RGL – Chapter 52

If it had been like back in the old days, and Ye Yongfu didn’t handle things well, they could have just gone over his head and reported him.

Everyone could see Director Ye’s determination this time. The meeting was just a formality to inform them of the decision, so even if people had something to say, they kept it to themselves.

These days, jobs weren’t iron rice bowls anymore, and their rations were all in the director’s hands. Forget it—this factory belonged to him anyway. However he wanted to toss it around, so be it.

After the meeting, Director Li and Production Director Xiao Changshu returned to the office together.

“Tell me, what is Ye Yongfu really trying to do? Hiring a young girl and bringing her back like she’s some flower—he really has the nerve. And giving her such huge benefits.”

Xiao Changshu dropped the files on the desk and poured himself a cup of tea. “It’s not our factory, so why care so much?”

“True, it’s not ours, but we’ve worked here for so many years. And why is it that others get the good deals, while us old-timers are still struggling?”

“If the director wants to do something, it’s his own business. If he doesn’t want to give us money, can we really stretch out our hands and ask for it?”

Hearing that made Director Li even more annoyed. “Fine then, I’ll just wait and see how much money she can really make with her clothes.”

Su Min had no idea that before she even stepped into the factory, a group of old men were already envious and resentful of her.

She was busy discussing future plans with Liao Zhaodi.

Originally, they had planned to continue their business together. But now that she was partnering with Director Ye, she couldn’t keep doing business as before. Still, she couldn’t just leave Zhaodi hanging; she had to explain things clearly.

“Even though we can’t do business for now, it’ll be easier once we have capital in the future. We can definitely work together again.”

Liao Zhaodi felt a bit disappointed hearing that they couldn’t keep running the business, but she didn’t want to make things hard for Su Min. After all, Su Min had already helped her earn a good amount of money. With that money, school fees were no longer a problem. Even her second sister’s high school tuition could be covered. If she held Su Min back because of this, she’d truly be ungrateful. “Su Min, don’t say that. I’ve got some money saved now, and if the business can’t go on, it’s no big deal. Besides, the high school entrance exam is coming up. If I kept running the business, I wouldn’t have time to study. Now I can finally focus on school, and if I do well, my mom will be easier to convince.”

Su Min knew Zhaodi was trying not to make her feel awkward. She smiled and said, “Don’t worry, it’s just for this year. Once we’re in high school and I’ve got more funds, I still plan to do business. We’ll sell pretty clothes again.” After all, sketching designs for the factory was only temporary—she wanted her own business.

Su Min didn’t spread the news about her business deal; only the family knew. That evening, they invited Sun Hai over for dinner.

When Sun Hai heard about Su Min’s good fortune, he was genuinely happy. “I’ve always known Minzi would make something of herself. Maybe she’ll even become a big name one day.”

“We don’t have such high hopes,” said Sun Qiufang, smiling contentedly. “As long as she’s happy, that’s all that matters.” Now that they had a house and a shop in town, she really had nothing left to worry about.

Sun Hai said with a laugh, “Mengmeng and I are also thinking about changing storefronts. We’re doing hot pot and stir-fry now, and we’re overwhelmed. We need a bigger place and an extra pair of hands.”

Grandma Sun chuckled, “I offered to help, but you two wouldn’t let me. Now you’ll waste money hiring someone else.”

Grandma Sun’s legs had recovered a lot—she no longer needed a wheelchair. Lately, she’d even been helping Sun Hai at the shop.

Li Meng’s belly had grown quite large, and both Sun Hai and Grandma Sun didn’t want her to overwork. She only needed to collect money and greet customers, while Granny helped clean dishes and tidy up.

Seeing that things couldn’t go on like this, Li Meng and Sun Hai discussed hiring someone else.

Sun Hai figured, if they were hiring anyway, it might be better to change to a larger place. Once the weather turned cold, business would really boom.

The couple was decisive—once they had the idea, they immediately made plans.

When Su Changrong heard they were planning to expand, he curiously asked, “Found a place yet? With food, location’s everything. Even if it tastes great, people won’t come if it’s too out of the way.”

Sun Hai nodded, “Exactly. Mengmeng and I thought about that. If the location is good and my cooking is solid, we won’t lack customers. So we’re planning to get a storefront in the county center. It’s pricey, but the return will be worth it.”

Hearing they were aiming for the county center, Sun Qiufang asked, “How big of a space are you looking for?”

“About 50 to 60 square meters—at least double our current space. It’ll be a proper restaurant.”

