CHAPTER 479: CHAPTER 481: WHAT BUSINESS IS GOOD

He Xuebing and Yu Zhen’s marriage was based on mutual respect, but whenever Yu Zhen saw other couples with a strong emotional bond, she envied them and always tried to erase Xia Xiao’s place in He Xuebing’s heart.

Unfortunately, she used the wrong methods and often became annoying.

When Yu Shijie entered the house, Mr. Yu called him into the study, while Xue Baozhu busied herself in the kitchen. Yang Xuehua wanted to help but was told by Xue Baozhu to sit down instead and not bother.

The kitchen of the Yu family had always been dominated by Xue Baozhu. In her eyes, it symbolized her status as the mistress of the house, which was why she did not want Yang Er handling the knives and bustling about.

So, Yang Xuehua stepped out of the kitchen, only to halt at the door upon hearing the quarrel between He Xuebing and Yu Zhen. She quietly stepped back, pretending nothing had happened, and returned to the living room, contemplating.

Yang Xuehua had stayed with the Yu Family for three days and found it quite comfortable. Xue Baozhu, her mother-in-law, was nice, and Mr. Yu, not a man of many words, would occasionally speak to her. As for Yu Zhen, Yang Xuehua didn’t take her seriously, also noticing the clear discord between Yu Zhen and He Xuebing.

It was with Mr. Yu’s approval and support that Yu Shijie managed to buy a well-located courtyard house, conveniently close to the rental home of Xia Xiao and Gao Jiaxing.

Yet strangely, they bought the house but continued to live in their rented place without moving out.

Seeing Xia Xiao had a bicycle, Yu Shijie also prepared one for Yang Xuehua. Every day, they each rode a bike back and forth to school.

After finding out that Yang Xuehua was a military wife, her classmates no longer gossiped; however, Luo Mingzhe still occasionally looked at her, feeling a bit of jealousy, thinking people were not doing as well as him whereas they were living better lives.

Even without him, Yang Xuehua had found an outstanding partner at her considerable age.

Luo Mingzhe, despite his self-esteem, couldn’t deny Yu Shijie’s inferiority. How much worse could it be?

Luo Mingzhe grew silent while Liu Yue grew restless on her end. As soon as she learned Yang Xuehua and Luo Mingzhe were classmates, she exploded.

"Are you still carrying a torch for Yang Xuehua? Why did you choose the same major as her? Are you seeing her behind my back, doing things you shouldn’t be doing?" she accused.

A barrage of questions bombarded Luo Mingzhe; he frowned deeply, "Stop this nonsense, or we’ll become a laughingstock."

"Scared that people might discover the unsightly things you’ve done? Mingzhe, you’re married to me, we have a child, but this is how you treat me. Do I deserve this?" Liu Yue’s tears flowed freely, her face full of reproach toward Luo Mingzhe.

Moreover, Liu Yue’s university was far from First University, reducing the time they could meet. Previously meeting weekly, now they could hardly see each other twice a month, and every encounter was hurried.

Furthermore, Yang Xuehua had been accepted to First University. Liu Yue was already upset about this, but to make matters worse, Luo Mingzhe was in the same major, and he had kept it from her.

In Liu Yue’s view, Luo Mingzhe was guilty of something.

Luo Mingzhe felt a headache coming on, "How have I wronged you? You’re being unreasonable. Yang Xuehua and I simply ended up in the same major, what’s there to fuss about?"

"You’re fussing because now you despise me," Liu Yue said bitterly. "I’m going to see what kind of vixen Yang Xuehua is—a leftover woman who can’t get married, with a bad family background, who must have done something disgraceful to even attend the college entrance exams. It’s sheer dumb luck she got into First University, going around seducing other women’s husbands."

Slap—Luo Mingzhe couldn’t help but lash out with a slap across Liu Yue’s face, finding her words ever more intolerable.

Having fought countless times over the years, the less Luo Mingzhe thought of Liu Yue, the better he thought of Yang Xuehua.

He used to thank his stars for not ending up with Yang Xuehua, who, burdened by her family, was labeled a troublemaker. He felt sorry for her, even after she got into First University.

But now, Yang Xuehua was married to a well-born military officer. Watching her and Xia Xiao cycle to and from school every day, it was obvious that her family circumstances were well off.

Not to mention that after learning of Yang Xuehua’s marriage, Luo Mingzhe inquired about her husband. He was still a popular figure at the school, winning the teachers’ and school leaders’ appreciation, backed by his family’s support.

Yu Shijie’s marriage proposal to Yang Xuehua had been approved by school leaders due to her admission to First University and the transfer of her hukou from the production team to the university.

For the marriage registration, Yu Shijie needed to manage the transfer of Yang Xuehua’s hukou into the spouse category, which also involved the school leaders.

Thus Luo Mingzhe, using his connections, soon uncovered Yu Shijie’s identity. This left him feeling bitter, and the more he learned about Yang Xuehua’s accomplishments, the more he unknowingly idolized her.

All this was unknown to Yang Xuehua; she was simply disregarding Luo Mingzhe, and felt relieved when he didn’t seek her out.

"Sister Xuehua, what sort of business do you think we should start here?" Xia Xiao asked Yang Xuehua on the way home from school.

"I really don’t know much about business," replied Yang Xuehua, shaking her head.

Xia Xiao didn’t know what kind of business to start either. A clothing store? Her major was design-related, and both her mother, Li Wenjuan, and sister-in-law, Wu Manni, worked at a textile factory, sparking her interest in opening a clothing store.

Plus, being reborn with some knowledge of clothing styles and having looked at fashion magazines before, Xia Xiao was eager to make a move.

But she also wondered if she should open a grocery store, selling vegetables, fruits, and such, which would be suitable for Gao Guoqiang and Zheng Xianghong to work in.

Yang Xuehua pondered and suggested, "Why not start a restaurant? Your and your aunt’s cooking skills are great; a restaurant would surely do well."

Xia Xiao nodded, "That’s feasible, but I was thinking of maybe starting a clothing store or factory."

"Well, that seems fine too. You’re studying that major after all. But starting a clothing store or factory isn’t as simple as running a restaurant. You need to think it through carefully. If you need help, just let me know. I may not know much about business, but I can be of assistance."

Upon hearing this, Xia Xiao smiled, "Sure, I won’t leave you out."