On the ridge, Chen Ming was strolling side by side with Shen Xue. He looked up at the sky and turned to Shen Xue,""Xiao Xue, it's almost three o'clock. Let's go back. We should be able to return to the army before dark!”
Shen Xue nodded and smiled." Brother Ming, I'm very happy to be out with you today!”
Chen Ming did not expect Shen Xue, who was always shy, to take the initiative to express her feelings. He smiled and said,""Then I'll bring you out again next time!”
"Mm, alright!"
Then, the two of them walked side by side to the jeep parked on the ridge.
Just as he was about to get on the car, a shout suddenly came from behind.
"Officer, please wait!”
Chen Ming and Shen Xue turned around at the same time and saw the child king running over with a young girl.
The young girl ran to Chen Ming and placed her hands on her knees as she panted heavily.
Chen Ming carefully examined the girl.
The girl was skinny and tall, about 1.7 meters tall.
In this era, a woman who was 1.6 meters tall was considered tall, and 1.7 meters was even more impressive.
However, the girl was too skinny, probably less than 80 pounds.
Due to malnutrition, the ends of the girl's hair were pale yellow, as if she had dyed her hair.
Her face was naturally oval, and under her thin eyebrows was a pair of very beautiful phoenix eyes. Even though her face was sallow, she still looked very beautiful.
Chen Ming looked at the girl and asked,""Is there something you need from me?"
After the girl steadied her breathing, she said apologetically,""Officer, I'm sorry to stop you. My name is Chu Xiaoxiao. I heard that you collect insects, so I came to ask if you still collect insects in the future. I can supply you with a long-term supply of one or five cents per cat. You can set the price!”
After saying that, she glanced at the epaulet on Chen Ming's shoulder.
In the past, she had heard from the old people in the village who had fought in the war that the position of a soldier was determined by the stars on their shoulders.
Those without stars on their shoulders were private soldiers.
The more stars there were, the higher the rank.
There were two bars and three stars on Chen Ming's shoulders. Chu Xiaoxiao thought to herself that he must have a powerful background.
At this moment, Chen Ming looked at Chu Xiaoxiao in surprise. He really did not expect that the other party was actually here to discuss business with him.
Compared to the quiet and shy Shen Xue, Chu Xiaoxiao had the boldness and cleverness of a country girl. She actually dared to come and discuss business with an officer like him.
What Chen Ming did not know was that Chu Xiaoxiao had been forced to mature early after her father's death.
It was undoubtedly very difficult for a family without a man as the pillar of support.
Chu Xiaoxiao could only think of ways to make her family's life better.
However, there were only two ways to make money. One was to work in the county town and get paid, and the other was to do business.
In this day and age, it was basically impossible for girls to find a job in the city. Occasionally, there were jobs that required girls, and they also needed a degree.
However, she was forced to drop out of school in the fifth grade. Although she could read, no one wanted her.
The only way left was to do business. As the market gradually opened up in recent years, there were more and more small vendors in the county. Some people started their business early and made a lot of money.
Chu Xiaoxiao also wanted to start a business to earn money to subsidize her family. However, it was already 1988. The small vendor's business had begun to show signs of internal involvement. It was difficult to make money as easily as it had been a few years ago.
Of course, some businesses were easy to make money from, such as raising pigs, chickens, and ducks.
However, the breeding industry required investment. Whether it was buying pigs or chickens, they all needed money.
With Chu Xiaoxiao's family situation, she naturally couldn't afford it.
Some time ago, Chu Xiaoxiao had heard that there were many factories in Shen Cheng, Guangdong Province, hiring, and even girls were accepted. She was a little tempted at first, but she could not even afford the travel expenses, so she could only give up.
She had been worrying about how to make money every day. Today, she suddenly heard her brother say that he had made eight yuan by helping people catch insects. This was undoubtedly like a thunderbolt, allowing Chu Xiaoxiao to see a glimmer of light in the darkness.
Worms were everywhere in the countryside. Even if the purchase price of a worm was only five cents, as long as they caught a lot, they could still make money. Moreover, there was no cost at all.
Therefore, in order to make money, she mustered up the courage to voice her thoughts even in front of a high-ranking officer like Chen Ming.
Chen Ming and Chu Xiaoxiao looked at each other. Seeing the determination and anticipation in Chu Xiaoxiao's eyes, Chen Ming said helplessly,""I came to the countryside to collect insects today. I only have a temporary need. I don't need a long-term supply of insects!”
Hearing Chen Ming's words, Chu Xiaoxiao's face instantly turned pale. Then, she forced a smile and said,""I was confused. How can someone need a bug for a long time? Officer, I'm sorry for delaying your time!”
After saying that, she turned around and said to her brother," Xiaolong, let's go back!”
"Wait!"
Chen Ming suddenly called out to Chu Xiaoxiao.
Chu Xiaoxiao turned around." Officer, is there anything else?”
"Although I don't need a long-term supply of insects, it doesn't mean that others don't need it!”"Since you're short of money, why don't you try selling the insects you caught in the county town?" said Chen Ming.”
"Why would anyone buy bugs?" Chu Xiaoxiao was confused.
"I'm not asking you to sell them live. Instead, I'm asking you to simply process them. You can skewer them with bamboo sticks, smear them with chili and garlic, roast them over the fire, and sell them to others as snacks!”Chen Ming explained.
Chu Xiaoxiao blinked her eyes." Officer, do people really eat bugs?”
"Yes, a lot of people love it!" Chen Ming smiled." If you believe me, you can give it a try!”
After saying that, Chen Ming got into the jeep and drove away with Shen Xue.
Chu Xiaoxiao stared at the jeep that had gone far away and stood rooted to the ground.
Although she did not believe that anyone would eat disgusting worms, Chen Ming was a high-ranking officer. Would he lie to her?
Chu Xiaoxiao turned to her brother and said,""Xiaolong, call your little friends and go catch a few bags of worms!”
"Sis, will you give us money?" asked Chu Xiaolong.”
Chu Xiaoxiao instantly pulled a long face." No money, it's voluntary labor. Go!”
"By the way, give me your eight yuan!”
Chu Xiaolong was a little reluctant, but under Chu Xiaoxiao's strict gaze, he still handed over the money he had worked so hard to earn.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]