Watching those people meet their end with bullets, Yuan Yang returned to the special zone, planning to change her name and transfer her household registration there after some time. Once that was done, she could sever ties with her past and start anew with her family in this fresh place. As long as no one dug too deep, no one would know about her history.
Now, with her son and daughter by her side, the future looked bright.
She would do well, making her life better and better—otherwise, it would all be for nothing after the immense effort she’d put into escaping that hellhole.
With a satisfying resolution to the matter, Yu Qingshan relaxed, his smile returning.
Pan Hu, bearing the weight of his crimes, had also met his end with a bullet. Besides the incident involving Yu Xianghe, he had also killed others. A life for a life—what more was there to say?
Miao Hongxing, upon learning the outcome, felt a weight lift from her shoulders. Not only could she sleep soundly now, but the money she had also meant her family could live comfortably for a while.
…
Gao Yimei, however, was having a tough time. The fabric factory where she worked had taken a massive hit, with their products piling up unsold in the warehouse. Once, their fabrics had been in such high demand that people would go to great lengths to secure them, even resorting to begging and scheming when their fabric coupons ran out. Now, the tables had turned.
Gao Yimei wasn’t oblivious to the factory’s decline—their designs were outdated, so much so that even she didn’t like them. When buying clothes, she preferred the trendy styles sold elsewhere. But the decision-makers in charge of production saw no issue, convinced their approach was just fine.
What could she do?
Before, overtime had been the norm; now, she spent her days idling.
No work meant no bonuses, and benefits had been slashed drastically, leaving only a meager base salary.
Life was getting harder.
Income had dwindled, yet prices outside kept rising.
With three children in school—tuition, textbooks, and miscellaneous fees piling up—plus filial support for the elderly and household expenses, there was barely anything left to save.
Gao Yimei fretted over the family’s finances.
When Zhang Dashi returned from work and saw her frowning, he asked, “What’s wrong?”
Gao Yimei’s temper flared instantly. “What’s wrong? You ask what’s wrong? Our eldest is starting junior high next year—expenses are going to skyrocket! And when the younger two follow, we won’t be able to keep up!”
Zhang Dashi frowned. “How much do we have left?”
Gao Yimei pulled out the metal box where they kept their money and showed him. “This is everything.”
They’d had some savings, but their youngest daughter had fallen seriously ill. The local hospital couldn’t treat her, so they’d gone to the city for two or three months. She recovered, but the medical bills had drained their savings.
Managing the household finances, Gao Yimei couldn’t help but feel frustrated. “Life in the countryside is so much better now—no worries about food or eggs. They live more comfortably than we do. Do we really have to send so much money every month? You know how little we have left—can’t we cut back for now?”
Zhang Dashi fell silent.
Back when times were tough, he’d been the only one in the family to escape farming. He’d always sent ten yuan to his parents every month, even after marriage.
Now, with so little left, he glanced at the money in the box—less than a hundred yuan.
What could that even cover?
“My parents had it hard. I’ll think of another way,” he said, unwilling to reduce the support.
Gao Yimei wasn’t surprised by his answer. She snapped the box shut with force. “And what way is that? With your job, what else can you do? Aren’t you afraid someone will report you?” His uniform was both a badge of honor and a constraint.
Zhang Dashi sighed. “You think I’d do something reckless? Of course not. I’ll find a legitimate way.”
Gao Yimei scoffed. “Oh? Like what? Working as a porter after hours?”
Zhang Dashi: “…”
How did she know?
Gao Yimei didn’t want him doing manual labor—it was too grueling. “Just rest. If something happens to you, what will we do?”
Zhang Dashi insisted, “I’ll be fine. I’m strong. We just need to get through this rough patch.”
But Gao Yimei had little faith. If the higher-ups refused to change, the factory’s situation would only worsen.
She took a deep breath, calming herself. “I’ve written to a friend.”
Zhang Dashi: “Which friend?” Then it dawned on him. “The one who went to university and then started her own business?”
Gao Yimei nodded. “Yes, her. Her business is doing incredibly well. No wonder she took the plunge—look at her sister-in-law. Money flows in like water. She’s even building a house this year—must’ve made a fortune.”
Zhang Dashi hesitated. “…Aren’t you worried about gossip?”
Gao Yimei rolled her eyes. “If my life improves, let them talk. Words won’t take a chunk out of me.”
Yu Xiang’an had kept her business ventures under wraps for a long time, but this year, the secret got out.
Someone else from Baishi County had been admitted to Capital University, and through inquiries, news spread that Yu Xiang’an had resigned to do business in the special zone.
