“Make sure we wear hats, masks, and gloves. If there’s anything not up to standard, we won’t be allowed to sell.”
“This is a franchise!”
Ye family factory?!
Ye Xia felt a wave of dizziness.
A month later.
On the day of the college entrance examination, Ye Qiu found the team leader to pull funds together, allowing the young intellectuals from Liuye Village to take an ox cart to the examination centre.
At home, Ye Mu grew increasingly puzzled. Ye Qiu, who usually cared for those revising for the exam, providing food and financial support, had not been seen at the village gate when everyone gathered to say goodbye. This was too strange.
At this moment, Ye Qiu was alone with Ji Chen on an ox cart.
Even though Ji Chen had gotten used to Ye Qiu’s kindness, he still felt touched. The fact that Ye Qiu spent money for everyone’s convenience to ride the cart was something he didn’t take lightly.
The young intellectuals who had married into the village had come to study for a few days after learning that the college entrance examination was reinstated, but they never returned. It was easy to guess that their families didn’t agree, leaving only Ye Qiu—a fool who supported them no matter what.
Why did Ji Chen get to sit in such a spacious cart by himself while he had to squeeze in with so many others?
Li Hui thought to herself, unintentionally voicing her thoughts: “Ji Chen is really something, sitting in the cart alone, not even helping us out.”
“Li Zhiqing, he kindly paid for us to ride the cart; we should be grateful instead of nitpicking here.” One of the young intellectuals sharing the cart reprimanded Li Hui.
The straightforward young intellectual retorted, “If you think it’s too crowded, you can get out and walk; the ground is wide enough to accommodate your ‘greatness.'”
They had just seen many people walking along the road.
Seeing that no one supported her, Li Hui felt even worse. Of course, everyone was on Ji Chen’s side.
Ji Chen only lent them the review materials that Ye Qiu had given him; how rude could they be?
Ji Chen was generous with those books and must have other review materials. If Ji Chen got into college while they failed, it would show his cunning nature.
Li Hui thought darkly.
“What should I do? I’m so nervous; there are so many people,” Ji Chen said, watching the continuous flow of candidates arriving at the examination site.
Ye Qiu listened to Ji Chen’s ramblings while helping him adjust his scarf.
“Don’t worry; I observed the stars last night and foresee great things coming. You will definitely succeed.”
Countless examinees hurried along, coming from workshops, fields, and military camps, all with one goal— the college entrance examination!
*****
What?! Ye Mu was stunned.
She had only just learned today that the factory was expanding and needed to hire more people. Upon receiving the news, she hurried over. Could it be that her son had come earlier?
Seeing that the old lady was so delighted to hear the news, Ye Mu thought she had gone a bit overboard.
“Look, I’m just happy for you! It turns out Ye Qiu already informed you ahead of time. Let’s hurry and go; everyone is waiting!”
Seeing Liu grandmother looking clueless, Ye Mu assumed she was just too excited, babbling in joy as they hurried along.
“Wang Jia, I’ve been looking for you!”
“What’s up? Our hygiene situation is great,” Wang Jia thought nervously when she saw Ye Mu enter. Could someone be jealous of her business and report her hygiene issues? She hoped Ye Mu didn’t catch on.
Wang Jia’s gaze swept over her impeccably cleaned yard, her heart somewhat calm now.
Even if someone did play tricks behind her back, she wouldn’t leave any evidence!
“Oh no, that’s not the case. This is big news!”
“Qiuju~”
*****
“It’s like this: If some aunts think highly of me, they can come to work at our factory…”
“Grandma Liu is a skilled worker earning 50 yuan a month, while the others earn 30 yuan as skilled workers.”
Although Ye Qiu believed that people who passed through his mother’s strict screening wouldn’t leak secrets, he still decided to have them sign a confidentiality agreement just in case.
As the factory grew larger, he knew they had to follow the rules, with no exceptions allowed.
“A confidentiality agreement?” The group looked confused.
Ye Qiu explained in detail.
“Well, we certainly can’t do anything unethical.”
“It’s just like when those restaurant apprentices signed agreements before starting; I’ll sign!”
Grandma Liu heard she would earn 50 yuan a month and was over the moon— that was more than her income for several months!
Grandma Liu was the last to realize she would become a worker but was the first to volunteer to sign.
Aunties quickly followed suit, signing the agreement. They would look foolish if they lost this opportunity for not signing.
Grandma Liu: At my age, I’ve seen plenty of storms.
The demand for instant noodles at the train station and supply store was growing, with even some people approaching the Ye family to express interest in buying noodles to sell.
Ye Qiu decided to expand the factory.
He bought an abandoned building at the edge of the village from the village chief to use as a factory location.
The abandoned building was left by a former landlord from long ago; its rooms were spacious and bright. The villagers thought it brought bad luck and left it empty, so it was a bargain for Ye Qiu.
Now, everyone in Liuye Village was in high spirits celebrating good news. Each person was cheerfully busy— not only were they going out to sell goods and farm but also running around chatting. No one had heard of anyone going out to work.
Go out to work?
Impossible—no one would ever do that. Why earn a salary working for others when one could earn more selling pancakes?
I wouldn’t do that anyway.
As long as they took care of the fields, they could take their produce to Ye’s house during the day, and they would have money!
Currently, the vegetables in the village, except for their own reserves, were being taken by Ye’s factory, which was said to be drying vegetables.
Several aunties sat at the village entrance, cracking sunflower seeds and chatting.
“Hey, have you heard? Aunt Ye has run around to a few places these past few days but hasn’t found anything suitable?”