The Nanny’s Glamorous Marriage in the 1980s
The Nanny’s Glamorous Marriage in the 1980s Chapter 60.2

Chapter 60.2

The fried chicken shop operated until 10 p.m., and after tallying up the revenue from all four shops, it exceeded Jiang Ruan’s expectations.

Xun Li and Qin Yan remained calm, as if they had anticipated the success of the opening day.

Qin Yan said, “Boss Xun, aren’t you afraid your partners will get jealous if you take 70% of the shares for yourself?”

Jiang Ruan added, “I’m satisfied with what I earn from selling chicks and feed.”

Qin Ao said, “I’m already feeling guilty for taking 10%. I won’t be jealous.”

All eyes then turned to Chang Fuxiang, who playfully said, “The crispy roast duck I made using Boss Jiang’s ducks was a hit. Why don’t you all come by my shop tomorrow to try it?”

Xun Li couldn’t help but laugh. “See, Qin Yan? You’re the only one unhappy here. There’s nothing for you in the pot or the bowl. If you’re really jealous, I could give you a 10% share.”

Qin Yan snorted, not falling for it.

Xun Li felt it was a pity. Qin Yan’s insight and strategies were on par with his own. If Qin Yan were willing to join, Xun Li would have gladly given him 20%.

Xun Li said, “When we expand into a chain, my finances alone won’t be enough. If we need new investors, I’ll dilute my shares, not affect anyone else’s.”

That was more reasonable. Qin Yan said, “Once the opening promotions end, each shop will need about 500 chickens daily.”

The breeding was already outsourced to local farmers, and even doubling the output was manageable. Jiang Ruan said, “I’ll get started on the chick breeding when I get back.”

Even among partners, no one would pry into how Jiang Ruan managed the breeding.

Later that evening, back at the communal yard, Qin Yan seemed deep in thought. Chang Linyan had found a distant nephew of the old Chinese doctor, aiming to pressure Jiang Ruan into giving up her breeding method.

But there wasn’t an actual secret recipe to begin with. Qin Yan needed to think of a way to make Chang Linyan believe there was, so that Jiang Ruan’s secret could be kept safe for longer.

He said, “Ruan Ruan, keep an eye on Qin Ao for me.”

Jiang Ruan immediately stepped back a little, “Why should I keep an eye on him?”

Qin Yan pulled her back, “Maybe I’m just overthinking, but it looks like Chang Linyan wants Qin Ao as her son-in-law.”

Jiang Ruan was surprised. “She’s really persistent, isn’t she? But arranged marriages aren’t ideal. Zhong Wenwen and Qin Ao? They don’t match at all, and besides, Qin Ao already has a girlfriend.”

“I don’t want to discuss this with Qin Ao. You bring it up to him next time.”

In the courtyard, Qin Yan was still sleeping on the floor. He turned to face Jiang Ruan and said, “One more thing, Chang Linyan has been getting close to the head of Dawang Village.”

Jiang Ruan thought for a moment, “And what does that have to do with me?”

Qin Yan analyzed, “She’s probably trying to make an indirect move, expanding your chick business across the entire township. That would mean Xun Li’s fried chicken shop won’t have the exclusive supply advantage anymore.”

Jiang Ruan had to admire Chang Linyan’s resourcefulness. She said, “Chang Linyan is quite ambitious. But why would a township chief be swayed by her?”

Qin Yan laughed, “Think of Zhong Guangyuan. Chang Linyan has always used her connection to him as a way to gain influence.”

“But they’re not even real relatives,” Jiang Ruan said. “Zhong Guangyuan said so himself.”

Qin Yan explained, “But Zhong Wenwen shares his surname. Zhong Guangyuan doesn’t deny it, so it’s easy for people to assume they’re related.”

There was one more thing that worried Qin Yan. “Chang Linyan has been cozying up to Zhuang Chengdong, trying to make him her godson. She wants him to get the breeding method from you.”

The breeding technique was something Jiang Ruan developed herself. She wanted to tell Qin Yan the truth, but he didn’t give her the chance.

Qin Yan continued, “I suspect that Zhuang Chengdong is planning to sue you.”

“Let him sue. I’m not afraid.”

Qin Yan hesitated, “But I’d like to deal with Zhuang Chengdong beforehand.”

“So, tell me what needs to be done, and I’ll handle it!”

Qin Yan: … “Your brother told me not to lead you astray.”

Jiang Ruan laughed, “No worries, we won’t tell brother. Besides, I trust you wouldn’t ask me to do anything that would land me in jail.”

Qin Yan sighed, thought it over, and decided to drop it. He explained, “Zhuang the old doctor has more distant relatives, not just Zhuang Chengdong. If it’s not him, there will be others. Let’s see what kind of lawsuit they want to bring against us first.”

“That’s how I see it too. No point in worrying until we know more.”

Jiang Ruan preferred to wait and act when she had the upper hand.

The next day, Jiang Ruan returned to the village to work on her breeding program. She told Zhou Chengzhong that the fried chicken shops in the city were doing better than expected, and next month they would need 15,000 chicks. She asked him to start gathering information from the farming households.

Zhou Chengzhong looked worried. “The township chief called the village and asked me to bring the farmers over before noon. A friend from the township told me the chief wants to expand the breeding program to the entire township.”

The township chief’s sudden interest in Jiang Ruan likely came from Chang Linyan’s influence. Was this her way of trying a soft approach before getting tough?

