"Certainly, we can find a quiet place to discuss in detail," Song Nianchu said firmly.
"Discuss with you?" Sun Wenshi sounded puzzled.
“Yes, I’m currently the one in charge of all external liaison work for our village. The fish canning recipe was also developed by me,” Song Nianchu finally revealed her role.
"You developed it?" Sun Wenshi stared at her in disbelief.
"That’s right. If you don’t believe me, Director Sun, we can go to the state-run restaurant—Manager Li can vouch for me," Song Nianchu replied calmly.
"No, no, no, I believe you. Let’s not involve the state-run restaurant," Sun Wenshi waved his hands hurriedly.
If Li Shan found out he was secretly poaching his business partner, he might just throw a punch.
"Come with me to my office," Sun Wenshi said.
"Alright," Song Nianchu nodded.
"..."
By the end of their discussion, Sun Wenshi was all smiles as he escorted Song Nianchu out of the supply and marketing cooperative.
"Comrade Song, it’s settled then. Tomorrow, send me a hundred cans of each variety," Sun Wenshi reminded her again, just to be sure.
"Director Sun, I’ve already taken your deposit. Of course, I’ll deliver the goods," Song Nianchu chuckled.
"Good, good. I’ll be waiting here for you tomorrow."
"Understood."
"..."
After bidding farewell to Sun Wenshi, Song Nianchu returned to Qinghe Fishing Village, her arms laden with packages.
The meeting with Sun Wenshi had taken longer than expected, and by the time she got home, the workday had already ended.
Only Mu Shi'an was busy in the courtyard, which suited her just fine. If the others saw her carrying so many purchases, it might raise unnecessary eyebrows.
"Mu Shi'an," Song Nianchu called out as soon as she stepped into the yard.
Mu Shi'an turned at the sound of her voice, and upon seeing the bags in her hands, immediately dropped the plane he was holding and rushed over to take them from her.
Song Nianchu wasn’t exactly weighed down by the items, but who wouldn’t appreciate being cared for?
"Mu Shi'an, I used the final payment for that handcart you made today to buy all this," Song Nianchu gestured to the bags in his hands.
"That’s fine," Mu Shi'an noticed she had stocked up on rice, flour, oil, and other essentials.
"You don’t think I’m being wasteful? That was seven yuan, you know," Song Nianchu raised an eyebrow.
"You bought practical things—food and daily necessities. How is that wasteful?" Mu Shi'an frowned slightly.
"Since when did you become so smooth with words?" Song Nianchu’s gaze lingered on his lips.
She felt an urge to taste them.
Ahem…
"Haoxuan and the others are still here," Mu Shi'an coughed softly, reminding her in a low voice.
Only then did Song Nianchu pull her eyes away, glancing toward the two youngsters still busy stamping labels in the main room. She raised her voice.
"Enough work for today. Look what I brought you!" She pulled out a package of walnut cookies.
"Walnut cookies!" Mu Haoxuan’s eyes lit up instantly.
"This is your reward for working so hard on the labels every day," Song Nianchu placed the package in Mu Haoxuan’s palm.
"Really? The whole pack is for us?" Mu Haoxuan could hardly believe it.
Even back in the capital, walnut cookies had been a rare treat.
Yet now, Song Nianchu was giving them an entire package.
"Of course. You’ve both been working hard," Song Nianchu nodded.
"Sis, from now on, you’re my real sister! I’ll stamp even more labels—I could do five hundred in one go!" Mu Haoxuan was suddenly brimming with motivation.
"Good, keep it up," Song Nianchu patted his head.
"Roger that!" Mu Haoxuan gave her an enthusiastic, if slightly clumsy, salute.
Clutching the cookies, he ran back to Mu Yongnian’s side.
"Third Brother, let’s split it half and half!" he declared.
"What about Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law?" Mu Yongnian reminded him.
"But Sis just said this is a reward for the two of us working. We’ll split it first, and then I’ll share my half with Sis and Eldest Brother," Mu Haoxuan insisted.
"What’s the difference?" Mu Yongnian was confused.
"Of course there is! After we split it, it becomes our own share. That way, I can give Sis and Eldest Brother part of my portion," Mu Haoxuan explained proudly.
Mu Yongnian: "..."
He didn’t quite follow, but if his younger brother insisted, he’d humor him.
Mu Yongnian watched as Mu Haoxuan carefully unwrapped the package, meticulously dividing the cookies—one for you, one for me.
Once done, he proudly carried his share over to Song Nianchu.
"Sis, this is my half. I’m giving part of it to you," Mu Haoxuan said earnestly.
"I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. Just half a piece for me to try is enough," Song Nianchu replied, her eyes crinkling with warmth.
"Really? Someone who doesn’t like sweets?" Mu Haoxuan found it hard to fathom but respected her preference, breaking a cookie in half and handing her a piece.
Song Nianchu took a bite. "Delicious."
"But you just said you don’t like sweets?"
"It’s because you shared it with me," she said softly.
Mu Haoxuan beamed, practically radiating joy—if he’d had a tail, it would have been wagging furiously.
"Sis, don’t worry. I’ll earn even more delicious treats for you in the future!"
"Alright," Song Nianchu smiled.
Meanwhile, Mu Yongnian offered his share to Mu Shi'an, who also took only half a piece. The four of them savored the cookies, their hearts just as sweet as the treats.
"..."
The next morning, Song Nianchu woke up unusually early. After preparing and eating breakfast, she headed straight to the village office.
There, she shared the news of Sun Wenshi’s order with Aunt Wu and the others, who were both thrilled and astonished.
"Nianchu, you’re saying the supply and marketing cooperative wants to stock our goods?" Hua asked, needing confirmation.
"Yes, a hundred cans of each variety. We ran low on ingredients yesterday, so Brother Gangzi and the others should restock when they make their delivery today," Song Nianchu nodded.
"This is wonderful! When the state-run restaurant reduced their order, we were all worried. But now the cooperative is stepping in. Nianchu, you’re amazing!" Hua gave her a thumbs-up.
"This deal was a bit of a coincidence, but orders are orders. Now no one has to worry about idle hands," Song Nianchu smiled.
"Right, let’s get to work and not waste any more time!" Aunt Wu chimed in, rallying everyone.
The group dispersed to their stations, their earlier anxieties replaced by cheerful expressions.
Song Nianchu’s gaze drifted to Meng Yingying, who stood in the far corner.
She seemed unchanged, but Song Nianchu quietly sidled up to Aunt Wu.
"Aunt Wu, did Meng Yingying do anything reckless yesterday?" she whispered.
