Wang Erya and Meng Yingying carried the ingredients to Song Nianchu’s house.
Wang Erya stepped forward and knocked on the door, remembering that Song Nianchu now had a man in her life.
The next moment, the courtyard gate was opened from the inside.
A strikingly handsome face, like that of a male celebrity from a poster, appeared before them. Both Wang Erya and Meng Yingying were momentarily stunned.
Especially Meng Yingying, who stood frozen, staring blankly at Mu Shi'an, unable to snap out of her daze for a long time.
"Who are you looking for?" Mu Shi'an asked first, seeing that they hadn’t spoken.
"Oh, Nianchu went to see the village chief. We’re just bringing her ingredients back," Wang Erya stammered, finally regaining her composure.
"Thank you," Mu Shi'an said, stepping forward to help carry the basket.
"No need, no need! It’s the least we could do," Wang Erya replied, too flustered to meet his gaze.
She kept her head down as they carried the basket into the courtyard together.
Wang Erya noticed piles of wood and several unfamiliar wooden frames in the yard, but she only glanced briefly before quickly looking away.
"Well… we’ve delivered the things, so we’ll be going now."
"Take care," Mu Shi'an said, intending to see them out.
"No… no need to walk us out!" Wang Erya hurriedly exited the courtyard, dragging the still-dazed Meng Yingying away with her.
Only when they were far enough did she finally let go of Meng Yingying and glance back—Song Nianchu’s house was no longer in sight.
"Nianchu’s man is really handsome. I feel like even movie stars can’t compare to him," Wang Erya remarked, purely appreciative. After all, people couldn’t help but admire beautiful things.
But Meng Yingying remained in a daze, not responding to a single word Wang Erya said.
"Comrade Meng, what’s wrong with you?" Wang Erya asked worriedly, noticing how unsteady she seemed.
"That man just now…" Meng Yingying’s voice came out hoarse and strained.
"That must be Nianchu’s husband. He’s a sent-down intellectual for re-education, so they didn’t hold any wedding ceremony. Today’s the first time I’ve seen him up close. No wonder Nianchu insisted on bringing him home—that face is truly something."
Wang Erya thought to herself that if she were as capable as Song Nianchu, she’d also want to keep such a handsome man at home.
But that was impossible for her. Her own husband wasn’t much to look at, but he was kind and caring.
Compared to many others, she was already quite fortunate.
"Married? You said they’re married?" Meng Yingying’s voice rose sharply.
"Yes, it happened days ago. Didn’t you know?" Wang Erya was puzzled by her extreme reaction.
Meng Yingying didn’t answer. She turned and walked away, muttering something under her breath.
Wang Erya found her behavior unsettling and didn’t press further, heading off in the direction of her own home.
---
Meanwhile, Song Nianchu had arrived at Wu Zhenggui’s house with Aunt Wu and Hua.
Wu Zhenggui had just returned from the fields and was resting on the doorstep.
"Uncle Zhenggui," Song Nianchu greeted cheerfully.
"Ah, Nianchu, you’re smiling so brightly. Are you here with good news again?" Wu Zhenggui’s expression was all warmth when it came to her.
"It is good news," Song Nianchu confirmed with a smile.
"Hahaha! Come, let’s talk inside." Wu Zhenggui stood and led her into his room.
"So, what’s the good news?" he asked.
Instead of answering, Song Nianchu pulled out a thick stack of bills from her pocket and handed it to him.
"This…" Wu Zhenggui’s eyes nearly bulged at the sight of the money.
"This is the profit from our cooking business over the past few days. After deducting material costs, the net earnings come to eighty-two yuan, thirty-five fen," Song Nianchu explained.
"E-eighty-two yuan?!" Wu Zhenggui’s voice trembled.
"Yes," Song Nianchu nodded.
Wu Zhenggui’s eyes reddened as he took the money, his hands shaking so much he nearly dropped it.
This amount would’ve taken the entire village half a year to earn, yet Song Nianchu and her team of five had made it in less than two weeks.
"Nianchu, you’ve saved our entire village…" His voice choked with emotion.
"When I was bedridden from illness, didn’t you send Aunt Wu and Hua to bring me food every day?" Song Nianchu softened at his reaction before adding seriously,
"Uncle Zhenggui, our village doesn’t have an accountant yet, so we’ll have to keep the money with you for now. But we should appoint one soon."
"An accountant? Someone to manage the money, right?" Wu Zhenggui quickly composed himself.
"Yes," Song Nianchu nodded. "It’s a crucial role. We need someone trustworthy."
"Then you should be the accountant!" Wu Zhenggui immediately pushed the money back toward her.
No one in the village was smarter or more reliable than her.
"Uncle Zhenggui, I’ll have too many responsibilities later and won’t have time for bookkeeping," Song Nianchu sighed.
A good entrepreneur never handled finances personally.
Now that they’d started, she wasn’t about to settle for just a small private kitchen.
"Then… who else can we pick? Most villagers never went to school. They might manage sums under ten, but with amounts like a hundred yuan, who’s capable?" Wu Zhenggui was at a loss.
Song Nianchu frowned. He was right—Qinghe Fishing Village was full of illiterates, young and old.
Where could they find a skilled, honest accountant?
Her gaze lowered in thought, and suddenly, a figure came to mind.
"Uncle Zhenggui, I might have a candidate, but I’m not sure if it’s feasible," she ventured.
"Who?" Wu Zhenggui asked.
"Mu Shi'an’s father," Song Nianchu said.
"Mu Deyi?" Wu Zhenggui was surprised.
"Yes. Mu Deyi was a capitalist before, and his business was quite large. Managing our village’s accounts would be effortless for him. But we don’t know his character well, and as a sent-down intellectual, it might be complicated." Song Nianchu’s brow furrowed.
"He is a good choice. The re-education status isn’t a problem—if our villagers keep quiet, the higher-ups won’t interfere. The real concern is whether he’s trustworthy with money." Wu Zhenggui’s biggest worry was corruption.
