My Mother-in-Law is Reborn [Seventies]

Zhuang Zhixi dressed up as a woman again, but this time, she looked nothing like the woman from yesterday. If you didn’t get close enough to examine her carefully, you’d never think it was the same person. This time, she had curly hair and looked at herself in the mirror, asking, “How do I look?”

The Ming father and son stared at him, utterly speechless. After a long pause, they nodded.

Ming Xiangdong looked at his son-in-law, hesitated for a moment, and finally said, “You should stop learning all that nonsense from your grandfather.”

A real man should have a strong, masculine aura. Dressing up as a woman like this was just embarrassing. Ming Xiangdong, a nearly six-foot-tall burly man, felt extremely uncomfortable watching this. But Zhuang Zhixi turned around with a smile, exuding an unexpected charm.

Ming Xiangdong covered his face, muttering, “Oh my god.”

Zhuang Zhixi, however, remained calm. He said, “Dad, if I can’t even fool you, how am I supposed to fool anyone else? Besides, I didn’t learn this from Grandpa.”

Although his grandfather had provided the materials, it wasn’t entirely accurate to say Zhuang Zhixi learned everything from him. In fact, he owed a lot to his mentor, Teacher Zou. Yes, Teacher Zou, Zhuang Zhixi’s latest benefactor.

Teacher Zou had borrowed Zhuang Zhixi for a project, making full use of his talents. As one of the screenwriters, Zhuang Zhixi stayed with the crew throughout the production. After all, he was not only the screenwriter but also the original author, so he could better convey the intended emotions. With him around, the director’s job became much easier, and things progressed smoothly.

Zhuang Zhixi had been learning a lot while working with the crew. He picked things up quickly. Watching the director coach the actors, he picked up some skills himself. Don’t underestimate the crew—these days, roles weren’t strictly defined, and everyone multitasked on set. Zhuang Zhixi was easygoing, so people often asked him for help, and he even learned a bit about makeup.

That’s just the kind of person he was—always eager to learn new skills. He believed that having more skills never hurt, even if they weren’t immediately useful. It was just a way to have fun and keep life interesting as he got older. Despite being there as a screenwriter, he ended up picking up all sorts of miscellaneous skills.

He smiled coquettishly. Although he didn’t have a feminine appearance at all, his makeup and posture made it hard for anyone to doubt his disguise.

Zhuang Zhixi said, “You see, if someone wants to target us, they’d look for a woman. Why would they bother with a man like me?”

He added earnestly, “Spending an extra half hour in the morning might save us a lot of trouble later.”

Ming Xiangdong looked at his son-in-law, feeling a mix of emotions. “Now I understand why your grandfather adores you. Your personality is just like his. You’re curious about everything, seem carefree, but you’re actually very cautious when it comes to getting things done.”

Zhuang Zhixi replied, “How could I not be cautious? This involves a lot of money. You should be careful too. Don’t come straight back after selling the goods. Take a detour.”

Ming Xiangdong said, “I know that better than you. I was dodging the authorities while you were still playing with mud at home.”

Zhuang Zhixi: “...”

But thinking about it, it was true. As truck drivers, they often had to deal with moving goods around, so they were familiar with places like the black market. Avoiding trouble was second nature to them.

The one who might struggle the most was probably his brother-in-law, Ming Cheng.

Coincidentally, Ming Xiangdong thought the same thing and turned to his son, saying, “You need to be careful too. Stay safe.”

Zhuang Zhixi nodded in agreement with his father-in-law.

Ming Cheng: “...”

He said, half-laughing, “Am I really less reliable than Zhuang Zhixi?”

Ming Xiangdong and Zhuang Zhixi replied in unison, “Absolutely.”

Ming Cheng: “...”

He complained, “Who’s the real son here?”

Ming Xiangdong comforted his son, “What I mean is, you’re not as cunning as he is.”

Zhuang Zhixi protested, “Who compliments someone like that?”

He added seriously, “Dad, Brother, don’t gang up on me just because you’re father and son. If you bully me, I’ll go tell my wife and have her stand up for me.”

Ming Xiangdong was so exasperated that he kicked at Zhuang Zhixi, who dodged quickly, laughing.

Ming Xiangdong: “...”

If this were his own son, he’d have slapped him to teach him not to be so cheeky.

He snorted and said to Zhuang Zhixi, “Behave yourself. This is serious business.”

Zhuang Zhixi replied, “Okay, okay.”

He turned to Ming Cheng and said, “Brother, come here. Let me touch up your makeup. We need to change our looks a bit. Safety first.”

Ming Cheng: “...”

He asked sincerely, “Why did you even learn this? Isn’t this something women do?”

Zhuang Zhixi replied, “That’s where you’re wrong. Why should only women learn makeup? Didn’t you read about the ancient tradition of men painting their wives’ eyebrows? There’s nothing wrong with men learning new skills.”

Ming Cheng: “...”

He was out of arguments.

He couldn’t keep up with his brother-in-law’s chatter.

He stayed silent, but Zhuang Zhixi kept going, “Let me tell you, it’s always good to have more skills. Look at Grandpa—even at his age, he finds joy in learning new things. That’s just how life should be. If...”

Blah, blah, blah.

Ming Cheng’s head was spinning. He really couldn’t understand how someone could talk so much.

How could his sister have fallen for someone like this? Her taste was questionable.

Fortunately, they finally left the house, and Ming Cheng felt like he could breathe again.

