Chapter 23: Deliberate Before Taking Action

The liveliest three days of the market had passed, and the number of rice discount coupons collected exceeded those distributed by several dozen. The cycle of consumption for rice and flour remained quite long, so after this small surge in sales, business would likely quiet down for a few days.

The An family’s tofu shop hurried to open, and An Chen’s mother wanted to tidy up the blacksmith’s shop. Granny Li and Li Jixiang discussed, deciding to move the rice-selling stall back to the small convenience store.

Li Jixiang posted a notice at the blacksmith’s shop entrance: “Rice for sale, proceed ten meters ahead and turn left at Xingqiu Convenience Store.”

Waiting for customers like a rabbit by the tree was the most passive way of doing business. Since they had decided to enter the grain wholesale business and had already fired up An Ning with enthusiasm, monopolizing Xingqiu Town’s grain wholesale sector posed no problem at all. Their reach could even extend to towns within ten or twenty kilometers.

An Ning had a group of loyal friends—delivering rice to each grain store never lacked manpower. Only now, they still lacked a legitimate business license; wholesale required proper procedures, unlike simply setting up a rice stall.

To become a major taxpayer, contributing to Xingqiu Town’s development—that was exciting to think about.

“It’s tough! To wholesale grain, you need a special permit. The town’s tax bureau won’t issue one to us. I think we should let it go. We’ve made some money these past days; I reckon it’s enough for your college entrance. I heard that if you get into a teacher’s college, the school even gives you money! Every year the town awards a bonus to students who get into college, with red ribbons and recognition. Granny just hopes that day comes soon…”

Granny Li had received nearly five hundred yuan in total, and felt deeply satisfied. Students in Xingqiu Town had advantages over those in other towns; junior and senior high schools were right at their doorstep, eliminating extra costs for accommodation and living expenses.

Without long-term plans, immediate worries arise. In the future, going to university, a few hundred yuan wouldn’t even cover a month’s expenses, so earning more now was essential.

Moreover, she still didn’t know when she could return to her original self. As long as she was Li Jixiang for a day, she had to fight for this family, ensuring Granny Li a happy retirement.

Of course, she also hoped that after she left, Li Jixiang would live even better.

Since fate had arranged for their souls to merge, it must mean their destinies were connected somehow. Though that connection wasn’t yet clear; aside from the An family brothers, she really couldn’t see what highlights her host’s life might have.

“I’ll buy more small goods and sell them bit by bit—surely I can save enough for your college.”

Granny Li bent down to wipe the glass counter, and when she stood up, her back seemed to struggle to straighten. Hands pressed against her waist, she slowly managed to stand upright.

She dared not complain about being old in front of her granddaughter, fearing she’d worry and be unable to focus on her studies. Only at night, facing her son’s photograph, did she dare to speak her heart—her longing for her son, her worries for her granddaughter’s studies and future…

“Granny, let’s give it a try. What if we manage to get the grain wholesale permit? Didn’t you always say, ‘No task is too difficult, only the unwilling fail’? If we don’t try, it’ll never happen. If we try and still fail, at least we won’t regret it. It’s such a pity to give up a lucrative business when we have a grain supply.”

Li Jixiang pulled Granny Li out from behind the counter, snatched the rag and began wiping the shelves. Standing on a small stool and stretching, she could reach the very top shelf, where the rag swept away a layer of fluffy black dust.

Granny Li looked up at her granddaughter helping her, her gaze both tender and helpless.

She didn’t know how to explain to her granddaughter. When her son was alive, he didn’t want to burden the town government, and she never dared to mention getting a household registration for Li Jixiang. She thought that once the time was right, the town leaders would consider their family’s situation.

But even after her son passed away, the household registration issue remained unsolved. She had to swallow her pride and seek out the town mayor, searching through spring, summer, autumn, and winter more than a hundred times, but never managed to see him even once.

If she had to approach the town leaders again for a business license, she feared she’d face the same cold rejection. She wouldn’t shame her son’s memory, nor beg others for money.

Unable to persuade Granny Li, Li Jixiang had to put aside the idea of applying for a grain wholesale license for now.

Think thrice before acting; plan before moving. Even without a grain wholesale permit, she could still conduct grain wholesale business. With the convenience store’s business license, she could still be a proud taxpayer.

Monday morning, as the bell rang, Li Jixiang arrived at the classroom. Seeing Zhang Chunfen sitting at the teacher’s desk, she quickly lowered her head and walked straight to the back row.

No sooner had she sat down than Ma Hongmei nudged her with an elbow, leaned in, and whispered, “Miss Zhang’s face was ruined.”

Zhang Chunfen gripped her Chinese textbook, assigning self-study tasks. She kept her head low, her voice less bright than usual.

“No, it wasn’t!”

Li Jixiang craned her neck to take a look, but couldn’t spot any obvious marks on Zhang Chunfen.

Ma Hongmei shielded her face with her textbook, gestured beneath her own right eye, then tapped her right brow.

Now Li Jixiang saw it: beneath Zhang Chunfen’s right eye was a dark bruise—at first glance, it looked like a shadow from the fluorescent lights.

“Excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”

A boy in the back row raised his hand and called out.

“Go ahead.”

Zhang Chunfen didn’t want to look up, fearing her students would see her embarrassment.

She’d mentally prepared herself before coming to class, but facing the students in reality, anxiety crept in. The whole school—maybe even the whole town—probably knew: her husband had fractured her arm and nearly blinded her right eye.

“Excuse me, I have a stomachache, need to use the restroom.”

Another boy in the back row stood waiting for permission, and before Zhang Chunfen could respond, two more students stood up to ask.

“There’s a show to watch now,” Ma Hongmei craned her neck toward the downcast Zhang Chunfen. The whole class, like a flock of hungry chicks, raised their faces and peered forward, their eyes fixed on the dejected homeroom teacher.

Li Jixiang immediately realized what was happening: these troublemakers had no good intentions—they were determined to make a spectacle of Zhang Chunfen.

Zhang Chunfen raised her head, her face calm and unruffled.

“Anyone needing the restroom, go now. No need to report to me one by one.”

Seeing the injury on Zhang Chunfen’s face, Li Jixiang was so shocked she nearly cried out loud.

That man was truly inhuman! To strike a woman—and so viciously. To charge him only with moral misconduct and a school penalty was far too lenient. He deserved to be consigned to the deepest hell, scorched and flayed.

Li Jixiang resolved to take matters into her own hands to rid society of such scum. Of course, she couldn’t actually kill Zhang Chunfen’s husband Zhao Kai.

A wise person must govern others with their mind.

Plans were brewing…

Every day, An Ning cycled around the town, investigating the rice and flour shops and restaurants, and reported back to Li Jixiang.

As long as the price was enticing, no one refused a merchant who delivered directly to their door. In less than three days, Li Jixiang’s rice and flour entered the shops and restaurants of Xingqiu Town.

Following Li Jixiang’s instructions—never allow credit, always cash on delivery—An Ning quickly saw his funds soar past one hundred yuan.

“Remember, as soon as you have money, go to the provincial capital and buy property. Once you own an apartment, you can apply for a mortgage at the bank and buy a second apartment or land. You’re not old enough yet, but if you have enough money, you can buy property in your parents’ name. Read the newspapers, pay attention to real estate news.”

Afraid An Ning might waste money recklessly, Li Jixiang reminded him again. An Ning nodded fervently, like a bobblehead—though who knew if he truly understood her meaning.