Chapter 110:

Yu Xiang’an also noticed the phenomenon Liu Mingyue mentioned about money being the top priority. In the past, people generally held prejudices against those in business.

If someone was self-employed, others would avoid them and cut off contact. But now, if a self-employed family is making money, regardless of what people say behind their backs, they’ll put on a smiling face in public. Nowadays, money can buy anything available on the market. In the past, even if you had money, it was useless without ration quotas or coupons—cash would just sit in your hands like waste paper.

After the cancellation of ration coupons, everyone understood the power of money. Money isn’t everything, but without it, nothing can be done. This is the market economy—the market revolves around money.

As for whether Yu Xiang’an had other motives besides the design competition, she nodded and said, “Yes, I do.”

Right now, there’s a craze for studying abroad. Even if people can’t get government-funded scholarships, those with the means would rather pay their own way to go overseas.

Those who can study abroad usually come from well-off families, as living expenses abroad are much higher than at home. Some even plan to stay abroad permanently and sell their domestic properties. Yu Xiang’an had her eye on one such property—a well-preserved courtyard house within the Second Ring Road.

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

In a few years, even with money, such properties would be impossible to buy.

But since the deal wasn’t finalized yet, Yu Xiang’an kept it to herself. It wouldn’t be appropriate to mention it now in case something went wrong.

So she just smiled and said, “I also brought some things for my in-laws, and there are a few matters concerning the two kids.”

Lin Duzhong and Lin Houpu were both in the capital, so since she was back, she naturally had to visit them.

Liu Mingyue: “What goodies did you bring? Don’t forget about me—I’ll pay if needed. I have some income too. Do you still have any of that ginseng tonic wine from last time? I shared some with my parents, and now there’s not much left.”

Once such good stuff is given away, it’s hard to get more.

Yu Xiang’an barely sold health products in the capital—most were sold out in Guangzhou, with a small portion allocated to the special economic zone. In the capital, she only gave them as gifts, never sold them.

Liu Mingyue wanted to buy but felt awkward asking for free. She was willing to spend the money, but even if she could afford it, there was no stock—nowhere to buy it. She had no choice but to ask Yu Xiang’an directly.

Liu Mingyue: “I’ve tried your health products, and the effects are amazing. But don’t you produce any more affordable options? There are only two items.”

One was the ginseng tonic wine, the other was ginseng nourishing pills—both expensive but highly effective.

Yu Xiang’an shrugged. “I’d love to, but good things like these aren’t like cabbages you can just pick up anywhere. If the effects weren’t this good, releasing them would only damage my reputation.”

She had spent money buying some formulas from experienced traditional Chinese doctors, but the results were still uncertain.

“How much do you need? I’ll have someone send some over.”

“I won’t hold back…”

After sharing the water chestnut cakes she brought, Yu Xiang’an and Liu Mingyue went shopping, mostly chatting. Once they’d had their fill of conversation, they parted ways. Yu Xiang’an stopped by the market to pick up some ingredients before heading back.

When she returned to Lin Houpu’s residential compound, an elderly woman who didn’t recognize her asked her daughter-in-law, “Who’s that? I haven’t seen her before.”

She had come to take care of her pregnant daughter-in-law and wasn’t very familiar with the residents yet. Her daughter-in-law glanced over and said, “She looks unfamiliar, but I might have seen her before. I’m not sure—I’ll ask around later.”

Everyone in the compound knew each other, and visitors were usually noticed.

Back home, she asked her husband, “Has anyone new come to the compound recently?”

He thought for a moment. “Not that I know of.”

Her: “Today, I saw a young woman in her twenties carrying a few big bags coming in. The gatekeeper didn’t stop her, and she seemed to know her way around.”

Her husband: “Did you see where she went?”

“No.”

“In her twenties…” He frowned. “Maybe a new nanny for one of the families?”

Her: “Impossible. The clothes she was wearing couldn’t belong to a nanny—they looked expensive and stylish.”

“What did she look like?”

Her: “Quite pretty.”

Her husband shook his head. “No idea.”

A woman in her twenties—there shouldn’t be anyone of that age here…

If his wife had known Yu Xiang’an’s actual age and guessed her appearance, he might have realized who it was.

Yu Xiang’an returned home and set down her purchases. The housekeeper asked how to prepare them.

