Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

Xu Bei was sitting in a three-seater, while the man was in a two-seater on the other side of the aisle.

After he subdued the thief, the thief still managed to kick him a few more times in the chaos.

Ah Cheng and Ah Long had originally planned to introduce each other as soon as the door opened.

Seeing their reactions, he quickly asked, "Brother Li, do you know each other?"

The man called Brother Li was not tall, but not thin. He had a square face and a kind appearance.

He smiled and said, "We don't really know each other, but I was very impressed by how you subdued the thief on the train. I never expected to meet you here again. Please come in."

While marveling at the wonder of fate in his heart, Xu Bei smiled and said, "Yes, I didn't expect that the fellow townsman they were talking about was you. It's really a coincidence."

Ah Cheng and Ah Long immediately realized, "So the good Samaritan Brother Li was talking about was you, Big Brother!" "Big Brother, you're so admirable! No wonder you helped us avoid those thugs..."

Brother Li gave him a thumbs up. "Young man, I heard from Acheng and Along that you were the one who led the way so we wouldn't get caught. You're a real man, you've got guts!"

Faced with the three people's compliments, Xu Bei waved his hand and smiled, "It was just a coincidence that we met. I'll help if I can. It's not easy for anyone when they're traveling."

As he walked in, he also glanced around the room.

Inside the room were four single wooden beds, each with a bedside table next to it. Some of the tables were clean, while others were piled with canned food, enamel cups, ashtrays, cigarettes, and lighters.

There were two radiators under the window directly opposite the door, with shoes, insoles, socks, and underwear piled on top of them. No wonder the room had a stuffy, unpleasant smell.

"Brother, you're right. It's not easy being away from home. Come on, let's get to know each other formally. My name is Fan Baoli, and I'm from Zhejiang Province."

When the other person extended their right hand in a friendly manner, Xu Bei naturally shook their hand and introduced himself, "My name is Xu Bei, and I'm a local."

Ah Cheng and Ah Long also joined in the fun and revealed their full names.

Xu Bei also learned that one of them was named Sun Zhicheng and the other was named Hao Xiaolong.

Before Xu Bei could bring it up, the two of them told him about meeting him on the way and learning that the wooden stool and table were his friend's doing.

"...So, we brought Brother Xu here to find you."

Fan Baoli looked pleasantly surprised. "Brother Xu, if I had known earlier that he was your friend, we could have chatted when we met on the train that day. We wouldn't have had to go through someone else."

"Who says otherwise? But good things come to those who wait, and it's never too late to get to know each other." Xu Bei paused, then continued, "Brother Fan, if I may ask, what prices did others offer you?"

If it were someone else, Fan Baoli would definitely have to test the waters first, but having already witnessed Xu Bei's enthusiasm and straightforwardness, there was no need for that.

He stated directly, "The wooden stool is 1.2 yuan, and the folding table is 15 yuan. So... Brother Xu, how much do you ship?"

Xu Bei thought to himself that this old scarred man had done a lot of stitches inside, and he was really ripping people off by constantly trying to lower the price. "It used to be 90 cents and 13.5 yuan, but it got cheaper later."

Fan Baoli shared similar thoughts with Xu Bei, but since it was a profitable deal, he didn't care too much about it.

"Brother Xu, things are much better now. We can cut ties with that person and start cooperating directly from now on."

Xu Bei certainly wouldn't refuse the olive branch extended to him, but to be frank, he had to say what needed to be said.

"Brother Fan, cooperation is possible, but payment must be made in one lump sum. Also, if you order too much at once, my buddy can't make it all, so you'll have to pay a deposit first before we can deliver."

Fan Baoli agreed without hesitation, "No problem. You'll understand once you've dealt with me for a while. Honesty is very important in business; otherwise, how can you survive in the outside world?"

The two reached an agreement on the cooperation in a friendly and cordial atmosphere, and it was almost noon.

Xu Bei, unable to refuse their hospitality, went with them to a small restaurant near the guesthouse for a meal.

During the meal, it was natural to toast and drink some alcohol.

Alcohol is undoubtedly a bridge for communication and a magic weapon for closing the distance. After a drinking session, people become even more intimate and call each other brothers.

It wasn't until after 2 p.m. that Xu Bei, reeking of alcohol, finally made his way back to the Forestry Bureau's shop from the city.

Besides Zhao Fengying and Xu Li, Xu Juan, who had finished her morning tutoring, also came and was busy serving several customers.

The mother and her two daughters could tell from Xu Bei's condition that he had drunk a lot.

"Son, who were you drinking with?"

Xu Bei gave a vague, evasive answer: "Just a few new friends. It's nothing, I didn't drink too much."

Zhao Fengying knew that her son could hold his liquor, and seeing that his eyes were clear and his face was a little red, she realized he wasn't trying to hold back. So she just said, "Then you should drink some tea to sober up."

Xu Li also said with concern, "Yes, brother, even if you haven't had too much to drink, go lie down on the small kang for a while."

Xu Juan came out from behind the counter. "Yes, brother, I'll make you some strong tea. Drink it before you lie down."

Xu Bei smiled and casually handed the cloth bag he was carrying to his younger sister, "Little girl, I kept my word and bought it for you."

Xu Juan carefully hugged the cloth bag, smiling brightly, "Thank you, brother."

Then, instead of opening it immediately, he placed it on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) and quickly went to make tea.

Xu Bei pulled over a wooden stool and sat down, smiling as he looked at his younger sister, mother, and older sister. At that moment, he felt a sense of peace and tranquility.

After he took the teacup filled with hot tea to warm his hands, Xu Juan opened the cloth bag.

As the little girl was looking through several cans of yellow peaches and braised pork, the sound of a bicycle bell came from outside the shop.

"Is Xu Bei there? There's an urgent telegram for you!"

A man who looked like a postman was riding a dark green bicycle with a bulging canvas mailbag hanging from the handlebars. The spokes of the rear wheel reflected a blinding light as he shouted at the top of his lungs with a very penetrating voice.

Xu Bei guessed that it must have been sent by Chen Jianguo from the provincial capital, and hurriedly put down his teacup and ran out.

"Master, I am Xu Bei."

After verifying his identity, the postman handed him the telegram.

Xu Bei took the thin telegram and saw that it said "goods have been shipped". The huge weight that had been hanging over his heart finally lifted.

After all, it was the first time we had worked together, and four hundred yuan was not a small amount of money these days. It would be a lie to say that we weren't nervous or worried.

Fortunately, it went even more smoothly than I expected, without any mishaps, and I'm just waiting to pick up the goods.

Zhao Fengying and the others crowded at the door, anxiously asking questions.

Xu Bei waved the telegram in his hand and said with a smile, "The goods have already been shipped to us, so you can rest assured now."

They all smiled and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh my god, this is great!"

"I was so worried before, afraid I'd be scammed!"

"Yes, that's great, we don't have to worry anymore."