Chapter 184: Let Your Aunt Buy Them
Chapter 184: Let Your Aunt Buy Them
Zhou Mu rolled her eyes. Zhou Li had a great idea, selling together? And even kindly helping her family sell?
She feared that if she helped them sell dried fish today, tomorrow they'd find customers for their own dried fish!
Zhou Bingqiang's family, the person Zhou Mu disliked the most was Zhou Li, as this person was too cunning.
She never antagonized anyone, always smiling and eager to help others, but before you knew it, she'd take advantage of them.
She was always willing to take a small loss herself, but the benefits she gained from others were huge!
Everyone thought she had a kind heart and was helpful, and she got along well with the villagers. When she spoke, many would help her!
Zhou Mu was worried that Xia would be taken advantage of by her, and just as she was about to refuse, Jiang Xia spoke up, "Thank you, but these dried fish are for gifts, not for sale. The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, and I need to prepare gifts for people."
Zhou Guohua looked at Zhou Li. See? Her aunt was being kind and helping to sell dried fish? But the other party was cautious of her!
Only her aunt was a good-for-nothing, helping anyone without a care for the trouble.
Zhou Li didn't mind at all and smiled, "Oh, they're for gifts. I thought it would be convenient to sell them together. Alright, let's get on the tractor! I'll help you load them."
She took the initiative to help Jiang Xia load the bags of dried fish from the handcart onto the tractor, working very hard. She even asked with concern, "It's quite hot today. Xia, did you bring water? Do you want me to get you some from the office?"
Jiang Xia smiled, "Thank you, I brought some."
Then, she allowed Zhou Li to enthusiastically help her load the dried fish onto the tractor.
Zhou Li even pulled Zhou Guohua to help with the loading.
Her brother was foolish, and so was this nephew!
Why bother fighting with Zhou Yongfu openly?
As long as he secretly had more money than Zhou Yongfu, that was enough!
On the surface, he had to get along with Zhou Yongfu, after all, Zhou Chenglei had held that position before, and there were many connections he could borrow.
Moreover, he had married a wealthy young lady as his wife, making his connections even more impressive!
Getting along with Zhou Yongfu's family, what could go wrong in the future?
In short, Zhou Li felt frustrated with her brother's lack of ambition.
All because of Zhou Bingqiang's stubbornness, constantly feuding with Zhou Yongfu, which had prevented her from building a good relationship with Zhou Yongfu's family for so many years.
Recently, she heard that the production team would undergo reforms, establishing a village committee and villager groups. She wasn't sure what would happen to her position as the telephone operator, so she wanted to quickly improve her relationship with Jiang Xia, hoping that Jiang Xia would help her secure a good position later on.
The dried fish were quickly loaded onto the tractor, and Jiang Xia carried Zhou Zhou onto it.
Zhou Guohua said, "Let's go!"
Jiang Xia said, "Wait, my older sister-in-law hasn't come yet."
Zhou Guohua was a bit unhappy. The round trip to the city would take quite some time. If they were late, it would be dark by the time they returned!
But Zhou Li smiled, "Is Ah Hua coming too? Then we should wait! There's no rush!"
Seeing that she wasn't needed, Zhou Mu said, "I'll head back first. Be careful on the way, and come home early."
"Okay," Jiang Xia replied.
Zhou Zhou also said, "Goodbye, Grandma."
Zhou Mu nodded and left, deciding to wait for Xia to return home before warning her about Zhou Li.
Zhou Li noticed that Zhou Zhou's clothing was completely different from before, with a style and fabric that could only be bought at a mall. It was clear that Jiang Xia treated this niece much better than Tea Caihua!
What's the point of taking care of an orphan? After raising her, she'd still have to provide a dowry for her when she gets married. Who knows if she'll even remember the gratitude for her upbringing, as she isn't her biological daughter.
But Jiang Xia did it anyway, proving that she had a kind heart. People with kind hearts are often grateful and easier to get along with.
Zhou Li smiled, "Zhou Zhou is getting more and more beautiful. You've raised her like a city girl, sister-in-law."
She subtly praised Jiang Xia again.
Jiang Xia just smiled.
Soon, Tea Caihua arrived, pulling Zhou Wen Zu with her. She couldn't find the other children after searching the entire village.
