Chapter 125

After Xu Wen has made his choice, the stall owner will weigh it, calculate the bill, and then mix it.

However, some of the characteristics of this place are indeed puzzling to Xu Wen. For example, as Xu Wen said, 80% of their food contains sugar, including steamed buns.

But when the boss was mixing the fruits, Xu Wen saw him putting soy sauce in it.

By the time she wanted to stop it, it was too late.

If you look more closely, you will find that the seasonings used to mix the fruits are real kitchen condiments such as soy sauce, pepper and salt.

Xu Wen thought it would taste terrible, so he took a bite and to his surprise it tasted pretty good!

Or at least not bad.

That’s right, but Xu Wen still couldn’t understand.

Sugar is added to non-sweet foods, soy sauce, pepper, salt, etc. are added to sweet fruits?!

All we can say is that existence is reasonable.

After a full tour, Xu Wen and Dong Sheng were full and returned to Xu Wen's stall.

As soon as Xu Wen saw her, he pulled her in and said, "Come on, Xiao Wenwen, attract some customers for me!"

Xu asked: "..."

She rolled her eyes. "Do you want me to stand on the road with my hand waving and shouting at the top of my lungs, 'Master, come and have a look!'?"

Xu Wen: “…”

Second uncle: “…”

Brother Cong: “…”

Xu Wen thought for a moment and said, "If you really want to do this, it's not impossible! But I'm afraid Dongsheng will go back and imitate you, and your family will break your legs if you go on a long expedition!"

Xu asked: "..."

Of course Xu Wen couldn't really shout like that.

In fact, she didn't have to do anything. She just stood next to Xu Wen and became a sight in herself, but she didn't realize it.

More and more young men flocked to Xu Wen's stall, buying something or other, even a pair of socks, just to talk to Xu Wen.

Especially when Xu Wen passed things to them who were strong, their faces flushed and they stuttered when they spoke.

There are all kinds of birds in the forest, and some of them are lustful and dare to take advantage of Xu Wen and touch her hand.

Xu Wen and Dong Sheng distracted them all. Later, Xu Wen just let Xu Wen stand aside and did all the collecting and delivering of things himself.

After Xu Wen finished eating the fruit, he took out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his hands. He also wiped the hands of Dongsheng, whose face was covered with fruit.

The clean white handkerchief suddenly became dirty.

Xu Wen was also busy for a while here.

Xu Wen’s target customers are migrant workers on construction sites or workers in factories.

They have to go to work during the day, so it's impossible for them to just wander around without paying attention to the time. They usually leave before 10 o'clock.

This is also the reason why Xu Wen set up another popcorn stand.

This night market closes very late, and he doesn't want to close at halftime.

Xu Wen sat on the riding rein, resting his chin on his hand and studying the people passing by.

"What are you looking at?" Xu Wen wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"Observing the main consumers on this street."

Xu Wen uttered an "ah" and looked at her blankly: "What do you mean? Observing what?"

"Just to see what the big spenders like to buy. I'm thinking I can make more money by doing some trading."

"I think this is pretty good." Xu Wen was particularly satisfied and confident.

Xu Wen didn’t say it was good or bad.

Xu Wen sells daily necessities, so he has no trouble selling them, but it is also difficult for him to make a fortune.

After a while, Xu Wen spoke up: "Brother, if you set up a stall here, basically no one will check. I just heard from the owner of the fruit stall that this place will be under unified management soon. By then, you can have a fixed stall by paying a little stall fee every month and sell things here openly. You don't have to be sneaky or dare to set up a stall at night. This place will definitely get better and better, but is it still difficult for you to purchase goods?"

Xu Wen sighed, "That's right! You say this special economic zone is good, but it's also troublesome. We can't be self-sufficient here, and we still have to go out to buy goods. Outside, it's still a big pot of rice, mainly collective economy, and it's not allowed to do business. The few companies that supply me are also sneaky. I can find someone this time, but I may run away next time. Isn't this embarrassing?! Every time I think about going out to buy goods, I get a headache."

If you often walk by the river, your shoes will get wet.

No matter how careful Xu Wen was, he was inevitably caught once or twice. His imported goods were confiscated, he was given educational classes, and sometimes even fined.

At least a week of work for nothing.

Although popcorn has huge profits, it is not a necessity. It is something that you can buy or not, so the money earned is not as much as labor protection products. Otherwise, Xu Wenning would rather just make popcorn.

Xu Wen wanted to explain to Xu Wen what a special zone is and discuss what kind of business they would do next. But when he turned around and saw Cong Ge listening to their conversation with his ear tilted, he swallowed back what he wanted to say.

We are all doing business, and no matter how generous Xu Wen is, he would never discuss future business opportunities in public.

Just then he saw Dongsheng start to yawn, so he stood up and said to Xu Wen, "Brother, I'll come find you tomorrow. I'll go back first."

