Siheyuan: I can always stay out of it

"Mom, I don't want to die without anyone by my side."

Jia Dongxu stopped hesitating and simply told what he feared most.

Jia Zhang was a little hesitant, and finally just said that she would go back and discuss it with Qin Huairu.

Many doctors, nurses and patients nearby were attracted by the crying of the mother and child and sighed.

What Jia Dongxu is worried about is really common in this era.

Many elderly people hold on to their last breath before they die, waiting for their younger generations to arrive. Once everyone is together, they will die with a smile on their face.

In Jia Dongxu's case, no one knows when he might suddenly pass away. If there is no one around him, it can be said that there is no one to see him off to his final resting place. This is definitely the biggest regret in many people's hearts, and they will die with regrets.

There are only two adults in the Jia family besides Jia Dongxu now. Qin Huairu has to go to work and Jia Zhang has to look after the house. There is no one to keep an eye on Jia Dongxu all the time. It is normal for him to worry.

night.

The alarm clock woke Chen Xu up, and the little girl in his arms also opened her eyes, looking eager to try.

After all, Chen Xu said there was an important event in the evening, and Lin Chan had been looking forward to it for a long time.

However, the man obviously had no intention of getting up. Instead, he felt that some restless big hand was beginning to take action.

Lin Chan reached out and pressed it.

"Didn't you say we were going to the black market?"

"Well, there's no need to rush..."

"No, let's talk about it when we get back. I'm afraid I won't have the energy to go later."

The little girl started to act coquettishly and cutely, and Chen Xu simply gave in and refused to get up.

Lin Chan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Is it necessary to be so childish?

It was half an hour after we set out.

Lin Chan came back from rinsing her mouth and pinched Chen Xu's waist in dissatisfaction.

"Are you satisfied now?"

"Satisfied, let's go."

He opened the door gently, and cold wind rushed in. Chen Xu closed the door reflexively.

"Or, let's go next time."

"No, I can't sleep now."

The feeling of sneaking out at night gives people an extra sense of excitement, and Lin Chan wants to go.

"Ok."

Chen Xu tidied up the girl's clothes, leaving only her eyes exposed.

Buyers naturally have to check the black market, after all, it is the main purchasing channel for buyers at this time.

Fortunately, it didn't snow during this period, and although the snow did not melt, it was cleared to create a road.

The sky was a little dark and the moon was hazy.

The two of them walked through the alleys of the old city. Chen Xu led the way with ease and familiarity, while Lin Chan, who followed behind him, was even more silent.

The black market has been doing good business recently and there are many people. Although it has not been long since the Chinese New Year, the harvest in the second half of last year was quite good, and food is no longer rare. Although the prices are still expensive, they are not as outrageous as last year.

This time, Chen Xu mainly brought Lin Chan here to broaden his horizons, but he didn't expect to buy much.

The two paid money to enter the black market and visited each stall one by one.

Chen Xu whispered to Lin Chan about the materials and prices that the steel rolling mill buyers needed to purchase.

Lin Chan felt her ears itchy from the hot breath of the man who was talking in her ear, but she didn't pay any attention to it and tried hard to remember every word Chen Xu said.

Chen Xu has no need for food at all now, but he would like to see if there is any meat or something like that, except fish.

There aren't actually many kinds of game here in Sijiu City. There are only a few types, so he didn't hold out much hope.

But something on a stall caught his attention.

This is... water chestnut?

Lin Chan looked curiously at the thing that Chen Xu was paying attention to. It was a strange shape and covered with mud. It was the first time she had seen such a thing.

It was also the first time that Chen Xu saw water chestnuts in the old city. This thing is more common in the south and rare in the north.

The most important thing is that this thing is not easy to store. If you pile them together, if one breaks, the whole bunch will break, which is very troublesome.

With the current transportation conditions, it is really hard to come across.

Moreover, water chestnuts during this period were more often used as medicinal materials.

Its seedlings, roots and fruits can all be used as medicine.

It can reduce internal heat, nourish the lungs and cool the liver, help digestion and resolve phlegm, and clear away heat and promote urination.

There were not many on the stall, so Chen Xu simply bought them all. About five pounds of water chestnuts cost him four yuan, which was not cheap.

