Reborn in 78, I made my fortune by working in the mountains, supporting three families on my own.

Seeing how willing Wang Zongbao was to learn so diligently, Zhao Lei looked at him with eyes full of hope for his future success.

Nodding patiently, he explained, "Zongbao, the fact that you asked this question shows that you are truly diligent and eager to learn. What you described is indeed the rule for ordinary small-scale trading, but in business, you have to be flexible with your approach. Director Li is the second-in-command of Jinxiu Textile Factory, and he values ​​his reputation the most."

We're just ordinary farmers. Offering a discount might seem like we're doing him a favor, but it actually offended Director Li. Although I didn't give him a discount on the fish, I gave him all the loach and eel. Those two or three pounds of local produce only cost a few yuan, about the same as the discount I offered…

But the story is completely different. They genuinely gave Director Li face, and he only gave extra money because he felt comfortable doing so. He got the benefit and saved face; how could he not be happy?

Upon hearing Zhao Lei's analysis, not only Wang Zongbao, but also Qin Bowen and Qin Dashan, who were standing nearby, suddenly understood.

Everyone nodded and gave him a thumbs up.

"Lei Zi, I didn't expect you to be so thoughtful."

"Yeah, brother-in-law, you're really cunning."

Zhao Lei glared at Qin Bowen, annoyed. "You cunning brat, that's not a good word!"

Only Wang Zongbao nodded thoughtfully to himself, silently keeping Zhao Lei's words firmly in mind.

In addition, Zhao Lei told the others in detail: "I chatted with Director Li today, and I could tell that he felt both regret and disappointment towards Old Zhou from the fishpond. I guess they have a close relationship."

That's why I used the excuse of renting tools to make it clear that we were just temporary suppliers and wouldn't be taking away from Lao Zhou's long-term supply. Firstly, this preserved the relationship between Factory Director Li and Lao Zhou; secondly, Lao Zhou could leverage the factory director's connections to earn extra income through tool rentals, and we wouldn't have to spend money on our own fishing gear...

After all, fishing is just a temporary job for us, and buying a separate set wouldn't be cost-effective. This is a win-win-win situation where all three parties benefit!

Zhao Lei's words made Qin Dashan and the others look at him with completely new respect.

Qin Bowen admired his brother-in-law more and more.

Wang Zongbao was completely impressed by Zhao Lei and regarded him as a role model from the bottom of his heart.

In his eyes, Zhao Lei possessed countless wisdoms about life, which were worth learning gradually.

The three were convinced that following Zhao Lei would ensure they made money. Zhao Lei had a long-term vision and a meticulous mind, and the fact that their money was gradually increasing was a tangible reality.

Zhao Lei then suggested that while they were still in town, they should buy some items that their family was missing.

Several people drove an oxcart back and forth between the supply and marketing cooperative and the shops along the street to select goods.

On the way, Zhao Lei divided the sixty yuan he had just received into four equal parts and distributed them to everyone, giving each person exactly fifteen yuan.

This money, though, is not as much or as quick to earn as hunting wild boars in the mountains.

But fifteen yuan is equivalent to half a month's wages for a textile factory worker, which is not a small amount.

Moreover, they only spent two or three hours fishing in the morning; if they had spent the whole day in the river, their income would have been even higher.

Zhao Lei knew that his family was lacking many everyday items.

I earned over 1,700 yuan from hunting wild boars in Qingshuigou last time. I gave 1,000 yuan to my family and deposited 200 yuan as a deposit at the Taiyanghong Brick Kiln. Now I have over 500 yuan left.

This was the perfect opportunity to go on a shopping spree, acquiring all the daily necessities such as large basins, washbasins, buckets, towels, enamel cups, and toothbrushes.

Afterwards, he went to the bicycle shop to look at the 28-inch bicycles. When he asked the price, it was over 130 yuan, which made him feel a pang of heartache.

With the recent days of rain, it's not convenient to go out by bike, so I'll just hold off on buying one today.

