Rebirth in the 50s: The Couple with the Hidden Space-Chapter 367 - 279: Private Deal (Part 2)

The other person smiled at Zhang Guoqing and just said to call him when they were ready to leave. These drivers often took a box or two back, and as for how to fill out the paperwork, they naturally had their ways. However, if it weren’t for Old Chen stepping in, he wouldn’t be interested in helping. Fewer boxes meant less extra money for him.

Old Chen saw that everything was arranged. He learned that Zhang Guoqing’s car was in the parking lot ahead and followed Zhang Guoqing to the car, telling him to drive over to the cold storage entrance.

Once inside the cold storage, Old Chen visibly relaxed. He pointed at the broken boxes and said, "Do you still need these? Take everything away later. Your father-in-law told you, right?"

Zhang Guoqing nodded with a smile and directly took out five yuan and stuffed it into the other person’s pocket.

Old Chen saw him stuffing money without a word and was pleased to deal with smart, straightforward people.

Old Chen took three burlap sacks from the corner and placed them on the ground, laughing: "Load these things first. I’ll go find more. As we’re approaching the end of the year, preparations are being made, and the cold storage needs to be cleared. I remember there are more. Think carefully about which seafood you want in whole boxes, and I’ll help you pick some good ones later."

Zhang Guoqing quickly said, "Uncle, you see how many boxes won’t trouble you? Handle the whole boxes however you think best. I’ll follow your arrangement. Do whatever is convenient for you."

Old Chen was even more delighted, smiled, and said, "Alright. You tidy things up first." With that, he headed inside. The people Liu Sanyuan brought were all decent. As soon as they saw him, they stuffed a pack of cigarettes into his hand; without even checking what was inside, they handed over the money. He had to go find some good stuff.

Zhang Guoqing was busy packing the bags, growing more astounded by the minute and wondering if he should give more money. Watching the old man continuously throw fish his way, he decided not to give more money but instead let Zhou Jiao bring some wild game to give later. It was inappropriate to give too much but felt bad to give too little.

When the burlap sacks were ready, Old Chen pointed out four boxes, "Two boxes of shrimp, one of yellow croaker, and one of ribbon fish. Eat them first. Too many and people won’t be happy."

"I’ll listen to you, old man."

Old Chen expertly opened the warehouse door, brought in a trolley, and had him first load all three burlap sacks onto the car, then the four boxes.

After loading, Old Chen took Zhang Guoqing to the exit, and they loaded the three burlap sacks onto the car. The remaining four boxes were on the trolley. Old Chen called over the man from earlier, and after the other inspected the four boxes, Zhang Guoqing paid him.

After waiting a while, the other person went to the finance office to complete the payment and then drove Zhang Guoqing away together.

Once outside the gate, Zhang Guoqing watched the other man wave his hand with a hearty laugh as he drove off. Looking towards the gate not far away, he couldn’t believe how easily things were solved.

Zhang Guoqing slowly drove towards Old Wang’s house and saw Zhou Jiao waving at the roadside before even reaching it. His wife knew how to cooperate with him, but she would be even cleverer if she avoided standing in the cold wind.

Once the car stopped beside her, Zhou Jiao got in, and Zhang Guoqing pointed at the three burlap sacks and a box of shrimp for her to store away. The three sacks were part of a private transaction, and he didn’t plan to tell Zhao Dashan. This involved the old man’s job, and there was Zhao Yuanyuan in the Zhao Family, who was too loose-lipped. If the news spread, it wouldn’t be good for anyone.

As for the shrimp, it was a personal indulgence because Jiao Jiao liked them, and keeping a box was also selfish. The things openly taken back would be divided by his father, mother, and elder sister, then further split among a few sisters and brothers until there was nothing left.

Zhang Guoqing had Zhou Jiao take out a dried rabbit and two cured meats from storage, turned the car around, and headed to the fishing site. The guard was taken aback. Zhang Guoqing told him he forgot to hand over some things from the elders to his uncle.

After getting a note again, Zhang Guoqing went straight to Old Chen, handed him the items, and left.

Old Chen never expected Zhang Guoqing to return just to deliver meat. Seeing him about to leave, Old Chen quickly ran over and grabbed him.

"Why are you giving such a heavy gift? Take it back quickly."

Zhang Guoqing said, "Heavy? It’s just your nephew’s filial piety for you."

A nearby colleague saw this and interjected, "Old Chen, your nephew came to give it to you, so accept it. If you feel uneasy, ask the supervisor for employee supplies and buy some fish for your nephew to take back."

Old Chen laughed heartily, repeatedly promising to consider. He dragged Zhang Guoqing to the supervisor’s office and secretly reminded him to ask for more of anything he liked.

When Zhang Guoqing declined Old Chen’s offer and carried two burlap sacks away, more than half an hour had already passed. Once in the car, Zhang Guoqing didn’t have time to answer Zhou Jiao’s questions and quickly drove off.

After leaving the gate, Zhang Guoqing headed towards the Wang family and finally laughed, "Earlier, I rushed away because I was afraid Old Chen would chase after us. When he saw us bringing gifts, he dragged me to buy employee supplies. I paid, but he wouldn’t allow it. The first time I came, I gave him five yuan, and just now he spent it all."

When leaving, while he wasn’t paying attention, I slipped another five yuan into his coat pocket. If we hadn’t left sooner, there would have been more pulling and shoving. Put these two sacks into storage. In front of Uncle Dashan and others, don’t mention Old Chen."

Zhou Jiao looked back and, seeing they had already left the fishing ground, breathed a sigh of relief. She was most afraid of the pulling and shoving, along with exchanging pleasantries. She reached out to touch the two burlap sacks, stored them, and then remembered that Zhao Dashan’s family must have been waiting anxiously.

"Just now, I settled the bill with Uncle Dashan separately. I didn’t check carefully; the smell was too strong! Anyway, Uncle Dashan took his pick, and I followed your instructions to take all the leftover seafood."

Hearing her mention the strong smell, Zhang Guoqing chuckled, "The warehouse was even worse. Taking everything didn’t cost much; we can eat it slowly. If there’s anything you don’t like, give it to someone you find agreeable. Otherwise, keep it for now, and it might come in handy later."

"That’s all we can do. What I need now are green vegetables and fresh fruits. Mother said we have to wait until the autumn harvest to see the mountains full of wild fruits, which left me dumbfounded."

Zhang Guoqing laughed heartily, "Finish the fruits in your stock first. No need to wait until next autumn. By spring, I can help restock you. As for some special tropical fruits, I’ll figure something out."

"Better not bother, it’s too troublesome. It’s inappropriate to involve others for some fruits, especially with the long distances. Unless I make the trip myself, otherwise it’d cost a fortune."

Zhang Guoqing smiled but didn’t press further. There’s always a way; he was confident of achieving it. His wife struggled with the summer heat every year, so he needed to prepare in advance.

When they reached the Wang house, as Zhou Jiao expected, Zhao Dashan’s family had gone to the beach.

Old Wang pointed outside with a laugh, "Old Zhao told me to let you two know to go to the beach as soon as I saw you. When it gets cold after three, you should hurry over." With that, Old Wang took out a bamboo basket, wooden bucket, small basket, and folding iron shovel, handing them to Zhang Guoqing.

Zhang Guoqing nodded, bid him farewell, and ran outside with Zhou Jiao.