The Female General Dominates All After Transmigration-Chapter 140 - 139: New Year, Born Businesspeople

The house was stocked with coal and wood, and the rice, flour, grains, oil, and vegetables Ling Chengyan had delivered. Second Sister-in-law Zheng Xiaotian was settled in.

In the evenings, Ling Chengyan would go over to keep her company at night, so she wouldn’t be scared alone.

After Second Brother-in-law Wang Lianfa went back home and didn’t return the next day, Ling Chengyan and Wang Liansheng guessed there had been something happening at home. But they still reassured Second Sister-in-law to keep calm, saying nothing would go wrong.

Despite everything, Zheng Xiaotian was strong-willed. Each time Ling Chengyan visited, Zheng Xiaotian appeared calm, if not completely at ease. She busied herself making paper boxes, sewing... The fabric and sewing supplies were brought by Ling Chengyan—colorful pieces of cloth, some big enough for seven or eight-year-olds, but mostly smaller scraps for making children’s clothes, or just suitable enough for piecing together shoe soles.

In a blink of an eye, the New Year was approaching. Ling Chengyan brought over some dumpling stuffing and a dough, along with some home-cooked meat, to accompany Second Sister-in-law in making dumplings.

Upon entering, she saw Zheng Xiaotian working on shoes, with a larger pair already laid out on the table. She was crafting small shoes now, likely for Shi Tou, judging by the size.

"Second Sister-in-law, you’re in a delicate state, don’t tire yourself out. The shoes you sent for the children in autumn are still wearable."

Zheng Xiaotian stood up to invite Ling Chengyan to sit, poured her a cup of water from the kettle on the stove, and returned to her seat: "It’s the New Year after all, and as their aunt, I don’t have any fancy gifts, but making them shoes is a little token of my affection."

Ling Chengyan took a seat, casually picking up paper boxes to glue as she talked about her travels to the south. She described how the Southeast and Eastern Province were more proactive, with much more business activity compared to their area.

This time, she brought over a few items, all small but charming things, like scarves, hair ties, and even colorful buttons.

"Wow, these are truly exquisite and beautiful," Zheng Xiaotian picked up each item, examining and caressing them with pure admiration in her eyes.

Ling Chengyan smiled and said, "You see, they’re all from the south, small items, and you see stalls everywhere even in small places; if the stalls don’t work well, you just take a bike and throw a cloth over it—instant stall..." The key is, if checks come, you can wrap the cloth and flee, avoiding capture.

Zheng Xiaotian listened, her eyes glowing. Having this child meant they intended to give up farming. Without an occupation, how could a family of five survive?

If what the fourth sister-in-law mentioned really worked out, their family would have a future.

They chatted idly, Zheng Xiaotian finished the last few stitches and bundled up the two pairs of shoes using the cloth. Relying on the fourth brother and his wife was exhausting for them, not having much to offer, so she expressed her affection with handmade shoes for the children.

Ling Chengyan stayed to help wrap dumplings, and they ate together. On New Year’s Eve, she didn’t return home but spent it with Zheng Xiaotian.

The first and second days of the New Year flew by, and on the third day, close to noon, Wang Lianfa arrived on a worn-out bicycle, looking haggard.

As usual, Ling Chengyan came to check on Zheng Xiaotian, but was surprised at Wang Lianfa’s appearance.

Second Brother was quite handsome, his skin not too dark from farming, with decent features; he was one of the better-looking people in the village. Yet, having been back just a few days, his beard was long, his face had visibly shrunk, and his eyes seemed sunken; just looking at him, he seemed several years older.

Wang Lianfa touched his face, gave a bitter smile, inviting Ling Chengyan inside, before closing the door to recount the events at home over the past days.

Upon returning home, a team resident cadre from the commune came to inquire about Zheng Xiaotian’s whereabouts.

Wang Lianfa claimed she had gone to her parents’ home, managing vaguely.

Soon after, each day, commune cadres visited, even on New Year’s Eve. Wang Lianfa avoided going out, and after much consideration, managed to buy a worn-out bicycle through acquaintances. As soon as the cadres visited after New Year’s Day, but not on the second day, he quietly rode out early on the third day, took a detour ensuring no followers, and journeyed to Huicheng.

The journey from Nanli Team to Huicheng was over a hundred and forty miles, in such cold weather, biking all the way was truly miserable.

After hearing Wang Lianfa’s story, Ling Chengyan felt relieved. The commune cadres merely visited people without harsh words or actions, so there was nothing much to worry about.

With Wang Lianfa here, she felt at ease, no longer fearing that Zheng Xiaotian would struggle alone.

She went home briefly, returning with a bundle of scarves to give Wang Lianfa.

"I couldn’t get many scarves, mostly shawls, all with the latest patterns from Hai City this year. Take a look at this pleated style; over there it’s the most fashionable..." Ling Chengyan said, teaching several ways to tie shawls—some methods she learned while purchasing goods down South, and others she’d seen during her time in Great Qi. Initially plain shawls became exceptionally attractive and stylish with lovely knots.

She originally intended for Zheng Xiaotian to learn and teach Second Brother Wang Lianfa, but unexpectedly, he learned quicker, nearly mastering it after just one demonstration, whereas Zheng Xiaotian needed to watch three or four times.

Ling Chengyan laughed and said, "Second Brother is really skilled; with such talent, Second Sister-in-law needn’t worry about having good days ahead."

Zheng Xiaotian simply dropped the shawl, laughed, and said, "He’s always been a quick learner. Honestly, if not for our mother, he’d sew better than I."

The two sisters-in-law shared a knowing smile, leaving Wang Lianfa, the praised one, to touch his nose sheepishly.

Ling Chengyan also briefed Wang Lianfa, mentioning how the joint patrol teams worked in groups, along with community committee women with recognizable red armbands; simply avoid them.

She handed the wholesale price list to Wang Liansheng alongside the rough retail prices, not elaborating further. She discerned that Second Brother and his wife were resourceful, needing little of her worry over a small business.

On the fifth, Ling Chengyan and Wang Liansheng made a trip home to wish New Year greetings to their uncle and aunt, simultaneously bringing reassuring news.

They returned to Nanli Team with Little Xing and Shi Tou, without a vehicle’s convenience, and took public buses back and forth. Things were tight time-wise, about two or three hours, with only a brief lunch.

In the end, barely an hour after arriving home, the commune cadre showed up.