Ch 16: Bringing a Farming Game System to the 1970s

The truck broke down, and everyone got off. The deputy factory director noticed the puzzled look on Yu Xiang’an’s face and smiled. “Bad luck today, but this isn’t uncommon. This truck is quite old and often has issues.”

The two drivers chuckled as one of them checked the truck. “Don’t worry, it’s just a minor problem. We’ll have it fixed quickly.”

They took out a small toolbox filled with repair tools.

Yu Xiang’an realized that in this era, unlike the modern times with readily available repair shops, drivers had to fix minor issues themselves. To be a driver now, you not only had to know how to drive but also needed basic repair skills. Otherwise, in situations like today’s, you’d have to waste time finding a mechanic, which would delay things significantly.

While the drivers worked on the truck, the deputy factory director and Yu Xiang’an stood nearby watching. The deputy factory director had a fondness for vehicles, while Yu Xiang’an was keen to learn. “Knowledge is never a burden,” she thought, imagining it might come in handy one day. The drivers didn’t think much of their interest, considering one was the deputy factory director and the other a young woman. After all, would a deputy factory director switch careers to become a driver? And it wasn’t common for women to drive, especially in this era when drivers needed to be physically strong and intimidating enough to deter troublemakers.

The two drivers were skilled, and in less than ten minutes, the truck was fixed, and they resumed their journey.

Back in the truck bed, the deputy factory director loosened the top button of his Zhongshan suit and took out a canteen. “Xiao An, did you bring water?”

Yu Xiang’an pulled out a canteen from her cloth bag. “I did, Director.”

Since she was traveling, Yu Qing’an had given her the family’s only canteen to take along.

The deputy factory director chuckled lightly. Although he usually kept a stern expression, he softened his demeanor in front of such a young colleague, appearing friendlier. “Comrade Xiao An, how old are you this year?”

“Eighteen.”

“Eighteen, huh? My eldest grandson is already thirteen.”

Yu Xiang’an naturally continued the conversation. “Thirteen? What grade is he in?”

“He’s in fifth grade this year.”

“…”

The two engaged in a back-and-forth, and though they maintained proper posture, the interaction seemed to bring them closer.

A typical drive from the county to the city took just over an hour. The drivers were familiar with the route, and the earlier repair hadn’t caused much of a delay. They arrived at their destination smoothly in an hour and a half.

The oil press factory mainly produced peanut oil. The deputy factory director, responsible for logistics and employee benefits, was there to secure an order for oil to be distributed as a Mid-Autumn Festival benefit for their staff.

This wasn’t his first visit. He skillfully found the contact person, another deputy factory director named Li, who was of a similar age but had a perpetual smile, making him seem approachable.

The food factory wanted oil from the oil press factory, and the oil press factory wanted sugar from the food factory—a mutually beneficial exchange.

Yu Xiang’an’s task was to jot down notes on the discussions and data exchanged. They also visited the production area.

Workers in the workshop were dressed in uniforms and wore caps, diligently focusing on their tasks with enthusiasm. Seeing this, the deputy factory director couldn’t help but offer a few words of praise, to which Deputy Director Li humbly responded that there was still room for improvement.

Yu Xiang’an, tasked with “inspecting,” couldn’t help but eye the peanut oil flowing from the machines, wishing she could take a jar home. Oil was such a rare commodity.

After a tour of the oil press factory and discussions about production and the required quantity for the Mid-Autumn Festival benefits, they negotiated until both sides were satisfied. By then, it was already noon. Deputy Director Li, noting the time, invited them to a nearby state-run restaurant for lunch.

This was Yu Xiang’an’s first visit to a state-run restaurant in the city.

Although the original owner of her body had frequented the one in the county often enough—her grandfather and second uncle both worked there.

After consulting with Deputy Factory Director Wang, Deputy Factory Director Li turned to Yu Xiang’an and asked, “Comrade, what would you like to eat?”

