Chapter 76:

Because she was busy with the factory construction, she became a hands-off manager at the restaurant. By controlling the secret recipes and preparing the daily ingredient ratios, she was able to step back.

At the construction site, Yu Mansheng was handling things. He was now juggling two places—keeping an eye on the work at Krait while also managing the site here. He already had two construction teams under him. The core members were still fellow villagers, as trust came more easily among them.

Even with him around, Yu Xiang’an still made time to visit, ensuring any issues were communicated promptly. Some fellow villagers recognized her, but Yu Xiang’an, already used to weaving lies, simply continued the story that she was on a business trip. As for why she was at this construction site? Well, she was helping someone out.

Who?

That wasn’t something she could disclose.

Meanwhile, in the capital, Lin Chuanbai finally received his graduation certificate and a long-awaited vacation. Without hesitation, he packed his bags and traveled a thousand miles with their children to find their mother.

It was like dealing with a runaway horse—half a year had passed, and she still hadn’t found time to return. If the mountain wouldn’t come to him, he’d go to the mountain. The early stages of entrepreneurship were undoubtedly hectic, but now that he had time, he’d bring the kids to reunite with their mother.

Lin Yihong and Lin Yining were overjoyed. Even though they could call their mother when they missed her, hearing her voice without being able to see her, hug her, or kiss her was hard. After such a long separation, they truly missed her.

Yu Xiang’an was thrilled to hear they were coming. She had considered going back, but she simply couldn’t leave her responsibilities here. Only once everything was running smoothly would she have enough free time.

Now that they were arriving, she excitedly prepared for their stay. The space wasn’t large—she was staying in a partitioned room behind the restaurant—but it was enough. The bed couldn’t fit all four of them, but adding a small cot nearby would work.

Yu Xiang’an waited for them at the train station, holding a cardboard sign with the character “Lin” written on it. She raised it high as they exited, making it easier for them to spot her.

Lin Chuanbai and the children traveled light. Yu Xiang’an had told them to bring only essential clothes—everything else could be bought locally. Other necessities were already stored in Lin Chuanbai’s medicinal garden space. The father and children traveled with minimal luggage.

When they saw Yu Xiang’an, Lin Yining and Lin Yihong rushed over and hugged her. “Mom! I missed you so much!”

“Mom, why didn’t you come back to see us?”

The hurt in their voices made Yu Xiang’an’s heart ache, as if soaked in lye—sour and bitter.

“I missed you too. Once this busy period is over, we won’t be apart for so long again. Please forgive me.”

“Really? That’s great!” Lin Yining cheered.

Lin Yihong tightened his little arms around her. “Mom, you’ve lost weight.”

Yu Xiang’an felt her heart split in two.

Didn’t she miss them?

Of course she did. Every night before bed, she would look at the family photo on her nightstand before falling asleep. At first, being alone felt strange—after sharing a bed for so long, the space now felt too big, too empty.

But there was no other way.

She didn’t want to give up halfway. She had set up this venture so that future generations wouldn’t have to worry about money.

Balancing family and career was often impossible. For now, she had to prioritize her career and temporarily set aside family.

After showering the children with affection, Yu Xiang’an turned to Lin Chuanbai. He stood before them, smiling as he watched the mother and children reunite, a faint grin lingering on his lips.

He didn’t say he missed her, but his bright eyes, fixed unblinkingly on her, warmed her heart. Without realizing it, her own eyes brimmed with happiness.

Lin Chuanbai sighed. “You really have lost weight. Even if you’re busy, you shouldn’t neglect yourself. Look at you—you look exhausted.”

Yu Xiang’an touched her face. “Once this busy period passes, I’ll be fine. How long can you stay this time?”

“I can stay for twelve days. I just finished a project, and my advisor knew we’d been apart for so long, so he gave me a long break.”

Yu Xiang’an beamed. “That’s wonderful!”

She took them back to Wuwei. The bustling scene didn’t surprise Lin Chuanbai at all.

In fact, seeing the crowd made his back ache reflexively. Why?

Because in the capital, whenever he saw so many people, he’d rush into the kitchen to help—otherwise, they’d run out of dishes.

