My Mother-in-Law is Reborn [Seventies]

Setting up a street stall is truly joyful.

This sentiment is deeply shared by the folks in the courtyard. The feeling of handling crisp, white money is simply incomparable. However, setting up a stall in winter is much tougher than in summer, especially in the northern winters. On snowy days, it’s particularly grueling, but no one suggests quitting. After all, what job isn’t hard? What matters now is that they can earn money. This generation is known for their resilience and hard work. Not only are they all enthusiastic about running their stalls, but even Su Jinlai has been showing a lot of energy at work lately.

Every day before heading out, he sings, "We workers have strength~"

Humming the tune, he walks briskly, almost jogging. The family bicycle is reserved for Yinlai, as his factory is farther away. For Su Jinlai, whose workplace is closer, walking is the norm. Yet, he remains cheerful. Being a worker is a big deal, something many aspire to but can’t achieve.

"We workers…"

"Pah, having someone like you in the workers' ranks is downright shameful," Guan Hong retorted as she sped past on her bicycle, her words sharp.

Su Jinlai: "..."

He took a deep breath, reminding himself, "I won’t stoop to her level. I’m a good-tempered person, a decent man. I won’t argue with a woman…"

Guan Hong’s bicycle was already far ahead. Su Jinlai exhaled, convinced himself, and continued on his merry way to work. Despite his somewhat questionable reputation, people generally treated him well. After all, he was a new guy, and no one went out of their way to give him a hard time. So, Su Jinlai adjusted smoothly. Sure, it was tiring, but it was a different kind of exhaustion compared to the drain he felt after his previous "side hustles." This was manageable, and he found himself settling into a routine—punctual at work, coming home to find dinner almost ready. His life became more structured, and he even seemed more energetic.

Would you look at that? Su Jinlai, of all people, turning over a new leaf. How rare!

Winter was cold, but the atmosphere was as lively as ever. Every winter was the same—making padded clothes, stocking up on winter vegetables and coal briquettes. This year, on top of all that, they added street vending to their routine. Time flew by, and before they knew it, the year was coming to an end.

Winter always seemed to pass faster than summer, perhaps because there was so much more to do. But before they could blink, summer rolled around again. The previous summer, catching cicadas felt like just yesterday. And now, it was the summer of 1983.

Kids, of course, preferred summer over winter. Summer was livelier.

They were still out and about every day, their schedules even busier than the adults'. Zhuang Zhixi, on his way home from work with two fish in hand, spotted the children playing hopscotch in the alley. Among them was Erlin.

It had been a full year since the child arrived in the capital. A year ago, he was a sickly little thing, always on the verge of collapse. But now, after a successful surgery, though he still needed some rest, he was much more spirited and lively.

As for his sister, Xing'er, with her two pigtails, she had also become more cheerful.

"Dad!" Yuanyuan waved.

Zhuang Zhixi: "Dad bought fish. We’re having fish for dinner."

Yuanyuan nodded: "Great!"

She happily announced, "We’re having fish tonight!"

"I wonder what we’re having at our place…"

Even at twelve years old, kids were still kids. They could chatter endlessly about what they were having for dinner, their voices filling the air with excitement.

Zhuang Zhixi chuckled as he entered the courtyard, where his father and grandfather were engrossed in a game of chess.

"Hey, how many games have you two played? Who’s winning?"

Lan Sihai smiled faintly: "You’ve got eyes, don’t you? Can’t you see for yourself?"

A glance revealed a one-sided match.

Zhuang Zhixi sighed, looking at his father: "Dad, your skills are really lacking. You’re like a chess amateur."

Old Man Zhuang: "..."

Zhuang Zhixi: "Let me take over. I’ll avenge you."

Old Man Zhuang firmly defended his spot: "Get lost! This is my place. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. There’s no room for you here."

Zhuang Zhixi: "Oh, come on."

Old Man Zhuang: "Hmph!"

Like father, like son!

The kid just wanted to steal his spot to play chess.

Not happening!

He said, "You should go cook instead."

Zhuang Zhixi: "No rush."

Old Man Zhuang, noticing his son’s cheerful expression, asked, "You’ve been in a good mood lately. Work going well?"

Zhuang Zhixi blinked innocently, a grown man acting coy with his dad: "Can’t I just be happy? Besides, work is work. It’s just normal."

Since being temporarily assigned to the TV production center last year, Zhuang Zhixi had remained there. Technically, his assignment should have ended, but his performance was so good that they refused to let him go. The unit’s staffing was limited, so they kept him on loan. His original workplace, the machinery factory, didn’t mind. This kind of arrangement was common, with people frequently loaned between units. The machinery factory’s propaganda department wasn’t short-handed, so everything worked out.

But Zhuang Zhixi found his current work much more interesting than his old job. The propaganda department was routine, but this was entirely different. The excitement of his new role showed on his face, and his father could tell.

"You seem to really enjoy your work."

Zhuang Zhixi smiled: "Can’t I be happy about other things? Grandpa, any new newspapers?"

Lan Sihai glanced at him and tilted his head toward the house. Zhuang Zhixi went inside and spotted the "Gentleman Orchid News" on the table. Humming a tune, he sat down and began flipping through it. The reason for his joy? The skyrocketing prices of gentleman orchids.

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‍prices were soaring, and how could he not be happy? His family had quite a few of them—each one was money in the bank.

Old Man Zhuang: "Your grin’s reaching your ears."

Zhuang Zhixi: "I’m in a good mood, Dad. There’s so much good in the world, huh?"

As Zhuang Zhixi continued reading, Lan Sihai looked up and said, "You think everything’s great just from reading the newspaper?"

Zhuang Zhixi nodded: "Yeah."