Yu Xiang’an smiled shyly. “I heard the pig ears here are really good. Is that true?”

Deputy Director Li raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Oh, how do you know about that? Have you been here before?” Pig ears weren’t typically considered a fancy dish, so he usually wouldn’t order it for guests. However, there was indeed a chef here whose braised pig ears were exceptional, and Li himself often ordered it.

Yu Xiang’an shook her head. “My uncle works at the state-run restaurant in our county, and my grandfather worked there until he retired. I must’ve heard it mentioned somewhere.”

Hearing this, Deputy Factory Director Li’s expression brightened instantly. He called over a waiter and asked for Chef Sun to come out, explaining that he knew him well.

Chef Sun emerged with a plate of peanuts and pickled radish. “Director Li, what are you having today?”

Deputy Director Li gestured toward him. “We’ve already ordered. I called you out to tell you something interesting. This is Director Wang from Baishi County Food Factory, and his colleague here mentioned your pig ears as soon as I asked what she wanted to eat. I asked if she’d been here before, but she said no—she just heard about them. Turns out, her grandfather and uncle work at the state-run restaurant in their county. Look at that—your reputation’s traveled far and wide!”

Chef Sun’s face lit up with pride, and his gaze toward Yu Xiang’an grew noticeably kinder.

“That’s fate, comrade! Don’t hold back while you’re here! I’ll head to the kitchen right now and whip up my signature dish for you!” His booming voice carried an unmistakable enthusiasm that was contagious.

Deputy Factory Director Li laughed as Chef Sun headed back to the kitchen. “We’re in for a real treat today.”

Praise from a fellow professional was especially satisfying, and with these compliments as motivation, it wasn’t hard to imagine Chef Sun going the extra mile. Perhaps there might even be some bonus perks.

Deputy Factory Director Wang chuckled as well, casting a slightly different look at Yu Xiang’an. A state-run restaurant was a coveted workplace—one of the rare places where people didn’t worry about going hungry. His wife’s younger brother worked in one, though not as a chef.

Li was well-connected at the restaurant, so even the usually indifferent waitstaff became exceptionally attentive. Before long, the dishes they ordered—braised pork, roasted chicken, egg drop soup, and a large bowl of steamed white rice—were served. The portions were generous and inviting.

Yu Xiang’an: “…”

She wanted to dig in immediately!

With four people at the table—Deputy Factory Directors Wang and Li, their respective assistants, and Yu Xiang’an—there was no concern about finishing the three dishes and soup, especially with three grown men present.

As the dishes were served, Director Wang discreetly observed the young female colleague he had brought along. Faced with such rare delicacies, she appeared slightly excited, her eyes lighting up, but her behavior remained composed. She ate elegantly yet efficiently, neither overindulging nor holding back excessively.

“She’s either seen her fair share of the world or has excellent self-control,” he mused, nodding approvingly.

Halfway through the meal, Chef Sun himself appeared, carrying a plate of fragrant braised pig ears and another plate of braised offal. The aroma was overpowering, filling the entire room.

“These are on the house—my treat,” Chef Sun announced proudly. “Come on, comrade, have a taste and let me know what you think.”

His confidence was evident. Although the braised dishes served today weren’t his most carefully prepared, they were still close to his best efforts.

Most people wouldn’t notice the difference, and even some professionals might miss it.

Yu Xiang’an, being familiar with the craft, couldn’t compare it to the chef’s absolute best, but she still gave a thumbs-up after tasting it. “Well-deserved reputation!”

Her straightforward and heartfelt praise struck a chord, and Chef Sun couldn’t help grinning from ear to ear.

Yu Xiang’an genuinely thought it was delicious. Back in this era, almost every chef had their signature dishes. For instance, her grandfather excelled at making noodles, while her uncle’s dumplings surpassed even her grandfather’s.

The braised flavors in her mouth now were distinct from those she had tasted from renowned chefs in the modern era. But one thing remained the same: the bold and fragrant taste lingered long after the meal.

