Chapter 107 The End

Chapter 107 The End of the Main Story

The next day, news of Xie Xinyi being sent to spearhead operations at the new factory spread like wildfire throughout Guohui Food Factory.

People had long lost count of how many times she had achieved something remarkable.

Previously, she had attended industry conferences, gone on study trips to other provinces, and even had a dedicated R&D department opened for her. Everyone assumed the factory was giving her these opportunities out of deference to Old Liu. But this time?

Old Liu had officially retired after completing this year's new product launch for the ice pop team.

Even though Old Liu no longer came to the food factory, the factory still sent Xie Xinyi to the new one.

Some were envious and couldn't help but make snide remarks in front of Cui Mama, saying things like "the tall poppy gets cut down" and that too much prominence wasn't always a good thing.

"What can you do? She's capable, and even if she does get 'cut down,' she has her husband to fall back on when she returns. She's not afraid at all."

After Cui Mama said this, everyone realized it was true. Xie Xinyi's husband was from an army family, held a stable public-sector job, earned a government salary, and came from a comfortable background.

It had to be said, comparing oneself to others could truly be maddening.

Xie Xinyi was capable herself, and she had married an equally capable man. The couple were both ambitious, living a sweet, prosperous, and thriving life.

Those who had made envious remarks pursed their lips and fell silent. When Xiao Jiang called Xie Xinyi, who was far away at the new factory, to complain about this, she even rolled her eyes irritably.

"You have no idea—those people are practically hoping you'll fail at the new factory. They even said that if you don't do well, you might as well go home to raise the kids and rely on your husband to support you."

Xiao Jiang was a women's rights advocate. She believed women shouldn't be confined to the home, and she was always the loudest whenever the factory cheered the slogan "Women hold up half the sky."

Although her monthly salary wasn't high, she took great pride in earning her own money through hard work. So when those envious people wished for Xie Xinyi to fail and return to laundry, childcare, and cooking, she was the first to stand up for her.

Xiao Jiang was furious, but Xie Xinyi just laughed. "It's fine, let them talk. If I really don't do well, coming back and letting Gu Yu support me wouldn't be so bad."

After all, Gu Yu's business was doing well these days. In less than two months since arriving in the coastal area, he had spotted a business opportunity. He recently returned to Beijing for a bit, then went to Shanghai to research the market. After confirming the demand, he came back to inspect edible oil and grain mills.

Speculative trading had earned him a lot, but it was too volatile.

After all, you could only sell what you bought, and it was highly susceptible to market and policy changes.

Gu Yu felt this wasn't sustainable, so after inspecting several major cities and edible oil and grain mills, he decided to change careers. He planned to stay at a local edible oil and grain mill to get trained before returning to Beijing to start his own business.

Edible oil and grain mills primarily process and produce cooking oil, rice, and other staple foods. Xie Xinyi remembered there was a large edible oil and grain mill in their city when she was young. The rapeseed oil they produced was fragrant and rich, not only dominating the local market but also being exported abroad.

Food is the first necessity of the people, and the grain and oil industry is always in demand. Now was the perfect time to get started.

With his sharp business acumen, it probably wouldn't be long before he achieved his dream of becoming a "10,000-yuan household" (a well-off household).

Xie Xinyi trusted her man and wasn't too opposed to the idea of being a housewife, as some at the factory suggested.

Just imagine—having someone work tirelessly outside to earn money, then handing all his earnings to you. You'd be like a landlady, regularly receiving the money he earned and the rent from properties he bought. You could do whatever you wanted, work if you want or not—this kind of life wasn't something just anyone could aspire to, but Xie Xinyi was bold enough to imagine it.

Not only did she dare to dream, she fully supported Gu Yu's plan to return to Beijing and start a factory.

"This is the savings I've put aside for you. Work hard and strive to make me the wife of a prosperous businessman as soon as possible."

After hanging up, Xie Xinyi mentioned this to Gu Yu, who had just returned home.

Gu Yu had recently found out where the production lines at the edible oil and grain mill came from and asked Xie Xinyi how much money they had left at home. Hearing her words, he barely looked up. "Absolutely."