Today, Zhuang Zhixi brought two pots of high-quality Clivia to an appreciation event. This event was organized by Mr. Guo, a local flower enthusiast. Although Mr. Guo was the main organizer, many official institutions were co-sponsors, making it a significant event, not just a casual gathering.

The event had just started today. Zhuang Zhixi and his group had learned about it on their first day in town and had kept some of their best flowers for this occasion. It was only now that Ming Cheng realized, “Are all these people buying flowers because of this appreciation event?”

Zhuang Zhixi replied, “...You just figured that out?”

Ming Xiangdong also looked at his son with pity. How had he only just realized this? Clearly, his son wasn’t as sharp as he was.

Ming Xiangdong might seem rough and reckless, but he was actually quite meticulous. After all, driving long distances required constant vigilance. If he were careless, he’d have gotten into trouble long ago. At home, he might seem easygoing, but outside, he was sharp and alert.

“We need to sell these flowers quickly at the market, but once we get a good price, we’ll definitely attract attention. That’s why our disguises are so important. Remember what we rehearsed last night.”

“Got it.”

The three of them quickly split up, each carrying two pots of flowers. By now, they had removed the original packaging to avoid drawing attention.

The Clivia appreciation event was held at the largest local flower market. It was hard to believe how passionate people were about Clivia, but the place was buzzing with activity. The event started early in the morning, with firecrackers going off before Zhuang Zhixi and his group even arrived.

Zhuang Zhixi hurried over just as the speeches by the officials ended. He sighed in relief—perfect timing.

Everyone was entering the venue, but to participate in the appreciation, you had to register. A ticket cost five yuan, but the good news was that it was per person, not per pot. So, if you were carrying two pots, you still only paid five yuan.

Saving half the cost wasn’t bad!

Zhuang Zhixi swayed his hips as he made his way to the ticket booth, calling out, “Excuse me, excuse me!”

“What are you doing? You’re pushing me!” A tall, burly man with a scarred face turned around, looking fierce. He snapped, “Don’t you know how to respect your elders?”

Zhuang Zhixi shot back, “Respect? Why should I respect someone like you? You look like you could knock out a whole group with one punch. Meanwhile, I’m just a delicate woman. Can’t you make way for me?”

“Pfft, take a look in the mirror. Do you really think you’re delicate? You’re taller than most men. Delicate? Give me a break. Oh, and you’re carrying two pots of flowers, huh?”

He glanced at them and said dismissively, “They don’t look like much.”

This remark seemed to step on Zhuang Zhixi's tail, as he jumped up in protest: "I think your two pots are nothing special. If you don’t know how to judge, then step aside. Let me tell you, my flowers are destined to win the top prize."

"That’s hilarious. If yours can win, then mine definitely can."

"You're just bragging!"

"You're the one talking nonsense!"

The two of them started arguing, and a small man wearing glasses pushed his glasses up and said, "Could you two make some room? I’d like to buy something too..."

"No, get lost!"

The small man, though not short in stature, shrank to the side, not daring to provoke them. Whether it was the scar-faced old man or the tall, imposing woman, neither seemed like someone to mess with. The onlookers started egging them on: "Why don’t you two compete? There’s a judging event happening right now. Perfect chance to see whose flowers are better."

"Yeah, exactly."

"I think this lady’s flowers are great. They look rare and well-cultivated. Look how lush the leaves are."

"I disagree. I think this old man’s flowers are better. You can see his vigor and sharpness in the way the flowers grow!"

It was just a pot of flowers, but the way they described it, you’d think they were talking about characters from a martial arts novel.

Zhuang Zhixi raised an eyebrow: "Fine, let’s compete. I’m not afraid of you."

"Bring it on."

The scar-faced old man was even more aggressive: "I’m buying a ticket first. I’ll be the first."

"No, I’m first."

"I’m first..."

After some bickering, they finally bought their tickets. Everyone lined up to enter the venue, where Mr. Guo, the head judge, and a few other self-proclaimed experts were seated at the front. Whether they were truly experts or not, they were at least well-known cultivators, sitting there with an air of profound knowledge.

The craze for orchids was so intense that even the cultivators were riding the wave of popularity. As long as you were considered an expert, you had status.

The scar-faced old man quickly presented his two pots of orchids to the judges. The judges took out magnifying glasses and examined them carefully, turning them left and right before giving them a "Grade B" rating. The ratings were divided into Grades A, B, C, and D, with Grade A being eligible to compete for the top prize.

The old man was instantly displeased: "How is this only a Grade B? Everyone outside says my flowers are excellent. Are you even qualified to judge? Or are you deliberately downgrading others to inflate your own prices?"

His words drew sharp gazes from the crowd, all directed at the judges’ table. The judges looked uncomfortable under the intense scrutiny, but Mr. Guo managed to maintain his composure. He quickly explained the reasoning behind the rating and pointed out that the flowers were actually quite good—just a step away from Grade A.

The old man wasn’t convinced but shouted, "I’ve got more at home. I’ll bring an even better one next time. I refuse to believe I can’t get a Grade A."

He carried his two Grade B pots out, and Zhuang Zhixi scoffed mockingly: "See? Not good enough. Watch this."

Zhuang Zhixi strutted forward like a proud peacock and took his seat. But the result was... "Grade B."

