out.
"What is it? What is it?"
"Ask her where she picked the wood ear mushrooms and if they still have any. Can you please not pick the wood ear mushrooms next time and just bring the wood that grew them? The price is negotiable."
After receiving the instructions, Wang Laotongsheng communicated with the peasant woman in dialect.
Listening to the familiar dialect, the peasant woman indeed relaxed a little.
The two of them talked back and forth for quite a while.
Old Man Wang inquired about the situation. "The wood ear mushrooms are picked wild from the mountains. If you bring the wood with you, the wood ear mushrooms might not survive. She said that wild wood ear mushrooms are only grown in their valleys around here, and nowhere else. How much do you want for them?"
Wang Mazi was very decisive. "This wood ear mushroom is good. I won't let her suffer a loss. I'll add three cents per catty according to the market price. I also want these dried shiitake mushrooms. I'll pay the market price as well."
When Mr. Wang Laotong talked to the peasant woman, she showed a surprised expression.
She obviously hadn't expected the rest stop prices to be so reasonable. No wonder the villagers on the other side of the mountain said that if you have good stuff, don't bring it to the village, but bring it to the rest stop for a better price.
Although it was a very long way to go, it took almost a whole day to reach the rest stop.
It's because their village is deep in the mountains, and it's extremely difficult for them to get out.
However, as long as these mountain products can be sold at a good price, it would be worthwhile to walk for two days, not to mention one.
After weighing and paying, the peasant woman prepared to return.
Wang Mazi said to Wang Laotongsheng, "Ask her if she can make it back home, it's so far. It's dangerous to walk at night, and I'm afraid she can't do it alone. We have a big bunk bed in the backyard, and there's hot soup. It's only a penny a night. Ask her if she wants to stay there."
Old Man Wang laughed.
Wang Mazi usually looks shrewd and calculating, and a bit fierce, but he is actually very kind. When he meets poor people like the peasant woman, he will try his best to help them.
Old Man Wang conveyed Wang Mazi's intention to the peasant woman.
The peasant woman hesitated and said a bunch of words.
Wang Laotongsheng translated for Wang Mazi, "She's in a hurry to buy medicine."
"Do you have a prescription? We always have herbs in stock here. Ask her for a prescription and she'll get the medicine. It's market price, no cheating. Tell her we have a grocery store here too, selling needles and thread, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea. It's so cold outside, why not just ask her to come in?"
The peasant woman was obviously surprised to learn that she could get medicine at the rest stop.
Trembling with fear, she followed Wang Laotongsheng into the rest stop
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