Chapter 129: Double Assurance

She smoothed the tablecloth again and turned around to see Lu Yan sitting at his desk, focused on his work.

Shen Qingyi didn’t disturb him. When she was leaving, she saw her son An’an quietly playing with a Rubik’s Cube on the sofa. She whispered, “An’an, I’m going to Sister Chun Ni’s place. Do you want to come?”

Besides visiting Feng Erqiu, she also needed to ask Xiao Wu about the house.

An’an quickly put down the Rubik’s Cube and jumped off the sofa. “Sure!”

Walking down the street hand in hand with An’an, they ran into Doctor Zhao, who was carrying a medical box heading toward their home. Shen Qingyi knew he was going to see Lu Yan, so she smiled and greeted him, then asked with some concern, “Is Xiao Wu in the infirmary?”

“He is.” Since the infirmary needed someone there, Xiao Wu usually stayed when Doctor Zhao made rounds.

“Okay, thank you,” Shen Qingyi said warmly.

“No need to thank me. It’s just a small matter,” Doctor Zhao replied. Then, as if remembering something, he added, “But I have to say, comrade Shen is very polite. When you have free time, teach your man a bit.”

Seeing Doctor Zhao’s cheerful smile, Shen Qingyi paused. Was he talking about Lu Yan?

Before she could reply, An’an jumped in, “Grandpa Zhao, my dad isn’t rude. He just doesn’t like to say useless things, but he remembers your kindness in his heart.”

Hearing this, Doctor Zhao’s face lit up. “Oh, this kid knows how to talk! Who does he take after? Alright, alright, Grandpa Zhao understands now. Your dad is polite and grateful at heart.”

An’an beamed. “Yeah, if you hang around longer, you’ll see.”

“Alright then,” Doctor Zhao said, clearly fond of the boy. When quiet, he was very quiet; when he spoke, he was lively and bright. Good-looking and smart, no doubt he was the next Lu Yan.

After greeting Doctor Zhao, the mother and son headed to the infirmary. Xiao Wu was tidying up the medicine cabinet and, hearing Shen Qingyi’s voice, quickly put down what he was doing and came over.

“The house you asked about yesterday—my second aunt happens to have one that meets your needs. Her son moved to the provincial city for work, so this place in town is vacant. It has three bedrooms, the furniture is still there, and you only need to bring bedding. It’s ready to live in.”

Shen Qingyi listened and was quite satisfied. “What’s the annual rent?”

Xiao Wu smiled, “Honestly, my aunt wanted to rent it for twelve thousand a year, but I managed to negotiate it down to one hundred and twenty thousand for the whole year. What do you think?”

Shen Qingyi felt the offer was sincere. “Thank you. When can we take Sister Feng to see it? If she likes it, we’ll sign the contract.”

“Let’s go on the weekend.”

Shen Qingyi agreed, “Okay. Where was the room you lived in before?”

“Just behind the infirmary. I’ll take you there,” Xiao Wu said, standing up and leading the way.

Shen Qingyi held An’an’s hand and went to Feng Erqiu’s place, again thanking Xiao Wu.

“No need to be polite. You’re helping other comrades too,” Xiao Wu said, then remembered the infirmary needed him, so he left.

An’an found that Chun Ni was never quiet for a moment.

Feng Erqiu had already cleaned the room spotlessly. Seeing Shen Qingyi, she quickly invited her to sit. “I went to Liu Yong’s yesterday to get Er Ya’s milk powder and even called my big brother.”

“Did Liu Yong give you any trouble?”

“No. I went while he was at work,” Feng Erqiu smiled.

It was the first time Shen Qingyi saw her so relaxed. It seemed the divorce was the right choice and had lifted her spirits. “Did Xiao Wu tell you about the house?”

“Yes. It can’t be bad if we don’t even need to look at it,” Feng Erqiu said with a lingering smile.

She had lived in worse places. Her old home was made of yellow mud bricks, leaking everywhere when it rained, with bees making holes inside during summer.

The buzzing bees filled every corner. Her brother’s legs were weak and couldn’t work the fields. Her parents farmed a few acres with little savings.

Even now, their house was still the same old one. No matter what, a city house made of red bricks and concrete floors was better.

Shen Qingyi thought about Feng Erqiu’s situation. It really couldn’t be delayed. One, she feared Liu Yong might change his mind and cause trouble; two, once she filed for divorce, she would have no ties to the base. Even if people wanted to help, she couldn’t stay long.

“All right. Xiao Wu said he’s free this weekend, so let’s go sign the contract then.”

Feng Erqiu thanked her again and tidied her hair, messed up from work. “I thought all night about what I can do in Lin City—find a job or start a small business?”

“Have you decided?” Shen Qingyi offered to help think it through.

“Yes, I want to do a small business, like setting up a stall. If I work elsewhere, I can barely make twenty a month, and after feeding the family and paying for Chun Ni’s schooling, when could I ever pay off my debts?

My big brother can’t do heavy work due to his legs, but he can help with running a stall.”

“Besides making insoles, do you have other skills?” Shen Qingyi asked.

“I’m good at cooking and making herbal tea. But here, there aren’t ingredients for herbal tea, or I’d make some for you to try,” Feng Erqiu said, then laughed and added, “Back in the countryside, there were plenty of licorice and mulberry leaves on the mountain. We’d often gather baskets full to make tea.

Everyone knows how to make it, but mine tastes better.”

Shen Qingyi asked, “What kind of food can you make?”

“Mostly snacks—rice cakes, bean curd sheets, dumplings, and dishes for the New Year and festivals. I usually make those at my parents’ home.”

Shen Qingyi thought for a moment. “Then you should sell dumplings and herbal tea.”

“Everyone in the village can make those. Would anyone want to buy them? Besides, when I came back from the hospital, someone was already selling dumplings,” Feng Erqiu said doubtfully. She had planned for herself to make insoles at home, and her brother to sell them outside.

Shen Qingyi smiled. “Like you said, that’s in the village. In the city, not many people know how to make those snacks. The startup cost is low, and if you do it well, you can attract repeat customers. Your whole family can prepare the food at home and sell it outside.

Especially during breakfast or mealtime, as long as it’s not terrible or expensive, business will be good.

Making insoles only earns you some handiwork money, but it’s hard to turn your life around with that. How many pairs can you make in a day? And insoles last a long time, so you have to keep finding new customers. They’re not necessities; there could be days when you don’t sell a single pair.”

Feng Erqiu suddenly understood, surprised and admiring. “I haven’t even said what business I want to start, and you already know. You’ve thought it through so well.”

Truly insightful and smart.

“Because you sold insoles, I guessed boldly. I’m thinking so much because I’m responsible for my own debts,” Shen Qingyi joked, then pulled a yellow envelope from her bag and handed it to Feng Erqiu.

“This is the capital I’m lending you.”

Feng Erqiu didn’t hesitate and accepted it readily. After counting the money, she was shocked. “Isn’t this too much?”

She took out two bills and put the rest back.

Shen Qingyi didn’t take them. “This money isn’t just an investment in you. Three hundred is your business capital, one hundred is for living expenses, and the rest is invested in Chun Ni’s education.

If you fail, then wait until Chun Ni gets into college and pays me back in Kyoto—double insurance.”