Starting out as a drug dealer in 1988

Seeing that Zhao Aiguo wanted to argue, Zhao Wenhao did not give him any room to speak and directly finalized the matter.

It’s not that Zhao Wenhao doesn’t respect him, but with Zhao Aiguo’s character, if he is given the slightest leeway, he will definitely climb up the ladder.

Zhao Wenhao also wants a harmonious family, but a person's character is a habit developed over many years. It is completely unrealistic to expect Zhao Aiguo to change immediately.

Since this is the case, Zhao Wenhao might as well become very strong, otherwise this family will be in great trouble because of Zhao Aiguo.

If it were just him, he would have endured it.

But now we are a family of five, and the others in particular are still undecided.

In this situation, what can you ask Zhao Wenhao to do?

In the evening, when Zhao Wenjing came back from get off work, Zhao Wenhao reiterated his idea once again.

"Sister, starting tomorrow, I plan to continue harvesting bupleurum and honeysuckle. This is basically the last season of the year, and after this harvest, the year will be over."

After dinner, Zhao Wenjing was about to wash the pots and dishes, but was stopped by Zhao Wenhao.

"Need my help?" Zhao Wenjing immediately understood what his brother meant.

Zhao Wenhao didn't hold back and said directly, "The house is still under construction, and Mom needs help and cooking. I definitely won't be able to spare much time within three months. I'm definitely too busy to handle it alone, so you have to help. I don't trust anyone else."

Zhao Wenjing hesitated. Although her job didn't pay much, it was still a town-owned enterprise. She was a bit hesitant to resign now.

"If it really doesn't work, just take a two-month vacation. I estimate that the work will be almost done in two months at most. I'll talk to your factory manager and bring two packs of cigarettes. It will definitely be done." Zhao Wenhao made a straightforward decision.

Zhao Wenjing's temperament is similar to her mother, Wei Chunlan. She's kind, yet also a bit timid. She's always indecisive, especially on big matters.

So Zhao Wenhao didn't give them time to hesitate and just finalized the matter.

"Okay then." Zhao Wenjing originally wanted to insist a little longer, but after hearing his brother's determination, he agreed.

Besides, it was just a two-month leave, not a real resignation. If the company really agreed, she would have no objection.

So, the matter was happily decided.

The next day, Zhao Wenhao went to the town to buy two packs of Shilin cigarettes and found the director of the match factory.

The matter went smoothly. Seeing that Zhao Wenjing was asking for leave without pay and that there was a gift of two packs of cigarettes, they immediately agreed to the request.

"Sister, I think you should just quit. You're only making a little over thirty yuan a month, and you're so busy. Look at your fingers, what a mess they've become."

Instead of going home immediately, the two took the bus and prepared to go to the county to buy two bicycles.

"It's a proper job after all. How can I just quit? With only a junior high school education and no other skills, what else can I do?"

Zhao Wenjing still persisted. In her opinion, Zhao Wenhao's herbal medicine business was not a long-term solution. If anything changed, she still had a job to supplement the family income.

Zhao Wenhao wanted to continue persuading her, but Zhao Wenjing had already turned her head away and didn't want to listen anymore.

Zhao Wenhao has said this many times, but Zhao Wenjing, who always listens to advice, is very persistent, which is a strange thing.

...................

"Monkey, this is quite a harvest! A total of 30 kilograms of honeysuckle and 14 kilograms of bupleurum. Go register it with my sister."

"Haozi, I've mobilized several of my uncles to help collect the money. If nothing goes wrong, another batch will arrive tomorrow. Are you sure you can give me the money within a week? I don't mind, but I have to give my uncles some explanation."

"Don't worry, Monkey. I mean what I say. Come back in a week to get your money. I won't give you a penny less."

"That's good, just saying that is enough. We were classmates in elementary and junior high school, and you wouldn't cheat me no matter what. Come and have a cigarette."

Zhao Aimin's yard was temporarily requisitioned by Zhao Wenhao and his sister. They had no other choice, as their own house was being built, so Zhao Aiguo and his wife came to help. So one of them was responsible for weighing, and the other for recording.

"Wenhao, I heard the town's bupleurum price has gone up by 5.5 cents, now 6 yuan per kilogram. Why is it still yuan per kilogram here? Isn't it time for a price increase too?"

A neighbor came over and spoke loudly, as if wanting everyone to hear.

"Uncle Si, I've been busy with my own affairs these past few days, so I really don't know the purchase price in town. I promised you before that I would definitely pay at least one yuan more than the town price. That statement still applies now."

Zhao Wenhao knew his little thoughts and didn't take them seriously.

If the purchase price on his side was not higher, how could everyone be so willing and active in helping with the acquisition?

Besides, they were all from the same village, so he wouldn't argue with them over a few cents per kilogram. After all, his own profit margin was clear.

"We Wenhao are open and honest in our work. Zhao Si, you are judging others by your own standards."

Zhou Li, who was standing by, joined in the conversation while cracking melon seeds.

"Zhou Li, this is your nephew's business, and I don't see you helping out. You're just eating melon seeds alone." Zhao Si was not willing to be outdone and fought back on the spot.

Zhou Li's face flushed visibly, but she continued to argue, "How do you know I didn't help? The whole family has things waiting for me, I just wanted to take a short break."

"Hahaha, you've been resting for about an hour."

Some people also disliked Zhou Li's behavior and began to join in.

Zhao Wenhao was really afraid that they would quarrel, so he quickly stepped forward to help. "My aunt has helped us a lot, but no one noticed. Hurry up, everyone, it's almost dark."

Things had come to this point, and Zhou Li felt embarrassed to just sit there, so she had to come over and help.

In fact, Zhao Wenhao really had some opinions about this aunt.

Putting everything else aside, you collect the fruits from others and sell them back to me. This resale earns you 2 yuan per kilogram more than others. This is Zhao Wenhao's way of showing filial respect for his family.

But you can’t buy it back from our own villagers for 6 yuan and then sell it to yourself!

Although the amount is not much each time, only about ten kilograms, doing so is equivalent to depriving Zhao Wenhao of the profit of 2 yuan per kilogram.

If that were all, it would be fine. Zhao Wenhao's family is busy building a house and the whole family is very busy.

As a sister-in-law, Zhou Li, you should at least help out, even if it's just to add some firewood!

But she was fine. Apart from going out to collect herbs herself, she didn't care about anything else.

If it weren't for his second uncle Zhao Aimin, Zhao Wenhao really wouldn't have given her that benefit.