Chapter 315

Chapter 315

"Big Brother, it's great that you're thinking this way." Xiao Zhang finally felt relieved. Over the years, his brother had him on edge.

Back in the day, Big Brother had entered the black market to make a living and support the family. The life over these years had been so tough that he couldn't even sleep peacefully.

At least that’s behind us now.

"Don't worry, I've already made up my mind. I won't change my decision. Contact Zhou Jiaojiao for me as soon as possible, and tell her to get the money ready. I want to wrap this up quickly." Big Brother Zhang urged his younger brother to handle the matter.

Over the years, the experience and insight he had gained from his business, along with his network, made him realize that the current situation doesn’t look good.

If things continued like this, he would end up in a labor camp.

He didn’t want all his years of effort to end like that.

It’s better to quit while he’s ahead.

"Got it. Go quickly, little brother. I need to talk to Hu Tian."

Big Brother Zhang urged his brother to leave, and at that moment, Hu Tian entered the room. As soon as he came in, he saw the disarray and realized Big Brother Zhang was really getting out of the business.

"Old Zhang, how's everything going on your side? I’m very interested in your channels for grain and fabric." As soon as Hu Tian entered, he got straight to the point.

In the county's black market, most of the pork, grain, and daily goods were sourced through channels they had quietly set up.

However, the county wasn't large, and there were only a few reliable sources.

Big Brother Zhang’s grain and fabrics had long made Hu Tian envious.

If not for Zhou Jiaojiao’s pastries, he wouldn’t have been able to compete with Big Brother Zhang.

Now that Big Brother Zhang had made enough money and no longer wanted to risk smuggling grain, it’s time for me to take over, isn’t it?

Big Brother Zhang was polite to Hu Tian. At this point, he didn’t want to offend anyone.

"Old Hu, let me think about it a bit more. You know how busy I am right now. But don’t worry, once I decide, I’ll let you know, regardless of my choice." Big Brother Zhang didn't give him a clear answer.

Hu Tian was a bit anxious. "Our county's black market is only so big. Apart from me, who else could be this sincere? What else do you need to think about?"

"I know you're sincere, but you have to give me some time."

Big Brother Zhang continued to stall without revealing his intended buyer.

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhang went to the community office where Zhou Jiaojiao was staying. Zhou Jiaojiao had met Xiao Zhang before, and as soon as she saw him, she guessed the news she had been waiting for had arrived. She got up immediately, not even stopping to talk to Director Du, and hurried out.

"Brother Xiao Zhang, why are you here? Has Big Brother Zhang made a decision? Is he going to sell me all his operations?" Zhou Jiaojiao asked hurriedly, forgetting to even lower her voice.

Xiao Zhang was startled. "Don't speak so loudly. Come over here."

Xiao Zhang led her away from the community office a bit before telling her, "My brother said that for 1,500 yuan, we'll give you the channels for getting grain and fabric, and all the stalls will be yours. This price is pretty reasonable. If you're willing, get the money ready as soon as possible.

My brother and I are in a hurry to get rid of this business. After all, Hu Tian has been pressuring my brother quite a bit."

"This deal, at 1,500, Hu Tian will definitely agree."

1,500...

Zhou Jiaojiao felt a pang of heartache for the money she had. Her family had only managed to save 800 yuan after all their hard work recently, and there was still a big gap to fill.

"Let me discuss it at home. Don't worry, we will move as quickly as possible," Zhou Jiaojiao said, feeling it was necessary to get money from her father-in-law. Surely, he must have saved some money over the years. It couldn't be that he was still hiding it now, could he?

This was a significant matter.

"Alright, I came just to tell you about this," Xiao Zhang said and left.

Lost in thought, Zhou Jiaojiao returned to the office.

Du Juan saw her enter the room and, showing concern, asked, "Jiaojiao, what were you doing just now? We're at work here. You rushed out without saying a word. Is there something urgent?"

Zhou Jiaojiao was known to be wealthy.

Du Juan had received quite a few benefits from her recently.

A bit of concern was still necessary.

"I had a family emergency and needed someone to relay a message. Director, about what we discussed earlier, is there any progress?" Zhou Jiaojiao asked Du Juan in a low voice.

She was referring to the matter of going to the provincial capital. There was no reason why Bai Xiuxiu could go and she couldn't.

Du Juan felt a cold smile form in her heart. Zhou Jiaojiao, who couldn't even manage her work here, wanted to go to the provincial capital?

"This matter, I need to see if I can help arrange it, but I can't guarantee anything. You know, you haven't achieved much here yet. As for Bai Xiuxiu, I've seen her results. They were truly excellent.

Flawless work, which is why..."

Du Juan looked at Zhou Jiaojiao's unhappy face and smiled without saying anything.

Zhou Jiaojiao struggled to control her anger. "I understand. If you can help arrange it, could I go along? Maybe I can persuade them?"

Du Juan's hand paused while flipping through the documents.

She had been planning to take advantage of Zhou Jiaojiao a bit more and get more benefits.

But now, Zhou Jiaojiao has become smarter?

She actually wanted to request an introduction. If she got lucky, there would be no more benefits for me in the future.

"This might not be a good idea. It would be too abrupt. I understand you're anxious, but you shouldn't rush things," Du Juan advised Zhou Jiaojiao.

It seemed there would be no more benefits to gain from Zhou Jiaojiao.

Du Juan felt disappointed. "I understand. Go back to work. Among everyone in this room, you're the only one not working."

Bai Xiuxiu and Wang Qinghe returned to the provincial capital, where it was already pitch dark.

Stepping off the train, He Ming wished he could fly home.

On this trip, he did more work than in an entire month!

"Big brother, can you take these things back? I need to go home first," He Ming said, looking at Wang Qinghe's stack of cloth-wrapped bundles, desperate to run off.

Wang Qinghe wasn’t about to let him go that easily. He passed him one of the packages, saying, "You wouldn’t want the ten-yuan issue to get out, would you?"

He Ming was about to explode. Back then, he never had to fret over such small amounts as ten yuan.

But things were different now. All the family’s savings had been used for his second brother’s wedding and his elder brother’s house.

Plus, with his father keeping a close eye on him, ten yuan had become crucial.

It was enough to take Mengmeng out for a nice meal.