Ch 74: Bringing a Farming Game System to the 1970s

Not only was Yu Xiao’an worried about Zhang Chahua’s state, but everyone who heard Yu Xiang’an’s recounting immediately pitched in with various suggestions.

Yu Changcun felt a deep mix of emotions. With his elder brother gone, he was now the last of his siblings. If they could locate their missing brother and sister, it would be as their elder brother had hoped—whether their lives had turned out well or not, simply knowing their whereabouts would bring closure.

If they were doing well, no one would expect to share in their fortune. If not, the family could now extend a helping hand.

In the past, they had relied on word of mouth, asking around the local area, but any search beyond the region was out of reach. Now that Yu Xiang’an mentioned placing an ad in the newspaper, he thought it was an excellent idea.

Why hadn’t he thought of it before?

With so many people reading newspapers, surely someone would notice. Even if the missing siblings themselves didn’t see it, someone else might and could pass the word along.

Yu Changcun and Zhang Chahua sat together, reminiscing about their third brother and younger sister, trying to recall any distinguishing features or events that could help in identifying them.

The younger sister’s case was relatively straightforward—she had been sent away as a child bride before the age of ten and likely had only vague memories of the family. If she moved far away, it was possible she had forgotten altogether. But when it came to the third brother, Yu Changcun didn’t hold much hope.

At fifteen or sixteen years old, old enough to marry, how could he not remember his home?

Even though the village’s name had changed to Red Star (Hongxing) Brigade, the rest had remained the same. If he had returned and asked around, he would have known where to find them—both he and his elder brother had always stayed there.

What could have happened to him?

One moment he was fine, and the next, he disappeared without a trace. They searched everywhere but couldn’t find him.

Perhaps because she now had something to hold onto, Zhang Chahua’s expression brightened significantly. She even began paying more attention to the younger children, lavishing affection on them. She was especially fond of Yu Xiangyan’s three children, whom she had cared for during their university years and had grown particularly close to.

Yu Xiyi, in turn, adored her great-grandmother and clung to her affectionately. With her grandfather gone, having Zhang Chahua still around was a comfort. Yu Xiyi had also been deeply concerned about Zhang Chahua’s earlier state of mind. Now, knowing she’d soon return to the capital with her parents, she followed Zhang Chahua everywhere, unwilling to part from her.

Once the funeral was over, the family members gradually dispersed.

Yu Xiangyan needed to return to his duties, and Zhang Chahua urged him not to delay. “You’ve already taken leave for this. Once the funeral is over, head back quickly. It’s a long journey; don’t let it affect your work.”

Before Yu Manwu returned to Shanghai, he sought out Yu Xiang’an for a conversation.

Yu Xiang’an hadn’t seen Yu Manwu in years. He had gone to Shanghai for his studies and only returned home for the New Year. Yu Xiang’an had only come back that first year, and their schedules hadn’t aligned since.

Yu Manwu had now graduated and been assigned to teach at a technical secondary school. The job came with decent pay and benefits. The only unresolved issue in his life was his relationship with Ruan Chenxi.

The two of them remained in an ambiguous state.

Yu Manwu gave a wry smile. “I don’t understand her. We’ve both graduated, started working, and we’re not young anymore. If she’s fallen for someone else, I’d step aside. But she hasn’t. What is she thinking?”

Yu Xiang’an asked, “And what do you think she’s thinking?”

Yu Manwu shook his head. “I don’t know, I really don’t. You’ve spent time with her before, so I wanted to ask you—what do you think is going through her mind?”

Seeing the fatigue on Yu Manwu’s face, Yu Xiang’an sighed. “I don’t know what she’s thinking, but do you know what you want? Is this how you want to spend your days?

“You’ve been entangled for so long now. At this age, most people would already be settling down, starting families. If the feelings are mutual, everything else will fall into place naturally.”

Yu Manwu looked dazed. “Yes, if the feelings are mutual… but that’s the issue, isn’t it?”

He gave a bitter smile.

There were many things Yu Manwu initially wanted to say, but now it seemed unnecessary to voice them.

If Ruan Chenxi had truly liked him, she wouldn’t have dragged things out for so long. The lack of a clear rejection might stem from some concerns, but ultimately, it was clear she didn’t have feelings for him.

