Zhao Mingyue had considered having her two sisters-in-law open a shop together, but her eldest sister-in-law had no experience in sewing, and her second sister-in-law would definitely be unhappy if she were to try and take a share of the profits. The two sisters-in-law did not get along well, and forcing them to do business together would only exacerbate their conflict.

Zhao Mingyue found her elder brother and sister-in-law and said bluntly, "Sister-in-law doesn't know how to make clothes, so I didn't let you and second sister-in-law open a shop together. If you also want to do business, I'm willing to help you."

Zhao Mingyue's sister-in-law is a rather introverted person, not very good at talking, and not good at dealing with people. She is not really suited to doing business, and she has never thought about doing business herself. When she heard Zhao Mingyue say this, she was stunned: "Doing business? I have never thought about it."

Zhao Mingyue said, "You and my second sister-in-law are both my sisters-in-law. I didn't mean to favor my second sister-in-law. I just wanted both of my brothers' families to become wealthy as soon as possible, and I helped as much as I could within my means. My parents also hope that everyone will live better and better, and that the family will be harmonious. They don't want any conflicts or rifts between us. I hope my eldest brother and sister-in-law can understand."

Zhao Mingliang glared at his wife and said, "I've already told you, stop complaining to Mom and Dad. Aren't we living a good life? It's all thanks to my younger sister. If it weren't for her, how could we be so well-off now?"

Zhao Mingyue smiled and said to Zhao Mingliang, "Brother, there's actually another way you can try. Didn't you go to the provincial capital? I went there last time, and many things there are cheaper than here. If you're willing, when you're selling tea, you can bring some back from the provincial capital for others and make a profit from the price difference."

Zhao Mingliang frowned: "Who should I give it to?"

"Just bring it to whoever needs it. Those who own shops or are getting married or having big events and need to buy expensive items, it's definitely not worth it for them to go all the way to the provincial capital to buy them. If you bring it to them, it'll be a little cheaper than what we sell here, and you can make a small profit from the difference."

Zhao Mingliang and his sister-in-law's eyes lit up: "You're right, this is indeed a good idea." This is practically a risk-free business.

Zhao Mingyue smiled and said, "Brother, business opportunities are everywhere; it just depends on how you discover them."

Zhao Mingliang slapped his thigh: "Little sister, you're so smart, I'm impressed. Okay, last time I heard that Xia Sheng's father wanted to buy a radio, but thought it was a bit expensive. I'll go ask and see if I can bring it back for him from the provincial capital."

Zhao Mingyue said, "Brother, take it easy with this. Just make a little money, don't go too far, or someone will accuse you of speculation. Just keep it quiet and don't make a big fuss."

"I know that for sure, don't worry."

Zhao Mingyue finally resolved the conflict between her two brothers. That afternoon, her sister-in-law brought over rice and noodles made by her own family and greeted them warmly as her parents. This surprised Hu Nianchun, who had been complaining about their favoritism just a few days ago, but these past few days she had turned her face away and pretended not to see them.

In the evening, Hu Nianchun cooked rice and noodles, and the family of three sat in the courtyard, enjoying the cool air while eating.

Hu Nianchun asked, "Mingyue, what exactly did you say to your sister-in-law? How did she calm down?"

Zhao Mingyue smiled as she savored the soft, smooth rice noodles: "I have a brilliant plan. Mom, from now on, you don't need to worry about their affairs. Just push them all onto me and say that I can't handle it and to ask your sister."

Hu Nianchun sighed, "That won't work either. How can you take care of everything? You'll have your own family to take care of in the future. They are the older brothers, they should be taking care of you. How come it's the other way around in our family, and you're the one taking care of your older brothers?"

Zhao Mingyue shook her head: "It's okay, as long as the family is harmonious. I will only help with things within my ability. If I can't help, I won't pretend to be something I'm not."

Zhao Mingxiu came out of her house, carrying her nephew in one arm and a palm-leaf fan in the other: "Uncle, Aunt, Sister Mingyue, you're only just eating?"

Hu Nianchun quickly stood up and made room for his niece, saying, "Xiuer, come sit here. Have you eaten?"

Zhao Mingxiu sat down: "I've already eaten."

