Ch 88: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

Shen Yunxuan’s business was expanding rapidly, and it was no longer feasible to operate out of their home. The constant deliveries of eggs, production of various prepared foods and pastries, and packaging for shipments had filled the kitchen and yard to capacity. Not only was it inconvenient, but the sight of so much food passing through their yard could stir envy among neighbors, especially during a time when not everyone had enough to eat.

Wealth should not be flaunted—if things are kept somewhat discreet, others are less likely to feel envious. However, when it’s laid bare in front of everyone, it’s bound to cause discomfort.

When Shen Yunxuan brought up the issue, the family unanimously agreed. Having years of work experience, they all knew how easily jealousy could turn into trouble. Selling goods was still a gray area, and the only reason they hadn’t been harassed yet was thanks to Shen Yunxuan’s heroic act of saving the mayor’s grandson. They couldn’t afford to get careless.

The family pooled their connections and managed to rent an old, vacant house near the street. The mud-brick home, with two rooms, a storage shed, and a courtyard, was in disrepair, as the owner lacked the funds to renovate. However, it was perfect for their needs.

After a quick clean-up, the place became their new “shop.” The storage shed housed the eggs, one room was designated for Eldest sister-in-law’s daily goods and Yu Hong’s fabrics and clothing, and the other for Shen Yunxuan’s prepared foods and Xiao Zhijun’s baked goods. The courtyard was neatly organized with their modified carts.

Though it wasn’t an official store, its street-facing location meant they could simply open the door each day, and customers would come to them. The shop became a central hub, and with its easy-to-find location, even more people sought them out. Shen Yunxuan even had custom shelves made, stacking them to the ceiling and filling them with goods, creating a sense of accomplishment.

The expanded space meant they could produce more jarred goods, and Xiao Jun could take larger shipments to the provincial capital. To keep up with demand, Xiao Jun hired several of his close friends. Some helped deliver goods to the provincial capital, others collected eggs in rural areas, and a few manned stalls at the train station and factory housing districts. Meanwhile, Xiao Zhijun only had to manage the hospital stall.

Xiao Jun offered his friends a monthly wage of 30 yuan—a generous sum for young men in their twenties, even surpassing the salaries of formal factory workers. Proud of their earnings, his friends worked with enthusiasm, finally earning respect from their families.

Shen Yunxuan also hired two trustworthy young women from the neighborhood, offering them the same 30-yuan monthly salary. The neighbors, already on good terms with her, became even more supportive. Seeing tangible benefits, they hoped she’d think of them when more opportunities arose.

In response, Shen Yunxuan promised to prioritize them for future jobs and even suggested small ventures like selling popsicles, sodas, cigarettes, or sunflower seeds. She encouraged them to start small, reassuring them that risks were minimal as long as they were diligent and careful.

Her advice worked. One neighbor took the leap, investing in a box and a blanket to sell popsicles. Before long, they were beaming with success, even gifting Shen Yunxuan four jars of canned food as a token of gratitude.

In uncertain times, boldness often led to profits. Yet many still clung to outdated views, looking down on street vendors.

One of Xiao Jun’s friends, Li Sheng, followed his advice to sell sunflower seeds outside the cinema. His small stall quickly expanded to include peanuts, pine nuts, walnuts, and chestnuts. By sourcing high-quality goods from two rural suppliers, his snacks stood out and sold exceptionally well.

Moviegoers, often on dates, were willing to splurge on snacks. Hosts serving guests a mix of Li Sheng’s treats earned social prestige. The variety also set his stall apart—people could roast sunflower seeds at home, but few could match his selection. Though he didn’t earn as much as the Xiao family, Li Sheng’s income now exceeded that of some factory directors.

Li Sheng, who now considered Xiao Jun and Shen Yunxuan family, greeted them warmly whenever they crossed paths, treating them with genuine affection. He often stopped by to check on their shop when Xiao Jun was away, ensuring no one caused trouble.

One day, while visiting the shop, he casually asked Shen Yunxuan, “Sister-in-law, do you think it’s time for me to settle down? I didn’t have a proper job before, so I couldn’t find a good match. But now that I’m working steadily, surely some nice girl would give me a chance? Can you introduce me to someone? She just needs to be kind and willing to build a life with me.”

Shen Yunxuan chuckled, “You’re so busy these days, and you still have time to think about marriage?”

Li Sheng nodded earnestly. “Of course! Look at my brother Xiao—he’s the same age as me, and he’s already been married for months. Getting married and starting a family really matures a man. I can’t lag behind! Seeing you two so happy makes me want a partner, too. Maybe our kids can even grow up together and be friends.”

