Ch 77: Bringing a Farming Game System to the 1970s

Facing Yu Qingshan’s trembling hand, Yu Xiang’an let out a nervous laugh. “Dad, it’s exactly as you heard. I’m the factory director—and the owner of everything here.”

Yu Qingshan took a deep breath, lowering his hand and stuffing it into his pocket. He squinted at her suspiciously. “You weren’t here on a business trip? How could this be yours?”

Yu Xiang’an nervously tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, trying to mask her unease.

“Dad, I’m sorry for keeping this from you.” She quickly apologized, poured him another cup of tea, and gestured for him to sit in the factory director’s office. Watching her sheepish demeanor, Yu Qingshan let out a cold huff.

He had found it odd when they came here, thinking it was just a casual tour of someone else’s factory. Instead, she’d dropped this bombshell.

Yu Xiang’an, with a serious expression, began to explain. “Dad, I resigned last year to start my own business. At the time, I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to upset you. I knew you’d worry and think I was being impulsive. But this was a well-thought-out decision. I understand that, in today’s environment, it might seem incredible to you and others. That’s why I waited until now to tell you—until I had something concrete to show for my efforts.

“I wanted to prove to you with my achievements that I’ve already made progress on this new path. Dad, please don’t worry about me. Even though this road isn’t as stable and smooth as the one I was on, it’s the one I want to take. I hope you can support me and feel proud of what I’ve accomplished.”

As she spoke, Yu Qingshan’s initial anger slowly ebbed away.

Her factory—a place that fed dozens of workers and their families. It wasn’t an easy feat. She had built this from scratch. Wasn’t that something to be proud of?

If she were a son, Yu Qingshan thought, he might have supported her from the beginning. Boys, after all, were expected to venture out and carve their own paths. But girls were different.

Women’s opportunities were narrower. Society expected them to marry and care for their families, and any deviation from that could invite judgment. A woman going out to start a business faced even more challenges and hostility.

If his daughter had told him at the start, he would have opposed it.

But now, seeing what she had built, how could he object? Opposition would only hurt her. And would it change the past? Could it undo her resignation? What about the workers who depended on her?

Taking a deep breath, Yu Qingshan calmed himself further, though his questions lingered.

“Does Chuanbai know about your resignation? What about your in-laws? Were they opposed?”

“This factory isn’t small. How did you get the funds for construction, equipment, and materials?”

“You’re negotiating deals alone? Have you considered the potential safety risks?”

Yu Xiang’an noticed his increasingly composed demeanor. The outcome depended on how well she addressed his concerns, so she steeled herself and answered.

“Chuanbai knows and supports me. My in-laws do too—Grandpa especially. Initially, others were hesitant, but they’ve come around.”

“I opened two restaurants in the capital, which earned me significant profits. I’ve also opened two here and am preparing a third. While I’ve earned quite a bit, I did take out loans for equipment. But given our current status, repaying them won’t be a problem.”

“I’m not working alone. My assistant is always with me. We’re careful about where we meet clients, and we avoid risky situations.”

Yu Qingshan’s expression remained neutral as he pressed further. “And what about Chuanbai and the kids? Long-term separation isn’t a solution. Have you thought about how to address that?”

“You said only your second brother knows about your restaurants. What’s the total loan amount?”

“Even with your assistant, two women alone could be in danger if faced with multiple adversaries. Have you thought this through?”

Yu Xiang’an replied earnestly, “I’ve considered the separation issue. Right now, we’re laying the groundwork, and this stage is unavoidable. But after two years at most, I’ll change our arrangement so I can spend more time with them.”

“As for my second brother, please don’t blame him. It was my idea to keep this from the family because I didn’t want to upset the elders, who view stable government jobs as paramount.”

“Regarding the loan, I’ve ensured it’s within my ability to repay.”

“For safety, my assistant and I carry self-defense tools at all times. We meet in public places and avoid secluded areas. Plus, with Mansheng and his team nearby, we have strong and reliable support.”

