Chapter 88.1

Ruan Mingfu let out a cold snort.

This time, she was determined to fight back!

Guan Jiu brought everything inside. “Comrade Ruan, please check if there’s anything missing.”

“How could there be?”

Ruan Mingfu looked at the items, which were so abundant that even she couldn’t have gathered this much on her own. As she rummaged through, she was surprised to find several roasted ducks among them.

“This is a specialty of the capital,” Guan Jiu explained. “In this weather, they can be kept like this, but they won’t taste as good as when they’re freshly cooked.”

“Wow, so many roasted ducks…”

Xie Yan peeked over curiously.

She couldn’t figure out how Guan Jiu managed to bring them in, as the ducks were still steaming.

“But if you heat them up, they won’t lose much flavor,” he added.

Ruan Mingfu nodded, “You’re very thoughtful.”

Seeing her expression, Guan Jiu knew that his effort had been worth it.

“Xie Yan, Xie Ming, bring these inside. Leave four. Two for us to eat, and you can take the other two back for Second Uncle and Third Uncle to try.”

Ruan Mingfu felt no guilt in giving orders to the two of them.

“Okay!”

They quickly responded, moving the items inside with great efficiency.

Ruan Mingfu glanced at the sky. “Guan Jiu, I need to go out for a bit.”

“I’ll make arrangements for you.”

This time, Ruan Mingfu didn’t take Xie Yan and Xie Ming with her. Since Guan Jiu had bought so many things, she didn’t need to visit the supply and marketing cooperative again. As for the fabric… she suddenly remembered that Hu Wanning’s sister worked at the textile factory.

Recalling the items Hu Wanning had asked her to bring over, it was a perfect opportunity to make this trip.

Guan Jiu personally drove, accompanied by a young man he had brought along to help.

Since the textile factory was not far from here, they quickly arrived at the gate. Without needing any instructions from Ruan Mingfu, the young man got out and negotiated with the gatekeeper.

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

She had to admit, it felt nice to be taken care of, almost like she was living in a previous life.

After a brief discussion, the gatekeeper soon went inside. Before long, a woman who resembled Hu Wanning approached them.

Ruan Mingfu noticed her gaze and stepped out of the car.

“Are you my sister-in-law’s second sister? She should have introduced me to you,” she said, sizing up Second Sister Hu. “I’m Ruan Mingfu.”

Second Sister Hu immediately dropped her suspicious expression.

“Oh, I know. She mentioned you,” she replied, her eyes lighting up with a gleaming admiration when she saw Ruan Mingfu. As she glanced at the small car behind her and at Guan Jiu standing beside her, a hint of curiosity crept into her expression.

“I had to return to the capital for some matters these past few days, and my sister-in-law asked me to bring you something.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Guan Jiu politely handed over the items.

Sister Hu took a quick look inside, finding a large jar of pickled vegetables and a letter. She grabbed the letter and began to read.

The letter didn’t contain much, and she finished it quickly.

“Thank you so much for bringing this to me,” Sister Hu said, her warmth returning. “I’ve been craving this!”

“My sister-in-law takes care of me in the family compound; it’s the least I could do,” Ruan Mingfu replied.

Sister Hu’s gaze shifted to Ruan Mingfu’s clothes. Remembering what Hu Wanning had mentioned in the letter, her smile grew wider.

“She has her own things, and I have mine,” Sister Hu said enthusiastically. “We recently got a few new machines at our factory, and the fabric they produce is exquisite. Comrade Ruan, would you like to come with me to pick some out?”

“Sure.”

Ruan Mingfu had come with that very purpose in mind.

Even if Sister Hu hadn’t suggested it, she would have brought it up. There was no need for hesitation. She and Hu Wanning had bought from Sister Hu many times, so they were quite familiar with each other.

Moreover, factory employees had internal quotas, and any surplus could always be sold to others.

Sister Hu led Ruan Mingfu to the warehouse and pointed at a pile of white lace.

“This fabric was woven with the new machines. It’s smoother and more even than regular lace, giving it a high-end look. It’s not ideal for clothing, but it makes great dust covers for wardrobes.”

These new machines had been transferred from the first factory.

Life had become increasingly difficult for their factory. The old orders had shrunk by thirty percent, barely maintaining its operations. The factory manager had spent three days crying to the Ministry of Commerce to secure this production line.

Ruan Mingfu touched the fabric.

It was stiff, with a slightly plastic feel. The patterns were attractive, and the colors were diverse.

After a quick glance, she set it aside.

“Comrade Ruan, there’s still plenty over here,” Sister Hu said, recognizing her expression. “These are freshly produced.”

Ruan Mingfu skimmed through the items, but her attention was caught by a roll of black fabric.

She felt it.

The fabric was lightweight and smooth, resembling the waterproof material used for down jackets. Normally, she might not have thought much of it, but it was winter now!

While it wasn’t down, cotton stuffing would work well. It was definitely better than the outer layer she was currently wearing.

“I want this one.”

Ruan Mingfu quickly calculated the cost in her mind, looking at the limited quantity of fabric. With a flick of her hand, she declared, “I’ll take all of it.”

“Comrade Ruan, are you sure you don’t want to think it over?”

Sister Hu didn’t know how long the fabric had been sitting in the warehouse. She remembered it only because it hadn’t sold and had been left there. Concerned that Ruan Mingfu might not fully understand the situation, she offered an explanation.

“No, I want to buy it,” Ruan Mingfu insisted.

Sister Hu was speechless.