Zhao Mingyue looked at her cousin, Mingxiu, who was already seventeen years old. She was tall and graceful, with a beautiful and delicate appearance, like a flower in full bloom. Zhao Mingyue thought to herself, "That's wonderful. My cousin has finally grown up after the ordeal of turning fifteen." "Junjun is so cute! Do you want some rice noodles?" She picked up some rice noodles to feed her nephew, and the little guy opened his mouth and swallowed it all in one gulp. This child resembled his mother, with delicate features. He had only been one year old, but he had already learned many words and seemed much more clever than his father.

Zhao Mingxiu said, "Sister, he's already full, don't feed him anymore, you can eat by yourself."

My cousin Zhao Mingxiu graduated from junior high school this year. Knowing how precious the opportunity to study was, she worked very hard and achieved excellent grades. She then applied to the county's normal school.

These days, vocational high school graduates are guaranteed job placement. For rural students with good grades, vocational high school is their first choice because it costs three more years of tuition to attend high school, and the competition for university entrance exams is much fiercer. By the time they graduate from university, vocational high school graduates have already worked for three or four years and are already earning money. As for future development, university graduates might earn more than vocational high school graduates, but salaries are fixed these days, so the difference isn't significant. Therefore, there are a huge number of people taking the vocational high school entrance exam, making the competition extremely fierce—it's like thousands vying for a single-plank bridge, with an acceptance rate much lower than for high school.

Zhao Mingyue asked her, "Xiuer, have the results come out yet?"

Zhao Mingxiu nodded: "The results are out, but I don't know if I've been accepted." The high school entrance exam results just came out these past two days, but the admission process isn't finished yet. Zhao Mingxiu's results were very good; she didn't underperform, so she should have been accepted if nothing unexpected happens.

Zhao Mingxiu was a little nervous about her future, but Zhao Mingyue comforted her, saying, "Xiuer, don't worry, you'll definitely pass the exam."

Zhao Mingxiu bit her lower lip and said, "What if I don't pass the exam?"

"That's alright, I'll support you for another year," Zhao Mingyue comforted her. Mingxiu was still somewhat pessimistic, always thinking of the worst-case scenario first.

Zhao Mingxiu looked down at her nephew playing with her braids and said, "My mom will definitely scold me to death when the time comes."

Zhao Mingyue patted her shoulder with a smile: "Don't overthink it. If she scolds you, just let her take the exam." This was naturally meant to comfort her cousin. Zhao Mingyue really wanted to wait for her admission results, but she was afraid she couldn't wait any longer.

Zhao Mingxiu gave a helpless bitter smile. Zhao Mingyue said, "Don't worry. If you really don't pass the exam, and your mother won't let you repeat a year, come to Beijing to find me. I'll find you a job in Beijing then."

Zhao Mingxiu stared at Zhao Mingyue with wide eyes: "Really? Sister?"

Zhao Mingyue nodded: "Yes, really." At worst, she could teach her the tailoring skills and let her open a shop in Beijing. In Beijing these days, there's no shortage of job opportunities.

When Hu Nianchun heard that her daughter was taking on so many responsibilities, including her own brothers' and cousins' affairs, she felt proud of her daughter's competence, but also worried about her daughter's well-being.

Zhao Shunsheng wanted to say something, but in front of his niece, he had no choice but to swallow his words.

Before going to bed that night, Zhao Shunsheng stood in front of Zhao Mingyue's door: "Is Mingyue asleep?"

Zhao Mingyue was reading under the lamp when she quickly said, "Not yet, Dad, come in."

Zhao Shunsheng entered the room. When Zhao Mingyue saw her father come in, she quickly tried to get out of bed, but Zhao Shunsheng said, "Don't come out. There are mosquitoes everywhere outside. You're leaving tomorrow, so I want to talk to you."

Zhao Mingyue asked, "What's wrong, Dad?"

Zhao Shunsheng sat by Zhao Mingyue's bedside, his back to her. The father and daughter spoke through the mosquito net: "Mingyue, I've seen everything you've done over the years. Don't work too hard."

"I'm not tired, Dad," Zhao Mingyue said with a smile.