It caused a stir in certain circles, with many baffled by her decision.
A stable job was the dream—secure, promising, with retirement benefits. Who in their right mind would give that up?
Many, especially the older generation, couldn’t fathom it. Some even went to Qin Qiang and Yao Cuifen, urging them to talk sense into Yu Xiang’an and convince her to return.
If she admitted her mistake and showed remorse, surely her superiors would take her back. A graduate from a prestigious university was too valuable to waste.
What?
She’d made a fortune in business?
Wasn’t that just being a nouveau riche?
It wouldn’t last.
No matter what they said, Yu Xiang’an wouldn’t change her mind. She had no plans to return anytime soon—going back would mean enduring endless lectures and… requests for loans and job introductions.
Some even tried to get her phone number and address to “guide her back to the right path,” as if she’d committed some unforgivable sin. It was both exasperating and amusing.
While some opposed her choices, others supported her.
Ye Qijia was a staunch advocate. Thanks to her clothing franchise, she was practically raking in money.
She’d originally planned to resign after her house was built, ready to go all-in. But she’d ended up quitting sooner—she simply couldn’t juggle both.
Starting as a street vendor selling clothes, Ye Qijia’s profits grew steadily. As her inventory expanded, setting up stalls became impractical, so she rented a shop. Eventually, wholesalers began approaching her for bulk purchases—a secondary distribution network that, while less profitable per item, made up for it in volume.
The money was addictive.
Ye Qijia was now looking to buy land near the train station to build a warehouse. Once completed, it would streamline logistics, making operations smoother and profits even greater.
She’d intended to resign after the house was finished, but the workload forced her hand earlier.
Her job as a salesclerk had been easy, but she couldn’t keep skipping work. Weighing the paltry salary against the time lost, she made the tough call to transfer the position and focus entirely on her business.
Yu Xianghai, knowing how lucrative business could be, fully supported her. Even if they never earned another cent, their savings would suffice for the rest of their lives.
Among Yu Xiang’an’s friends, there were dissenters too, like Yan Yuzhen.
She believed stability was paramount—business was unpredictable. Today’s profits could be tomorrow’s losses. What then?
She didn’t expect Yu Xiang’an to return to her old job, but she urged her to have a backup plan.
If this path failed, there should be another.
Besides, Lin Chuanbai’s salary was substantial. No matter what, they wouldn’t starve.
Gao Yimei, however, was firmly in the pro-business camp. She wasn’t rigid.
What was wrong with being self-employed?
Hadn’t small businesses made life more convenient?
If she could make money, she wouldn’t care what others said.
But what could she do? Sell clothes too?
Gao Yimei shook her head. Competing with her sister-in-law would be like snatching food from a tiger’s mouth—not an option. So in her letter, she outlined her family’s situation and asked for advice on feasible ventures. Her goal was modest: enough to supplement their income. She didn’t have much capital to invest.
After confirming this, Zhang Dashi fell silent for a long moment. “Then let’s wait for her reply.”
If she was truly determined, he wouldn’t let gossip deter him.
When Yu Xiang’an received Gao Yimei’s letter, she pondered carefully.
Seeing her mother deep in thought after opening the letter, Lin Yining shifted her gaze from the TV and scooted closer. “Mom, who’s the letter from?”
Yu Xiang’an: “Auntie Gao.”
“Auntie Gao…” Lin Yining racked her brain before remembering. “The one who works at the fabric factory?” The twins rarely visited Baishi County, so their memories of their mother’s friends there were hazy.
Yu Xiang’an: “Yes, her.”
Lin Yining: “What did she write?”
Yu Xiang’an: “Her factory’s struggling. She’s asking if I know any ways to earn extra money. Her youngest was sick recently—cost a lot. Seems she’s recovered, but it cleaned them out.”
Dual-income households with three kids weren’t uncommon, but Gao Yimei prioritized her children’s education, sparing no expense on study materials. Combined with supporting elderly relatives, their finances were stretched thin. Now, she was exploring side hustles.
Lin Yining’s first thought was her aunt. “Can’t she sell clothes with Auntie?”
Yu Xiang’an didn’t answer directly. “Think carefully—would that work?”
Lin Yining blinked, then frowned. “Why not?”
Yu Xiang’an: “If you were making a hundred yuan, and someone joined in, you might only make fifty, sixty, or eighty. Less than before. Would you be happy?”
Lin Yining got it. If her allowance were cut for any reason, she’d sulk too.
Not an option.
Her eyes lit up. “Then suggest another business!”
Yu Xiang’an: “Like what?”
