Shen Xianjun found it rather odd that his mother could actually run a business. What if she ended up losing money?
"It’ll be more convenient this way—running back and forth is exhausting. Besides, I’m worried your Aunt Gui Xiang might not handle things well."
Seeing the concern on Yang Yufen’s face, Qin Nian couldn’t bring herself to refuse.
"So, Mom, when do you plan to move? We’ll keep your room at home for you. If you’re moving out, I’ll buy you some daily necessities. And since you’re starting a business, you’ll need money—I’ll give you some."
Qin Nian thought about how she could help. Aside from money, there wasn’t much else she could offer.
"Mom, don’t say no. I know you don’t have much left. You can pay me back once you start earning."
"Alright, I know you’re the best. It’s just that you’ll have to work harder from now on—juggling your job and taking care of the kids."
Yang Yufen felt guilty.
"You’ve already helped me take care of them for so long. The kids are in daycare now, and they only get a long break during the New Year."
Considering the work schedules of the research institute staff, children could also stay at the daycare during summer vacations, where teachers would look after them.
"Like I said, it’s close by. After work, I can bring the kids to visit you."
Shen Xianjun hadn’t managed to get a word in the entire time.
The next morning, Qin Nian left for work, while Yang Yufen, unusually, stayed home.
"Put the book aside for now. I’ll teach you how to use the washing machine."
Yang Yufen took the book from Shen Xianjun’s hands.
"This is the power button, and this sets the timer. Soak the kids’ clothes longer to get them cleaner. Don’t just stand around doing nothing."
Yang Yufen lectured him nonstop, dragging him from the front yard to the backyard.
By the time they’d gathered a basket of eggs and picked some vegetables, Shen Xianjun felt more exhausted than after a military drill.
"Mom, I’ll have to return to my unit eventually."
Shen Xianjun touched the eggs—hey, there were quite a few. He’d give some to Uncle and Second Brother later; they’d be good for their health.
Smack!
A sharp, solid slap landed, making Shen Xianjun hunch his shoulders.
"Mom, why’d you hit me?"
"We’ll talk about you returning to your unit later. Lazing around at home like a lord—do you think your wife owes you? She works and gave birth to your children. How can you just lie around enjoying yourself with such a thick face?"
After her scolding, Yang Yufen snatched the vegetable basket away.
"I never said I wouldn’t do anything!"
Shen Xianjun stared at his mother’s retreating figure.
"Don’t forget to hang the laundry. I’m going to see Aunt Gui Xiang. Figure out lunch yourself—I won’t be back."
Yang Yufen placed the basket on the tricycle and pedaled off.
"Fine."
Shen Xianjun responded, then suddenly brightened.
"Yufen, you’re here early!"
In the yard, Gui Xiang was sweeping when she heard the voice. Looking up, she spotted Yang Yufen.
Yang Yufen carried the vegetable basket inside and set it straight in the kitchen.
"Leave the sweeping for later. Come on, let’s deliver lunch to Ershun and the others first. Then I’ll take you around—you’ll be staying here for a while, so you’ll need to get familiar with the place."
"Alright, give me a moment."
Holding the lunchbox, Gui Xiang climbed into the tricycle’s cargo bed.
"This thing’s pretty handy."
"Right? And it’s easier to ride than those old Phoenix bikes. I’ll teach you later when we get back."
The two old friends chatted as they rode, soon arriving at the military hospital.
"The patient’s condition is stable. He can be transferred in seven days."
Zhou Ang, making his rounds, paused when he saw Yang Yufen and Gui Xiang.
"That’s good, that’s good. Third Hospital is much closer—just a few minutes’ walk."
Yang Yufen was happy for Gui Xiang—it’d save both trouble and money.
The place outside the residential compound was near Third Hospital.
"Auntie, I’ll get back to work now."
Zhou Ang bid them farewell and left.
Gui Xiang managed fine while feeding her husband—he cooperated. But when she saw her son Ershun, whose mental age was stuck at eight after his severe injury, his teary eyes fixed on her, she couldn’t bear it.
She wiped away countless tears behind his back. Only after coaxing him to sleep with sweetened porridge did she reluctantly leave.
"Gui Xiang, I thought about it all night. To make it easier to care for Ershun and his dad, we should sell breakfast buns right outside the hospital. We can ask the nurses to call us if anything happens—it’ll be convenient to keep an eye on them."
Bedridden patients needed constant care, especially during the day, and nights weren’t much easier.
Her place faced the street, but waiting for customers wouldn’t solve Gui Xiang’s current problems. Taking initiative was more practical.
She’d already set up a stall outside Third Hospital before and knew the area well. She wasn’t trying to steal business—just making enough to survive.
"I’ll follow your lead. We’ve been friends for decades, ever since we were kids. You’ve always had good ideas."
Gui Xiang felt reassured with Yang Yufen around, ready to go wherever she led.
Still, seeing all the purchases, Gui Xiang quietly noted the expenses in her mind.
"We’ll keep the menu simple—meat buns, sweet date paste buns, and veggie buns. Two types of veggie: cabbage and leek. I’ve got a row of leeks at home—we’ll transplant some to the yard. They’ll grow fast in a month or so."
"Sounds good. But for the meat, we’ll need ration coupons. I…"
Gui Xiang tugged at her clothes. Even what she wore now belonged to Yang Yufen—how could she have any coupons?
"I’ve got some saved up. We raise chickens, so eggs cover our needs. I barely use meat coupons except during the New Year. You’ve sent us cotton and dates before—we’ve got plenty of dried dates left. They’re sweet enough without much added sugar."
"Thank goodness for you."
Back at the hospital, they bought meals from the cafeteria. Most of their money was spent, and the back-and-forth was tiring.
Returning home, the two women started washing and prepping.
"Soak the dates first. We won’t have time for meat today—we’ll use eggs instead. Tomorrow, we’ll get up early to buy meat. We’ll cook a pot of millet porridge. The weather’s warming up, so it won’t cool too much on the way."
"How much flour should we use?"
Gui Xiang hesitated, holding the flour sack.
"Let’s make two hundred. If we don’t sell them all, we can eat them. Too few, and if they sell well, we won’t have time to make more."
Yang Yufen thought for a moment before deciding.
"Alright. It’s getting late—shouldn’t you head back? Don’t you have two kids to take care of?"
Gui Xiang checked the time. She could handle the dough herself.
"You’re right. I’ll leave the tricycle with you—use it to deliver dinner later. I’ll stay with you tonight. Breakfast needs to be sold early, right when the buns are freshest. Timing matters."
Yang Yufen glanced at her watch.
Gui Xiang looked at her with guilt.
"I promised to help you earn money, and I won’t rest until you do. Now hurry up. I need to dig up some leek roots when I get back. You can till the soil here—the sooner we plant, the sooner we harvest."
With that, Yang Yufen washed her hands and rushed back to the residential compound.
