Chapter 131: Different Ways of Thinking

October 6, 2023

Author: Zi Tao

Chu Xuan stood where she was, looking relaxed. “Go ahead, tell me. Whose secret are you offering in exchange? And what do you want in return?”

Who knows, maybe she’d get an unexpected windfall.

Chu Zhi looked a little nervous. “I’ll trade you your real father’s secret for the grilled fish jerky recipe.”

The grilled fish jerky recipe was crucial—it would determine whether the future village-run factory would thrive. Chu Xuan didn’t hesitate. “No deal. I’d rather never know my father’s secret than give up the recipe.”

“You’re not even curious about your real father’s background?” Chu Zhi looked incredulous. “What if your real father came from a wealthy family? If you find out, you and Chu Feng could acknowledge your ancestors, and then you’d have money to treat your mother’s illness.”

Of course, Chu Xuan knew Chu Zhi wasn’t being kind—he just wanted the recipe.

He might also be testing her.

“It’s been so many years—where would I even start looking? I don’t have grandparents, but haven’t I been just fine? I don’t have time to go searching for relatives.”

She turned and walked away.

Chu Zhi called after her, “Don’t go yet, let’s talk this over some more.”

But Chu Xuan didn’t stop.

About ten minutes later, Chu Zhi returned to Feng Chunhua.

“Mom, you were right. Chu Xuan really did go visit Wei Qiang’s house. I tried to trade secrets with her like you said, but she refused—she absolutely wouldn’t give up the grilled fish jerky recipe. She even said it’s been so many years, she doesn’t have grandparents, and she’s been doing just fine. She’s not interested in finding her real family.”

Feng Chunhua looked thoughtful and didn’t answer right away.

Chu Zhi continued, “Mom, is it true that Chu Xuan’s grandparents are really rich?”

Only then did Feng Chunhua speak. “Of course not. Alright, here’s some money—go buy two pig’s feet, one for each of us.”

The mention of pig’s feet made Chu Zhi swallow hungrily. “Too bad Dad’s not here.”

“That old man—after all my aches and pains today, he didn’t even come to check on me. When you go back to the village this afternoon, see what he’s up to at home!”

“Maybe he’s sick and can’t get out of bed? Mom, give me a bit more money, just in case.”

“Alright.”

Feng Chunhua pulled five ten-yuan bills from her pocket and slapped them into Chu Zhi’s hand.

Chu Zhi left happily to buy the pig’s feet.

Meanwhile, Chu Xuan was already on the carriage back to the village.

There was no one else on board, so she took the opportunity to discuss with Old Qi about hiring his carriage to deliver the grilled fish jerky every morning—fifty cents a day, including delivery.

Old Qi agreed right away.

With that settled, Chu Xuan fell silent.

She mulled things over. That line of questioning from Chu Zhi just now was definitely prompted by Feng Chunhua.

Clearly, Feng Chunhua cared a lot about whether she’d try to find her real father.

She’d have to remind Xiao Feng at home not to show any interest in searching for their birth family in front of others.

Otherwise, they might fall into Feng Chunhua’s trap.

Now, Chu Xuan was almost certain that Feng Chunhua’s eldest son was still alive, and living with her real grandparents.

As long as she kept a close eye on Feng Chunhua, she’d get to the bottom of it sooner or later.

Thinking of this, she suddenly sneezed. Who was talking about her? Most likely Feng Chunhua and her son.

Little did she know, Auntie Li and Wei Qiang were talking about her too.

Auntie Li was enthusiastically recommending her to her son. “Qiangzi, I asked Chu Xuan—she’s single, runs her own grilled fish jerky workshop, and is saving up to treat her mother’s illness. She’s sensible and filial. Why don’t you consider her?”

Wei Qiang waved his hands. “She’s too fat. I don’t like her. Mom, please spare me! When I look for a wife, I’ll only consider women under 140 jin. I absolutely won’t marry a fat girl.”

“You don’t know, do you? She’s losing weight now. I heard she’s drinking herbal medicine and exercising.”

“Then I’ll wait and see if she slims down.”

“And if she does, do you think you’ll still have a chance?”

“If I don’t, I don’t. I’m not interested.”

“You child…”

“Mom, I finally made it home. Can we talk about something else?”

“Fine! Just don’t regret it later.”

“If I regret it, I’m a pig.”

Wei Qiang had no idea that, not long from now, he really would become a pig…

A dozen minutes later, Chu Xuan arrived home and didn’t bother hiding the honey she’d brought back.

She made a cup of honey water for everyone working at home.

In their village, honey was a real treat—even if you had money, you might not be able to buy it.

Everyone drank the honey water, savoring the sweetness in their mouths and in their hearts.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was September 10.

Chu Feng, Erleng, and Sanleng had all been in school for over a week, going together to the neighboring village each day.

Chu Xuan’s grilled fish jerky business was still going strong.

Whenever she had time, she’d go to the shore to gather seafood. The harvest wasn’t as good as before, but she could still make thirty or forty yuan each time.

After covering living expenses, social obligations, and the cost of herbal medicine, she and her brother had saved over 13,000 yuan.

But what puzzled Chu Xuan was that the two bosses who’d been urgently increasing their orders last month hadn’t pushed for more this month.

Boss Yuan’s 2,000-jin order had already shipped 1,000 jin; Boss Hou had only ordered 500 jin.

Feng Shuai hadn’t come by to buy wholesale again. Zhang Feifei still took a steady 50 jin a day, and the Tian and Qin families came by every three or four days to buy a few dozen jin each time.

This volume was easy to supply, so Chu Xuan didn’t have everyone work overtime.

Around nine in the morning, Mu Chenze hurried over. “Chu Xuan, I talked to Boss Hou. He said he’s going to reduce his orders for our grilled fish jerky for now.”

Chu Xuan’s heart skipped a beat. “Why?”

Mu Chenze’s expression was calm. “Because he’s got a new supplier. But don’t worry. It’s only temporary—he said he’ll find an excuse to drop them soon.”

“So he doesn’t actually like working with this new supplier?”

“That’s right. Their jerky is lower quality, and it’s even more expensive than ours.”

“Then why is he letting them supply him? Is there something fishy going on?”

“Exactly. It’s his wife’s younger brother. At first, he refused, but his wife kicked up a huge fuss. And right at this critical moment, she found out she was pregnant, so he had no choice but to agree. But he said, once the jerky doesn’t sell and they lose money, his wife will stop making a fuss, and then he’ll order from us again.”

“Alright then. Boss Hou really does think differently from us! He’d rather lose money than upset his wife.”

Chu Xuan felt a little bitter, but she could understand Boss Hou’s decision.

A peaceful home is the foundation for doing business.

“To be honest, at certain times, men are willing to lose money just to keep their wives happy. Here’s today’s payment.”

Mu Chenze handed over the money for the day and left.

Chu Xuan mulled over what he’d just said…

Around three in the afternoon, Feng Shuai knocked and came in.

His arm was in a sling, and the wounds on his face had scabbed over.

“Chu Xuan, I really regret not listening to you. I got beaten up. Spent days in the hospital, and all my earnings went to medical bills. I’m just now starting to feel better. Can I buy 300 jin of grilled fish jerky wholesale? Do you have any in stock?”

Chu Xuan shook her head gently. “I can only give you 200 jin right now. Did they catch the people who beat you up?”

Feng Shuai looked dejected. “No. Those bastards were ruthless! I hate them! I hope they never have kids!”

Chu Xuan brought him a stool. “Sit down and tell me. They didn’t rob you? Just beat you up?”"