Yu Xiang’an: “Boil the shrimp, steam the fish, and make a soup with the pork tripe.”

They were all light and healthy dishes. Lin Duzhong was elderly and needed soft, mild food—nothing too oily or salty.

He had always been strict about this. As a doctor himself, he knew how to take care of his health. Though he was old, he still looked like he had many years ahead of him.

The housekeeper noted the instructions and went to clean and prepare the ingredients. Her cooking skills were excellent—she had been carefully selected.

Hearing the noise, Lin Duzhong came out of his room, where he had been reading.

“Xiang’an, you’re back.”

“Yes, Grandpa, I’m back.”

Lin Duzhong: “How was your chat with your old classmate? After so long apart, you must have had a lot to talk about.”

At his age, he had few old friends left—they had to live long enough and stay in the same place, which was rare.

Lin Duzhong had no old friends left in the capital. If he wanted conversation, he had to go out and chat with the elderly nearby. Most were busy looking after grandchildren, but a few whose grandchildren were older had time for chess or fishing.

Yu Xiang’an: “Yes, it’s been a while. It was nice to talk so freely for once.”

They could stay in touch by phone, but phone calls weren’t the same as face-to-face conversations—the latter felt more intimate, and some topics flowed more naturally.

Lin Duzhong laughed. “I can imagine. Do you have anything else to do? If not, let’s chat.”

Yu Xiang’an sat down. “It’s been a while since we talked, Grandpa. What would you like to discuss?”

His tone suggested he had something specific in mind.

Lin Duzhong: “Even though you’re in the south and I’m in the north, I’ve heard about your achievements. You’re a capable woman.” His face showed pride.

At her age, Yu Xiang’an could hardly be called a “child”—her twins were already grown. But considering Lin Duzhong’s age and seniority, it wasn’t wrong.

She was his granddaughter-in-law.

Unsure where he was going with this, Yu Xiang’an stayed silent, waiting for him to continue.

“You’re capable. My grandson is lucky to have married you. Times are different now. Money was important before, but there were many restrictions—often, you couldn’t spend it even if you had it. Now, money is becoming more and more crucial, and no one can deny that. With money, you can buy almost anything. In our family, you’re the one who earns the most.”

“I’m proud of you, but I’m also worried for you.”

“There’s an old man named Chen I play chess with. He’s nearly seventy, long retired and used to look after his grandson. Now that his grandson is in middle school, he has more free time, so we often play chess or go fishing together. Over time, we’ve gotten closer. His family situation is somewhat similar to ours.”

“His daughter-in-law was originally a temporary worker but got laid off, leaving the family struggling for a while. Later, she started selling clothes with others, which helped ease their situation. After tasting success, she went south and started her own clothing business, opening a store with her siblings. She handled the sourcing while they managed the shop, making a good profit. This kind of story isn’t rare these days.”

Yu Xiang’an nodded. “Yes, though traveling back and forth to the special zone to wholesale clothes must be exhausting.”

Lin Duzhong: “True. Later, she started shipping goods from the special zone while they picked them up at the station here, which made things easier. But recently, Old Chen fell ill and had to be hospitalized. I only found out afterward—someone had posted photos near his old neighborhood of his daughter-in-law with another man, who was married.”

Yu Xiang’an: “…” This wasn’t uncommon. After enduring hard times where every penny counted, some people, suddenly free from financial worries, lost their way.

Lin Duzhong: “Old Chen’s two grandchildren were affected—one failed their high school entrance exams, and the other attempted suicide. It’s unclear if they’ll recover.”

His tone was heavy. “Before this, I often heard Old Chen praise his daughter-in-law as a rare gem. People change too quickly—maybe the lure of money was too strong.”

Yu Xiang’an: “Those two children have it hard. In such an environment, moving on won’t be easy.” The gossip would haunt them.

Lin Duzhong: “Exactly. Old Chen is already planning to sell his house and move to his younger son’s place. If they keep it quiet, the children might get some relief. The money you handle is many times what she dealt with, so the temptations you face will be greater too. I hope you and Chuanbai can stay true to yourselves and live happily together, unlike them. Thankfully, the child was saved—otherwise, it would have been a lifelong regret. I’ve watched you two since the beginning, and I know your bond is strong. I’m happy for you. Finding love and understanding isn’t easy. Back when he was in school, the environment was simpler, but now he’s out in the world, facing temptations too. I’ll talk to him as well. At my age, I don’t ask for much—just family harmony. A happy home leads to prosperity.”