After wandering around for a short while, he saw a shop selling tricycles, which cost nearly two hundred yuan each.

Zhao Lei figured the tricycle was quite useful; it was very practical for his daily tasks of transporting goods and hauling fish.

The 28-inch motorcycle is lightweight and convenient, perfect for my three ex-wives to use for commuting to and from get off work.

So, if you do the math, three 28-inch motorcycles plus a tricycle will cost around 600 yuan just to buy the vehicles, and then you'll need to save money to build a new house.

Feeling the meager five hundred yuan left in his pocket, Zhao Lei suddenly felt a pang of financial distress.

There's still a ton of stuff I need to buy, so I have to seize the opportunity to make more money!

Fortunately, we finalized a long-term fish-buying agreement with Director Li today, which means we'll have a stable source of income in the short term.

Time passed slowly, and by the time everyone had finished choosing their essential items, it was already five o'clock in the afternoon.

Qin Bowen asked, "Brother-in-law, the rain hasn't stopped yet. Should we stop by Sanhe Township and borrow the fishing gear we need?"

Sanhe Township is also under the jurisdiction of Qingfeng Town and is adjacent to Tuanjie Township. Although they look close, they are actually more than 30 miles apart.

Zhao Lei looked up at the gloomy sky and shook his head, saying, "Forget it, it's inconvenient to travel in the rain, and the car is already full of things we bought. It's getting late, let's head back first. Tomorrow, we'll find a section of the river to fish in, figure out what tools we need, and then go to Sanhe Township to rent them from Lao Zhou."

Qin Dashan nodded in agreement: "That's right, Lei Zi is right. It's getting late, let's go home first."

The four brothers reached a consensus and drove the oxcart for nearly an hour before returning to the village.

On rainy days, it gets dark exceptionally early. By the time I got home, the sky was already dim, and night was about to fall.

Zhao Lei bought a lot of daily necessities, and several of his brothers helped him carry them into the yard.

Qin Yuchan looked at the huge pile of things and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, Sanshi, you sold those hundred-odd catties of fish for an astronomical price, right? How come you bought so many things all at once?"

Qin Bowen: "Second sister, look at what you're saying. Your husband is just worried about you and the kids. He knew we were short of things, so he just bought everything at once. Look at this big red plastic basin; it can be used for holding fish, washing clothes, washing vegetables, you name it."

Qin Dashan chimed in, "Yes, Second Sister, Leizi is so thoughtful; he even bought a lot of tarpaulins. When the rain stops, I'll come over and help you repair the roof tiles. Look at your house now, it leaks every time it's windy or rainy; it's really unsafe to live there."

Seeing that her older brother and younger brother were praising Zhao Lei while criticizing her, Qin Yuchan couldn't help but purse her lips.

"Big brother, little brother, whose family are you really on? Why are you siding with outsiders? What kind of bewitching potion has San Shi given you?"

"Second sister! There's no need for sweet talk. I'm already captivated by my brother-in-law's handsome appearance."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yuchan raised her foot and lightly kicked him: "Go away, you brat, you're never serious."

The siblings' playful antics made everyone present burst into laughter.

Qin Dashan and his companions did not linger. After exchanging a few simple pleasantries, they prepared to take their leave.

Qin Yuchan had intended to invite them to stay for dinner, but Qin Dashan picked up the two large fish that had been given to him and waved them around, saying, "Never mind, Second Sister, my sister-in-law is waiting for the fish to cook at home."

Qin Yuchan slapped her forehead: "Oh dear, I forgot about that. Well then, Big Brother, Little Brother, Zongbao, take care on your journey."

The simple-minded Wang Zongbao replied, "Okay, sister-in-law!"

After watching the group leave the courtyard, Zhao Lei looked around the house but didn't see Jiang Xinyue or Su Wanqing.

She asked, "Yu Chan, where are Wan Qing and Xin Yue? It's almost dark, why haven't they come back yet?"