The Wuwei restaurant here was more upscale in decor compared to the one in the capital, and the customers dressed more formally. It catered to a different clientele.

But Lin Chuanbai also noticed the boxes of takeout being packed. He gave a thumbs-up—she had already introduced delivery services.

Yu Xiang’an led them to the back. “You must be tired from the train. Freshen up, have a bite to eat, and then rest.”

Lin Yining clung to Yu Xiang’an’s arm. “No! Mom, will you disappear again?”

Yu Xiang’an stroked her hair. “I’m right here. Call me anytime, and I’ll answer. Let’s talk properly after you wake up, okay?”

Lin Yining pouted. “You promise you won’t leave?”

Yu Xiang’an smiled. “Have I ever lied to you?”

She hadn’t.

The children were indeed exhausted. Unfamiliar with the surroundings, they showed no interest in exploring. After bathing and sipping some porridge, they fell asleep within thirty seconds of lying down.

Yu Xiang’an’s heart ached—they were truly worn out.

She urged Lin Chuanbai to rest as well. Whatever needed to be discussed could wait until after sleep. On the train, he had to watch over the children alone, with no one to take shifts. He must be exhausted.

Lin Chuanbai took her hand and playfully traced a line on her palm before grabbing his clothes to shower. Yu Xiang’an shook her head, amused, then turned to the twins, whose steady breathing filled the room. Months apart, and they had grown taller.

By the time the three woke up, it was already evening. They had slept for over four hours, their stomachs growling.

Yu Xiang’an had prepared a rich, golden chicken soup, its aroma filling the air.

Lin Chuanbai sipped it and sighed. “I just can’t replicate this flavor. Even when I follow your steps exactly, something’s missing.”

Yu Xiang’an used the broth to cook noodles and served a large plate of dumplings—pork with cabbage and pork with corn. The three ate heartily, with Lin Chuanbai consuming twice his usual portion.

Full and content, the family chatted in the small space, listening to the lively sounds from the restaurant outside. Amid the bustling lights of countless households, theirs was now one of them.

Once the twins were asleep, the two adults finally had time for themselves. Mindful of others, they kept quiet, but their longing made their movements more urgent than usual. In the darkness, bathed in moonlight, they stifled laughter, then got up to wash with warm water before finally sleeping.

Early the next morning, Lin Chuanbai followed Yu Xiang’an to meet the staff.

Sun Dongsheng and Zeng Wang were curious about him. They knew their boss was remarkable, so the man who married her must be too. Now they saw—he was indeed impressive, but in a different way.

He was a postgraduate researcher, an intellectual. College graduates were already impressive, but he was a step above!

Yet the two were a perfect match.

What shocked them more was that their children were so big! The couple looked so young!

When the boss mentioned having two kids, they assumed they were toddlers!

Lin Chuanbai accompanied Yu Xiang’an to the branch and the factory under construction. He and the children openly appeared before Yu Manwu and other villagers, with a straightforward explanation: Since their mother was on a long business trip, he had time off, and the kids were on summer break, so they came to reunite with her.

It sounded perfectly reasonable.

Only Yu Mansheng, who knew the truth, thought: *Keep spinning those tales! Who knew you two could lie so effortlessly?*

In reality, Yu Xiang’an planned to tell Yu Qingshan soon—just him. When?

Once the factory was built, production lines installed, and operations began, she’d find a reason to bring him here. With tangible proof, he’d worry less.

Ultimately, it was about the security of a stable life. Now, she could provide a better one herself.

After silently venting his frustration in his mind, Yu Mansheng got serious. “I’ve saved up some money here. Seeing how well you’re doing, I’m considering starting a company. Having an official name would make hiring easier. I also want to build a dormitory and a warehouse—it would make the business more legitimate. The dorm would be for us, and the warehouse for storage.”

“I agree!” Yu Xiang’an and Lin Chuanbai said in unison.

They exchanged smiles. Yu Xiang’an added, “At this stage, you don’t need a huge space. Start small and expand later when funds allow. If everyone lives together, hire someone to clean and handle reception—it won’t cost much.”

