Chapter 124: The Second Trial

Stepping out of the courtyard and finding a secluded spot, Xiao Weiguo said to Zhou Xiaoming, "I have some more supplies. Are you interested in handling them, just like last time?"

Zhou Xiaoming was thrilled. He knew that the last deal had earned him a chicken and two yuan in profit within a single hour. He naturally welcomed such lucrative business, especially since he had three family members to support. Had it not been for taking his mother to the hospital for a check-up today, he would never have dared to ask for time off. As it turned out, he was lucky he did; otherwise, he would have missed Xiao Weiguo and continued to live in fear, as he had never kept such a large sum of money at home before.

Xiao Weiguo glanced around, even using his mental perception to ensure the coast was clear. Once satisfied, he said, "Alright, I’ll deliver the goods to you here at midnight. We’ll change the settlement method this time. You decide the selling price, and in the end, you keep one-tenth of the total, while the rest goes to me. How does that sound?"

Zhou Xiaoming pondered for a moment and asked, "How much stock are we talking about? If it’s too little, it’s not really worth the trouble."

"The volume is quite large. This time, sell as much as you can. If our cooperation goes well, you can even tell me what items you need, and I’ll arrange for them. How about that?"

"That would be fantastic. But Weiguo, can you give me a hint? Where do these goods come from?" Seeing Xiao Weiguo’s expression shift, Zhou Xiaoming quickly added, "I’m just asking out of curiosity, don't worry about it."

"It’s no secret. It’s just some produce the villagers gathered in the mountains. I’m helping them out, but since we’re too timid to sell it ourselves, that’s why I came to you." Xiao Weiguo didn’t want to reveal too much yet; he was still testing Zhou Xiaoming’s reliability.

"All right, don't worry. Even if the authorities catch me for speculation, you won't hear a single word from me," Zhou Xiaoming declared firmly.

Xiao Weiguo nodded, thinking to himself: *I hope so.* If Zhou Xiaoming proved absolutely trustworthy, Xiao Weiguo intended to give him a path to lifelong wealth.

Returning home and resting briefly, Xiao Weiguo paid a visit to Yang Moguang. He processed the small wild boar and brought back sixty yuan. Yang Moguang and Tian Xuguo kept urging Xiao Weiguo, saying that martial arts required daily practice to yield results. Xiao Weiguo agreed readily. In truth, he had been practicing diligently, and the results were significant. His mastery of the Baji Fist had reached a point where three or four ordinary men couldn't get near him. After practicing the Eight-Section Brocade Longevity Qigong, his strength had increased by about half, and his physique had become even more refined.

His mental perception range had expanded from ten to sixteen meters. Arguably, no one in this world was more dedicated to their training than he was.

In the blink of an eye, it was midnight. Xiao Weiguo arrived early at an abandoned house, depositing twenty chickens, twenty rabbits, and two pig legs inside. Just then, Zhou Xiaoming appeared, looking around cautiously. Upon seeing Xiao Weiguo, he hurried over.

Xiao Weiguo led him to the abandoned house and pointed to the pile of supplies. "It’s all here. I won’t interfere with how you sell it. Once you’re finished, I’ll come by, and you can pay me based on the actual sales." With that, Xiao Weiguo patted Zhou Xiaoming on the shoulder and turned to leave.

The future now rested in Zhou Xiaoming's own hands—it would depend on whether he could overcome his own greed. For now, since Zhou Xiaoming lacked capital, this approach worked. Once their cooperation was truly established, Xiao Weiguo would switch to a method of immediate payment upon delivery, regardless of how much profit Zhou Xiaoming made. In short, he would become a supplier, using the goods to maintain control over Zhou Xiaoming.

Looking at the supplies, joy washed over Zhou Xiaoming’s face. He thought, *Brother Weiguo, just watch me!* Previously, he had worked himself to the bone at the black market for a pittance; this was real business. With this deal, he would surely have enough for his mother’s next hospital visit. Thinking of his mother’s illness, his heart grew heavy again.

Two days passed. On Thursday afternoon, as soon as Xiao Weiguo entered the office, Sister Ling said, "Weiguo, your family called this morning. They said you should go back—I think it was your grandfather."

"Really? I happen to be going to our commune for procurement later anyway. Thanks, Sister Ling!"

Xiao Weiguo left immediately, jumped on his bicycle, and raced home. Telephones were a luxury at the time, which was why he had left the purchasing department’s number with his family for emergencies. He suspected there was news about his father’s job. That was fast—only a few days had passed before the notice reached the brigade. Wang Weihe must have pulled some strings; otherwise, it wouldn't have been this quick.

He would thank him in person next time. He also wondered how the second set of improvement suggestions he had proposed was progressing. They would likely accept them in full; after all, they were the most mature inventions of the future, used in billions of vehicles worldwide. If they were rejected for some reason, Xiao Weiguo would be deeply disappointed and would never offer another suggestion again. After all, he was essentially trading gold for dirt.

Ever since his physical fitness had improved, Xiao Weiguo felt as though his energy was inexhaustible. He cycled the entire way home at high speed without feeling the slightest bit tired. Upon entering the house, he found his grandfather, who wasn't working today, busy tidying up.

"Grandpa, what are you busy with? Why did you call me?"

"Weiguo, you’re back! Come, let’s go to your father’s place and discuss what to do next. We have no experience with this, and we need you." His grandfather grabbed his arm and led him out. "The brigade received the notice last night, and your Uncle Gonglin came to tell us immediately. We didn't want to disturb you, so we waited until this morning to go to the commune and call you." On the way, Xiao Tieniu recounted the whole story.

"We need to get the brigade to issue an introduction letter clearly stating the purpose. Then I’ll take my father into the city today, he can stay with me tonight, and report to the repair shop tomorrow," Xiao Weiguo said. Everything was ready; all that remained was for his father to report for duty.

When they arrived at Xiao Weiguo’s old home, the courtyard was packed with people. Xiao Weiguo looked at his grandfather in surprise, who looked back at the crowded yard with equal astonishment. *What’s going on? What about the secrecy I requested?* It seemed the entire brigade had shown up.

Just then, a voice drifted out from the main room.