Chapter 72

“Instant noodles?” Father Ruan immediately caught on. “Does that mean you’re considering self-heating meals too?”

Eating the same thing repeatedly gets boring eventually.

“We’ll see,” Qi Yangyan had his own opinions about this. “If possible, I’d rather go straight to producing seasonings.”

He wasn’t fond of self-heating meals. If given the choice, he’d prefer instant noodles.

“As long as you know what you’re doing.”

Father Ruan nodded, completely trusting his son.

“How about staying here, Dad? You can manage the factory,” Qi Yangyan persisted. “My sister’s here too, so you can keep an eye on her, and you’ll have peace of mind.”

To be honest, Father Ruan was almost tempted.

But his dream of building the nation took priority. “Your sister has Xiao Xie to take care of her. I’m not worried.”

Qi Yangyan: “…”

Wasn’t this the same guy who used to fight with Xie Yanzhao like cats and dogs? If it weren’t for Mrs. Ruan keeping the peace, who knows how things would have turned out?

“I have to finish the work here quickly. Your uncle Huang has called me several times to urge me.”

Qi Yangyan: “…”

There’s no persuading him.

His father was a stubborn one, still chasing dreams even in his old age. As a son, what else could he do besides give him money?

Near noon, the two of them returned to the family compound for lunch. Gu Yilin, who had been wandering around, brightened up when she saw them and rushed over with a basin.

“Brother, wash your hands.”

Everyone had noticed how unusually enthusiastic Gu Yilin had been toward Qi Yangyan these days.

Father Ruan gave his son a teasing look before heading inside.

Qi Yangyan was at a loss.

“…We’re not right for each other.”

“That doesn’t matter,” Gu Yilin raised her chin confidently. “After spending time together, it’ll feel right. When Mingfu chased after Old Xie before, he also said the same thing. Look at him now.”

Qi Yangyan: “…”

He was speechless and quickly ran into the house.

Gu Yilin wasn’t discouraged though.

The water in the basin was still clean, perfect for her plastic friend to use.

Meanwhile, Ruan Mingfu had been suffering under the strict guidance of Mrs. Ruan, learning how to cook. By the end of the morning, she was a mess, her whole demeanor exuding defeat.

Mrs. Ruan wasn’t like Zhu Hong. When she said she was going to teach Ruan Mingfu to cook, she meant it.

From chopping vegetables to stir-frying, Ruan Mingfu had to do it all herself. Mrs. Ruaneven specifically traded with the locals for a basket of potatoes, solely for her to practice on.

“Hurry up! At your speed, when will they get to eat?”

In Ruan Mingfu’s eyes, Mrs. Ruan was now the stereotypical evil mother-in-law bullying the daughter-in-law.

But she didn’t dare complain.

Ruan Mingfu wasn’t completely dense. After a morning of practice, though her cooking wasn’t good, at least her stir-frying technique started to take shape.

The stir-fried shredded potatoes she made were at least edible.

“Alright, that’s enough for today.”

Feeling like she had received a pardon, Ruan Mingfu heaved a heavy sigh of relief.

She had already stir-fried three plates of shredded potatoes. If she didn’t get it right soon, she was sure Mrs. Ruan would make her keep frying them for days.

Ruan Mingfu felt like her life was as bitter as a gourd.

“Hurry up! You’ve still got one more plate of stir-fried cabbage to make.”

After Mrs. Ruan left, Gu Yilin finally dared to enter the kitchen, looking at her plastic friend with sympathy.

“Tsk, tsk. You’re so pitiful.”

“I’m starting to doubt whether I’m really my mom’s daughter…”

Ruan Mingfu was full of complaints.

Gu Yilin, on the other hand, was thrilled.

“Seriously?!” She rubbed her hands together excitedly. “My mom once told me we were born in the same hospital. Do you think… we could’ve been switched at birth?!”

If that were true, she’d be Mrs. Ruan’s real daughter. She could skip over Qi Yangyan and call her mom directly!