If she had her way, she’d make it slightly sweeter.

Deputy Factory Director Wang was trying the braised pig ears for the first time. Though he didn’t say much, his chopsticks repeatedly gravitating toward the dish spoke volumes.

The four of them cleaned every plate and bowl, leaving not a single grain of rice or drop of broth behind. The dishes were so spotless they looked freshly washed.

When Chef Sun emerged from the kitchen and saw the empty plates, his enthusiasm grew even more. He asked Yu Xiang’an for her name and gifted each of them a jar of braising sauce, stored in repurposed fruit canisters. He even gave Yu Xiang’an his address, inviting her, her grandfather, and her uncle to visit him.

Deputy Factory Director Li happily accepted the sauce. Though it wasn’t something particularly valuable, it was a comforting addition that would enhance any meal he prepared at home.

After the meal, Deputy Factory Director Wang showed some consideration for Yu Xiang’an. “You probably haven’t had many opportunities to explore the city, right? We have a break now. Do you want to take some time to look around? Just be back by three in the afternoon.”

Hearing this, Deputy Factory Director Li offered one of his young assistants as a guide. But Yu Xiang’an politely declined, saying, “Oh, no need. I’d like to check out the department store. I already saw it on the way here.” She smiled shyly. “I might spend quite a while there. I know my way around, so there’s no need to trouble anyone. I’d hate to cause any delays.”

Her thoughtful response earned an understanding nod. “Fair enough! Women often like to browse there. Just mind the time,” Deputy Factory Director Li said with a laugh.

Suppressing her excitement, Yu Xiang’an headed toward the department store. Once in a quiet area, she changed into a different outfit, smeared her face and eyebrows with charcoal and sifted ash to appear inconspicuous, buttoned her collar, and donned a hat. She now looked like an unassuming housewife. After double-checking her disguise and carrying a bamboo basket, she left.

Her first stop was the department store to scope things out.

This city’s largest supply and distribution store, simply called “Department Store,” had the most comprehensive stock she’d ever seen. There were many items unavailable in the county stores, like stylish new leather shoes, bicycles, radios, towels, and watches.

She even saw an entire shelf full of sanitary napkins, neatly stocked.

Yu Xiang’an asked about the prices and found they matched those in the county—government-controlled uniform pricing.

She also explored the grocery section, mentally noting the prices before leaving. As she stepped outside the department store, she paid particular attention to people leaving empty-handed, trailing them at a safe distance.

Some people, noticing they were being followed, changed direction. Others, oblivious, led her to a small hub of activity.

The hub was located in a network of interconnected alleyways. Many people carried bamboo baskets, exchanging knowing glances and stepping aside for each other.

Yu Xiang’an opened her basket and displayed a slightly shriveled apple. She walked in a slow circle, letting everyone see it, then placed it back inside.

Some people ignored her, uninterested. Others approached to ask the price. Yu Xiang’an responded confidently, “Thirty cents for one, fifty cents for two, eighty cents for three, and one yuan for four!”

These apples were on the smaller side, so pricing them individually was more straightforward.

Though the prices weren’t cheap, those who could afford them didn’t mind, while those who couldn’t were satisfied just seeing such a rare fruit.

Yu Xiang’an added in a hushed tone, “The earlier you buy, the better you can choose.”

Some apples looked fresher, while others were visibly more dehydrated. It was easy to tell at a glance.

An older woman immediately pulled out one yuan, quickly grabbed four apples, stuffed them into her cloth bag, and left in a hurry without saying a word.

Once someone took the lead, others soon followed. While transacting, Yu Xiang’an remained vigilant, listening to her surroundings. In this kind of situation, being caught was no trivial matter.

Before long, only a few severely dehydrated apples were left. She sold them at a discount, and they quickly sold out. Once her basket was empty, Yu Xiang’an wasted no time leaving the area. She avoided retracing her steps and turned into larger alleys whenever possible. After navigating several twists and turns, she unexpectedly stumbled upon a “large-scale transaction.”

