In 1959, what's wrong with me pedaling a tricycle?

When she got home, the gate to the courtyard was ajar. Li Xiuping slowly pushed the gate open so as not to wake her family.

After Wang Xingguo closed the door, the two returned to the house. The elder sister-in-law had already boiled water and filled several thermos flasks.

The two started adding water, washed themselves, and then soaked their feet.

Li Xiuping, while eating a cookie, asked, "These cookies are really good, Xingguo, where did you buy them?"

Wang Xingguo replied, "Sigh, I used to trade fish for things outside the hospital. It's a pity I don't have the energy to do that anymore. Actually, trading fish for things is quite good, and the profit is higher than selling fish directly."

Li Xiuping said, "Your job is quite busy now. You have to worry about sourcing goods during the day. How can you handle so many other things? You should focus on doing a good job in the market. That's your job."

Wang Xingguo chuckled and said, "I have many duties, but one of the most important is to be a good husband so that you can become a mother soon..."

Li Xiuping gave him a flirtatious glance, then was pulled into Wang Xingguo's arms, and the two kissed...

The next day at noon, the couple got up. Shen Qingqing, who was rummaging through dried vegetables in the yard, said cheerfully, "Xingguo, Xiuping, the food is still warm in the pot. You two should go and eat."

Wang Xingguo nodded and said, "Okay, sister-in-law, have we finished our eggs? If you have, I'll bring some back."

Speaking of eggs, Shen Qingqing thought of her younger brother's extravagant spending and couldn't help but say, "Xingguo, how can we eat such good food every day? Let's save some money."

Wang Xingguo waved his hand dismissively, saying, "Sister-in-law, you're thinking wrong. We can't skimp on what we eat. Three of us in the family work, and I'm the one who earns the money. There's no need to be frugal and deprive ourselves. Besides, health is the foundation of everything. Eating and drinking well is essential for good health, so we can carry on the Wang family line. Don't you think that makes sense?"

Li Xiuping, with a grin, put her arm around Shen Qingqing's and said, "Sister-in-law, if you're too frugal, Xingguo won't let himself suffer. If he can't eat well at home, he'll have extra meals at work. At home, everyone can eat together, but at work, you won't get any. So, you should listen to him. Anyway, it's his money to prepare the food, so he can spend it however he wants. We'll just benefit from it."

"Oh dear, my sister-in-law is bad with words and can't win an argument with you two, so I'll just leave it at that..."

Wang Xingguo was very satisfied with his sister-in-law, even though she was occasionally a bit stingy.

But this kind of personality isn't considered a flaw in this era, because everyone lives like this; who doesn't save money by being frugal here and there?

Of course, Wang Xingguo is an exception. He only gets to spend money so lavishly because he has a private space. Otherwise, it would be strange if he could spend money so extravagantly!

After lunch, Wang Xingguo drove Li Xiuping to her workplace. He told her to take a nap in the room, saying that women need to get plenty of sleep for good skin and overall health.

You should cherish your own wife!

Gan Ping also returned from purchasing goods. Upon seeing Wang Xingguo, he took out his notebook and said to him, "Director Wang, the leaders from the branch office asked me to pass on a message to you. They said that someone who is about to be sent to a labor camp wants to meet with you."

Wang Xingguo frowned and asked, "Did they say who it was?"

Gan Ping shook his head and said, "I don't know either. I ran into Deputy Director Yan from the branch office when I came back just now, and he asked me to pass on the message."

Wang Xingguo nodded and said, "Okay, I understand. You go ahead and get busy. I'll go to the branch office to see what's going on."

Gan Ping responded, turned and left to continue directing people to unload and arrange the goods.

The people here, except for those who go back to the village to buy supplies, work during the day; everyone else works from 6 pm to 2 am.

The female employees assigned to work here all live nearby, so there's no need to worry about their safety when leaving get off work late at night.

Wang Xingguo set off on a tricycle because he needed to haul goods back from his storage space, so a tricycle was the most suitable option.

Upon arriving at the branch office, Wang Xingguo explained his purpose to the staff and was then led to Director Liu's office.

After exchanging greetings, the two lit cigarettes, and Director Liu explained, "The bureau arrested a guy named Wu Degui. He runs a casino and lends money at exorbitant interest rates. He keeps saying he knows you and can help you with government matters. I figured your case is quite important, so I sent you to check if this guy is useful. Even though he's a criminal, if he's actually helpful, we can let him redeem himself."

Wu Degui?

Wang Xingguo didn't know this person at all!

wrong…

Wang Xingguo recalled what Director Zhao had once said: that the man surnamed Wu was quite sensible.

Could this Wu Degui be Niu Ye? Running a casino and lending money at exorbitant interest rates does match up, and he does indeed know me.

Wang Xingguo scratched his head and said to Director Liu, "Director Liu, I don't recognize the name, but we can meet. We do need some people over there, like people who can get things done and help us get supplies to exchange for what we need more quickly."

"Alright, I'll arrange for you to meet them. If you're useful, you can stay; if not, you'll be sent to work in the mines for labor reform."

Fifty minutes later, Wang Xingguo met Wu Degui in the detention center, and it was indeed Master Niu!

At this moment, Master Niu was in a sorry state, disheveled and dirty, with bruises on his face from being beaten.

Upon seeing Wang Xingguo, Old Niu burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably, "Wang Er, save me, please save me! If I stay here any longer, I'll either be beaten to death by my fellow prisoners or starve to death..."

Looking at Niu Ye's miserable state, Wang Xingguo sighed and said, "Niu Ye, how much wealth have you been hiding? Hand it over, and I'll help you smooth things over so you can work as a temporary worker for me. It's better than going to a labor camp."

Upon hearing this, Master Niu's eyes darted around, and he stammered, "Wang Er... I don't have any savings left. My business was raided, and all my life savings are gone..."

Wang Xingguo sneered, "Is that so? Well then, Brother Niu, have a safe journey. I'll treat you to drinks when you come back from your labor camp."

After saying this, Wang Xingguo was about to get up and leave. Seeing this, Master Niu panicked and hurriedly said, "Wang Er, don't go, don't go! We can talk things over. I...I'll hand it over...I'll hand it all over..."

Wang Xingguo stopped and turned to look at Master Niu, saying, "Master Niu, this money isn't for me to take; it's for me to use to risk my life for you. Nobody's forcing you to hand it over. But if you want to avoid this calamity, I can't help you without paying a price."

Old Niu smiled bitterly, "Sigh, I know. I'll give you an address. Go and retrieve your things. Hurry up and get me out of here. My children are still young; I can't let them die without a father..."