He counted the money Xie Xinyi handed over. "The wife of a 10,000-yuan household must be you, and it will definitely be you."

The sudden romantic words made Xie Xinyi a bit shy, but the man didn't seem embarrassed at all.

"In the future, I'll be responsible for earning money to support the family, and you'll be responsible for staying beautiful. And then…"

He pocketed the money and stepped closer to Xie Xinyi. "We'll live it up every night."

Live it up every night?!

The words were blunt, delivered in a low, intimate tone only she could hear. Xie Xinyi felt like she was being teased, but she had no proof.

Afraid that if this continued she wouldn't get any sleep tonight, Xie Xinyi changed the subject and asked about Gu Yu's plans.

"Once I've learned enough about the technology, I'll go back to find a site and get the factory started. I asked my friends about the production line—I might need to make a trip soon."

"Alright, I'm almost done here too."

After six months at the new factory, Xie Xinyi's R&D department had not only developed rapidly but also achieved numerous successes.

In the most recent new product development for ice cream, Xie Xinyi tried stepping back as a delegating manager. She thought the team might struggle, but everyone worked together seamlessly, developing four unique new ice cream flavors in one go. The market response after launch was quite positive.

This thrilled Xie Xinyi.

Under her leadership, the R&D department was gradually getting on track. With Deputy Factory Manager Yuan Kang overseeing things at the new factory, she, as the major contributor, could make a graceful exit.

Xie Xinyi planned to return to Beijing after the Mid-Autumn Festival rush wrapped up. As for Gu Yu, she didn't interfere too much.

"All the household money is here. If it's not enough, I'll exchange more for you when I get back."

She didn't know exactly how much money Gu Yu needed and intended to convert the rental income she'd collected during this period for him upon returning. However, Gu Yu refused.

"Don't worry about the money. If it's really not enough, I'll manage."

He didn't specify what those ways were to Xie Xinyi. A few days later, he packed his bags and left to inspect production lines elsewhere.

With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, Xie Xinyi and Yuan Kang began their first seasonal mooncake development at the new factory.

Thanks to their previous training in Shanghai and some knowledge of future trends, the mooncake development process went very smoothly.

Three days after launch, Yuan Kang showed Xie Xinyi the freshly compiled sales data from accounting.

Wow, in just three days, they had sold over 10,000 boxes of mooncakes.

Yuan Kang was extremely pleased. After praising Xie Xinyi and her R&D team, he hurried off to report the data to Fang Mingan.

The new factory was a smash hit, making a name for itself in the new location.

Xie Xinyi handed over her work to the team members and returned to Beijing before New Year's Day.

After being away for a while, her first stop upon arriving home was to pick up her daughter from kindergarten.

The little one had been in kindergarten for almost a year now. Not only had her appearance changed dramatically, but she also spoke like a little adult.

At first glance, Xiao Yueer didn't recognize Xie Xinyi standing at the gate.

Xie Xinyi and Wen Shuhua had agreed beforehand to play a little trick on the child. Wen Shuhua pretended not to know Xie Xinyi had returned. She picked up the child and walked off without looking back, leaving the unsure little girl looking back over her shoulder at Xie Xinyi several times.

"Grandma, I think there's something wrong with my eyes."

"Something wrong with your eyes?!" Wen Shuhua continued teasing the child. "What kind of problem?"

Xiao Yueer turned to look again at Xie Xinyi, who was standing at the school gate and looked just like her.

"I think I see my mom?" she asked.

Still unsure, she pointed at Xie Xinyi and asked Wen Shuhua to take a look.

"That beautiful woman standing at the gate—Grandma, does she look like my mom?"

Xiao Yueer stopped walking forward and, after asking, intended to pull Wen Shuhua closer for a better look.

As the child grew more certain that the woman was her mother, Wen Shuhua could no longer keep up the act. She gave Xie Xinyi a meaningful glance. Xie Xinyi, who had been missing her child desperately, caught the signal and hurriedly strode toward her.

