The second year after Yuan Chun left with the big house, Ma Laoer and his wife ran off to the county town to do business. They first set up a street stall, selling dried mushrooms and wood ear fungus, chicken, duck, goose eggs, and other agricultural products collected from the village.
In three months, the couple earned nearly a thousand yuan, bought a shop in the county town, and opened an agricultural products store. Ma Laoer was responsible for harvesting in the countryside, while Wang Cui managed the shop and sold goods.
A few years later, Ma Laoer's family settled in the county town, purchasing five or six shops and two houses, living a thriving life.
However, as Ma Laoer's days got increasingly prosperous, Han Conghui lost his job.
The supply and marketing cooperative closed down.
Han Conghui became unemployed.
Ma Xiangling and Han Conghui lived solely on Han Conghui's salary. Once he lost his job, the household lost its source of income.