Xu Wen hummed, "Second Uncle, don't you have to go to work tomorrow? Can you help me see her off and ask about it? I'm worried about her going back alone."

"That's what I thought."

On the way back to the guesthouse, Second Uncle carried Dongsheng on his back and walked back shoulder to shoulder with Xu Wen.

"Second uncle."

"Um."

"Would you consider becoming a trader?"

"Ah?" The second uncle hesitated and shook his head: "I can't! I'm not as smart as Xu Wen. I don't know what to sell."

"You take his job."

"What about Xu Wen?" The second uncle looked at Xu Wen in confusion. Why was he still helping an "outsider" like him to steal his brother's business?

Although they are all members of the Xu family, there are always differences in closeness and distance. Compared to Xu Wen, his brother who comes from the same mother, he is indeed an outsider.

"I want my brother and sister-in-law to sell food. Just northern snacks, such as dumplings, steamed buns, and cakes."

Small businesses can also be very successful if they grow big, such as opening a chain of dumpling restaurants across the country.

The point is that Xu Wen would probably prefer to open a husband-and-wife shop with Sang Xiaoqing.

The second uncle hesitated and shook his head. "Your brother is educated and can read. He can go to the provincial capital to find wholesale goods. I can't read a single word. Let alone buying goods, it's a good thing that I don't get myself lost."

Xu Wen was surprised that his second uncle was so clear-headed.

"Uncle, don't worry about anything else. Just tell me whether you want to do business or not."

"Of course I do! The money I earn on the construction site is hard-earned. Although running a business is also hard, it is free and I can decide when to go to work and when to come back. And I earn more than on the construction site."

At least Xu Wen can earn more by setting up a stall than by working as a part-time worker.

"That's settled then. We'll discuss the details together tomorrow. As for the supply, don't worry, I'll take care of it."

My second uncle was still a little hesitant, or to be more exact, he felt embarrassed.

He stood still, holding Dong's buttocks with both hands and lifted them up, "Ask. I feel so ashamed of your grandmother and your family these years. You brought me out and let me eat by myself and save some money for my retirement. I am already very satisfied. If I trouble you again, I really... I really don't know how to repay you."

"We are all family, so why should we talk about repaying or not? Uncle, it is too polite for you to say that. Besides, we are helping each other. You and my second brother come here together so that you can keep each other company. Otherwise, my parents and my sister-in-law would definitely be worried about my brother.

Second uncle, we are all family, I won't say anything empty words to you. I want you to do business for a win-win situation. You can make more money and I can help my sisters-in-law on the island.

"What do you mean?"

"There are more than a hundred sisters-in-law on our island. They usually have nothing to do on the island except taking care of the children and cleaning at home. As for people! Resting for one or two days is a pleasure, but being idle for one or two months is torture.

So I thought about going back and encouraging my sisters-in-law to do some handicrafts. For example, make cloth shoes, children's clothes, or weave scarves, knit some small toys, etc. After they are done, I will send them to you and you can help sell them. How about that? "

Second uncle's eyes lit up, "That's a good idea! I don't have to buy goods and I can help my sisters-in-law."

"Yes. After deducting the cost, you and the sisters-in-law will each take 40%, and I'll take 20% as a reward." Xu Wen said, "You and I are family, and they are friends. If you have no objection to this, I'll discuss this with the sisters-in-law when I get back."

"Give 40% to the wives of the soldiers, and we two will each get 30%. "The second uncle felt that he was taking advantage of Xu Wen.

"It's not easy to earn a little money by setting up a stall. I'm just threading and delivering goods, so I just want a little labor fee. And the 20% is not for myself. At the beginning of the cooperation, both parties are not familiar with each other, and I don't understand many things. I help to run a few times. After a long time, when things stabilize, I'm afraid I will be too lazy to run back and forth. Then someone else will deliver the goods for you. The 20% is for others. You can't let them help you for nothing."

Xu Wen knows herself very well. She is really lazy and has no fighting spirit. She is just a typical salted fish.

At the beginning of the cooperation, she was willing to run errands and help out of a sense of responsibility, but as time went on, she was not willing to keep delivering goods back and forth as a boatman.

After hearing Xu Wen’s straightforward words, the second uncle stopped trying to persuade him and nodded in agreement.

Xu Wen and Dongsheng lived in Pengcheng for about a week. They traveled all over Pengcheng, discussed a new business plan with Xu Wen and his second uncle, and left with Dongsheng.

However, there was no rush for the new business. It would take at least half a month for Xu Wen to send the letter home after Xu Qiushi and the others had discussed and made a decision.

Xu Wen was unsure, and his second uncle was unwilling to start. He felt like he was stealing Xu Wen's business, and he refused to agree no matter what.

