The sky collapsed, and in the blink of an eye, I found myself transported to Nanluoguxiang.

After the food in her stomach had been mostly digested, Li Kaixin went to the kitchen window and retrieved the food container containing the braised pork.

Just as they were about to leave with their younger siblings, a slightly overweight middle-aged man smiled and blocked their way.

The man warmly extended his hand and said, "Hello, young man. My surname is Wu, and I am the manager of this cafeteria."

Li Kaixin shook hands with the man and asked, "Manager Wu, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Well, I heard you have some venison, and I was thinking..." Manager Wu said urgently, with a hint of brooking no refusal.

Li Kaixin felt displeased when she saw that this person not only blocked her way but also spoke in a tone that suggested he was in a superior-subordinate relationship.

He interrupted directly, saying, "Manager Wu, could I send my younger siblings home first before we talk?"

Manager Wu then realized his rudeness and quickly apologized with a smile, "I'm so sorry, I was too impatient. Young man, you go ahead with your work, I'll wait for you here."

Seeing the change in Manager Wu's attitude, Li Kaixin's expression softened.

Holding her younger siblings' hands, she walked home. The two children were very sensible and didn't ask any questions about the venison along the way.

Back to the courtyard house.

Li Kaixin handed the food box to his younger sister, Li Xiaoxiao, saying, "Keep this box of braised pork; we'll eat it with Mom and Dad when we get back tonight."

Li Xiaoxiao, the younger sister, took the food box and nodded seriously.

After giving his instructions, Li Kaixin left the courtyard and headed towards the state-run restaurant.

This time, Li Kai, the younger brother, didn't pester Li Kaixin like he did in the morning. He knew that his older brother had something important to do this time.

When we were almost at the state-run restaurant.

Li Kaixin found a secluded corner, and on a whim, took out the doe from the secret realm, hoisted it onto his shoulder, and strode towards the restaurant.

In fact, Li Kaixin had already figured it out along the way.

The money you have should have a legitimate source; otherwise, you'll feel constrained every time you spend it.

With his meager salary, if he takes some nice things back home, he'll inevitably be exposed over time.

I might as well take this opportunity to explain things to my parents tonight. Anyway, my younger siblings already know; they can't keep secrets, and they'll definitely tell our parents.

As soon as Li Kaixin appeared on the street carrying the deer, he attracted a lot of attention.

These days, it's really rare to see a whole deer like this in the city.

Before he even reached the restaurant entrance, several people were already following behind him.

One of the young men, dressed in blue overalls and with a parted hairstyle, squeezed next to Li Kaixin.

He pulled out his work ID and waved it, saying, "Comrade, I'm a purchasing agent from the steel mill. Sell me this deer, one yuan a pound, I'll take the whole one."

Li Kaixin sneered inwardly after hearing this, but ignored him.

In this day and age, this price is clearly outrageous. Even if I were to keep it for myself, I would never sell it for such a low price.

At this moment, Manager Wu at the restaurant entrance had already spotted Li Kaixin from afar.

He hurriedly ran out of the restaurant entrance, pushing through the crowd of onlookers, and exclaimed, "Young comrade, you're finally back!"

When the purchasing agent saw that Li Kaixin ignored her, her tone became threatening:

"Let me tell you, private individuals can't buy and sell these things. If you sell them to someone, that's speculation and profiteering, and you'll get arrested!"

"I'm already offering one dollar, which is several cents more than the recycling station!"

This isn't the first time this purchasing agent has done something like this.

He often loitered around the various city gates of Beijing, specifically to intercept hunters entering the city.

First, they entice the hunters with promises, then threaten them. They offer slightly higher prices than the purchasing stations, and most of the honest and simple hunters sell their animals.

Li Kaixin put the deer down and deliberately said to Manager Wu, "Look, this comrade is asking for one yuan to buy it."

Manager Wu immediately became anxious.

Their restaurant is almost out of meat, and the meat processing plant has yet to release any allocation plans. The manager is so worried he's practically turning gray.

I overheard the waiter mention that someone was exchanging venison for vegetables, and I immediately realized this was an opportunity.

If it weren't for this meat, why would a manager of a state-owned restaurant be so polite to a young man?

So Manager Wu hurriedly said to Li Kaixin, "Young man, I'll offer 1.5 yuan per jin!"