Perhaps because Zhuang Zhixi looked fierce and troublemaking—after all, he was dressed as a woman—the judges gave a detailed explanation of why his flowers were rated Grade B. When Zhuang Zhixi came out, he immediately clashed with the old man again. After exchanging a few insults, they both shouted, "Who says I only have one pot of flowers? I was just testing the waters today. Wait and see—I’ll bring something better next time. Let’s compete properly."

"Who’s afraid of you? Bring it on. I’m not going to lose to a woman."

"Ha! And I’m not going to lose to an old man."

Both were fuming, and the crowd was thoroughly entertained. Some were amused by the ratings, while others enjoyed the heated argument.

However, a shrewd observer chimed in, "Miss, are you selling your flowers? I heard you have more at home. Why not sell this one? I’ll give you ten thousand yuan."

It was worth noting that after watching for a while, only these two stubborn individuals had received Grade B ratings. Most others were stuck with Grades C or D. Moreover, the Grade B flowers were said to be just a step away from Grade A—with a bit more cultivation, they’d surely reach the top tier. Naturally, some people were eager to buy.

Zhuang Zhixi narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

The man’s offer seemed to trigger a chain reaction. Someone immediately shouted, "I’ll give you eleven thousand!"

"Twelve thousand!"

"Thirteen thousand! I’ll pay thirteen thousand!"

Others quickly surrounded the scar-faced old man: "Old man, will you sell to me? Are you selling? Are you selling?"

The old man snorted and shot a challenging look at Zhuang Zhixi: "I’ll sell! I’ve got more at home, unlike some people who talk big but have nothing to show for it."

Zhuang Zhixi retorted, "Oh, really? I’ll sell too, but the price has to be right. Are you colluding with the buyers to trick me into selling?"

"You’ve got no shame!"

They started arguing again, while others kept raising their offers: "Stop arguing! Old man, thirty thousand yuan! I’ll take both pots!"

He turned to Zhuang Zhixi: "Miss, I’ll give you thirty thousand too!"

"Why should I get the same as him?"

"Thirty-one thousand."

Another bidder chimed in, "I’ll give thirty-two thousand for both pots!"

Zhuang Zhixi said, "Deal. Cash only! I’m not wasting time. I’ve got to go home and get more. Old man, whoever doesn’t come back is a coward."

"Afraid of you?"

Both of them sold their flowers on the spot. The difference in quality between the good and the average was clear in the prices.

Zhuang Zhixi felt his heart racing. Yesterday’s two hundred thousand yuan was one thing, but today was another. He had seen money before from selling goods, but there was a stark difference between earning money through hard work and striking it rich through speculation.

In a way, Zhuang Zhixi began to understand the frenzy. It seemed like you could ascend to heaven in an instant with just one pot of flowers.

After selling his flowers, he noticed a few people following him. Zhuang Zhixi spat in disdain but didn’t confront them directly, choosing to slip away instead. Meanwhile, the scar-faced old man waved his fist at his followers, who quickly backed off.

They soon returned with more flowers, but this time, the results were the same—Grade B. Although still Grade B, the quality was slightly inferior to the previous batch.

The person who had bought four pots earlier was feeling quite pleased, but Zhuang Zhixi and the old man exchanged more insults and vowed to continue their competition. During their absence, the crowd noticed how strict the judging was. Only three Grade A flowers had been awarded so far, and Grade B was rare, making it a highly promising category. Amidst the flattery, both of them sold their flowers again.

Zhuang Zhixi declared boldly, "Unless it’s Grade A, I won’t keep any Grade B flowers. I dare to say that. Do you?"

The scar-faced old man shot back, "You think I don’t dare? Ha!"

They went back and forth several times, their rivalry growing more intense. The atmosphere at the venue was already electric, but their competition seemed to push everyone into a state of frenzy.

Every time someone finished being judged, people would swarm around asking if they were selling their flowers, especially for Grades A and B. The scene was chaotic.

However, since these two had already gone through several rounds, most of the attention was on them. The crowd watched as these two impulsive fools kept selling their flowers out of sheer stubbornness. Many felt they were getting a bargain and secretly rejoiced.

Finally, Zhuang Zhixi managed to get a Grade A rating. People immediately surrounded him, showering him with praise. After some hesitation, Zhuang Zhixi sold his flower but soon showed signs of regret. This wasn’t unusual—the flower market was always like this. Some people couldn’t resist the temptation to sell, only to regret it later.

Perhaps spurred by Zhuang Zhixi’s success, the old man brought out two pots this time, both of which received Grade A ratings. A crowd rushed forward, and the old man couldn’t resist selling his flowers. Despite having money in hand, he seemed less eager to continue the competition.

As he stumbled out, Zhuang Zhixi called after him, "Wait for me. I’ve got one last pot at home. I won’t lose to you."

This time, the old man didn’t leave. Instead, he said, "Go ahead. Bring it. I wasn’t going to bother with you anymore, but since you’re so persistent, let’s see what you’ve got."

Zhuang Zhixi quickly returned, having indeed secured a top-grade rating for her flowers. Like the old man, she couldn’t resist the temptation and quickly sold her blooms. The old man, seemingly spurred on by the competition, said, “You wait here. My daughter has a few more pots at home. I’ll bring them over and we’ll see who’s better.”

Those who arrived later didn’t understand what these two were competing over, but the early onlookers were more than happy to explain.

