Chapter 314

Chapter 314

Sitting dazed on the kang, Xiao Zhang was chatting with Bai Xiuxiu, telling her about what he had learned over the past two days regarding Old Wang's family and the black market.

Seeing Wang Qinghe return, Xiao Zhang quickly stood up: "Brother Wang, why did you come back so late? We've already packed everything. Aren't you taking the afternoon train? I can join you for lunch and then take you to the station."

Wang Qinghe thanked him: "Thanks for your trouble today, Xiao Zhang."

"Qinghe, did you get everything sorted out?" Bai Xiuxiu asked with concern.

Wang Qinghe softened when he saw his wife's worry: "Yes, everything is taken care of. Where's He Ming? Let's have lunch with Xiao Zhang and then head back. It took some time to sort out the grain relations at the canning factory."

"I guess we'll be getting home late tonight."

"No problem, it'll be good to rest. He Ming is in the room; I'll go call him."

Bai Xiuxiu said she would go to fetch him.

Xiao Zhang hurried ahead: "Brother Wang, Sister, wait here. I'll go call him."

Xiao Zhang went into the room, where He Ming still looked utterly exhausted.

"He Ming, your brother is back. Let's hurry and have lunch so you can head back to the provincial capital." Xiao Zhang waved his hand in front of He Ming's eyes.

He Ming perked up at the mention of the provincial capital.

"Finally, I can go home. Let's eat, hurry up and let's go."

He rushed out and, upon seeing Wang Qinghe, complained pitifully: "Big Brother, do you know how to manage your wife? She made me work like crazy, my parents never made me do so much!"

"You came here today to help us with the work, right? Isn't that what they intended? You even offered to help voluntarily. What has my wife done wrong?" Wang Qinghe asked him calmly.

He Ming's mouth opened wide enough to fit an egg, unable to believe he would say something like that.

"I am your brother!"

"Shouldn't you respect your sister-in-law? Isn't helping us with the work the right thing to do?" Wang Qinghe continued to question him.

"No! How can you..."

He Ming wanted to correct his outrageous thinking.

Wang Qinghe's expression turned distant and cold. "You don't expect me to take care of you and please you at the expense of my wife, do you?"

He Ming was stunned, wondering if it shouldn't be that way.

Although Mom and Dad brought him back, he and Second Brother hadn't accepted this elder brother yet! Shouldn't he be reprimanded?

"At your age, how can you be so fond of daydreaming?" Wang Qinghe looked at the dazed He Ming.

Further correcting his thinking, he said, "From start to finish, I never considered integrating into your family. He Ming, it's your family that owes me, not the other way around."

"How does my family owe you? My father only started looking for you recently..."

He Ming said, feeling guilty, as they only started looking for me in the last few years.

"You know very well why he looked for me and why you owe me. Your Third Uncle didn't come to your house; he's not dead. Ask them how Old Wang’s family and your Third Uncle took me away, and how I have lived these past years."

Wang Qinghe had even less patience with him. "Don't just stand there, go eat. After the meal, go home."

Saying this, Wang Qinghe took his wife's hand. "Xiuxiu, when you go back today, did anyone who had issues with you give you a hard time?"

Bai Xiuxiu shook her head, feeling extremely happy because of his unconditional support.

Indeed, no matter the time or the person, her husband always stood by her side.

He Ming was still a bit dazed; this didn't seem right!

It was completely different from what he had imagined. He had thought that the elder brother who was brought back from the county would be a simpleton, someone who would try to flatter them and desperately try to fit into the family.

But why did it turn out like this...

Of course, He Ming knew what their third uncle had done, and he also knew what kind of life his elder brother had been living.

When their parents discussed these things at home, they called everyone over to talk together.

But...

Still, he felt that Wang Qinghe should be trying to flatter them.

After they had lunch, Xiao Zhang sent everyone to the train station.

When they arrived at the station, Xiao Zhang was so reluctant to part that he wished he could follow them to the provincial city.

With red eyes, he saw Wang Qinghe and the others off on the train. If he had a ticket, he would have wanted to follow them for a bit.

"Go back, when there's a chance, we'll figure something out," Wang Qinghe said helplessly.

Xiao Zhang understood what he meant—this was about bringing him to the provincial city.

Xiao Zhang wiped away a tear with his sleeve. "Brother Wang, Sister Xiuxiu, you two must live well. As for the matter with the Wang Family I mentioned yesterday, don’t worry, my brother and I will handle it properly. I’ll write you a letter once it’s done, and then..."

The train slowly pulled away.

It wasn’t until they were out of sight that Xiao Zhang left, feeling dejected.

After leaving the train station, Xiao Zhang went straight to his brother’s place.

Zhang Da-ge had been particularly busy recently, as he needed to hand over all his business.

Most of the people working for him needed to be settled, and after that, they would leave the black market for good.

Seeing Xiao Zhang arrive, Zhang Da-ge, feeling a headache, rubbed his temples.

"Brother, how did it go with what I asked you to inquire about? What did our benefactor say about it?" Zhang Da-ge asked him while counting his own belongings.

He also noted the calls he needed to make.

Selling his business to others was troublesome.

After all, black market dealings rely heavily on connections. Selling to someone else meant he had to transfer those connections as well.

Xiao Zhang came over for this very reason and sat down on a stool. "Brother Wang said he hopes you can sell to Zhou Jiaojiao."

Zhang Da-ge was smarter than Xiao Zhang and immediately guessed the other party's intentions.

"Alright, then we'll follow our benefactor's suggestion. He did help me out," Zhang Da-ge said, looking at all the things in the room, feeling regretful.

"If it weren't for so many people getting caught that day, I really wouldn’t want to let go. Selling food and defective cloth on the black market is so profitable." Zhang Da-ge had been collecting goods from below to sell.

Compared to Hu Tian, who has such big guts, taking a share from others, I only have some supply channels.

Hu Tian really has guts.

"Big Brother, haven't we already agreed? From now on, we'll work at the factory. If this factory isn't suitable, once you've taken care of everything, we'll relocate to another county or even the provincial capital.

In a few years, who will remember us?

The black market is unstable right now, we shouldn't take any further risks."

Seeing his brother was still hesitant, Xiao Zhang quickly urged him.

"Alright, I understand. Once I hand over my supply channels to Zhou Jiaojiao, this place won't concern me anymore.

1,500 yuan, that price is really low."

Big Brother Zhang felt a twinge of regret just thinking about it.