The matter ended there. Li Long still felt a little guilty toward Director Qian. After all, the man had helped him so much, yet nothing had come of it.
But Director Qian had weathered plenty of storms. Smiling, he reassured Li Long that this was perfectly normal. If everything were so easy to accomplish, it would not have remained undone until now.
After lunch with the Qian Family, Li Long said his goodbyes. He wandered around Beiting City, bought a few odds and ends, and then left.
Before leaving, he also went to look at the site of the "Happiness" Purchasing Station. Its gates were locked, and there was no telling how long it had been closed. The "Happiness" sign had been taken down too, leaving the place looking rather bare.
He wondered how that owner was doing now.
Li Long returned to Ma County and went to his own Purchasing Station.
A dozen or so people were still queuing in the yard. During the slack farming season, quite a few people went out looking for extra income. Now that reform and opening up had begun, people were growing increasingly open-minded, and some enterprising souls were finding sideline businesses to make money. Some learned from others, while others gradually figured things out themselves. Resources were still plentiful in those days. Anyone willing to use their hands and brains could always find a way to earn money.
Most had come to sell mushrooms, though there were also people with Fritillaria, Codonopsis, and licorice. To be honest, the Codonopsis was not very good at this time of year, but since people had brought it to sell, there was no reason to refuse it. They could simply offer a lower price.
Some had even brought fresh Snow Lotuses, which was rather unusual. Li