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

"Dude, where are you from?"

After the middle-aged man picked up a customer, a young man approached Wang Xingguo, whom he didn't recognize. This was because most of the people soliciting customers here were from various street-level transportation cooperatives, and they were all familiar faces.

Wang Xingguo said with a smile, "What's up? Buddy, you want to test my skills?"

The young man chuckled and waved his hand, quickly saying, "No, no, I just thought you looked unfamiliar, so I was just asking. I didn't mean anything by it."

Wang Xingguo glanced at him and said indifferently, "You don't care where I'm from? What does it matter to you?"

The young man quickly offered him a cigarette, saying, "Hey buddy, don't mind. I'm just a talkative guy, I didn't mean anything by it. Please don't take it to heart."

Wang Xingguo accepted the cigarette, which was a way of acknowledging his apology. After lighting it, they chatted for a few minutes. What a coincidence!

This guy's name is Zhao Xiaohu, and he's also from the same company. This is truly a case of the flood washing away the Dragon King's temple.

They were all young people, and they quickly started chatting.

However, at this moment, a middle-aged woman in her forties with a worried look appeared. Wang Xingguo saw her at a glance, and she met all his requirements. So he left Zhao Xiaohu, who was chatting with him, and quickly went to meet her.

"Ma'am, do you need a ride?"

The middle-aged woman nodded and asked, "Do you know how to get to the Sanlihe Discipline Inspection Commission compound?"

Wang Xingguo quickly replied, "Auntie, what a question! How could a tricycle driver like me not know the way? But let me explain first, this road is a bit far, and I estimate you'll have to pay six cents for the fare. The bus only costs one cent, so it's up to you whichever you prefer."

The middle-aged woman sighed, "Oh well, six cents it is. I need to rush back to pack my things to get to the hospital. Where's your car? Let's get going."

Wang Xingguo quickly led the people onto the vehicle, greeted Zhao Xiaohu, and then started pedaling off.

"Ma'am, is a family member of yours hospitalized?"

The middle-aged woman replied, "Yes, my mother-in-law is hospitalized. As people get older, they have many health problems. She kept it a secret from her family and didn't say she was feeling unwell, which led to her developing a serious illness."

These days, a serious illness is a serious illness; not every illness can be cured, it's almost like a death sentence.

Wang Xingguo comforted her, "Don't worry, Auntie. Everyone's life is predetermined. Just let nature take its course."

This woman looks to be in her forties, and her mother is probably in her sixties. To be honest, in this day and age, that's not considered a short lifespan.

The old lady also started talking, chatting with Wang Xingguo all the way back.

Wang Xingguo quickly found out what the old lady wanted.

She wanted fish because the old man couldn't eat solid food now, but he could drink some soup.

But her husband is not in the capital right now, so she is worried about how to catch fish.

Wang Xingguo patted his chest and said, "Auntie, don't worry. Although I'm just a tricycle driver, I know a lot of people. I'll get you the crucian carp!"

Upon hearing this, the old woman was overjoyed: "Young man, you're not joking, are you?"

Wang Xingguo quickly assured her, "No way! Your mother's situation is already bad enough. If I were to joke with you, would I even be human? Don't worry, I can really help you with the fish. Just give me your room number, and I'll take the fish to the hospital for you later."

"Oh, you're so kind, young man! Thank you so much! Here, I'll write down your room number for you in a bit, so you don't forget it. When the fish arrives, I promise you won't be shortchanged."

"No way, ma'am. You're a very discerning person. Don't worry, I, Wang Xingguo, am a man of integrity. I always keep my word and will definitely deliver the fish to you."

And that's how Wang Xingguo found his first customer.

If he rashly went to the hospital to ask if anyone wanted fish, he would definitely be reported and arrested!

But with Aunt Chen as the point of intervention, things became much simpler.

He could follow Aunt Chen into the VIP ward as her junior, and openly carry fish in; those in need would naturally pull him aside for a chat.

The people in these government compounds don't lack fish to eat, but they are supplied with saltwater fish transported back by refrigerated trains, and freshwater fish are extremely rare.

but!

People in Beijing, regardless of their social status, all their families recognize crucian carp soup!

For family members of government compounds like Aunt Chen, the amount of aquatic products they receive each month is almost twice that of ordinary citizens.

For every pound of fish supplied to an ordinary citizen, they would supply two pounds.

So getting them some yellow croaker and ribbonfish isn't really that difficult.

But crucian carp are something that are very difficult for them to obtain.

They can't possibly make a special trip to the countryside just for a few crucian carp, can they?

This is Wang Xingguo's opportunity. These people have no shortage of receipts and good things. He has no intention of selling fish at all. Exchanging fish for receipts and things that are rare for ordinary people on the market is the most suitable thing for him.

Time flew by, and forty minutes later, Wang Xingguo took Aunt Chen to the Sanlihe Discipline Inspection Commission compound. After paying the fare, Aunt Chen didn't forget to say, "Xiao Wang, I'm leaving the crucian carp to you. I'd appreciate it if you could get me a few more so I can store them in the hospital's freezer and slowly make soup for my mother."

Wang Xingguo nodded repeatedly and said, "Don't worry, Aunt Chen, I'll take care of this. I'll deliver the fish to you around three or four o'clock this afternoon."

Aunt Chen thanked her again before turning and walking into the courtyard.

With this start, Wang Xingguo was no longer in a hurry, and he began to slowly ride his tricycle back.

Aunt Chen wanted more crucian carp, and she said she would trade her things for them. This kind of person doesn't like to talk about money; if she does, it becomes a business transaction.

This was in line with Wang Xingguo's expectations, since he didn't like talking about money and would accept whatever he got in return, since he had Niu Ye's side to ship the goods.

The items taken out of the government compound, even cigarettes and alcohol, were high-quality supplies reserved for cadres, and they would sell for a fortune on the black market.

Wang Xingguo returned to the city and went to the General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army. Why was he so bold as to come here?

Because trading fish for other things is not essentially speculation, although it's not allowed if the quantity is too large or the frequency is too high.

Moreover, most of the patients in this hospital are military dependents, and some are even family members from other places who come to the hospital to accompany them.

These families don't really have any connections to get nutritional supplements; they rely entirely on the hospitalized patient's relationships in the military for help.

But with so many things to do, it's inevitable to incur a lot of favors, and favors are the hardest to repay. That's why people like Wang Xingguo have an opportunity.

After all, they don't lack tickets, and when their comrades come to visit them in the hospital, they might bring cigarettes and alcohol with them.

Trading it for crucian carp or snakehead fish would be the most suitable option.

Before he even started serving customers, Wang Xingguo encountered an old man dressed in rural attire, squatting to one side, smoking with a worried expression.

When choosing targets here, you have to do the opposite of what you did at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. You have to choose people who look like farmers; those are the most suitable targets!