Back to the 1970s: Building My Fortune Through Time Trading

Zhang Guifang walked away cursing.

Su Xiaoxiao frowned, wondering if their second aunt had a mental problem. Wasn’t she a woman herself? Why did she treat Su Pan so poorly?

"Alright, stop looking. It’s their family business, and it’s not good for us outsiders to get involved too much."

Although Liu Cuilan felt very sorry for Su Pan, she was still an outsider. Considering how Zhang Guifang behaved, getting involved too much would probably just bring trouble.

As dusk fell, Liu Cuilan hurried the two younger brothers off to bed, cutting their TV time short.

"What time is it? Why are you still watching? If only you two were this focused on your studies. Go to bed, quickly."

Scolding them back to their room, she called Su Xiaoxiao and Su Wenbing over.

"First and third child, wait a minute. I have something to say to you."

They both responded and came over.

The three of them sat around the table.

Liu Cuilan cleared her throat, "Let’s keep it short. This conversation is wasting electricity."

The electric light wasn’t like an oil lamp; it was too bright to dim down.

First, Liu Cuilan looked at Su Wenbing: "Wenbing, when you go back to work tomorrow, make sure to maintain good relations with your leaders and colleagues. I think you’ve mostly been tripped up at work. Be aware and don’t be so straightforward." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

This eldest son was good in all ways, except he was too honest and straightforward, which was worrisome.

Su Wenbing nodded, "Mom, don’t worry, I understand."

Only then did Liu Cuilan turn to Su Xiaoxiao, "Third child, I’ve discussed with your elder brother. You’re not getting any younger; it’s time to talk about marriage. What kind of partner are you looking for? Mom will set it up for you."

Su Xiaoxiao had just taken a sip from her enamel mug and almost spit it on Su Wenbing’s face.

"Cough, cough, cough... Mom, I’m still young, no rush."

There were still two unmarried grown-ups at home, yet Mom seemed to be fixated only on her.

"I think that Captain Zhou from last time was pretty good. He’s handsome, an officer, and generous..."

Before she could finish, Su Xiaoxiao stretched and yawned, "Mom, I have work tomorrow, and Zhaodi and I also have to go to the canteen. We can talk about this later, okay?"

With that, she slipped away quickly.

"That girl! She always dodges whenever this topic comes up. It’s bound to happen sooner or later."

Once again, Liu Cuilan turned to Su Wenbing, "First child, you’re also not getting younger. Your marriage..."

Su Wenbing abruptly stood up, "Mom, I have a stomachache, need to use the bathroom. Sleep early, this light’s too bright, wastes electricity."

And with that, he was gone.

Liu Cuilan: "..."

It’s like the emperor isn’t in a hurry, but the eunuch is. They’re all turning into old spinsters and bachelors, so why aren’t any of them in a hurry to get married?

Su Xiaoxiao returned to her room, lying on the kang, thinking about going to the Red Star Clothing Factory the next day.

In the past few days, she had finished drawing up the designs and been waiting for production.

She had a good foundation in art, and with so many ready-made fashion styles in modern times, designing a set was no big deal.

She designed a men’s suit and a women’s suit.

Both were blue-themed suits.

The men’s was similar to the current style of suit and trousers, while the women’s was a suit top with a pleated skirt—stylish and elegant.

She placed the finished sketches in her satchel, planning to take them to the clothing factory the next day.

After a night of good dreams, she surprisingly woke up early the next day. After breakfast, she went to work.

Just as she was pushing her bicycle out the door, she was startled by the small shadow squatting at the door.

Looking up, she realized there was a person curled on the ground, face buried in their arms, with visible nail marks on their exposed slim arms.

Upon hearing movement, the person lifted their head, "Cousin."

It turned out to be Su Pan.

Su Xiaoxiao quickly parked her bike and rushed over to support her, "Why are you sleeping here?"

Su Pan shook her head with a pale face, "Yesterday I couldn’t retrieve the items, and didn’t finish the fieldwork, so my mom kicked me out."

Seeing her like a pitiful stray cat, Su Xiaoxiao’s heart stirred, and she quickly brought her inside.

Liu Cuilan and Xu Zhaodi were busy playing with little Shitou while discussing today’s menu for the canteen. They were slightly surprised to see Su Pan.

After Su Xiaoxiao explained the situation, Su Pan stood nervously nearby.

Liu Cuilan said, "Alright, this isn’t your concern. Hurry to work, don’t be late."

Su Xiaoxiao suddenly remembered that the time was indeed getting late.

She hurriedly walked out, shouting back to Liu Cuilan, "Mom, we’re not missing that extra mouth to feed. Let Pan live with us for now? If we send her back to that heartless family, who knows how they’ll abuse her."

With anticipation, Su Pan looked at Liu Cuilan—the thought of returning to that home, where she slept in the pigsty and lived worse than the livestock, made her desperate.

Liu Cuilan looked at her hesitantly, "But...your parents are still around. It wouldn’t be right for us to keep you without their consent."

Tears welled up in Su Pan’s eyes as she knelt before Liu Cuilan again, "Auntie, I eat very little and can do chores. Can you please let me stay?"

Xu Zhaodi chimed in, "Auntie, let’s keep her. She can help us with little Shitou when we’re busy at the canteen. I can even pay her a salary."

The two of them running the canteen was a cooperative effort, but Xu Zhaodi insisted on a 70-30 split with Liu Cuilan getting the 70.

Except for buying things for little Shitou, Xu Zhaodi hardly spent any money, so she had saved a bit recently.

Faced with a girl whose experience mirrored hers, Xu Zhaodi genuinely wanted to help.

Liu Cuilan sighed, "Pan, you can work with us at the canteen, help out when it’s busy, and take care of little Shitou. I’ll give you fifteen kuai a month as a salary. How about that?"

Fifteen kuai was quite a sum.

Su Pan immediately nodded without hesitation, "Auntie, I don’t need money; just a meal would suffice. I’m willing to go."

Meanwhile, when Su Xiaoxiao arrived at the department store, she was thrilled to hear about a fresh seafood delivery.

Since coming here, she hadn’t had fresh seafood in ages.

Luckily, she had quite a few cash coupons, enough to buy eight or ten pounds of seafood.

Just then, Zhang Dongmei walked by, raised her chin, and snorted coldly, "Don’t think you can borrow my coupons again this time."

Before her words faded, Su Xiaoxiao swiftly blocked her path, giving Zhang Dongmei a fright.

"You...what are you doing? I’m warning you, don’t mess around. We’re at work, everyone’s watching."

Su Xiaoxiao, speechless, counted out a few cash coupons and handed them to Zhang Dongmei, "Here’s your money back from last time."

After thrusting the coupons into her arms, Su Xiaoxiao turned and left.

Zhang Dongmei was surprised at how much money she had and grew even angrier.

She angrily returned to her counter, just as someone called out, "Comrade Su, the general manager needs to see you."