“If Old Chen’s son and daughter-in-law hadn’t been separated for so long, maybe things wouldn’t have turned out this way.”

Yu Xiang’an was silent. She and Lin Chuanbai saw each other often, though they weren’t glued together.

Both were busy, and they trusted each other.

Yu Xiang’an nodded. “Grandpa, I understand. Chuanbai and I have a stable relationship. We’re both busy, so yes, we face more temptations. But as long as our will is strong, it’s not a problem. We’ve made a lot of money, but some things—like genuine affection—can’t be bought. Old Chen’s daughter-in-law will regret it someday.”

Lin Duzhong nodded. “I think so too, but it’ll be too late. The damage is done. As long as you see things clearly, that’s what matters.”

Don’t let money blind you—it changes people.

“Don’t mind this old man meddling. Earlier, you mentioned pork tripe—what delicious things are we having?”

The conversation shifted to everyday matters, lightening the mood.

Yu Xiang’an: “I bought some shrimp, fish, and pork tripe.”

Lin Duzhong thought for a moment. “I think there’s still beef and ribs in the fridge. This meal is going to be a feast—are we treating you like a big spender?”

Just then, Li Yujiao returned. She still worked, though her job was easy—a semi-retirement position.

She clocked out on time, collecting her salary every month. Staying home bored her, so she preferred working—it gave her something to do and people to talk to.

She was carrying a roast duck.

Lin Duzhong saw it and laughed. “Xiang’an’s adding dishes, and so are you. Tonight’s dinner is too lavish—we’ll never finish it.”

There were only four of them, including the housekeeper. How could they eat so much?

Yu Xiang’an: “Then let’s split it—half for tomorrow.”

Li Yujiao chimed in: “Dad, you always say our family is small. That’s why we should hurry and get Tiandong married—once he has kids, the house will be livelier, and we’ll finish all this food easily.”

Lin Duzhong chuckled. “Pushing me won’t help—go talk to him. If he likes someone, he should act fast before she’s taken. If not, ask his superiors or you to introduce someone.”

He was open-minded about this. While Li Yujiao fretted, he’d humor her, but personally, he never pressured Lin Tiandong to marry.

First, he thought Lin Tiandong was still young. Second, with great-grandchildren already, he wasn’t in a hurry.

Their perspectives differed—he was calm, while Li Yujiao was anxious.

Li Yujiao had only this one son.

She hoped that while Lin Houpu was still in power, her son could marry a wife who would provide him with the greatest support—someone who would stand on the same front as him and fight for his best interests.

Yu Xiang’an didn’t speak. It wasn’t appropriate for her to say anything.

Personally, she thought it wouldn’t matter if Lin Tiandong waited another two years, but if she said so, Li Yujiao might interpret it as her being unsympathetic. On the other hand, agreeing with Li Yujiao wasn’t something Yu Xiang’an wanted to do either. Staying silent was the best option. However, though she remained quiet, Li Yujiao wanted her to speak up.

“Xiang’an, you and Tiandong are alumni from the same university. Do you know any junior female students you could introduce? Being from the same school, they’d surely have common topics to discuss.”

Li Yujiao suddenly remembered something: “Didn’t you organize some competition at the university? There must have been a lot of participants, right?”

Yu Xiang’an: “Yes, it was a competition, but the field of architecture is mostly male-dominated.”

That was true.

Li Yujiao sighed in disappointment. She wasn’t so bold as to ask Yu Xiang’an to introduce a girlfriend to her son—she’d first have to vet the candidate herself. If the girl didn’t meet her standards, she wouldn’t introduce her to Lin Tiandong.

Yu Xiang’an certainly wouldn’t do such a thankless task—introducing a girlfriend to her stepmother’s son? What kind of situation would that be?

Yu Xiang’an: “I think this matter should really depend on him. Does Tiandong want a like-minded work partner or a fellow alumna? And personality-wise, there are so many types—lively, shy, sunny, optimistic, straightforward. We need to know what kind of person he likes before we can help find the right match. This is someone he’ll spend his life with—it shouldn’t be decided lightly.”

Li Yujiao glanced at her. “That makes sense.” She sighed. “It’s not that I don’t understand, but his attitude is just unacceptable. No matter what I say, it goes in one ear and out the other.”

