The concept of “blind migrants” emerged in the 1950s.

During that difficult period for the nation, large numbers of rural residents flooded into cities. There weren’t enough jobs available in urban areas, so these people could only find temporary work. Without guaranteed livelihood, they also complicated urban management. The State Council issued a “Directive to Discourage Farmers from Blindly Entering Cities,” and the term “blind migrants” was born.

Later, persuasion alone proved insufficient. The policy shifted from discouragement to prohibition, and all farmers who entered cities without permission were labeled as “blind migrants.” This permission referred to the “introduction letter.”

A farmer wanting to travel needed a valid reason.

Was it to buy seeds, fertilizer, and farm tools for the village, or to visit relatives?

The introduction letter had to clearly state the destination. Village committee-issued letters needed township-level stamps, some even required county-level approval. Introduction letters weren’t easy to obtain, and their strict issuance process made them effective when traveling.

Now with Reform and Opening Up, regulations had loosened. Private guesthouses existed, and such small establishments would rent rooms without requiring introduction letters. There was talk of implementing national “ID cards” to replace introduction letters, but that would take time. For now, dealing with troublemaking blind migrants who couldn’t produce introduction letters by detaining them for two days was completely within regulations!

It was too late for Xia Da Jun to change his story. The police station handled numerous trivial matters daily – some people were released after a lecture, and others needed detention.

They wouldn’t bother with blind migrants unless caught causing trouble – police wouldn’t randomly check introduction letters on the street.

But when blind migrants became aggressive troublemakers, the police station wouldn’t be lenient.

When Xia Da Jun claimed he worked for Cheng Rong Group, saying he came with his boss and his introduction letter was at Bai Yun Hotel, the police officer responded halfheartedly: “Alright, alright, we understand. We’ll verify at Bai Yun Hotel. We won’t wrong an innocent person… nor let a bad element escape!”

Until verification, they’d stay in detention!

As the four Xia family members were led away, Chen Xi Liang heard everything.

If there really was a Hong Kong merchant backing them, they wouldn’t stay detained for two days. These shameless people were quite troublesome – should he inform Xia Xiao Lan?

Outside the police station, the garment factory workers were waiting, asking if the trouble was resolved.

“Thank you all for your help. The police officers took them to detention. Some random blind migrants causing trouble, frightening my customers – who’s going to compensate for my losses?”

Luna’s merchandise was already produced, and Beijing’s orders were packed and sent by train.

Now was not the time for complications.

While distributing cigarettes to the workers, Chen Xi Liang felt determined.

He had invested everything into the Luna brand. This wasn’t just business – it was his dream.

With the opening approaching, even if Hong Kong merchants tried to pressure him, Chen Xi Liang wouldn’t back down.

What was wrong with being a private business owner?

He’d fight to the death – anyone trying to bully him would feel his bite first!

Chen Xi Liang returned to the store appearing relaxed. Liu Fen and Li Feng Mei were still there.

“No problem. None of those four could produce introduction letters, so they’re all in detention. By the time they’re released, you two will be on the train home!”

No introduction letters?

Li Feng Mei and Liu Fen hadn’t expected this.

People were traveling without introduction letters, buying tickets from others, or sneaking onto trains mid-journey, but such people kept a low profile, afraid of police detection.

Li Feng Mei had never seen anyone like the Xia family, acting so boldly without proper documentation.

“They must be mentally ill. Young Master Chen, thank you so much.”

Chen Xi Liang waved it off, not mentioning anything about Cheng Rong Group, instead thanking Liu Fen and Li Feng Mei for their store suggestions.

“I spoke with Xiao Lan earlier. She said the store staff sent to Beijing for training are on their way back to Yang Cheng. Once they return and the clothes are pressed and organized, Luna’s Yang Cheng store can open.”

They had planned to open on March 15th, but now it would be delayed two days. When the three staff members returned, Chen Xi Liang would need to train them himself.

As Xia Xiao Lan had said, there was an art to hang clothes and arrange window displays. Chen Xi Liang had invested everything in the Luna brand and wanted to personally oversee every detail.

A few mad dogs appeared suddenly but were promptly sent to the police station by Chen Xi Liang. The matter seemed temporarily resolved.

Liu Fen still felt unsettled.

“So in the future, I’ll always have to avoid the Xia family? I can’t go anywhere they might be?”

Liu Fen had her thoughts. The Tian family’s treatment during New Year had affected her deeply. Being compliant only invited bullying. She hadn’t wronged the Xia family – when they met, why should she be the one to give way?

Li Feng Mei would curse the Xia family every time she saw them, but she guessed her sister-in-law wouldn’t do that.

“Men are all self-important, hoping their ex-wives won’t find someone new. Xia Da Jun still thinks you’re his property. He does not necessarily want to remarry you – he just can’t stand seeing you happy. Just like my ex – he blamed me for not having children, but when I suggested separation, he wouldn’t accept it… After I married your elder brother and had a son the next year, he finally quieted down!”

Seeing Liu Fen listening intently, she nudged her:

“Find a better man than Xia Da Jun to marry, and I guarantee he’ll cross the street to avoid you!”

Li Feng Mei spoke from experience. After marrying Liu Yong, her ex-husband never dared to bother her again. It wasn’t because Liu Yong was particularly powerful, but because Li Feng Mei quickly became pregnant. This proved she could bear children – her ex-husband was the one with problems. What man wouldn’t care about that?

Afraid of gossip, he wouldn’t dare show his face around Li Feng Mei anymore.

Li Feng Mei felt the principle was the same. Liu Fen listened in a daze, inexplicably thinking of Tang Hong En’s contact information, offered in case she needed help – Liu Fen wanted to slap herself. If she contacted Mayor Tang, wouldn’t that give people the wrong idea?

If two people aren’t suitable, the attitude should be firm. One couldn’t keep changing their mind.

Men better than Xia Da Jun included Mayor Tang, but she wasn’t worthy of Mayor Tang.

Besides, why did she need to rely on men to solve her problems?

Without realizing it, Liu Fen had been influenced by Xia Xiao Lan, immediately rejecting Li Feng Mei’s suggestion. She wanted to break free from Xia Da Jun openly and righteously. No matter how much he persisted, her attitude couldn’t soften! This wasn’t just for herself – she had to protect Xiao Lan too!

…

“Achoo!”

A breeze blew past, making Xia Xiao Lan’s nose itch, and she couldn’t help sneezing.

She was standing at the entrance of the Military General Hospital. While Zhou Cheng was busy arranging doctors for Shi Kai’s mother, Xia Xiao Lan had finished her morning classes and taken the bus here herself. Thinking of the two Shi children, she had brought two cans of milk powder – something both children and the elderly could drink, so it wouldn’t be inappropriate.

Following the ward number Zhou Cheng had given her, she found her way up. In the corridor, a woman who looked like a rural housewife sat on a chair crying, holding an infant.

“Sister Wei?”

Xia Xiao Lan tentatively called out. When the woman looked up, she knew she had found the right person.