Rebirth in 1972: Redemption in Changbai Mountain

"Hey, this is Flying Bear? This is the first time I've seen it. Brother Zhou Rui, you're pretty impressive, bringing back such a powerful creature from your trip." Wang Jianping walked over.

"Brother Wang, what brings you here?" Zhou Rui looked up and saw it was Deputy Captain Wang Jianping. "You're back from a long-distance bus trip?"

"Yes, I did a long-distance trip, which took more than a week to go back and forth, so I can stay at home for a few days. It's supposed to be a rest day, but the transportation at the plant can't stop, so I can just go home every day."

"That was tough work. We hunted some wyverns this time; take two back with you later to help you recover."

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony. I've heard so much about how potent this Flying Dragon Soup is; you can hardly ever see it in person." Wang Jianping's eyes narrowed with a smile.

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone immediately got into the car; no one wanted to stay outside any longer in this freezing weather.

"Hey, Brother Zhou, you're here pretty fast. What did you catch this time?" Deng Xiangrong waited outside with a smile, hoping Zhou Rui would put in a good word for him with Deputy Director Zhang during the year-end performance evaluation.

"We hunted wolves and moose. It was a bit dangerous this time. We might have to go home and rest for a few days. We might not be able to come back for another two weeks." Zhou Rui looked somewhat tired.

"Oh, what's wrong? Did something happen?" Deng Xiangrong quickly asked with concern.

"Brother Deng, just look at how many wolves are in the car. We shot them down; at least half of them escaped."

At this point, the people on the truck began unloading the cargo, carrying the wolves off the truck one by one.

"What is this? It looks like a dog."

"This is a wolf. Where would you find so many dogs to fight? Look at these teeth, they're sharp."

"Wow, there's so much! We haven't even finished moving it all. Did we wipe out a whole pack of wolves?"

"So many? And this is only half of the wolf pack? Why take such a big risk? Why not just hunt wild boars and deer?" Deng Xiangrong turned to look at Zhou Rui.

"There's no other way. The camp was surrounded by wolves tonight. If we don't wipe them out, we'll be stuck in the snow hut and won't be able to get out."

"You've really worked hard this time. I'll try to give you a higher price. But wolf meat is already cheap, and moose isn't as good as sika deer."

"Alright. I know, brother, I appreciate your favor. But I also got something good this time, I'll bring it to your office later."

Zhou Rui left Deng Xiangrong's office with the note, leaving an oil paper package on the table. Deng Xiangrong opened it and found three flying dragons.

"This kid," Deng Xiangrong chuckled, quickly rewrapping the oil paper. If the leaders saw this, he wouldn't have a single one left.

Wolf meat was 78 cents, almost double the price offered on the black market last time.

Although the moose was cheaper than the sika deer, it still cost 1.75 yuan, which was quite good. Even the wolverine cost 1.5 yuan, though there wasn't much meat.

This time, there was more than a thousand pounds less meat than last time, but the money was two thousand yuan more, mainly because moose meat made up the majority of the cost.

The note was passed around among Gu Shaofeng and his friends, and everyone was very happy to see the amount of tens of thousands on it.

Zhang Shitou was extremely pleased; it seemed that getting married next year was no longer a dream. He would go back and have his mother find a matchmaker.

Zhou Rui released about ten flying dragons. Apart from Director Song Xueping, who received three, almost everyone else in the finance department got one.

These small favors may not have an immediate effect, but their benefits will gradually become apparent in the future.

Zhou Rui politely declined Zhang Zhenbei's offer to stay for a meal, as he wanted to get back as soon as possible to treat the mule's injury. The mule had finally recovered from its illness last time, but unexpectedly, it got injured again after just one trip out.

"Sigh... I didn't expect this time to be less than the first time." Gu Shaofeng sighed as he held the 1,500 yuan he received.

"Come on, last time that lynx pelt sold for three thousand five hundred dollars. This time the pelts aren't worth much, and the deer hide is even chewed up. You think you'll always be that lucky?"