That’s why she wondered if Yu Xiang’an could persuade him. After all, they were alumni and of the same generation—they’d have common ground.

*Click.* The door made a soft sound as Lin Houpu returned.

At the same time, the housekeeper had nearly finished preparing dinner.

Lin Houpu: “So many dishes today? Are we celebrating something?”

Lin Duzhong: “Yes, these dishes were bought by Xiang’an, the roast duck was brought back by your wife, and with the original dishes, it’s quite a feast. There’s still more in the fridge, or else we wouldn’t be able to finish it all.”

As soon as the fish was served, Lin Duzhong reached for it. He loved steamed fish—it was tender and easy to digest.

After dinner, Lin Houpu had something to discuss with Yu Xiang’an, so they went into the study together.

Li Yujiao watched them go, displeased.

What was so important that the rest of them couldn’t hear it?

Lin Houpu brought up Wen Yizhen—the reason being that he had been promoted and would soon become mayor.

“With this momentum, who knows how far he’ll go in the future?”

*How’s the relationship between your second brother and this brother-in-law? Are you close to him?*

Lin Houpu didn’t ask directly, but that was the gist of it.

Yu Xiang’an nodded. “My second brother and sister-in-law get along well with him. Back when he and my sister-in-law were struggling, my second brother helped them a lot. When did this promotion happen? I hadn’t heard.”

Lin Houpu: “It hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s coming soon—within the next couple of days.”

Yu Xiang’an: “That’s wonderful news.”

She was genuinely happy for Wen Yizhen.

Aside from their familial ties, he had also helped with Yu Xianghe’s matter before. Even though he was far away, he still made inquiries—that was true kindness.

Now that she knew about his promotion, Yu Xiang’an didn’t ask for any favors. She sincerely wished all her relatives, even those she wasn’t particularly close to, the best in life.

Though they walked different paths, they were all striving for a better future.

Yu Xiang’an: “Any news from Elder Brother?”

She was referring to Lin Guangbai.

Lin Guangbai had held his position for several years now.

At the mention of Lin Guangbai, Lin Houpu’s lips curled slightly, though the smile quickly faded. “If things go smoothly for your elder brother, he’ll also be promoted soon. There were rumors about abolishing the district and establishing a city, but I’m not sure if it’s true.”

Yu Xiang’an: “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. If such news is circulating, there must be some truth to it. If that’s the case, I should congratulate Elder Brother in advance.”

Yu Xiang’an didn’t believe it was just a rumor. If Lin Houpu mentioned it to her, it was probably already a done deal.

Another happy occasion.

……

Yu Xiang’an had spent hundreds of thousands to acquire that courtyard house. Though the *siheyuan* wasn’t particularly large, its location was excellent. If she ever decided to live there, renovations would be necessary. Currently, aside from some old furniture, the place was empty.

She needed to install wiring, air conditioning, a refrigerator, and other modern amenities.

To make it livable, major renovations would be required. However, Yu Xiang’an didn’t make drastic changes yet. She hired someone to do basic maintenance, as she didn’t plan to move in immediately. Only essential modifications were made so that she could stay there if needed. Further improvements could be done later.

With the house secured, Yu Xiang’an went to Yu Xiangyan’s place for a meal.

Yu Xiangyan was envious. “I’ve had my eye on a *siheyuan* too, but the price was too steep. I’ve made some investments and earned a bit, so I can afford an ordinary rural house, but something like this? I can only drool over it for now. I’ll have to save up more and maybe buy a smaller one.”

Yu Xiangyan was living comfortably—he had his salary, other investments, and extra income, which he used to buy properties and shops. By all accounts, he was already quite wealthy. If any of his properties were ever acquired for redevelopment, instant riches wouldn’t be a dream.

Wen Ruzhen looked particularly cheerful, prompting Yu Xiang’an to ask why.

Wen Ruzhen didn’t keep it a secret: “My younger brother got promoted. I’m happy for him.” The siblings had always been close, and Wen Yizhen never forgot to share news with his sister.

Yu Xiangyan grinned. “My brother-in-law is quite capable, isn’t he?”

Yu Xiang’an gave a thumbs-up. “Absolutely. He’s the best. Does that mean you need to step up your game?”