Her heart softened at his words. “You think we’re a good match?”

“Good match? You’re perfect! You sew him clothes, worry about whether he’s hungry or tired, and always remind him to stay safe when he’s out. And my brother Xiao—he’s always talking about you, bragging about his amazing wife while selling goods. Every time he comes back from the provincial capital, he brings you little gifts. I’ve never seen a couple as well-matched as you two! So, do you know any nice girls for me?” Li Sheng looked at her expectantly, genuinely yearning for a caring partner.

Shen Yunxuan thought for a moment and said, “There’s no suitable match for now, but don’t rush. I have a feeling that new policies might be coming, and the situation seems to be shifting. Let’s focus on growing our business first. The right person will naturally come along.”

“A shift in the situation?” Li Sheng grew nervous. “From what you’re saying, Sister-in-law, is it a good change?”

Shen Yunxuan smiled, reassuring him. “It’s a good thing. Ever since the resumption of college entrance exams, it’s been one good piece of news after another, hasn’t it? Don’t worry, I think the changes will work in our favor. Keep an eye on the radio and newspapers. If an opportunity arises, we’ll seize it immediately. But one thing to remember—no matter what happens, never take shortcuts or break the law. That’s a road to disaster.”

Li Sheng nodded seriously. “You can count on me, Sister-in-law! I started this journey with you and Brother Xiao, and I’d never do anything to disgrace you.”

Shen Yunxuan hadn’t expected Xiao Jun’s friends to have such strong moral values. Not just Li Sheng—the rest of them were also loyal and hardworking. They had been restless in their younger years, unsure about life and dissatisfied with monotonous factory work. Now that they had a promising path, they were filled with energy and determination.

Of course, there had been some bad apples among Xiao Jun’s former gambling buddies—lazy and unreliable types. Xiao Jun had wisely avoided involving them. Even when they sought him out, he politely found excuses to decline. This discerning judgment reassured Shen Yunxuan that Xiao Jun was a trustworthy partner, and the entire Xiao family was solid—no weak links.

Her confidence in Xiao Jun’s abilities grew even stronger when he brought her a surprise. In addition to securing orders from the provincial capital’s state-run restaurants, supply co-ops, and three factories, he had landed a deal with the government cafeteria!

Shen Yunxuan was astonished. “How did you manage that? The provincial government is no easy customer—you usually need connections to even get in the door.”

Xiao Jun grinned. “It’s all about persistence. Every time I went to the capital, I made it a point to visit all the leaders and hang around the cafeteria. I’d hand out small samples of our prepared foods—not as bribes, just a few bites for everyone to taste. I’d thank them for their service to the people, making it possible for us to live peaceful lives. They appreciated the gesture.

After getting familiar with them, I kept pushing, and eventually, someone helped me get my foot in the door. Persistence pays off, you know! Of course, the real reason they signed the deal is that your food is genuinely delicious. The quality speaks for itself—it’s something they can’t find anywhere else.”

Xiao Jun’s admiration for her was genuine. Anyone could cook, but even his father, a renowned chef in town, couldn’t replicate the unique flavor of her dishes. This distinctiveness was why he could market their products so successfully.

The recipes were a culmination of years of effort. In her past life, she had been passionate about food, experimenting and improving her techniques through countless online resources and personal practice. Now, seeing her creations so well-received filled her with pride. The compliments from Xiao Jun, which might have embarrassed her before, now felt like a badge of honor.

Xiao Jun, visibly excited, added, “You and I are like a perfect duo! Have you read martial arts novels? We’re like an invincible couple roaming the world together!”

Shen Yunxuan laughed. “We’ve just started. Let’s talk about conquering the country first before calling ourselves invincible. For now, we’re just seeing some small successes.”

“Then let’s keep working hard!” Xiao Jun suddenly pulled out two new hairpins and a lipstick. “These are new arrivals from Hai City. Do you like them? I saw people rushing to buy this lipstick, so I grabbed one for you. Do you like it?”

Touched, Shen Yunxuan opened the lipstick, applied it lightly, and then fixed her hair with the pins. Turning to Xiao Jun, she asked, “How do I look?”

Having taken care of herself over the past months, her complexion was glowing, her hair glossy, and her figure healthy and balanced. Even without elaborate dressing, she looked beautiful. With a touch of effort, she became stunning.

Xiao Jun’s face turned red as he stammered, “You… you look beautiful. You’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.”

His flustered reaction made her feel shy, too. They exchanged a glance before quickly looking away.

“I’ll go check on the eggs.”

“I need to handle the packaging.”

