Back to 1984: I built a chicken farm on a barren mountain.

Chen Wenfeng rode a 28-inch bicycle with wicker baskets hanging on both sides of the back seat, containing 500 eggs.

To prevent bumps and knocks, a thick layer of wheat straw was placed at the bottom of the basket, followed by a layer of wheat straw and then a layer of eggs, and finally the basket was covered with an old cloth and tied securely.

In the days before plastic or paper egg cartons existed, this was the most reliable method people could think of.

Chen Wenfeng rode quickly and soon arrived in the county town. But instead of going directly to Xuexia for breakfast, he circled around the bustling areas of the town.

In just one round of business, he had already secured contracts with two more private restaurants to supply their food.

One is Zhang's Noodle Shop, and the other is Li's Lamb Soup Shop.

As for why people trust him, he only needs to show them the eggs in the basket. They are even, clean, and of good quality at a low price. With Xuexia's breakfast as an example, the deal falls into place naturally.

One of these two companies even gave a 5 yuan deposit. The only difference was that these two companies were unwilling to calculate by the piece and chose to calculate by the kilogram, but the number of eggs they needed was almost the same as Xuexia's breakfast.

In other words, Chen Wenfeng tripled the sales of eggs in one go, which means he can earn at least 100 yuan a month. It was definitely worth the trip.

With such a large increase in demand for eggs, Chenjiazhuang may not be able to guarantee its supply, and we will need to collect some from nearby villages.

When Chen Wenfeng arrived at Xuexia's breakfast with the eggs, the breakfast rush had already passed. Shen Xiaoxia and Shen Wanjun were clearing the table and washing the dishes, while Qian Xuebing was tidying up the steamer baskets.

"Brother Chen, you're here!"

Shen Wanjun guessed that Chen Wenfeng should be delivering the eggs soon, so she kept an eye on the road while working. As soon as Chen Wenfeng appeared, she spotted him.

"Here they are! I brought the eggs. Look at their quality!"

Chen Wenfeng smiled and nodded at Shen Wanjun, opened the basket on the back of his bicycle, and beckoned them to come and collect the eggs.

Shen Xiaoxia and Shen Wanjun both put down their work and came over to check.

"Everything's great. Let's continue as before, and deliver even more each week, maybe 550 at a time!"

Shen Xiaoxia inspected the eggs and was very satisfied.

In fact, she didn't know that honest farmers were used to being harassed in buying and selling, so they only sold the best agricultural products, and kept the inferior ones for their own consumption.

When Chen Wenfeng heard Shen Xiaoxia say that they would add 50 eggs every week, he immediately understood what she meant and jokingly said with a smile:

"Boss Shen's business is getting bigger and bigger."

Shen Xiaoxia, quick-witted and outspoken, replied:

"Then we'll have to rely on Boss Chen's continued support!"

Shen Xiaoxia asked Shen Wanjun to keep Chen Wenfeng company while she went back to her work.

Chen Wenfeng was pleased, so he told Shen Wanjun about the cooperation they had just discussed between the two companies. The two chatted for a while before Chen Wenfeng returned.

Shen Wanjun watched Chen Wenfeng walk away with lingering reluctance.

"What were you two talking about? You were whispering like two little lovers for ages."

"He didn't say anything, Brother Chen said he had negotiated with two other companies, and they were also giving away eggs."

"That's great! Which two companies are they?"

He mentioned Zhang's Noodle Shop and Li's Lamb Soup Shop.

Shen Xiaoxia fell silent after hearing about Li Ji's mutton soup, and didn't say anything for a long time.

Seeing her cousin suddenly freeze, Shen Wanjun asked:

"Sister, what's wrong? Is something the problem? Brother Chen said he'll still prioritize our needs first."

"It's not because of that. I hope I'm just overthinking it. But I'd better give him a heads-up next time he comes."

Shen Xiaoxia said earnestly.

......