A young man was carrying a pole and baskets into a household. At first glance, it didn’t seem out of the ordinary, but the young man’s uneasy reaction upon noticing Yu Xiang’an was telling.

The middle-aged man receiving him laughed loudly and exaggeratedly, “Ah, nephew, thanks to you for the help! Come in, come in, have a cup of tea.” While speaking, he sped up his movements and prepared to close the door once the young man entered.

Yu Xiang’an quickly called out, “Comrade, wait!”

The man froze, startled, and looked at Yu Xiang’an with a wary expression. “Comrade, what’s the matter?”

Yu Xiang’an knew she was being bold, but she didn’t have much time to carefully pick a suitable person to approach in an unfamiliar city.

She decided to take the risk. If things went wrong, she planned to retreat to her farm space. If her sudden disappearance startled them, they likely wouldn’t dare raise a fuss. As long as she wasn’t caught vanishing in front of their eyes, she had a fallback.

Suppressing her nerves, she lowered her voice. “I’m thirsty, Comrade. Could you spare some water?”

The middle-aged man exchanged a glance with the young man before opening the door and letting her in. “Of course, come in.”

He left the door open, and Yu Xiang’an felt slightly relieved.

The man patted the young man on the shoulder and said, “Come, help me move these things inside. Comrade, please wait here for a moment while I fetch you some water.” His last words were directed at Yu Xiang’an.

She nodded and watched as they disappeared into the house. Shortly afterward, a woman emerged with a rough ceramic bowl in hand.

“Here you go, young lady. You must be thirsty,” the woman said, handing her the bowl.

Yu Xiang’an accepted it with both hands, lightly touching the bowl to her lips but not drinking. Instead, she secretly transferred some of the water into her farm space to create the illusion she had taken a sip.

“Thank you, Auntie,” Yu Xiang’an said politely. “I wanted to ask if you know someone named Cao Tiancheng. He’s probably in his forties or fifties.”

The woman shook her head decisively. “Young lady, you must be mistaken. There’s no one with the surname Cao around here.”

Yu Xiang’an sighed. “The address was so poorly written; I’m at my wit’s end. I’ve already searched a few places, but everyone says the same thing. I guess I’ll have to head back. It wasn’t easy for me to come here, and it’s such a shame about these apples. My mom specially prepared them because she knows he likes them.”

As she spoke, Yu Xiang’an lifted the lid of her basket, revealing the apples inside.

The woman’s eyes widened in astonishment. Real apples! Such size, such vibrant color—this was a rare sight indeed!

Grasping Yu Xiang’an’s hand, the woman exclaimed, “Young lady, what are you planning to do with these apples?”

When she saw the apples, the older woman couldn’t bear to let this young lady leave just like that. She was clearly someone who knew the value of such things. “You know, you’re not in a hurry to leave, and there’s still plenty of daylight. Tell me, young lady, what are you planning to do with these apples? They must have cost quite a bit. Are you just going to take them back home? Think about it—will you eat them all yourself? Not that I’m criticizing, but for families that don’t have much, this isn’t a small amount of money,” she said, eyeing the ten or so pounds of apples in the basket.

Yu Xiang’an wasn’t planning to leave either, so she went along with the older woman’s lead. “Auntie, you’ve hit the nail on the head. My mom worked so hard to get these apples and even owes someone a big favor because of it. Now that we can’t find the person, it feels like such a waste. For people like us, who don’t have much, these apples aren’t worth the expense. They taste good, but they can’t fill your belly. Auntie, you’re knowledgeable—do you think you could help me figure out what to do?”

Hearing this, the older woman’s heart skipped a beat with excitement. “To be honest, young lady, I love these kinds of apples. You know how rare fruits like this from the north are down here in the south. What’s more, I have a daughter-in-law who’s from the north and is pregnant right now. She’s been craving the fruits from her hometown, but I just can’t find them anywhere. If you’re willing to part with these, I promise you won’t lose out.”