Zhao Shunsheng took a puff of his pipe, exhaled a cloud of smoke that wafted upwards, emitting a slightly spicy aroma—his father's distinctive scent. Zhao Mingyue recalled that she had never bought cigarettes for her father; she always bought him clothes and food. Only when Shen Xuyue came over would he bring some filtered cigarettes, which he would carefully keep, only sharing them with relatives and friends during holidays.

Zhao Mingyue said, "Dad, I'll light you some good cigarettes next time you come back to smoke."

Zhao Shunsheng waved his hand: "No need, this is fine for Dad. The cigarettes you bought aren't flavorful enough, they're too weak."

"Dad, you should smoke less. You're getting old, and smoking makes you cough."

"Okay, sure." Zhao Shunsheng agreed. "Mingyue, young lady, don't be too headstrong. Take it easy, especially with Xiao Shen's affairs. Don't get too involved and make him think you're too domineering. Men prefer women to rely on them a little more."

Zhao Mingyue had never heard her father discuss this issue with her before, and now, hearing him speak so eloquently, she couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat: "Okay, I'll remember."

"I overheard Minglang mentioning last time that Xiao Shen's mother didn't seem too happy about you two being together. Did she make things difficult for you?" Zhao Shunsheng had only heard this from his son by chance. He hadn't told his wife, afraid she would worry. Women tend to overthink things, and if she heard that her daughter had been wronged, she would definitely be even more upset.

Zhao Mingyue said, "No, Dad. She didn't like me very much before because we are from the countryside. Last year she fell and I took care of her in the hospital for several days. Now she has finally come to her senses and is quite nice to me now."

Zhao Shunsheng nodded: "That's good. Let's just do our jobs honestly and have a clear conscience, okay?"

“I know, Father.”

“You’ve helped your brothers a lot with their affairs, that’s enough. You don’t need to worry about them anymore. They’re all doing it for themselves, and we haven’t asked them to do anything for us. Just let them live their own lives. Don’t treat them as your responsibility. You have your own life too. Spend more time living your own life, understand?” Zhao Shunsheng felt sorry for his daughter. Even though she was the youngest, she acted like the eldest in the family, shouldering everything on her own. Her parents saw how hard she worked.

Zhao Mingyue nodded: "Okay, Dad." The heart-to-heart talk between the father and daughter warmed Zhao Mingyue's heart. It turned out that her parents saw everything she did. "Dad, you don't need to work so hard. You're getting old and can't farm so much land. Just let your brothers farm it. You can ask them to give you a little bit of grain every year. I'll send you living expenses."

Zhao Shunsheng laughed and said, "We're in good health, perfectly fine, and can still work. In the countryside, nobody retires at sixty. Even at seventy, if you can still move around, you won't rely on your children. Enjoying life early is enjoying your children's good fortune. Don't worry, your mother and I won't work too hard. We grow enough grain to eat, feed some pigs, and pick some tea leaves to cover our daily expenses. It's not time for us to need you to support us in our old age. If you really can't work anymore, we won't force you."

Zhao Mingyue's nose tingled with emotion. These were her parents, and the true thoughts of most elderly people in the countryside. They insisted on working until they could no longer do so, just so they wouldn't become a burden to their children. "Dad, you only need to grow enough to eat. During busy farming seasons, please ask my brother and the others to come and help."

“I will. Your brothers will come to help. Don’t worry,” Zhao Shunsheng said. “I’m going to sleep now. You should get some rest too. The light is too dim. It will hurt your eyes if you look at it for too long.”

"Yes, Father."

The next day, Zhao Mingyue left home for Beijing. Her sister-in-law even gave her a few boiled eggs. When she arrived in town and was waiting for the bus, she suddenly heard someone calling her. She turned around and saw Yu Youfen carrying a child on her back, waving at her. Zhao Mingyue smiled and quickly went over: "Sister Youfen." She saw Yu Youfen's belly; she was clearly pregnant again.

Yu Youfen, with the charm of a young woman, looked quite well: "Mingyue, are you leaving again? Going to the county or back to Beijing? I went back home a few days ago to deliver some things, but I didn't run into you. My brother said you went to the county."

