An Xin didn’t refuse the kind offer and replied sweetly, “Thank you, Uncle!”

Truth be told, she hadn’t eaten her fill the night before while hosting guests, and she skipped breakfast that morning. By now, her stomach was growling with hunger. A free noodle refill was just what she needed.

After the noodle stall owner added more noodles to her bowl, An Xin ate her fill, paid for her meal, and thanked him. Then she strode toward the train station.

This was the era when China’s reforms clashed with its planned economy. Buying goods at official establishments like supply and marketing cooperatives or subsidiary food stores often required ration coupons—tickets for cloth, meat, and other essentials.

However, with the rise of small private vendors, these rules were becoming less rigid. If you didn’t have a meat coupon to buy meat from the supply and marketing cooperative, you could always find a private butcher who would sell to you for cash. Everyone understood this workaround.

Similarly, small roadside stalls selling noodles or other items didn’t require any coupons—cash was sufficient. The government, focused on promoting growth, turned a blind eye to these informal businesses as long as they didn’t go overboard.

In a few years, ration coupons for cloth, meat, and other goods would be phased out entirely. China would transition to a market-driven economy, where cash was king.

But An Xin wasn’t interested in running a small noodle stall. That would be a waste of her talents. In fact, she already had a plan for her next steps as she ate.

When she arrived at the bustling train station, it was just as people had described: crowded, chaotic, and filled with all sorts of characters. She found a quiet spot to observe.

Suddenly, a car horn blared behind her, startling her into stepping aside. A minivan zoomed past with the word “TAXI” written in crude English letters on its side. Clearly, it wasn’t meant for Chinese passengers.

Sure enough, the van screeched to a halt in front of a group of foreigners exiting the train station. They casually snapped their fingers to hail the vehicle.

The van stopped precisely in front of them. After some awkward gestures and broken communication, one of the foreigners handed over what appeared to be a stack of foreign exchange certificates, selecting a 20-yuan note to pay the driver.

There was no mistaking it—it was indeed a foreign exchange certificate. This form of currency was highly sought after in China at the time.

Foreign exchange certificates were the golden ticket to high-end establishments like state-run restaurants or luxury hotels, where coupons weren’t required. Anyone using them was treated with deference, whether they were foreigners or well-connected Chinese nationals.

As An Xin considered the potential of earning foreign exchange certificates, the van sped away with the foreigners onboard.

The vehicle’s purpose was clear: it catered exclusively to foreigners, making quick profits from their foreign exchange certificates. Shen Zhihuan wanted to enter this lucrative niche, as it was one of the fastest ways to make money. But she didn’t have a vehicle.

No problem—she could rent one!

Owning a minivan in this era was a luxury few could afford, and An Xin doubted she could buy one in the short term. Renting, however, was a realistic option.

But where could she rent one? That was the next challenge.

Just then, two foreigners exited the train station: a tall, blonde man with blue eyes and a statuesque, glamorous woman. The couple looked around as if searching for a ride, likely expecting a van similar to the one that had just left.

“Got it!”

A flash of inspiration struck An Xin. She approached the pair confidently.

“Hello,” she greeted them in fluent, polished English with a slight American accent. Based on their appearance, she could tell they were likely Americans.

The foreigners were surprised and impressed to encounter an English-speaking local, especially one so poised and elegant. Intrigued, they struck up a conversation.

An Xin introduced herself as “Sarah,” claiming to be an American of Chinese descent whose ancestors had emigrated to the U.S. to work in diamond mines.

The story was plausible. Many Asian immigrants had worked in the southern United States, married locals, and established families over generations.

After chatting for a few minutes, An Xin subtly showed off her wristwatch, a high-end piece from her portable warehouse. The foreigners’ eyes lit up with envy.

The watch wasn’t cheap, and even as Americans, they couldn’t afford such a luxury. In their minds, this “Sarah” must be the daughter of a wealthy diamond merchant from the American West—hence her understated appearance. She must be keeping a low profile, they reasoned.

As they jumped to conclusions, An Xin seized the moment.

“Would you like to grab some coffee together?” she invited with a smile.

The couple, Edward and Kelly, readily agreed. They hailed a minivan and headed to a café near the train station.

Over coffee, An Xin quickly built a rapport with them. They chatted about various topics until Edward curiously asked, “So, Sarah, what brings you back to China?”

A young heiress like her would presumably be better off staying in America. Why return to such a developing country?

An Xin sighed dramatically. “To be honest, I came back to expand my family’s department store business. You know how competitive the market is in America. I want to establish a foothold here.”

Her words were grounded in truth. In the U.S. during this period, large chain supermarkets were flourishing, leaving smaller businesses struggling to survive. The only viable option was to expand internationally.

Edward and Kelly exchanged glances, seemingly convinced.

“Are you planning to tackle the Chinese market alone? Won’t that be difficult?” Edward asked.

An Xin shook her head confidently. “Oh, no, it shouldn’t be too hard. I came prepared.”

She pulled out chocolates, coffee, and gum from her portable warehouse, handing them to Edward and Kelly. These items were high-quality, far superior to what was currently available in the U.S.

The foreigners were delighted and deeply impressed. An Xin had successfully laid the groundwork for her next move.