Chapter 56: Hoarding

In the past, the printing factory owner might have needed to purchase additional corrugated paper, but due to the rainy season, the warehouse stock remained unused. Years of accumulation had left the owner unable to pay employees’ salaries, forcing him to the brink of closure.

Shen Yanming’s timely order helped the owner liquidate some inventory, recover capital, and keep the business afloat a while longer.

As Shen Yanming prepared to leave, the exquisite notebooks and gift boxes on the display shelf caught his eye. 

The owner quickly explained, “Our factory made those. Before the rain, sales were fantastic. We couldn’t meet the demand from schools alone. For the Spring Festival, we rushed to produce a batch using premium paper, but the endless rain began before we could deliver them. With many schools suspending classes, this inventory has become a burden.”

Shen Yanming picked up a notebook and flipped through it, admiring the delicate printed patterns and soft, high-quality paper. He gathered all the appealing items from the display. “These look great. I’ll take your entire inventory, plus the printing and photo paper.” he said, his voice filled with appreciation.

Stunned by this generous customer, the owner felt his luck finally turning.

After leaving the printing factory, Shen Yanming headed straight to the electronics mall. His earlier supply preparations had focused on food and daily necessities, neglecting electronics.

He purchased dozens of the latest tablets and mobile phones, a dozen high-capacity portable hard drives, ten desktop computers, ten laptops, two all-in-one printer-copiers, a small home printer, and hundreds of compatible toner and ink cartridges in both black and color. An oven rounded out his haul.

Shen Yanming loaded the oven into his car. For the other items, he provided the address of the warehouse where Zhang Heping had previously stored his supplies and arranged for delivery at six o’clock.

Next, Shen Yanming visited a nearby wholesale market and found a stationery store. Anticipating future needs, he bought one of everything, left an address, and asked the owner to deliver the goods.

His final stop was a bicycle shop, where he purchased two folding bikes. He stuffed the unassembled bicycles into his trunk and drove back to the warehouse.

Sitting in the warehouse awaiting the deliveries, Shen Yanming felt fortunate to have made these purchases, as most street shops had already closed down.

The electronics mall delivery crew soon arrived. Drenched from the rain, they made over a dozen trips to carry the well-wrapped printers, computers, and other items inside. 

After their departure, Shen Yanming locked the door, meticulously inspected the warehouse for any abnormalities, and transferred all the electronics into his space.

Opening the warehouse door, he waited for the stationery store delivery. Once again, he avoided prying eyes as he moved the items into his space.

On the way home, Shen Yanming stopped by Sweet Dessert House, loaded his car with the day’s desserts, and found a secluded spot to store them.

It was past nine o’clock when Shen Yanming finally arrived home, his stomach growling. Bi Qiao’an had prepared dinner, but the food had gone cold during the long wait. With the weather growing hotter, he didn’t mind it much. He picked up his rice bowl and began eating. Experiencing true hunger for the first time since his rebirth, the discomfort was palpable.

By the time Shen Yanming finished eating, Bi Qiao’an’s braised pork was nearly ready. She turned off the heat, portioned the meat into individual lunch boxes, and packed them up.

“These lunch boxes will take up space anyway, so we might as well fill them with food and make the most of our resources,” Bi Qiao’an said, smiling. “Quickly put them all away.”

The two batches of braised pork Bi Qiao’an had made that afternoon covered more than half the kitchen counter when stacked.

Shen Yanming stood up and moved all the lunch boxes into his space, then retrieved empty ones from the storage space.

After a short rest, he went downstairs to fetch the bicycles and oven from the car. The bicycles went into storage space, while the oven found a home in the kitchen.

Early the next morning, they returned to Qingning Mountain, soaked in the energizing rain, and collected two more batches of shiitake mushrooms.

Another day passed, and Thursday arrived. Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an had to return to work.

The day before, Shen Yanming had prepared wedding invitations, along with packets of candy, melon seeds, and peanuts. Combined with the delicacies from the dessert shop, they made respectable gifts.

Shen Yanming drove to the Human Resources Bureau, retrieved a storage box from the trunk, and accompanied Bi Qiao’an upstairs.

According to the work schedule, five people were on duty: Wei Qin, Li Yueya, Chen Qing, Shi Leyong, and Bi Qiao’an.

However, Yu Shui often came to the office out of boredom, making it six people in total.

Shen Yanming and Bi Qiao’an handed out invitations, wedding candy, and cake to each person, sincerely inviting them to the wedding.

Everyone expressed their congratulations upon hearing the joyous news. After exchanging polite words, Shen Yanming headed downstairs, got in the car, and drove to the Management Bureau.

Following Shen Yanming’s departure, the office staff began their daily “tea party.”

“Oh my, our Qiao’an hasn’t even turned twenty, and that boy has already snatched her up,” Wei Qin teased, smiling at Bi Qiao’an. “Why the rush to marry so young? Shouldn’t you enjoy single life for a few more years?”

“We’re childhood sweethearts, destined to be together. It’s just a matter of sooner or later,” Bi Qiao’an replied, grinning.

“Yes, it’s clear our Qiao’an is very happy. Just look at her radiant complexion!” Li Yueya reached out and touched Bi Qiao’an’s cheek. “By the way, what skincare products are you using? Your skin is so soft and fair.”

Bi Qiao’an thought for a moment. “I haven’t used anything recently. Maybe it’s because I’ve been staying home every day, eating and sleeping then sleeping and eating. I’ve gained weight, which might explain why I look fair and plump!”

Li Yueya took a closer look. “No, you haven’t gained weight at all. In fact, you don’t have an ounce of excess fat on your body now.”

Suddenly, Li Yueya noticed something else. “Qiao’an, I feel like you’ve… developed again?”

Bi Qiao’an blinked, feigning shock. “Honey, what nonsense are you talking about!”

Wei Qin also approached Bi Qiao’an for a careful observation before nodding in agreement. “Yueya is right, you have developed!”

“That’s impossible. I’m already twenty!” Bi Qiao’an shook her head and refuted with a smile.

“Haha, you have a boyfriend!” Chen Qing chimed in.

Bi Qiao’an was left speechless.

“You and your boyfriend are both from Hai City, right? Do you have many relatives?” Chen Qing continued to inquire.

“Just by looking, you can tell these two young people are doing well. I bet their relatives are all from the city,” Shi Leyong added.

Confused, Bi Qiao’an replied, “Neither of us have many relatives. What’s going on?”