Chapter 492 - 31: Side Hustle
Feng Xing carried several bags of newly processed sweet potato flour and small bottles of pickled sweet potato leaves, and after much thought, he also bought some Wuliangye. Then he took Xiao Xian to visit the person he thought could help sell the agricultural and sideline products.
It had been a while since this man showed his face. Without him, there wouldn’t be Yanqing Farm today. As they say, everything happens for a reason. Who else could Feng Xing think of at this point but Mao Dazhu?
When Zhuo Feng heard Xiao Xian was going to visit Mao Dazhu, he initially didn’t want her to go, saying he was worried about children witnessing what could be perceived as "backdoor dealings."
But Xiao Xian retorted, "I am just going to see Master." Upon hearing this, Zhuo Feng remembered that Xiao Xian and himself were technically disciples of Bai Juyi. Thinking of the disciple relationship, Zhuo Feng suddenly remembered something else—they still owed Mao Dazhu hundreds of thousands of money. With Feng Xing making this visit, it seemed like walking into a lion’s den.
Feng Xing didn’t see it that way. He once had a drinking session with Mao Dazhu where both of them got drunk. For two men to drink to their limits is not common and shows how strong their friendship is. Zhuo Feng didn’t understand the bonds between men; she knew even close brothers settle accounts clearly, so to avoid an awkward situation, she decided not to follow.
Summer is a busy season for certain industries, such as the frozen food business, and also for air conditioning and fan sales.
Surprisingly, Mao Dazhu’s Wujunzi Company was also very busy. When Xiao Xian and Feng Xing arrived, sweating profusely at the somewhat dilapidated company door, they saw several mats inside and some clerks emerging from inside.
Xiao Xian peeped through the door cracks, watching Mao Dazhu clicking away on an abacus, shouting to turn up the office fan.
It was only after Mao Dazhu finally took a break from his work that Xiao Xian and Feng Xing stepped inside.
"You’ve been peeking outside for a while now; do you already have the money to pay back?" Mao Dazhu’s forehead was also shiny, difficult to tell if it was oily or sweaty. He hurriedly made tea for Xiao Xian and Feng Xing using a handful of tea leaves.
Mao Dazhu’s company looked pretty much the same as it did last winter, but the summertime view with all the mats felt considerably cooler compared to the chilling cold of the winter.
Xiao Xian pretended to sip some tea and listened to the small talk between Feng Xing and Mao Dazhu.
The business at Five Gentlemen Flower Art was better than she had expected. Perhaps Mao Dazhu really had some tricks up his sleeve, which is why Mei Nian had asked her to meet him. She thought about asking for a job, knowing she couldn’t continue with Spiritual Rhinoceros Scissors for pruning, but she could still plant and tend to the soil.
Xiao Xian cleared her throat, about to speak, when she heard Feng Xing already explaining their purpose for visiting.
"Is this sweet potato flour processed from the sweet potatoes grown in your fields?" Mao Dazhu was somewhat incredulous upon hearing they had successfully cultivated their farm and harvested thousands of pounds of sweet potatoes in just six months.
Feng Xing hastily pulled out the bags of sweet potato flour they brought. Mao Dazhu pinched a piece, squashed it in his hand, and then sniffed it, "Good flour. You guys are quite honest, not mixing it with half of the usual adulterants found in market-sold sweet potato flour; there’s only about twenty percent wheat flour blended in, anyone knowledgeable could tell at a glance."
After praising them, Mao Dazhu examined the flour again. Unlike regular flour that dissipates once kneaded, the sweet potato flour brought by Feng Xing held a thick texture, which piqued Mao Dazhu’s interest in their farm-produced sweet potatoes even more.
"We also brought some sweet potatoes for you and your wife to try," Feng Xing, always meticulous, pulled out a bag of sweet potatoes.
Mao Dazhu, not one to stand on ceremony, picked up a sweet potato, gave it a quick rinse, and bit into it with a crunch. After chewing a few bites, he also called over the driver from last time to try some. Both were very satisfied after tasting.
"You didn’t just come here to bring sweet potatoes and sweet potato flour," Mao Dazhu guessed, glancing at the two bottles of Wuliangye, but he didn’t voice it out and waited for Feng Xing to speak first.
Feng Xing shared his thoughts with Mao Dazhu again, "I remember you mentioned last time that you have connections with some local supermarkets. Could you help us communicate with them to get these sweet potatoes or sweet potato flour sold in their stores?"