Expanding the breeding program across the entire township wasn’t out of the question, but it needed to happen as part of a broader supply-demand expansion, not just to give Chang Linyan a steady supply. The competition among fried chicken shops was intense, and Jiang Ruan was determined to protect Xun Li’s exclusive supply. Her breeding chicks and feed were not going to end up in Chang Linyan’s shops.

“Then I’ll go with you,” said Jiang Ruan.

Qin Ao hurried out after her, concerned. “I’ll call Xun Li and Qin Yan.”

“No need,” Jiang Ruan said, waving her hand. “I can handle this myself. If I can’t, then I shouldn’t keep bothering them. I might as well switch to another business.”

Giving up on breeding wasn’t an option. The village of Dawan had just begun to see hope for their farming. Zhou Chengzhong was worried sick.

The township chief of Dawang was meeting with village leaders from Chengjia Village and Xiahe Village. The two village committees had coordinated to discuss promoting the side business of farming throughout the township.

“Secretary Zhou, Ms. Jiang, you’re here just in time. Let’s all discuss how to expand Dawang Village’s breeding program to the whole township,” said the township chief with a smile, pouring tea for everyone.

Zhou Chengzhong felt deeply troubled. He wasn’t comfortable dealing with officials, especially ones as smooth-talking as this. He said honestly, “Chief, the breeding program is all thanks to Ms. Jiang’s techniques and feed. Our village doesn’t really have a say in it.”

The chief turned to look at Jiang Ruan. She was so young, could she really be as capable as they claimed? Nevertheless, expanding the breeding program across the township would be good for his track record, so he was keen to make it happen.

He handed Jiang Ruan a cup of tea. “Ms. Jiang, as the best breeder in our township, what do you think?”

If he wanted her to take a stance, then fine. Jiang Ruan didn’t take the tea, knowing that once she did, there’d be no turning back.

She said firmly, “There are eleven villages in Dawang Township, which covers a lot of ground. I can’t oversee such a large area. It’s up to the officials to guide economic development; I’m just a small-time breeder. My mindset isn’t that lofty. I focus only on my own business. If you’re upset, I can always move my breeding program elsewhere.”

The township chief hadn’t expected such a bold response from a mere breeder. Even if she was rejecting him, there was no need to do it in a way that made him lose face.

He slammed the teacup down onto the table in anger.

“A mere breeder, using land in Dawang Township—where does that arrogance come from?”

Jiang Ruan replied, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading back.”

After she left, the township chief pointed at Zhou Chengzhong and said, “You let someone like that lease the village’s land?”

Zhou Chengzhong tried to reason with him, “Regardless of who she is, she’s helping the village become prosperous. Last month, the average household income in our village was 40 yuan.”

“That much?” The township chief was shocked. He glanced at the representatives from Chengjia and Xiahe villages. No wonder they were so eager to develop breeding programs.

The chief said, “If she’s unwilling to cooperate, then the village can develop a collective economy and manage the breeding program themselves.”

The township chief might not have understood the importance of breeding stock, but the village secretary from Xiahe said, “Chief, don’t be upset. Jiang Ruan is married to a member of our Qin family. We’ll take care of talking to her.”

Back in the village, Qin Ao had just finished feeding the ducks when Jiang Ruan returned. “What did the township want?” he asked.

Jiang Ruan huffed, “Chang Linyan, along with the committees from Chengjia and Xiahe, got the township chief to pressure us into expanding breeding across the whole township.”

“The township chief got involved?” Qin Ao was startled. “If we breed that many, we’ll need to expand the market. Then Chang Linyan will have access to the same supply we do.”

Jiang Ruan laughed, “She’s dreaming. I won’t cooperate. By the way, why do your relatives insist I should listen to my in-laws? Qin Yan’s parents don’t even interfere in my business. They’re acting like clowns.”

Qin Ao: …

After the last time the locals exploited them over leasing land, Qin Ao had no fondness for his relatives. They were likely trying to pressure his second uncle and aunt, but it wouldn’t work. His uncle and aunt would definitely refuse.

“I’m just worried about offending the township chief,” said Qin Ao.

“If it comes to that, we’ll just move the operation elsewhere. We can afford the loss. But Dawan Township will suffer more than we will.”

Chang Linyan had been banking on her connection with the township chief to expand the breeding program across the entire area. This would let her buy the same supplies as the fried chicken shop, but when she met with the chief, he expressed disinterest in getting involved.

“That girl, Jiang Ruan, is stubborn. We can’t really force her to move her breeding operation away,” he said.

Chang Linyan was speechless. Was Jiang Ruan even a businesswoman? Didn’t she know when to compromise?

Afterward, she went to see Zhuang Chengdong. “You need to use your late uncle’s formula as a basis to file a lawsuit.”

Zhuang Chengdong had been in the city for over a month and didn’t want to return to the countryside to struggle. He was determined to make a name for himself.

“Godmother, I owe everything to you. Tell me what to do, and I’ll follow.”

Originally, Chang Linyan had planned to get Han Qingqing to convince Zhuang Chengdong to sue, allowing her to stay out of it. But since Han Qingqing refused, she had no choice but to do it herself.

“We’re not trying to send Jiang Ruan to jail,” Chang Linyan said. “We just want to put pressure on her so she’ll come to the table for negotiations. The township chief is willing to cooperate. With his support, the local police can detain Jiang Ruan for a few days. Go ahead and file the suit.”

minaaa[Translator]

Just a translator working on webnovels and sharing stories I love with fellow readers. If you like my work, please check out my other translations too — and feel free to buy me a Ko-fi by clicking the link on my page. Your support means a lot! ☕💕

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