Yu Xiang’an’s face lit up with joy but quickly turned to a look of hesitation and worry, showing a believable sense of conflict. “Auntie, are you serious? These apples weren’t cheap. My mom spent so much money on them because of the favor she owed. If we can’t sell them, it’s such a loss.”

The older woman nodded. “Young lady, name your price. I’m not one to beat around the bush!”

The apples were mostly untouched and naturally appealing, making them even more enticing. Knowing this, Yu Xiang’an set the price higher than before. Looking slightly embarrassed, she lowered her voice. “Four cents each, Auntie. I swear I’m not trying to cheat you. If you don’t want to spend that much, I completely understand. Really, my mom bought them at this price, and I’m not making a penny off you!”

Each apple weighed around half a pound, meaning the price per pound was about eight cents—roughly the same as pork. But apples were even rarer than pork. Without much hesitation, the older woman, who had money on hand, asked, “How many are you willing to sell?”

Yu Xiang’an sighed. “If I can’t find the person, I’d like to sell them all. My younger brother is already at the age for marriage discussions, and as his older sister, I haven’t been able to help much. My mom has been overthinking and even used up some of the dowry money for this.”

The older woman nodded in understanding. “I see, I see. Let me go get the money. Wait here a moment.” She went back into the house and closed the door slightly, leaving it ajar. This was a thoughtful gesture, as it wouldn’t make Yu Xiang’an, a young woman alone, feel unsafe, while also keeping prying eyes at bay. Shortly after, the woman returned with a small basket. Yu Xiang’an counted the apples one by one while the older woman watched, handing over the money as they went.

Yu Xiang’an smiled as she accepted the payment. “Auntie, I couldn’t have done it without you!” Then, as if hesitating, she added, “By the way, Auntie, I noticed earlier that your nephew brought something over. Is he from the countryside? Do they have more refined grains there? If he brought some, I wonder if you’d be willing to share a bit with me. My son is still young, and he can’t handle rough grains. Seeing how skinny he is makes my heart ache. If it’s inconvenient, don’t worry about it—I understand how tough things are for everyone.”

The woman’s heart softened at these words. “I’m not sure, but let me go check. If there is, I’ll share some with you, young lady. How much do you need?”

Yu Xiang’an replied, “I was hoping for twenty pounds, but I know that’s asking a lot. Even just two pounds would be a huge help. To be honest, I’m running low on grain tickets.”

The woman sighed in sympathy. Who wasn’t in the same situation? Grain rations were fixed every month, and most of it was coarse grains. Fine grains were never enough, especially for families with elderly or young children. That little bit of fine grain was like a drop in the bucket, forcing people to find other ways—like buying overpriced grains that didn’t require tickets.

Finally, the woman went inside and brought out five pounds of rice. “Take a look. It’s good quality.”

This was de-husked rice, which cost fourteen cents per pound at the grain station—or twelve cents for lower-quality rice. However, without grain tickets, the price shot up to sixty cents per pound.

This was largely due to the upcoming early rice harvest, which would lower prices. Many people were more willing to sell some of last year’s stock. During special times, like the New Year or other festivals, prices could climb to over one yuan per pound. It’s no wonder that despite the harsh consequences of being caught engaging in underground trading, people still risked it—because the profits were tenfold.

Yu Xiang’an took the rice, paid, and repeatedly expressed her gratitude. The older woman added, “This should last your son for a while. Once the summer harvest comes in, things will get easier.”

Yu Xiang’an carefully stored the rice and replied, “That’s what I’m counting on. Once the grain comes in, life will indeed get better. Auntie, I’ll be heading back now. I didn’t find the person this time, and I won’t be coming back for a while. Who knows when I’ll be back next, but if fate allows, I’ll come to thank you again.”

