Jiang Mingyu didn’t notice that the staff from the state-run restaurant had been observing her.
If she had heard what they were saying, she probably would have laughed.
Although state-run restaurants were still at their peak, they were already beginning to show signs of decline.
Before long, once grain coupons were completely abolished, Jufulou would truly stand out as a time-honored establishment. Even in her own era, it remained a high-end Chinese restaurant—it was never going to disappear.
That was precisely why she had chosen to step in there and discuss business with Lu Si.
After leaving the state-run restaurant, she took the children for a stroll around the county.
It was clear that the county was slowly developing. Though still old and worn, many new buildings were under construction.
Even the posters and magazines, despite their outdated appearance, carried a sense of vitality and growth.
The future would only get better and better.
Jiang Mingyu intended to seize this rare opportunity to build her fortune.
After making a round through the market, just as the four of them stepped out, they were drawn by the drifting aroma of freshly steamed buns.
They followed the scent and saw a bun shop bustling with business. There was only one man working behind the counter, while a teenage girl of about fourteen or fifteen helped carry the steaming baskets.
“Mom, it’s ‘Wang Family Buns’! Their buns are really delicious!”
The eldest child suddenly pointed excitedly at the shop, eyes sparkling.
The second child and the youngest swallowed their saliva and chimed in one after another:
“Last New Year, Goudan’s mom bought him buns from here. He shared one with us—it tasted really good!”
“If they’re that good, then let’s try them.”
Seeing how much the children wanted them, Jiang Mingyu’s eyes softened as she led them inside. They found an empty table that hadn’t yet been cleared and sat down.
At this time, not everyone could afford tissues, so there was a rag placed on the table. Jiang Mingyu didn’t mind—she picked it up and wiped the surface, then looked up and called out to the girl:
“Miss, what kinds of buns do you have? Which ones sell the best?”
The three children rubbed their hands eagerly, waiting for her to order.
Thanks to Huo Mingfeng’s upbringing, they didn’t interrupt while adults were speaking, behaving with surprising discipline.
After collecting payment from another customer, the girl wiped the thin sheen of sweat from her forehead and walked over in the morning light.
Noticing how clean and well-dressed they were, she wiped her slightly greasy hands on her apron and smiled shyly, her voice gentle.
“Big sister, our best sellers are pork soup dumplings and chive pancakes. We don’t have many varieties—besides those, we have red bean buns, sugar buns, cabbage buns, and soft steamed buns.”
“Mom, Mom! Pork soup dumplings! They’re the best!”
“Mom, I want pork dumplings too!”
“Mommy, I want red bean buns~”
The three adorable children spoke eagerly, their eyes shining with anticipation.
They were practically drooling at the smell, making the girl chuckle.
Jiang Mingyu nodded.
“Two baskets of soup dumplings, two red bean buns, and one each of cabbage bun, sugar bun, and soft steamed bun.”
“Alright! If you can’t finish them, just let me know and I’ll pack them for you.”
The girl looked gentle, but she worked quickly. After speaking, she hurried back to help.
The one making the buns was likely her father. Jiang Mingyu heard her call out, “Dad.”
The man looked to be in his forties, with sun-darkened skin and a rough neck, but his body was lean and strong.
He lifted a bamboo steamer weighing at least five jin with ease, quickly selecting their order amidst the rising steam before saying to the girl, “Yuanyuan, take these to the customers.”
“Got it, Dad.”
The girl carried the buns over.
Bathed in sunlight, the buns were steaming hot, fragrant and inviting. Their skins were soft—not thin, but generously filled with juicy meat.
Jiang Mingyu took a bite. Though she didn’t eat as eagerly as the children, her eyes still lit up, her taste buds captivated by the flavor.
She sampled each item—the red bean buns were soft and smooth, the sugar buns sweet and fragrant, and the soft steamed buns filling yet easy to swallow, suitable for both the elderly and children.
Looking around, most customers were factory workers from the county.
There were also some schoolteachers.
Workers tended to buy the soft steamed buns—they cost just one cent each, the cheapest option.
Soup dumplings were three cents each, while red bean buns, sugar buns, and chive pancakes were two cents each.
If customers bought a lot, the honest and generous Boss Wang would even give them a serving of soy milk. Even though he was drenched in sweat, hearing customers praise his buns made him happy—it was something he gladly did.
“Miss, you look like a new customer—this must be your first time bringing the children here, right? The buns are delicious, but don’t spoil your appetite for lunch.”
“Here, have some soy milk so you don’t choke.”
The girl brought over bowls of soy milk. Her fair hands strained under the weight of the tray, veins faintly visible.
Jiang Mingyu helped her set them down, then smiled.
“My surname is Jiang—Jiang Mingyu. What’s your name?”
“Big sister, my surname is Wang. My name is Wang Mengyuan.”
Wang Mengyuan…
Jiang Mingyu repeated the name silently and nodded.
“Yuanyuan, what time does your shop close?”
Wang Mengyuan smiled shyly.
“Usually around two o’clock, once the buns are sold out. But today we might close earlier—the buns you just bought were actually the last batch.”
“I see… thank you.”
Jiang Mingyu smiled and handed her a small jar of hand cream.
Though it appeared to come from her bag, it had actually been taken from her storage space.
“You’re always working around oil and steam—over time, your hands will become rough. Try this. It’ll help keep your skin soft and prevent peeling or frostbite. I noticed you already have some hangnails.”
“Ah? This is too valuable—I can’t accept it…”
Just from the packaging, Wang Mengyuan could tell it was something refined—like the kind sold in upscale department stores in big cities.
She already struggled just to attend school, let alone afford such luxuries.
Nearby, Boss Wang, who had just finished tidying the steamers, overheard and looked over. From a distance, he nodded toward his daughter.
“Yuanyuan, accept it.”
Then he wiped his hands and walked over. Not being very talkative, he simply nodded to Jiang Mingyu.
“Comrade, how much is this hand cream? We can’t just take your things for free—please name a price.”
As he spoke, he looked at his daughter’s hands with concern.
“Since she started helping me at home during her break, she’s been exhausted. This autumn has been especially cold—I’ve applied plenty of ointment for frostbite, but it hasn’t helped much. Hopefully your hand cream will.”
Jiang Mingyu hadn’t expected him to be such a caring father.
But the truth was, she had brought out the hand cream precisely to open a conversation with this father and daughter—
To pave the way for her next step in business investment.