Let's go back to 2008, starting with a recreational fishing park.

Faced with Jiang Lei's words, Jiang Xia didn't hide anything and directly told him that she wanted Xiuju to set up a stall at the fishing pond to sell things.

After listening to Jiang Xia's explanation, Jiang Lei understood that she was helping him.

Otherwise, with so many people in the village, why would they choose a poor family like theirs?

He took out a cigarette and offered one to Jiang Xia:

"Xia, I'm not good with words, and I don't know how to thank you. I'll remember this kindness!"

Faced with Jiang Lei's emotional outburst, Jiang Xia didn't know what to say.

He took the cigarette the other person offered, lit it, and sighed.

"Brother, don't be so formal with me. We live so close by. If I have the ability, I'll definitely help as much as I can."

The two brothers then sat and chatted for a while.

Xiuju went to work in the fields, and Jiang Xia guessed that she wouldn't be back for long. Anyway, she had already told Jiang Lei, so there was no need to tell her directly.

Immediately, Jiang Xia stood up and said that he had something to do at the fishing spot, so he would take his leave first.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Lei was still unwilling and insisted on making Jiang Xia have lunch before leaving.

In the end, Jiang Xia did not choose to stay. Actually, eating at Jiang Lei's place would have been fine, but the fish-releasing ceremony in the morning had left Jiang Xia a bit tired, and he wanted to go back to the fishing spot to rest as soon as possible.

……

To Jiang Xia's surprise, less than an hour after he returned to the fishing spot, Xiuju came over with a box of milk and a box of liquor.

Xiuju is a woman with a dark complexion. Although she is only in her thirties, she looks like she is in her forties because of years of hard work.

Jiang Xia was sprawled on the sofa in the office. When the other party arrived, the first people they saw were Jiang Jianguo and his wife.

"Uncle, Aunt, I heard from Jiang Lei that Xia came to my house this afternoon and said she wanted me to set up a stall here and do some small business?" Xiuju asked the old couple directly.

Upon hearing this, Wang Guifen did not directly answer her question. Instead, she pointed to the milk and liquor in Xiuju's hand and said, "You silly girl, why are you taking things from your auntie?"

Upon hearing this, Xiuju smiled shyly.

Jiang Jianguo then said, "That's right. Xiaxia is going to hold a competition in the next few days, and there will be a lot of people. I was thinking of having you come over and set up a stall to help supplement the family income."

"Oh, Uncle, I've never sold anything before. Do you think I can do it?" Xiuju said immediately upon hearing this.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jianguo's eyes widened again:

"It's just selling food, isn't it? Can't you cook?"

Seeing that the group was still at the door, Wang Guifen took Xiuju's hand and said, "Nizi, let's not stand at the door, let's go inside and sit down to talk."

As she spoke, she called out to Jiang Xia into the house:

"Xiaxia, your sister-in-law Xiuju is here. Quickly brew a pot of tea."

At this moment, Jiang Xia, who was inside the house, had already heard the sound outside the door and got up to greet them.

"Xia, you look even more handsome!" Xiuju said enthusiastically when she saw Jiang Xia come out.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xia thought to himself that the other person had excellent taste. However, outwardly, he merely smiled shyly and said:

"Sister-in-law, please come inside and sit down."

After everyone sat down in the room, Jiang Xia took out a teapot, brewed a pot of tea, and served it.

Then he told Xiuju about some details of setting up a stall.

First, hygiene must be maintained.

Secondly, loudspeakers are not allowed.

Third, the service must be excellent.

These three are the most direct rules that Jiang Xia can think of at the moment.

He can give others a bite to eat, but he can't let others smash his pot!

Upon hearing this, Xiuju repeatedly assured that she would definitely do as Jiang Xia said.

Then, she asked Jiang Xia:

"Xia, what do you think would be a good thing for your sister-in-law to sell?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xia thought for a moment and then said directly:

"Sister-in-law, we're not strangers, so I'll just say it frankly."

"Given your situation, it would be better to sell some food."

"When things really get going, my brother can help you wash the vegetables at home too."

Wang Guifen, standing nearby, nodded in agreement, saying, "Nizi, Xiaxia is right. You can just sell food. Think about what you usually cook that tastes good, and sell that. Besides, washing vegetables isn't hard work. Just like Xiaxia said, Xiaolei can help you!"

Xiuju nodded seriously when she heard the mother and son's suggestion.

Then she tentatively asked Jiang Xia, "Xia, do you think it's okay for me to sell fried chicken strips and chicken cutlets?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xia felt a sense of admiration for Xiuju. This woman had good taste.

In this day and age, chicken strips and cutlets are indeed quite good for a fishing spot like this.

This is something kids love to eat, so we should make a good profit on Saturdays and Sundays.

He nodded and asked curiously, "Sister-in-law, I think it's excellent. How did you come up with this idea?"

Upon hearing this, Xiuju smiled shyly: "There's a chicken strip vendor near my second son's school, and he begs for it every day after school."

But then, as if she had suddenly thought of something, her face fell.

Seeing this, Wang Guifen sighed deeply and tightly grasped Xiuju's young but calloused hand: "Girl, you've suffered so much~"

Hearing this, Xiuju gently wiped her eyes with her sleeve and forced a smile, saying, "Auntie, it's not bitter. As long as Leizi is alive, it's not bitter!"

Seeing this, Jiang Xia knew that it was no longer appropriate for her to stay in the office.

He waved to Jiang Jianguo: "Dad, how are the fish over there doing? Let's go check on them."

Jiang Jianguo knew that this was a suitable time for Wang Guifen and Xiuju to have a private chat. When he heard his son call him, he immediately stood up and walked outside.

…………

Meanwhile, Jiang Jianjun hummed a little tune as he returned home.

He visited each of the candidates he discussed with Jiang Xia today.

Unsurprisingly, all the companies were very happy to hear that they could do business in Jiangxia.

After going around the circumnavigation, Jiang Jianjun found himself with several packs of cigarettes in his pocket.

Seeing this, Li Chunhua asked, "What happy occasion makes you so happy?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jianjun coughed, his smile fading as he spoke seriously to Li Chunhua:

"Tomorrow I'll go to the county town to buy some toys for you wholesale, and the day after tomorrow you can go to Xiaxia's fishing spot to sell them."

"Huh?" Li Chunhua didn't understand at first, but after thinking about it carefully, she guessed what it was about:

"You mean, you want me to set up a stall at Xiaxia's place and do some small business from now on?"

Jiang Jianjun nodded: "Yes, we discussed it at our eldest brother's house. We'll arrange for six people to sell things at Xiaxia's fishing spot, and our family will be one of them."

Upon hearing this, Li Chunhua's eyes lit up: "Great news, Lao Jiang! Will we be selling there from now on?"

Jiang Jianjun nodded again: "Yes."

Then, he solemnly instructed, "I originally didn't want our family to get involved in this matter, but Xiaxia and my older brother both wanted you to go and earn some extra money, so I agreed."

"But, while you're doing business, you have to be careful about things like lunch. Even close brothers should keep clear accounts; you should understand that principle."

…………