The news was indeed positive. As for the gentleman orchids, Zhuang Zhixi felt it was all a stroke of luck. When he bought his first plant, he never imagined it could become such a lucrative investment. It wasn’t until his grandfather showed him a newspaper article that he realized these flowers could be a money-maker.

Fortunately, the trend hadn’t yet hit the capital, so he managed to buy quite a few at the flower market. Now, his family had over forty plants.

Zhuang Zhixi: "Grandpa, what do you think? Care to enlighten me?"

He was always eager to learn from the older generation, especially those with wisdom. After all, they had more life experience than young folks like him.

Listening to their advice was always beneficial.

While the younger generation might be more in tune with trends, the elders weren’t far behind.

He asked, "What’s your take on this?"

"My take? I think it’s not looking good."

Lan Sihai spoke slowly, and Zhuang Zhixi straightened up, listening intently.

Lan Sihai, pleased with his grandson’s attentiveness, nodded and asked, "Tell me, do you really think gentleman orchids can bring people back from the dead as a medicinal herb?"

Zhuang Zhixi shook his head firmly: "Of course not. Even ginseng might not do that, let alone gentleman orchids. That’s pure nonsense. I don’t believe it for a second."

"Then do you think keeping these flowers at home can beautify your skin or extend your life?"

Zhuang Zhixi chuckled: "I’d have to be crazy to believe that."

"Are gentleman orchids so rare and scarce that they’re hard to come by?"

Zhuang Zhixi still shook his head and said, "No, with enough effort, you can still cultivate something decent." Like him, for instance—he was also an amateur, yet he managed to grow something presentable, which shows that the technical skill required isn't that high.

Lan Sihai smiled meaningfully and nodded, saying, "Indeed, as long as you put in the effort to nurture it, you can always cultivate something decent. So, it’s not really scarce. Maybe it’s scarce in the short term, but in the long run, it definitely isn’t. So, how can you be so sure its value will keep rising? Let’s talk about the current craze over the price of Clivia. Look at the average wages nowadays. Isn’t the price of Clivia exaggerated? Whenever something becomes this exaggerated, it’s bound to be regulated eventually."

Zhuang Zhixi believed this, but he added, "At the beginning of the year, there was a notice to cap prices, but instead, the prices kept soaring. What do you think about that?"

Lan Sihai chuckled and said, "The last price cap didn’t work because the impact wasn’t significant enough yet, and they were just starting to gain momentum. But such operations have no solid foundation and absolutely cannot last. Last year, when I went back to my hometown for a wedding, I heard that in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, they were speculating on Five-Needle Pines, which is essentially the same as the Clivia craze in Changchun. It shows that the object itself isn’t important—what’s important is the speculation. When I was an apprentice, my boss once told me about something called the Tulip Mania overseas. When you think about it, it’s no different from the current Clivia craze. Would you like to hear about it?"

Zhuang Zhixi said, "Grandpa, don’t leave me hanging. Of course, I’d like to hear it."

Lan Sihai replied, "Alright, this story goes like this… Back then, the nobles… When the bubble finally burst, prices plummeted, and everyone realized it was all for nothing. By the time no one cared about the prices anymore, it was all over."

Lan Sihai was quite the storyteller. He narrated the Tulip Mania with such dramatic flair that even Old Man Zhuang was on the edge of his seat. Zhuang Zhixi, on the other hand, listened intently, furrowing his brows. After a long while, he said, "It really is quite similar…"

Lan Sihai continued, "The Tulip Mania was like this, and so is the Clivia craze. It may seem like a blazing fire now, but when everyone starts speculating on it, it’s usually not far from a price collapse. I can’t say exactly how long this will last, but given the current frenzy, I’d say another year or two at most, and the bubble will burst."

Zhuang Zhixi listened carefully.

Lan Sihai added, "Look, last year, it was only Changchun locals speculating, but this year is different. Sometimes when I go out for a walk, I overhear people talking about it. News of making money from this has even reached our capital. How long do you think this can last? But I’m not going to advise you to sell. If you sell now and the prices keep rising, you might blame me. I’m just reminding you that you’re not a professional speculator. It’s better to secure your profits at the right time than to chase the peak."

Zhuang Zhixi looked at Lan Sihai. He knew very well that his grandfather-in-law had his best interests at heart. If it weren’t for his sake, Lan Sihai wouldn’t have bothered saying all this. If the craze could last another year or two, selling now might not be the best time. But he also felt that Lan Sihai was right—who was he to think he could sell at the absolute peak? If he tried to wait for the peak, he might not even be able to exit the market safely. After some thought, he said earnestly, "Grandpa, thank you for the reminder. I think you’re right."

Lan Sihai said, "As long as you think I’m right, that’s fine. If you sell, don’t keep an eye on the prices anymore. Otherwise, you’ll just feel regret if they keep rising."

Zhuang Zhixi laughed and said, "I know that much."

He added, "I’ll take leave from work and make a trip to Changchun."

He was a decisive person. Once he made up his mind to sell, he wouldn’t hesitate.

Lan Sihai said, "Wait a moment."

"Huh?" Weren’t you just telling me to sell? Why wait now? Zhuang Zhixi looked at Lan Sihai, confused.

Lan Sihai explained, "I’ve also advised your father-in-law to sell his Clivia. In three months, he has a shipment going to Changchun, so he can take your flowers along with his. Just remember to take leave then. You’ll have each other for support. How else are you going to transport them? Are you planning to take forty pots of flowers on the train by yourself? Do you think train travel is that safe? I don’t think you realize how crazy the flower market is right now. Do you know how many of your flowers would go missing on the train? How can you manage forty pots alone? Even if you’re not alone, what if you run into some desperate people? Haven’t you read the news? There have been some terrifying stories—people have even killed each other over Clivia."

