White-feather broiler chickens were expensive, but they matured quickly and had a high feed conversion rate. When you really did the math, they were actually more cost-effective.
“It’s fine—white-feather chickens it is. I’ll start with 500 chicks. If they sell well, I’ll raise more later.
“But I won’t start right away. My chicken coop isn’t built yet. Also, could you arrange for an expert to come by in the next few days? That way I can build the coop according to their requirements. Of course, I’ll cover the fee.”
Seeing how decisive Xu Nian’an was, Song Ran agreed immediately.
“No problem. The weather’s been too hot lately anyway—transporting chicks now would easily cause heat stress and death. I’ll ask about the expert later.
“How much seasoning do you need? Do you want to take it now?”
Xu Nian’an noticed someone waiting nearby with a tricycle—clearly there to pick up goods. Since she couldn’t take the items with her today anyway, she didn’t want to take up any more of Song Ran’s time. She could always have her brother come to collect them later.
“Brother Song Ran, can I pay you a deposit for the seasonings first? I’ll have my brother come by to pick them up when he has time. It’s not convenient for me to carry goods while riding.”
As she spoke, she pulled ten large bills out of her bag and handed them to Song Ran.
Song Ran wanted to refuse, but since she had already taken the money out, putting it back would be unsafe with people watching, so he accepted it.
“Alright. When you decide how much you want, just have your brother come find me. I’ll keep the price the same as what I wrote for you.”
He added the warehouse address to the paper where he’d written his phone number, then turned to attend to his other customers after watching the two girls leave.
On the way back, Xu Nian’an wanted to take Li Yingying to eat at the state-owned restaurant, but Li Yingying refused no matter what.
“I’m craving Auntie Xu’s braised pork. I’ll come eat at your place next time—why be so formal with me?”
With Xu Nian’an about to spend so much money, Li Yingying couldn’t bring herself to let her pay for restaurant food. Besides, she really missed Xu Mama’s braised pork.
Since Xu Nian’an hadn’t been in Guiyun City these past few years, she’d felt too embarrassed to drop by for meals.
After saying goodbye to Li Yingying, Xu Nian’an got home quite late.
A tricycle was already parked in the courtyard. Curious, she went over to take a look—it was indeed pretty good.
Under the dim yellow light, the whole family was neatly gathered, waiting for her to eat. Even Xu Sisi, the youngest daughter of Second Brother, was there waiting for her aunt.
“Dad, Mom, you don’t have to wait for me—go ahead and eat,” Xu Nian’an said.
After washing her hands in the kitchen, the family gradually sat down. She then told them everything that had happened that afternoon.
“Then it sounds like the chicken coop needs to be built faster,” someone said. “The expert will be coming soon.”
Xu Nian’an hesitated before replying, “There’s no rush. I want to wait a bit longer—at least until the Lu family splits households.”
She knew that in this era, people favored big families. As a new daughter-in-law, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to suggest splitting the family, so that move had to come from the Lu family’s second branch.
If she wasn’t mistaken, Lu Xiuxiu had probably already started making money by now. Her family had spent plenty of the eldest branch’s money—it was time for her to go back and spend some of the second branch’s.
“Dad, Mom, I’m planning to go back tomorrow. I can start collecting field snails and soak them first.”
Xu Father shook his head. “What’s the rush? I’ll take you back this weekend. I’ll also have a chat with Brother Lu.”
Hearing that, Xu Nian’an immediately knew what he meant. She lifted her chin proudly and said,
“Don’t worry, Dad. I won’t suffer if I go back now.
“Not only that—I’m going to crush them.”
She was just waiting for Lu Xiuxiu to start causing trouble so she could deal with her.
Her reputation was already damaged anyway—it was just the beginning. She had thick skin; losing her reputation didn’t matter much.
“Crush them!”
“Crush them!”
The three little kids at the table copied Xu Nian’an’s tone, using the cutest voices to shout the most arrogant words.
The whole table burst into laughter.
Seeing her daughter’s bright, confident face, Xu Mother finally felt a bit relieved.
But when she thought about all the gifts Xu Nian’an had bought for the Lu family, irritation rose again. Her precious daughter was so wonderful—how dare they bully her?
Anger flickered in her eyes.
She had just taken leave yesterday and couldn’t keep asking for time off, but she decided that this weekend she and Old Xu would go to the Lu family themselves.
Just to make sure they didn’t think they could bully her daughter now that she was married. At worst, they’d get a divorce.
Men who wanted to marry her daughter could line up all the way to the train station.
Second Brother Xu Weinan took out 400 yuan and placed it on the table.
“Little sister, the two additional kitchens and the front receiving counter at your house are already built.
“Once it’s renovated a bit more, it can be put into use. This is the remaining money—take it.”
Everything had been done according to Xu Nian’an’s requirements. The oven was the most expensive part, costing a bit over ten yuan to custom-make. Labor was 1.5 yuan per person per day, and with materials included, the total cost was under fifty yuan.
Xu Nian’an didn’t hesitate and accepted the remaining money, once again marveling at the purchasing power of the 1980s.
She also told her two brothers that she had already paid a 100-yuan deposit.
Since the money was already spent, the three siblings planned to use that entire hundred yuan to stock up—and realized they could buy quite a lot.
After dinner, the three of them sat under the desk lamp, reviewing everything they’d need in the future.
Xu Nian’an also told the family that she’d already secured a source for white-feather chicks.
Xu Weidong smiled and sighed. “Our little sister has really grown up. She can handle things on her own now.”
The brothers had also tried asking around about white-feather chickens, but no one had even heard of them, let alone sold them.
Yet Xu Nian’an had gone out for just one afternoon and resolved everything.
Going to college really was useful.
Xu Weinan joined his brother in praising their sister. As for her spending money, they’d long since stopped worrying—after all, as her brothers, they would keep an eye on things and make sure no one cheated her.
Watching how harmonious the family was, Xu Nian’an felt a twinge of sadness.
They didn’t know that the daughter and sister they cherished most was already gone.
In her heart, she said: Don’t worry. Since your loved one is no longer here, and I’ve taken her place, I’ll treat you as my real family from now on.
Xu Nian’an had always been someone who repaid kindness. In her previous life, she’d been an orphan and had received much goodwill from society.
After she made money, she had continued doing charity work.
Perhaps being reborn in this era was the reward for all the good deeds she had done.
Wu Chunlan smiled as she watched her children discussing things.
“Alright, enough. This is ultimately the two of you brothers’ business. From now on, work hard. If I catch you slacking off, you’ll be sorry.”
Originally, Xu Nian’an had planned to partner with her two brothers on the snail shop, since they lived in the city and could handle things easily. The chicken farm would be a partnership with her mother, while her father would take care of the land.
But the elderly couple found it troublesome. The 500 yuan her mother provided was directly invested into the stir-fried snail shop, with the two brothers managing it.
The chicken farm, meanwhile, would belong entirely to Xu Nian’an.