"This is this month's accounts. After all the deductions, we made a profit of one thousand nine hundred eighty-six yuan and fifty cents."
Gui Xiang looked at the money, never expecting they could earn so much. Splitting it fifty-fifty—not even counting the income from selling baked pancakes—meant that in just five more months, her family could pay off all their debts.
"Yufen, take this first. It’s been weighing on me to owe you for so long. We borrowed it for Ershun’s treatment, but now his medical expenses aren’t as high as before."
Gui Xiang rounded it up to eight hundred yuan and pressed the money into Yang Yufen’s hands. The rest would be set aside for Ershun’s treatment, which was more than enough for their daily needs.
"Yufen, once we’ve paid everything off, I’m thinking of buying a house here. Ershun’s treatment might take who knows how long, but the medical care here is the best. As for our old home… well, the family’s already split up anyway."
Gui Xiang shared her plans.
"If that’s the case, don’t rush to pay me back yet. Housing prices keep rising every day. You should save up to buy a place first, settle down properly, and then your hearts will truly be at ease."
Yang Yufen pushed the money back. She already had enough property, and her savings were secure. There weren’t many expenses in her life now.
"I came early today because I wanted to discuss something with you. The past few days when I wasn’t here, you managed the evening shifts just fine. From now on, I might not come at all. For the first year, we’ll still split the profits fifty-fifty. But if you continue running the shop in the second year, you can just pay me rent."
Yang Yufen had thought this through carefully. Dabao and Erbao weren’t as easy to handle as when they were little—kids got more active as they grew. She had also observed how some families educated their children and realized they couldn’t just be left to their own devices.
Neither Shen Xianjun nor Niannian could give the children constant attention due to the nature of their jobs.
Money could be earned later, but the children couldn’t be neglected. Besides, the rental income would keep increasing, covering her expenses just fine.
The incident where the kids played with water had truly frightened her.
"Why? No—Yufen, you’ve already done so much to help us. Without you, we wouldn’t even have this income, let alone afford treatment! If you’re busy, I can manage the shop. How can we just split up?"
Gui Xiang grew agitated.
"We’re not splitting up. But precisely because our bond is strong, we should keep things clear. Nothing should damage our friendship—we’ve been sisters for life."
"That still won’t do. Your shop’s location is excellent. Even if I buy a house later, I might not find one as good as this. How about this? You provide the shop, I provide the labor, and we continue splitting the profits."
Gui Xiang thought her idea was perfect.
By the time Ershun’s father returned, the two women still hadn’t settled the matter.
"Let’s do this: Yufen takes thirty percent, and we take seventy. We’ll only split the noodle shop’s profits. My pancake sales will count as supplies for the shop. That way, it’s fair. Yufen doesn’t have to manage the shop, and we’ll keep using the space. Profits and losses will be divided this way."
Ershun’s father proposed a compromise. Finally, Yang Yufen nodded in agreement, and the two families drew up a new contract—now called an "agreement."
Then, Ershun’s father shared some good news.
"The doctor said that as long as Ershun keeps improving and learning, even if his memories don’t fully return, he’ll be able to live like a normal person. We’ll just treat it as raising him all over again."
"That’s wonderful, truly wonderful!"
Tears streamed down Gui Xiang’s face. This was the best news they could hope for. Those painful memories—forgotten or not—didn’t matter anymore.
And so, Yang Yufen officially became the silent partner of the noodle shop.
"Godmother, you wanted to see me?"
Wang Shuo came straight over after work when his mother told him Yang Yufen needed to discuss something.
"Yes, you’re back! Here’s the thing—I’m thinking of adding lamb noodle soup to the shop’s winter menu. I remember you mentioned your agricultural institute doesn’t just research crops but also livestock. Do you know any sheep farmers?"
Yang Yufen no longer had to watch the kids constantly. She had brought Little Zhou along, leaving Professor Wen to supervise the older children.
"You’ve come to the right person, Godmother. I do know a few. How many sheep do you need? Buying whole sheep is more cost-effective, though butchering them can be a hassle. But we can arrange for someone to handle that."
Since the market reforms, buying meat had become much easier.
"One sheep should last five or six days. In colder weather, it’ll keep longer. We’d need about five or six a month, and winter lasts around four months."
Yang Yufen did the math.
"That’s quite a few. We can place an order in advance and pay a deposit to reserve them. I’ll go ask around for you tomorrow."
"Perfect, thank you so much!"
"It’s no trouble. Will you be selling pear soup again this year, Godmother?"
Wang Shuo had already outsourced his sweet potato business and wasn’t worried about income.
"Of course!"
The noodle shop had space for an extra stove, and it wasn’t much trouble. With so many kids at home, any extra could be boiled down into pear syrup. Little Zhou had even suggested adding some fritillary bulbs—she’d ask him for details later.
"Great."
Wang Shuo left with a smile. His eldest daughter had already finished her homework and was helping with the younger one. His mother, now caring for two granddaughters, seemed livelier than ever. Life was good.
The only shadow was his father’s prolonged absence. But since the country needed him, Wang Shuo would take care of his mother in the meantime.
Every household had its own busyness, and time flew fastest when one was occupied.
"What? They want us to go to school? We’re a bunch of rough old-timers! At our age? Are you sure you heard right?"
Shen Xianjun stared at Hu Jun in disbelief.
"A new military academy is being established. You’ll be part of the first class, alongside a group of high-achieving university students who’ve passed political vetting."
Since when was education this relentless? He’d just finished—no, was about to finish—Party school training, only to be told that was just the beginning!
He’d thought his wife having to study for two years was tough. Now it was his turn!
He’d come home full of anticipation, only to be handed another round of schooling. Even being sent back to closed-door training would be better than this!
"You’ve been adapting well lately, haven’t you?"
Hu Jun retorted, relieved he wasn’t entering as a student—otherwise, he’d be just as miserable as Shen Xianjun.
"We’re not at war now, but as weapons advance, combat personnel can’t fall behind. Staying combat-ready and improving individual capabilities is crucial."
Hu Jun relayed the higher-ups’ directive. After this Party school session, they’d only get a two-week break.
Learning had no end—only those who chose to stop would be left behind.
Shen Xianjun trudged home with his backpack, only to be dropped at the doorstep by his brother-in-law, who drove off without a word, leaving him staring at a locked door.
"Oh, Xianjun, you’re back! Your mother’s at your in-laws’ place."
Aunt Wang, hearing the commotion, came out and found Shen Xianjun standing alone.