It all started with a minor disagreement during ticket purchasing earlier that morning. While such a rivalry might seem odd elsewhere, it didn’t seem out of place here. Both claimed they were going back to fetch more goods, but this time, they had no intention of returning.

Zhuang Zhixi took several detours to shake off the tail following her. As she walked, she removed her wig, took off her large glasses, and quickly changed into men’s clothing, wiping off her makeup. Once transformed, she completely lost her pursuers and soon returned to the inn, where Ming Xiangdong and his son had already arrived.

By now, Ming Xiangdong had washed off the fake scar on his face, and Ming Cheng had transformed from a hunched, timid old man into a regular middle-aged man. This was all part of their plan. To quickly turn their flower sales into cash, they needed to put on a show. Selling quietly without any fanfare might not get them past the sixth round. Selling two or three rounds might attract unwanted attention, and being followed or robbed wasn’t out of the question. They weren’t being overly paranoid—such incidents were common.

Their boldness drew a lot of attention, but it also made it harder for those with ill intentions to act. Even if they shook off their pursuers, the fact that they might “return” kept people from chasing them too aggressively. They couldn’t risk admitting they weren’t coming back, as that would only make them more of a target. After all, they had made a significant amount of cash over the past few rounds.

The group had agreed on their roles, and Ming Cheng had placed flowers in several small inns as planned. Although renting rooms cost money, it saved them trouble. They booked rooms on different floors of various inns, ensuring they never retrieved flowers from the same room twice.

Though they were just selling flowers, it felt like they were staging a spy thriller.

Meanwhile, while everyone was distracted by their antics, Ming Cheng quietly sold several rounds of top-grade flowers himself. Some noticed him, others didn’t, but regardless, he managed to sell quite a few. In fact, he sold just as many as Zhuang Zhixi and the others, but because they were drawing all the attention, Ming Cheng had an easier time.

Once they had sold all their flowers, they looked at the sack of money they had earned, feeling as though it wasn’t real—just a pile of paper.

Ming Cheng said, “I never thought I’d see the day when someone would carry money in a sack.”

Zhuang Zhixi replied, “Well, now you have.”

He then asked, “Father-in-law, have the goods been loaded onto the truck?”

Ming Xiangdong nodded. “They were loaded the day after we arrived.”

Zhuang Zhixi agreed. “Then let’s check out and leave now. What do you think?”

They had flooded the market with nearly a hundred pots of flowers. While it seemed like a lot, in such a massive market, it wasn’t particularly noticeable. Still, they had sold fifty pots earlier, and today the three of them had cleared dozens more. While the sales were spread out, someone sharp might still catch on.

Zhuang Zhixi wasn’t willing to bet on others’ observational skills. Earlier, she had spotted a short, stocky man at the scene—one of the experts was even from his company. The situation was subtle, but whether it was subtle or not, it didn’t concern them. With tens of thousands in their hands, they needed to leave before anyone figured them out.

He said, “We’ve got a lot of money. Even though we think we’ve shaken off our tails, what if we haven’t?”

Ming Xiangdong nodded. “You’re right.”

Ming Cheng thought about it and felt a bit of fear. “Let’s go. We should leave now.”

Without delay, they headed out. While they had earned their money honestly, the sheer amount was bound to attract attention, especially in a place where people were so obsessed with flowers. It wasn’t safe to linger.

Though it was already dark, they didn’t rest. Instead, they drove out of the city. Ming Xiangdong said, “Driving at night isn’t safe. Let’s drive to the outskirts and sleep in the car. We’ll leave at dawn.”

“Alright.”

Luckily, the weather wasn’t too cold yet. With thick blankets, they could manage sleeping in the car.

As they drove to the outskirts, Zhuang Zhixi said, “You two sleep. I’ll keep watch. When you drive tomorrow, I’ll rest.”

Ming Xiangdong agreed. “Sounds good.”

This wasn’t the time for unnecessary niceties.

Unbeknownst to them, their flower-selling activities had indeed attracted attention. Fortunately, their disguises had kept them from being recognized. However, people had already started searching the inns where they had stored their flowers.

As Zhuang Zhixi had said, they thought no one had noticed, but who could be sure?

Their strategy had been to book one room on each floor of the inns and place two pots of flowers in each. Even if someone followed them, they would find the flowers already gone. Once a room was checked, it wouldn’t be revisited, but they always headed in the same direction.

The three of them had used similar tactics.

Thankfully, the flower market was bustling, and many out-of-town guests were staying in the inns. The staff didn’t check IDs or letters of introduction too carefully, and with so many people booking rooms, it was hard to pinpoint them.

After their initial arrival, Zhuang Zhixi and the others never traveled together. Even when returning to their own room, they went one by one, so no one knew they were staying together.

Zhuang Zhixi and the others had left, but many were still looking for them.

“I think that old lady and the old man were in cahoots. They deliberately argued to sell their flowers. Look at how much they made!”

“Second Brother, did you calculate how much they earned?”

“Tens of thousands, for sure.”

“Wow!”

They were stunned.

“Damn it! How did they make so much money? They must have more flowers at home. Find out where they live.”

“Got it, Boss. What if they don’t have any more flowers?”

“Then we’ll just take the money. There’s a lot of it.”

“True!”

The frenzy around the flowers had attracted not just speculators but also those looking to profit through less honest means. Robberies after flower sales weren’t uncommon.

Some even stole the flowers directly, though this was usually done by acquaintances. After all, no one would openly advertise that they had high-quality flowers at home.