Upon hearing this, the purchasing agent, realizing that the deal was about to slip away, immediately refused to continue.

Pointing at Manager Wu, he threatened, "Who are you? Don't you know private individuals can't buy and sell things? Believe me or not, I'll report you and have you arrested!"

Manager Wu was furious, his face turning pale. Not only did they steal his meat, but they also dared to be so arrogant.

Suppressing his anger, he said, "Then aren't you also buying privately? Isn't that also speculation?"

The purchasing agent proudly waved his work badge: "I'm a purchasing agent for the steel mill; I'm buying for the government!"

"Great! Excellent!"

Manager Wu laughed angrily, then said viciously, "I happen to know your section chief. You just wait."

This is no exaggeration; when nearby factories have entertainment needs, they often come to the restaurant to arrange it.

The head of the purchasing department at the steel mill was one of his regular customers, and they had a very close relationship.

Li Kaixin added at the opportune moment, "This is Manager Wu from the state-run restaurant."

Upon hearing this, the purchasing agent's face changed instantly. He realized he had bitten off more than he could chew and opened his mouth as if to beg for mercy.

Manager Wu's expression was clearly unfriendly, and he ultimately didn't dare to step forward, slinking away through the crowd in a sorry state.

Watching the man run away, Manager Wu finally calmed down and turned to Li Kaixin with a kind smile.

Watching Manager Wu's Sichuan opera-style face-changing performance, Li Kaixin thought to himself, "A leader is a leader; most people can't learn that kind of face-changing."

Seeing that Li Kaixin didn't react, Manager Wu said anxiously, "Young man, what do you think of the price I just quoted?"

Li Kaixin only realized what Manager Wu was saying after hearing it.

Actually, I was fairly satisfied with the price quoted by Manager Wu, but I still asked with some unease, "Manager Wu, will there be any problems if I sell it to you like this?"

Manager Wu knew what he meant and quickly said:

"rest assured!"

"We're a government agency, so we have purchasing authority. I'll issue you a formal invoice later; no one will be able to find fault with it."

Li Kaixin then said with relief, "Okay, we'll do as you say."

Manager Wu immediately beamed with joy and quickly called the chefs in the store to come out and weigh the food. He then personally led Li Kaixin to the office.

Throughout the journey, Manager Wu was exceptionally enthusiastic.

Upon arriving at the office, Manager Wu busied himself pouring tea for Li Kaixin.

The weighing result came back quickly: 62 jin (36 kg), which would cost a total of 93 yuan.

Manager Wu immediately took out the money and invoice book from the drawer and gave the money to Li Kaixin first.

Li Kaixin was very happy to receive the stack of money.

Although this amount of money is small compared to Li Kaixin's current net worth, it is money that can be used openly and legitimately.

At this moment, while issuing the invoice, Manager Wu tentatively asked, "Young man, if you need any more wild game in the future, could you consider our restaurant first? We can discuss the price."

Li Kaixin smiled at Manager Wu and said, "Manager Wu, if there's another one, I'll definitely come to you first."

Manager Wu was overjoyed at that moment.

He has not only solved his predicament, but more importantly, he has unexpectedly found a way to obtain meat. Although he doesn't know if it's reliable or not, something is better than nothing.

When Manager Wu handed the signed and stamped invoice to Li Kaixin.

He repeatedly reminded him, "Next time you have stock, be sure to come to me first!"

Li Kaixin took the invoice from Manager Wu and repeatedly assured him that he would come to him as soon as the goods were available.

Manager Wu saw Li Kaixin off at the state-run hotel.

As Li Kaixin left the state-run restaurant, he added, "Luckily, Manager Wu arrived just now, otherwise I might not have been able to hold on and would have sold it to that purchasing agent."

Li Kaixin is no pushover; that purchasing agent had threatened him earlier, and wouldn't forget to stir things up before leaving.

Manager Wu's face darkened instantly as he watched Li Kaixin's departing figure.

I went to the office and called the purchasing manager of the steel plant.

Li Kaixin was unaware of the steel mill purchasing agent's ordeal; his misfortune didn't strike until several days later.

Because he hadn't been able to purchase anything for several days, and being an old-timer in the department who was used to being arrogant, his colleagues didn't like him. As a result, the department head demoted him to the workshop, and no one spoke up for him.

......