Not long after getting in touch with Baozhu, Feng Man ended her week-long wedding leave and reappeared at the stall. She had just added a summer meal combo of peanut porridge, braised meats, and pickled radish.
The hot weather kept the sesame flatbread sales going strong, though not at the initial peak levels anymore; they had gradually stabilized. Introducing new items now naturally drew plenty of curious customers.
July in Ink River brought scorching sun, and by nine in the morning, the heat was already intense, not to mention the midday temperatures. The cooled peanut porridge had a faint pink hue, with rice grains and crushed peanuts dotted throughout. Topped with a spoonful of bright red-oiled pickled radish, alongside braised pig head meat and braised offal gleaming temptingly red, and deep-colored braised eggs that looked irresistible, it made even those with poor summer appetites swallow hard.
“Boss Feng, you’re selling peanut porridge and braised meats now?”
“Smells so good!”
Feng Man greeted them warmly. “Yeah, sold together with the sesame flatbread. The porridge goes great with flatbread, braised pork, or braised eggs.”
“How much?”
“Braised eggs are two mao each. Braised pork is six mao for three liang, and it comes with a bowl of porridge and a dish of pickled radish.”
The prices weren’t particularly cheap, but the food looked so appetizing—especially the refreshing porridge. Paired with three liang of meat and a braised egg, it made for a satisfying, full belly. Plenty of people were eager to try.
Some paired peanut porridge with sesame flatbread, others with braised pork, finishing with a flavor-soaked braised egg. Slurping the porridge down, it was fresh and sweet with a smooth texture—far better than the sticky, overcooked mess at many other places.
Business boomed at the stall, and Dong Xiaojuan felt it had all been worth the morning’s hustle!
Since partnering with Feng Man, she no longer had to man the stall from dawn till dusk. The good stuff sold out fast, often before the lunch rush ended. With business steady here, she simply dropped her old ventures to focus on the prepared foods.
Even nearby stalls selling odds and ends saw improved sales. Vendors treated Feng Man like a living Bodhisattva.
“Little Feng really is a lucky star. Ever since you came, we’ve been selling more every day.”
“Gotta say, it’s the great craftsmanship! These sesame flatbreads and braised pork smell amazing. My husband and kid want some for tonight after work.” Fang Hong, who sold wholesale ice pops in summer, paid for three liang of braised pork and a sesame flatbread to save for an evening snack.
It was true enough. Foot traffic used to head straight to the distant prepared food area. Now Feng Man’s sesame flatbreads and braised meats drew crowds this way, and customers naturally picked up items from other stalls too.
Feng Man packed half a jin for Sister Hong. With only five or six slices left in her basin, she tossed them all in the bag. “Sister Hong, these last pieces are for you.”
Fang Hong wasn’t just Dong Xiaojuan’s neighbor; she also lived next door to Feng Man and Cheng Lang’s rental, sharing a courtyard with two other families.
“Hey!” Fang Hong’s eyes lit up. Though not one to love freeloading, the special treatment warmed her heart. “You think of everything.”
She headed back to her stall with the braised pork and sesame flatbread, then pulled two milk ice pops from her padded box and handed them over. “It’s hot out—have an ice pop to cool off.”
Feng Man reached for her wallet, but Fang Hong pressed her hand down. “You gave me extra meat already. No need to pay!”
“Alright then, thanks, Sister Hong.” Feng Man’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled amiably. “We look out for each other.”
After a few days of selling at the stalls, business picked up even more as the weather heated up—especially the braised meats, which flew off the shelves.
Things had stabilized, especially after building a reputation in the Mine District. Over the past half month, they averaged sixty sesame flatbreads a day for eighteen yuan in profit. Braised pork at six mao per three liang and braised eggs at two mao each yielded half profit. With their seventy-thirty split, Dong Xiaojuan was nearing three hundred yuan a month—more than most factory workers! She didn’t dare tally it up; it felt like a dream.
Feng Man’s days were much easier now, especially with her cousin-in-law full of energy handling the heavy and dirty work, all fueled by the money rolling in.
Stalls used to earn just three to five yuan after a full day. Now, on good days, they pocketed ten yuan. Who wouldn’t be motivated?
The more money she made, the more Feng Man longed to reclaim her identity. But she hadn’t expected a letter from Nine Mountains Village already on its way—the sender was none other than Baozhu.
Baozhu had heard her parents splash dirty water on the neighbor Cheng Lang to divert Zhao Gang’s attention. She wasn’t sure if it was good or bad.
After all, her eldest sister and Cheng Lang barely knew each other and weren’t even in the same area—a good thing for her sister. With Cheng Lang next door drawing Zhao Gang’s focus, her sister was a bit safer.
Far away, Cheng Lang had no idea someone was thinking of him. He was busy preparing to open in the Mine District.
He had served three years in the army before drifting through society for years, building a wide network. Now he recruited some fellow veterans to the mine, plus others fed up with You Jianyuan’s targeting who quit to join him. They formed a sizable team.