"Mom, it really is my mom!"

Xiao Yueer let go of Wen Shuhua's hand and excitedly ran forward. After hundreds of days apart, mother and daughter were finally reunited.

Holding her daughter as they walked home, Xie Xinyi patiently answered all the child's silly questions.

"Mom, when will Dad come back?"

Only after satisfying her curiosity did Xiao Yueer realize that her mom seemed to have returned alone.

She asked about Gu Yu's whereabouts, wondering if her dad was also hiding somewhere, planning to surprise her like her mom had.

"Dad still has work to finish," Xie Xinyi explained. "He sent Mom home first to keep Xiao Yueer company."

So, no surprise—Dad hadn't come back with Mom this time.

The "attached-at-the-hip pair" were no longer attached. Not only was Xiao Yueer having trouble getting used to it, but Wen Shuhua and Grandma Gu also took the opportunity to ask Xie Xinyi about Gu Yu's situation.

"He's doing well. He's learned the technology and got the production line. Now, all that's left is to come back and find a place to build the factory."

After the economic reforms, Beijing's development had been rapid.

Not only had many new factories opened, but the number of foreigners on the streets had also increased significantly.

Society had undergone dramatic changes, and Wen Shuhua, who had initially been skeptical, had gradually come to offer her silent support.

Hearing that Gu Yu had everything ready and would soon return to select a site for the factory, Wen Shuhua felt both happy and worried.

Building a factory meant buying land.

She had heard from Zhang Xin's father that, to boost the local economy, the government had set aside a large plot of land on the outskirts of the city for factory construction.

The area was spacious and not far from Beijing, but the price seemed pretty expensive.

Because Beijing's reforms had started early, many new factories had popped up everywhere during the time Gu Yu was away.

Land prices were changing daily. Wen Shuhua, knowing Gu Yu wouldn't be back for a while, grew concerned.

"I wonder if he has enough money?"

Not long after Xie Xinyi returned, Gu Yu also came back to Beijing with his technology and production line.

Unlike her reaction to seeing Xie Xinyi, Xiao Yueer wasn't all that excited about her long-absent father.

After Gu Yu returned, he spent some daddy-daughter time with Xiao Yueer, then threw himself into building his factory.

His grain and oil factory's location didn't follow Wen Shuhua's expectations—he didn't acquire land from the government but instead rented an idle factory building through a friend's referral.

The building was an unused production area from a chemical plant. It wasn't large, but it was sufficient for Gu Yu, who was just starting out.

Before finalizing the rental, Gu Yu took Xie Xinyi to see the site.

It was better than expected—not as dilapidated as they had imagined. The roof was still usable, and only the windows needed minor repairs.

"We signed the contract directly with the property management office," Gu Yu explained. "It's a five-year lease, and my friend negotiated the lowest possible rent, paid yearly."

Not having to pay five years' rent upfront was a huge relief for Gu Yu, who needed funds for everything.

Xie Xinyi also thought it was a good arrangement. After getting the place cleaned up, the production line could be installed without delay.

After Gu Yu showed her around the factory, Xie Xinyi gave him the money she had collected during her absence.

"I'm not sure if this will be enough, but take it for now," she said. "If it's insufficient, I'll find a way."

She didn't understand business, but she knew it couldn't be easy.

Since she couldn't help Gu Yu make decisions or offer advice, she could only show her support through money.

Fortunately, Gu Yu was capable.

Once the grain and oil factory was set up, he began buying supplies and installing the production line, working tirelessly every day. By the end of the year, he had secured the factory's first major order.

Gu Yu negotiated the order himself—a school needed to purchase cooking oil and rice in large quantities, with cash on delivery. He had made several trips to the school to secure the deal.

Without relying on connections or leveraging his status as a veteran from the First Military Region, he managed to close the big deal solely with his once-taciturn way with words.

When Xie Xinyi was handed the money—a thick stack of cash—she was momentarily too stunned to speak. It was only when Gu Yu reminded her to count it that she counted it out slowly.

Over ten thousand yuan—their first big earnings, gotten in less than a month since the factory's establishment.

