Chapter 226: Chance Encounter

Sihe Academy

He gives one large carp to Bai Lijuan.

Cao Weiguo rides his bike home, the bucket on the road filled with fish.

Upon arriving at the courtyard, the Third Uncle heaps praise upon Cao Weiguo.

His eyes are fixed on the fish in the bucket, unable to look away.

He often goes fishing, but rarely manages to catch so many fish.

He is thoroughly convinced of Cao Weiguo's fishing skills.

"Third Uncle, stop looking; take this one to satisfy your craving."

Cao Weiguo smiles and pulls one out to give to the Third Uncle.

This makes the Third Uncle incredibly happy: "Thank you, Weiguo. My family has really been basking in your light."

Through Cao Weiguo's maneuvering, Yan Jiecheng's entry into the steel rolling mill is already settled.

He starts his post at the workshop on June 28th: electrician apprentice.

Being an electrician is a sought-after profession in this era.

If not for Cao Weiguo's connections, Yan Jiecheng would at most be working as a fitter apprentice in the workshop.

The Third Uncle's family is well aware of this, and Yan Jiecheng is overjoyed, immediately feeling that life has something to look forward to.

The Third Uncle carries the carp home, and his family's eyes light up when they see it.

There is fish to eat at home!

Yan Jiefang swallows his saliva: "Dad, where did this fish come from!"

The Third Uncle is all smiles: "Cao Weiguo gave it to us. This size is big enough, right!"

Yan Jiecheng says, "Cao Weiguo is truly generous."

The Third Aunt says, "I really misjudged him before. From now on, we should associate more with Cao Weiguo; building a good relationship is definitely the right move."

The Third Uncle hands the fish to Yu Li: "Take this and stew it with pickled vegetables; add plenty of pickled vegetables and soybeans."

Middle Courtyard

Qin Huairu, just preparing to go to work, sees the bucket of fish, and her eyes turn green instantly.

She wants to go up and ask for one, but Cao Weiguo pushes his bike without even stopping.

He gives her absolutely no chance to open her mouth and strike up a conversation.

Jia Zhangshi curses venomously: "That black-hearted beast, sooner or later he'll be pierced through the throat by a fish bone."

Qin Huairu says irritably, "Mom, just keep cursing. This relationship is getting worse and worse; otherwise, would Cao Weiguo treat our family like this?"

Jia Zhangshi's face turns ugly, and she feels an indescribable regret in her heart.

Regret for making this relationship so strained!

Otherwise, she could have at least brought one fish home from that bucket.

Bang Geng stares at Cao Weiguo's back, his eyes filled with resentment.

Huaihua grabs Bang Geng's arm: "Brother, Huaihua wants to eat fish."

Bang Geng says, "Brother will go catch some for you. If Cao Weiguo can catch fish, I will definitely catch more than him."

Back Courtyard

Cao Weiguo hands the bucket of fish to Song Yulan.

The five large carp make Song Yulan bloom with joy.

"So many fish!"

Cao Weiguo smiles and says, "Put them in the large basin first; I'll cook when I get back tonight."

"Mm!"

Song Yulan swallows her saliva in anticipation and hurriedly takes out the laundry basin.

After settling the fish, Cao Weiguo rides his bike out of the courtyard.

He first goes to the steel rolling mill to get the receipt, then leisurely heads toward Shimen Village.

The part-time procurement job has one benefit: the schedule is flexible, and going out is convenient.

When he arrives at Shimen Village, it is already past eleven in the morning.

The villagers in the courtyard have been waiting anxiously.

"Director Cao, you've finally come!"

Seeing Cao Weiguo appear, the villagers immediately come up to greet him.

Cao Weiguo apologizes with a smile: "I am truly sorry; some work at the factory delayed me."

Soon, the brigade becomes busy.

The quantity of items the villagers bring out is smaller, but the variety is much greater.

During this time, a villager brings out a bundle of Codonopsis.

Codonopsis is a commonly used traditional Chinese tonic, possessing the efficacy of tonifying the middle and augmenting Qi, and strengthening the spleen and lungs.

It is produced in regions such as southeastern Tibet, western Sichuan, northwestern Yunnan, eastern Gansu, southern Shaanxi, Ningxia, eastern Qinghai, Henan, Shanxi, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, and the Northeast.

Cao Weiguo spends fifty cents to collect over three jin of Codonopsis.

He even follows the villager into the woods to dig up a few plants and plant them in the farm's forest shrubbery.

At noon, he eats a meal in the village.

In the afternoon, Liu Shan, Zhao Yuanchao, and Sun Chao arrive at the woods.

Sweating profusely, they move bags of flour onto the carts.

Besides flour, there is pork, mutton, fish, eggs...

The three flatbed carts are packed full, the wheels almost deformed by the weight.

Cao Weiguo says: "Sell those fish quickly; live ones can fetch more money."

Liu Shan says excitedly: "Understood, we can handle them tonight."

Cao Weiguo says: "Remember, safety first; don't be impatient and cause trouble." ===== CHAPTER 228 =====