CHAPTER 440: CHAPTER 440: THERE IS A SOLUTION

The days passed one by one, and the Spring Festival drew nearer each day, with the festive atmosphere growing ever more intense.

Especially this year, with those four bad guys completely purged, the previously arrogant Red Guards were no longer as bold, making the villagers extremely excited.

Though this didn’t have much to do with them, at least they didn’t have to worry about getting reported for saying the wrong thing, leading to various criticisms and losing work points.

Still, despite their happiness, they anxiously awaited Zhao Gang’s return.

Although they knew they couldn’t place all their hopes on Zhao Gang, they couldn’t help but look forward to him bringing good news.

Even if they came back late and couldn’t purchase items from them before the Spring Festival, or even if they didn’t get any money, as long as there was some hope, that would be enough.

Actually, they were more worried about how much money Zhao Gang had. What if he didn’t have much money? How many herbal medicines could he buy?

This situation made everyone tense, trying to figure out how to sell their herbs while hoping to get cash. Otherwise, without cash, wouldn’t it just be all for nothing?

Therefore, Zhao Guangran, who had recently almost finished tidying up the house, found himself in demand once more, resuming his role as a social butterfly.

Zhao Guangran felt that these small partners were so eagerly greeting him, there must be something going on. But he didn’t expect the little friends were all trying to build relationships, hoping to let him buy their herbal medicines first.

Regarding this matter, Zhao Guangran expressed that there was nothing he could do.

"Bro, what are they thinking?" Zhao Guangran asked rhetorically about what those people were thinking while feeling a sense of pride in his heart.

Hmph, now they’re thinking of dealing with him, but it’s too late. Do they really think he’s that nice?

"I’m going to tell them that there isn’t much money at home, so we can’t just buy from everyone according to their wishes. We’ll have to see how it goes."

"Alright." Zhao Xuran knew that with everyone’s money pooled together, they should be able to purchase quite a bit, but if it was all used to acquire herbal medicines, the amount could be staggering, not to mention how people around would gossip.

Now, Guangran’s suggestion seemed like a good idea. "Then we could owe them some money and tell them we’ll send them the money after selling the herbs." This way, people could choose.

This notion wasn’t bad at all; Gong Ruini fully supported it. If they bought everything, there might not be enough money, and a large expenditure could make villagers envious. Who knows what rumors might spread, and they’d wonder where the money came from.

Originally, they told the villagers they were helping to source herbs just out of kindness, strictly speaking, with no intent to profit. Since there was no profit, there was even less reason to front money for them.

"Then maybe we could even acquire more herbs this way," Gong Ruini thought more about it and realized their previous plan hadn’t been good enough.

Sigh, if they’d thought it through earlier, they wouldn’t necessarily need to involve wealthy partners; they could have earned more themselves.

It’s not that Gong Ruini was stingy or reluctant to part with money, but having more money would benefit her next steps, and now everything was messed up, causing her heart no small amount of pain.

As for Zhao Guangran, there’s no need to mention. Knowing they’d face big expenses in Beijing already pained the money-grubber; now, realizing he missed out on a chance to earn a lot, there was no face he could put on.

"Forget it. We’ll have more experience next time." Zhao Xuran, seeing their downtrodden expressions, felt all sorts of discomfort inside and kindly offered consolation.

"It’s just herbs; they might agree to let us defer payment for them, but rice and cured meat? Those are sought after. Just as long as people don’t catch you, these items are really easy to sell."

Impossible, Zhao Guangran shook his head, "Opportunities like these come once, sigh, why do we have to miss them?"

"Missed is missed; honestly, we didn’t have enough strength, so they wouldn’t let us owe much anyway." Though a bit regretful, Gong Ruini understood that while they thought they could owe more goods, the villagers weren’t fools.

Especially considering that Gong Ruini’s whole family was leaving the Northeast to study in Beijing. If they really didn’t return, how would the villagers get their money back? Go all the way to Beijing to demand it back?

Who would be willing to cover those travel expenses?

Moreover, which villagers would want to make the long journey to Beijing? Not only would it delay work in the fields, but going to the city already gave them all sorts of worries, let alone traveling all the way to far-off Beijing, a place that makes them shake their heads just hearing about it, let alone actually going there themselves.

That makes sense too, Zhao Guangran thought, "They probably also worry we’d rip them off in the end."

Although they were now trying to mend relationships because they could bring wealth, if they couldn’t make them rich, would they still be this nice?

Zhao Guangran thought their attitude wouldn’t be so good. If they didn’t pay them, who knows if they’d turn hostile? It’s not impossible; for some people, switching attitudes is quite easy.

"Forget it, we shouldn’t think about owing people money." Zhao Xuran thought for a moment, "There’s no need to upset them over such a small amount of money. In the future, we can earn big money."

"Grains are the real moneymaker." Zhao Xuran stated that everything they were doing was to make money off grains, not to stumble on herbs, which would be all sorts of unprofitable.

"Yeah, yeah, we’re here to make big money." Zhao Guangran admired his big brother, "My big brother just thinks more and has long-term vision."

Tsk, as if she hadn’t thought about it, just didn’t mention it. Is it necessary to be so smug? It’s not even an idea Zhao Guangran came up with.

Hmph, what the big brother thinks is what he thinks, our Zhao Family is smart, much better than Gong Ruini, who only knows how to flatter.

"Yes, Brother Xuran thinks far ahead, too bad someone’s vision is a bit shortsighted." Tsk, doesn’t he think about himself, not cleaning up his own mess before provoking others, who knows what goes on in his head.

Is she really such an easy target for bullying?

Why bring it up again? Zhao Guangran was about to lose it, but decided to not argue with Gong Ruini, "Truly difficult to nurture petty people and women."

Zhao Guangran felt this saying was so true; isn’t Gong Ruini just both a petty person and a woman? A person with both qualities is even more challenging, it’s double the difficulty.

Where did this guy learn this saying from, using it on her, really growing more capable by the day.

"Where did you learn that saying? Are you implying mom and grandma too?" Zhao Xuran said sternly.

Zhao Xuran’s stern tone startled Zhao Guangran, "I read it in a book."

"Read less of those nonsensical books, Ni Zi didn’t say anything wrong, you’re really shortsighted." Zhao Xuran emphasized keeping an eye on what Zhao Guangran reads, or else who knows what strange theories might mislead him.

As expected, his big brother only had eyes for Gong Ruini; originally, he thought that statement was because of mother and grandmother, but the next words made him realize his brother was actually taking Gong Ruini’s side.