The price of sweet potatoes has now plummeted, from three yuan, which was expensive even for a big buyer like Chen Xu, to less than one yuan.

Water chestnuts can actually be used as a staple food, but they are not as filling as sweet potatoes, so it's no wonder that no one buys them. Also, many people probably don't even know what they are.

"Comrade, where did you get this water chestnut?"

Chen Xu asked casually. He remembered that there should be very few of these things in Sijiu City.

The other party looked confused.

"What water chestnut? This is called water chestnut..."

Chen Xu was helpless, okay, Ma Ti is Ma Ti, it's just a name.

"I planted some in the early years, but due to the lack of water in recent years, they all dried up and there are not many left."

Chen Xu nodded. There were fewer water chestnuts in the north, but they were not completely absent. It was not surprising that some people tried to grow some.

Lin Chan looked at Chen Xu curiously as he bought this thing he had never seen before.

"what is this?"

"Water chestnuts, also known as water caltrops, taste very good, are refreshing and cool, and are rich in water. They taste very good and can be eaten as fruit, which can also fill your stomach."

Chen Xu doesn't just want to eat, he wants to grow some. Now that he has enough food, he has to pay attention to other things. After being full, he naturally wants to eat well, and some fruits are a must.

The sound of footsteps stopping behind him made Chen Xu turn around.

"Brother Chen, you come to the black market instead of looking for me?"

Old Zhou had a resentful look on his face, as if Chen Xu was an unforgivable criminal.

Chen Xu was speechless.

"I'm here to bring my wife to see you, Xiao Chan. This is Lao Zhou. You can just call me Brother Zhou."

"Brother Zhou."

Lin Chan obediently called for help.

She felt that the people her man knew were very complicated. He had acquaintances from the police station to the black market. Does this mean he was connected to both the black and white worlds?

"Uh, sister-in-law, it's my fault for not recognizing you. Come, take this piece of meat back as a gift to you..."

Lao Zhou casually picked up a piece of pork ribs from the black market member next to him. The kind that hadn't had the meat removed yet, and estimated it to be about four or five pounds.

Lin Chan was confused and didn't know whether to take it or not. Besides, what the hell was the point of giving meat as a gift as soon as they met?

Seeing Chen Xu nod, Lin Chan thanked him and accepted it.

Men don't have so many requirements, and no one would mind giving meat as a gift these days.

What a joke. You dislike meat. You're crazy.

Although spare ribs are considered third-rate meat in this era, they are definitely first-rate meat in Chen Xu's eyes, except for the ones that are so chopped that even a dog would cry...

"Let's go to my brother's place and have a cup of tea. It's very cold in this damn weather."

Lao Zhou was very enthusiastic and Chen Xu did not refuse. They had almost finished touring the black market and had made some small gains, which was already pretty good.

As for drinking tea, Chen Xu said, "You drink it yourself. I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep when I go back. Just a cup of hot water will be enough."

Chen Xu did not ask how much Lao Zhou had traded with the factory, but Lao Zhou took the initiative to talk about it.

"Brother Chen, this time it's all thanks to you, otherwise, we don't know when we will be able to sell it."

Chen Xu didn't care. It's not that there are no channels to ship goods in the black market, it's just troublesome. Unlike the steel mill, there is a person like Li Huaide who doesn't care about the origin of the materials at all.

For Lao Zhou, the biggest advantage is probably its convenience. If time is delayed for too long, who knows when it will be investigated. It is naturally safer to sell it early. Even though selling the steel mill may be cheaper than selling it on the black market, it is still cost-effective.

Chen Xu could even imagine that Li Huaide could make a fortune in this. When he went to meet Li Huaide during the day today, the so-called wedding gift he gave to Chen Xu was probably his share.

Old Li is still very particular. Even when he eats meat, he will not forget to give soup to his subordinates. I believe Director Chen also has a share. These are actually just basic operations, but Old Li can make everyone happy, which is a skill.

Li Huaide knew very well that eating alone would always make people hate you.

In addition to the small yellow croakers given by Lao Zhou and the banknotes given by Li Huaide, Chen Xu also gained long-term invisible benefits, which was not a loss no matter how you looked at it.