Zhuang Zhixi replied, "…You’re right."

He laughed and said, "So you’ve already thought this through."

Lan Sihai hummed in acknowledgment.

Zhuang Zhixi said, "Alright then."

The reason Lan Sihai brought this up three months in advance was to give Zhuang Zhixi time to come to terms with the idea. He had calculated the timing to prepare him mentally. To his surprise, Zhuang Zhixi was quite clear-headed. Lan Sihai nodded silently again, feeling that his granddaughter had made a good choice in her husband.

Among all the younger generation in the family, Lan Sihai liked Zhuang Zhixi the most because he was quick-witted, sweet-talking, and open to advice. Such a person was bound to succeed. He glanced at Zhuang Zhixi, who immediately asked, "Grandpa, will you come with us?"

Lan Sihai replied, "Of course not. These old bones of mine are over eighty. Do you really expect me to endure the hardships of a long journey? You’re really considerate, aren’t you?"

Zhuang Zhixi chuckled innocently.

Lan Sihai said, "I’m not going. You’ll go with your father-in-law. I think your brother-in-law will probably go too."

Zhuang Zhixi said, "That’s good. It’s all family, so it’s trustworthy."

Lan Sihai glanced at him and said, "You have no idea how dangerous the road can be. Do you think all those long-haul drivers look fierce for no reason? It’s because they’ve been pushed to it by road bandits. Don’t cause trouble for your father-in-law on the road."

Zhuang Zhixi exclaimed, "Oh, come on! I’m not that kind of person. You’re really hurting my feelings here. I’m really not like that."

Lan Sihai replied, "Hmph."

Old Man Zhuang watched the two of them chat without interrupting. He was the type who didn’t meddle in things he didn’t understand. He could tell that everyone here was more capable than he was. He was just an ordinary factory worker.

Zhuang Zhixi quickly communicated with his father-in-law and set a departure date.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, Zhuang Zhixi kept himself busy by preparing boxes for each of his flowers to make transportation easier. By mid-October, the weather had started to cool, and it was time for them to set off.

This was Zhuang Zhixi’s first time traveling long-distance in a truck, and he already anticipated that the journey would be rough. Ming Mei had prepared a change of clothes and some snacks for him, but she still couldn’t help feeling uneasy. She said, "I should’ve taken leave and gone with you."

She was starting to regret not taking time off.

Zhuang Zhixi comforted her, saying, "Your dad and brother are coming. What do you need to worry about? Just relax. I know what I’m doing. It’ll be fine."

Ming Mei was still a little anxious, and even Zhao Guihua expressed her concerns. She said, "On this trip, if anything happens, don’t act on your own. You might be clever, but that won’t help against desperate people. Listen to your father-in-law. He’s been driving long-haul routes for years. He knows the roads and the potential dangers. Don’t let your youth make you overconfident. Even when you get there, be careful. I’ve heard how crazy the Clivia market is. With so many flowers in your hands, you need to be cautious. Don’t run into any lunatics. Once you sell them, don’t linger. Get out as soon as possible. Stay low-key. I trust you to handle this, but stay sharp."

Zhuang Zhixi nodded again.

He hugged his worried mother and then his wife, saying, "Don’t worry. I’ll come back safe and sound."

"Safe travels."

This time, two men from the Ming family and their son-in-law were setting off together—a first for them. Zhuang Zhixi loaded the flowers onto the truck, which was already filled with cargo.

Zhuang Zhixi sat in the back seat of the truck. The front cabin had four seats, with Ming Xiangdong and Ming Cheng occupying the driver's and passenger seats respectively. In the back, there was a box.

“Dad, big brother,” Zhuang Zhixi quickly greeted them.

Ming Xiangdong said, “That box is from your grandfather. He said it’ll come in handy for your trip.”

Zhuang Zhixi opened it immediately and found a wig and a dress inside… huh, disguise gear.

How thoughtful.

The two men nodded as the truck slowly started moving. Zhuang Zhixi remarked, “What a coincidence! You’re delivering goods to Changchun, and it just so happens to be perfect timing.”

Ming Xiangdong replied, “It’s not a coincidence. I actively volunteered for this trip. Our routes are usually fixed—I mostly drive around Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. I rarely take this route unless I’m filling in for someone. I took this job specifically for the flower business. Honestly, the flowers could’ve waited a few more days—maybe the prices would’ve gone up. But opportunities to come this way don’t come often. We’re hitching a ride, so to speak. Otherwise, as your grandfather said, trying to transport so many pots of flowers alone would be suicidal.”

Zhuang Zhixi nodded. “You’re right.”

“We’re here to make money, but not at the cost of our lives.”

Zhuang Zhixi chuckled.

Ming Xiangdong was a rough man, not one for gardening. But Lan Ling, his wife, listened to her father’s advice. When her father mentioned this business opportunity, she immediately started cultivating flowers. She now had forty to fifty pots. This time, the three of them—father, son-in-law, and son—were traveling together with over a hundred pots of flowers.

That was no small number.

As the truck drove out of the capital and headed north, Zhuang Zhixi, who was traveling this way for the first time, noticed how much more autumnal the scenery was. He sighed, “Being a driver isn’t easy. The journey is so monotonous.”

Ming Xiangdong replied, “It’s not too bad.”

He added, “Actually, monotony isn’t the problem. It’s when things get *un*monotonous that trouble starts.”

“Huh?”

Although it was Zhuang Zhixi’s first trip, he understood immediately. “Are there still people who block the roads?”

Ming Xiangdong said, “Of course there are. The capital has good security—any crime gets thoroughly investigated. But out in the countryside, especially in remote mountain areas, things are different. Sometimes…”

Before he could finish, they saw a woman holding a child by the roadside, waving at them. Ming Cheng said, “Dad, there’s someone.”