Xie Xinyi was thrilled for Gu Yu. Meanwhile, thanks to the new factory's success, she, as a key contributor, received great recognition from the city's commercial bureau leadership. She also participated in the city's third product exchange conference for the first time under the title of head chef of Guohui Food Factory.

When Xie Xinyi took the stage as a representative, a city leader joked with Liu Yinsheng beside him, "Your final apprentice was taken on just in time—she's not only taken over your role but also retained such talent for our city."

It was indeed timely.

If Old Liu hadn't recognized Xie Xinyi's abilities early on and taken her as his apprentice, Beijing's food industry wouldn't have had the chance to shine nationally.

As a rising star in the new era of the food industry, Xie Xinyi brought pride not only to the leaders but especially to Old Liu, her master.

Watching the girl stood there beaming on stage, Old Liu couldn't help but boast, "I'm not exaggerating, but this final apprentice of mine outdoes any man I've taught."

Old Liu had been invited to the exchange conference but was initially reluctant to attend, as he had planned to make a cream cake for Xiao Yueer. It was only when Fang Mingan mentioned that Xie Xinyi would be speaking as a representative that he agreed to come as a "special guest."

The old master made sure to wear a Zhongshan suit that day. When speaking of his final apprentice, he stood tall, filled with pride.

The city leader, noticing the old man's pride, smiled and agreed, "She must be remarkable—after all, look who taught her."

The leader praised Xie Xinyi profusely, his eyes resting on the confident young woman at the podium.

He had heard that Xie Xinyi had just turned 30 that year. Yet, at such a young age, she had already participated in three exchange conferences and single-handedly took on all the R&D work of an entire factory.

Truly, the young are outpacing the old. This era, after all, belongs to the young.

The Third Food Exchange kicked off amidst a polite back-and-forth between the city leaders and Old Liu.

Xie Xinyi once again brought her new ice cream product to showcase at the exchange. The items were still the novel and fun ice pops, but this time the lead was taken by Xiao Feng from their R&D department, Xie Xinyi's top apprentice. Among the helpers, Xiao Jiang was absent.

Around mid-year, it was discovered that she was pregnant with twins. Officer Zha, worried that Xiao Jiang might get bumped or jostled in the workshop with her heavy pregnancy, arranged an early maternity leave for her.

The couple managed to achieve their goal of having multiple children before the family planning policy was fully implemented.

Officer Zha was so happy he was grinning from ear to ear. His mother, upon learning Xiao Jiang was carrying twins, was on high alert. Wherever Xiao Jiang went, she followed, taking care of her daily needs while also acting as her personal bodyguard, ensuring the safety of Xiao Jiang and her unborn children at all times.

So for this exchange, even if Xiao Jiang wanted to come see, she didn't have the energy to make it to the venue.

The exchange was missing helpers like Xiao Jiang, and also familiar faces like Tang Ren.

When Xie Xinyi chatted with other factory directors about their impressions of the exchange, someone brought up Section Chief Tang who hadn't attended.

Oh, no—now he wasn't called Section Chief Tang anymore, but Deputy Director Tang.

Not long after he led a group to cause trouble at Guohui, he was promoted. Now he's the Deputy Director of the Huangshui County Commerce Bureau, a much higher rank than before.

"So it's not enough to have skill; you also need to know how to talk and handle situations—that's what really matters."

People summarized Tang Ren's path to promotion, marveling at how someone with no notable achievements could have such smooth sailing in his official career.

Xie Xinyi also hadn't expected such big changes in people and circumstances in just over a year.

Tang Ren's official career was smooth, while her cousin had become mentally unstable, not even knowing who she was anymore.

Xie Xinyi fell silent for a long while, deep in thought, but it only lasted a moment.

After the exchange, she walked home with Old Liu. On the way, Old Liu asked about Gu Yu's recent activities, and Xie Xinyi filled her in on the highlights with her master.

"Reform and opening up—he's caught a good era."

Old Liu said Gu Yu's business wasn't easy and told Xie Xinyi to help her man out when she could.

