"You didn't see the state he was in; his nose was bleeding down to his mouth and he didn't even realize it, like a male dog in heat."
Grandma Zhou frowned.
"Keep it under control, don't let anyone see through our act. We want money, not your lives."
Xiaomei stroked her slender neck in front of the mirror and chuckled softly.
"I know my limits. When I return the salt tomorrow, I'll give him a little treat. This naive brat won't be out of touch with me for long."
Grandma Zhou blew out the oil lamp, plunging the room into darkness.
Her voice drifted faintly from the darkness.
"Remember, our goal is money. Don't get too involved or develop real feelings."
Xiaomei didn't answer, and turned over in bed, facing away from her mother-in-law.
Moonlight streamed in through the window, outlining her graceful curves.
A cold smile played on her lips.
emotion?
That thing disappeared long after her husband died.
Now, she only believes in real money.
In the neighboring courtyard, Su Mingfu was still tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
He got up and walked to the window, looking at Xiaomei's dark window, feeling a mix of emotions.
He felt ashamed of his voyeuristic behavior, yet he couldn't help but relive those thrilling scenes.
"What if she's found out about me?"
Su Mingfu thought uneasily.
"What if she finds out I peeked at her while she was showering..."
The idea both frightened and excited him.
He went back to bed, covered his head with the blanket, but he couldn't shake the image of Xiaomei from his mind.
Every movement of hers, every inch of her skin, was deeply imprinted in his mind.
Su Mingfu knew that he had fallen hopelessly in love with Xiaomei.
The next morning.
After breakfast.
Su Jianguo stood in the courtyard, watching his daughter Su Yufen nervously straightening the hem of her clothes.
She had specially changed into a clean blue cotton jacket today, and her hair was neatly combed, but it was not hard to see her inner unease from her nervous expression.
"Dad, is this okay?"
Su Yufen asked softly, her voice trembling slightly.
"Won't the people at the Industry and Commerce Bureau think I'm not formal enough?"
Su Jianguo smiled and reached out to straighten his daughter's collar.
"Silly girl, you're dressed quite presentably. The people at the Industry and Commerce Bureau are people too; they won't eat you."
Despite saying that, Su Jianguo knew in his heart that obtaining a business license for an individual business in this era was not an easy task.
Individual businesses are just beginning. Although policies allow for individual operation, when it comes to implementation at the grassroots level, the various rules, regulations, and procedures can be overwhelming.
Not to mention the expressions and attitudes of the staff.
"Let's go, let's get in line early."
Su Jianguo patted his daughter on the shoulder and stepped out of the courtyard first.
Su Yufen took a deep breath and followed in her father's footsteps.
She never imagined that one day she would leave home to start a business, let alone that her father would be so supportive.
She barely slept a wink last night, her mind filled with thoughts of the tofu shop.
How big should the stone mill be?
Where can I buy beans?
How much will you sell the tofu you make?
These questions kept swirling in her mind like a revolving lantern.
The streets gradually filled with pedestrians, and bicycle bells rang out one after another.
Su Jianguo led his daughter through several alleys and turned onto the main road of Xicheng District.
The Industrial and Commercial Bureau is located at the end of this road, in a drab three-story building.
"Dad, do you really know someone at the Industry and Commerce Bureau?"
Su Yufen asked in a low voice, her eyes darting around nervously.
"Yes, Li Dequan. We used to work together at the steel rolling mill."
Su Jianguo nodded.
"Later he was transferred to the local industrial and commercial bureau, and now he's a junior section chief."
A long queue had formed outside the business registration office, mostly with self-employed individuals applying for various licenses.
Su Jianguo glanced at the crowd and saw that there were at least twenty people in front of him.
He frowned and led his daughter straight to the gate.
"Hey comrade, get in line!"
Someone in the group shouted in dissatisfaction.
Su Jianguo didn't even turn his head back.
"We're looking for Section Chief Li."
The guards at the entrance stopped them.
Do you have an appointment?
"Tell Li Dequan that Su Jianguo from the steel rolling mill is looking for him."
Su Jianguo said neither humbly nor arrogantly.
The guard looked Su Jianguo up and down a few times before turning and going into the building.
A moment later, a middle-aged man wearing a blue Zhongshan suit and with his hair neatly combed came out quickly.
"Hey, Lao Su!"
Li Dequan warmly shook hands with Su Jianguo.
What brings you here?
Su Jianguo smiled and patted his old friend on the shoulder.
"I need your help with something. This is my daughter, Su Yufen."
Su Yufen lowered her head nervously.
"Hello, Section Chief Li."
Li Dequan nodded with a smile.
"Good girl, you look just like your mother. Come, come into my office and let's talk."
Following Li Dequan through the noisy corridor, Su Yufen felt her heart pounding.
The business registration office was bustling with people, and various documents and forms were piled up everywhere. The clerks had stern faces and were indifferent to those who came to conduct business.
She couldn't help but feel a little nervous, afraid that she might say something wrong.
Li Dequan's office is at the far end of the second floor; it's not big, but it's very tidy.
He closed the door and poured tea for the father and daughter.
"Old Su, just tell me what's wrong. I'll definitely help if I can."
Su Jianguo took a sip of tea and got straight to the point.
"My daughter wants to open a tofu shop and is here to apply for a business license."
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