Cheng Lang had led the squad for nearly a year, surveying and drilling through the mine’s complex terrain, overcoming extraction challenges to mine rare metals—contributing to the province’s steel and energy projects.
Unfortunately, You Jianyuan stole their credit. Powerless against his family backing, the team had no recourse. Now, with Cheng Lang going independent, many from the old squad boldly followed.
Most eager were his cousin Fan Zhenghua and He Chunsheng.
A disciple followed his master. Even if some mocked Cheng Lang for going mad—contracting a near-bankrupt Mine District—He Chunsheng didn’t care. He just asked Song Guodong, “Little Song, you coming?”
Song Guodong was all in. “I came for Brother Lang. Wherever he goes, I go!”
“Ambitious!” He Chunsheng slightly approved of Song Guodong’s spot as second disciple.
Of course, behind him.
Word spread that part of the Mine District crew was following Cheng Lang. You Jianyuan just sneered. “What a lively motley crew. Let them go. Tell them: leave now, no coming back. But if they fail and crawl back, have Cheng Lang kneel and apologize to me. I might mercifully let his brothers return and earn a bite to eat.”
Wei Jiqing, the Mine District finance director cozying up to the You uncle-nephew duo, chuckled. “Chief You is so generous! I bet Cheng Lang slinks back in under a year…”
In high spirits, You Jianyuan trashed Cheng Lang a bit before getting to business. “Enough. On to serious matters. Red Mountain Mine extraction is our next key project—everyone, stay sharp. Director Wei, we’ll need your support on funding approvals.”
A knowing glance passed between them. The project had plenty of kickbacks, room to maneuver on equipment and subsidies. Wei Jiqing nodded. “Chief You, rest assured—finance will fully cooperate!”
They shook hands; understanding was unspoken.
As he left, You Jianyuan paused at the finance office door, hesitating before warning, “Right, Cheng Lang’s shiny new Mine District will be hunting partners everywhere. Director Wei, you know lots of people—don’t hold back where it counts.”
“Got it, got it.” Wei Jiqing was sharp. You Jianyuan talked big but was guarding against Cheng Lang succeeding. This meant using connections behind the scenes to keep him down.
…
With Dong Xiaojuan’s support, Feng Man’s workday stayed light—under eight hours, averaging just four.
In her afternoon free time, she pondered Cheng Lang’s Mine District and decided to drop by.
The modest site looked like a pitiful kitten next to the hulking tiger of neighboring Liberation Mine District—dainty and cute.
But compared to the rundown state from half a month ago, it was now transformed. More miners had tidied everything up, orderly and efficient.
“Sister-in-law!” Sharp-eyed Song Guodong called out, drawing looks from the working miners.
Calls of “sister-in-law,” “little sis,” and “boss lady” rang out nonstop. The sweaty, dark-faced miners grinned teasingly. “Boss lady, Brother Lang’s in the back. Don’t worry, no smoking.”
Word of Cheng Lang quitting smoking spread fast. Few men didn’t smoke back then—cigarettes were hard currency among workers. Many deals sealed over a smoke or drink, like it or not; that was the social game.
Lately, anyone offering Cheng Lang a cigarette got turned down. Turns out he was quitting—shocking everyone. They joked marriage had turned the toughest guy into a henpecked husband.
Cheng Lang didn’t explain much, just said they didn’t get it.
After the teasing, Feng Man laughed back. “Then I’ll count on everyone to keep watch. Report him to me if he smokes.”
The jovial boss lady won them over; laughter erupted.
“I brought some candy and extra braised pork from today. Everyone’s working hard—have some to tide you over.” Feng Man set her iron basin on the courtyard table amid thanks.
Everyone knew there was no such thing as “extra” meat. The boss lady was just kind-hearted, bringing food. They were thrilled.
Cheng Lang had just returned from a mine inspection with District Committee and village leaders. The Development Office head, usually affable, seemed troubled—hinting at pressure. Cheng Lang read between the lines and handled it smoothly, giving no openings.
Entering the yard, he saw the miners eating familiar braised pork and spotted a blue figure at the duty room window.
Striding in, Cheng Lang leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. “The miners just told me the boss lady’s so kind, bringing meat special for us.”
Feng Man turned at his voice, beaming. “Of course~ No boss lady better than me. You met the leaders—went well?”
“Not bad.” Cheng Lang, ever the optimist, turned the question. “Nothing for me?”
“Hm?” Feng Man blinked. Hadn’t he eaten enough at home?
“No meat for me?” Cheng Lang’s gaze burned.
He stepped closer. Feng Man opened her palm, revealing seven or eight colorful candies. “Here, all yours. Eat candy. The guys were praising you—said you’ve got real willpower quitting smoking. Won’t even take one offered.”
His eyes lingered on her pale palm. Cheng Lang didn’t move, just asked, “What flavor do you like?”
“Me?” Feng Man proudly held up a mint candy. “This one’s great—fresh and invigorating, no cheap aftertaste. Just pure mint scent. I love it!”
“Mm.” Cheng Lang took the only mint candy from her palm—his first time asking his wife for a favor. “Buy more of these for me. I’ll use them to quit smoking.”