Realizing this, Yu Manwu felt utterly disheartened.

When he got into university, he genuinely thought that achieving this milestone would bring them together. Back then, when he confessed his feelings to her, her response should have been enough to understand her stance.

“I don’t have anything else to say, Xiao An. Thank you for your advice. I’ve thought it through. I’ll return to Shanghai and end things properly. It’s been so long, and I’m tired.”

Yu Xiang’an patted his shoulder, offering her comfort. “As long as you’ve made up your mind.”

Yu Manwu asked, “When are you heading back to the capital?”

Yu Xiang’an replied, “Not so soon. I’m planning to visit the Special Zone first.”

Yu Manwu raised an eyebrow. “Alone? What about the kids and brother-in-law?”

Yu Xiang’an explained, “After he finishes his visits, he’ll take the kids back to the capital. They all have things to do.”

Yu Manwu frowned. “So, you’re planning to take the train back to the capital by yourself?”

Yu Xiang’an chuckled. “I’m not a child anymore. Are you worried I’ll run into trouble on a train? Besides, I might stay in the Special Zone for a while.”

If anything unexpected happened, she had her own means to handle it.

Yu Manwu asked, “Won’t you and your husband and kids have to be apart for a while?”

Yu Xiang’an nodded. “Yes, we’ll be apart for a bit. But there’s a phone at home now. If I miss them, I can just give them a call.”

Being separated temporarily was unavoidable.

Thinking about it, Yu Xiang’an sighed.

The capital was still strict about these matters, so her only option was to go south.

Yu Manwu admired her resolve. “Do you have such a long leave from work?”

He still didn’t know that Yu Xiang’an had resigned.

She smiled lightly. “This trip is work-related. Consider it a business trip.”

Yes, a self-assigned business trip.

Yu Manwu prepared to return to Shanghai. The rest of the family stayed for now, and Yu Qingshan had taken leave to spend more time with Zhang Chahua.

Being dedicated to his work, Yu Qingshan had accumulated a significant amount of unused leave, which he was now putting to good use.

After returning to the county, Lin Chuanbai stayed busy. They visited the house they owned there—it hadn’t deteriorated despite being unoccupied. Yu Qingshan frequently came by to tidy up and maintain it, keeping it in excellent condition.

It was clear he had cared for the house meticulously.

Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai cleaned it thoroughly again. The twins were curious, marveling at the house where they had lived before they could even remember.

Lin Chuanbai also paid a visit to Lin Jiqing, his second uncle. With the distance between them, visits had been rare, but being back now, it was only polite to stop by.

Xu Haili’s attitude toward Lin Chuanbai and his family had taken a significant turn for the better. She warmly welcomed them and brought out her best offerings to entertain them.

Lin Chuanqiong and Lin Nanxing, the siblings, were also very enthusiastic. Over the years, both had gotten married to local spouses and had steady jobs, but housing remained an issue.

Especially for Lin Nanxing, whose family was cramped into a small dormitory.

When their children were younger, it was manageable, but as they grew older, the lack of space became increasingly inconvenient.

Lin Chuanqiong’s situation was better—his family comfortably occupied a two-story house.

However, Lin Nanxing had his eyes set on the adjacent house, which belonged to Lin Houpin.

The same courtyard had two two-story houses—one where Lin Houpin’s family lived, and the other, currently vacant.

When the topic of housing came up, Lin Chuanbai didn’t engage. If directly asked, he simply stated that he’d already separated from the family and couldn’t make decisions regarding this matter. No matter how others tried to appeal emotionally or logically, he refused to budge.

The house belonged to Lin Houpin and would eventually go to his older brother, Lin Guangbai.

Having already moved out and built his own home, Lin Chuanbai had no authority to allocate the house.

Moreover, Lin Chuanbai couldn’t understand why there wasn’t enough space. The house was two stories tall, with only Lin Chuanqiong and one child currently living there. Even if Lin Nanxing and his family moved in, there would still be enough space. If Lin Chuanbai gave in and allowed Lin Nanxing’s family to move in, and Lin Guangbai stayed away long enough, it could eventually become Lin Nanxing’s property. He couldn’t let that happen.

