A Beauty in the 80s Goes on a Blind Date with Her Child, Captivating the Military Compound - Chapter 106

A vast expanse of rolling hills stretched out before them, lush, green, and brimming with vitality.

The estate was enormous, spanning several hilltops. The medicinal herbs in the fields grew according to the natural slope of the terrain. Ginseng, fleeceflower root, tianqi, sanqi, astragalus… nearly every type of medicinal herb available on the market was cultivated here. Behind the mountains stood rows of glass houses, their interiors also filled with vibrant greenery.

Shen Sisi massaged her aching legs. Since arriving in Jiangcheng, her level of physical activity had decreased; she hadn’t expected to feel fatigued after climbing only two hills.

Noticing her exhaustion, Wen Rong gave a subtle nod to Xie Sili. The young assistant, quick-witted and observant, immediately announced that tea and pastries had been prepared in a nearby pavilion and invited everyone to rest.

Shen Sisi hadn’t expected Wen Rong to be so considerate. In her life, she rarely encountered people who paid such meticulous attention to detail.

The group followed Xie Sili to the pavilion. Inside, a charcoal fire was burning, and tea was brewing in a small stove on the table, tended to by a dedicated attendant. Everyone took their seats, with Wen Rong sitting down last. He personally poured tea for Shen Sisi and Cao Hua. The aroma of the tea filled the air, and the swirling steam momentarily masked the flicker of admiration in his eyes.

“Boss Shen, what are your thoughts after seeing the grounds?”

Shen Sisi took a small sip of her tea. “It’s even better and more established than I imagined.”

Cao Hua chimed in with a nod of agreement. “If Mr. Wen hadn’t said otherwise, I would have thought this was a scenic tourist attraction!”

Wen Rong did not take all the credit, simply stating that the previous owner had managed it well and that he had been lucky enough to snag a great bargain.

Cao Hua asked tentatively, “This place couldn’t have been cheap, right?”

Wen Rong saw through the man’s curiosity but showed no offense. “It did indeed cost a significant amount, but I believe it was well worth it.”

While they talked, Shen Sisi’s gaze drifted to the villagers working on the mountainside. Wen Rong had hired many locals from nearby villages to maintain the fields. It seemed he was truly intent on building this medicinal base properly. Having witnessed his capability and dedication, Shen Sisi’s doubts vanished; her mind was made up.

“I appreciate your kindness in choosing to work with us, Mr. Wen. I’ve decided…” Shen Sisi deliberately slowed her speech.

Wen Rong watched her tensely, a thin layer of sweat breaking out in his palms. Shen Sisi stood up and extended her hand toward him. “To a successful partnership!”

Wen Rong had prepared a whole set of persuasive arguments and an entire afternoon’s itinerary, yet Shen Sisi had agreed to the collaboration just like that! He snapped into action, rising quickly to shake her hand with a gentle grip. “Boss Shen, to a successful partnership!”

Now that the herbal supply was secured, the next steps were to wait for the factory construction to finish and pick an auspicious day for the grand opening. However, the surprises Wen Rong had in store for her didn’t end there. He also brought her a substantial order.

“I own a trading firm in Hong Kong. I plan to adjust our inventory after the New Year and heavily promote the Golden Phoenix medicated oil.”

This was something Shen Sisi had never anticipated. Wen Rong was not only her supplier but also her biggest client. He had solved her two major concerns in one fell swoop.

She looked at him in astonishment, but Wen Rong only offered a gentle, spreading smile. “Think of it as… my own industry as well. The better your oil sells, the more herbs you’ll buy from me. Why wouldn’t I do it?”

The logic was sound, but she hadn’t expected things to go so smoothly. A look of skepticism crossed Shen Sisi’s face. It wasn’t that she was naturally paranoid, but ever since she had been sent to the countryside as a “sent-down youth,” nothing had ever been this easy. She worried it might be a trap.

Wen Rong was no novice; he was a “little white dragon” of the business world. Seeing the subtle expression on her face, he guessed her suspicions. In a partnership, suspicion is the ultimate taboo.

Wen Rong spoke up proactively. “Boss Shen, to be honest, I signed a betting agreement with my family. If I can’t turn a profit within a year, I have to give up my health career and return to Hong Kong for an arranged marriage.”

Only then did Shen Sisi realize that his journey to the mainland was an attempt to escape a family-mandated union. Knowing his difficulties and secrets, she finally understood why he was in such a hurry.

“Very well. It’s settled!”

They were all straightforward people, and this major deal was finalized quickly. Shen Sisi asked Wen Rong to sign a contract for the medicated oil with her Fulin Oil Mill under the name of his trading firm; she had a specific use for it. Although Wen Rong didn’t know why she was so eager to sign a contract before the mill had even opened, he complied.

The first batch was for ten thousand bottles of oil.

When Shen Sisi got her hands on the contract, her eyes sparkled. She counted the zeros on the page in disbelief. Ten thousand bottles! She had actually landed an order for ten thousand bottles! She hugged the contract, feeling so joyful she could almost float; her legs felt soft, as if she were dancing on the clouds.

She couldn’t be blamed for such a reaction—this represented a very impressive sum of money. Her first thought wasn’t to go home, but to head straight to Wu Xiaofang’s house.

Previously, she had whispered to Wu Xiaofang that a large order was coming in that could solve the glass factory’s urgent financial crisis. Wu Xiaofang had relayed this to her superiors, eventually securing the best possible price for Shen Sisi. The boast had been made; now was the time to deliver.

It was noon, and Wu Xiaofang was headed home for lunch when Shen Sisi met her at the intersection.

“Sisi!” Wu Xiaofang was just about to look for her. Shen Sisi’s arrival was like a timely rain.

“Xiaofang, I’m sorry to bother you during your lunch break.”

Wu Xiaofang waved it off. “No bother at all! I was just coming to find you. Our leaders are being hounded for debts by the materials and coal plants every day; they’re worried sick and were asking if there was any news from your end.”

Shen Sisi flourished the contract. “When has your Sister Sisi ever lied to you?”

Wu Xiaofang took the contract, her face instantly lighting up with joy. She was so excited she hugged Shen Sisi on the spot. “Sisi, you’re amazing!”

“But… which mill is this ‘Fulin Oil Mill’? Is it reliable?” Wu Xiaofang asked.

Shen Sisi smiled. “Look at you. The boss of Fulin Oil Mill is standing right in front of you.”

“Ah! It’s you!” Wu Xiaofang grew even more excited. Sisi was barely two years older than her, yet she was already a boss. How enviable!

Shen Sisi also felt as if she were in a dream. Amidst the happiness, she felt the weight of her responsibilities. Fortunately, she had a group of like-minded friends and supportive family members. Especially Gu Chengfeng…

The opening of the Fulin Oil Mill had been funded entirely by the bride-price money from his betrothal gift. Without it, she wouldn’t have had the means to start her business. She wondered where Gu Chengfeng was right now. She really wished she could share this good news with him!

With this contract in hand, Wu Xiaofang’s confidence was restored. She immediately made an appointment for Shen Sisi to visit the factory that afternoon. Once the factory signed the order, even if they hadn’t received cash yet, they could use the contract to stall the coal and raw material suppliers until after the New Year. Everything was experiencing a chain reaction because of this one contract.

Shen Sisi spent the day busy with work. By the time she returned home, the sky was completely dark. In Jiangcheng, winter days ended early. Thinking of the contracts she had signed today, she happily bought a Beijing Roast Duck to celebrate.

As she pushed open the door, she saw two unfamiliar women sitting on the sofa. The moment she entered, they both turned their gazes toward her simultaneously.