Yu Qingshan sighed. His anger had mostly subsided, but he still felt a mix of emotions. “Alright. I’ll reserve my judgment for now, but you need to keep me informed about how things progress.”

Yu Qingshan chuckled coldly. “So, besides your second brother, Mansheng also knew.” His face carried a disturbingly friendly smile.

Yu Xiang’an: “…”

Looking at that “friendly” smile, Yu Xiang’an felt a twinge in her teeth. It seemed like some of her father’s earlier frustration had been redirected toward those two accomplices who had kept silent.

But…

She coughed awkwardly.

Somewhat unkindly, she felt a bit of relief. The pressure on her had lessened.

Yu Qingshan didn’t immediately trust everything she said. After all, he had already been deceived once. While he listened to her explanations without interrupting much, he insisted on personally visiting her two operational restaurants and even stopped by the third one, still under renovation. Then he sought out Yu Mansheng.

When Yu Mansheng saw Yu Qingshan, he immediately straightened his back, looking as if he were about to face a drill sergeant.

Beforehand, Yu Xiang’an had warned him about her confession. He had prepared a script in his mind, but the moment he faced Yu Qingshan’s solemn expression, most of it evaporated. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

He was terrified of Uncle Yu.

Though Uncle Yu had never physically punished him, he had a reputation for being stern. Now, standing there with such a serious face, he looked even more imposing. Man Sheng decided to answer every question truthfully, realizing it was pointless to try and deceive someone like his uncle.

There was no way to fool someone who, as the elders often said, had eaten more salt than he’d eaten rice. And if he tried and failed, the consequences would be worse.

Yu Mansheng’s responses aligned closely with Yu Xiang’an’s account, which made Yu Qingshan’s expression soften somewhat. However, when he asked about the exact amount of the loan—something Yu Xiang’an had deliberately omitted—her face stiffened.

She hesitated, knowing revealing the figure would undoubtedly shock him.

Ultimately, Yu Qingshan found out. When he heard the number, he felt as if a mountain had been placed on his back, nearly crushing him. Staring at his daughter, his previously tempered mood shifted drastically.

“This… This is outrageous!”

He gulped down several cups of cold tea to calm himself, resisting the urge to yell. “Does your husband know about this?”

“Of course, he does,” Yu Xiang’an replied firmly.

Even so, Yu Qingshan was restless. Knowing the debt’s enormity, he couldn’t stay seated. Until the amount was repaid, how could he sleep soundly? Debt was debt, regardless of whether the lender was a bank or someone else.

Even if her factory and restaurants were making good money, it would take years to clear such a large sum. Living with such a weight hanging over their heads…

Yu Qingshan paced back and forth, racking his brain for a solution.

Yu Mansheng: “…”

If Uncle Yu was reacting like this, he couldn’t imagine his own parents finding out about something similar. His legs would probably be broken.

He had been considering taking out a small loan himself, but after seeing this, he decided against it. If his family found out, they probably wouldn’t even be able to enjoy their meals anymore.

He resolved to keep working hard without borrowing money.

Yu Qingshan meticulously considered ways to address the debt, but one by one, he dismissed them. The most feasible solution was for his daughter to expand and strengthen her business to pay off the loan herself.

What worried him even more was whether his son-in-law’s family knew about this. They probably didn’t.

Even though the households were technically separate and divided, the blood ties remained. If the debt couldn’t be repaid, the creditors would inevitably find their way to her in-laws.

What then? Would her family life still be peaceful?

Yu Qingshan sighed heavily, a small blister forming in his mouth from all the stress and anxiety.

This was exactly why Yu Xiang’an had wanted to keep this from him.

Even in later generations, many people hated living under the weight of a mortgage. It was even worse in this more conservative era.

“Father, please don’t tell anyone else in the family about this. Let’s not add to everyone’s stress,” Yu Xiang’an pleaded.

