Chapter 358: Chapter 358: Return
They traveled en masse, heading directly to the city of T.
Upon arrival in T City, they first returned to their rented accommodations, as it was more spacious and convenient for purchasing necessities.
Shen Yiguang hurried to tidy up their residence then rushed back to report to the military.
Although school had not yet started, Yang PeiMin didn’t rest for a moment. Her first task was to attend to Sister Liu who was eager to purchase a factory site, awaiting only the funds that were to be sent from Yang PeiMin’s side.
They had discussed it before the new year. The two planned to collaborate by starting with a small workshop, each investing half, and Yang PeiMin had contributed two thousand yuan.
Yang PeiMin accompanied her on several trips—to inspect factory sites, to examine equipment and staffing, and to meet with suppliers and clients. All of these preparations were essential for confidence in their venture.
Regarding the site, Sister Liu, being a local and having some connections in the community, found a location near the previous sewing society. Given the readiness of the site and its established clientele, she did not want to select a location far from the original spot. They rented a bungalow with a courtyard, the main appeal being its spacious yard and an adjacent vegetable garden that lay fallow. The homeowner usually leased the property and seeing as the lease was for five years, was willing to let them build up the courtyard walls and roof the bungalow, transforming it into their desired factory site. Including rent and renovations, they spent nearly two hundred yuan, which was considered a necessary investment and didn’t trouble anyone.
The location was also conveniently positioned by a street-front row of shops. Yang PeiMin remarked with a smile, "We can even rent a storefront at the entrance later." Sister Liu’s eyes immediately brightened, though they decided to put off these considerations until everything was in place.
There were also established clients to revisit to clarify future cooperation.
Then came the suppliers; the main focus was on fabric. The variety of fabric wasn’t as extensive as in the future; even the colors weren’t very diverse. However, discussions would commence once they had their clothing patterns ready.
Yang PeiMin lacked experience in business, but her mother had run a factory in her previous life, and she was somewhat familiar with the processes. She drafted a business plan and refined it with Sister Liu before implementing it swiftly. By the time factory renovations were complete and they could move in, Yang PeiMin had already begun her classes.
She still shuttled between school and their rented residence. The cooking at home had been handed over to Yang Peiying. Their previous neighbor, an older woman with various ailments, no longer came by, but fortunately, Yang Peiying was exceptionally talented in cooking. Yang PeiMin, who only knew how to eat, roughly thought up a few dishes that Yang Peiying then cooked almost perfectly—and sometimes even better than what Yang PeiMin had previously tasted.
This greatly encouraged Yang Peiying; she didn’t need Shen Yixiang to get involved in the kitchen anymore and managed everything herself, even varying the meals daily.
Even Shen Yiguang was pleasantly surprised by the meals when he visited, commenting, "Yingzi could be a head chef!"
This praise made Yang Peiying blush deeply, nearly burying her face in her bowl.
Shen Yixiang couldn’t help but laugh, "Yingzi, you really can’t take a compliment, but I think my brother is right."
Yang Peiying was a bit flustered, "I, how can I compare to a head chef?"
Yang PeiMin glanced at them, "Stop teasing Yingzi. We all have to take it slowly; I do think Yingzi has improved, though."
Yang Peiying’s face flushed again.
Shen Yixiang laughed heartily; she had grown quite fond of the timid Yang Peiying. Before coming here, she had wondered if her role would diminish since the two were sisters after all. While it was a bit uncomfortable, she had prepared herself mentally. However, when she arrived, it turned out that Yang Peiying took over most of the household chores, doing them even more meticulously than herself, which allowed Shen to spend time learning at the garment factory.
Now working as a seamstress in the garment workshop that Sister Liu and Yang PeiMin had opened—though still an apprentice—Shen returned to study drawing with Yang PeiMin in the evenings. Her days were fully scheduled, greatly aided by Yang Peiying’s presence.
Because both she and Yang PeiMin were occupied with their own activities, it was Yingzi who stayed at home all day, tidying, cooking, doing handicrafts, and mastering the art of pickling and sauce-making from Zhang Minghua. Soon their yard was lined with rows of jars. She was incredibly industrious, always finding chores to do. Then there were tasks like making shoes for Yang PeiMin’s child... being new to the area, she had no one to talk to when the others were busy, which made Shen Yixiang feel quite sorry for her. She didn’t stint her praise for Yang Peiying.
Yang PeiMin also felt a bit embarrassed and had Shen Yixiang take Yang Peiying to the factory for a visit. However, Shen Yixiang didn’t really want to go, feeling that it was a serious workplace and being neither an employee nor comfortable there.
She even said, "I prefer to stay at home. I’m not good at speaking, and there’s plenty to do at home. I’d be overwhelmed if I went to the factory as well."
There was an incident when Yang Peiying befriended a girl from a neighboring compound after finding some yarn she had dropped and waiting for her for half the day.
The girl, feeling terribly sorry for making Yang Peiying wait in the cold so long, insisted on taking her to a noodle shop for a bowl of vegetarian noodles.
Her name was Lin Shuangmei, staying at home to care for her younger brother who didn’t attend school or work and doing housework.
The two found they had much to discuss regarding childcare, quickly finding more topics to talk about.
After classes, Yang PeiMin found Yang Peiying knitting a baby hat and asked curiously, "Who is that for?"
Yang Peiying looked up shyly, "It’s for your child."
Yang PeiMin leaned closer but couldn’t tell much, except that it was quite cute and teased, "What age is this hat for?"
"Six months."
Yang PeiMin was surprised that she had an answer and said, "I took measurements from Lin Shuangmei’s brother’s head; it seems about right..."
Yang PeiMin paused then added, "Sister, Lin Shuangmei asked if she could come visit us. Would that be alright?"