Ming Xiangdong didn’t even slow down. “Keep going. These are just decoys.”

He smirked and sped up as they passed the woman, kicking up a cloud of dust. The woman threw the “child” aside, planted her hands on her hips, and started cursing at the truck. “You damn fools! Are you rushing to a funeral? Driving so fast…”

Zhuang Zhixi leaned out the window to look back. The “child” wasn’t a child at all—it was a fake.

He was stunned, feeling like he’d just gained a new perspective on the world.

But he wasn’t about to let her off easy. He shouted back, “You hag! If you’re not rushing to a funeral, why should we? Next time, stand right in the middle of the road—we’ll send you straight to the afterlife!”

Ming Cheng: “…”

His brother-in-law had no manners whatsoever.

Ming Cheng was a civilized man, but Ming Xiangdong laughed and approved. “Well said!”

People like that didn’t deserve any courtesy.

Zhuang Zhixi, ever the flatterer, said, “Dad, you’re amazing! You spotted her from a mile away. How did you know she was trouble? You’re like Sun Wukong with his fiery golden eyes, able to see through any disguise. Incredible!”

Ming Cheng: “…” What a suck-up.

Ming Xiangdong laughed heartily. “I’ve been on this road long enough to know their tricks. Think about it—what ordinary rural woman would dare to flag down a truck with three grown men inside? Even if something major happened, she wouldn’t stop us. Someone standing there so boldly, without a hint of fear, is almost certainly a scout. That woman might be even fiercer than any man. If you fall for her act, she might stab you or force you to stop, and then you’d be robbed.”

They were used to this kind of thing. That’s why the truck was equipped with knives and a hunting rifle—for self-defense.

Robberies weren’t uncommon, especially for big trucks like theirs. The cargo made them a target. Whether it was grain or machinery, it could all be sold for money.

Ming Xiangdong added, “There are all sorts of tricks on the road. Some people throw nails to puncture tires. If I ever get forced to stop, I don’t hold back—I take them down before they can do anything to me. If you show them any mercy, they’ll bite you.”

This was Ming Cheng’s first long-distance trip with his father, and hearing all this made him feel uneasy. At nearly forty years old, he was finally realizing how hard his father had worked to provide for their family.

Everyone said being a driver was a good job—one of the “four great professions,” along with being a soldier, a teacher, and a doctor. But only those who’d done it knew how dangerous long-distance driving could be.

Hearing about it was one thing; experiencing it was another. They drove on toward Changchun, a journey that would take two days. Fortunately, they didn’t encounter any more trouble.

The only incident was when someone set up a roadblock, but Ming Xiangdong simply plowed through it without a second glance.

To Ming Xiangdong, this was a minor inconvenience, but Ming Cheng and Zhuang Zhixi were struck by how challenging life on the road could be. Still, after a long and dusty journey, they finally arrived in Changchun.

Ming Xiangdong covered their flower crates with tarpaulin before unloading. This trip, they were delivering mechanical parts. After counting and verifying the shipment, they handed it over.

Their company primarily transported goods for factories. Once the delivery was complete, the job was done. On the return trip, they’d carry a different load. They never traveled empty-handed.

Ming Xiangdong had three days before the next assignment. Technically, they could’ve headed back the same day, but long-distance drivers needed rest. They checked into a small inn, and Ming Xiangdong made sure the truck was securely locked.

Ming Cheng was a bit worried. “Dad, is it okay to leave everything in the truck?”

Ming Xiangdong replied, “Just keep quiet. Why can’t you be more like your brother-in-law?”

Ming Cheng laughed.

This was Zhuang Zhixi’s first time in Changchun. Although it was also in the north, the cityscape was quite different from what he was used to. Exhausted from the journey and hungry, the three of them found a small restaurant. Just as they started eating, they overheard the conversation at the next table.

The topic? The “gentleman among flowers”—the *Clivia*.

“Did you hear? Two days ago, at the West Street flower market, an old man sold a pot of flowers for nine thousand yuan. He was so excited, he had a heart attack and had to be rushed to the hospital.”

“Damn.”

“Some people just don’t know how to enjoy their wealth, huh?”

“Exactly.”

The discussion continued. Zhuang Zhixi perked up and asked, “Big brother, what kind of flower is worth that much?”

The locals glanced at him. “You’re not from around here, are you?”

Zhuang Zhixi shook his head. “No, I just arrived. Everyone’s talking about flowers, but I don’t get it. What’s the big deal?”

“It’s the *Clivia*. It’s a fantastic flower—it can prolong life, improve your complexion, and even bring the dead back to life. They call it ‘plant gold.’ If you’ve got a pot, you’re set for life.”

Zhuang Zhixi asked, “This flower can make you rich?”

“Absolutely! Brother, do you have one?”

Zhuang Zhixi quickly waved his hands. “No, no. I’m just here on business. I don’t have any flowers.”

Whether they believed him or not, they chuckled and said, “Lots of people come here on business and end up buying or selling flowers. Whether you’re buying or selling, there’s money to be made.”

“Exactly.”

“Hey, everyone, the newspaper’s here!”

At that, people rushed out of the restaurant, abandoning their meals. Even the shop owner didn’t seem to care. The Ming family was dumbfounded, but Zhuang Zhixi was quick on his feet. He followed the crowd outside, where a young man was holding a stack of newspapers and shouting, “Fresh *Clivia* news! Get your *Clivia* newspaper here!”

“Give me one!”

“I’ll take one!”

“Three copies for me!”

