Return to 1981 and start from breaking off the engagement

Chapter 112 A clever wife
The morning light has dissipated, and the winter sun is warming.

There was a lively and busy scene in the south courtyard.

Today is Sunday, and Yu Xiunan, wearing a floral handkerchief on her head, also participated.

Yao Weijun took her to help his sister-in-law in the morning, and in the afternoon he went to the canning place to familiarize himself with the process and learn to add citric acid.

After dinner that night, Yao Weijun, Yu Xiunan and their sister-in-law began to try to mix various fruits into cans.

Red dates with apples, red dates with pears, orange segments with pineapples... Anyway, I made a few bottles of everything I could think of, and even made three or four bottles of assorted cans with various fruits mixed together.

Of course, not every taste will be suitable after making it. For example, the red dates with orange segments were originally thought to be delicious, but when they were actually made, I found that the hint of astringency in the oranges completely covered the fragrance of the red dates. It didn't look as good as expected.

Yu Xiunan's pretty face had a solemn and serious expression. In addition to following the operation, she also recorded it in a notebook. Compared with the previous operations of Yao Weijun and his sister-in-law, it was much more formal and rigorous.

"Okay, let's get here today. We have plenty of time!" Yao Weijun glanced at the watch on his wrist and announced the end of the experiment with a smile.

After returning to the house, Yu Xiunan still looked at the contents of the notebook in his hand and frowned in thought. After a long time, he said to Yao Weijun:
"Weijun, have you noticed that the texture and taste of our individual canned products are very good, but when the two are mixed together, the taste cannot be controlled."

When she said this, she put the bottle of assorted cans she brought from the south courtyard on the table and continued:
"So my suggestion is not to make it too fancy, or if you want to mix and match, just mix and match it to the end, and directly make assorted cans. After all, such a variety of fruit pulps mixed together will attract customers more because of its richness and variety, but the taste may not be as good. Such a big request, what do you think, Guardsman?"

Yao Weijun had a look of admiration and recognition on his face, and he deeply agreed with Yu Xiunan's opinion.

"It makes sense. Next, we can either make only two kinds of cans, one is red dates in sugar water, and the other is assorted cans. This will not only save trouble, but also facilitate sales!
Okay, Xiunan, you can think of so much on the first day you get into canning. You are indeed my wife. Come on, I’ll reward you! "

"Oh, don't make trouble, I haven't finished talking yet!"

Yu Xiunan couldn't break away, so she had to endure it and continue:

"There are also canned red dates in sugar water. I think it might be better if we boil brown sugar water. Then the whole bottle of canned food will look red, which is more likely to arouse customers' appetite. What do you think?"

"Huh?" Yao Weijun stopped his movements and couldn't help but feel something in his heart.

Yes, he had been busy before and really didn't put much thought into improving the quality of cans. Now after Yu Xiunan said this, he immediately thought it was a good idea.

Red dates nourish blood and nourish qi, and brown sugar has almost the same function. Using brown sugar water instead of white sugar water will indeed make it easier to win the favor of customers.

"Tomorrow night I will use brown sugar water to make a few cans and try them out!"

"Well, I'll do it with you then."

Yao Weijun pecked Yu Xiunan on the face, his joy was beyond words.

……

The next day came the day to collect money from various joint venture areas. After Yao Weijun had eaten in the morning and sent Yu Xiunan off to work, he went to help Lao Maitou load all the goods to be delivered today onto the bullock cart.

"Master Mai, I have something to ask you for help with."

He handed Lao Maitou a cigarette and said with a smile.

"Okay, boss, just say it, as long as I can do it, there will be no problem!"

Lao Maitou nodded in agreement without hesitation.

Since delivering goods to Yao Weijun, he has received income every month. Although it is only 20 yuan including bonuses, 20 yuan is a lot of money these days, which is enough for his living expenses and Smoking and drinking.

Besides, Yao Weijun is also in charge of the food here. He is an old man, and he delivers goods every day as a leisurely stroll, and he can still receive wages. This makes Old Maitou always feel grateful and feels that he owes his employer a huge debt.

"I want you to look after the goods in the cellar for me, almost until next spring."

Yao Weijun did not beat around the bush and continued straightly: "There were originally two adobe houses above the No. [-] cellar in the village, but I think they are not strong enough to withstand the wind in winter. Next, I will encircle a courtyard-like wall around the outside, and then add some walls to the rooms. With a heated kang on the plate, there will definitely be no problem in keeping warm.

