Volume One, Chapter 19: Going into Business with My Uncle

Fu Juechuan only allowed her to see him off to the courtyard gate before signaling her to stop. After Ye Qiaoqiao insisted repeatedly, he did not refuse her lingering gaze as she watched his retreating figure. “Then I’ll be off first,” she said.

Ye Qiaoqiao watched his silhouette stretch long under the dim yellow light until it vanished from sight, then turned and went back inside.

When Fu Juechuan returned to his dormitory, only about twenty minutes had passed. He treated the four precious gifts Ye Qiaoqiao had given him as treasures, carefully placing them into a locked wooden box beneath his bed. Inside, each item she had given him was neatly arranged. He clearly had no intention of using the sunglasses and other things; instead, he cherished them deeply, attaching a small note beside each with the exact date inscribed.

A closer look revealed many other items inside the box—things Ye Qiaoqiao had no knowledge of—suggesting that in his life, she occupied a significant place.

The next morning, as Ye Qiaoqiao came downstairs just after waking, she saw her father talking to Fu Juechuan, who had arrived at some unknown time. From a distance, she caught fragments about a special mission and supplies being hijacked, requiring immediate action.

Soon, Fu Juechuan looked up and saw her. Ye Junchang waved his hand, and Fu Juechuan nodded before approaching her.

“Qiaoqiao, take good care of yourself,” Fu Juechuan said deeply, his concern unmistakable.

Ye Qiaoqiao didn’t understand why but obediently nodded. She felt quite safe now. Perhaps, Fu Juechuan’s protective instinct stemmed from the time she twisted her ankle during a quarrel with Zhou Cong, a lingering effect of that incident.

“I understand, Brother Fu. You take care and come back soon,” she replied with a smile, waving goodbye.

Fu Juechuan nodded back, gave her a long, meaningful look, then turned away. Ye Junchang left with him, though he was heading to the military district office to oversee the operation.

After breakfast, Gu Jin, who had promised to meet her, arrived at her door.

“Little uncle, I’m here today to ask a favor,” Gu Jin said.

Seeing her polite demeanor, he couldn’t help but smile. “What favor? Just say it.”

“Do you want to go into business?” Ye Qiaoqiao’s sudden question startled Gu Jin, and he felt a trace of guilt. “You know I’m already in business?”

Ye Qiaoqiao merely smiled in response.

This was something she had only learned after her little uncle passed away in her previous life. It was then she realized how astute he was in commerce. But because her grandmother was devastated by her mother’s death, she forbade him from business ventures, insisting he take a secure government job with a modest income.

“Qiaoqiao, can you not tell Grandma?” Gu Jin asked softly, as if questioning himself, his expression briefly distant.

“Little uncle,” Ye Qiaoqiao covered his hand with hers, smiling, “If it weren’t for your business help, Zhou Cong would still be bullying me. And I’m here for Grandma.”

“Grandma wouldn’t want us to be bullied either,” she added firmly.

After her little uncle’s passing in the previous life, if anyone was more heartbroken, it was only Grandma.

“So you want me to expand the business and suppress Zhou Cong in the market?” Gu Jin suddenly understood her meaning and nodded approvingly. “Good idea, that’s a solid plan.”

Ye Qiaoqiao handed him all the investment materials she had prepared, including opportunities Zhou Cong had seized in their past life. Gu Jin took the files back to his company that same day.

After reviewing, he launched a full-scale business operation. Ye Qiaoqiao said nothing, simply transferring her savings to him.

Gu Jin swiftly acquired the refrigerator factory Zhou Cong had aimed to buy cheaply, then partnered with Jiang Yuan to import refrigeration units. Their large-capacity Dongqiao refrigerators became a nationwide sensation.

Gu Jin’s business quickly got on track, generating huge daily profits.

A few days later, Ye Qiaoqiao went to visit Grandma at the nursing home.

“Grandma, I came to see you,” she said, entering in a long coat and leather shoes.

This was a government-run nursing home for cadres. Years earlier, Grandma had donated the family estate left by Grandpa, earning state privileges. Grandma was also a renowned painter, living comfortably in her later years.

“Qiaoqiao, you just got engaged, didn’t you? How do you have time to visit an old woman like me?” Grandma teased.

Ye Qiaoqiao took her hand and told her about Little Uncle’s business efforts on her behalf.

Grandma fell silent.

Ye Qiaoqiao recounted everything Zhou Cong had done to her—both from the previous life and what had already happened this time—without embellishment. After speaking, her spirit seemed somewhat subdued.

Grandma glanced at her, seeing how the once joyful granddaughter at the engagement party now looked like a weathered branch stripped bare by storms.

“No wonder I felt, even at the engagement banquet, you seemed happy but troubled inside,” Grandma said gently, patting her hand with a tender gaze. “If someone is scheming against you, then fight back. But promise me, if you ever make money, don’t betray our country, don’t become a corrupt merchant, and don’t forsake your family for money.”

“Grandma, neither Little Uncle nor I would,” Ye Qiaoqiao smiled softly. “We are your descendants.”

Grandma smiled back, her face alight with trust and pride. “Go ahead, Qiaoqiao. I believe you’ll defeat those who bully you.”

“Yes,” Ye Qiaoqiao’s voice cracked with emotion, a lump in her throat.

For so long, the pressure she carried finally lifted as she leaned on Grandma’s shoulder, feeling her unreserved trust and care. Even when facing her father, while happy, she worried he might repeat past mistakes. With Fu Juechuan, the more kindness she received, the heavier her guilt. Concern for her uncle’s health weighed on her mind. Yet only Grandma could grant her a moment of peace.

“Miss, someone’s here to see you,” Xie Song announced about an hour later.

Ye Qiaoqiao looked up, asking, “Who is it?”

“...It’s Zhou Cong.”

“What does he want from me?”

Xie Song couldn’t answer naturally.

Ye Qiaoqiao didn’t expect to hear the full truth from him either. After a moment’s thought, she stood, told Grandma she was leaving, then, accompanied by Xie Song, went out to meet Zhou Cong.

He stood outside the nursing home. With no relatives inside, he couldn’t enter. He paced anxiously in the alley, his face tense.

“Ye Qiaoqiao,” Zhou Cong said, looking up at her. Her appearance caused him to hesitate momentarily, but the emotion quickly vanished.

“Gu Jin is your uncle, right?” Zhou Cong asked darkly.

Ye Qiaoqiao spoke from behind the iron gate, nodding. “Yes, he’s my uncle.”

“Gu Jin stole my business, you know that?” Zhou Cong stated flatly, staring at her as if gauging her reaction.

“I know,” she replied.

Surprised by her unexpected answer, his pupils dilated in confusion. “Why didn’t you stop him?”

“Why should I?” Ye Qiaoqiao smiled.

She had never quite decided how to deal with Zhou Cong before, but now she had a clear plan. Little Uncle was just the first step.

“Zhou Cong, you should understand this: you’re the one who wronged me. You only need to bear the consequences of offending me,” Ye Qiaoqiao said coldly.