…

Everyone rushed forward in a frenzy. Even though Zhuang Zhixi was quick on his feet, he still couldn’t make it to the front. Just moments ago, the area had been empty, but with a single shout, people seemed to materialize from all directions, charging out with wild excitement. There were at least thirty or forty people.

Zhuang Zhixi muttered, “Holy crap.”

“One yuan, one yuan! One yuan per copy!”

Zhuang Zhixi couldn’t help but exclaim again, “Holy crap.”

What kind of newspaper was this? It was even more expensive than meat.

Wasn’t this just like robbing people? Despite thinking this, he still pushed his way through the crowd, handed over a yuan, and said, “Give me one too.”

Before the seller could hand him the newspaper, someone intercepted it, shouting, “Give it to me! I’ll give you two yuan!”

Zhuang Zhixi’s eyes widened. He could truly feel the frenzy now. He quickly grabbed a newspaper, tossed the money, and retreated. If he didn’t hurry, they’d be gone in no time. Some people were buying ten or eight copies at once. How many eyes did they even have?

Just as Zhuang Zhixi finished his purchase, someone from the other end of the street yelled, “Today’s Flowers! Today’s Flowers are here!”

With a whoosh, the crowd that had just been here rushed over there.

Zhuang Zhixi cursed again, “Holy crap!”

Though he was swearing non-stop today, no other words could accurately describe his current state of mind. This was just too absurd.

Without a second thought, Zhuang Zhixi sprinted over. It felt like he was crossing mountains and fording rivers just to buy a copy of Today’s Flowers. By the time he got back, his already wrinkled clothes were even more disheveled.

Carrying two newspapers, he returned to the restaurant, where Ming Xiangdong and Ming Cheng stood at the entrance, utterly stunned.

Zhuang Zhixi said, “Let’s go, let’s finish eating.”

As he returned, other newspaper sellers also trickled back in.

The restaurant owner, completely unfazed, smiled and said, “You’re not afraid we’ll just run off without paying, huh?”

The owner chuckled, “Why would I be afraid? This business is just a side gig. My main goal is to exchange information about Clivia with everyone.”

He smiled warmly and asked, “Are you here to sell flowers?”

The probing had begun.

Zhuang Zhixi replied, “Not really. We’re here on business, but with everyone buying and selling flowers, I can’t help but feel tempted. Who doesn’t want to make money?”

“True, true.”

“I’ll do some research first, figure out what’s good. If I can’t afford the flowers, I’ll buy some seeds, cultivate them, and sell them later. That’s not a bad idea either.”

The owner nodded, “Then you’d better study the newspapers carefully. There’s new information every day.”

Everyone was engrossed in their newspapers, and Zhuang Zhixi also lowered his head to read. The content was surprisingly monotonous, mostly hyping up how well Clivia was selling, where the highest prices were being recorded daily, and incidents caused by people fighting over Clivia.

However, the Clivia Newspaper seemed slightly more serious compared to Today’s Flowers. It described the current popular styles of Clivia, unlike Today’s Flowers, which was filled with various stories.

After reading it twice, Zhuang Zhixi joined the lively conversation. People were devouring the newspapers, and soon, excited voices erupted: “I told you it’s going to keep rising! You didn’t believe me last month, and now you regret selling, don’t you? Look here, this place says a Willow Leaf Clivia sold for 13,000 yuan on North Street just the other day.”

Just thinking about it made their hearts race.

The person who had sold their flowers earlier wailed, “I lost out! I lost out!”

“I told you not to sell.”

“Of course you shouldn’t sell! You know what happened recently, right? A Hong Kong businessman offered a Crown sedan in exchange for a pot of flowers from Mr. Guo, and he refused. That shows how valuable this is!”

“Right, right, right.”

The discussion was electric.

Zhuang Zhixi listened for a while, then noticed that his father-in-law and brother-in-law were also dumbfounded. He asked, “Shall we go?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah.”

The three of them paid the bill and stepped outside. The cold wind hit them, and they finally felt like they were coming back to their senses. The heated atmosphere inside had been almost suffocating. Ming Cheng lit a cigarette, his hands trembling, and said, “This is just too damn crazy.”

Even as a cultured man, he was starting to swear.

Zhuang Zhixi chuckled, then said seriously, “You really don’t know how wild it is until you see it for yourself. Coming here, I finally understand why Grandpa was so worried.”

The Ming father and son paused, then looked at Zhuang Zhixi.

Truth be told, even they had felt the overwhelming urge to strike it rich, their minds bubbling with excitement. But surprisingly, Zhuang Zhixi, who had been the most engaged and attentive, was the one who remained calm.

He said, “You’ve heard of the Tulip Mania, right?”

At this, the Ming father and son quieted down. Ming Cheng rubbed his face and said, “Yeah, I almost got swept up too. This environment is terrifying.”

Zhuang Zhixi nodded, “Definitely. Let’s walk around a bit more.”

They hadn’t gone far when someone stopped them, “Hey, buddy, are you selling that newspaper?”

Zhuang Zhixi: “………………”

He said, “It’s already been read.”

“That’s fine. I’ll buy it at the original price.”

Zhuang Zhixi: “…Alright.”

He had already read it, and he had spent two yuan on the newspapers. Now, he was getting that two yuan back. Even newspapers related to Clivia were skyrocketing in value? This was just…

“Thank you, thank you! You’re such a good person.”

The man took the newspaper, beaming with joy as if he’d found a treasure.

“Uh… I spilled some soup on that newspaper earlier,” Ming Xiangdong said, speechless.

Zhuang Zhixi replied, “He doesn’t care.”

In a city where the average monthly salary was only thirty or forty yuan, Clivia prices reaching thousands naturally drove many people into a frenzy. It was almost frighteningly manic. And they hadn’t even visited the flower market yet.