Lin Yining listed possibilities but realized most of her mother’s ventures were food-related. Hotels and real estate weren’t feasible for Gao Yimei.
Yu Xiang’an: “Food’s an option, but given her personality, she wouldn’t want that.” It would disrupt their equality—unlike with Ye Qijia, where profits stayed within the family.
Yu Xiang’an: “I think she should come see for herself. It’s not far. Seeing things firsthand might clarify things.”
Yu Qingshan agreed. Friendships thrived on equality. Too much disparity or one-sided help could strain the relationship.
After receiving Yu Xiang’an’s reply, Gao Yimei made the trip alone. Zhang Dashi had been uneasy, but she insisted on saving the extra train fare.
She was a grown woman—what could happen on such a short journey? She’d call as soon as she arrived to reassure him.
Yu Xiang’an and Gao Yimei had kept in touch. Knowing her schedule, Yu Xiang’an met her at the station.
After exiting, Gao Yimei smiled. “Let me call home first.”
Phone calls were expensive, so she kept it brief: “I’m here. All good.”
Yu Xiang’an took her luggage. “This way.”
Gao Yimei followed. “Where to?”
Yu Xiang’an: “My car’s parked outside.”
Gao Yimei: “…Car? You kept that quiet!”
Yu Xiang’an shrugged. “Didn’t want the lectures. Even my dad didn’t know at first—I went ahead and told him later.”
Gao Yimei could only shake her head in admiration. “He must’ve had a headache when he found out.”
Yu Xiang’an laughed heartily, “Not bad, not bad.”
Gao Yimei scoffed, “Yeah, right.” She imagined herself in that situation—if her three children pulled a similar stunt, acting first and explaining later—she’d probably be driven to a headache, unsure if her heart could handle it well enough to even listen to their reasons.
Yu Xiang’an saw this as another form of bias and pointed to the car she had driven over. “Do you think this is reckless? Think about it—if I had followed the conventional path, how many years would it have taken me to own a car like this? Even if I got to drive one, it wouldn’t be mine, just borrowed.”
“Of course, by that point, a car might not even be the main concern. But we know our own limits. Some lives may look glamorous, but they’re just too painful.”
Yu Xiang’an was self-aware.
Gao Yimei hadn’t expected a four-wheeler—she’d assumed it was a tricycle. But… a sedan?!
Her earnings were insane!
“Are you just showing off on purpose? I’ve never lived that life—how would I know if it suits you?”
Yu Xiang’an countered, “Think about something you couldn’t stand doing. Now imagine doing it relentlessly for decades. Could you handle it?”
Gao Yimei shook her head. “No way.” Just taking Zhang Dashi back to the countryside was enough—a few days was her limit, and she’d avoid fieldwork whenever possible.
Making her toil in the fields for decades, enduring leeches, scorching sun, and rice husks? Impossible.
She was starting to understand.
Opening the car door, she loaded her things inside and took a seat. Gao Yimei’s attention shifted to the vehicle. “This car is really yours?”
Yu Xiang’an: “Yep, registered under my name.”
Gao Yimei clicked her tongue. “All I can say is… envy.” If given the choice, she’d pick business too!
But she knew her own limits—she didn’t have the knack for it.
Yu Xiang’an first took her to Wuwei Restaurant. Though it wasn’t peak dining hours, the bustling crowd inside didn’t surprise Gao Yimei. “I always knew you had talent. Back then, I thought you could’ve landed a job at a state-run restaurant. Guess my words came true, huh?”
Yu Xiang’an laughed. “Hahaha, thanks for the vote of confidence!”
She was genuinely pleased.
Finding an empty seat, she said, “Let’s order first. After eating, we’ll rest a bit, then I’ll take you to the market.”
Yu Xiang’an added, “Order whatever you want—I’m hosting. Don’t hold back.”
Gao Yimei grinned. “Oh, I won’t.” Judging by the car, Yu Xiang’an was clearly well-off. She ordered fried chicken, a char siu beef platter, and a bowl of red date chicken soup.
Yu Xiang’an opted for chicken rice and juice.
The food came quickly—pre-made and efficient.
Gao Yimei looked around. This scene was nothing like their county. In Baishi County, everyone spoke the same dialect. But here, some spoke broken Mandarin, while others used languages she couldn’t understand—apparently from Fujian. The common thread? The satisfaction on their faces as they ate.
Gao Yimei mused, “If someone came here during a work break, they wouldn’t wait long. Quick service means no delay getting back to work.”
Yu Xiang’an nodded. “Exactly…”
They ate slowly, chatting, giving Gao Yimei—fresh off the train—time to rest. By the time they finished, the lunch rush had begun.