Yu Xiangyan rubbed his nose. “I’m not doing too badly either. But I have one advantage—I know my limits. Some things others can do, I can’t. And some things I can do, others might not. Right?”

Wen Ruzhen laughed at him. “Yes, your second brother is just fine the way he is.”

Yu Xiang’an: “…”

*Ugh, couple talk.* She didn’t want to witness their affection, so she quickly changed the subject: “How’s Xi Yi adjusting to university life?”

At this, Wen Ruzhen couldn’t hold back her laughter, clutching her stomach, while Yu Xiangyan’s face darkened with visible frustration. Yu Xiang’an grew curious. “What happened?”

“When she was still in high school, her father and I both told her she couldn’t date,” Wen Ruzhen explained between giggles. “She obeyed and focused on her studies. But after she got into university, we relaxed a bit on that front. Once, we went to visit her at school to see how she was doing, and we saw a crowd gathered under her dormitory building—some guy was confessing his feelings! Your brother went to stop him, but the boy thought he was just another guy trying to cut in line and told him to wait his turn. He’d been waiting for half a month for his chance and wouldn’t let anyone jump the queue—or else he’d throw hands! Hahaha!”

Wen Ruzhen couldn’t stop laughing. “Your brother was so mad he almost punched the guy on the spot.”

Yu Xiang’an couldn’t help but chuckle. “What happened next?”

Wen Ruzhen: “Then the dorm supervisor came to shoo everyone away. We told him we were her parents, but he didn’t believe us. He only half-convincedly called Xi Yi down to confirm. You should’ve seen that boy’s face!”

Yu Xiang’an imagined the scene and burst out laughing. “What a mess! Did the confessions die down after that?”

Wen Ruzhen: “Not at all! Your brother went to the school administration and had them make a public announcement before things calmed down a little. Now he’s terrified Xi Yi might bring home a boyfriend one day.”

Yu Xi Yi took after her uncle in looks—stunningly beautiful. In university, surrounded by young men, it was only natural for admirers to appear. But Yu Xiang’an hadn’t expected such a dramatic turn of events.

Seeing his sister’s amusement, Yu Xiangyan scowled. “Go ahead and laugh. You have a daughter too—let’s see if you’ll still be laughing when it’s her turn.”

*Was it easy raising his daughter all these years? And now these brats dare to set their sights on her? They must have a death wish!*

Wen Ruzhen looked at him. “No matter what, your daughter will get married someday.”

Yu Xiang’an: “Exactly. I’m definitely more open-minded about this than you are.”

Yu Xiangyan didn’t want to hear it. “Just wait and see if you’ll really be willing to hand your daughter over to some stranger.”

Yu Xiang’an: “Why wouldn’t I? Marriage isn’t like the old days, where once a girl married, she wouldn’t see her family for decades. She’ll be right under my nose. Even if she moves far away, I can just take a plane or drive over. If she’s unhappy, I’ll bring her back immediately. With our family backing her, how could she possibly have a bad life?”

Yu Xiangyan said seriously, “Then what do you think about finding Xi Yi a live-in son-in-law?”

Wen Ruzhen had had enough. “Oh, stop talking nonsense! What decent man would agree to that? The ones who would are hardly worth considering—neither you nor your daughter would want them. Stop worrying so much. If my father and brother had been like you, would you have ever married me?”

“That’s completely different!” *When I was the suitor, I couldn’t wait to win her over. But as the father? I’d rather kick any man to the moon!*

Yu Xiang’an: “Hahahaha!”

Her second brother’s life was just too *eventful*.

And with two daughters, he’d have plenty of headaches in the future.

Aside from visiting Yu Xiangyan, Yu Xiang’an also called on other acquaintances—like Zhao Li, who had helped them a lot when they first arrived in the capital for university, her former homeroom teacher Wu Zhusheng, and Lin Chuanbai’s mentor, among others.

By this time, the competition had entered the semifinal stage. The preliminary round had weeded out the unqualified candidates, leaving the semifinalists. From these, eight finalists would be selected, and the rankings would be determined from there.

The design drafts wouldn’t be completed quickly, so Yu Xiang’an couldn’t get them immediately. While waiting, she made a trip to the northeast—to visit Qin Shenghua and also to establish connections with new medicinal herb suppliers.

Among the purchased formulas, one was usable, and it required a herb native to the northeast.