Zhou Li enthusiastically said, "Why are you in such a hurry? We'll wait for you! Look how tired the child is, panting. Come, auntie will carry you onto the tractor."
Jiang Xia supported Zhou Wen Zu and let him sit with Zhou Zhou.
Tea Caihua also got onto the tractor and sat next to Zhou Wen Zu. "I'm exhausted!"
Zhou Li climbed up as well and sat across from Jiang Xia.
In fact, she hadn't planned to go to the city today. She had only decided to go after learning that Jiang Xia was going.
What a great opportunity! She could get closer to Jiang Xia!
Everyone was going to the city by tractor, and after a few hours together, their relationship would surely improve!
The tractor started up.
Zhou Li gave Zhou Zhou and Zhou Wen Zu a piece of candy, "Here, auntie has some candy for you two."
The candy was one of the cheapest types, with a transparent wrapper and several colors, and it was fruit-flavored.
Zhou Li often carried some with her to please children, which helped her start conversations with adults, build relationships, and create a generous and friendly image.
Zhou Zhou didn't take the candy but looked at Jiang Xia. Zhou Wen Zu, on the other hand, took it and thanked her, then shared one with Zhou Zhou.
"Go ahead and eat!" Jiang Xia smiled.
Zhou Zhou thanked her before eating.
Zhou Wen Zu held Zhou Zhou's hand and looked at the eagles flying in the sky.
Jiang Xia took out a book and started reading.
Zhou Li laughed, "You two sisters-in-law have such a good relationship, even going to the city together with the kids. I'm so envious of you. It's no fun going alone."
Tea Caihua liked Zhou Li very much. She was generous, and whenever they met, she would give the children candy or share some vegetables, fruits, or other things with her. Tea Caihua immediately said, "Then come with us! It'll be convenient to ride back on the tractor together."
Zhou Li glanced at Jiang Xia and smiled, "That's fine too."
Jiang Xia kept her head down, reading her book, as if she hadn't heard their conversation.
Zhou Li didn't disturb her and instead asked Tea Caihua if she had anything to buy in the city.
The two of them chatted all the way, making Jiang Xia's ears ring. Finally, they arrived in the city center.
Only then did Zhou Li ask Jiang Xia, "Xia, where do you plan to deliver these dried fish?
Jiang Xia replied, "I'll go to the city's railway station, I'll just hire a tricycle to get there."
Zhou Li suggested, "Why bother with a tricycle, just have Guohua drive us there."
"Guohua, take us to the railway station first, then go sell the dried fish!"
What could Zhou Guohua say? He was reluctant, but he couldn't disobey his aunt's request.
His aunt was always eager to help others, lending a hand whenever needed.
Before long, the tractor stopped outside the railway station, and Zhou Li asked Zhou Guohua to help carry the fish fry into the station.
Free labor was a bonus, and Jiang Xia naturally had no objections.
Zhou Li took charge, keeping Zhou Guohua busy.
She pulled Zhou Zhou into the station and casually taught him how to protect his belongings.
The station was even busier than the last time, probably due to the approaching Mid-Autumn Festival.
Upon seeing the crowded station, Tian Caihua decided not to enter, fearing that Pearl might get stolen. After all, Zhou Guohua was there to help carry the fish inside.
Zhou Wenzu wanted to go in with Jiang Xia, but Tian Caihua wouldn't allow it. What if Jiang Xia lost sight of him, and he got abducted by kidnappers?
The 250-pound multi-flavored fish fry was too much for Zhou Guohua to carry in one go, so he made two trips to deliver it all to the station master's office.
Of the 200 pounds, 100 pounds were sold to the station's conductors, and the remaining 150 pounds were to be transported to Jing City.
Zhou Guohua didn't enter the office; he had an urgent need to use the restroom. On his way back, he passed by the office and saw someone inside giving money to Jiang Xia.
Zhou Guohua pursed his lips, wondering who the gift was for. It turned out to be for selling at the railway station.
He stood outside, listening to Jiang Xia's conversation with the conductors, curious about the price per pound of her fish fry.
"Comrade Xia, I'll take 20 pounds of fish fry. Ten pounds of the spicy flavor, and five pounds each of the other two flavors. I'll use them as gifts for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Can you deliver them in a few days?"