Wang Zhen looked at Gu Shaofeng with disdain. This senior brother of hers was always showing off. If others knew they earned thousands every time, they'd all come and rob them.

"Hey, Ruiwa, are we going to the supply and marketing cooperative?"

Wang Zhen's words did nothing to dampen Gu Shaofeng's spirits; he was now eager to go with Zhou Rui and spend some money. After all, once they returned, the control of the finances would change hands.

"Of course I'll go. I've been consuming a lot of cigarettes and alcohol lately, and we're almost out of supplies."

Zhou Rui didn't hesitate at all. The more money he saved, the more annoyed he became. He was thinking about where to exchange it for better things, otherwise the money would just depreciate.

If Wang Zhen knew what Zhou Rui was thinking, she would definitely criticize him relentlessly, saying he was even more boastful than Gu Shaofeng and a master of showing off.

"Then, Master, we'll be going now." Gu Shaofeng grabbed Zhou Rui and ran off.

"Just buy things, but keep a low profile. Don't let your mouth run wild and make a fuss about it all over the world."

"knew……"

Gu Shaofeng's voice came from afar; he had almost disappeared from sight.

Hmm? This is the cook from that town.

As Zhou Rui turned the corner, he suddenly spotted a figure—the same person who had come to pick up the little rice cake.

Zhou Rui narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing in his pupils. He'd been so busy making money and dealing with his uncle's family lately that he'd completely forgotten about him.

Seeing that Zhou Rui was acting strangely, Gu Shaofeng quickly asked, "Ruiwa, what's wrong?"

"Oh, it's nothing, I was just thinking of going to find Tong Lei to buy some tickets. I don't have any tickets in my pocket right now." Zhou Rui was only stunned for a moment before recovering.

Zhou Rui had reserved a fine wolf pelt for Tong Lei this time, something he had promised months ago.

I won't charge him this time; I'll just let him inquire about the chef surnamed Zhang.

The two arrived at Tong Lei's house and finally met him.

"Hey, you two brothers, long time no see. What would you like to order this time?"

Zhou Rui was one of his big clients, and Gu Shaofeng, whom he later introduced, was also a wealthy man, so Tong Lei was naturally exceptionally attentive. He brewed hot tea, lit cigarettes, and was practically offering a massage.

"You have the nerve to say that? We came to see you last Wednesday, but there was no one at home or on the street, so we couldn't buy anything," Gu Shaofeng complained, taking a sip of hot tea.

"My bad, my bad. I went to the county town last Wednesday and wasn't home." Tong Lei quickly apologized, not wanting to offend a major client.

"It's alright, it's not your fault. Everyone has emergencies sometimes," Zhou Rui said, trying to smooth things over.

Next, the two practically devoured all of Tong Lei's stock. They took everything they saw—grain coupons, cloth coupons, cigarette coupons, liquor coupons, and so on.

After the transaction was completed, Zhou Rui suddenly gave Tong Lei a wink.

"Senior brother, I'm going to the restroom outside to pee. Wait for me in the room for a bit. Brother Tong Lei, could you please show me the way?"

After Gu Shaofeng responded, the two filed out of the house, but did not leave the courtyard.

In the courtyard, Zhou Rui took out a wolf skin and handed it to him.

"Wow, this wolf pelt is great, much better than the one from last summer. How much is it?" Tong Lei stroked the thick wolf pelt, his eyes shining.

"I don't need money, I just want Brother Tong to do me a favor."

"We're all brothers, just let me know if you need anything."

Tong Lei valued Zhou Rui highly; Zhou Rui was his cash cow. Not only did Zhou Rui buy his tickets, but Tong Lei also found him a way to make money. As long as it wasn't something involving murder or arson, Tong Lei wouldn't refuse.

"Help me investigate a cook surnamed Zhang at the woodworking factory in town. I want all the dirt on him."