The older woman sighed as she watched her leave. Later, when she recounted the story to her husband, he gave her a knowing look. It was clear to him what the young woman was really up to. “You still believe that story about her looking for a relative? There’s no one with the surname Cao in this area—that’s easy enough to confirm. She came to sell goods, plain and simple. When she said we might meet again, she meant she’d be back to sell more. Just wait and see.”

He looked at the apples she had sold, nodding in satisfaction. “These are excellent apples. We’ll keep a few for ourselves, and the rest can be packaged nicely and sold for a good price.”

The woman was momentarily stunned but then realized he was right. “Now that you mention it, she didn’t even give us her name or where she was from. She didn’t let a single unnecessary word slip—that’s a tight-lipped girl.”

Her husband chuckled. “For someone in this line of work, being tight-lipped is a good thing.”

---

Yu Xiang’an’s single apple tree had yielded over 200 pounds of fruit. After selling 30 pounds, she still had nearly 170 pounds left. She set aside a portion for herself and planned to sell the rest.

Earlier, she sold 20 pounds at 0.8 yuan per pound, making 16 yuan. Just now, she sold another 12 pounds at 1 yuan per pound, making another 12 yuan. In total, she had earned nearly one month’s salary.

She wandered through various streets, eventually arriving at a factory housing area. However, spotting individuals wearing red armbands in the distance, she quickly changed her path and hastened away. She went to another area where she noticed many older women entering and exiting, carefully observing what they were carrying to gauge whether they might be potential buyers.

Some people wouldn’t dare to do this because if they encountered someone who couldn’t tolerate even a speck of sand in their eyes, they might get caught and reported. While Yu Xiang’an had disguised herself and was confident she could escape, such an incident would still cause delays. She needed to be back before 3 p.m. After observing for a while, she noticed an elderly woman holding a fresh grass carp. She recalled overhearing someone earlier complaining about missing out on the fish in the morning. Where did this elderly woman get hers?

Yu Xiang’an quickened her pace, catching up to the woman and grabbing her arm. “Auntie, Auntie, wait for me!” When the woman turned around, Yu Xiang’an feigned surprise. “Oh, I’m so sorry, I mistook you for someone else.” She then pulled an apple from her pocket, subtly showing it before putting it back, winking as she explained, “I thought you were my aunt. I’m really sorry for stopping you.”

The elderly woman, sharp as a tack, quickly understood the situation. She chuckled. “Oh, really? Such a coincidence! Come, tell me more about it…”

When time was running out, Yu Xiang’an stopped selling and changed her clothes again. She redid her makeup, once more transforming into the image of a simple young wife with a rosy-cheeked, endearing appearance.

At the factory housing area, she didn’t just take cash but also accepted ration tickets—any type she could get. Now she had both money and tickets. With her earnings in hand, she headed to the department store with a shopping list, determined to stock up. Her first stop was the sanitary napkin counter. Pulling out her list, she read from it in an almost naive manner: “Comrade, can you get me these items?”

She handed over her list. The clerk glanced at it—it was quite the order. Nodding indifferently, she remarked, “You must be buying these for someone else. Do you have the cash and tickets?”

Yu Xiang’an placed them on the counter. The clerk unceremoniously took them, quickly jotting down the receipt before gathering the requested items. Yu Xiang’an packed them into her burlap bag, finally letting out a sigh of relief. With these supplies, she wouldn’t have to worry about sanitary napkins for the next few months.

Having handled this priority, she felt much lighter. In high spirits, she went on a shopping spree, buying everything her tickets could cover: coarse grains, refined grains, candies, canned meat—whatever she could get her hands on. By the time she left the department store, her ration tickets were all spent, and her cash was nearly gone. She made one final stop at the pharmacy to buy some spices, using up almost every last cent.

Her mission for this trip was nearly complete. The only regret was not being able to buy an iron pot—such an item was truly hard to come by.

When Yu Xiang’an returned on time, Deputy Factory Manager Wang smiled at her and glanced at her basket. “What did you buy?”

