Chapter 29: Pulling Coal Can Make Money

  Heizi listened to Wu Mei for a while and was thoroughly disappointed when she opened the big gambling den. Everything else was easy, but no one could get this gambling den started. Wu Mei had played in big gambling dens before, but the people she played with were just acquaintances, and it was impossible for her to bring them over.

  The fifth sister looked at Hei Zi's disappointed expression and smiled, patted Hei Zi's shoulder and said: "Brother, why are you so down? If you can't open a gambling den, you can do something else. All roads lead to Rome, what can't make money?"

  The dishes are served, and Xiao Fei pours a cup of wine for Wu Mei and says: "Wu Mei, teach us, what can we do to make money?"

  The fifth sister pretended to think deeply and said mysteriously: "Call big sister, call big sister and I'll tell you."

  Xiao Fei looked around and saw that everyone was ignoring him, so he called out softly to his older sister.

  Hei Zi sitting beside them heard the stealthy laughter and Zhu Xiao Fei's face turned red.

  Wu Mei was called "older sister" by Xiao Fei and felt very satisfied. She turned her head to look at Hei Zi and said, "You can also call me older sister, and I'll tell you too."

  "Hei Zi shook his head and said: 'I'm not interested, you'd better tell Xiao Fei.'"

  The fifth sister tried to trick Heizi by calling out "Big Sister" but failed, pretending to be angry and turning her face away. She whispered something in Zhuo Xiaofei's ear, who quickly became delighted and said: "This method is great, we'll definitely make a lot of money."

  Hei Zi was very curious and didn't know what Wu Mei and Zhu Xiao Fei had said. He wanted to ask, but saw that Wu Mei didn't dare open her mouth.

  After dinner, everyone left the restaurant. Hei Zi asked eagerly: "Xiao Fei, what did Wu Mei say to you?"

  Xiao Fei smiled and said, "Wu Mei said that since winter has just begun, the various subordinate factories and mines of the iron mine need a large amount of coal. In the past few days, someone went to find his father to send coal to the iron mine, but was rejected by his father. If we can get involved, we will definitely make a big profit."

  Wu Mei's father was the secretary of the iron mine, very orthodox and straightforward. It would be difficult to get anything from him. Hei Zi thought for a moment and asked: "Xiao Fei, who is the current mine manager?"

  Xiao Fei grinned from ear to ear and said: "The current mine leader is Zhao Weiguo."

  Hei Zi was delighted to hear that Zhao Wei Guo is Zhao Bin's father. During their middle school days, they lived in the same dormitory as Zhao Bin, who was the fourth oldest among them. The brothers had visited Zhao Bin's home more than once and were deeply impressed by Zhao Wei Guo.

  Zhao Weiguo is an old university student, tall and handsome like Zhao Bin, very elegant and refined, just like a university professor.

  "We'll go find him tomorrow, this thing has a chance." Heizi was so excited that he almost jumped up.

  The next day, Hei Zi and Zhu Xiao Fei didn't follow the car. As long as Lao Cong Er and Er Gen didn't cause any trouble, the other mixed-race runners wouldn't dare to touch Hei Zi's car. With Er Cheng and Yin Le following the car, Hei Zi was completely at ease.

  The next morning, the two of them took a bus to the county town to buy gifts. After running around for a whole day, they finally chose their gifts and took the last bus back to the small town.

  The iron ore mine gets off work at five o'clock. Hei Zi and Zhu Xiao Fei arrived at the gate of Zhao Wei's home a little after six o'clock.

  The workers of the iron mine, except for those living in bungalows, all lived in the family buildings on the edge of the dormitory area. As the mine manager, Zhao Weiguo was no exception, and his home was on the third floor. This building was already considered a high-end residence in the small town in the mid-1990s.

  The door was opened by Zhao Bin's mother. Hei Zi and Zhu Xiao Fei had been there a few years ago, but Zhao Bin's mother didn't recognize them at once.

  "Who are you looking for?" Zhao Bin's mother asked suspiciously through the door gap, staring at Hei Zi and Zhu Xiao Fei.

  "Heizi smiled and said: 'Auntie, we are Zhao Bin's classmates, come to see you and Uncle Zhao.'"

  Zhao Bin's mother took a closer look at Hei Zi and Zhu Xiao Fei, vaguely remembering having seen them before. Only then did she fully open the door and let the two of them in.