Zhuang Zhixi suggested, “Shall we check out the flower market?”

“Let’s go.”

The three of them headed to the nearest flower market. Due to the craze, the city now had multiple flower markets, and the one they went to wasn’t even the largest. As soon as they arrived, they were hit by the deafening noise of the crowd.

“Three thousand! Will you sell for three thousand?”

“Three thousand five! I’ll pay three thousand five!”

“Four thousand…”

On one side, bidding was still going on, while on the other, a man clutching a flowerpot was shouting like a madman, “No! I won’t sell! I’m going to trade this for a refrigerator!”

“I’ll trade with you! I can trade with you! I’m the manager of the department store. Come with me…”

The scene was chaotic. Everyone was shouting at the top of their lungs, and Zhuang Zhixi felt like even the busiest holiday shopping season couldn’t compare to this madness. People’s eyes were bloodshot, as if they were completely consumed by the frenzy.

Everyone was on the verge of losing their minds.

Zhuang Zhixi, however, was the type who grew calmer the more chaotic things got. He pulled his father-in-law and brother-in-law around for a bit, then, seeing that the heated bargaining showed no signs of stopping, said, “Let’s get out of here.”

Ming Cheng: “Huh?”

Zhuang Zhixi: “If we don’t leave soon, even men might end up pregnant from all this crowding.”

They squeezed their way out, gasping for air.

Ming Cheng looked back, still shaken, and said, “Why do I feel like these people have gone completely insane?”

Zhuang Zhixi replied, “They’re not just acting insane. They really are insane.”

He made a decisive call, “Let’s head back.”

Ming Xiangdong and Ming Cheng followed Zhuang Zhixi. Although Ming Xiangdong had been in charge on the way here, once they arrived, it was Zhuang Zhixi who took the lead. The Ming father and son had been completely overwhelmed by the city’s Clivia mania.

Ming Xiangdong, who prided himself on having seen the world, was still utterly shocked by this scene. It was truly mind-blowing.

They returned to the hotel, all three sharing a room. Ming Xiangdong was breathing heavily, almost panting, as he said, “This is just too profitable.”

Zhuang Zhixi, however, remained calm. “I brought some things with me. Tomorrow, we’ll disguise ourselves before going out. Let’s start by selling a few ordinary pots to test the waters. We have a lot of flowers, and since we’re short on time, we’ll need to sell them in batches.”

“Alright, we’ll follow your lead.”

Zhuang Zhixi said, "After selling the flowers, take a few detours, change your outfit, and then come back. Don’t let anyone follow you. I believe that since the flower market is so hot, there must be some people trying to take advantage of the chaos."

He spoke earnestly, "You’ve seen it too—there are plenty of stories in the newspapers about flower snatching. We need to be cautious not just about the flowers being stolen, but also about our money. We’re outsiders here, so we have to be extra careful."

"Got it."

Ming Xiangdong, Zhuang Zhixi’s father-in-law, agreed wholeheartedly. As someone who had spent a lot of time traveling, he was well aware of how chaotic things could get outside. He had even encountered road robbers before. Given how bustling the flower market was, it was impossible that no one would be tempted to cause trouble.

Zhuang Zhixi added, "Let’s go downstairs and take a few rounds to check out the surrounding area. We should also scope out the environment around the flower market."

"Alright."

After discussing, the group felt their hearts racing with excitement. It was hard not to feel exhilarated—the market was just that lively.

Zhuang Zhixi, whether speaking to his father-in-law or to himself, kept repeating, "Stay calm, you have to stay calm. As long as you stay calm, you’ll succeed."

By around 4 p.m., with only an hour left before closing, the flower market showed no signs of cooling down. At that moment, a woman with wavy hair, wearing a floral-patterned cotton jacket and sunglasses, squeezed into the market. To prevent her glasses from falling off, she had tied a string around them, which looked rather comical.

She pushed her way through the crowd, shouting, "Make way, make way! I’m selling flowers!"

Instantly, a group of people surrounded her. "You’re selling flowers? What kind do you have? Let me see! How much are you selling them for?"

The woman with wavy hair took a deep breath and said, "Don’t crowd around my flowers!"

She opened her box, and everyone let out a collective sigh. The flowers weren’t particularly rare—they were quite ordinary. However, even ordinary flowers could easily fetch a four-digit price if they looked healthy.

The woman with wavy hair declared, "Eight hundred!"

Hearing this, several people were immediately tempted, thinking to themselves that this woman was clearly naive and didn’t know the true value of her flowers. Eight hundred wasn’t a high price at all.

Little did they know, this "woman" was none other than Zhuang Zhixi. If Bai Fendou could disguise himself as a woman, why couldn’t Zhuang Zhixi? After all, there was no shame in doing whatever it took to make money.

He had set the price at eight hundred as a test. Since he knew nothing about the market and was only relying on a few newspaper articles, rumors, and observations, he decided to test the waters himself.

Sure enough, as soon as he shouted "eight hundred," several voices chimed in from all directions:

"I’ll take it!"

"I want it!"

"Are you trying to steal it from me?"

"Whoever gets it first wins! I’ll offer nine hundred!"

"One thousand!"

"Miss, don’t sell it to them. I’ll take it for one thousand one hundred."

"Don’t fight with me! One thousand two hundred!"

"Are you out of your mind? This flower is only worth a little over a thousand. You’re offering one thousand two hundred?"

"I don’t care!"

"One thousand three hundred!"

Whoosh!

The bidding heated up the atmosphere even more, but one thousand three hundred was indeed a high price. No one continued to bid after that. The person who offered one thousand three hundred quickly counted out the cash—bundles of ten-yuan bills—and handed them to Zhuang Zhixi. "Miss, take a look."