Since Lin Chuanbai refused to yield, Xu Haili didn’t dare to forcibly remove the lock and let Lin Nanxing’s family move in.

She was well aware of how difficult her eldest brother-in-law could be to deal with. If he became angry, she couldn’t predict the consequences, but she knew they’d be undesirable.

Meanwhile, Yu Xiang’an spent a few days with her grandparents at the Qin family home before Lin Chuanbai took the twins back to the capital.

Yu Mansheng waited to travel to the Special Zone with Yu Xiang’an.

Yu Qingshan began preparing for the newspaper advertisements to be published in Baishi County, the city, and the province. Yu Mansheng would handle follow-ups in the Special Zone, while Yu Xiang’an and Yu Xiangyan would oversee efforts in the capital. Yu Xiang’an also instructed Lin Chuanbai to keep an eye on things once he returned.

Yu Mansheng could have returned to the Special Zone earlier, but upon learning that Yu Xiang’an planned to head there on business, he purposely delayed his departure by two days.

Although he knew his cousin was capable, he couldn’t help worrying. The train journey could be chaotic. He’d heard stories of an entire carriage being robbed at night, with everyone losing their money. There was also an incident where child traffickers targeted several carriages, abducting children. The commotion was significant, and only a fraction of the missing children were eventually recovered.

Yu Mansheng felt he couldn’t assist Yu Xiang’an with her business but could at least ensure her safety during the journey.

Their destination wasn’t far—just a few hours by train. The Special Zone was a mix of contrasts: low, run-down buildings alongside new, strikingly modern constructions. These new structures, with their innovative designs and attractive facades, were unsurprisingly costly.

There were numerous inns in the area. Yu Xiang’an chose a modest one close to where Yu Mansheng and his crew were based.

The abundance of construction sites explained why Yu Mansheng’s team quickly secured contracts. Labor was in high demand, and the construction industry’s low entry barrier meant that even unskilled workers could find jobs. As long as they were physically capable and followed instructions, they could make money. After deducting rent and food expenses, their earnings were significantly better than farming back home.

However, Yu Xiang’an noticed that the living conditions at Yu Mansheng’s accommodations were far from ideal. They had rented a large courtyard where everyone crowded together. Without women to clean and organize, the place had an unbearable odor.

Yu Mansheng scratched his head awkwardly. “Yeah, uh, I’ll get the guys together to clean up soon. We’ve been so busy we just, you know, let things slide.”

Yu Xiang’an was both exasperated and amused. “I can’t believe you all tolerate this. It’s like a toxic gas attack. Anyway, come here—I need to discuss something with you.”

Yu Mansheng didn’t think much of it and followed her.

“What do you want to discuss? You’ve been here a few days now, touring around. Is this part of your business research or something?”

Yu Xiang’an led him to a quiet spot and confessed, “Actually, I’m not here on a business trip.”

Yu Mansheng froze. “Not a business trip? Then what about your job?”

It suddenly hit him that she had been away from work for an extended period. Surely her superiors would have taken issue with her prolonged absence.

His brow furrowed. “Did you…”

Yu Xiang’an nodded. “I resigned.”

Yu Mansheng choked on his breath, coughing uncontrollably. “Cough! Cough! Cough!”

He was stunned.

“You… cough cough… quit your job?!”

Yu Xiang’an waited for him to calm down before continuing, “I resigned before the New Year. No one else knows yet, so please don’t spread the word.”

Yu Mansheng quickly patted his chest to steady himself. “You—you’re saying you quit before the New Year? Then what have you been doing since?”

Yu Xiang’an replied matter-of-factly, “I’ve gone into business. The policies are favoring the Special Zone right now, so I came here. Things aren’t as open in the capital yet.”

Yu Mansheng was speechless for a long while.

His cousin truly had guts.

After some thought, he asked, “What’s your plan next?”

“Next, I plan to buy land here. Later, I’ll need your help to build something on it. You’ll be paid properly.”

She had brought her savings with her, and with Lin Chuanbai in the capital still running their existing ventures, funds were steadily coming in as startup capital.