Mr. Mai, you usually live alone at home. If you agree, I will ask people to move all your belongings there. It will be the same as at home. Then, every month, you will receive an extra 20 yuan in salary. Do you think so? "

When Lao Maitou heard this, he waved his hands repeatedly.

However, he quickly realized that this would cause Yao Weijun to misunderstand, so he hurriedly said:
"The salary doesn't need to be that high. I'm an old man who sleeps wherever I can. I can help my boss look after supplies. That's a big deal. I promise, it's no problem at all!"

"No, no, no, I have to pay for hiring others, but I want you to earn the money more, so you don't have to be polite to me. As long as you agree, then I won't hire anyone else."

Yao Weijun confirmed again with a frank look on his face.

"Haha, I definitely agree. You are basically taking care of my old man. If I don't accept this, I will really become an old fool!"

Lao Maitou happily agreed, feeling even more grateful to Yao Weijun.

"By the way, Mr. Mai, it's getting cold now. I asked Lao Dai and the others to find some good cotton for me. I plan to sew a few more quilts by the end of the year. You can bring it back for me when you see me and let me go." Just stay in the main room, Xiunan will put it away."

Yao Weijun reminded casually.

"Well, I remember."

Lao Maitou quickly agreed without paying attention.

After he drove the bullock cart away, the sound of a motorcycle starting was heard in the yard, and Yao Weijun also left.

Xiheba Joint Venture Area.

Lao Dai has long been accustomed to the current settlement method. He knew that Yao Weijun would be coming today, so he had money in his pocket and everyone strolled to the intersection to wait.

In his opinion, thanks to Yao Weijun's care, another profitable item has been added to his business recently, which is canned sugar water, allowing him to earn several more yuan every day.

"Brother Yao! Here!"

When he saw Yao Weijun approaching from afar, Lao Dai smiled and waved hello.

The motorcycle approached in a blink of an eye. Yao Weijun took off his sunglasses and took the cigarette from Lao Dai, but he didn't let it light and just held it on his finger.

"How's it going? Is the canned food easy to sell?"

"Hey, it's more popular than melon seeds and peanuts. There are many people in the joint venture area who are not short of money and love to eat this. They think I bring too little every time and can't buy it!"

Lao Dai explained with a proud smile.

"That's good." Yao Weijun nodded happily and continued: "I may have to go out in a few days, but I'm not sure of the date yet. During my absence, I don't want to delay you selling goods to make money, so the settlement method It has to change a little bit.”

"How to change?" Lao Dai's expression changed, and he couldn't help but joked: "How about we pay the debt first and settle the debt together when you come back, is that okay?"

Yao Weijun glanced at him and said calmly: "If you want to think that way, just stop for a while while I'm away. We can continue when I come back, okay?"

"..." Lao Dai laughed dryly, "Hey, I'm just joking, don't take it seriously, just tell me, as long as you ensure that I sell goods smoothly, I can make any changes, I'm here to talk!" "It's very simple. Just give Mr. Mai the payment and take it back."

Yao Weijun said with a smile.

"That's it? Are you safe giving him the money? It's a few hundred yuan, not a small amount of money!"

Lao Dai asked hesitantly in a daze.

"Who says it's not the case? I really don't want a third person to interfere with the payment, but I can't come. Do you have any ideas?"

Yao Weijun asked back calmly.

"Well..." Lao Dai hesitated, having no other ideas for the moment.

"Otherwise, let Mr. Mai take the payment back, but don't give it to him in person. My family will count the money when we get back."

When Yao Weijun said this, the confusion on Lao Dai's face became even more intense.

He murmured: "Don't let Brother Mai know about it, and let him take the money away, unless..."

"Old Dai, I have already told Mr. Mai that you will pick up a batch of better-quality cotton for me in a few days and let him take it back on a bullock cart. Do you...understand?"

Seeing what he had thought of, Yao Weijun reminded him in time.

"But...what if the payment for the goods is lost! Or maybe Brother Mai finds the money hidden in the cotton and runs away with it, who's responsible?"

This is what Lao Dai is worried about. If you don't make it clear when the time comes, it will be troublesome.

"First of all, Mr. Mai is not the kind of person you think. If I ask him to bring cotton back, he will not open it privately. Another one, this is the only way at the moment. If money is really lost, we will be held responsible. One person and half, this is the only way!”