While these malicious individuals were searching, others were also looking for them. Some weren’t as clever and didn’t realize they were working together, but finding even one of them would be a win.

Aside from these ill-intentioned groups, others had complaints too.

The judging panel for the flower competition, for example, was unhappy. One person submitting so many flowers made it hard for them to maintain control. On the first day, they had already awarded so many top grades. How were they supposed to judge the rest?

Each judge had their own favorites to protect, but since the initial ratings were second-grade, they couldn’t deny top grades to clearly superior flowers. They had their own agendas, but they couldn’t be too blatant about it. Losing credibility would be disastrous.

“If these people come back tomorrow, we’ll have to impose some limits. We can’t let them flood the market like this.”

“Agreed.”

“We’ll need to tighten things up a bit tomorrow.”

"Right, I also think we should be stricter. Today, we selected over ten top-grade flowers, and this event still has six days to go. This won't do. If so many top-grade flowers flood the market, how will we set the prices? What if it causes a price drop?"

"Yes, we can't be the ones to cause such a problem."

"Starting tomorrow, we'll be stricter."

"Right, right, right."

They were considering their own interests, but others were also thinking differently. For instance, the short, stocky man from the flower company was discussing with his colleagues: "The woman today looks a lot like the one who sold us the Clivia yesterday. Although their faces don't resemble each other, their figures do. I can't help but suspect they're the same person."

"Boss, they don't look alike. Sure, their figures are similar, but their faces are different."

"Exactly. Besides, yesterday she had big wavy hair, and today it's straight. How could she change her hairstyle so quickly? If it were the other way around—straight hair yesterday and wavy today—it might make sense, but this doesn't add up."

The stocky man: "I'm not saying they're the same person, but maybe they're sisters? Think about it, their outlines are somewhat similar. Especially that tall woman—she's unusually tall, even for a northern woman. And her accent, it has a slight resemblance too."

"You might be onto something..."

"That woman must have made a fortune. They've been selling a lot these past two days. I heard they still have more in stock."

The stocky man wasn't sure, but regardless of whether they had flowers or not, that woman had a lot of money. His eyes gleamed as he said, "You guys keep an eye on her, and that scar-faced old man too. They're definitely working together. This whole thing is an act."

"Why would they put on an act just to sell something?"

"To throw people off, of course."

The stocky man chuckled, "I think they're quite cunning. They might even be in disguise, but it doesn't matter. A woman that tall would be easy to spot, even if she's disguised. Keep looking carefully."

"Got it."

Many people were now keeping an eye on Zhuang Zhixi and his group, though Zhuang Zhixi himself was unaware. At the moment, it was just before dawn, and Ming Xiangdong got up to take over driving from Zhuang Zhixi: "Get some sleep. I'll drive us out of here."

Zhuang Zhixi: "Alright."

He had been up for over a day and was exhausted. Staying up wasn't the issue; it was the constant excitement since they arrived. The first day, they sold retail, the second day wholesale, and the third day was the judging. Every day, he had been on edge. Being in unfamiliar territory, the pressure was immense. He muttered, "I'm really tired."

He lay down in the back seat, covering himself with a blanket, and mumbled, "I wonder what my wife is doing at home."

Ming Xiangdong chuckled at Zhuang Zhixi's muttering.

The car started quickly, and Ming Xiangdong pulled out the meat pie he had bought the night before. Though it was cold, it was still edible. He ate it bite by bite, wiped his face, and felt a renewed sense of energy.

This time, they had made over 900,000 yuan. Although Ming Xiangdong's family had more flowers than Zhuang Zhixi's, the quality wasn't as good. If they were to sell them all, the final prices would likely be similar.

So, they had agreed to split the profits fifty-fifty.

Even with the split, it was a substantial amount of money.

Ming Xiangdong drove with utmost concentration, but in his heart, he was deeply grateful to his father-in-law. If it weren't for his advice, they would never have thought that growing flowers could be so profitable. It was almost unbelievable. Reflecting on everything that had happened during this trip, it all felt so surreal.

You'd think such a thing could never happen, but here it was, happening right before their eyes.

Who would have thought that a small pot of flowers, costing only a few yuan to produce, could sell for such an astonishing price? He was both amazed and thrilled. They had truly seized an incredible opportunity.

As he focused on driving, he was unaware that because of their flower sales, local thugs and desperate individuals were frantically searching for them. Everyone knew they were carrying a fortune.

If they could get their hands on that money... they'd be set for life.

Of course, some were also targeting the buyers, but the buyers were quick to leave after their purchases, keeping a low profile.

The flower market was booming, but Zhuang Zhixi and his group were already on their way back.

This trip had been a huge shock to them, something the people back in Beijing couldn't possibly know. Ming Mei counted the days, anxiously waiting for her family to return. She was constantly worried, even though she hadn't had any nightmares—usually a sign that everything was fine. But she knew she couldn't rely solely on dreams.

After all, this was a long journey, and all three travelers were her loved ones.

Zhao Guihua tried to comfort her: "Don't worry. Your father is used to long trips, and Zhuang Zhixi is smart. Together, they'll be fine."

Ming Mei: "I know, but I can't help feeling a little anxious."

Zhao Guihua: "If you're so worried, why not distract yourself with something else? I think you're just under too much pressure."