The county center was the busiest area. A lot of office workers and passersby were there, so business was sure to thrive.

Hearing their plans, Su Min recalled the themed cafes and teahouses that used to be in the county center—unique decorations and stylish dishware really drew people in.

She said, “Uncle, if you’re setting up in the county center, don’t cut corners on décor. A unique style will draw more people in.”

Li Meng knew Su Min had good taste, so she quickly asked, “Minzi, do you have any ideas?”

“I don’t know much about cooking, but if your place has distinctive interior design and unique furnishings, it’ll be easier to attract customers.”

“There’s that much to consider?” Sun Hai laughed. “I didn’t think of that. Minzi, if you have time, give me some tips. I really can’t think of anything myself.”

Now, neither Sun Hai nor Li Meng saw Su Min as a kid anymore. Their little niece had real ability—no worse than any adult. In fact, they knew their own brains couldn’t keep up with hers.

Su Min smiled and nodded, “I’ll draw a rough layout for you. See if you like it.”

With only a week left of summer vacation, Su Min stayed home, drawing up designs for the Sanye Garment Factory and offering suggestions for her uncle’s restaurant renovation.

The factory had already begun producing fall clothing. Director Ye wanted to test her skills, so he pulled out some surplus sample clothes and asked her to redesign them. If she could revamp the stock into desirable products, they’d then formally produce her original designs.

With existing samples, Su Min’s job was much easier. She analyzed the features of each piece and redesigned them one by one.

Su Changrong and Sun Qiufang saw that she was drawing blueprints seriously in her room every day. Although they felt proud and gratified, they also felt distressed. Sun Qiufang specially stewed some brain-boosting soup, hoping to properly nourish their daughter.

There was no helping it—when their daughter was unambitious, they worried. When she was too ambitious, they also worried.

But Su Min didn’t think about any of that. She simply focused wholeheartedly on her own work.

For five days straight, except for eating and going to the restroom, Su Min didn’t leave her room. She kept revising and redrawing several designs, and finally selected a few suitable blueprints.

“Good thing Xue Mian taught me how to draw,” Su Min sighed wearily.

She thought of the reply letter she had written to Xue Mian before, rubbed her temples, opened a drawer, and took out her diary.

Seeing the lone letter still lying in the diary, she thought to herself that Xue Mian must have returned from abroad by now. If she sent a letter now, he should be able to receive it.

Su Min thought for a moment, then took out another sheet of paper and wrote about her recent life. Only after finishing did she set the pen down.

Stretching lazily, she stuffed the letter into her bag, hastily tied her hair into a ponytail, and rushed out to mail it.

Xue Residence, B City.

In the first-floor living room, a lanky young man was sprawled on the couch.

If Su Min were here, she would never have believed that this tanned, taller, short-haired boy was the once fair and delicate Xue Mian.

Old Master Xue walked down the stairs, saw his grandson rolling around on the sofa, and tapped his cane with frustration. “Look at yourself! When your dad comes back, I’ll have him straighten you out.”

Xue Mian looked up, tilting his head at him. “Grandpa, you really didn’t get my letter?”

“I didn’t. Do you think I’d lie to you, brat?” Old Master Xue was furious at being doubted.

He’d walked a righteous path all his life and was now being questioned by this rascal. The thought made him want to knock his grandson on the head with his cane.

But remembering that this was his only grandson, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Xue Mian ignored his grandfather’s huffing and puffing. He was still dwelling on the fact that Su Min hadn’t replied.

Could it be that the letter didn’t reach her, so she hadn’t written back? Or was it that after he left, Su Min no longer wanted to be friends with him?

Or… had Su Min fallen in love, and that’s why she was ignoring him?

Thinking of the boys and girls holding hands in the school’s little garden, Xue Mian suddenly broke into a cold sweat.

“Grandpa, I want to visit Aunt’s place.”

“What for? School’s about to start. Go study properly.” Old Master Xue refused him outright. Getting all worked up over such a small thing—how undignified.

Xue Mian frowned. “Grandpa, I’ll be back soon. Just two days.”

“Boy, you’re still young. Your studies are the most important thing. As for the rest—if you like a girl, you shouldn’t be this clingy. Not only would she look down on you, even I think you’re being ridiculous,” Old Master Xue scolded, exposing his grandson’s feelings on the spot.

So what if he liked a girl? Did he have to be so clingy? It’s not like he’d never been in a relationship before.