Zhao Mingyue reached out and patted the baby girl who was sleeping soundly on her back: "Yes, I went to the county town and gave my second sister-in-law a tailor shop so she could make clothes for people. Now she's getting ready to go back to Beijing. Sister Fen, are you going to have another baby?"

Yu Youfen's face was rosy and dark: "Yes, it will be a few more months, and I should be able to give birth around the beginning of winter. Is the water and soil in Beijing particularly good for people? You've become more and more beautiful these past few years."

Zhao Mingyue smiled sheepishly: "No, it's just that I haven't been working in the fields, so I look a lot fairer. How have you been, Sister Fen?"

Yu Youfen nodded: "It's alright."

"That's good. What are you doing out on the street?"

Yu Youfen said, "I'm here to sell some eggs." She turned her head and looked at the post office behind her. Cheng Yongqiang came out of the post office, followed by a man wearing a white short-sleeved shirt and green military pants, who was much taller than Cheng Yongqiang. It was none other than Cheng Yonggang.

Zhao Mingyue's face stiffened immediately, and she said to Yu Youfen, "Sister Youfen, the car is coming soon, I have to go."

Cheng Yonggang had already spotted her, and his face lit up with joy: "Mingyue, it's you! What a coincidence!"

Zhao Mingyue's eyelid twitched. How shameless! Who is he that familiar with?

Yu Youfen looked at her uncle, then at Zhao Mingyue, and couldn't help but smile. Cheng Yonggang was still excitedly asking, "Where did you go? Did you just get back?"

Zhao Mingyue ignored him, saying, "Sister Youfen, I'm leaving now," and quickly walked away.

Cheng Yonggang stared at her retreating figure, utterly dejected. Zhao Mingyue was the eternal white moonlight in his heart; even after so many years, he still couldn't forget her.

Just then, a train pulled into the station, and Zhao Mingyue quickly boarded. What bad luck! Why did she have to run into him like this! She sat in a corner of the train, and after a while, she noticed that Cheng Yonggang had also crossed the road, carrying a bunch of bananas. He bought a ticket and boarded the train, then walked over to Zhao Mingyue and said, "Mingyue, let me see you off. Here, have this on your way."

Zhao Mingyue stared at him with a chilling gaze: "No need, I don't know you well, please don't follow me, okay? Don't call me by my name, that's not a name you should use."

Cheng Yonggang looked at Zhao Mingyue, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly: "We haven't seen each other for many years, can we talk? I have a lot to say to you."

Zhao Mingyue quickly changed to a single seat. This row of single seats was in the sun, but to avoid Cheng Yonggang's harassment, she figured she could tolerate the sun. Cheng Yonggang also moved to the seat in front of her and turned to talk to her. Zhao Mingyue wanted to change seats again, but found the bus was full. She wanted to get off, but knowing Cheng Yonggang would definitely follow, she said helplessly, "Cheng Yonggang, I don't think you need to do this. We're not even close, we're not even friends. What are you talking to me about?"

Cheng Yonggang smiled and said, "Let's just chat. I heard you got into a university in Beijing, that's really impressive. You'll be graduating soon, right? Will you come back to your hometown to work after that?"

Zhao Mingyue turned her head to the window, ignoring Cheng Yonggang completely. Sunlight shone on her fair face, making her ears appear a translucent, fleshy red. Cheng Yonggang longed to reach out and touch them. If Zhao Mingyue knew he had such thoughts, she would definitely cover her ears or chop off Cheng Yonggang's hand.

Cheng Yonggang smiled helplessly and continued talking to himself: "I've already become a volunteer soldier. If I want, I can stay in the army and the income is not bad. It's just that the local conditions are a bit tough, but I quite like life in the army. Maybe I can be assigned to a regional unit after I'm discharged from the military."

Zhao Mingyue knew that Cheng Yonggang was serving in the army in Qinghai, where the environment was extremely harsh; she had even gone to see it with him. Seeing that the bus was about to leave, she said to Cheng Yonggang, "You should get off now, don't follow me. I'm getting married next year, and after graduation I'll stay in Beijing to work; my fiancé is from Beijing."