Both spoke at once, then awkwardly added, “You go ahead,” before hurriedly retreating in opposite directions.

Once inside the storage room, Xiao Jun wiped his face, silently cursing himself for being so awkward. His wife was right there, and instead of saying something sweet, he ran off like a fool. Still, replaying the moment in his head made him grin like an idiot. It seemed she didn’t dislike him. If he kept working hard, maybe she’d forget about their “fake marriage” agreement and truly want to spend her life with him.

Meanwhile, Shen Yunxuan leaned against the door of her room, her hand on her chest, feeling her heart race. She scolded herself, “You’ve lived one lifetime already. Why are you acting like a lovestruck teenager? Get a grip!”

Her previous marriage had been more of a practical arrangement. Respect and harmony were earned through years of effort, but there had never been genuine affection or excitement. She had treated her husband as a colleague rather than a partner. Now, with Xiao Jun, she was experiencing the thrill of first love for the first time in her life.

Xiao Jun stepped in to defend her the first time they met, and ever since, he had been her unwavering shield, protecting her in his own way. Whatever she said, he would listen and act on it, offering her immense respect. No matter where they were, he openly praised and supported her without reservation. Thinking back, in both her lifetimes, the only place she truly felt this secure—beyond relying on herself—was by Xiao Jun’s side.

The awful hand she had been dealt in this life had unexpectedly been replaced with a winning one. Everything she had ever longed for but couldn’t attain in her past life was now hers in the Xiao family.

Happiness gently bloomed in Shen Yunxuan’s heart, filling her with warmth. She realized she had truly come to regard the Xiao family as her home and Xiao Jun as her partner. The Xiao family had become the safe and comforting haven she had always dreamed of.

The entire family noticed that Shen Yunxuan and Xiao Jun seemed especially cheerful, smiling more than usual. They couldn’t figure out why, assuming it must be because they had secured the provincial government’s order—a huge deal, after all! Compared to most people, who had never even left their town, the Xiaos were practically living like royal merchants. Who wouldn’t be happy?

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As the Mid-Autumn Festival approached, Shen Yunxuan suggested accompanying Xiao Jun on his next trip to the provincial capital. Once there, she visited the factory they had partnered with first. Bringing two jars of braised pork as gifts, she smiled and said, “The festival is almost here, and I imagine you must be very busy, Director. I wouldn’t want to bother you unless I was hopeful about further collaboration with your factory.”

The factory director offered them tea and lit a cigarette with a grin. “Comrade Shen, you’re too polite. The canned food you produce is outstanding—I never would’ve guessed it was made by someone so young. Truly, the younger generation surpasses the old. Tell me, what’s on your mind? If you’re hoping I’ll order more of your products, I’m afraid the current pricing won’t allow it unless you’re willing to lower it.”

Shen Yunxuan waved her hand. “You’ve already been very supportive of our business. I wouldn’t dream of asking for more orders. I came to propose a special collaboration: festival gift packages. During the holidays, I know the factory distributes welfare items like oil, rice, towels, and cups. But I’ve heard that many employees already have an excess of these at home and end up reselling them.

“So I was wondering—could our canned food be added to your holiday gift packages? It’s delicious and has an upscale feel. Giving employees two or four cans each means they’ll have something tasty to enjoy during the holidays. It’s a thoughtful gesture for hosting guests or even giving as gifts—it’s quite presentable, as our brand is starting to gain recognition.”

The director was taken aback by her proposal. Xiao Jun, already briefed on her idea, chimed in enthusiastically, “As they say, food is the paramount necessity. Including quality food items in holiday packages is bound to please everyone. Plus, if word gets out that your factory’s welfare packages include premium canned food, it’ll boost the factory’s reputation.”

Shen Yunxuan added, “For special occasions like festivals, we can provide fresh options delivered on the day, such as paper-wrapped braised chicken, boxed assortments of eight pastries, or packs of assorted roasted nuts. These could be bundled into gift hampers to enhance their appeal. What do you think?”

She came well-prepared, laying out samples on the table as she spoke. The braised chicken was her creation, the pastries were made by Xiao Zhijun, and the roasted nuts were sourced from Li Sheng. Together with their canned foods, the selection was perfect for gifting or hosting guests, with a flavor and presentation that impressed.

The director, tempted by the aroma, sampled each item and was astonished by how much better they tasted than anything he usually ate. He realized that Shen Yunxuan wasn’t just relying on a fluke recipe—this was genuine skill and innovation. The pastries, for instance, were artistically shaped and packaged in a way he had only seen in the capital. Including them in holiday gifts would undoubtedly boost the factory’s reputation.