Yu Xiang’an opened the basket to show him. “I went to the department store and browsed for a long time. It’s so grand there, and there were so many people! I saw plenty of shoe styles that we don’t have back home. It’s a pity I haven’t been working long. If I’d waited a bit longer before coming, I might not have been able to resist buying a pair.”

“I bought a pack of milk candies and some pastries.” She smiled sheepishly. “My little brother will be so happy when he sees these.”

Deputy Factory Manager Wang nodded approvingly. Caring for her younger brother was a good quality.

“I also bought a notebook for my father. His current one is almost full, but he’s too frugal to buy a new one. So, I bought it for him.”

Hearing this, the factory manager’s gaze softened even more.

They didn’t have to wait long before the two drivers returned with the loaded truck. As before, Yu Xiang’an and the factory manager rode in the back with the goods. This time, the journey went smoothly, and they arrived without incident.

By the time they returned, most people had already left the factory. Skipping her office, Yu Xiang’an bid farewell and headed straight home.

When she arrived, she found Yu Xiangju and Yu Mingjie standing guard at the gate like two little door gods. Seeing her, they cheered and ran to her side, each grabbing one of her arms. “Fifth Sister, what did you bring back?”

Yu Mingjie asked in unison, “Auntie, what did you bring back?”

Yu Xiang’an couldn’t help but laugh. “Come on, let’s talk inside.”

As she stepped into the house, the two little ones started circling around her.

“Fifth Sister, Fifth Sister!”

“Auntie, Auntie!”

Their overlapping voices softened her heart. “I’m thirsty.”

Yu Xiangju reacted quickly. “I’ll get you water, Fifth Sister!” He dashed into the kitchen.

Yu Mingjie, a step slower, said, “Auntie, you must be tired too. Let me massage your shoulders.” His small hands started tapping her back.

Yu Xiangju soon returned with a glass of water. “Fifth Sister, here’s your water.”

Yu Xiang’an accepted it, unable to hold back her laughter. She patted their heads gently and stopped teasing them. Opening her bag, she said, “I bought sponge cake and milk candies. What do you want to eat?”

Both boys shouted loudly, “We want both!”

Before long, Yu Qingshan arrived home and saw his daughter already back. He smiled and nodded. “When did you get home?”

“Not too long ago, Dad. I noticed your notebook was almost full, so I bought you a new one. They don’t have this style in the county. I thought it looked pretty nice. What do you think?”

Looking at the notebook with “Perseverance and Hard Work” boldly printed on the cover, Yu Qingshan had been about to scold the little ones for their cake crumbs, but now he couldn’t say anything. Instead, he sighed with a warm smile and said, “You…”

What father wouldn’t feel touched receiving something from his daughter? Compared to his eldest son, who had been working for a while and had never gifted him anything, it was no wonder people say daughters are like a warm coat.

Yu Xiangju peeked into the bag. “Fifth Sister, what else did you get?”

Yu Xiang’an pulled out something from the bag. “This isn’t something I bought. Yesterday, I went on a work trip with the deputy factory manager. We were treated to a meal at a state-owned restaurant. This was a gift from the head chef there. Let’s use it with our meal today—it’s so fragrant! Smell it—can you tell?”

Yu Xiangju exclaimed excitedly, “It smells like meat!”

---

After a long and tiring day, Yu Xiang’an was exhausted. Before bed, she visited her farm as usual to claim her rewards and some acceleration drops. She then had a peaceful sleep.

The next morning, however, when she arrived at the factory, she noticed people avoiding her gaze.

Puzzled, Yu Xiang’an glanced around, but no one gave her a chance to ask. Confused, she walked into the office, where Yan Yuzhen was already there. Seeing Yu Xiang’an, Yan Yuzhen hesitated before making up her mind. She walked over, patted Yu Xiang’an on the shoulder, and comfortingly said, “Don’t worry, Xiao An. Sister Zhen will definitely find you a good match!”

Yu Xiang’an: “???”

She’d only been away for a day—what on earth had happened?

🌱🌿 🫧🍃