Since there was no rush and there was still some time before the expedition training was completed, Xu Wen simply took Dongsheng on a trip.

In this era, labor is the most glorious. Few people go out to travel. Even if they do, they certainly cannot openly say that they are traveling and call it relaxing.

Xu Wen took Dongsheng around to "relax".

Dongsheng is five and a half years old, just at the age of "a hundred thousand whys" and is extremely curious about everything.

Asking questions that many adults take for granted and that have no practical significance.

"Mom, why is the sky blue?"

"Mom, why are there mountains in this place and sea in that place?"

"Mom, how high is the sky?"

“…”

There are endless questions like this.

Wherever he went, Dongsheng, who was at an age with a strong thirst for knowledge, was like a little sponge, trying hard to absorb things that could not be learned from books.

After consulting the magic mirror or based on his own experience and knowledge, Xu Wen would also teach Dongsheng about the humanities, geography, history and culture of the region while they were traveling.

Xu Wen believes that reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles, but traveling is not just about having fun passing by, but about getting to know a place well. After all, words on paper are not as easy to understand as real people and real scenes.

Xu Wen did not dare to go too far. He picked two or three scenic spots that were crowded with people a few decades ago and took Dongsheng to visit them to experience what it meant to have fewer people and better scenery.

For example, Guilin and Lijiang.

Guilin's landscape is the best in the world.

As the mother and son walked and looked around, Xu Wen told Dongsheng the history of Guilin, took him hiking to appreciate the water that was different from the sea, and to eat local specialties.

I stayed in Guilin for a week alone.

Originally Xu Wen meant that the journey would go to Rainbow Island.

After all, the training for Luyuanzheng was only one month. She stayed on the island for a week, traveled to Xuwenaga for a week, and traveled to Guilin for a week, not counting the journey. She also spent several days walking and playing on the road. When she finally returned to Rainbow Island, the training for Luyuanzheng would be almost over.

Dongsheng didn't have enough fun and didn't want to go back.

Xu Wen saw that in addition to having fun, he also learned a lot of knowledge about history, geography, humanities, etc., so he thought about it and decided to go to Lijiang for another trip.

When Dongsheng grows up in the future, the tourist attractions will be crowded and the tickets will be expensive, there will be tour groups flying all over the world, and there will be hidden charges at every turn.

During holidays, tourist attractions are packed with people and it’s hard to tell whether to see the people or the scenery.

Unlike now, most young people are out in the big world to make their own achievements, and there are very few people like Xu Wen who wander around.

The scenic spot only has scenery, and there are few people.

Even accommodation near tourist attractions is very cheap.

Moreover, the letter of introduction that Xu Wen received when she came out was issued on the central island. In order to take care of them, Uncle Song issued an additional certificate that allowed them to buy sleeper berth tickets. This way, they would not be so tired on the road.

Xu Wen had been to Lijiang before, but the Lijiang at that time was not the same as the Lijiang in his memory.

The scenery is more beautiful, and the people I meet are more down-to-earth and less frivolous.

It should be due to the macro environment.

Although it is midsummer in August, Lijiang is not that hot.

In fact, compared to Rainbow Island, Pengcheng is not hot at all.

Lijiang is a place where many ethnic groups gather. In addition to the normal history, geography and humanities, Xu Wen also popularized the characteristics and ethnic cultures of more than ten ethnic minorities to Dongsheng.

Recalling the last time on the Central Island, Lu Yuanzheng was very fond of couple outfits, and Xu Wen did not forget to bring one for Lu Yuanzheng when he went shopping for clothes with Dongsheng.

In fact, I still miss traveling these days, even more than when I was on the island.

I think about it when I see beautiful scenery and when I eat delicious food.

I always say things like "I wish your father were here!" and "It's a pity your father didn't get to eat it."

It's not intentional, I just think of him unconsciously.

Just like Lu Yuanzheng said, no matter how busy or tired you are, it doesn't prevent you from missing her.

This kind of yearning follows you everywhere, without the need for separate time and space gates.

After staying in Lijiang for four or five days, the mother and daughter hurried back to Rainbow Island before the letter of introduction expired.

By the end of August, most of the officers and soldiers on leave had returned to the island.

Including Doudou, whom Dongsheng is always thinking about, as well as Shi Lei and Song Baoying's family.

As soon as Xu Wen and Dongsheng reached the shore, they saw Lu Yuanzheng sitting not far away smoking.

He sat on a stone with one leg stretched out and the other bent, looking somewhat unruly.

It looks like he has already sat down and hasn't just arrived.

Xu Wen was startled and surprised: "Are you waiting for us?"

Dongsheng had already run towards Lu Yuanzheng, "Dad, I miss you!"

Xu asked: "..."

I never noticed it at ordinary times.

