Chapter 40 Guo Xiaochun
"What's this?" Deng Guang saw this strange thing for the second time. "I remember, you pulled one up yesterday too. Is it edible?"
"I don't know, but we can try it when we get back." Qin Ziwen broke off a gray sweet potato from the root.
Deng Guang found it unusual. "I've never seen this before."
Qin Ziwen put it in his backpack. "I found them in the mud. Keep an eye out for them."
On the way back, they finally found seven gray sweet potatoes in the mud in the wild. They were scattered, and the roots and tubers of two of them had been gnawed, indicating that there were animals that ate them.
On the way back, he set up a trap, sprinkled some earthworm meat inside, and tied it to a tree on the bank with a rope.
Then he set up three hidden rope traps not far from the traps for easy inspection tomorrow.
"Can these traps catch animals?" Deng Guang had never seen rope traps before, but he thought they looked quite professional.
Qin Ziwu said, "Sure, we've caught field mice before."
Deng Guang's eyes lit up, "Then why don't we set up a few more?"
Qin Ziwen shook his head, "We're out of rope. Setting up these requires a slightly elastic rope, and it has to be sturdy, otherwise it's easy for the prey to break free."
Deng Guang said without hesitation, "I think I have some at home, I'll bring some out tomorrow!"
The traps and snares were set up some distance from the residential area, outside the residents' "regular" search area, in the wild. The only concern was that large wild animals like crocodiles might be attracted to the prey caught in the traps and damage them from the outside.
Outside the east gate, a young man wearing glasses and a suit, with a friendly smile, had just finished talking with the group of people and handed them something.
Seeing Qin Ziwen approach, the young man quickly stepped forward, "Hello, my name is Guo Xiaochun, I used to work in industry consulting, this is my business card."
Taking the business card, it read "Tianma Human Resources Service Co., Ltd., Intermediate Consultant, Guo Xiaochun," and the address was written in marker on the back: Building 6, Unit 2, Room 201.
Guo Xiaochun spoke eloquently: "Brother, could you tell me what kind of work you do? It's okay if you can't. I'm currently compiling a list of talents from various industries in our community. I think skills can be better utilized through exchange.
If you have any needs in the future, or even want to learn a particular skill, like carpentry, bricklaying, or need medical help, I can connect you with those. And if you have a skill and want to earn a living through it, I can help you promote it.
And it's not just about professional skills; if you need or want to sell any goods, I can help you connect with suitable buyers and sellers. Time is money; sometimes you need something that takes time to develop." "Going door-to-door to ask is too time-consuming. I can help you contact them directly."
Qin Ziwen looked at the business card, on the back of which the address was written in marker: Building 6, Unit 2, Room 201. "This is quite interesting."
Guo Xiaochun smiled sheepishly: "My health isn't very good, so I can't go hunting. I used to do this kind of work, so this is a good opportunity to return to my old profession. Brother, my talent and skills consultations are all free. If you have any supplies to sell, I won't charge you either. It's all free promotion. I'll only charge a tiny fee for information consultation, but it won't be much, so as not to make things difficult for you!"
Guo Xiaochun held up a tiny finger. "Just enough to make a living, not to starve. I'm not greedy."
Guo Xiaochun had a baby face, looking harmless and very approachable.
"Hmm, what's this 'information consulting'?"
Guo Xiaochun said with a smile, "Well, it's some rather special information that you might not be able to handle in person. I'll handle it for you. Don't worry, I absolutely guarantee client privacy. You can also sell the information to me, or list it with me for sale." Qin Ziwen, considering
the special information and the inconvenience of his presence,
thought for a few possibilities and joked, "Alright, then I wish you booming business! I'll keep your business card. I'll contact you if I need anything. Hope you can give me a discount then!" Guo Xiaochun clasped his hands together and thanked him repeatedly, "Okay, thank you, brother, thank you."
Qin Ziwen took the business card and was about to leave when he stopped, thinking of something, and asked, "Boss Guo, are there any places selling water in the neighborhood now?"
Guo Xiaochun quickly replied, "I don't deserve to be called Boss Guo, just call me Xiao Guo. There are some places selling water. A few neighbors have told me they sell treated boiled water, but very few people are willing to buy it, mainly because there's a river next to the neighborhood.
The river water here hasn't been chemically polluted or contains heavy metals. After filtering and boiling, it's drinkable directly. The technology isn't difficult. Although filtering and gathering firewood are a bit troublesome, everyone has plenty of time now. They'd rather go through the trouble themselves than spend money on food. Besides, many people feel more at ease with water they boil themselves."
Qin Ziwen understood.
After his family had more spring water, he had also considered whether to sell water to obtain supplies.
But now it seemed difficult to sell.
There were two problems.
First, he knew the spring water was clean and safe to drink, but others didn't, creating a trust gap unless he deliberately exposed the spring.
Second, the water resources around the neighborhood were plentiful, and after clearing out the crocodiles, fetching water from the river was much safer.
He temporarily abandoned the idea; storing the water wasn't a bad idea either, as the farmland would require a lot of water for irrigation later.
Qin Ziwen was about to leave when Guo Xiaochun stopped him, "Brother, I see you're both straightforward people, so I'll give you a free piece of information."
"Go ahead,"
Guo Xiaochun said, "This afternoon, a neighbor was bitten on the leg and dragged into the river by a crocodile while fetching water. Now, the crocodiles in the river seem to have become more cunning; they won't be easily lured ashore, but will ambush people in the water."
"It happened today?" "Yes, this afternoon. You weren't in the neighborhood during the day, so you probably don't know yet."
"Got it, thanks."
After the three left, Guo Xiaochun straightened his sleeves and saw another group returning from the countryside. He put on his standard smile again and warmly greeted them.
Deng Guang sighed, "The riverbank isn't safe anymore."
Qin Ziwen said solemnly, "It seems our competition with the crocodiles isn't over yet. It's just that the crocodiles were quiet a couple of days ago, which made many people lower their guard."
After parting ways on the fifth floor, Qin Ziwen planted the gray sweet potatoes at home, but there were too many, and the soil he had dug up earlier wasn't enough.
He and his brother went downstairs to the entrance of the community and dug up several large bags of soil to carry home.
"I'm exhausted," Qin Ziwu said, putting down the bags and rubbing his back.
Qin Ziwen said, "It's not over yet. Clean the soil thoroughly, pick out any bugs or anything else, so they don't eat the sweet potatoes."
Qin Ziwu stretched his limbs, jumped up and down, took a few deep breaths, and became full of energy again, "Okay!"
(End of Chapter)