"Sure."
"I'll take 25 pounds as gifts too. Five pounds of the spicy flavor and ten pounds each of the other two flavors."
"I'll take 15 pounds, five pounds of each flavor."
"I want..."
Jiang Xia smiled and jotted down the orders.
Zhou Guohua listened quietly, now understanding why Jiang Xia dared to buy such a large quantity of dried fish. In an instant, she had received orders for over 100 pounds.
Jiang Xia said, "I'll deliver them in three or four days, ensuring they arrive before the Mid-Autumn Festival. I'll head back now! Zhou Zhou, say goodbye to Uncle and Auntie, and thank them for the treats."
Zhou Zhou softly said, "Thank you" and "Goodbye."
She was still a bit shy, but the aunts here had given her lots of snacks.
Jiang Xia, delighted, pulled Zhou Zhou along, holding the money from selling the fish fry and two banners. The banners were from the station master, thanking her and Zhou Chenglei for catching the thief.
Jiang Xia led Zhou Zhou back to the tractor.
As soon as Zhou Zhou returned to the tractor, he took out the treats given by the conductors and shared them with Zhou Wenzu.
Tian Caihua's eyes widened, "Where did you get these?"
Zhou Zhou replied, "The aunts inside the station gave them to me."
Zhou Zhou then distributed treats to the adults.
Tian Caihua immediately regretted not letting her son go with them.
Jiang Xia had reaped benefits and didn't even think to bring Wenzu along! Zhou Zhou's school bag was filled with snacks!
Zhou Li glanced at them without showing her surprise. It seemed Jiang Xia knew people at the railway station, a place with excellent benefits. Her younger sister had wanted to become a conductor there, but even with connections, she couldn't get in.
So, it was wise to maintain a good relationship with Jiang Xia; future job opportunities were assured.
She smiled and said, "Next, we'll go shopping, right? Let Guohua drive us there."
With the fish fry delivered, Jiang Xia didn't plan to accompany them further. She smiled and said, "I'm going to the post office to send a letter. I'll walk there, you guys go ahead! I'll meet you at the mall later."
Zhou Guohua agreed, "Aunt, I need to go to the pier to sell the dried fish and pick up Wen Wan. I might be late!"
Zhou Li laughed, "Alright, let's split up then. See you at the mall. Guohua, come pick us up outside the mall at 5:30."
Zhou Guohua acknowledged.
After setting the time, Jiang Xia left with Zhou Zhou, and this time, Tian Caihua had learned her lesson. She didn't want to go shopping without her son, in case he wanted to buy something. It was best to wait for Jiang Xia to take them to the mall.
Jiang Xia had bought so many things for Zhou Zhou, couldn't she buy something for Wenzu? After all, they were her nephew and niece!
She said to Jiang Xia, "Xia, why don't you take Wenzu with you? Let him play with Zhou Zhou."
Zhou Wenzu protested, "No, I don't want to go to the post office! I want to go to the mall. Zhou Zhou, let's go to the mall together! There are so many things to buy there! Let Mom buy them for us!"
Tian Caihua sighed, "..."
She wanted to strangle this little rascal!
Jiang Xia smiled and asked, "So, is Zhou Zhou going to the mall with his brother or to the post office with Auntie?"
Zhou Wenzu grabbed Zhou Zhou, "Zhou Zhou and Fourth Brother are going to the mall! I'll take you, Auntie has things to do, don't bother her!"
Zhou Zhou agreed, "Then I'll go with Fourth Brother!"
Jiang Xia intentionally said, "Okay. If there's anything Zhou Zhou wants to buy, just ask Auntie to get it for him!"
She wasn't oblivious to Tian Caihua's calculations, and she was impressed!
Zhou Wenzu exclaimed, "Yes! Let Mom buy it!"
Tian Caihua sighed, "..."
She regretted bringing this little troublemaker!
The group split up.
Jiang Xia headed to the post office and the publishing house alone.
Tian Caihua, with a sullen face, took the two children to the mall. If she had known, she would have accompanied Jiang Xia to the post office!
Zhou Guohua drove the tractor around and returned to the railway station. He carried the two bags of fish fry inside, totaling just over 100 pounds.
The conductors from earlier needed exactly that amount.
(End of Chapter)
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