After some thought, the director asked, “Can you make mooncakes? Since it’s the Mid-Autumn Festival, how about replacing half the pastries with mooncakes?”

Traditionally, the factory distributed plain and dry mooncakes with candied peels, which few people enjoyed. Having tasted Shen Yunxuan’s pastries, he grew curious about her take on mooncakes. If her prices were reasonable, a refresh in the gift packages could be worthwhile.

Shen Yunxuan immediately replied, “Absolutely! We can make several unique fillings that aren’t available on the market yet. I guarantee our mooncake assortment will be one-of-a-kind.”

The director was amused by her confidence. “You’ve got quite the bold spirit, young lady. Fine, then—we’ll order a batch of your canned food, a batch of mooncakes and pastries, a batch of braised chicken, and a batch of roasted nuts. If it goes well, we’ll place another order for the New Year.”

Shen Yunxuan stood up and shook his hand firmly. “Thank you for your trust! It’s because of supportive leaders like you that small-town businesses like ours can thrive. Rest assured, our products will be of the highest quality and won’t let you down!”

The factory director was quite pleased with Shen Yunxuan’s eloquence and decisiveness. He immediately summoned a staff member from the administrative office to draft a contract, signing it without hesitation. As the first factory director in the provincial capital to collaborate with Shen Yunxuan, he prided himself on his vision and courage. The success of her canned foods in the factory’s cafeteria—so popular among workers that they relieved pressure on the cafeteria budget—proved him right. Now, he was the first to include her products in holiday gift packages, hoping for even better results.

With this contract in hand, negotiations with other businesses became much smoother for Shen Yunxuan and Xiao Jun. After all, if the provincial capital’s factories were handing out such high-end gifts, other factories couldn’t just distribute plain towels or low-quality mooncakes without being overshadowed. At the very least, they needed to order some canned foods or mooncake boxes to save face.

By the time they secured contracts with seven factories, convincing government agencies became even easier. With so many units giving out these premium gifts, how could the government appear less generous? This logic successfully landed them an eighth Mid-Autumn Festival contract, and the couple returned home in high spirits.

This was no small deal. The family temporarily hired ten extra workers to help, working overtime to meet the demand. Xiao Zhijun even managed to borrow a truck for deliveries. The family put all other business activities on hold, focusing their collective efforts on completing this order.

Xiao Zhijun discovered new culinary horizons during this time. For the first time, he realized mooncakes could be filled with salted egg yolk, red bean paste, or even meat. After several experiments, he successfully created delicious versions and was thrilled beyond measure—more excited than when he earned money selling goods. As a chef at heart, he was passionate about creating delectable food, and Shen Yunxuan’s innovative suggestions expanded his repertoire, sparking countless new ideas.

When the festival orders were delivered, the profits were astounding. Even after splitting the earnings among everyone involved, Shen Yunxuan’s personal savings exceeded ten thousand yuan, making her the first “ten-thousand-yuan household” in the town! Of course, the term didn’t exist yet, and no one thought to measure wealth this way. The family kept their success low-key, refraining from sharing it with outsiders.

Riding this momentum, Shen Yunxuan and Xiao Jun visited several other cities in the province. Armed with photos of the provincial capital’s Mid-Autumn gift packages, they presented their products as the most sought-after items in the market, promoting their brand with great enthusiasm. During this era, secondary cities often admired and aspired to match the sophistication of provincial capitals, while provincial capitals idolized metropolises like Beijing and Shanghai. This aspirational hierarchy played in their favor.

Seeing the high-end gift packages from the capital, factories in these secondary cities felt compelled to keep up. Wealthier factories placed large orders, while smaller ones ordered modest quantities—if only to save face. Cumulatively, these orders exceeded the revenue from the provincial capital, providing steady income even if it wasn’t as concentrated as the holiday season profits.

The ten temporary workers hired for Mid-Autumn Festival were retained as permanent staff. Paid monthly, they scaled up production and assisted with deliveries.

Through all this, outsiders remained unaware of the full extent of the Xiao family’s success. Even if someone spotted their delivery trucks, they couldn’t piece together the scope of their operations. But within the Xiao household, there was no mistaking the transformation. The family was stunned and awed by how Shen Yunxuan’s strategies had expanded their business into a full-blown enterprise, covering multiple cities in the province.

In truth, Shen Yunxuan had simply seized a rare opportunity. Her recipes, inherited from a future era, gave her a competitive edge in a market that was still relatively undeveloped. When economic reforms eventually opened up opportunities for everyone, she might not have stood out so easily. But by being an early mover, she secured her foothold in an untapped market. Without even owning a proper shop or factory, her brand “Wuyou” (Worry-Free) had already made a name for itself across the province.