She reassured her daughter-in-law, "There's a Siheyuan (courtyard house) for sale near the Second Ring Road. It's a proper three-section mansion, said to have belonged to an official's family. For years, it was used as a warehouse by the cultural relics department, so it's in great condition. It's a fantastic property, but the price is a bit high. If we buy it now, it might delay our stock purchases. Would you like to go take a look?"

Ming Mei: "I already have a place to live."

But then she immediately thought about her dreams, where such courtyard houses became incredibly valuable. In a few years, they could sell for astronomical prices.

Zhao Guihua: "You're being short-sighted. Sure, you have a place to live, but can you ever have too many properties? Besides, Siheyuan like this are rare. If we miss this chance, we might never find one as good again."

She laughed, "Look at me, I was just suggesting you take a look, and now I'm trying to convince you to buy it. But honestly, it's a good investment."

Ming Mei: "Then let's go see it."

"Alright."

Ming Mei: "Mom, did you recently buy another house near the train station?"

The old lady nodded, "Yes, why?"

Ming Mei gave a thumbs-up: "You're really bold."

Zhao Guihua: "Oh, it's nothing special. It's in the same compound as Zheng Huimin's old house. I bought their place, and now another family in the same courtyard is selling. They lowered the price recently, so I bought it."

Ming Mei: "You're becoming a landlord."

Zhao Guihua smiled, "As I get older, I can't keep hustling forever. Even if I have the energy, you all wouldn't feel at ease, right? Being a landlord doesn't bring in a lot, but it's stable income."

She added, "It's a steady stream of earnings."

Ming Mei: "You're absolutely right."

Her mother-in-law was never wrong.

Ming Mei muttered, "I should tell my mom to buy some properties too. Even if we rent them out, it's a good way to make money."

Zhao Guihua nodded, "That's the way to go."

"Guihua, there's someone selling cabbage at the street corner. Go take a look."

Aunt Wang walked back carrying a few baskets of cabbage.

"Look how fresh these cabbages are. Buying more won't hurt."

Zhao Guihua's eyes lit up, "I'll go see."

Li Weiwei darted out of the house, "Grandma Zhao, I'll go with you."

Zhao Guihua: "Sure."

Aunt Wang: "Buy some more while you're at it."

Li Weiwei: "Got it."

As they walked out, Zhao Guihua asked, "What do you want?"

Li Weiwei grinned, "How did you know I had something to ask?"

Zhao Guihua: "I've watched you grow up. I know what you're thinking before you even say it. Spit it out!"

Li Weiwei scratched his head, a little embarrassed, "Grandma Zhao, could you talk to my grandma for me? I want to start a stall. I really don't want to work at the factory anymore."

He said earnestly, "I think someone as young as me shouldn’t waste my life in the factory. Besides, I’m just a kitchen helper in the canteen. There are so many cooks there—when would it ever be my turn to shine? I want to strike out on my own. But my grandparents don’t agree. Could you help me persuade them?"

Zhao Guihua replied, "Are you sure about this? I can help you talk to them, but you should know that not every business venture is profitable. Take Jinlai, for example—he’s not making any money."

Li Weiwei nodded. Of course, he knew that. Otherwise, Su Jinlai wouldn’t have ended up working in the factory. It’s strange how things turn out. Su Jinlai actually seems to be doing quite well in the factory now—go figure.

"I know," Li Weiwei said, "but I want to give it a try. My dad is too old to take risks, but I’m young. I think I can do it."

Zhao Guihua looked at him and said, "I’ll speak up for you."

Li Weiwei immediately broke into a smile. "Thank you so much!"

Zhao Guihua waved him off. "No need to thank me. You call me Grandma Zhao, so it’s only right that I speak up for you."

Li Weiwei was overjoyed. "This is great! I really want to start a business. Oh, by the way, my brother just got a permanent position."

Zhao Guihua’s eyes lit up. "That’s wonderful!"

Li Weiwei nodded. "Right? Even he didn’t expect to be so lucky. Hehe."

Li Junjun’s promotion wasn’t really a surprise. He had the qualifications, worked hard, and had been at the factory for a couple of years. He was familiar with everyone, so when a permanent position opened up, they naturally informed him right away. That’s why he got it so smoothly.

"I’m not as steady as my brother, but if I set up a stall, I’ll work hard at it."

Zhao Guihua patted his shoulder. Li Weiwei added, "By the way, Hutou hasn’t been back lately."

Hutou was now in college and living on campus. At that time, students weren’t allowed to commute—they had to live in the dorms. It was Hutou’s first time away from home, and it took some getting used to, but now that he was in his second year, he had fully adjusted.

But he hadn’t been back for the past two weeks.

Zhao Guihua explained, "He’s been going to the suburbs every weekend. They’re filming a TV series there, and Hutou managed to get a chance to learn through Zhuang Zhixi’s connections. He goes every weekend to help out."

The classes he took were mostly theoretical, but on set, he could see how things actually worked and how to handle different situations. Hutou was lucky—Zhuang Zhixi had been temporarily assigned to the production and had connections, so he arranged for Hutou to help out on weekends.

He couldn’t do much in just two days, but Hutou was diligent. Even as a helper, he was learning a lot.

"Hutou is really hardworking. Tonglai is too. I’m not like that—I can’t handle studying."

Zhao Guihua said, "Everyone has their strengths. You have yours too."

This made Li Weiwei happy.

