Chapter 457: Chapter 457: Jiang Xingye’s Business Empire

The few people arrived at the office area set up upstairs, and the small meeting room was tidied very cleanly.

Jiang Xinglan poured each of them a cup of tea, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then Zhang Changqing asked, "Who opened the Shangjiang Supermarket?"

"My younger brother, it’s been open for several years now."

Zhang Changqing was amazed, "Looks like business is pretty good."

"Yes, business is quite good. The flow of goods is substantial, the doors open daily at eight in the morning and close at eight in the evening, it’s a long business hour, and there’s really a lot of people."

"Are city policies really that good now?"

Jiang Xinglan had an idea about their purpose, "Yes, national policies aim to revitalize the economy. Some poorly managed storefronts are intended to be sold to private hands, generating revenue through taxes rather than profits."

Zhang Changqing, hearing the phrase "tax instead of profit" for the first time, asked for details.

Jiang Xinglan explained, "Certain enterprises or shops lose money every year, and the state has to subsidize them. For instance, there’s a tailor shop in our alley; the tailor has a bad attitude and poor workmanship. Her monthly revenue can’t even cover her own wages.

A few years ago, they straightforwardly let her contract the shop, and she paid six yuan a month to the authorities. That tailor immediately changed her face, her workmanship improved, her attitude improved, and I’ve heard just recently she earned seventy to eighty yuan in a month."

Zhang Changqing was enlightened.

He couldn’t help but think about a few factories in the Shangjiang Team, now barely surviving, constantly reaching out to the county for money to pay employees. Maybe they could use this approach?

But when he returned to report to the city, the city agreed, yet who would contract it, who had the ability?

Anyone with ability has an iron rice bowl, who would dare take such a risk, and those willing, the city disagrees, thinking they don’t have the ability.

After graduation, Jiang Xingye made waves in Yan City again for deciding to forgo his job assignment.

Upon his return, he calmly spent a few days as a househusband, just planning to venture out when Xu Qinghuan unexpectedly became pregnant again.

This pregnancy was quite a surprise.

Xu Qinghuan had run out of the supplies in her space recently, and Jiang Xingye faced suspicious stares to acquire some replacements. The first time they used them, it was very awkward.

Condoms of this era compared to future models were like a gap between millet plus rifles facing planes plus cannons, not only coarse but also thick.

Neither were satisfied.

When Jiang Xingye removed it, it seemed slightly torn; he didn’t pay attention then, feeling something was off, but when he wanted to check again later, the trash had been thrown out.

It was likely from that time.

Xu Qinghuan woke early one morning feeling nauseous, took her pulse, and—good news!

Jiang Xingcan was overjoyed, "Mom, have a sister, then I’ll have both a younger brother and sister, it’d be quite nice."

Jiang Xingye was thrilled as well, having forgotten how Xu Qinghuan’s childbirth had given him heart palpitations back then, only remembering he was going to be a father again.

In his joy, he lamented, "The country’s light industry is really lacking!"

Can’t even produce a condom, the gap with others is substantial.

Xu Qinghuan, slightly speechless, retorted, "Why don’t you think about advancing this production level for your own happiness?"

As a Chinese medicine advocate, she’s not keen on vasectomy for men; it’s quite unhealthy.

"It’s not impossible!"

He’s recently contemplating getting a storefront and opening a larger supermarket.

In Jian Jingchuan’s words, it’s pursuing sideline business.

But Xu Qinghuan also knew Jiang Xingye was clear about future trends, not worse than someone like her from the future. Neither would he consent to working in a confidential unit separated from family for years, nor would he be willing to labor routinely in a research institute.

Jiang Xingye wasn’t someone who’d follow orders and obey commands.

Thus, his lone wolf personality is more suited for individual ventures.

Xu Qinghuan observed him continually bringing tools into their traditional courtyard home, always tinkering inside despite being busy, always ensuring timely pickups and drop-offs for his wife and children, and bringing home a hefty sum monthly.

Xu Qinghuan originally thought there were three aunts at home, wondering if they needed another when they had the baby.

In May of ’85, Xu Qinghuan had another son, Jiang Xingye named him Jiang Chixing.

He surprisingly took on the role of a full-time stay-at-home dad.

Every morning and evening, he’d put his youngest son into a basket and drive to Yan University to have his wife nurse the baby.

When he was a bit older, he’d add supplementary foods at home, acting quite like an expert.

In short, while his classmates were struggling in the workforce, he alone lived like the children of the Eight Banners from before.

Yet, the money he brought home increased month by month.

Shangjiang Supermarket now had four stores in Yan City, forming a chain. Later Fang Boran came to join him, providing manpower, and he expanded the supermarket to Shen City.

When Jiang Chixing turned two, he followed Xu Qinghuan to the Yan University daycare.

This kid was clever like a little monkey, the youngest at home, always wanted to step on his brother and sister’s heads to make a mess, often making Jiang Xingcan stomp in anger.

But whenever Jiang Xingcan had time, she loved taking her brother out, more fond of Jiang Chixing than Jiang Chijing.

From young, Jiang Chixing never shared a bed with Xu Qinghuan; she was rushing her doctoral thesis when he was born, and Jiang Xingye happened to have time, so his youngest was essentially raised by his father.

Xu Qinghuan’s role was just as a food warehouse.

At nine months old, Jiang Xingye forcibly weaned his son off milk.

He was worried prolonged breastfeeding would harm Xu Qinghuan’s health.

At two years, Jiang Chixing shared a room with his brother, who took care of him at bedtime.

The couple now had more time in the evenings.

When Jiang Xingye brought out a condom, exactly like those from Xu Qinghuan’s space, she was startled, "A leftover fish?"

She really couldn’t get used to the currently produced style, reusing them by wrapping in wet towels post-use, rinsing thoroughly, and inspected for "breaks" by water testing before being "dried, powdered, rolled, wrapped, stored in a cool place for next use."[1]

The thought of repeating use and how it broke the first time leading to their second child was quite frightening.

Not that she minded having a third, but if it broke again, wouldn’t it mean another child?

The family planning policy was being fully implemented; she dodged a bullet.

"Can’t believe I made it myself." Jiang Xingye said.

Xu Qinghuan was even more surprised, scrutinizing it repeatedly, it was truly like the ones from her space earlier, thin, transparent, with strong toughness, wasn’t tearing even when pulled hard.

Jiang Xingye tried a clean one, it seemed to work well.

Afterwards, Jiang Xingye checked it again, making sure there was no issue before throwing it out.

"Planning to start a factory?" Xu Qinghuan, too exhausted to speak, couldn’t ignore the critical question.

"Still got strength!" Jiang Xingye hugged his wife, "Well, I don’t trust those made by others. What we use in the future, I’ll personally make."

Xu Qinghuan laughed, turned over, and lay on him, "Alright then, where are you planning to open it?"

After she asked, she heard Jiang Xingye say something. Too tired, she fell asleep.