In her hometown, however, she remained deliberately low-key. She continued selling goods as she always had, cautious not to attract attention—especially from Shen Xuewei, the reborn antagonist in her story. Shen Yunxuan knew she wasn’t yet strong enough to confront a desperate Shen Xuewei, so she adhered to the principle of keeping a low profile to avoid trouble. Her family agreed, ensuring secrecy among the workers. Those who handled deliveries didn’t linger at the house, further limiting exposure. As a result, most people remained clueless about the scale of the Xiao family’s burgeoning business.

Meanwhile, Shen Xuewei had returned to her village, isolated from these developments due to its lack of connectivity. Now disliked by both her in-laws and her own family, she felt utterly ostracized.

Her in-laws had abandoned her at the hospital, relying on her natal family to cover her medical expenses and secure her position in the Xiao family. Shen Xuewei, desperate to maintain her foothold, dared not openly challenge them and instead painted grandiose promises to her family to extract financial support. She had even hoped to manipulate them into troubling Shen Yunxuan and disrupting the Xiao family’s operations.

However, the failed confrontation at the Xiao household had turned her family into a laughingstock. This, coupled with news of her manipulations, made her natal family increasingly resentful of her.

In the village, gossip about her situation spread like wildfire. Tales of her in-laws neglecting her, her strained relationship with her stepchildren, and her attempts to exploit Shen Yunxuan turned her into a pariah. Even worse, whispers about her husband’s household chaos—such as the children running away and accusations of abuse—reached the town and tarnished her husband’s reputation as a military officer.

Her attempts to control others had backfired spectacularly, leaving her increasingly isolated in every way.

The Xing family stormed into the Shen household, causing a ruckus until the village chief intervened to restore order. Shen Weiguo claimed that all the gossip came from Shen Yunxuan, but the Xing family didn’t believe it. How could she possibly know about miscarriages or stepmother-child conflicts? Clearly, someone in the Shen family had said too much, and it had been overheard, damaging Xing Kai’s reputation.

Xing Kai was a proud military captain, a title that should bring glory. But now, his name was being linked to rumors about miscarriages, unruly children, and an overbearing stepmother. People started questioning his ability to even manage his own family, let alone a unit of soldiers, with some even doubting how he earned his rank. The Xing family was furious.

This chaos further diminished Shen Xuewei’s standing in the Xing family. Any hope she had of establishing herself was dashed. After being discharged from the hospital, she obediently stayed in her room, focusing on her pregnancy. To the Xing family, the unborn child was the only thing that mattered.

The Xing family didn’t force her to work and ensured she had meals, but they withheld the money Xing Kai sent home. Xing Kai’s mother stated clearly that she would manage the money and the child. Shen Xuewei had no say in the matter, and any decision would wait until Xing Kai contacted them. If he instructed the family to give her money, they would comply; otherwise, she would get nothing.

Fuming but unable to retaliate due to her fragile pregnancy, and with no support from her natal family, Shen Xuewei could only swallow her grievances and wait for Xing Kai to return. She wrote him multiple letters detailing her hardships and even called his unit, but he was away on a mission and unreachable. Distracted by her situation, she missed the opportunity to hinder Shen Yunxuan’s rising success.

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After the Mid-Autumn Festival, a new policy was finally announced. The town mayor convened a meeting and specifically invited Shen Yunxuan.

It turned out that over a month ago, higher-level leaders had proposed further easing economic restrictions to encourage development and help the nation catch up with capitalist countries. They also pointed out significant flaws in the current organizational and work systems, advocating for reforms.

After much deliberation, the policy directives were finally passed down. However, the specifics of implementation were unclear, leaving most provinces and cities in a wait-and-see mode, hesitant to act until others took the lead.

The town mayor, having developed respect for Shen Yunxuan’s integrity and business acumen—especially after the incident with his grandson—decided to seek her opinion. He was impressed by her forward-thinking approach and her grasp of business, which he had observed during their prior interactions.

Reading through the policy documents, Shen Yunxuan let out a sigh of relief. Finally, the time had come to openly engage in legitimate business.

She spoke earnestly, “Every prosperous era in history has thrived on vibrant trade. Now, if we aim to boost economic growth, it’s crucial to invigorate commerce, get money flowing, and encourage the circulation of goods. We must wholeheartedly support the national call to promote trade.”

Then, she added with a smile, “Mayor, I’ve heard we’re applying to become a county-level city. This could be the perfect opportunity to make a name for ourselves.”

She grinned. “Why not let me be the first officially recognized ‘self-employed business owner’ in the country?”

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