Oh my god, what a fantastic turn of events!

How did she not think of this before?

“…Get real. If I’m not my mom’s daughter, do you think you are?”

Ruan Mingfu knew that her plastic friend hadn’t given up her sneaky desire to steal her mom.

“How do you know for sure?”

The more Gu Yilin thought about it, the more convinced she became.

She and Mrs. Ruan were so similar, both in temperament and personality… Even the way they handled things was alike!

Weren’t they just fated to be mother and daughter?

“If that’s true, then you can’t be with my brother anymore.”

Ruan Mingfu tried to scare her.

Who knew that Gu Yilin didn’t care, “Who needs a man when I have a mother?”

“What are you two talking about?”

Just as Ruan Mingfu was about to respond, Qi Yangyan’s tall figure entered from outside. He looked at her curiously, and when he saw his sister holding a spatula, his heart ached for her.

“Mom’s orders. I can’t do anything about it,” he said, patting her on the shoulder. “Once things ease up, I’ll hire seventeen or eighteen housekeepers for you.”

Now that’s a real brother. After being bullied all morning, Ruan Mingfu looked at him with teary eyes.

“Brother, you’re the best.”

When had his sister ever endured such hardship? Qi Yangyan pulled out a savings booklet from his pocket and stuffed it into her hand.

“Take it and spend it.”

Ruan Mingfu opened it and, wow, it was another five-figure amount.

Her eyes lit up instantly.

Though she couldn’t spend it now, in a few years, she’d go to the capital and buy seventeen or eighteen courtyard houses. Even if she laid flat for the rest of her life, she’d be a super-rich woman.

Qi Yangyan glanced at Gu Yilin, standing nearby, hesitated for a moment, and pulled out another savings booklet.

“For you, too.”

“I get one as well?”

Gu Yilin was stunned.

She took the booklet, looked at the numbers inside, and after a moment of shock, her face lit up with excitement.

“Brother, from now on, you’re my real brother!”

Even my own dad isn’t that close to me.

Qi Yangyan nodded coolly. “Just don’t bother me.”

“Got it!”

Gu Yilin’s eyes sparkled.

“Brother, don’t worry. From now on, I’ll make sure you can’t find me.”

Qi Yangyan sighed in relief.

If he had known Gu Yilin could be handled so easily, he should have just given her money earlier.

Once her brother left, Ruan Mingfu looked at her friend with exasperation. “Do you even remember what you said earlier?”

Gu Yilin was blissfully hugging her savings booklet, mentally counting the zeros.

“Who needs a man when you have money?”

She wasn’t a love-brained woman who couldn’t live without a man. With money, she could have as many men as she wanted.

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

Impressive!

Even though her plastic friend lacked some common sense, her mindset was on point, skipping fifty years’ worth of lessons.

…

The next day, as soon as Ruan Mingfu stepped out of her house, she found the yard full of people.

Mrs. Ruan waved her over, “Come here, they’re all waiting for you.”

Seeing her, the group of wives brightened up and started praising her.

“Comrade Ruan is up?”

“Comrade Ruan is looking really well.”

“Oh, you’re right. Even if Comrade Ruan had dark circles, she’d still look better than others.”

“…”

She was a bit overwhelmed by all the flattery.

She was covering her face when a woman with slanted eyes came out from the crowd and looked at her with some embarrassment.

“Comrade Ruan, we were in the wrong yesterday; we came specifically to apologize.”

“Yes, we realize we made a mistake.”

“We’re just rough people and don’t always say the right things. Please don’t hold it against us.”

…

Listening to the sisters-in-law talking at once, Ruan Mingfu understood what they meant. She had no choice but to say, “I didn’t take it to heart; everyone can go back now.”

“That won’t do,” The woman with the drooping eyes stood up and said, “Comrade Ruan, this is the melon grown in my field. Please take one to taste.”

“And here are some eggs from my chickens, please have some.”

“Yes, and my beans are really tender, Comrade Ruan, try them too.”