  The tea table in the living room had already been set with dishes, Zhao Weiguo was sitting on the sofa, and when Heizi and others came in, he quickly stood up. At a glance, he recognized Heizi and Zhu Xiaofei.

  "Cheng Heizi, Zhu Xiaofei," Zhao Weiguo said.

  Hei Zi put down what was in his hand and said: "Does Uncle Zhao still remember us?"

  "Of course, Zhao Bin has been mentioning you guys a lot these years. When he was leaving for college, he kept saying that you should come back and wanted to see you again before leaving." Zhao Weiguo said as he led the two of them to sit down on the sofa.

  "Mei Yun, go get a few wine glasses and have a few cups with the two kids."

  Zhao Bin's mother took out three wine cups from the kitchen: "Old Zhao, you're not in good health, drink a little less."

  "It's okay, I'm just happy that the kids are here visiting me today." Zhao Weiguo said happily.

  Seeing Heizi, Zhao Weiguo thought of Zhao Bin. Growing up, this was the first time Zhao Bin had left home. It had only been three months since he left, but he couldn't stop thinking about it and kept saying that he couldn't wait for winter break to arrive.

  Three people drank and chatted, still talking about Zhao Bin the most. Hei Zi and Zhu Xiao Fei were Zhao Bin's brothers, and they admired his elegance and intelligence the most. Zhao Wei Guo also listened to them with great excitement, occasionally boasting a few words about his son.

  Zhao Bin's mother finished her work and sat down beside the tea table. She poured wine for Hei Zi and asked, "Hei Zi, Xiao Fei, what are you two doing now?"

  Hei Zi hastily said: "Nothing's going on, I've been back for several months since retiring and just wandering around every day."

  Zhao Bin's mother looked at Hei Zi and Zhu Xiao Fei with sympathy and said, "Wei Guo, can you find some work for the kids from the mine?"

  Zhao Weiguo thought for a moment and said, "This is not easy to do. Better jobs all require skills, no professional skills can't be done, can't let them go with temporary workers to do physical labor."

  Hei Zi looked at Zhu Xiao Fei and Zhu Xiao Fei said, "Uncle Zhao, I heard from a friend that the mine needs a lot of coal. Can't we send some coal to the mine?"

  Zhao Weiguo put down his wine glass and looked at Hei Zi and Zhu Xiaofei, saying: "You two also want to do this, is it Old Xiao's son who let you come find me?"

  Hei Zi didn't know who Lao Xiao was, let alone his son. Both of them shook their heads. Hei Zi said: "Uncle Zhao, we don't know Lao Xiao's son, we heard it from a friend."

  Zhao Weiguo smiled and said: "So do you know Huang Mao?"

  Both nodded and said they knew each other. At this time, Heizi remembered that Wu Mei and Er Jie had the surname Xiao, and suddenly understood that Zhao Weiguo's old Xiao's son was Huang Mao.

  "Uncle Zhao, does Huang Mao also want to send coal?" Hei Zi asked.

  Zhao Weiguo nodded and said, "He came to see me a few days ago. I know he's a rascal, not reliable. If it were up to him, Old Xiao would have let him take care of it, no need to come find me."

  Hei Zi said after hearing Zhao Weiguo's words: "Uncle Zhao, if we deliver the coal for you, don't worry, we can send it over first and you pay after you're satisfied."

  Zhao Weiguo has been worried about coal these days. Every year, the coal used in the mine is delivered by someone. In recent years, several coal deliverers have been replaced, but either the quality of the coal is poor or it's too expensive. Some people even mix a lot of stones into the coal they deliver. This year's supplier is also not satisfactory, and he is thinking of replacing him.

  "Hei Zi, Xiao Fei, can you really guarantee the quality? We want high-quality coal." Zhao Wei Guo was a bit skeptical that the two of them could get high-quality coal.

  "Hei Zi nodded and said: 'Uncle Zhao, don't worry about this. I have a comrade who retired and works in a state-owned coal mine in Xishan Province. I'll definitely be able to get high-quality coal from him.'"

  Zhao Weiguo raised his wine glass and said: "Alright, I believe you. You first bring back a few carts, if the quality is indeed up to standard, then we'll let you deliver all the coal for this winter."

  The two of them became excited upon hearing Zhao Weiguo's words, and Zhao Bin's mother was also very happy. After serving them dishes, she asked worriedly: "Heizi, Xiao Fei, hauling coal requires a lot of capital, do you have the money?"

  "Auntie, don't worry, we can borrow some money."