If you don't consummate the marriage for three years and then marry a successful educated youth

Zhao Dahai paused for a moment, then said after a moment's thought, "You're right. The ingredients the mayor and the others want are from Xiangyang Brigade, but Jiang Lie won't sell them to the other side."

[They blocked this road themselves. They didn't give anyone a friendly welcome in the first place, and given the supply shortage, they were even less likely to sell ingredients to the other side.]

[But the other side is relentless in achieving their goals and has no moral compass; they could very well resort to theft.]

[In that case, I'll contact Jiang Lie and ask him to keep a close eye on things. If the items are really missing, we might be able to trace the person behind it and solve the problem once and for all.]

The voice on the phone said: "Yes, it's time to settle your score with Sun Youcai. We're not afraid of him trying to take advantage of us; only if he does will we have leverage to put him in jail."

Of course, if he doesn't steal directly, it's difficult to get someone imprisoned. So, asking for more money and spreading his notoriety is a good thing for us too.

After the two brothers reached an agreement, Zhao Dahai hung up the phone.

I called Jiang Lie.

*

In the other courtyard

Jiang Lie was taking a shower in the yard to cool down his overheated body when the phone rang. He put down the bucket, grabbed a towel to dry himself, and then answered the call.

Hello, who is this?

[Haha, Jiang Lie is me, Zhao Dahai. Sorry, I didn't disturb your lunch break at this hour.]

"It's nothing, I don't take a lunch break. Is there something you need from Boss Zhao?"

[There's something I need to remind you of. Yesterday, Happiness Restaurant hosted a group of guests, and the ingredients they used came from your farm. Don't misunderstand, I don't suspect you of intentionally selling to Happiness Restaurant.]

[During the one-year contract period, you will only supply goods to us. This was agreed upon in advance, and I believe you are a person who keeps your promises. However, they probably bought the ingredients in small, scattered quantities.]

Upon hearing this, Jiang Lie frowned, remembering something.

There seems to be something a little strange. An aunt from our brigade got married; she was the wife of Gao Jinbao from the Xingfu Restaurant. Three days ago, she came to buy two chickens and ducks.

[I also bought more than twenty eggs, saying I wanted to send them to my in-laws to try. Some people in our village also buy them individually, and it wouldn't be right not to sell any; that would be too disrespectful.]

So at the time, a rule was set that individuals could only buy this much at a time, for a month at a time. Boss Zhao, you mentioned that Happiness Restaurant has our ingredients; that must be related to this.

Zhao Dahai hummed in agreement: "It's alright. I shouldn't be concerned with selling just one or two at a time. I just shouldn't sell more to Xingfu Restaurant. Oh, look, my mind's wandering."

[That's right, the group being served across the street is powerful and influential. They booked five tables at the Happiness Restaurant this time, and I noticed that Sun Youcai looked very unhappy.]

[They're probably worried about the food supply. This is a problem that can't be solved by buying in small quantities, and besides, you only sell to your own team in small quantities; you hardly sell to outsiders.]

So I'm thinking, if he can't buy any, might he send someone to steal ingredients from your brigade? You should keep an eye on him.

Jiang Lie pursed his lips and thought for a moment. This possibility was not out of the question. His unwillingness to supply Happiness Restaurant was not only because the supply could not meet the demand.

Okay, I understand. Thanks for reminding me, Boss Zhao. Do you need to order more supplies? Since the other side is preparing five tables of food, it's hard to say whether the customers will leave if we can't get the ingredients.

[Haha, I knew you were smart. Yes, this group of guests is no ordinary people. I need them to promote my restaurant, which means I need to poach these customers.]

[If the other side can't retain its customers, I can bring them over and let them taste the authentic dishes. My restaurant will naturally become famous, and with a good reputation and stable quality, I won't lack customers.]

Zhao Dahai's gaze was intense as he said, "Brother Jiang, don't you think I'm taking advantage of your vulnerability?"

Jiang Lie calmly replied, "No, running a restaurant is all about winning with the right price and taste. Whoever can retain customers is the one with the skill. You yourself said that this group of customers is different."

[If you can keep them here, word will spread and the Good Luck Restaurant will do even better. My supply will also be more stable in the future, which is good for our Xiangyang Brigade.]

I don't need to know about that; I just need to know that your quality and prices are consistent.

Zhao Dahai chuckled: "I understand. Don't worry, between making money and conscience, my conscience comes first. No matter how booming business is, prices won't fluctuate too much."

I would never use stale ingredients to fill a meal. It's stipulated in our contract that if I did that, the contract could be terminated at any time, and I can't afford the losses.

"Yes, I'll personally oversee the farm. If anyone tries to steal, we'll arrest them and trace the source."

No problem, thank you for your hard work.

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Lie went to the yard to continue showering. After returning to the house, he told his wife that he would be going to the farm to keep watch starting tomorrow night.

After hearing the whole story, Wen Yao nodded: "Okay, don't worry, I'll be fine at home. Don't worry."

"If the customers that Boss Zhao wants to attract really come to fruition, and his reputation grows, he might open and expand his restaurant, which would increase the demand for chicken and duck eggs, and that would be good for us too."

"It's better to cooperate with people of good character than with those who are unscrupulous. If the farm expands, more people in the brigade will have work and money to earn, which is a good thing."

Jiang Lie nodded: "Yes, that's what I meant too. If only one family is wealthy, the balance will be broken in the long run, which is not good for the unity of Xiangyang Brigade."

"If everyone has work and money to earn, just like you said, my wife, when our interests are tied together, we can only prosper if they prosper, and the cohesion of the team will be stronger."

"With this trust, it will be much easier to do anything in the future, and planting medicinal herbs can be put on the agenda."

Wen Yao laughed and said softly, "Yes, this is the process of playing chess slowly. There's no rush. I'll make you more food tomorrow so you can take it with you when you're on night watch."

"We also need more mosquito repellent kits. There are so many mosquitoes outside. We don't want to come back covered in bites; that would be so uncomfortable."

Jiang Lie reached out and put his arm around her waist, tightening his grip slightly. He rested his chin on the top of her head and sighed softly, "I have so many things to do. I can't bear to live separately from my wife."

"Haha, it'll only be a few days. Once things are settled with Boss Zhao, everything will be fine."

"Oops, I'm going to take a nap. Want to come with me?"

"Okay, let's sleep together for a while."

Wen Yao poked his chest with her finger, but it was hard and she couldn't get it out. She said coquettishly, "Sleep well and don't do anything reckless."

"Okay, I'll do whatever my wife says."