Zhuang Zhixi replied, "Flowers for cash, cash for flowers."

He took the money, counted it on the spot to confirm it was correct, stuffed it into his pocket, and then squeezed his way out of the crowd.

It was clear that a price of one thousand three hundred wasn’t considered a big deal in this market, so his transaction didn’t cause much of a stir. Zhuang Zhixi held onto the money as he casually took a couple of detours, making sure no one was following him.

Hmm, it seemed that in this market, people were only interested in big spenders. A transaction of a thousand yuan or so was already beneath their notice.

Not long after Zhuang Zhixi returned, Ming Xiangdong and Ming Cheng also came back. Ming Xiangdong had hunched over and disguised himself as an elderly man, while Ming Cheng had simply dressed up as an old man.

As soon as the three of them met, they asked, "How did it go?"

Zhuang Zhixi said, "I sold one for one thousand three hundred."

Ming Cheng replied, "Mine didn’t do as well. I got exactly one thousand, and no one bid higher."

Ming Xiangdong, however, chuckled and said, "I sold mine for two thousand one hundred."

While they were pleased with their earnings, they couldn’t help but marvel at how much money people were willing to spend on flowers. If the bubble were to burst one day, it would be terrifying to think about.

Zhuang Zhixi remained calm. He said, "It’s hard to say. Some people, like us, will cash out early, while others will get too caught up and won’t be able to pull out. It all depends on the individual. We don’t need to worry about others. Everyone chooses their own path. If you think about it calmly, isn’t this scene terrifying? If people aren’t scared in a situation like this and still expect prices to keep skyrocketing, then they can’t blame anyone else when they’re swallowed up."

Ming Xiangdong nodded, "You’ve got a point there, kid."

Zhuang Zhixi continued, "We still have a lot left. Let’s continue tomorrow. I plan to visit every flower market. We have a lot of stock, so we need to sell it as quickly as possible."

After a pause, he added, "If we come across a good opportunity, we can sell the ordinary ones in bulk. We’ll keep the better ones. I heard they’re going to hold a competition. If we enter and win, we’ll make even more money."

"That makes sense."

"However, we should also consider the reality of the situation. If we can sell them individually, there’s no need to rush into bulk sales. After all, finding a reliable buyer isn’t easy. Even if we’re strong, we can’t overpower the locals. And let’s face it, we’re not exactly the strongest players here. So, we’ll have to play it by ear. If we can sell, great. If not, we’ll take our time. Safety comes first."

Zhuang Zhixi agreed, "You’re right, Dad. Let’s discuss this further…"

The next day, Zhuang Zhixi once again disguised himself as the woman with wavy hair. His grandfather’s collection of props sure came in handy. Disguises were incredibly useful when traveling.

Zhuang Zhixi swayed his hips as he went to sell flowers again. This time, he managed to sell one for a staggering two thousand nine hundred. Although it wasn’t as high as the tens or hundreds of thousands mentioned in the newspapers, Zhuang Zhixi was satisfied.

After all, his cost was only a few yuan or a little over ten yuan. This was already a huge profit.

He didn’t change his outfit this time. Instead, he went directly to another market and sold another pot. Then he changed again and sold yet another.

The Ming father and son followed the same strategy. When Zhuang Zhixi was selling his third pot of the day, a buyer offered four thousand. This man was dressed very elegantly and approached Zhuang Zhixi with a smile, saying, "Miss, I’ve been watching you for a while."

Zhuang Zhixi raised his hand in a delicate gesture and said, "Pervert, get lost."

The short, chubby man chuckled and said, "Oh, that’s not what I meant. I saw you at another flower market this morning. Don’t you think it’s fate? Miss, let’s talk somewhere quieter."

Zhuang Zhixi hesitated for a moment but eventually followed the man to a slightly quieter spot. "What do you want to say?"

The chubby man asked, "Miss, do you have more stock?"

Zhuang Zhixi hummed, neither confirming nor denying.

The chubby man quickly added, "I’m from Bai Xiang Flower Company. Here’s my business card."

"Hong Kong businessman?"

"That’s right!"

Zhuang Zhixi asked, "And?"

The chubby man explained, "Our company offers the fairest prices. If you’re willing, we can buy everything from you. We’ll definitely give you a price you’ll be happy with."

Zhuang Zhixi waved his hand, "No, no."

He flicked his wrist delicately and turned to leave, but the chubby man quickly followed. "I’m serious. Our company is very well-established. If you have the flowers ready, we’ll pay you in one lump sum. We’ve been buying in this area for a long time. You can ask around—we’re completely trustworthy."

Zhuang Zhixi said, "Go away."

"Our prices are fair and honest. You can ask anyone. We’re really…"

Zhuang Zhixi stopped and asked, "Really?"

"Of course."

Zhuang Zhixi said, "I’ll go back and discuss it with my family."

"Alright, alright. Please consider our company. I’ll be waiting here for you. I’ve seen you sell several pots already. Selling them individually is much more troublesome than selling them all to us at once. I’m not trying to lowball you—I’ll offer a very reasonable price."

Zhuang Zhixi replied, "I’ll think about it."

He quickly left, relieved to be done with the high-pitched voice he had been using. It was exhausting to maintain.

Fortunately, northern women tended to be tall, and there were even some Soviet women in the area who were even taller and more robust. So, while Zhuang Zhixi stood out, he didn’t look completely out of place as a woman. After all, who would suspect that he was a man in disguise?

After selling a round, the three of them had already made relatively quick deals, but they still had quite a bit left in hand. Zhuang Zhixi inquired around about this Baixiang Flower Company and managed to get a bit of background. The guy claimed to be a Hong Kong businessman, but that was a lie. However, no one really knew what his actual background was. Despite the lack of clarity, the company had a decent reputation in the flower market, having bought a lot of Clivia plants. They were fair in their dealings, so Zhuang Zhixi decided to contact them directly. They arranged to meet at a hotel.