Xie Xinyi nodded. She did help, every day, but not in the way Old Liu meant.

After their intimacy, Xie Xinyi went to take a shower.

Who would have thought that after all this time in business, Gu Yu had become a merchant who often came home smelling of alcohol, yet his stamina was still this good.

He kept her up late, and the next morning he was still full of energy.

Last time she visited her parents, her mother had even remarked, "Gu Yu drinks every day outside—how come he hasn't gained weight?"

Put on weight?

With his daily exercise quota met, it'd be strange if he did.

Xie Xinyi didn't expose him, just said he was busy at the factory and had worked himself thin.

Gu Yu was indeed busy. He managed the factory's affairs during the day and went out for social engagements at night. Often he came home smelling of alcohol, and Wen Shuhua would grumble, "A good job wasn't enough—he had to go looking for hardship."

Then, while complaining, she'd clean up the mess her son left behind and vigilantly prevent the drunk Gu Yu from teasing Xiao Yueer.

Wen Shuhua worried endlessly every day, but Xie Xinyi was perfectly happy.

She spent the money her man earned shopping, and amidst the busyness, the new year's bell tolled.

In the Xie family's courtyard, Xiao Yueer and Shuanzi from Xie Xinyue's family crouched in a corner collecting dud firecrackers, with Da Ya watching closely nearby.

Da Ya had tested into the city's best high school this year. The girl had always been sensible and obedient, hardly giving her eldest sister any worry.

Xie Xinyi helped her eldest sister in the kitchen, watching the children behaving like grown-ups in the yard and praising them.

"...Like you said, children are blank slates. They turn out however the adults around them are."

This was a compliment to both the children and herself.

Xie Xinyi joked with a laugh, while her eldest sister used the opportunity to bring up what she'd seen when she last visited their hometown regarding the Second Uncle's family's situation.

"Grandma Xie passed away last year. Second uncle's stroke is worse than before. Xie Jianjun is still in jail. Xie Jianmin drinks every day and beats people when drunk. Last time he nearly beat his wife to death. Her family wouldn't stand for it—they came as a group and beat him up. Now the whole family relies on Xu Wenxia washing dishes to get by."

Speaking of the Second Uncle's family, Xie Xinyue couldn't help sighing. "How did such a good family end up like this? Especially Xie Tingting—she was such a determined girl before, but now she doesn't even recognize people."

Xie Xinyi felt the Second Uncle's family's downfall was inevitable. "Xie Tingting had high ambitions but little skill, always relying on others instead of herself."

Those who climb by clinging to others fall harder the higher they go.

"Her family must deeply regret giving up the marriage with Gu Yu to you."

Her eldest sister glanced at the man carrying bags large and small into the house. "Who would've thought the 'King of Grumpy Faces' would one day be tamed so thoroughly by you."

Xie Xinyi told Gu Yu to take the things to her mother and laughingly rebutted her eldest sister.

"We're a couple—it's not about taming. Meeting him was my good fortune."

When Xu Wenxia and her daughter begged her to marry him, she had indeed been attracted by the superficial qualities attached to Gu Yu.

Like everyone else, she hadn't thought Gu Yu was someone to spend her life with—just taking one step at a time. But step by step, she ended up walking hand-in-hand with him all these years, and their relationship was so strong.

Gu Yu did have a chronic grumpy face, but he was warm and thorough with people and matters, and his care for her had remained consistent over the decade. Moreover, all these years, Gu Yu had supported whatever she wanted to do without reservation.

Xie Xinyi was grateful to have met Gu Yu and his family in this unfamiliar world.

The two met and fell in love across parallel circumstances. Xie Xinyi cherished this fate immensely.

She wanted to continue like this with Gu Yu forever and believed he felt the same.

Because as the new year arrived, the moment she reached out her hand, he took it in his, just as before—firmly and never letting go.

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Author's Note: The main story ends here.

After some thought, I decided to let our daughter's story stop here.

Thank you for your support, dear readers. Extra chapters will be posted soon, so don't go away—the excitement is about to begin.

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