“…”

The sisters-in-law seemed to know that Ruan Mingfu was going to refuse, so they dropped their things and ran away, and disappeared in a moment. Ruan Mingfu looked at the things on the ground and remained silent.

From next door, Wang Manman watched the scene unfold with a sneer.

“Such ugliness on display!”

As she left, she made sure to shoot Ruan Mingfu a glare.

Qi Yangyan arrived just in time to overhear that comment. He gave Wang Manman’s retreating back a long, thoughtful look before walking over.

“What happened here?”

As soon as he entered, he saw the ground covered with vegetables, and a few scattered white eggs among them.

“The sisters-in-law left all this stuff. I didn’t even have a chance to say no.”

Mrs. Ruan cut in, “Alright, let’s clean up the space first.”

There had been so many military wives coming and going, it was impossible to tell who was who. Luckily, it was all just vegetables from their gardens. Otherwise, she wouldn’t know how to properly return the favor.

“Brother, what’s in the boxes?” Ruan Mingfu asked after clearing up the area, noticing the boxes he brought in.

“Crabs,” Qi Yangyan explained, “I just closed a deal, and the other side sent these as a gift.”

As for what the deal was, he didn’t say, and Ruan Mingfu didn’t ask.

“Why so many?”

Mrs. Ruan peeked inside. “We should share some with the others.”

“Sister-in-law?”

Ruan Mingfu turned around and saw Li Xiuxiu timidly standing at the door, holding something in her hands.

“It’s Xiuxiu, come in,” she welcomed.

“Hello, Auntie,” Li Xiuxiu greeted Mrs. Ruan, “My mother asked me to bring these things for you.”

There was a strange man inside, presumably the “Comrade Qi” her mother had mentioned. Li Xiuxiu felt so nervous she was practically digging holes in her shoes with her toes, wishing she could flee immediately. If it weren’t for Ye Qiu forcing her, she wouldn’t have come at all.

Once she got home, she’d make sure Ye Qiu gave up on her hopes.

“Come, sit, sit,” Mrs. Ruan warmly invited her inside, but not without giving Li Xiuxiu a once-over. Then she turned to Ruan Mingfu, “Didn’t you see we have a guest? Go make some tea.”

Li Xiuxiu hurriedly waved her hands, “No, no need…”

“Don’t be polite, come sit.”

Ruan Mingfu pouted but didn’t forget to give Qi Yangyan a look.

“Brother, doesn’t something feel off with Mom?”

In his previous life, Qi Yangyan’s marriage was Mrs. Ruan’s top priority. She probably hadn’t given up on it yet, even here.

Qi Yangyan remained indifferent.

In this lifetime, his true love was money, and nothing could replace it in his heart.

If things got too troublesome, he’d just run away!

Mrs. Ruan couldn’t possibly chase him all the way to Hong Kong.

“You should worry about yourself instead,” said Qi Yangyan.

Ruan Mingfu, upset, jabbed him lightly. “I’m just concerned about you!”

Qi Yangyan: “…”

Instead of gloating, he wiped the table while standing upside down.

“Relax. I don’t think Li Xiuxiu has any interest,” Qi Yangyan said as he sat down on the sofa. “When has Mom ever done something unreliable? Don’t worry about it.”

Ruan Mingfu recalled Li Xiuxiu’s expression when she came in. Her gaze was direct, looking at everything except Qi Yangyan. Unlike some of the women brought by those sisters-in-law, who practically glued their eyes to him.

When Ruan Mingfu brought out the tea, she saw her mother and Li Xiuxiu engrossed in conversation.

“So, you’re a teacher now?” asked Mrs. Ruan.

“Yes,” Li Xiuxiu replied shyly. After spotting Ruan Mingfu, she became even more uneasy. “Just a primary school teacher.”

Mrs. Ruan praised her, “Teaching and nurturing children is such a noble job.”

Li Xiuxiu lowered her head bashfully.

“Oh, by the way, my mom wanted to ask if you might have some free time to visit our home,” Li Xiuxiu added.