"You've started to overthink things now?"
"Get lost! Is that how you use 'look before you leap'? I'm clearly considering everything thoroughly."
"Yes, yes, yes, Zhou Quan, as long as you don't feel wronged. By the way, Jian Zhong has supposedly established himself in the county town. Did you pull strings for him?"
"What kind of backdoor is this? Watch your words. But speaking of which, I have to admit I'm impressed. Do you know what Uncle Zhong did?"
No, I should say, do you know what he does for a living now?
He simply took the vegetables from the kitchen and piled them unceremoniously between the two of them; the meaning was clear: prepare the vegetables.
"Grandpa Zhong is so old, how can he still be looking for work? He told me he was going to move the stall back, he didn't say he was looking for work."
Xi Pingan rolled up his shirt sleeves and sat on the bench, completely disregarding his appearance, to help with picking vegetables. His expression upon hearing this was somewhat complicated.
"You really are a hands-off manager, not caring about anything at all. You've got a really big heart."
Unfortunately, he ended up giving the answer himself.
"He went to the machinery factory, and he's quite capable. He got himself a job as a purchasing agent in the logistics department, which is a formal job."
Jian Dan dropped the green beans she was holding, completely dumbfounded.
"No, how old is Grandpa Zhong? Aren't there age limits for hiring now? What's the retirement age? Child laborers can't be used, but old people can?"
Xi Pingan slapped the green beans in his hand onto the back of her hand.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Do you think it's that easy to save your business and manage it properly?"
Simply protest by covering the back of your hand.
"I know that individual buying and selling is not allowed. Isn't the industry that Grandpa Zhong is talking about a monopoly of the black market?"
She had never been to this place, but she had read a lot of novels, so she knew that this was an essential feature in this era. Supply and marketing cooperatives, or the planned economy, could not meet the normal needs of the people, so this black market was a natural consequence. She had heard of it before, so it wasn't surprising.
"Aww!"
Suddenly, a sharp rap struck him on the forehead. Caught off guard, Jian let out a scream and instinctively reached up to cover his forehead.
Why did you hit me?
Xi Ping'an was so angry he wanted to make a move again, but he quietly glanced at the surrounding commotion and lowered his voice considerably.
"You say all sorts of things? I really don't know how you got through those years in the countryside. How could you say such things so casually?"
What black market? What monopoly? Are these things a military family member should be talking about?
The police station is right next door; if someone with ulterior motives overhears, there's bound to be trouble.
He paused for a moment, scratched his head, and realized, well, he had gotten a little carried away.
"Then you should talk nicely and not hit me."
Xi Pingan raised his hand to scare him, then smoothly changed the subject to something safe.
"That bicycle, if you had the parts, could you assemble it?"
"I've never assembled one before, as long as I have the blueprints, it shouldn't be as difficult as assembling a gun. It's okay, I can handle it."
Xi Pingan almost choked again. Was he going to be unable to get over this dangerous topic today?
"Alright, alright, stop talking. I'll wash the vegetables. You go inside and cook."
He had already made up his mind that whether it was Cheng Chao or Qin Qinghuai, he had to keep an eye on them. He also needed to keep a close eye on her, especially her mouth, which was really unreserved. He didn't know what to say or what he could say, for fear of accidentally stepping on a landmine.
Fortunately, Qin Qingjiang returned soon with the little one, carrying two burlap sacks. Something inside was sticking out of them, making them bulge. He casually tossed them aside as he entered the yard and put the little one down on the ground.
"Go wash your hands and ask your mom to change your clothes."
Soon, the sound of simple fur standing on end could be heard from inside the house.
"What were you doing? Rolling in the dirt? Why are you covered in dirt?"
Xi Pingan pursed his lips.
"Tsk! It really is a pile of dirt."
Qin Qingjiang looked himself up and down, and also clicked his tongue in disapproval twice.
"It really does look like it."
As he spoke, he grabbed something and slapped himself.
"This pile of stuff at the junkyard hasn't been touched in years. I only turned over a small part of it, and it's all covered in dust."
These two, whether they were really bored or what, didn't rush to leave after finishing their meal. They rolled up their sleeves and started banging away. After quickly tidying up the kitchen and washing and hanging up the little one's clothes, the two of them managed to nail together a decent-looking children's chair. The backrest seemed to have been taken from an old-fashioned round-backed chair; it was curved, made of pure wood, and very smooth.
The bottom is made of the same color and material as the wooden board, but a tripod base is nailed to the bottom and tied to the main beam. It doesn't even wobble, it's very sturdy.
Worried that it would be too hard and hurt the child, I specifically asked her to find some scraps of cloth to wrap around the backrest and add a cotton pad. The front should have a simple safety belt installed.
I don't know which guy had tied a small toy with pink floral fabric to the handlebars of the car in front. I couldn't tell what it was, but kids love novelty. Anyway, as soon as the little one was put on it, she grabbed the toy and wouldn't let go, kicking her legs vigorously. Clearly, she had passed the test for this priority seat.
I just pursed my lips, not knowing how to comment on this child.
"Big brother, little uncle, you should take a break. You finally managed to free up some time, but you've spent it all on the children."
"Don't mention that, that would be too formal. This is no problem, but the car, I took a look and there are still a few missing parts. I'll take some time to go and look through them again, and I'll assemble it and send it over to you."
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