“It’s all right now, the matter has passed, and the food factory probably won’t send anyone to ask for the secret recipe again. However, we might see some actions from Food Store’s side, so let’s keep an eye on them.”
Upon hearing that the secret recipe was safe, Qin Han was completely relieved and nodded seriously at the words of Lin Chuxia, “Don’t worry, sister-in-law, I have been keeping an eye on them.”
Ever since that visit from Director Gao last time, he has never let his guard down regarding that matter.
Smelling the alcohol on Lin Chuxia, the couple didn’t bother her further and let her go back to rest well.
In the following days, there were no significant moves from the food factory side. However, Qin Han lacked his usual vigor and even seemed listless.
Lin Chuxia thought he might be sick due to the cold weather these days; if that was indeed the case, she would give him a few days off to rest properly.
After all, in the catering business, health and safety come first. It’s better for the staff to get timely medical treatment and rest to prevent infecting others.
She didn’t ask Qin Han directly but spoke to Zhang Guilan about it.
However, after hearing her out, Zhang Guilan straightforwardly said, “He’s not sick, sister-in-law, you don’t need to bother about him.”
Not sick yet listless? If there isn’t a physical illness, it must be a psychological issue then.
Lin Chuxia was still thinking about whether to ask more caringly, only to hear Zhang Guilan say, “He’s too petty, nothing I say helps. He’ll be fine once he sorts himself out. Sister-in-law, don’t stoop to his level, I’m keeping an eye on him, he won’t mess up the work.”
Lin Chuxia already guessed something, “Big brother isn’t still hung up on that dinner party, is he?”
She could see that Qin Han genuinely wanted to help her and lacked confidence in himself, which is why he had Su Wensong accompany her.
“It’s all his petty mind, always competing with Xiao Su, always thinking he should be the first to rush to help in any matter. But honestly, Xiao Su is well-educated and experienced. Your big brother, over all these past twenty years, except for growing vegetables, really needs to learn more about other things…”
Lin Chuxia smiled, understanding Qin Han’s feelings.
“Is everything alright in the store now? If it’s okay, I would like big brother to accompany me to the market. I want to buy a three-wheeled motorbike for the store. I know big brother is quite knowledgeable about vehicles, and I want him to help check it out.”
Just yesterday, she did payroll and checked the accounts.
Her two stores together make over three hundred yuan a day, adding up to over five thousand yuan a month in profit.
Of course, this is after competing with the cooked food from the food factory. She predicts it won’t be long before the food factory takes action that might impact their store to some degree.
However, any scenario is within her anticipated range, and this income allows her to add more equipment for the store; the three-wheeled motorbike is one such addition.
With the three-wheeled motorbike, increasing delivery volume, like to the chicken farm where Hou Xiaobao currently has to make two trips daily, could be done in one trip, also reducing travel time.
Hearing this, Zhang Guilan’s eyes lit up, “You know, aside from anything else, your big brother does have a passion for vehicles. He could drive the tractor in the team since he was a teenager, and he drove more steadily than most. Whenever he went to the agricultural machinery station and saw the vehicles there, he always chatted with the owners, and if he couldn’t drive them, he’d at least touch them to get his fix.”
“I know about that, I heard that sister-in-law fell for big brother initially because he looked handsome and cool driving the tractor.”
Zhang Guilan blushed at her sister-in-law’s teasing, “Hey, why bring that up,” then turned her head to call Qin Han.
Qin Han was immediately energized when he heard that the store wanted to buy a motor tricycle and asked him to go with them to look at it.
The two of them did not delay and set off after packing up.
At the beginning of this year, the state issued the “Certain Regulations Concerning the Purchase of Motorized Vessels and Tractors by Individual Farmers or Joint Households for Transport Business”, a small document that clarified the legality of private motor purchases.
However, currently, people’s living standards are limited, and many are still struggling just to feed themselves; even buying a bicycle requires tightening one’s belt, not to mention a motor vehicle.
In the entire Ancheng County Agricultural Machinery Company, only a few tractors were allocated, so they would need to go to the city to buy the motor tricycle.
Upon arriving at the city’s Agricultural Machinery Company and seeing the Changjiang 750 motor tricycle displayed, Qin Han’s eyes lit up.
Before the staff could introduce it, he was explaining it all to Lin Chuxia, knowledgeably walking around the motor tricycle, making even the staff nearby couldn’t help but ask if he was an employee of the local agricultural machinery company.
Finally, the two selected a more perfectly performing vehicle.
For 1000 yuan, a Changjiang 750 regular tricycle, pay on the spot, get the invoice on the spot, and pick up the vehicle on the spot.
In this era with few vehicles on the road, as long as one can operate it, one could drive on the road almost without anyone checking for a driving license.
On the way here, Lin Chuxia was wondering how she would explain to Qin Han that she knew how to ride a motor tricycle.
Moreover, in her past life, she had only ridden motorcycles and driven cars; she wasn’t even sure if she could drive a tricycle.
Qin Han, holding the keys, called Lin Chuxia to get on and sit down. He then started the motor tricycle and smoothly took to the road.
Seeing his excitement, Lin Chuxia didn’t have the heart to tell him that this motor tricycle was primarily for Hou Xiaobao to transport goods.
After buying the vehicle, it was already noon, and the two didn’t rush back, choosing to eat lunch at a nearby state-owned restaurant.
While waiting for their food after ordering, Qin Han stepped out again and came back with a stack of newspapers, somewhat embarrassed as he explained to Lin Chuxia.
“Back then, my family was poor, and I wasn’t meant for studying; I couldn’t continue after the fifth grade, unlike my younger brother, who’s been meant for studying since childhood. No matter what, he could remember anything after reading it once. After first grade, he went straight to fourth grade because he had read my books.”
Lin Chuxia was interested; this was the first time she heard about Qin Yang’s childhood.
“And then?”
“And then?” Qin Han scratched his head, “Then he consistently topped his class every year and won awards, went to junior high school in the town, then to high school in the county. When it was time for college, he was one of the few in the whole county who got accepted. That’s why they say one should study more,” he sighed, “It’s no use regretting now. My sister-in-law says reading more books and newspapers broadens one’s horizons. So here I am, buying more newspapers to read slowly.”
Lin Chuxia knew Qin Han was still feeling guilty about the incident a few days ago and encouraged him, “Sister-in-law is right, older brother, you are smart. Just now, when we were buying the tricycle, you really surprised me. I didn’t expect you knew so much. It was right to bring you along.”
Flattered by his younger sister-in-law’s praise, Qin Han was even more embarrassed and took a newspaper to pretend reading shyly.
Lin Chuxia found his manner funny, sometimes Qin Han and Qin Yang, these two brothers, really looked alike.
Suddenly, Qin Han holding a newspaper showed it to Lin Chuxia, “Younger sister-in-law, look, isn’t this my younger brother’s unit mentioned here? I remember this is their unit’s name, and the location is the same too.”