Zhuang Zhixi sold fifty pots in one go.

Regardless of quality, each pot was priced at four thousand yuan. Of course, some were worth more than that, while others were worth less. In total, it was a transaction worth two hundred thousand yuan—a truly enormous sum of money. Both Ming Cheng and Ming Xiangdong were extremely nervous because Zhuang Zhixi had been the one handling the negotiations while they stayed hidden as backup.

They didn’t appear together, and the hotel Zhuang Zhixi booked was right across from the police station. Since they were conducting legitimate business, they wanted to ensure everything was secure. What could be safer than this location?

The chubby man didn’t expect Zhuang Zhixi to choose this spot. From Zhuang Zhixi’s perspective, this was a big deal, and he was being extremely cautious. However, the chubby man remained calm throughout. He came alone, inspected each pot of flowers one by one, and then they exchanged money and goods.

To an outsider, it might have looked like some secret, high-stakes transaction.

Who would have thought that all this tension was just over selling flowers?

In reality, both sides were taking a gamble. There were risks involved, not just the risk of being swindled, but also the quality of the flowers. Zhuang Zhixi was worried that the other party might try to pass off inferior flowers, but fortunately, neither side played any tricks.

In the Clivia market, although prices were high, it wasn’t considered a huge business since the price per pot wasn’t astronomical. After all, the most expensive ones could sell for six figures. So, the chubby man didn’t say much and instead smiled amiably. Both sides were pleased with the transaction.

The chubby man, Old Zeng, smiled and said, “Young lady, I won’t ask for your name. I’m Old Zeng. If you have more in the future, you can come find me. This transaction should show you that our company is top-notch. Besides, in this industry, you see how many people buy and sell flowers every day. If no one kept their word, the market would have collapsed long ago. It’s not like that, so don’t worry.”

Zhuang Zhixi nodded.

Zhuang Zhixi quickly left with the money. He walked out the door, crossed the street, hailed a taxi, and made a detour. He got out at a restaurant, entered through the front door, and exited through the back, changing his appearance along the way. When he returned to their small inn, Ming Xiangdong and Ming Cheng were already back.

Zhuang Zhixi flopped onto the bed, exhausted, and said, “I was so nervous, I felt like a spy during the war. Look at me, my back is soaked with sweat. I was really on edge.”

Ming Xiangdong said, “Next time, I’ll handle the selling.”

Zhuang Zhixi replied, “It’s better if I do it since they approached me first. I don’t want you guys to get involved too much. It’s safer this way.”

The old saying goes, “Don’t harbor ill intentions, but always be cautious.” If everyone were truly good, then who would all those stories in the newspapers be about? They hadn’t felt it much when they were in their hometown, but being here, they realized how intense the atmosphere was.

Of course, it wasn’t that everyone was obsessed, but it was definitely a flower-crazy society.

It felt like if you didn’t talk about flowers, you were out of touch.

Some people improved their family’s lives by growing flowers, while others were just speculating.

As Zhuang Zhixi caught his breath, Ming Xiangdong was busy counting the money, feeling dizzy from the sheer amount. It was the first time they had seen so much cash.

Ming Cheng sighed, “Going to the flower market makes me feel like money isn’t money anymore. My monthly salary is over sixty yuan, which I thought was pretty good—almost seventy. But here, people are throwing around thousands like it’s nothing. My annual salary isn’t even enough to buy a single pot of flowers.”

Zhuang Zhixi chuckled, “What do you need flowers for? They’re not edible or drinkable. Do you really believe they’ll make you live longer? That’s just a dream.”

“I don’t believe it, I’m just marveling at it,” Ming Cheng replied.

It had only been three days since they arrived, but it felt like they had been here forever. This state of mind was hard to describe.

“Dad, should we head back tomorrow or the day after? We still have flowers left to sell.”

They hadn’t sold everything.

Ming Xiangdong said, “I’ll call the company and ask for a couple more days.”

“That works.”

They still had a lot left to sell, and while they could have sold everything to the flower company, being newcomers, they wanted to keep some as a backup. Who could say they trusted someone completely? Certainly not Zhuang Zhixi.

He said, “Tomorrow, we’ll change our appearance and keep selling. Oh, and we’ll also attend that Clivia competition. I’m sure if we win a ranking, someone will buy them. I’ve seen how crazy these flower speculators are—carrying thousands or even tens of thousands in cash, ready to spend it all at once. It’s terrifying.”

Ming Cheng agreed, “Absolutely. The most I’ve ever carried in my pocket is ten yuan.”

Zhuang Zhixi laughed, “We’re just honest folks.”

Ming Xiangdong looked at their tired but still cautious expressions and said, “Get some rest. We need to conserve our energy for tomorrow’s sales. Zhixi, you should probably change your look again, right?”

Zhuang Zhixi nodded, “Don’t worry, I’ll change my hairstyle tomorrow. I’ve got a few outfits ready.”

Ming Xiangdong: “…”

His son-in-law really knew how to put on a show. But thinking about it, it was probably for the best. If someone recognized them and tried to rob them, what would they do? This was a lot of money—a huge amount.

He sighed, “If it weren’t for selling Clivia, I’d never make this much money in my lifetime.”

Ming Cheng nodded in agreement.

Zhuang Zhixi, however, said confidently, “I definitely could. I’m not like you guys—I’m very ambitious.”

The tense atmosphere immediately lightened. Ming Xiangdong looked at his shameless son-in-law and spat out one word: “Pah!”