The heavens set sail from the courtyard

Wang Gang's rented storefront is not far from Fengxiang Hutong, only a ten-minute bike ride away. This way, he can balance work and family, and when his son He Bingzhe grows up, he won't have to trouble his parents too much.

The storefront is neither too big nor too small, with two floors, about 300 square meters. Wang Gang has already hired people to start the renovation. He goes over to check on it when he has time, but most of the time he has Liu Zi help out.

Less than a year after Wang Gang left the No. 2 canteen, he got Liu Zi into "Chunjianglou". Now Liu Zi has almost mastered the skills and is about 70-80% of Wang Gang's level.

When Liu Zi left Chunjianglou, Wang Gang asked him if he was willing to come with him. Liu Zi agreed without hesitation and immediately resigned to work with his master.

Wang Gang didn't mistreat his apprentice either, paying him double the salary he used to. He also promised to give Liu Zi a commission if business was good. So Liu Zi was very enthusiastic during this period, going to the store every day to oversee the renovations.

In fact, Wang Gang didn't rest during his free time; instead, he went to the suppliers of "Chunjianglou" to discuss the supply of vegetables.

As the top-ranked state-owned restaurant in the city, its clientele was naturally not simple. Wang Gang visited several times but returned empty-handed. They simply ignored him and looked down on his small restaurant.

Left with no other option, Wang Gang went to the farmers' market to see if there were any good suppliers.

These days, vegetable markets are also starting to be contracted out to private individuals. Wang Gang took a stroll around and talked to several vegetable vendors, but none of them were satisfactory. Either the prices were too high or the vegetables were just average.

While strolling around, Wang Gang unexpectedly ran into an acquaintance.

"He Wenhui?" Wang Gang asked in surprise, standing in front of a vegetable stall.

Hearing the familiar voice, the vegetable vendor turned around: "Liu Hongchang?"

Wang Gang asked in surprise, "You're back?"

After five years apart, Wang Gang noticed that He Wenhui had changed a lot. Not only were her clothes and outfits outdated, but her skin was also sallow and dark, and she looked much older than before. She was no longer as fresh and beautiful as she used to be!

He Wenhui tidied her hair shyly, her dark skin turning a dark red.

"You sell vegetables at the market?" Wang Gang asked, slightly surprised.

“Yes, do you want to buy groceries? My vegetables are cheap and good!” He Wenhui said, looking down.

Wang Gang sighed inwardly. He could tell that He Wenhui hadn't had a good time these past few years; at the very least, she had suffered a lot!

"I'm about to open a restaurant. How much do you sell your dishes for? If it's reasonable, I'll order some every month," Wang Gang said.

He Wenhui was delighted to hear this and quickly said, "If you want more, I can give you a discount on the price."

Wang Gang then asked, "My restaurant is near Fengxiang Hutong, can you deliver to my door?"

He Wenhui nodded quickly and said, "Yes, yes, my husband can deliver goods every morning."

Wang Gang smiled and said, "You're married! Do you have children?"

He Wenhui said shyly, "Yes, we got married four years ago. My husband is from the countryside, and we have a daughter."

Wang Gang laughed and said, "Maixiang and I also have a son, who is five years old this year. Have you moved back to the city?"

He Wenhui nodded and said, "Yes, we just moved back not long ago. The child will be starting school soon. There are no schools in the countryside, so we have to come to the city."

Wang Gang asked, "How is Aunt Yu? How's your brother? He's about to take the college entrance exam, isn't he?"

He Wenhui said sadly, "My mother passed away in 81. Wenda was raised by Sister Junling and Brother Dunzi and he's doing quite well. Wentao dropped out of school a long time ago and is now a porter at the dock!"

Wang Gang was stunned. He hadn't expected such a big change to happen to the He family. To be honest, Wang Gang hadn't paid any attention to the He family since the incident with He Wenyuan.