They arrived at the cabbage truck, where a crowd had gathered. Even Zheng Huimin was there. She greeted everyone but seemed a bit down. Zhao Guihua raised an eyebrow, and Li Weiwei whispered, "She must have gone to see her mom."

Guan Guiling had gone mad—but not completely.

She was now living in a mental hospital, and Zheng Huimin visited her every two weeks. In a place like that, that was considered quite frequent. But every time she went, Zheng Huimin came back feeling upset.

Today was no exception. Li Weiwei had guessed correctly—Zheng Huimin had just returned from the mental hospital.

Every time Guan Guiling saw her, she would curse her with venomous words. Zheng Huimin had grown used to it, but it still left her in a bad mood. She bought some cabbage and headed home, shaking her head as she thought about her mother’s hysterical curses.

Her mother might be confused, but she still harbored resentment.

She would scream, "You heartless wretch! If you had just listened and gotten married, our family wouldn’t have ended up like this! If I had known you’d turn out like this, I should’ve drowned you at birth! You vile, wretched girl!"

It almost sounded like she was lucid.

But then she would start shouting again, "Yufeng, Yufeng, I know you love me the most. We’ve been through so much together—our love is unbreakable. No one can take you away from me…"

Then she would start banging on the walls, completely deranged.

"No one can take Yufeng away! No one! He’ll always be with me…"

It was the same cycle every time.

Guan Hong noticed Zheng Huimin’s gloomy expression when she came in. "Did she curse at you again? I don’t know why you keep going back. Don’t you get tired of being yelled at?"

Zheng Huimin replied, "If I keep visiting, they’ll know our family hasn’t abandoned her. They’ll treat her better. I can’t have a dangerous lunatic at home, but at least I can make sure she’s not mistreated."

She sat down and said earnestly, "I really don’t think marriage is an easy thing. Look at my mom—she gave everything for my dad, and this is how she ended up. It’s heartbreaking."

Guan Hong agreed, "Your dad is a scoundrel."

To run off with another woman—and his niece at that, even if they weren’t related by blood—was just too much.

"So when it comes to finding a partner, character matters most."

Both of them glanced toward the Li family.

Zheng Huimin said, "Jun will realize sooner or later that I’m the one who’s best for him. Xiao Yanzi isn’t right for him."

Guan Hong chimed in, "I’m the better fit."

But she agreed, "I don’t think Xiao Yanzi suits him either. Too bad he doesn’t see it yet."

"Don’t worry. He’ll figure it out eventually."

The two lovelorn girls were feeling a bit melancholy. What’s the best cure for melancholy? Making money!

Making money is the happiest thing.

"Let’s go set up the stall."

"Alright!"

"How about we go to the train station today?"

"Sounds good."

Life in the courtyard continued as usual. Meanwhile, Zhuang Zhixi and the others were still on their way back. Zhuang Zhixi didn’t know how to drive, but both Ming Xiangdong and Ming Cheng did. Although Ming Cheng wasn’t a professional driver, he had learned from his father since he was young. When they reached a smoother stretch of road, Ming Xiangdong handed the wheel over to him and took a break.

After two or three days of traveling, they finally arrived back in Beijing, dusty and exhausted. It was a huge relief to be back, especially since they had a sack of cash in the car.

Zhuang Zhixi exclaimed, "Finally, we’re back!"

"Yeah!"

Even though their trip to Changchun was just a few days ago, it felt like a distant memory now.

Ming Xiangdong drove off to deliver the goods, while Zhuang Zhixi and Ming Cheng got out with their luggage. Zhuang Zhixi called out, "Honey, I’m home!"

It was evening, and Ming Mei had already returned from work. She was washing clothes in the yard when she heard Zhuang Zhixi’s voice. She paused for a moment, then rushed outside, calling, "Zhixi!"

She threw herself into Zhuang Zhixi’s arms, and he happily hugged her back. "Did you miss me?"

Ming Mei nodded without hesitation. "Of course I did. How are you? You’ve lost weight."

Zhuang Zhixi replied, "Yeah, we were in a hurry to get back. We didn’t eat or sleep well, but thinking about seeing you made it all worth it."

Ming Mei smiled brightly.

She said softly, "You’ve worked so hard."

Then she turned to Ming Cheng. "Brother, come in and rest."

Ming Cheng teased, "I thought you didn’t see me. I’m standing right here, and you only just greeted me. And here I thought I was your favorite."

Ming Mei laughed and said playfully, "Brother, you’re being silly. Of course I saw you! I was just so happy. I’ve been worried about you all this time."

No matter how old you are, you can always act like a child around your family.

Ming Mei urged, "Come on in."

At that moment, the little ones came running out. Tuantuan and Yuanyuan shouted, "Dad, you’re back! Uncle’s here too…"

The two of them were twelve now, but they were as energetic as ever. They ran over and hugged Zhuang Zhixi, saying, "Dad! You’re finally back!"

"Yeah! Mom’s been so distracted lately."

"Totally."

Ming Mei put her hands on her hips. "You little rascals, are you trying to embarrass me?"

The kids giggled. "We’re just kidding!"

Ming Mei let out a heavy snort and said, "I think you guys are really bold."

She waved her fists at the two children, who were so frightened that they ran away immediately, though they couldn't stop laughing.

Zhuang Zhixi and Ming Cheng entered the Zhuang household together. Ming Mei asked, "Did Dad go to return the car?"

"Yes."

Since it was closer to this place, they had been dropped off here. Ming Mei held Zhuang Zhixi's hand and asked seriously, "Was the journey smooth?"

