Chapter Forty-Six: Be My Boyfriend!

It wasn't until the afternoon that his elder sister arrived, carrying two boxes of nutritional supplements, things like donkey-hide gelatin. Though their mother, Di Chunhua, had little education, her beauty was undeniable, and as her daughter, Zhong Hui was naturally attractive as well, possessing the allure of a woman in her twenties.

"Uncle," came a childish voice from the doorway. "Grandma, Grandpa." It was a surprise arrival.

"Xiaoxi, you’re such a good girl, come here for a hug." Zhong Di scooped up the three- or four-year-old girl. Her name was Chen Xi, Zhong Hui’s daughter, adorable and sweet, her name inspired by "morning light."

"Don’t just stand outside," Di Chunhua called out, ushering them in. "You all go inside and chat, I’ll cook." Zhong Hui rarely came home, so whenever she did, her mother insisted on making a hearty meal.

Everyone entered the house. Their father remained silent, still brooding over the past—he had once opposed his daughter’s marriage.

Zhong Hui had quarreled fiercely with him, but in the end, things were left unresolved, and she got married anyway.

Her husband, Chen Chen, was a man from the interior who had worked hard in the northwest for several years. He wasn’t a drifter, just someone without much to his name.

Chen Chen was a decent man. Zhong Di liked him well enough, though he seemed a bit too mature—at thirty, he carried the gravitas of someone much older.

Their father had worried that Zhong Hui would struggle after marrying him, which was why he’d objected. Fortunately, the couple had started a small business.

They didn’t earn a fortune, but life was manageable, albeit busy.

"Zhong Di, what made you decide to come home? Is work outside not going well?" Seeing their father’s silence, Zhong Hui took the initiative to chat with her brother.

"Yeah, things weren’t great. I’m not ambitious, just want an easier life, nothing too exhausting," Zhong Di replied honestly. With his sister, there was nothing to boast about or conceal.

"That’s not good. You’re a college graduate; you can’t just come back to farm. Should I ask your brother-in-law if there are any job openings?"

Hearing this, Zhong Hui couldn’t understand—he was still young, why not struggle outside instead of returning to farm?

"Don’t worry about Zhong Di. Worry about yourself first. Business hasn’t been good lately, has it? He’s making more than you now, nearly a hundred thousand a month," Zhong Tian interjected from the side. He’d been listening the whole time; after all, Zhong Hui was his daughter, and his resentment wasn’t that deep. Her stubbornness was well-known, and he didn’t want to back down.

"Zhong Di, what are you doing now to earn so much?" Zhong Hui was stunned by her father’s words. In a good year, their business might make two hundred thousand, but a hundred thousand a month? That would be over a million annually.

"Just farming. Not as much as Dad says, but it’s better than a regular job."

"That’s still good!"

Zhong Hui breathed a sigh of relief. If he really made that much, her pressure would be immense—their business didn’t earn as much as farming.

"Enough about me. From Dad’s tone, is something wrong?"

"Yeah… That’s why I argued with your brother-in-law. I just wanted to come home and see everyone."

That’s the benefit of having a family—when things go wrong, there’s always somewhere to go.

"Sis, tell me about it. Let me see if I can help."

Seeing his sister’s worried expression, Zhong Di felt sympathetic. They’d always been close.

When their parents were young, they were often away tending fields or working, rarely at home. He’d relied entirely on his sister’s care. Now, if she had difficulties, he’d certainly help.

"Actually, it’s mainly a money issue. Our cash flow has problems, and the clients too. We had a big customer who used to pay promptly—we made good money. But for the past two months, they haven’t settled their bills, and our cash flow broke. When we went to ask, they said they’d pay in a month."

At his brother’s question, Zhong Hui explained. Given their father’s comments, perhaps her brother, who seemed to earn a lot, could really help.

"That’s not a big deal then. Wait another month, and once the payment comes, it’ll be fine."

"It’s not just that. They said they’ll pay, but won’t buy from us anymore. As you know, in the fruit and vegetable business, stable customers are vital. Without them, relying on sporadic sales leads to high losses; we might even lose money."

After she finished, Zhong Hui’s brow furrowed deeply.

"Actually, your brother-in-law’s been struggling—it’s this issue that’s upset him; otherwise, we wouldn’t have argued."

"Alright, let me ask around and see if there’s a solution."

Zhong Di thought of Sun Miaomiao. She was the only one who could help his sister now.

Maybe she could offer quicker payments, and he could lend his sister some money in the meantime.

Just as he was about to ask, Shao Hong called.

"Zhong Di, two young people arrived, said they know Su Rou and want to buy free-range eggs. Should I sell?"

"Sell. Give them the normal price. From now on, you can make these decisions yourself."