When Chen Wenfeng returned to Chenjiazhuang, he told Zhou Zhiming and Niu Daniu Er to split up and go to the nearby villages to collect eggs. However, after working for most of the day, they only managed to collect enough eggs from one family.

He then sent Niu Er to deliver the goods, while he would try to collect some more.

Since Li Ji Lamb Soup had already paid a deposit, they delivered Li Ji Lamb Soup first.

After he, Zhou Zhiming, and Niu Da spent another day collecting eggs, they finally managed to gather the remaining eggs by evening.

Niu Er also rode back on his bicycle.

But Niu Er's face showed no joy, only anger and shame.

Needless to say, something's definitely going on. Chen Wenfeng asked:

"Niu Er, did you deliver the eggs? Did anything happen on the way?"

"No, it was delivered safely. The owner of Li's Lamb Soup said that the bill had already been settled and he didn't give me any more money for the eggs."

"Where are the eggs?"

"They stayed."

They only gave us 5 yuan for eggs worth 60 yuan; that's really outrageous.

Chen Wenfeng comforted Niu Er, saying:

"Brother, you've worked hard. This has nothing to do with you. Go back and get some rest. You'll be paid well for your hard work. I'll handle this."

Chen Wenfeng dismissed the three of them, then rode his bicycle alone straight to the county town.

By the time we arrived at Li Ji Lamb Soup, it was already 7 p.m.

It was lunchtime, and the small shop was packed with customers coming and going.

Business is booming!

Suppressing his anger, Chen Wenfeng entered the room and shouted:

"Boss Li, do you still recognize me?"

When Boss Li saw that it was Chen Wenfeng, he quickly came out to greet him, pretending to be very enthusiastic, and said:

"Brother, why did you come all this way so late?"

"It's just that Boss Li forgot something, so I came to remind him."

Boss Li sensed the barb in Chen Wenfeng's words, but pretended not to notice and said:

"Is there anything wrong between us?"

"I sent someone to deliver eggs today, but the payment hasn't been settled yet!"

"The money for the eggs was settled a long time ago. Didn't we give it to you the other day? The person you sent today had a pretty bad attitude. Anyone who didn't know better would think that Li's Lamb Soup has no integrity. We've been in business for so many years."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wenfeng realized that Boss Li was resorting to dishonest tactics. He stormed into the store and raised his voice at the customers:

"Li Ji Lamb Soup doesn't pay for eggs when you buy them. Would you dare eat at a restaurant like that?"

"Kid, don't cause trouble! Don't listen to him, some country bumpkin is here to cause trouble."

Seeing that the diners were all keeping their heads down and not saying a word, Chen Wenfeng figured they were all thinking it was better to avoid trouble, which made things easier.

He stormed into the kitchen, grabbed a ladle, scooped up a spoonful of piping hot mutton broth, and said to the boss, Mr. Li, who was being difficult with him:

"Either give me money, or I'll give you a hot bath!"

Seeing that Chen Wenfeng was serious, Boss Li dared not step forward. His wife, already terrified, rushed to mediate.

"No, no, no, we'll pay, we'll pay."

"Give it to me, not a single penny less."

Mr. Li's wife rummaged through the tin box containing money and pulled out a bunch of small bills, gathered up the money, and handed it to Chen Wenfeng.

Chen Wenfeng didn't even count them, stuffed them into his pocket, and said to Boss Li:

"That money was rightfully mine, but this is rightfully yours!"

After saying that, he splashed the spoon in his hand, spilling a spoonful of hot soup all over Boss Li.

As Boss Li shouted and cursed, Chen Wenfeng went out, got on his bicycle, and calmly returned home.

Mr. Li's wife busied herself wiping the soup off her husband and comforted him:

"It didn't splash on our faces or hurt us, so let's just let it go. We were in the wrong no matter what."

Boss Li glared fiercely at his wife and cursed:

"This isn't over!"