Yu Qingshan snorted, “You’re very considerate, aren’t you?”

Yu Xiang’an: “…Dad, please. Can you have a little faith in your daughter? When have I ever done anything unreliable?”

Yu Qingshan: “Right now, this whole situation is incredibly unreliable! Forget it, I need some time to think. Leave me alone for a while.” His head was genuinely pounding.

Yu Xiang’an and Yu Mansheng quietly left the room, exchanging glances outside.

Yu Xiang’an mouthed, “What do we do?”

Yu Mansheng shrugged. “Do nothing.”

He was just as on edge as she was.

Yu Qingshan began calculating his own finances. With his recent promotion and allowances, he made over sixty yuan a month, which added up to over seven hundred yuan a year.

With all his children grown and his youngest in college, his expenses were minimal. His workplace provided meals, and he only occasionally sent some supplies to his youngest son. Most of his salary went into savings.

Assuming he could work for another twenty years, that would amount to 14,000 yuan.

Fourteen thousand—an astronomical sum. A “ten-thousand-yuan household” was enough to make headlines.

But even that was far from enough to cover his daughter’s debt.

And he wouldn’t actually have twenty years left to work before retirement. The timeline simply didn’t match.

A wave of helplessness washed over Yu Qingshan.

The only viable option was to trust his daughter to resolve this on her own. He also didn’t want his in-laws finding out about this.

Yu Mansheng hesitated before suggesting, “Have you thought about asking Uncle Yu for help? You’re managing so much on your own, but you need someone reliable to oversee everything. Uncle Yu doesn’t have too many years left before retirement anyway.”

He’s already over fifty.

Yu Xiang’an fell silent, considering it seriously.

“…But you know my dad has strong feelings for the hardware factory. For years, he treated it like home. Asking him to retire early and leave would be too difficult for him.”

Her father had always been a front-line worker. While he could manage things, she felt he was better suited to be a supervisor.

“For now, let’s just get through this hurdle first,” she said, unhurried.

Yu Qingshan stayed quietly in the room for two hours before stepping out. When he emerged, Yu Xiang’an noticed his slightly red-rimmed eyes and was startled—had he been crying?

Even Yu Mansheng was shocked. It was hard to imagine someone like Uncle Yu shedding tears.

Yu Qingshan’s face was stoic. “I understand your situation now. Your father can’t solve this problem for you, but fortunately, I don’t have many expenses. From now on, I’ll save my salary to help you pay off the loan.”

Yu Xiang’an quickly waved her hands. “Dad, don’t say that. It’s not necessary.” She studied him carefully, wondering if he had indeed cried in private. If so, it would be better not to mention it and embarrass him.

“Dad, you’ve seen the factory. Everyone’s working so hard. Please trust me a little more.”

Even if she made enough to pay off the loans, she wouldn’t rush to do so. That money would be reinvested for expansion.

Yu Qingshan’s cheek twitched. “How can I not worry?”

Yu Xiang’an used examples to reassure him. She explained that she wasn’t the first nor the last to venture into business. She elaborated on why the government supported such initiatives—it was about letting some people get rich first to drive broader prosperity. The policy’s approval of her loan amount was itself a testament to her potential.

She was confident not only in her abilities but also in her responsibility toward her workers and herself.

After much persuasion, Yu Qingshan’s expression softened slightly. Still, what he truly thought and whether he’d given up on worrying, only he knew.

To ease his concerns further, Yu Xiang’an took him to see the orders. Apart from working with Clark, she’d also secured deals with other clients. The current batch of goods, bound for Hong Kong, was sizable. With such orders in hand, there was no fear of being unable to earn enough to repay the loans.

Seeing the tangible proof of her success, Yu Qingshan felt somewhat relieved. The situation was better than he’d anticipated. Repaying the debt didn’t seem impossible.