Lin Chuanbai nodded. “And the property itself is an asset. You can repurpose it later.”

Witnessing their seamless coordination, Yu Mansheng clenched his teeth and declared, “Fine, let’s go for it!”

He had been hesitating and needed a push.

Yu Xiang’an asked, “What will you name the company?”

Yu Mansheng wasn’t picky. “Most of us are from Hongxing Village. Let’s call it Hongxing—a red star facing the sun. It’s auspicious, symbolizing prosperity.”

They spent a day at the beach. The rest of the time, Yu Xiang’an pulled Lin Chuanbai into her busy schedule. The children, now older, were brought along whenever possible—exposing them to the world was beneficial.

Lin Chuanbai helped source ingredients, research packaging, and recruit staff.

Hiring was easy, but training was essential—hygiene couldn’t be compromised. She needed to establish frameworks and find a manager to handle operations.

Finding the right manager was tough, but with a generous offer, she secured Jian Fangdan, a former state-owned factory leader forced into early retirement due to office politics. At over forty, he wasn’t ready to idle and had come to the special zone, drawn by her offer.

Yu Xiang’an grilled him and confirmed his expertise. At his prime, early retirement was a waste.

Jian Fangdan was equally satisfied. If this succeeded, he’d be a founding member.

With his help, Yu Xiang’an no longer had to run herself ragged.

She wasn’t blindly trusting—her years as a factory assistant weren’t for nothing. She worked closely with him, setting up operations smoothly.

Materials were sourced from local farmers under contracts with villages, spreading risk. The farmers were happy—growing for a steady income was better than uncertainty.

For medicinal ingredients, Lin Chuanbai helped identify quality suppliers.

By day, Lin Chuanbai assisted; by night, Yu Xiang’an made time for family—reading, walking, or simply being together.

She even took them to a photo studio, where Lin Yining fell in love with a pink tutu.

She wore it like a little princess, her figure now elongating into that of a young girl. Yu Xiang’an looked at her daughter and suddenly felt the sentimental sigh of an “old mother.”

Her child had grown up.

Lin Chuanbai picked out a dress from the same collection: “Mother-daughter outfits. Both of you are my princesses.”

Lin Yihong chimed in, “Dad, can we wear knight costumes? Dad and I can be knights!”

…

Their arrival was like a refreshing spring injected into exhaustion, instantly filling Yu Xiang’an with boundless energy.

Those ten-odd days passed in the blink of an eye. Suppressing her reluctance, Yu Xiang’an bought a mountain of gifts for them to take back—many of which were for the two children.

After seeing them off, she immediately threw herself wholeheartedly into the factory. Between “hard work first, rewards later” and “rewards first, hard work later,” she chose the former.

Amidst the busyness, her factory building was completed.

Yu Mansheng said, “It’s ready for inspection. If anything isn’t to your liking, we’ll fix it right away.”

Since everything had been planned by her, there was nothing unsatisfactory. After the interior was furnished, the equipment was moved in immediately, and the previously hired workers were notified to start.

Production began!

Yu Xiang’an focused on just four types of sauces.

First, sesame paste. Second, peanut butter. Third, sandwich spread. Fourth, barbecue sauce.

Lastly, there was the hot pot base, sealed in plastic bags. Just tear open the bag, pour it into a pot, heat it up, and you’d have a ready-made hot pot broth.

Her goal was clear: export. Specifically targeting clients like Klett. Even if she didn’t export, Yu Xiang’an didn’t think these products would go unsold domestically. But at this stage, exporting promised higher profits and greater government favor.

After all, what she earned was foreign currency.

Klett was also highly motivated. Venturing here to expand his business was a risk. If successful, he’d solidify his footing and gain influence. If not, he’d have to slink back home in defeat. His partnership with Yu Xiang’an was part of his effort to prove himself here.

Yu Xiang’an paid meticulous attention to packaging, adopting a fully Western style. If not for the “Made in China” label, one might mistake it for a foreign product.

Once the first batch passed quality inspection, it was immediately shipped out via Klett’s channels to the U.S. The initial batch was small—just a test to gauge the market.