Such a hopeless kid—who did he take after? Definitely not anyone in the Xue family. Must be from that old Li guy’s side.

“Grandpa, what are you saying! I never said I liked her!” Xue Mian blushed all over—his face, ears, and neck turning bright red.

He was just worried Su Min had been deceived.

Old Master Xue said, “Like her or not, you know in your own heart. But let me tell you—if you don’t get into the military academy, don’t even think about dating. I’d rather you stay single forever than go ruin some poor girl. Look at yourself, daydreaming all day, and you still have the nerve to say you don’t like her. Who do you think you’re fooling?” He pounded his cane excitedly.

Xue Mian blushed even harder and mumbled, “I just… just feel like I really want to be with her.”

As he said this, he slumped on the couch, a bit surprised by his own words.

Thinking back on how he used to interact with Su Min, the scenes they’d shared, and what his grandfather had just said, Xue Mian suddenly realized—he really did like her.

He liked that quiet, mature-beyond-her-years girl.

Old Master Xue saw his grandson’s look and realized this was indeed the boy’s first brush with love.

He wasn’t like his son and daughter-in-law who cared so much about matching family status. He himself had crawled out of the mud. If it really came down to status, his daughter-in-law wouldn’t have even gotten through the front door back then.

Mianmian had always been too arrogant and willful. On the surface, he seemed obedient, but in practice, he acted too recklessly. They had sent him to his aunt’s place because they couldn’t manage him anymore, hoping he’d learn some humility.

They hadn’t expected that a girl would change him this much.

Having someone to keep him in check wasn’t a bad thing—only, he didn’t know if the girl would even like his grandson.

According to Xue Nian, the girl was very strong-willed.

A few days later, when Xue Mian unwillingly returned to school, he finally received a letter from Su Min at the campus security office.

Thrilled, he rushed back to the dorm to read it in secret.

Su Min had written quite a bit in her letter, recounting what Teacher Wu had said and explaining her recent study progress.

Xue Mian’s eyes squinted with joy as he lay on the bed, rolling over and continuing to read. When he saw the line, “Since you’ve been gone, I’ve had no rival in my studies, and it feels quite strange,” his heart instantly felt sweet.

So he’d already become that important to her.

She also wrote that she was now in the clothing business, thanks to the drawing lessons he had given her before, and that when she made money, she’d treat him to a feast.

“At least you have a conscience,” Xue Mian said with satisfaction as he carefully folded the letter and returned it to its envelope.

He lay on the bed savoring the words for a while, then realized it would be polite to reply. So he bounced up, sprawled at his desk, and began scribbling wildly on several sheets of paper.

After finally finishing and mailing his letter, Su Min had already settled into her new class.

This new class was mostly made up of top-performing students. Although the county high school was the best in the county, compared to other counties’ schools, it didn’t stand out much. So they wanted to nurture more promising students in hopes of getting some admitted to top city-level high schools, which would bring the school honor.

Wu Yong was one of the more experienced teachers in the school, and his classes had always done well in exams. The top students in the class were among the best in the school. Su Min, naturally, had been placed in this honors class.

Su Min was quite happy to be in this class. But when she saw Su Wenwen walk in, her feelings turned complicated.

Su Wenwen hadn’t done well—her score was ranked somewhere in the forties. The fact that she still managed to enter this class could only mean one thing: her grandfather, who worked in education, had intervened.

Su Min had hoped that after class placement, she wouldn’t be in the same class as Su Wenwen anymore. She sighed inwardly when she saw that wasn’t the case.

She and Su Wenwen really were tied by ill fate.

In the first period, Wu Yong followed the usual procedure and began assigning seats.

Su Min didn’t move from her old seat, while the others picked theirs.

In the end, a gentle-looking boy sat next to her—one of the top students in the class. After sitting down, he smiled and greeted her.

“My name is Wen Heping. I’ve heard of you before. You’re always among the top students.”

Hearing his name, Su Min found it familiar. After thinking for a moment, she recalled that she used to compete with this person for the third spot in the rankings.

So they were actually quite familiar with each other’s names—they’d just never met face-to-face.

She smiled politely and said, “I’ve heard of you too. Please take care of me in the future.”

“You’re too polite,” Wen Heping smiled, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

Up front, Su Wenwen looked back and saw Su Min chatting with another boy. Her heart instantly twisted with jealousy and anger. “What a little vixen—likes every guy she sees.”

Being in the same class as Su Min again made Su Wenwen extremely displeased.