With less anxiety weighing on his mind, Yu Xiang’an took him around the special economic zone to explore and experience the city’s rapid development. She hoped to leave him with a positive impression of this vibrant place.

The three days passed quickly. As Yu Qingshan boarded the train for his return journey, he caught a glimpse of two familiar figures out of the corner of his eye. Squinting for a better look, he recognized them—it was Ding Minxiu and Zhao Qiaoniang, the mother-daughter pair.

What were they doing in the special economic zone?

Seeing them brought back unpleasant memories for Yu Qingshan, and his brows immediately furrowed.

Yu Xiangju, a year older than Yu Mingjie, had started school earlier and taken the college entrance exam a year before him. Yet, they ended up attending university in the same year. Why? Because Yu Xiangju had repeated a year.

Given Yu Xiangju’s consistently strong academic performance, he shouldn’t have failed the exam. Yet, he did, and the reason was both baffling and frustrating.

On the day of his first college entrance exam, he had eaten a bowl of “Top Scholar Porridge” made by a classmate’s mother—a symbolic gesture for good luck, which was essentially just eight-treasure porridge.

But shortly after eating it, he began vomiting and experiencing diarrhea.

The exam hadn’t even begun, and he was already at a disadvantage. Who could have predicted that the porridge would have such an effect?

Due to the time-sensitive nature of the incident, he had the porridge tested. The results showed no tampering, but the ingredients had spoiled, leading to his adverse reaction.

Despite his condition, Yu Xiangju forced himself to take the exam. Unsurprisingly, his compromised state led to poor results, and he failed. He had no choice but to retake the year.

The incident left a bitter aftertaste. However, it never became widely known because his classmate, who had eaten even more of the porridge, suffered an even worse reaction and missed the exam entirely. The classmate’s family later visited Yu’s family to apologize, going so far as to kneel before them in remorse. Their sincerity left little room for further pursuit of the matter.

It wasn’t intentional; even her child was affected, and his grades were good too.

They had no choice but to repeat the year, becoming classmates with Yu Mingjie. Last year, both performed well and achieved their potential. When it came to selecting universities, they chose not to go to the capital but opted for a prestigious university in Guangzhou instead.

Being closer to home made it convenient to return when needed.

After learning that he had been admitted to university, Zhao Qiaoniang began visiting Yu Xiangju even more frequently.

Before, it wasn’t as though she never visited him. Occasionally, she would show up at his school, expressing her concern and affection for him. However, after his acceptance into university, her visits suddenly doubled in frequency. She often asked detailed questions about university life, confirming that not only would he not need to spend money but that he would also receive subsidies sufficient to meet his needs during his studies.

She would then bring Ding Minxiu and her grandson along, reminiscing about his childhood, clearly attempting to guilt him by emphasizing her past nurturing.

Her intentions were glaringly obvious.

Seeing that this wasn’t sustainable, Yu Qingshan arranged for Yu Xiangju to return to their hometown in Red Star Brigade, staying there until the university term began. This way, he avoided further encounters with Zhao Qiaoniang and her attempts to disrupt the young man’s focus.

Zhao Qiaoniang didn’t dare set foot in the Red Star Brigade; her conscience weighed too heavily. However, she didn’t give up entirely and even managed to track down Yu Xiangju’s university. Posing as his mother, she made an appearance there.

She even brought Ding Minxiu along, thoroughly disgusting Yu Qingshan.

How they discovered which university Yu Xiangju had been admitted to remained a mystery, as the information hadn’t been publicly shared. Their mother-daughter duo’s actions were clearly meant to entangle him, but Yu Qingshan wouldn’t allow that to happen.

He could fend them off temporarily, but he couldn’t shield Yu Xiangju forever. Ultimately, the young man had to stand firm on his own.

Now, seeing them here in the special economic zone, Yu Qingshan couldn’t help but wonder—who were they looking for?

Could it be Yu Xiang’an?

But logically, they shouldn’t know she was here.

