Chapter 30: Tracking

A man furrowed his brow.

He had come to see Manager Huang and happened to see Liangpi being delivered. Out of curiosity, he asked a few questions and learned it was food. He then asked Manager Huang to have the kitchen prepare a portion for him. After eating it, he quickly grasped the business opportunity and asked Manager Huang to call the person to discuss cooperation.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Yiyi refused.

“Is there something you’re worried about?”

“Yes.”

Jiang Yiyi spoke frankly, “I don’t want my technology stolen. My whole family depends on this technology for their livelihood.”

“Alright…”

The man was quite straightforward, “I agree to your terms, but I also have conditions. First, it must be delivered to me before 10 am every day. Second, it must be freshly made every day.”

“I can guarantee the second condition. For the first one, I need to go to the bus station to check the time of the early morning bus.”

“Okay.”

Jiang Yiyi immediately went to the bus station.

At that time, people relied entirely on buses for travel. Therefore, the bus station was crowded, and every bus was packed. It was difficult to bring things along, even more so for Liangpi.

Jiang Yiyi wasn’t discouraged. She first asked about the time of the early morning bus—7 am. It took two hours to get to the city. Even with delays, she could arrive by 10 am.

The remaining problem was transporting the goods. She turned her bicycle and went to find Cui Yong. “Brother Cui, do you know anyone at the bus station? Someone in the city ordered Liangpi from me, and I need to deliver it to them every morning.”

After returning yesterday afternoon, Cui Yong contacted buyers everywhere. In the evening, he contacted one, for 3500 yuan, with the money to be collected two days later when picking up the vehicle. With this deal, he earned 900 yuan, more than he earned selling bicycles for a year. Cui Yong was incredibly grateful to Jiang Yiyi. Without a word, he asked Jiang Yiyi to watch his stall while he went to find someone. Half an hour later, he returned. “Girl, I’ve found someone. Let’s go now.”

Brother Cui took her back to the bus station and found the driver of the early morning bus. Cui Yong gave the driver a pack of cigarettes.

Everyone knew each other in the county town. The driver took the cigarettes and agreed without hesitation.

“I can’t let you help for free…” Jiang Yiyi said, “I’ll give you 50 cents for each delivery.”

This was an unexpected bonus. The driver was overjoyed and guaranteed to keep the Liangpi safe and prevent it from being damaged.

Having solved the transportation problem, Jiang Yiyi returned to the state-run hotel and ordered the first day’s quantity: 200 portions.

“My name is Meng Fan. Call me Brother Meng.”

“Brother Meng.”

Jiang Yiyi readily complied.

“The minimum order is 200 portions per day. If there’s an increase, I’ll call Old Huang and he’ll tell you.”

“Okay.”

After a few more polite words, Jiang Yiyi went home. Entering the courtyard, she met her parents’ and Zhou Fen’s gazes and smiled, “It’s good news. Someone wants to order Liangpi from us long-term, at least 200 portions a day.”

“That’s great.”

Zhou Fen was overjoyed, “Is it for this afternoon? Aunt Zhou and I will go knead the dough now.”

“It’s for tomorrow morning. I’ll explain it to Big Brother when he comes back.”

Just as they were speaking, the gate opened, and Jiang Jinfeng pushed his bicycle in, with two sets of bedding on the back seat, followed by two people.

They were about the same age as Aunt Zhou, neatly dressed.

“Yiyi, these are Aunt Qi and Aunt Ma. They’re both hardworking and reliable.”

“Aunt Qi, Aunt Ma.”

Jiang Yiyi greeted them with a smile.

Seeing that she was easy to get along with, the two women, whose hearts had been uneasy along the way, felt relieved. Earning 30 yuan a month was like a pie falling from the sky for them. But if Jiang Yiyi wasn’t easy to get along with, this money might not be easy to earn.

“Boss Jiang.”

“Just call me Yiyi, aunties.”

Jiang Yiyi introduced them to her mother-in-law and asked them to share a room with Aunt Ma.

She poured water for Jiang Jinfeng. After he finished drinking, she told him about delivering the Liangpi to the bus station every morning.

“Big Brother, buy a few large porcelain plates and tell the driver to bring them back tomorrow.”

Jiang Jinfeng nodded.

It was almost noon. Jiang Yiyi bought vegetables and meat and ate cold noodles again.

Jiang Yiyi ate first, then scooped noodles with broth into an enamel mug and sent it to Jiang Jinzhong.

After she went out, Gu Yunyang quickly finished the noodles in his bowl, put down the bowl, and followed her out. Gu’s mother thought he was going to play in the yard and didn’t pay attention.

Gu Yunyang had heard that Jiang Yiyi went to County No. 1 Middle School to deliver food and became suspicious. He had inquired and knew that the man was also at the middle school. He suspected that his sister-in-law wasn’t delivering food to her brother but to that man.

He wanted to follow her, but Jiang Yiyi rode too fast, and he quickly lost sight of her. Gu Yunyang wasn’t afraid and inquired all the way.

At the gate of No. 1 Middle School, Jiang Jinzhong was still in poor condition, clearly not having adjusted yet.

“I hired Teacher Zhang Xiang to tutor you. After evening self-study every day, you’ll go to his house for two hours of tutoring.”

Jiang Jinzhong looked up sharply.

Teacher Zhang Xiang was a national outstanding teacher, excellent at teaching mathematics. When the high school third-year classes were divided, upon learning that he was teaching Class 9, parents tried everywhere to get their children into Class 9. These rural students had neither money nor connections, so naturally, they couldn’t get in.

“Sis, are you serious?”

He couldn’t believe it. Class 9’s math scores were the best among all high school third-year classes. They envied Class 9 for having such a good teacher like Zhang Xiang.

“Of course.”

Jiang Jinzhong was so excited he wanted to jump. But soon, he thought of a problem. Teacher Zhang Xiang wouldn’t tutor him for no reason. He wondered what benefits his sister had given him.

“Don’t worry about anything else. Just study hard and tutor hard. Have Big Brother pick you up to stay at the workshop at night. I’ll ask them to be quieter when making Liangpi in the morning.”

“No, no, I can fall asleep as soon as I lie down. Even thunder won’t wake me up.”

Jiang Jinzhong grinned, showing the appearance of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old boy. “Sis, don’t worry, I’ll definitely study hard.”

…

Gu Yunyang arrived at the school gate, breathless, and didn’t see Jiang Yiyi. He pursed his lips and looked towards the school gate, just in time to see Bai Jun rushing out. He hid in the shadows, and after Bai Jun came out, he followed him directly to the rented house. But he didn’t go in, instead turning left and pushing open the door.

He crept closer.

“You’re back. I stewed meat for you to replenish your energy. Go get a bowl.”

It wasn’t his sister-in-law’s voice. Gu Yunyang breathed a sigh of relief but then found the voice familiar. The door was ajar. He didn’t dare peek through the crack, so he could only listen carefully. The more he listened, the more familiar it became.

It was Qin Lan’s voice.

Old and new grievances surged in his heart. Gu Yunyang looked around. There were a few small bricks nearby. He went over, picked them up, and threw them into the yard.