A Beauty in the 80s Goes on a Blind Date with Her Child, Captivating the Military Compound - Chapter 74

“Sell! Of course I’ll sell!”

Old Man Zhang hurriedly invited them to sit down and poured several cups of hot tea. Now that the “plague god” Cheng Biao was finally gone, he felt at peace and could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Shen Sisi pulled out the contract she had prepared in advance, looking at the blank space for the amount. “Boss, let’s go with the price we discussed!”

“Wait!” Old Man Zhang barked.

Shen Sisi’s heart tightened. Was this old man really going to hike the price at the last second?

Everyone watched him with tense expressions, but he merely looked up at Feng Yanzhou in his military uniform and cap, then looked back at Shen Sisi to confirm something. “Are you really a military family member?”

Shen Sisi nodded. Before she could speak, Feng Yanzhou cut in, “Isn’t it obvious enough? A primary-root, red-seed military wife!”

“No wonder…” Old Man Zhang muttered to himself.

Worried that a long delay would cause more trouble, Sisi spoke up. “Elder, we agreed on 800. You can’t change it now; business requires integrity.”

“Don’t be in such a hurry…” Old Man Zhang looked up, his eyes actually glistening with a few tears. “This oil mill doesn’t need 800. I can make it a bit cheaper…”

“What?” Shen Sisi’s mouth rounded in disbelief. Had she heard correctly? Was the sun rising in the west?

Old Man Zhang said emotionally, “Ten years ago, a massive flood hit Jiang City. My youngest son was swept away by the water. It was a People’s Liberation Army soldier who jumped into the water regardless of the danger and saved my son. I’ve always wanted to repay that kindness, but I never knew who that benefactor was.”

“Today, not only did you do me a huge favor by chasing away Cheng Biao, but you’re also a military family member. With this layer of fate, it’s only right that I ask for a little less…”

Shen Sisi hadn’t expected Old Man Zhang to have such a history. However, business was business; she wasn’t about to use a soldier’s nobility for her own gain. Moreover, that specific kindness didn’t belong to her.

She tried to decline, but Old Man Zhang was stubborn—he insisted on lowering the price by another 100 yuan. If she didn’t accept, he wouldn’t sell the mill at all.

Seeing how persistent he was, Sisi had no choice but to let him fill in the figure of 700 yuan on the contract.

“Thank you, Elder. But there’s something I don’t understand. Cheng Biao’s offer was clearly higher than mine; why didn’t you sell to him?”

At the mention of Cheng Biao, Old Man Zhang scoffed. “That guy isn’t interested in my oil mill at all; he’s interested in this piece of land.”

“Oh?” Feng Yanzhou became interested. “Elder, can you tell us more?”

“I’ve heard rumors that this Cheng Biao is buying up land all over the city for someone else, though I don’t know what they’re up to.”

Feng Yanzhou knew about this too, but since the plots Cheng Biao bought were scattered, he hadn’t figured out the ultimate goal yet.

“Regardless, I wouldn’t sell to him,” the old man continued. “I promised my old workers that I’d find them a good owner so they can keep earning a living.”

Shen Sisi looked at Old Man Zhang with profound respect. She hadn’t expected him to be so loyal and righteous. “Don’t worry, I won’t fire your old crew. I intend to keep the traditional method of oil pressing alive.”

Old Man Zhang believed her. He briskly signed the contract and pressed his red thumbprint onto it.

On the way back, Shen Sisi felt like she was walking on clouds. Who would have thought that within half a month of arriving in Jiang City, she would own her own oil mill? And at a price much lower than estimated!

Aside from her own luck and hard work, she knew this wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Gu Chengfeng, Feng Yanzhou, and Dong Xiaojiang.

“Today is a great day! Let’s go to the state-owned restaurant for dinner tonight. My treat!” Sisi said, joyfully stroking the contract.

At the mention of the restaurant, Dong Xiaojiang gulped. He was about to say yes when he remembered he and Brother Hua had already committed to another dinner meeting. “Sister Sisi, Brother Hua and I have a thing tonight. We can’t make it. You guys go ahead…”

Sisi frowned with regret. “He can go to his, and you can come to mine. It doesn’t conflict.”

“No, this meeting is very important! Next time…”

“Alright then.” Sisi didn’t force them. “But it’s a deal—when my mill officially opens, you must be there to support me.”

After parting ways with Dong Xiaojiang at the ferry, Sisi and Feng Yanzhou walked toward the city center. Feng Yanzhou soon realized they weren’t heading toward the barracks or the family compound.

“Sister-in-law, are you buying something?”

Shen Sisi’s gaze lingered briefly on the burn mark on his leather shoe. “Yes, I’m planning to go to the supply and marketing cooperative. Accompany me!”

“Sure!” Feng Yanzhou figured he’d see the task through to the end. Besides, she was the woman at the center of Gu Chengfeng’s heart; he couldn’t let her carry heavy bags alone.

As they walked and chatted, Sisi finally asked the question that had been bothering her. “Brother Feng, I’ve been meaning to ask… how did you settle my political clearance (zheng shen)?”

Feng Yanzhou’s smile froze for a few seconds. “Well… that…” He looked up at the sky. “It was just… having your village brigade leader write a statement of facts proving you aren’t a troublesome person. And that was that.”

“Is that so?” Sisi felt he was talking nonsense. If it were that easy, would he have needed to go in person? She feigned anger. “Brother Feng, it seems you still don’t see me as one of your own.”

Feng Yanzhou broke into a cold sweat. “Really! Just don’t ask anymore. Living a good life is better than anything.”

The more he hid it, the more Sisi suspected there was a major secret involved. It seemed she would have to visit her old village personally once the mill was running to find out the truth.

The two continued toward the cooperative, completely unaware of the two figures following them.

Chen Ting had originally come to buy soap and fabric, but she had stumbled upon an “unexpected delight.” She hid behind a utility pole, her eyes filled with venom as she glared at Shen Sisi.

“Well, well, Shen Sisi… you fickle little tramp. You landed a Regiment Commander and still can’t stay settled? You dare to openly ‘steal’ another man?”

Chen Ting hurriedly pulled out a pen, tore a flyer off the utility pole, and scribbled a note. She handed it to her freckled follower, Huang Xiaojuan. “Quick, take this to the barracks. Say you’re looking for Commander Gu and hand it to him personally.”

Huang Xiaojuan hesitated. “What are you doing?”

“None of your business! Just go, or I’ll tell the leaders to turn our performance into a solo act and cut your accompaniment.”

Huang Xiaojuan didn’t want to lose her chance to perform. She snatched the note. “Fine, I’m going…”

Chen Ting continued to tail Sisi. Seeing her walk into the cooperative with the “pretty boy,” Chen Ting stood by the entrance with a sneer.

“Shen Sisi, your good days are over.