Liu Fen prepared meals for Tang Hong’en for a week.

Tang Hong’en was discharged on the fourth day, as the hospital’s test results ruled out cancer. However, his stomach ulcer was quite serious. Surgery wasn’t indicated given the location, so he could only take medication and recover gradually. The doctors ordered him to quit smoking and drinking. Since mental stress was also a cause of gastric problems, Tang Hong’en needed to change not just his eating habits but his entire lifestyle.

After his discharge, the housekeeper who had been on leave returned to work. Liu Fen went to their home to teach the housekeeper how to cook Yu’nan dishes. After three days, when the housekeeper could manage a few dishes passably, Liu Fen stopped going to the Tang residence.

It wasn’t because she found it troublesome, but because she had to return to Shangdu with Xia Xiaolan after August 20th.

Xia Xiaolan planned to head to Beijing after August 28th. Huaqing University’s academic year started on September 2nd, with new students allowed to register two days in advance. This time, when she and Liu Fen returned to Shangdu, they would also bring back some new autumn clothing. Xia Xiaolan also needed to check on the construction progress of their countryside house, handle various minor matters, and then prepare to register in Beijing!

As for Pengcheng, “An Xin Building Materials” wasn’t ready yet. The official opening would have to wait until mid-September at least. Shao Guangrong had already returned to Beijing as he couldn’t stay away from work too long. Kang Wei, being more flexible with his time, took an extended leave to work on the new store. He would fly back every few days to handle his cigarette business but otherwise stayed put. Running a physical store was different from dealing in cigarettes. Though the business wasn’t huge, watching a bare cement building gradually transform brought considerable satisfaction.

Of course, there were also negotiations with suppliers. In the cigarette business, Kang Wei held the upper hand, with others following his lead.

With these building material suppliers, Kang Wei had to follow their lead… While uncertain about what he’d learned, his temper had certainly been tempered into patience. Saving two cents on a single tile might seem insignificant, hardly worth haggling over. But Xia Xiaolan pointed out that Pengcheng would see many houses built, with many people needing tiles. Any pattern of tiles sold through “An Xin Building Materials” might eventually sell millions of pieces. Saving two cents per tile would mean an extra 20,000 yuan in profit on a million-piece sale!

Kang Wei broke into a cold sweat at this realization. With such significant profit implications for even a small tile, he was determined to negotiate prices down as much as possible.

Someone like him, setting aside pride and face to haggle over two cents, actually had a high success rate in business dealings. He wasn’t shy about dealing with people, had thick skin, and was particularly good at smooth talking… When Beijing’s smooth talkers started boasting, people from other regions would be left dumbfounded.

With Huaqing about to start classes, how could Xia Xiaolan not register?

Even the biggest business had to be put aside, and naturally, Liu Fen couldn’t continue cooking for Tang Hong’en. They hadn’t had a chance to meet these past few days. When Liu Fen mentioned she was leaving, Secretary Peng was the first to express reluctance: “The leader’s eating habits have become so regular lately, and now you’re…”

Liu Fen felt embarrassed, “Xiaolan needs to start school, I have to accompany her back.”

Secretary Peng had almost forgotten that Xia Xiaolan was a student!

Not just any student, but the provincial top scorer and a Huaqing freshman. Getting into Huaqing but not attending, instead staying in Pengcheng as a private business owner – even if making money daily, that would be foolish! In this era of Reform and Opening Up, money-making opportunities were endless, but there was only one Huaqing University. Not everyone had the chance to enter such a top institution. If it were Secretary Peng, he wouldn’t give up Huaqing to stay in Pengcheng seeking patronage.

In twenty years, some of Xia Xiaolan’s Huaqing classmates might even reach positions like Tang Hong’en’s.

What was terrifying wasn’t just Huaqing’s reputation, but the connections that came with it!

Thinking about the classmates who would study with Xia Xiaolan, all top students from across the country… Secretary Peng felt a twinge of sourness, unwilling to admit his envy.

Though they hadn’t met during the meal deliveries, on the day Xia Xiaolan and Liu Fen were set to leave, Tang Hong’en treated them to a seafood feast.

“This meal costs me a month’s salary!”

The spread was lavish, meant to thank Liu Fen for her efforts these past days. She wasn’t his hired help, yet had wholeheartedly cooked for him. Secretary Peng said Liu Fen was quiet but very attentive, cooking Yu’nan province dishes while checking with doctors about suitable ingredients.

Simple and hardworking – that was Tang Hong’en’s deepest impression of Liu Fen.

Working without seeking credit?

He’d only ever met one person like Liu Fen.

“Comrade Liu Fen, I raise this tea in place of wine to thank you for your help!”

Liu Fen picked up her teacup, telling herself not to let her handshake, not to embarrass her daughter.

Just as she brought the tea to her lips, she put it down and blurted out, “Mr. Tang, the doctor said you should drink less tea!”

Tang Hong’en was startled.

Secretary Peng also whispered, “Stomach ulcers don’t do well with tea. If you must have tea, you can only drink small amounts of green tea.”

“Then let’s switch to water.”

Tang Hong’en readily complied.

While his secretary and driver cared about him, having been a leader for so long carried a certain authority. Even Secretary Peng, close as he was, wouldn’t contradict his wishes in front of others despite knowing tea wasn’t suitable. Liu Fen feared him more than Secretary Peng did, yet was so honest she didn’t know how to save face for the leader.

Tang Hong’en thought this was quite good. After he switched to water, Liu Fen’s expression notably relaxed, her whole demeanor becoming much lighter.

The leader was approachable, willing to listen to others’ opinions, and hadn’t blamed her for speaking up… These were Liu Fen’s thoughts.

Xia Xiaolan looked at the crab in her bowl.

The atmosphere felt a bit strange. Though her mother had helped cook for a few days, she’d rarely met Tang Hong’en face to face, right?

Where did this understanding between them come from?

Xia Xiaolan, being particularly slow in matters of romance, noticed the subtle atmosphere but thought she was overthinking things, so she let it pass!

On August 20th, the 20,000 sets of sportswear commissioned from Chenyu had finished production. Xia Xiaolan had Chen Xiliang directly transport 2,000 sets to the small goods market at People’s Bridge, priced at 20 yuan per set. Even without Bai Zhenzhu’s involvement, after selling a few dozen sets individually, other small vendors bought up all the remaining stock.

At this rate, 20,000 sets of sportswear wouldn’t be enough to meet demand.

Keep in mind, that both Yangcheng and Pengcheng were quite hot at this time, too warm for long-sleeve sportswear. Chen Xiliang had caught this fashion trend perfectly – these sportswear sets were genuinely popular.

Whether to increase the order quantity and by how much, Chen Xiliang Xia Xiaolan hadn’t reached a consensus.

But one thing they both knew for certain: including the remaining payment owed to Chenyu, they had each invested over a hundred thousand yuan, and it wouldn’t be a total loss!

Xia Xiaolan also deeply felt how quickly money could be made in wholesale clothing. From this single order of 20,000 sportswear sets, half of the profits would take “Blue Phoenix” three months to earn, even during peak season!