“Trying is necessary, but getting my business off the ground is still a bit difficult, mainly because I don’t have any connections,” Shen Suyu said, looking extremely troubled as she carefully watched Gu Yanshen. Why was she saying this? Of course, it was to ask for his help—but she wasn’t sure whether the man in front of her was clever or naive.
“What things can’t be found? I can try my best to help. I know quite a few people on the island, so I should be able to get most things,” Gu Yanshen replied.
“You only moved out of the youth point because of me. If you run into problems, I should help—you don’t need to be polite. Just tell me directly,” he added. He hadn’t quite understood Shen Suyu’s intentions, but ultimately, the result was the same: he wanted to help. Once he started helping, he didn’t stop—doing good deeds to the end.
“Wouldn’t this be too much trouble for you? I do want your help, but this is my business, and I can’t rely on you for everything,” Shen Suyu said, feeling a bit embarrassed. “You have training every day and lots to do. Is it okay for you to be busy with my affairs? Won’t your soldiers have opinions?”
Gu Yanshen smiled wryly at her concern. “This is nothing. Don’t worry about it. I’m happy to help. Just tell me what needs to be done, though I might not be able to help with everything. You need to be prepared—I’m not an expert at everything.”
Shen Suyu was stunned. Normally, Gu Yanshen’s face was cold and serious, so a sudden smile felt surprisingly genuine.
“Is there something on my face? Why are you staring at me? If you need my help, just tell me what it is,” she said, feeling slightly awkward.
“I was just planning tonight. Maybe tomorrow it can be put into action,” he said, unaware of her subtle intentions. He had a lot to do every day, and helping Shen Suyu meant sacrificing his own time.
“Making clothes requires silk first. I don’t have any silkworms yet, so I’ll need to start from raising them. This is our family’s traditional skill,” Shen Suyu explained frankly, no longer hesitant. “I want to start from scratch, not just buy halfway through. I don’t know the quality of others’ silk, so I’d rather do it myself step by step.”
“Then start with raising silkworms. Tomorrow I’ll check if there are any nearby, or if there’s anyone with this skill. Don’t rush. Rest at the base these few days, and I’ll let you know as soon as I have news,” Gu Yanshen replied without hesitation. Finding a few silkworms wasn’t difficult for him, though it would take some time and effort.
“I don’t know exactly how your business will operate or what else you need. Think through the next steps yourself. Don’t wait for me to gather everything while you’re unsure how to proceed—that would be too late,” he added, remembering his tendency to plan ten steps ahead.
“Don’t worry, I’ve already made a rough plan. The key is to find the silkworms—once you have them, everything else can follow. I know this causes you some trouble, and when my business takes off, you won’t be left out,” Shen Suyu said, finally relieved and smiling brightly.
Over the next few days, Shen Suyu was extremely busy, constantly investigating market rules. The business hadn’t started yet, but she needed to understand the basics to avoid being caught off guard later. Both of them were busy, rarely crossing paths, except when Gu Yanshen deliberately waited at the door.
“You seem really serious about this business. No wonder you look so worn out. Weren’t the mess hall chefs supposed to be good? I thought you’d gain weight, but instead, you’ve lost some,” Gu Yanshen remarked, frowning. Girls should be resting, not running around like this.
“I wish I could gain some weight, but I’ve been nonstop these past few days. I feel like I need eight bodies to handle everything, and there’s no time to rest,” Shen Suyu said with a helpless smile, satisfied with the effort she’d put in.
“You’ve been eating more these days. The chefs’ skills haven’t declined!” she added cheerfully. She had been truly happy these days, feeling a bit like she had in her previous life.
“You should eat even more. Didn’t you ask me to find silkworms for you last time? I already got some news—I asked a friend to help. But they sell silkworms at a high price. What do you think?” Gu Yanshen said, careful not to overstep in his concern.
“Let’s talk about the cost first. I might not have enough funds. If necessary, I can raise fewer silkworms now and add more as the business grows. But we still need at least the basic silkworms,” Shen Suyu said, slightly troubled. She began thinking about whether to ask her family for some money.
“About twenty yuan for the basic amount. Do you have this? I heard youth point wages are very low, saving almost nothing in a year.”
“I know you said 100 yuan was just a joke. If you don’t have it, you can take it from me. I don’t spend much, and I have plenty left,” Gu Yanshen admitted honestly, quickly offering a solution. He didn’t mind the money; as long as Shen Suyu’s business succeeded, everything was negotiable.
“I couldn’t take your money. Don’t worry. I have twenty yuan. My parents gave me quite a bit when I left home. I’ve been frugal these days, so I still have enough for the basics. Can I discuss with your friend?” Shen Suyu said confidently.