"Remember to call for help next time."
Seeing the people from the Wang family leaving the entrance of the Gu family's courtyard, the Village Chief and others were also about to leave. Before leaving, the Village Chief didn't forget to say a word to Luo Ge and the others.
"Ah, we understand. Village Chief, please wait a moment. I still have something to tell everyone." Luo Ge quickly responded and immediately stopped them from leaving.
"What is it?"
Hearing Luo Ge's words, everyone paused, somewhat puzzled.
"It's like this, everyone has also seen those things in the courtyard. The Fuxin Shop asked me to help make dried fruit with them."
"They're all wild crab apples. If anyone has spare time, you can also go to the mountain and collect some. We'll buy them from everyone at 4 wen per pound."
Looking at everyone, Luo Ge smiled and said. This batch of two thousand pounds of crab apples sent by Li Shopkeeper should be able to make around two hundred pounds of dried fruit.
She knew that this amount might not be enough for the Fuxin Shops spread across the nation.
Li Shopkeeper was buying fruit, and they were also buying fruit. The cost of buying fruit was bearable for them.
The Gu Clan had helped her family several times, and she had noticed it all.
Now these crab apples should still be in season for some time, so it would be better if everyone could earn some money.
The town was not small, and there were many mountains where crab apples could be picked, not just this one place behind the mountain. She remembered that there were also crab apple trees on the mountains along the road back from town.
"!!!" Hearing this, everyone present was delighted.
"Second Sister-in-law, are you telling the truth? You're really buying them?"
There were plenty of crab apples in the mountains that no one wanted. In the past, even if they took them to town, they couldn't sell them.
They could easily pick fifty or sixty pounds from the mountains. If they could really sell them to the Gu family for four wen per pound, then they would definitely make a couple hundred wen.
"Yes, of course it's true. But let me make it clear, we only accept good, quality fruit. We don't accept bad or rotten ones." Luo Ge said frankly and directly.
"That's for sure. We're not the kind of people who do disgusting things."
Upon hearing this, everyone was delighted and looked like they couldn't wait to go and pick the fruit immediately. Hearing Luo Ge's words, they smiled and responded, for they were all honest people.
Even the Village Chief and others had expressions of pleasant surprise.
"Then, why didn't you say so earlier?" someone suddenly asked after coming to their senses.
Luo Ge smiled embarrassedly, "To be honest, the things they said while blocking the entrance to my house earlier were really unpleasant to hear, so I lost the thought of mentioning it at that time."
"Besides, good things should always be prioritized for one's own family first, right?"
"But we're all from the same village, so it's not right to not tell others either. I was planning to let them know in a couple of days."
The Village Chief and others arrived relatively late and didn't hear the earlier conversation. However, two aunties who came earlier heard it and explained it to the others.
After hearing those two aunties' words, everyone immediately understood Luo Ge.
And Luo Ge's remark about 'prioritizing one's own family' made them feel so heartwarmed, further convincing them that this second sister-in-law was a good person.
"Good, we'll keep it to ourselves. We won't reveal a single hint of this in the next couple of days. If anyone blabs, they won't be included in any good deals next time."
Hearing Luo Ge's words, everyone understood her meaning. Moreover, by waiting two days before telling the Wang family, the advantage would be theirs. Naturally, they wouldn't do anything foolish.
"Alright, we understand."
"We definitely won't blab."
Hearing the Village Chief's words with a warning, everyone responded in agreement.
With work in the fields and the thought of picking crab apples in their minds, after Luo Ge had settled the matter with them, they didn't linger anymore.
However, a few uncles and aunties came over somewhat shyly.
"Gu family, can you sell that fish and meat by the pound?"
In those days, every family had little meat they could afford. That big, fat fish was indeed quite tempting, but buying a whole one was a bit expensive for them.
So they thought about buying a smaller amount, like one or two pounds, which would be enough for two meals.
But thinking of Auntie Zhang's incident earlier, they felt a little embarrassed.
They initially thought Luo Ge wouldn't agree, but unexpectedly, the very next moment, they saw Luo Ge glance at Gu Jinchen and then nod readily.
"Of course, we'll go in and butcher it right away. Uncles and aunties, just tell us how much you want. There's not a lot of fish though."
"Oh, oh, oh, good. I just came from the fields and don't have any money with me. Let me go get some first."
Snapping out of it, that auntie quickly responded.
"Sure." Seeing that auntie's attitude, Luo Ge smiled in response.
"These two children are good ones." Watching the scene in the courtyard, Luo Auntie commented with a smile.
The Village Chief nodded and looked in the direction of the mountain behind them.
These two children were resourceful and promising. His old friend down there could rest assured.
Seeing this, Luo Auntie turned to the Village Chief, "You go back to the fields first. I'll go get some money."
"Alright, I'll call that kid and let him know. We'll stew some fish to eat today."
Seeing them all running back home to get baskets and heading to the mountain, they had to hurry up as well.
"Good."
After setting aside the fish and shrimp for their own consumption and what they planned to give away, Gu Jinchen swiftly processed the fish.
He cut off the fish heads and tails and set them aside. For those who wanted them, they could sell the heads and tails with some meat for three wen. Fish heads were good for making soup broth too.
As for the meat, it was the same as mentioned before, six wen per pound. The cleaned portions weighed around one pound each and were quite a sizable piece of fish. Everyone felt it was worth the price.
Plus, Gu Jinchen always cut a little extra, making people feel like they got a good deal and further endearing them to the young couple of the Gu family.
By extension, when they saw the two little ones, they no longer had the same aversion as before. Seeing the children always helping out, they even praised them a couple of times.
The two little ones' faces turned red from the compliments.
