Jian Yushu had been visiting banks frequently lately.
He had been invited back to the country by his mentor to help promote the transition toward a private economy.
For economic development, it wasn’t enough to rely solely on large state-owned enterprises at the forefront.
Small and micro businesses—flexible, diverse, and closely tied to everyday life—were the foundation for shifting from a planned economy to a market economy.
But Jian Yushu’s work wasn’t going smoothly.
Jiangcheng’s industrial structure was still very conservative, mainly centered on agriculture and state-owned heavy industry.
With factory jobs seen as “iron rice bowls,” few people were willing to venture into private business.
Even though he had pushed banks to offer personal loan services, hardly anyone applied.
Some people who came to deposit money would immediately refuse once they heard loans meant borrowing from the state and paying interest.
Borrowing from the government?
That would make people anxious day and night—they wouldn’t even sleep well.
This was the last bank he planned to visit.
If there was still no progress, he would have to find another way to solve the problem.
He had many pilot slots for private economic initiatives—
but not a single candidate.
As he walked toward the bank, thinking of solutions, he unexpectedly saw Lin Qiqi at the entrance.
What was she doing here?
Lin Qiqi swallowed a mouthful of flatbread with water and looked up in surprise. “Jian Yushu?”
They both spoke at the same time.
“You’re here for business?”
Awkward. Why was it still this awkward?
Lin Qiqi lowered her head, twisting the cap of her water bottle, occasionally sneaking glances at him.
Why did he seem thinner again?
Jian Yushu was also observing her.
Under the spring sunlight, Lin Qiqi looked bright and refreshing—like chilled lychee, cool yet sweet.
It made people want to look at her a little longer.
“Ahem.” Jian Yushu coughed lightly, covering his lips, and asked again, “You’re here for business? Depositing money?”
At that, Lin Qiqi’s shoulders slumped slightly.
“No, I came to apply for a personal loan. I was rejected.”
“A personal loan?” Jian Yushu was surprised. “Why do you want one?”
“Of course, to start a business. I even prepared a business plan—too bad I couldn’t get the loan.” Lin Qiqi gestured to the documents beside her.
It was rare to meet someone she knew, so she couldn’t help complaining a little.
“If I had gold or hard assets, why would I need a loan? I’d already have startup capital.”
A business plan?
That term was unfamiliar to most people.
Jian Yushu asked, “Can I take a look?”
Lin Qiqi handed it over without hesitation.
After quickly flipping through it, Jian Yushu suppressed his shock, then went back to the first page and read carefully.
He mentally checked the data—it was highly accurate.
But what shocked him most was that the plan even accounted for inflation.
“Did you write this?” he asked instinctively.
It was hard to believe someone so young could produce such a document.
“Yes,” Lin Qiqi answered firmly.
Jian Yushu flipped to the latter half.
“The profit chain you outlined in the mid-to-late stages—do you have a basis for these numbers?”
“How did you derive them?”
“Given the current price system, your projections are almost outrageously high.”
It was a tricky question.
If she hadn’t written it herself, she wouldn’t even understand what he was asking.
Lin Qiqi took a bite of her flatbread, thinking about how to explain the inflation that hadn’t yet happened.
After swallowing, she said:
“I heard that in the Special Economic Zones, various ration coupons have already been abolished. Trade relies entirely on currency now.”
“Although there have been fluctuations, this should be the overall direction of the country’s economy.”
“Jiangcheng will eventually follow—once coupons are removed, a large amount of money will flood the market, causing a serious supply shortage.”
“Prices will rise sharply in the short term. They won’t drop—only stabilize, while incomes increase to balance things.”
“Viewed this way, don’t my numbers make sense?”
With just a few sentences, Jian Yushu was convinced she had written it herself.
He sat down beside her and flipped through it again.
“Since your loan wasn’t approved, what will you do next?”
“Try other banks,” Lin Qiqi said, finishing her flatbread.
“If that doesn’t work, I’ll find another way.”
“There must be someone in this world who recognizes value.”
Jian Yushu chuckled at that.
He rarely smiled—she was used to his slightly furrowed expression.
This was the first time she had seen him smile.
His sharp features softened, like a lake shimmering under spring sunlight.
It made Lin Qiqi’s ears burn slightly.
Jian Yushu rolled up the document and slipped it into his coat pocket.
“There is.”
“I recognize value.”
Lin Qiqi blinked, her flatbread suddenly less appetizing.
“What do you mean?”
Jian Yushu smiled again at her puzzled expression.
“My current work is to promote economic reform in Jiangcheng. I need pilot cases for private businesses.”
“Your plan is very suitable.”
“So, if possible, wait here for me.”
“I can help coordinate your personal loan application. You might get a different result.”
“Really?” Lin Qiqi was delighted.
Jian Yushu raised an eyebrow. “If it succeeds, how will you thank me?”
Her eyes sparkled. “However you want.”
“As long as I can do it.”
Jian Yushu’s Adam’s apple moved slightly. He looked away.
Then he said softly, “Then treat me to a few meals.”
That was easy.
Lin Qiqi took out the oil-paper-wrapped bundle from her cloth bag and spread it in front of him.
“Have you had lunch?”
“Want one?”
He had planned to make do with chocolate—
but now he changed his mind.
He looked at the bundle.
“Same as that morning?”
“Sweet?”
Lin Qiqi lifted her chin proudly.
“Upgraded!”
“Now there are three flavors—sweet, preserved vegetables, and diced pork with pickled mustard.”
Meat?
That word made Jian Yushu frown slightly again.
He rarely ate meat. Sometimes even eggs and tofu made him feel nauseous.
There it was again—that expression.
Lin Qiqi nudged the flatbread closer.
“This isn’t just for free.”
“It’s my deposit.”