The waiting period was nerve-wracking.

Even though Yu Xiang’an had confidence in herself, she couldn’t help feeling anxious.

Fortunately, she wasn’t disappointed. She received a letter from Paul, who placed a large order.

Clearly, the first step had been taken.

Su Sanbao was Yu Xiang’an’s assistant, a few years younger. When she first started, she had no idea what an assistant was supposed to do—she just followed orders and collected her paycheck.

At first, she trailed behind her boss, running in and out of places, observing everything. Only later did she realize her boss was expanding her network, even spending a considerable amount of money to do so.

To Su Sanbao, that money seemed wasted. Though it wasn’t her own, watching it disappear was painful. But eventually, it proved worthwhile.

As long as one connection paid off, the investment was recouped.

When her boss opened a restaurant and took on the role of head chef, Su Sanbao, as her assistant, naturally found herself in the kitchen too.

She was prepared—same salary, different job.

But soon, she was freed from the kitchen and back to running errands with her boss, helping set up a branch location.

At that pace, if she worked hard, could she become a branch manager?

Yet things took another unexpected turn. Watching her boss converse effortlessly with foreigners, purchase equipment, and build a factory…

Her boss became a factory director, and Su Sanbao skyrocketed to the position of factory director’s assistant.

She never imagined she’d have such a glorious day!

The assistant to a factory director—someone she wouldn’t have dared speak to before—was now her title. Though it was a small factory, it was anything but ordinary.

Because what they produced was high-quality goods destined for export!

With so many good products abroad, yet they were buying from *them*—wasn’t that proof enough?

As orders piled up, workers had to operate in three shifts, keeping the machines running nonstop. It was exhausting, but everyone worked with smiles—this was a joyous occasion. The better the factory did, the better off they’d be.

Now, when she walked through the factory, people respectfully called her “Third Sister.”

She never dreamed she’d come this far when she left her hometown.

Her family urged her to cherish her current life and work hard.

Of course she would.

She even planned to bring her children to live with her. Back in the village, though her parents could help care for them, the gossip was harmful to their growth. Here, she could enroll them in school, giving them a fresh start.

In this new environment, no one would know their father had abandoned them. No one would point fingers.

Just thinking about it filled Su Sanbao with boundless energy, ready to tackle another pile of work.

Her boss had said that if profits were strong, they’d build a new dormitory by year’s end. Then, she could get her own room and bring her children to live with her.

…

Yu Qingshan didn’t understand.

His daughter had called, asking if he had any vacation time—if so, could he visit the special economic zone for a couple of days?

It would require taking leave.

Yu Qingshan didn’t want to, but no matter how he pressed, she wouldn’t explain. Worried something might be wrong with his youngest daughter, he took two days off, combined with his usual rest days, making it three. He bought a train ticket and went.

At the station, he ate at a nearby shop, rested a while, and then was led by his daughter to a factory.

“Why bring me here?” Yu Qingshan was baffled.

Yu Xiang’an didn’t answer directly. “Dad, what do you think of this place?”

Yu Qingshan: “I’ve seen plenty of small factories like this. Judging by the workers’ morale, the conditions here seem good.”

Yu Xiang’an treaded carefully: “What do you think of the person who started this factory?”

Yu Qingshan: ???

“…Quite capable.”

“Dad, you don’t think it’s bad for them to go into business?”

Yu Qingshan frowned: “That’s not the way to put it. Is this someone you know? Turning wasteland into a factory, hiring workers, generating profit—that’s no small feat. It takes skill. There’s no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ about it. Every profession has its masters. People follow different paths. Don’t let others’ words give you prejudices.”

Then his daughter exhaled in relief: “Good. Dad, there’s something I need to tell you. Stay calm and let me explain, okay?”

In that moment, Yu Qingshan’s mind raced.

She’d been here over half a year without returning to the capital—had something happened? Was it related to her husband? Had she been sidelined by her superiors?

But nothing prepared him for the shock his daughter delivered.

His hand trembled as he pointed at the factory. “You’re saying this is *yours*? How?!”