Cheng Yonggang's face turned extremely pale. He realized the gap between himself and Zhao Mingyue. Even if his family was better off, even if he joined the army as a volunteer soldier, and later became a city dweller and a government employee, the gap between him and Zhao Mingyue would still be insurmountable. He lowered his head, somewhat hurt, and said, "I should have taken the college entrance exam too."

Zhao Mingyue sneered inwardly. Even if he took the college entrance examination, what did it have to do with her? "The car is about to leave, you should get off now."

Cheng Yonggang suddenly felt a little disheartened and placed the banana in his hand on Zhao Mingyue: "This is for you to eat on your way. Don't refuse. Goodbye, and have a safe journey."

Zhao Mingyue tried to throw the things back to him, but he had already jumped out of the car quickly. The car had already started moving, and he stood outside the car waving at Zhao Mingyue. Zhao Mingyue picked up the bag of bananas, threw the bananas out of the car window, and said loudly, "No need, thank you. Take them back for Nannan to eat."

The car sped away, kicking up a cloud of dust. Cheng Yonggang's face was ashen with shock, like shattered porcelain. Zhao Mingyue was so heartless! She threw the bananas he offered her out of the car and returned them to him. Did she look down on him that much? Cheng Yonggang's hands clenched into fists.

After throwing the banana, Zhao Mingyue noticed that everyone on the bus was staring at her in surprise. She turned her face to the window. They probably thought she was being too heartless, but would you give face to someone who had once tried to murder you? She just wanted to have nothing to do with this person anymore. If anyone dared to provoke her, then they shouldn't call her ruthless.

When Zhao Mingyue arrived in the county town, she visited her second sister-in-law's shop and found everything to be as usual. She then went to see her third brother. Zhao Minglang, wearing a white coat, was seeing patients with Doctor Xie. He was tall and looked dashing in his white coat; he was quite a handsome young man. Zhao Mingyue noticed that many female doctors and nurses were speaking to Zhao Minglang warmly.

Zhao Mingyue beckoned her brother over and whispered in his ear, "Brother, something fell into the flower basket. Be careful not to get too dazzled by the choices."

Zhao Minglang looked at his quirky younger sister and smiled, "Don't worry, I'll definitely choose someone who is both talented and beautiful, and has a kind and gentle heart."

"We'll get to know each other better if we spend more time together. Remember to report to me if anything happens, and I'll give you advice," Zhao Mingyue said with a smile.

As the brother and sister were talking intimately, a young female doctor in a white coat came over carrying a plate. When she saw them, her expression turned somewhat unpleasant. Then, pretending not to see them, she bumped into Zhao Mingyue, and a pair of tweezers on the plate fell to the ground with a "clatter".

Zhao Minglang quickly helped pick it up: "Dr. Hong, please be careful when you walk."

The woman called Doctor Hong glanced at Zhao Minglang, then glared at Zhao Mingyue, and turned to leave. Zhao Mingyue pouted and whispered in Zhao Minglang's ear, "Brother, this won't do. Her emotional intelligence is too low."

Zhao Minglang blinked: "What is emotional intelligence?"

Zhao Mingyue said, "Emotional intelligence is the ability to interact with people, handle situations, and manage emotions. This Dr. Hong cannot be a candidate for my sister-in-law."

Zhao Minglang chuckled: "You figured out so quickly whether they're a good match or not? Just because she bumped into you."

“If I were her, I would greet you in person, and you would definitely introduce me to her, right? Or you would ask you privately who the girl you were with was, instead of bumping into her with obvious hostility without any explanation. This kind of person is narrow-minded, vengeful, and impatient. You can observe her more closely if you don’t believe me,” Zhao Mingyue said.

Hearing his sister's words, Zhao Minglang laughed and said, "Alright then, I'll observe for a while longer." Originally, this Dr. Hong was an alumnus of their school and quite good-looking; he had even been planning to pursue a relationship with him.

Zhao Mingyue patted her brother's arm: "Alright, you can observe for yourself. I'm leaving."

Zhao Minglang said, "Then I won't see you off."

"No need, I can go by myself. Keep in touch, and go home to take care of me when you have time." Zhao Mingyue waved to her third brother, turned around, and left gracefully.