Zhuang Zhixi nodded, "With my father-in-law around, how could it not be smooth? It went very smoothly."

He actually let out a sigh of relief and said, "We made quite a haul this time, but it was also quite risky."

Ming Mei immediately asked, "How so?"

Ming Cheng rolled his eyes, "Don't listen to him brag. It was actually very smooth, nothing risky."

Zhuang ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‍Zhixi said, "Someone was following us. Isn't that risky? If we hadn't been careful all along, we might have been caught. You have no idea, honey. Only when we got to the scene did we realize how intense it was."

Ming Mei couldn't quite imagine it, but judging by Zhuang Zhixi's demeanor, she could tell that things were probably not as simple as they seemed.

Since Zhuang Zhixi had returned, everyone in the courtyard came over to join in the excitement. Zhuang Zhixi exchanged a few pleasantries with everyone, but seeing that he looked a bit worn out, they didn't stay long and soon left. However, Ming Xiangdong stayed for dinner after arriving.

The family gathered to divide the money, but Zhao Guihua didn't participate at all. She didn't even show up.

Not only did she not get involved, but she also took the two little ones away. Even though it was her own son, the son's money wasn't the mother's, so Zhao Guihua stayed out of it.

The four of them closed the doors and windows and started counting the money. It took them a full four hours to count the large sum, which amounted to 920,000 yuan.

They all looked at each other, somewhat in disbelief. They had expected to make a good profit, but they hadn't anticipated making this much.

Ming Mei felt her breath quicken. She finally understood Zhuang Zhixi's excitement. This was truly, incredibly exaggerated. She couldn't believe that a few pots of flowers could sell for so much, but apparently, they could.

In reality, they had 923,000 yuan, but there were 3,000 yuan in counterfeit bills, which was downright shameless.

Ming Mei cursed, "How heartless! Using counterfeit money to cheat people, that's just despicable."

Zhuang Zhixi said, "Let's burn it."

Ming Mei nodded. Such things couldn't be kept. If they accidentally used the counterfeit money, it would cause trouble. Ming Mei decisively threw it into the stove and set it on fire. Although the 3,000 yuan in counterfeit bills was disappointing, in the face of over 900,000 yuan, it seemed insignificant.

They quickly divided the money, and Zhuang Zhixi and Ming Mei got half, which was 460,000 yuan.

Zhuang Zhixi and Ming Mei looked at each other, "This is the first time in our lives we've seen so much money, and it's all ours."

Not just them, but Ming Xiangdong and his son felt the same way.

After Ming Xiangdong and his son left, the couple washed up and lay down on the kang, still unable to calm down for a long time.

Ming Mei temporarily hid the money in the kang's hidden compartment, but she still felt uneasy. She couldn't help but sit up and say, "What are we going to do with so much money?"

Zhuang Zhixi smiled, "Are you nervous?"

Ming Mei nodded, "Aren't you nervous with so much money? This is hundreds of thousands, hundreds of thousands!"

Before, she had thought of herself as a fairly wealthy little rich woman. Later, when she started selling clothes, she made thousands, even tens of thousands, and she felt like she had seen big money. But just like Zhuang Zhixi, that money was earned through hard work. This was different.

Making money through speculation was... easy, but terrifying.

Zhuang Zhixi said, "It's okay, we need to stay calm. You mentioned that Mom told you about a really nice courtyard house? Should we take a look and buy it?"

Ming Mei said, "The one Mom mentioned costs 55,000 yuan. I used to think it was so expensive, but now I suddenly feel like we can actually afford it."

Zhuang Zhixi laughed.

Ming Mei said, "But if we buy it, we'll just leave it empty. Moving out would be scary. Think about it, there are so few of us, and we'd be living in a three-section courtyard. It would feel so empty. I like it lively."

Zhuang Zhixi said, "I like it lively too, but leaving it empty isn't a big deal. We can just save it for the kids."

"That's true."

Ming Mei chuckled sweetly.

She sat cross-legged and muttered, "Actually, we could buy a shop. That way, we could sell our stuff there."

Zhuang Zhixi said, "That's a good idea. I'll look into it."

Ming Mei said, "But if we think about it, the money we have isn't that much. Shops are expensive too."

She said, "We could buy several and rent them out."

She was... what was that phrase again?

Oh right, someone with a "golden finger."

She didn't know what the future held, but her mother-in-law did. If her mother-in-law said these things were valuable, then she would just follow her lead.

Ming Mei giggled.

Zhuang Zhixi said, "You seem quite pleased with yourself."

Ming Mei nodded, "I feel like our family's life is really getting better and better."

Zhuang Zhixi said, "It has to be."

He pulled his wife closer, and his hands started to wander...

"I missed you..."

Ming Mei reached out and pulled the lamp cord, letting out a soft laugh.

Although it was already late at night, the room soon grew heated...

At the same time, the train pulled into the station, and a man and a woman got off. Both were older, the man looking sullen and exhausted, while the woman had a sharp, mean expression. They carried their bags and stepped off the train.

Perhaps because they had been on the train for so long, the man stumbled as he got off.

The woman quickly supported him and asked, "Are you okay?"

The man, however, was not polite. He immediately slapped her and said, "How could you let me fall like that?"

He stepped off the train, stood at the station, and let the wind blow against his face as tears streamed down. "I'm finally back!" he exclaimed.