Land in this area, especially in the outskirts, was still cheap. While she didn’t have enough funds to buy factory buildings or equipment yet, she had enough to make other necessary purchases.

“Don’t tell the family about this for now. I don’t want to upset the elders. Let’s keep this between us. When I send a letter saying I’ve returned, I’ll call home to say I’ve arrived safely. If anyone asks, just say I’m still on a work trip and have been instructed to stay here temporarily.”

Yu Mansheng sighed. “If you hadn’t told me, would you have kept me in the dark too?”

Yu Xiang’an chuckled. “Probably. You’d just think I was working.”

He sighed again, feeling a mix of admiration and exasperation. “Does your husband know? Does Brother Yan know?”

“Yes, they’re aware. They’re helping me keep it under wraps. No one’s going to find out unless we say something.”

Yu Mansheng wiped his face in disbelief. So, everyone in the capital was in on this secret? If Yu Xiang’an hadn’t told him, he wouldn’t have suspected a thing.

He had to admit, though, keeping it quiet was probably for the best. He considered himself relatively modern-minded, and even he wouldn’t have been able to make such a bold move. The elders, with their obsession over secure jobs, would certainly struggle to accept it.

“All right, I won’t say anything for now. But, Cousin, this can’t stay a secret forever.”

“I know,” Yu Xiang’an replied, looking a bit troubled. “We’ll reveal it when the timing feels right.”

“Living under so many restrictions is exhausting. I just didn’t want to spend my entire life that way.”

“I get it,” Yu Mansheng agreed. “I’m in a similar boat. While I’m young and don’t have too many obligations, I wanted to take the chance to venture out. If I succeed, I’ll return with glory. If I fail, I’ll go back to laying bricks. I won’t starve.”

Yu Xiang’an laughed. “True, that would be literal brick-laying.”

After scouting around, she purchased two properties: one centrally located, about 200–300 square meters, perfect for a restaurant with a guaranteed flow of customers, and another in the outskirts, intended as a future factory site. Though the second location was considered rural now, she predicted the city’s rapid development would make it prime real estate soon.

Yu Mansheng started by helping her construct a two-story restaurant. As he worked, he couldn’t help but feel inspired. Maybe he should build something permanent instead of renting. With the city’s fast-paced development, he could always sell the property later if needed and wouldn’t lose out.

He kept the idea in mind while watching Yu Xiang’an’s progress. She rented a small space as an office and began the process of registering a company.

The company’s name: Five Flavors.

Unlike the capital, where establishing a private business was still met with caution, the Special Zone was far more accommodating. The paperwork went through quickly, and the new venture was officially born.

However, Yu Mansheng couldn’t quite understand why she needed to establish a company.

He didn’t ask directly, but he pondered over it.

Watching his cousin Yu Xiang’an set everything up, including hiring a local girl as an assistant to help her network and get connected with others, he slowly began to see her plan unfold.

The office building she rented was mostly filled with businesses from various industries. By intentionally seeking connections, she eventually linked up with a Hong Kong-based intermediary.

This intermediary mainly handled business dealings for clients from Hong Kong and Taiwan. Though surprised by her approach, he wasn’t entirely shocked—after all, she just needed help sourcing some simple, used equipment.

And this was relatively straightforward.

The equipment Yu Xiang’an needed wasn’t particularly hard to find. Obsolete machinery from a soy sauce or canned goods factory would suffice.

The intermediary asked for an initial deposit, another payment when progress was made, and the balance upon completion. If the deal fell through, however, the deposit wouldn’t be refunded—just how supply-demand dynamics worked at the time.

Even second-hand equipment wasn’t cheap. Coupled with the costs of building a factory, this required a significant investment—not just small change.

Yu Xiang’an calmly explained, “You think these used machines will be ready quickly? If they arrive in six months, that’s considered fast.”

“That much time is enough to handle other preparations,” she continued. If necessary, she could also sell some of the recipes she had developed herself to secure additional funds.

Yu Mansheng was speechless but impressed.

Before long, with his help, her two-story restaurant was constructed.

Then Gu Nanfeng arrived.

He wasn’t married and had no family commitments, so when Yu Xiang’an offered him a job with a salary of 50 yuan a month plus bonuses, he accepted immediately.