Before she could reveal Dongsheng's secret, Dongsheng added: "Mom misses you the most and talks about you every day!"

Lu Yuanzheng opened his arms to catch Dongsheng, and replied to him, "Really?" Then he gestured at the top of his head and pinched his face, "A little taller and a lot stronger."

He looked up at Xu Wen again and said, "I'm not waiting for you. I just want to see when a certain heartless woman will come back!"

Xu Wen uttered an "Ah", blinked, and responded, "You have been waiting for us?" He paused and added, "I mean, before my mother and I came back, you were waiting here every day?"

"Then I can't be a wife-waiting rock." Lu Yuanzheng shook his head, "After all, I'm not as free as some people. I can go when I want to, come when I want to, without even saying hello. I still have work to do, so I only have some time in the evening to come here and look around to see if some lost people can find their way home."

Xu asked: "..."

I was both angry and amused, and a little guilty: "It's not like I didn't leave you a letter, why are you being so weird?"

Lu Yuanzheng patted Dongsheng on the shoulder, signaling him to go play over there first. He then stood up and walked over to Xu Wen.

He was tall and at such a close distance, he even blocked Xu Wen's sight.

He lowered his head slightly, "I am volatile? If we switch roles, I think you will be even angrier."

He thinks he has good self-control.

"By the way..." Lu Yuanzheng pulled out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket, unfolded it, pinched the edge with his thumb and index finger, and waved it in front of Xu Wen's eyes, "Is this the letter you're talking about?"

Xu Wen raised his eyes and took a look: "..."

The ink on the paper was smudged into a blob, and Xu Wen, the original author, couldn't make out a single word on it.

The reason why the paper is wrinkled is because it is forced to unfold after being soaked in water.

She was a little confused: "How could this happen?"

After she finished writing, she folded it and placed it on the tea table, pressing it under the tea tray. She even touched it and found that the tea table was dry and had no water.

Lu Yuanzheng was amused by Xu Wen's suspicious look, "Why? Do you suspect that I threw you into the water out of anger and then pulled you back to frame you?"

"It's not impossible!" He looked like he wanted to eat her.

Lu Yuanzheng: "..."

He narrowed his eyes and squeezed out her name from between his teeth: "Comrade Xu Wen!"

Perhaps Lu Yuanzheng's tone was too unfriendly. At least Dongsheng couldn't tell whether Lu Yuanzheng was really angry or just pretending to be angry. He rushed over and squeezed through the door between the two people. He opened his arms to protect Xu Wen behind him. He looked brave and said in a particularly loud voice: "You can't hit Mama! I got the letter wet."

Lu Yuanzheng: "..."

Xu asked: "..."

Xu Wen asked Dong Sheng in confusion: "When did you get wet?"

"When we left, you went upstairs to check the doors and windows. I accidentally spilled some water when I was drinking." Dongsheng lowered his head and lowered his voice, "I wiped it!"

He immediately used a towel to wipe the water off the paper.

"Then why don't you wipe the water off the tea table!" Lu Yuanzheng said in a bad tone, raised his hand and tapped Dongsheng on the forehead.

Just wipe the letter clean. There was water on the tea table, so when you put it on there, the letter will get wet again.

He treated the letter every day more seriously than studying the highest-level coded files.

I kept guessing about Xu Wen's whereabouts and the time gate of his return.

Xu asked: "..."

"I... I forgot!" Dongsheng rubbed his forehead, looking aggrieved.

Xu Wen touched Dongsheng's head and said, "Wait for me over there. I want to talk to my dad."

Dongsheng saw that Lu Yuanzheng looked very unhappy, so he nodded and ran away.

"Are you really angry?" Xu Wen took the initiative to put his arms around his waist.

Lu Yuanzheng paused for two seconds, but finally reached out to hug her back in a conciliatory manner, "I'm not angry, I'm just worried."

After a moment of silence, he gritted his teeth and said, "I wasn't as careful as I was when I defuse the bomb. I finally opened it bit by bit, but there were only a few words I could read."

If I hadn't seen the word "brother" in his name, I could have guessed that Xu Wen was looking for his second brother Xu Wen, otherwise I would have gone crazy.

He is extremely anxious now. He is thinking that if Xu Wen doesn't come back after handing over his work to Shi Lei, he will take his annual leave and go to the island to find them.

Although this was an unexpected result, Xu Wen still felt somewhat apologetic, "I'm sorry! If I had known this would happen, I would have come back sooner!"

Lu Yuanzheng narrowed his eyes. "Although there are not many words I can see, I can still tell that you said you would be back in ten days or half a month. The date is August 8. May I ask what day it is now, Comrade Xu Wen?"

Xu asked: "..."

Xu Wen didn't answer. She stood on tiptoe and kissed him lightly on the lips. She took the initiative and spoke in a soft voice: "Hubby, I miss you!"