After hanging up, Zhong Di prepared to message Sun Miaomiao. He didn’t want to directly ask for more payment, so he paused to organize his thoughts, briefly explaining the situation before sending the message.

After a short wait, Sun Miaomiao replied.

"Which company hasn’t paid? How much do you need? Is it a fruit and vegetable business? How much supply can you manage?"

These were the core issues his sister faced, and Sun Miaomiao seemed remarkably perceptive.

Zhong Di relayed the questions to his sister, who, though puzzled, answered nonetheless.

"A chain restaurant—home kitchen type. We need a hundred thousand. Common fruits and vegetables, regular truckload."

Zhong Di kept things straightforward, avoiding any unnecessary details.

"Be my boyfriend! None of these are problems."

Zhong Di was momentarily stunned by Sun Miaomiao’s reply.

He couldn’t agree—matters of the heart shouldn’t be taken lightly. He was about to refuse when another message arrived.

"Just kidding. Send me your bank account number."

He sent it, and soon received a notification—two hundred thousand had been deposited.

"Sis, I’ll transfer a hundred thousand to you for now."

Seeing the deposit, Zhong Di quickly began transferring money to his sister via mobile app.

"This isn’t right. How can I use your money? You’re not even married—shouldn’t you save up for that first?"

Zhong Hui was surprised, yet unwilling to take her brother’s money. Not only had she failed to help the family, she’d be taking from him—she couldn’t accept that.

"Just take it. Why insist on struggling?"

Their father chimed in. Though he acted tough, he truly cared for his daughter.

"I…" Zhong Hui’s temper flared.

"Sis, just take it. I can’t help much, but let me do what I can."

At that moment, Zhong Di’s phone sounded again—another notification.

"I’ll send you a few restaurant names. From now on, let your brother-in-law supply them exclusively. I’ve already arranged it, and the payment issue will be resolved soon."

It was Sun Miaomiao’s message, with several restaurant names listed—hot pot places, stir-fry joints, mostly mid-range eateries.

These were likely Dongyang’s restaurants. Her brother-in-law supplied common vegetables, so high-end places weren’t an option.

"Thank you. Tomorrow, when you come to collect eggs, take two chickens as well. See if you can develop a new dish."

Zhong Di understood—there’s no endless taking. Since the other party showed such sincerity, he must reciprocate. Only mutual benefit would ensure lasting cooperation.

"Alright, I’m looking forward to it! Recently, our family has been breaking into the Kulun market, and thanks to your eggs, we’ve established ourselves there. This is mutual benefit!"

After finishing the conversation, Zhong Di put away his phone and told his sister about what had happened.

As for Dongyang’s development plans, Zhong Di didn’t concern himself—that was their business.

"Top Fresh Hot Pot? Fuhui Skewers? My goodness, little brother, what kind of connections do you have? Just these two restaurants are enough to make money. From now on, forget other business—just supply these places!"

Zhong Hui was thrilled; she’d never expected the issue to be resolved so easily.

Her phone rang—it was her husband.

After the call, her smile grew even brighter.

"Little brother, the payment’s been settled. You can keep your money."

"Hold onto it for now. You’ll need capital to supply new clients. Pay me back when things improve."

Zhong Hui thought it over and agreed—it wasn’t urgent.

"By the way, sis, I remember you studied accounting. Once your husband’s busy with supplying, why not help with bookkeeping at my orchard? I’ll pay you a salary."

Zhong Di had thought of this. With her husband supplying, he could manage alone, and the orchard needed someone to handle finances—not because his sister was especially skilled.

He never planned to expand too much; just enough was fine. He didn’t want to worry about money daily, and his sister was the perfect fit.

"I only went to a vocational college—don’t mention it. I don’t know much."

At her brother’s suggestion, she quickly waved it off. She knew her own limitations. Her brother obviously knew influential people and would surely grow the business, but she wasn’t up to it—she hadn’t even managed her own business properly.

"You don’t need to be an expert, just keep the books. Think it over."

After saying this, Zhong Di stood up. His sister had come home, and with the issues resolved, there was nothing else.

"Xiaoxi, come here, let uncle hold you."

"Uncle!" Xiaoxi rushed into his arms.

She was light, and Zhong Di easily picked her up.

"Uncle, I want candy," she said in a sweet, childish voice.

"If you kiss uncle, I’ll buy it for you."

Looking at Xiaoxi, Zhong Di’s heart melted—she was adorable.

"mmmmmua~"

"Don’t spoil her, or she’ll get cavities," Zhong Hui called out as she watched her brother walk off with Xiaoxi.

"I know what I’m doing. I’ll be back soon."

With that, Zhong Di carried Xiaoxi toward the nearby shop.