Seeing Ruan Mingfu’s determination, Sister Hu felt it was pointless to argue.

She glanced around and chose some soft cotton fabric in a matching color before they left.

At the door, Sister Hu hesitated before speaking to Ruan Mingfu.

“Comrade Ruan, I’d like to prepare something for Wanning to ask you to take to her. Would that be possible?”

“Just a small matter,” Ruan Mingfu replied immediately. “There’s no need to use the word ‘ask.’ If you keep saying that, I might feel embarrassed coming here to buy fabric again.”

Sister Hu’s smile deepened.

“Okay, then I won’t be polite about it.”

“Why be polite? My sister-in-law has helped me so much in the family compound, and I haven’t had the chance to thank her,” Ruan Mingfu said, providing her address. 

“I’m temporarily staying at XX Street, XX Number. Just deliver it before eight tomorrow morning.”

“Got it.”

Sister Hu nodded and watched as the car slowly drove away. Once it was out of sight, her expression changed, and she hurried into the factory office.

Inside, the staff’s eyes lit up with curiosity as Sister Hu entered.

“Hey, Sister Hu, tell us about it,” one person said, pulling Sister Hu closer. “Was that person just now your relative?”

The others eagerly perked up, straining to hear.

Sister Hu pondered for a moment before replying, “…Yes, she’s my relative.”

The fabric quotas at the textile factory were only supposed to be for family or relatives, and while that rule had been broken long ago, Sister Hu wasn’t foolish enough to reveal everything.

“Wow, you have such impressive relatives who even drive a car!”

“Yeah, yeah…”

“And there were two people with her, one clearing the way and one carrying things. They looked more distinguished than any capitalist daughter I’ve seen…”

“Are you talking nonsense!”

Sister Hu shot a glare at the speaker.

“Surely two men aren’t doing nothing while a woman does all the work,” she said, casting a sidelong glance at the person who spoke, teasing her friend who had just grabbed her. “Does your old Han just watch you work?”

“He wouldn’t dare! Let’s see if I don’t give him a good scolding…”

Everyone in the office laughed.

Sister Hu sighed in relief. “I can’t chat anymore, I need to find the factory manager about something.”

“Go on, he just got back…” but he’s not in a good mood.

Seeing Sister Hu hurry away, her friend swallowed the last words.

The factory director of the textile factory was not very old. He was named Huang and was around thirty to forty years old. He had a square face that looked upright and serious. Perhaps due to his worries about the future of the fourth factory, a deep vertical line had formed between his brows.

He had just returned from the Ministry of Commerce, and the results were not promising.

If the textile factory couldn’t find a way out soon, it might really face closure. He took a drag from his cigarette, feeling quite frustrated.

At that moment, Sister Hu pushed the door open.

The sudden entrance startled Director Huang, and just as he was about to scold someone, he heard her excited voice.

“Director, our fourth factory is saved!”

…

“Is this really the place?”

Looking at the imposing gate, Director Huang fell into deep thought.

Sister Hu felt a bit dazed too.

She quickly recalled the address Ruan Mingfu had given her yesterday and confirmed it before speaking up.

“It’s right here.”

After a moment of silence, Director Huang said, “… Knock on the door.”

Sister Hu nodded and approached to gently knock.

Before long, Guan Jiu came out. “Who are you?”

Hearing the strong accent, Director Huang’s heart sank.

But Sister Hu was different.

“Do you remember me?” she asked Guan Jiu, her face brightening with surprise. “We saw each other yesterday.”

“I remember. You’re here to deliver something, right?” Guan Jiu replied warmly, extending his hand. “Just give it to me, and I’ll deliver it.”

Sister Hu hesitated, biting her lip. “Besides the items, I also want to see Comrade Ruan. I’m not sure if she’s free now?”

“Come on in,” Guan Jiu said, stepping aside. “It’s still early, Comrade Ruan hasn’t woken up yet.”

This comment made both Director Huang and Sister Hu feel a bit awkward.

After hearing Sister Hu’s news and gathering evidence in the office, Director Huang couldn’t stay put for a moment. He was eager to see Ruan Mingfu, and it was only because Sister Hu persuaded him that he calmed down.

Early the next morning, while it was still dark, Director Huang knocked on Sister Hu’s door.

Checking her watch, she saw it was only five o’clock.

Sister Hu: “…”

She felt like Director Huang was hurrying her to death. It was six o’clock, and it was too early! Goodness, the person still wasn’t awake.

If he weren’t her superior, she might have wanted to give him a piece of her mind.

Director Huang cleared his throat. “I apologize for the trouble, comrade.”

Guan Jiu didn’t say anything further and led them to the flower hall. It was warm inside because of the heated floor, driving away the cold Sister Hu had felt on her way there.

She leaned back in a chair, almost wishing she could fall asleep on the spot.

Director Huang, however, was not like her.

His mind was consumed with worries for the factory’s safety, and he wanted to see Ruan Mingfu immediately. He scratched his head anxiously. “Comrade, when will Comrade Ruan wake up?”

“She should be up soon; she has a train to catch at nine,” Guan Jiu said, placing some buns on the table. “Have a little something to eat.”

Only then did Director Huang sit back down.

“Director, don’t rush. She’ll come to see us once she wakes up,” Sister Hu said, also feeling anxious but not as much as Director Huang. She took a bite of the bun and her eyes lit up. “This is delicious, and it’s filled with pickled vegetables!”

Director Huang: “…”

Seeing Sister Hu enjoying the bun made him take a bite as well.