Fang Qiao knew that Jin Xin had become wealthy early in his previous life, but she didn't expect him to start a small business so early.
After all, doing business at this time was considered speculation and profiteering, and if you were caught by the red armband, you would be sent to a study session.
Fang Qiao couldn't help but remind you, "Then be careful, don't tell everyone. What if you get reported?"
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." Jin Xin scratched his head: "We grew up together, and we met here. I wouldn't tell anyone else. I'm not that stupid."
"That's good."
That makes sense. People who made a fortune in the early days of reform and opening up in their previous lives are unlikely to stumble so easily here.
"I heard from my mom that you got married. Your husband is tall and handsome, and he even got a job in Beijing. She said you were able to come back from the countryside thanks to him. It's so good; after all those years of suffering in the countryside, your hardships have finally come to an end. I'm really happy for you. Does he work around here?"
Fang Qiao gave a soft "hmm": "Yes, it's nearby. You know Heshan Pharmaceutical Factory? It's not too far from here."
"I know Heshan Pharmaceutical Factory. They say it's not far, but it's still four or five bus stops away." Jin Xin asked, "Did you come by yourself?"
Fang Qiao shook her head: "No, I came with my neighbor. She wants to buy a sewing machine, so I came along to see what it's like."
After exchanging pleasantries, he took out a small bag of dried shiitake mushrooms and dried wood ear mushrooms from the bag hanging on the back of his bicycle, handed it to Fang Qiao, and said, "Xiao Qiao, I didn't know you were getting married, and I don't have anything to give you. But I happen to have some shiitake mushrooms and wood ear mushrooms here, so take them home and eat them."
Fang Qiao waved her hand: "It's not easy for you to run a small business. You have to take the risk of getting arrested to make a little money. Why would I want your things? I don't want them."
"It's just a small thing, it's not worth much." Jin Xin insisted on giving it to me: "Besides, I've already made my money back on this trip, and what's left over is all profit. Don't be upset that someone else has already picked through it."
Having said all that, Fang Qiao couldn't refuse him. So she took it, saying, "How much? I'll give it to you."
“We grew up in the same alley, how could I take your money? Just take it home and eat it.”
"That won't do."
These days, shiitake mushrooms and wood ear mushrooms are rare and expensive. Fang Qiao, being a complete stranger, couldn't possibly take their things for free.
Fang Qiao simply shoved the two pounds of fruit she was carrying into his hands: "Since you don't want my money, then take this bag of fruit back and eat it with Aunt Liang. I can't take advantage of you for nothing."
After a long back-and-forth struggle, Jin Xin finally accepted the fruit Fang Qiao had given him.
Just then, Chen Guizhi returned carrying a bamboo basket. Upon seeing this, she asked, "Xiao Qiao, did you run into someone you know?"
Fang Qiao nodded and gave her a brief introduction: "Jin Xin is a friend of mine who grew up in the same alley as me."
Hello, sister-in-law.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the three of them split up and went their separate ways.
Jin Xin rode his bicycle eastward, while Fang Qiao and Chen Guizhi returned the way they came.
Fang Qiao asked curiously, "Sister-in-law Guizhi, did you find anyone who resells sewing machines?"
"Found it, but he doesn't have the goods on hand, so we'll have to wait half a month."
"Is it reliable?" Fang Qiao asked.
"I don't know either." Chen Guizhi was also unsure. "But I think it should be reliable. He told me to come back to him in half a month. He'll show me the goods when they're available, and I can pay if I think they're suitable."
Fang Qiao: "It's good to see the goods first and then pay. Since he can say that, it means he's confident he can get the goods in half a month."
“That’s what I think too. Anyway, it’s just a matter of waiting another half month, and I’ll come back then.” Chen Guizhi said happily.
"How much is the price?" Fang Qiao asked.
Chen Guizhi replied, "One hundred and seventy-five yuan, fifteen yuan more expensive than at the department store, but no receipt required."
"That's alright." Fang Qiao nodded, thinking to herself that she would buy one after Gui Zhi's sewing machine was purchased. If there were no quality issues, she would buy one too.
On the way home, Fang Qiao and Chen Guizhi chatted as they walked.
As soon as the two entered the family compound, Fang Qiao heard the sound of a baby crying coming from inside the house.
"Oh dear, the child at home is crying, sister-in-law, I have to talk to you now."
"Alright, alright, go home now. Look how much the child is crying."
Without having time to chat any longer, Fang Qiao quickened her pace and hurried home.
Upon entering the house, Fang Qiao saw Xiao Jing holding An An in her arms and comforting her.
Xiao Jing was at her wit's end when she saw Fang Qiao return. Her eyes lit up as if she had seen a savior.
"Sister-in-law, you're finally back! An'an has been crying non-stop, and I can't soothe her no matter what I do."
"Are you hungry? Or have you peed or soiled yourself?" Fang Qiao asked as she walked into the house.
"I just finished feeding her about half an hour ago, she's not hungry yet. Her diaper is dry, but I don't know why she keeps crying," Xiaojing explained.
"Come here, let me see." Fang Qiao quickly took An An into her arms and patted his little bottom.
Then something amazing happened.
After being taken into Fang Qiao's arms, An An immediately stopped crying upon smelling her mother's familiar scent. She rubbed her little head against her shoulder and calmed down.
"Oh dear, An'an misses her mom and wants a hug, right?" Fang Qiao turned her head and kissed An'an's face tenderly. "I'm sorry, baby. Mom shouldn't have been gone for so long. It won't happen again."
Holding An'an in her arms and comforting her, Fang Qiao said to Xiao Jing, "Xiao Jing, it's inconvenient for me to tidy up while I'm holding An'an. Could you help me put the dried shiitake mushrooms and dried wood ear mushrooms on the table into the kitchen cabinet?"
Xiao Jing nodded: "Okay."
As for the seeds that were bought, after An'an fell asleep, I borrowed a hoe from Sister Guizhi's house and cleared a small vegetable garden about 50 centimeters wide and 3 meters long. Every half meter, I used a small wooden stick to divide the garden into small square plots and scattered different seeds in each square plot.
After the vegetables in the garden are planted, a small fence needs to be built.
The task was assigned to Xiaojing and Tiantian. The two of them went to the grove outside the family compound and cut some small branches from the bushes. They finished building the small fence in half an afternoon.
After finishing the small vegetable garden, Fang Qiao carried An An around the yard and felt that the yard was a bit empty, and it was missing two hens to lay eggs.
I just don't know where I can buy laying hens or chicks.
I don't think I saw it on the black market today.
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