1970s: My childhood sweetheart ran away, and I turned around and married the wildest chief.

For someone who has been reborn, someone who lacks neither money nor status, nothing is more joyful than being healthy and strong!

The spring water is really good, thank God!

After getting the medicine, Qiao Wanqing returned to her family compound. Miao Cuiying took Lu Erge's family to the shop. Life became simple thereafter. Miao Cuiying would make breakfast with Li Dongmei and Lu Ming'an every day, gradually adding different flavors of steamed buns. From steamed buns, they added eggs, fried dough sticks, pancakes, and so on. The profit gradually increased to about eighty yuan a day.

Miao Cuiying looked at the bill and sighed, "Second son's wife, the profit will probably be a bit lower in the future. You have to keep a calm mind. This is a long-term business. Just do your best. It's much more profitable than back home."

Li Dongmei glanced at it. "Lowered?"

Miao Cuiying nodded, "Yes, we've only been doing this for a few days, so we don't have many different kinds of products and the sales aren't that impressive yet. But we're only doing this because of our good location."

"As time goes on and our reputation grows, sales will definitely increase, especially in winter when more people will come out to buy breakfast because they don't want to get up early to cook. But don't forget, our current profits are without considering rent. Also, the initial food was brought by ourselves, and we had prepared food coupons and meat coupons in advance. Xiao Wan also gave us some coupons, which is why we have the current profits."

"We're running out of vouchers, so we'll have to pay higher prices for raw materials in the future, which will naturally reduce our profits."

Although Li Dongmei felt regretful, there was nothing she could do. Tickets were precious, and everyone's tickets were only enough for their own food and daily use. How could they possibly supply tickets for people doing business like this?

Many people come to buy steamed buns, especially meat buns, because they can buy them without needing a ration coupon.

"It's alright, as long as the business continues, that's fine. With such a high profit margin, I'd be happy even if it's reduced a bit. In the future, I'll have my second son go to the countryside to buy some things, like eggs and pork. Buying them there will definitely be cheaper than buying them here."

Miao Cuiying nodded, but this would increase labor costs.

Come to think of it, a breakfast stall selling steamed buns, how could it possibly have such high profits? It's normal to lower them a bit.

"That's settled then. You and your second brother can work here. If you're diligent, you can earn quite a bit. I have to go back in a couple of days. Call me if you need anything, or you can ask Wanwan. I'm going home to ask the people in my hometown to feed more pigs and raise more chickens. Your dad and I will come to see you then and bring you some things. That way, we can reduce some costs."

Before leaving, Miao Cuiying called Qiao Wanqing over and they had a talk together.

"Wanwan, I've been helping your second brother and sister-in-law with business these past few days, and it's been doing very well. We should be making over fifty yuan a day in the future..." She recounted the progress to Qiao Wanqing before continuing, "Your sister-in-law and I are thinking of paying you rent. This is such a big house; you paid for it, so you can't just occupy it like this. Or you could invest in it. What do you think?"

Qiao Wanqing didn't mind giving these savvy people a hand, and said with a smile, "Mom, you don't need to be so polite with me. Since you put it that way, I'll tell you the truth. I did spend a lot of money on this house, mainly from my dowry and some money from my grandfather. I'm mainly using it as an investment. I think that housing prices in Beijing will definitely rise in the future. After all, so many people want to do business in Beijing, and many overseas people are coming back to invest. This house is so big; it might double in value in a few years!"

"I'm not sure if this place can be rebuilt yet. If it can, I'm thinking of expanding the front building into a multi-story building. That way, the shop space will be larger. I won't charge you rent for the next two years. Consider it me helping my second brother and sister-in-law out. After two years, when you have money and are settled in Beijing, maybe you'll even have bought your own houses. Then we can talk about rent."

"If this place can be rebuilt, I will definitely rent out the upstairs rooms after I expand it. However, I will definitely keep two storefronts for you to do business. If the place cannot be expanded, and your shops have more types of businesses and you need four storefronts, then you can use them all. We will still discuss the rent after two years. If you don't need four storefronts, then I will keep two for you to use and rent out the other two."

Miao Cuiying nodded. It was similar to what she had thought. Qiao Wanqing really wanted to help them. She didn't plan to charge rent in the short term, but she would definitely have to charge rent in the long term, as the house was not cheap.

Since Qiao Wanqing didn't mention the profit-sharing, Miao Cuiying didn't bring it up either. This was her daughter-in-law, and they were family. If she wanted to give the fourth son a share of the profits, Miao Cuiying thought that when the time came, she and her husband would come over to help the second son's family and share the profits with them. Then she would give her share to the fourth son, and both of her sons would have money.

It might even strengthen the bond between brothers.

Miao Cuiying became happier and happier as she thought about it. "Okay, then let's do as you say. I'll have them work hard for the next two years and try to buy a house in Beijing in two years."

Li Dongmei was deeply moved and grasped Qiao Wanqing's hand, saying, "Sister-in-law, thank you!"

The second brother, Lu Ming'an, listened the whole time. He was slow-witted and had always obeyed his family's orders. He understood what they were saying. "Thanks, sister-in-law!"

Qiao Wanqing looked at Lu Ming'an. Perhaps because life had gotten better in recent years, Lu Ming'an hadn't aged. He was tall and his eyes were much clearer. He looked much better than he had a few years ago.

"Second Brother, how have you been in the capital these past few days? Are you settling in well?"

Lu Ming'an scratched his head and smiled sheepishly, "I'm used to it. This yard is so big, everything is great!"

After settling these matters, Qiao Wanqing took out the train ticket. "Mom, this is the train ticket I bought for you. It's for 6 PM tomorrow. I'll come over a little earlier and take you to the train station."

Miao Cuiying took the ticket and refused, saying, "No need, there's a bus here, I can go by myself. You have so many children at home, you don't need to make this trip."

"It's alright, Qiya is here with the kids. By the way, Qiya and Auntie San both want to take some things home. I'll drive over tomorrow and take you to the train station."

The next day, Qiao Wanqing borrowed a car from the army and took Miao Cuiying to the train station. Qi Ya and her third aunt didn't prepare much, just a few sets of clothes and some food for their family. It would be inconvenient for Miao Cuiying, a woman, to carry too much stuff, especially since it was chaotic outside and they were worried about her being robbed on the train.

The Lu family's home is much farther from the capital than from Beichuan. It takes eleven or twelve hours by train, assuming the train runs smoothly. Qiao Wanqing arranged for a sleeper berth, and the family will arrive at the city's train station early the next morning.