This lingering concern, along with his existing worries about the loan, divided Yu Qingshan’s attention. If Yu Xiang’an knew about this, she might even feel grateful to them for the unintended distraction.

As it turned out, Zhao Qiaoniang and Ding Minxiu had no idea that Yu Xiang’an was in the special economic zone. Their presence there had a simple explanation: they couldn’t find work in Baishi County. Hearing numerous rumors about job opportunities in the special economic zone, the mother and daughter decided to try their luck here.

Ding Minxiu’s son was getting older, and she wanted him to do well in the college entrance exams. His grades were average, so she planned to hire tutors for extra lessons. Furthermore, once the exams were over, he would be of marriageable age. However, getting married required a significant amount of money. Expectations had risen, and to find a suitable match, a generous dowry was essential.

They had to start preparing early.

Arriving in the special economic zone, they were cautious, unfamiliar with the area and its people. Fortunately, they found some fellow townspeople to rely on. Together, they secured work at a garment factory, sewing collars. The work was straightforward and paid per piece. If they were quick, they could earn forty to fifty yuan a month. If slower, they would only make twenty to thirty yuan.

Ding Minxiu worked quickly, and while Zhao Qiaoniang was older, her hands were still nimble from years of such tasks. Both were retained by the garment factory.

They were delighted with the smooth process. If they worked here for six months and returned home for the New Year, they wouldn’t have to worry about school fees, tutoring costs, or wedding expenses for her son/grandson.

While they were busy earning money, Yu Xiang’an was also making progress. Her third restaurant had completed renovations and was now operational.

With the opening of a new location, Yu Xiang’an paid extra attention. She transferred experienced staff from her previous restaurants to the new one.

Having experienced workers guide the newcomers solved many potential issues, even if those “experienced” workers had only been on the job for a short time. Compared to complete novices, they were already seasoned hands.

As luck would have it, this third restaurant was located near the garment factory where Ding Minxiu and Zhao Qiaoniang worked. After receiving their first month’s wages, their fellow townspeople suggested celebrating with a meal, and they chose this restaurant.

Unaware that it was owned by Yu Xiang’an, they hesitated upon seeing the storefront. “Won’t it be too expensive to eat here?” they worried.

They couldn’t afford to splurge on food; the money had to be saved for the children.

The local acquaintance reassured them with a smile. “Not at all. It might look fancy, but the prices are quite reasonable, and the portions are generous.”

“I’ve been to another branch before; this is a franchise. It’s just as good,” the acquaintance continued. “Look at how crowded it is—if the food weren’t good, it wouldn’t be this popular.”

“And let me tell you, when they first opened, they had this raffle event. My friend won a pen—yes, a pen worth a few yuan! And he only spent twenty cents. We were so envious. I tried twice, but I only got a free bowl of soup each time.”

The talkative acquaintance couldn’t stop sharing stories. “You know what the grand prize was? A brand-new bicycle! Worth over a hundred yuan. And all you needed was a dime for a raffle ticket. If you were lucky, you could ride home with a bicycle.”

“At first, I thought it was just a gimmick, some kind of scam. But it turned out to be real! Someone actually won the bike, and now she rides it to work every day. She looks so happy.”

Ding Minxiu and Zhao Qiaoniang were taken aback. “Really? The owner must be out of their mind. That’s a sure way to lose money.”

The acquaintance shook their head. “Who knows? But the raffle was real. And look, the business is thriving—they’re even opening new branches. They must’ve made it work somehow.”

“I wish they’d do it again,” the acquaintance added wistfully.

Ding Minxiu smiled faintly, echoing the sentiment in her heart. “I’d love for something like that to happen to me.”

The acquaintance continued, “If they did, I’d definitely come back regularly and try my luck. I’m determined to win a big prize someday.”

“That’s right, Minxiu. We’ve always had good luck,” Zhao Qiaoniang chimed in confidently. “If we go, we’re bound to win something.”

🌱🌿 🫧🍃