As the restaurant underwent simple renovations, everything else was being set up—permits, staffing, and supplies.

While Yu Xiang’an was busy in the Special Zone, Lin Chuanbai was just as occupied back in the capital.

Lin Chuanbai’s routine primarily involved managing the soup bases and marinade preparations for their two shops, ensuring consistency in quality. But with Yu Xiang’an away, their two children frequently asked, “When is Mom coming back?”

Initially, the kids struggled with her absence, but over time, they adapted and stopped asking as much.

When they missed her, they would call her. The rented space in the Special Zone came with a phone line, making communication easier.

By the end of the month, Lin Chuanbai could see just how profitable the two stores were, particularly the braised food wholesale side of the business.

The reputation of their marinated products had already spread far and wide.

Each day, the quantity of food materials delivered to their courtyard was staggering.

Lin Chuanbai couldn’t help but think that, with just a bit more time, the profits from these two stores alone could cover all the startup costs.

---

In the Special Zone, a lot of people were trying to carve out a living, but at that time, the majority of those venturing out were men.

Yu Xiang’an put up recruitment notices, and it didn’t take long to hire two people.

One was Sun Dongsheng, a young man from another region. He was a former educated youth who had been sent to a rural area not far from the Special Zone. After returning to the city and finding no position for himself, he borrowed money and ventured to the Special Zone. With a middle school education, he was literate, numerate, and good at dealing with people.

The other was Zeng Wang, a local youth familiar with the area, who took on the role of purchasing ingredients.

Additionally, there was Liu Erjie, a woman in her thirties hired as a server. She was neat, quick with her hands, and efficient. Together with Gu Nanfeng, Yu Xiang’an’s assistant, the team of six was enough to get the restaurant running smoothly.

Gu Nanfeng, having already worked in the capital, quickly adapted to the new location.

Yu Xiang’an and her assistant handled the kitchen, Zeng Wang managed procurement, and Sun Dongsheng took charge of food delivery.

Since the area primarily catered to professionals, Yu Xiang’an had ensured the restaurant’s interior was tastefully designed to attract them. However, such a polished atmosphere might intimidate those on tighter budgets.

What about serving them?

Taking a page from Yu Mansheng’s experience, she recognized that construction workers also needed meals. If food could be delivered to them at mealtime—affordable and delicious—it would naturally become their first choice. This led to the introduction of a delivery service.

At that time, restaurant openings didn’t rely on elaborate gimmicks. For her grand opening, Yu Xiang’an offered a 20% discount and organized a lottery. Any purchase of at least one dime qualified for a draw.

Every draw was a winner.

The smallest prize was a complimentary drink, and the grand prize? A bicycle!

The bicycle was prominently displayed at the entrance, drawing attention.

Even Yu Mansheng couldn’t help but stare at it for a long time, his face full of heartache. “Are you really going to give this away?”

“Of course!” Yu Xiang’an replied.

If someone actually won, the prize would be delivered. Without fulfilling the promise, there would be no buzz or attraction. The bicycle became the talk of the town, and on the first day, the restaurant was packed.

Yu Xiang’an had to instruct Zeng Wang to restock.

She had underestimated the allure of a bicycle during that time.

By noon, while the bicycle remained unclaimed, someone won an expensive electric kettle. The middle-aged woman who won couldn’t believe her luck as she carried it home.

“I only spent a dime to buy something to amuse my grandson, and I ended up with a kettle worth over ten yuan?”

Her story spread quickly.

The bicycle stayed in the doorway as a beacon of opportunity.

For the first three days, everyone who dined at the restaurant could participate in the lottery, with the chance to test their luck. Word of mouth spread like wildfire:

“Have you heard about that new restaurant, Five Flavors, on West Avenue? They’re offering a lottery for spending just one dime, and the grand prize is a brand-new bicycle!”

“What did you win? I wasn’t lucky—just got a plate of pickled chicken feet.”

“I did okay and got a towel.”

“Oh, I got a scarf—free of charge!”

“My luck is usually good; I’ll go check it out too…”

At just a dime per entry, who wouldn’t give it a try?

🌱🌿 🫧🍃