"Has Wen Yuan not been found yet?" Wang Gang asked casually.

"No," He Wenhui sighed. "I don't know where Wenyuan is either!"

“Big Yellow Cat’s parents are still searching for He Wenyuan’s whereabouts. They even went to Fengxiang Hutong before the New Year. You’d better stay out of the way,” Wang Gang kindly reminded him. “I know, Sister Junling reminded me before,” He Wenhui sighed. “Big Yellow Cat has been in a coma for six years and his health is very poor. Brother Dunzi asked around and found out that Big Yellow Cat probably won’t make it through this year.”

Wang Gang suddenly realized why the big yellow cat's parents had been running around Fengxiang Hutong lately; their son was about to die.

The big yellow cat has been in a vegetative state for six years with no signs of waking up. The hospital has even issued a brain death diagnosis certificate. However, the big yellow cat's parents are unwilling to accept this and continue to take care of their son.

Previously, Big Yellow Cat's father's workplace could reimburse medical expenses, so Big Yellow Cat would stay in the hospital. Later, the workplace's performance declined, and they couldn't afford the medical expenses, so Big Yellow Cat was taken home.

The cost of caring for a person in a vegetative state is not low. The parents of the big yellow cat have been looking for the He family, probably because they want money. Unfortunately, He Wenhui is hiding in the countryside and has not returned to the city for several years, so the parents of the big yellow cat naturally cannot find her.

Now that He Wenhui is back, it's likely that Big Yellow Cat's parents will cause her trouble again; she can't escape it.

Wang Gang didn't chat with He Wenhui for long, exchanged contact information, and then left the market.

During his meeting with He Wenhui, Wang Gang noticed that she had changed a lot and marveled at how life can truly change a person.

After returning home, Wang Gang told Yang Maixiang about He Wenhui.

"Ever since that incident, the He family has really had a hard time," Yang Maixiang sighed.

“He Wenhui sells vegetables at the market now. I’ve seen her. Her vegetables are good, the prices are reasonable, and she can deliver them to your door.”

"You want He Wenhui to supply the restaurant with the food?" Yang Maixiang asked hesitantly.

“I asked around, and the person who delivered the vegetables was He Wenhui’s husband. I’ll almost never run into her again,” Wang Gang explained.

Yang Maixiang suddenly smiled and said, "You're afraid I'll misunderstand, that you and He Wenhui are still entangled!"

“Of course I know you’re not a stingy person,” Wang Gang said, putting his arm around his wife.

“I believe you. He Wenhui has been married and has children. You won’t want her again,” Yang Maixiang said gently.

"If you don't like it, I'll find someone else to supply it."

Wang Gang understands his wife well, and he also understands that women are often hypocritical, so he knows he should still try to coax her.

“I really don’t mind. We’ve known He Wenhui for a while, so we should help her if we can,” Yang Maixiang said generously.

“Honey, why don’t you quit your job? We can open a husband-and-wife shop. I’ll manage the kitchen, and you can manage the front desk,” Wang Gang suggested.

Although Yang Maixiang's job is easy, the salary is very low. Wang Gang had advised her to quit long ago, but Yang Maixiang couldn't bear to give it up.

“No, I don’t have the talent for business. Besides, there are always risks in doing business. If I quit my job and the restaurant goes bankrupt, my family will starve!” Yang Maixiang said.

“Then it’s settled. If the restaurant is doing well and I can’t handle it all, you can resign,” Wang Gang said again.

"We'll see!" Yang Maixiang said casually.

"Wife, our son is sleeping at my mom's tonight." Wang Gang suddenly put his arm around Yang Maixiang's waist.

"What are you doing! It's not even dark yet!" Yang Maixiang said shyly.

"What's there to be afraid of? We've been married for ages," Wang Gang chuckled.

"At least close the curtains!" Yang Maixiang said irritably.

Wang Gang immediately ran to draw the curtains.

(End of this chapter)