Yao Weijun would rather temporarily suspend the business in the four joint venture areas than owe money. This is the bottom line in his heart.

"Then...hey, this is a big deal, but Brother Mai is quite honest. Why don't you give it a try?"

Lao Dai was still a little unsure and asked with a dry smile.

"Don't worry, I live in the same village as Mr. Mai, how can I still not understand him? You just deal with him like this, and it saves you a trip yourself. After all, you can't find anyone at my house. My wife is in the daytime If you have to go to work at work, this is the only way for you and me to worry the most."

Yao Weijun explained again.

He was telling the truth. In terms of payment, no one else except Xiunan could help him.

After confirming with Lao Dai, Yao Weijun went to the other three joint areas and spent a total of half a day to negotiate the settlement method when he went out.

At the same time, a sum of money was recovered, and the four joint venture areas could create a net profit of 3000 yuan for Yao Weijun every five days.

"Fortunately, Brother You picks up the goods himself, and he always arrives early in the morning. Xiu Nan hasn't gone to school yet at that time, so Xiu Nan can also let Xiu Nan collect the payment and put it away first."

On the way back, Yao Weijun had some idea in his mind about collecting the payment while he was away.

Fortunately, in his plan, it wouldn't take too long to go to the capital. At most, Xiunan would help collect the payment once, and he would be back soon.

That night.

After Yao Weijun had dinner with Xiunan and his sister-in-law, he went to the South Hospital again to experiment with making canned food with various flavors.

According to Yu Xiunan's idea, this time I boiled brown sugar water, added citric acid in different doses, bottled it and put it in a pot for fumigation.

At the same time, we gave up the experiment of mixed-flavor cans and directly cut all kinds of fruits into dices to make assorted cans. After fumigation, the red, yellow, green, and white diced fruit pulps were colorful and looked very good. Have appetite.

"Xiu Nan is so smart." The sister-in-law didn't like to talk, but after tasting the canned assorted food, she couldn't help but praise Yu Xiunan, with a smile of admiration on her face.

"Let me try it." Yao Weijun also picked up the spoon and took a bite. He chewed the diced fruit pulp. Although the taste did not change much, the texture was excellent.

"How about the brown sugar and jujube ones?" He looked at Yu Xiunan, who was currently tasting several cans with different citric acid dosages, frowning slightly to feel the aftertaste.

"This one has the best taste. The fragrance of dates is mixed with the sweetness of brown sugar, and the corresponding dose of citric acid is used to enhance the freshness. I think it is the most suitable!"

Yu Xiunan finally pointed to a marked can and commented with satisfaction.

"Sister-in-law, you should taste them both and see if they feel the same as Xiunan's."

Yao Weijun suppressed his joy and handed his sister-in-law a clean spoon.

The three of them tasted it each, and finally agreed that the bottle of canned brown sugar and jujubes that Yu Xiunan pointed to was the effect they wanted.

"Very good, let's make a decision for the time being. We will only make cans of these two flavors, brown sugar jujube cans and assorted cans. Well... this way I will be more confident when I go to the capital!"

Yao Weijun made a decisive decision, with a thick expectant smile on his face.

"Sir, are you going to the capital? It's so cold now, so you must bring more clothes."

The sister-in-law asked with concern.

"Well, Xiu Nan will help me pack my luggage. It's getting late. Sister-in-law, please go back to the house and sleep early."

"Don't be too busy. I'll just come over tomorrow morning to clean up the bottles, cages and other things here."

"It's okay, Xiunan and I will get it done in a moment. Sister-in-law, please leave it alone. Xiaohua is still alone in the house. Go back to the house quickly!"

The sister-in-law left, Yao Weijun and Yu Xiunan worked hard for a while, and then went back to the house to rest.

"Guardian, it's getting colder and colder now. In the past two days, find someone to set up the stove outside. It won't be long before you buy coal for heating."

After going to bed to rest, Yu Xiunan huddled in his arms and reminded him softly.

"Well, I will take care of these things before I go to the capital. By the way, Lao Dai and the others will put the payment in the cotton bag during my absence. You..."

Yao Weijun hugged her tiredly, whispered something, and then fell asleep.

Early the next morning, You Damin came to the yard as expected.

Recently, he made a lot of money from roasting and canning. When they met, he laughed heartily and handed Yao Weijun cigarettes.

Yao Weijun invited him into the main room and planned to talk to him about the payment.

(End of this chapter)