More people flooded in, sharing tables with strangers, all enjoying their meals.
After soaking in the lively atmosphere, they headed to the market.
Yu Xiang’an took her to a wholesale street—a chaotic mix of clothing, electronics, cassette players, hair accessories, and more. Everything was jumbled together, requiring a keen eye to spot the good stuff.
Gao Yimei was dazzled—and the prices! A pair of pants she’d seen for 30 yuan elsewhere was just 16 here.
An electronic watch priced at 12 yuan? Here, they went for 5 or 6.
Hair clips that cost 0.5 yuan? A mere 0.15 here. The ones selling for 0.2 elsewhere? Here, you could get five for 0.1!
These small items were perfect for her tight budget. She didn’t have much capital, and while asking Yu Xiang’an for advice was fine, borrowing money would be pushing it.
Better to keep things separate.
She had a rough plan but didn’t rush into buying. First, she scoped out the entire market.
It was packed. She watched how others did wholesale—pushing carts, hauling sacks. When a shop unveiled new jeans, the crowd surged. Grab fast or miss out.
Squeezed to the sidelines, she and Yu Xiang’an heard shouts:
“Watch your feet! My shoe—where’s my shoe?!”
Then a shrill voice: “Who stole my change? Scum like you deserve sons with no a**holes! @#$%!”
A string of creative curses followed.
Brushed aside, Gao Yimei noticed Yu Xiang’an’s wrinkled clothes and burst out laughing. “Hahaha, you don’t come here often, do you?”
Yu Xiang’an tugged at her creased sleeves, sighing. “Nope. I avoid the crowds.”
Gao Yimei: “But the deals are great. Why skip it?”
Yu Xiang’an: “My dad and aunt love it here.”
Buying in bulk meant wholesale prices—cheaper, even for non-wholesalers.
Gao Yimei: “Once I start earning, I’m shopping here too.” She could stock up on clothes for her kids in advance, saving a fortune.
Yu Xiang’an: “Of course. Now that we’ve looked around, decided yet?”
Gao Yimei nodded. “Yep.”
Appliances had the highest profit margins, but the upfront cost was steep. Hair accessories and ribbons were more her speed.
Decision made—time to act!
Yu Xiang’an: “If you hit any snags, don’t hesitate to ask. Back at the factory, you hooked me up with plenty of sales. Now it’s my turn to help you.”
Back then, Gao Yimei had discreetly promoted Yu Xiang’an’s sauces among her textile mill friends, earning her decent side income.
Gao Yimei chuckled. “Same crowd, but back then, they were single girls. Now they’re moms.” Before, they bought for themselves. Now, it’s for their daughters.
She’d save some pretty ones for her own little girl.
Leaving the market, Gao Yimei carried a bag of hair clips—light, easy to transport, and low-cost. Perfect for her current situation.
As dusk fell, Yu Xiang’an insisted Gao Yimei stay the night instead of traveling back in the dark. Safety aside, she was exhausted.
Gao Yimei didn’t refuse. She was also curious about Yu Xiang’an’s home.
Upon arrival, she could only gape. The place looked straight out of a movie—color TV, fridge, plush sofa!
Yet only Yu Xiang’an and Yu Qingshan lived there.
Gao Yimei: “Where are the kids?”
Yu Xiang’an: “In Guangzhou. They don’t visit every week.”
Gao Yimei: “Wow. I couldn’t bear that.”
Yu Xiang’an: “It was hard at first, but kids grow up. They leave eventually.”
Maybe that’s why she succeeded, Gao Yimei thought. She couldn’t do it.
With a rare visitor, Yu Qingshan chatted with Gao Yimei, catching up on news he’d missed.
When Zhang Dashi came to pick her up, he asked, “What’d you buy?”
Gao Yimei smirked. “Wait till we get home.”
Back home, Zhang Dashi stared at the pile of accessories, skeptical. “All this… Will it sell? It’s not food or drink.”
Gao Yimei rolled her eyes. “Just watch.”
And sell they did—wildly.
Her selection was diverse and stylish, unseen in their county. Word spread fast, especially among young working women eager to splurge on beauty.
Those tiny trinkets brought in surprising profits.
Cheap ones earned 0.05–0.1 yuan each. Ten? 0.5–1 yuan. A hundred? 5–10 yuan.
A few hundred meant dozens of yuan—a month’s wages.
Pricier items added even more. After travel costs, she netted two salaries’ worth monthly!
Zhang Dashi: “…”
The world made no sense anymore. One monthly trip to the Special Zone, and they’d doubled their income?!
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