Married but Untouched! Her Soldier Husband Came Home Dumbfounded! - Chapter 13

Ye Xihu thought for a moment.
“If we’re going to open a shop, I think the East District would be the best. Most of the profitable factories in the city are over there. There’s only one supply and marketing cooperative, and it’s always short on stock. If we open the shop there, business won’t be a problem.”

Ye Sanhu immediately nodded in agreement.
“Little sister, Xihu’s right. The East District has more foot traffic, and the workers there have money. I sold ice cream there at noon today—two big boxes gone in no time. Some of the female workers don’t mind spending; they won’t even touch a 5-cent ice pop, but they’ll buy a 10-cent milk ice cream.”

Ye Fangfei looked at her simple, honest brother and laughed.
“Sanhu, your sales must have gone well today. How much did you earn?”

“Made a bit more than usual, about five yuan,” Ye Sanhu scratched his head sheepishly.
“Xihu told me to sell there. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have earned this much. The other days I only made two or three yuan.”

“Two or three yuan isn’t bad either, better than working in the fields,” Ye Fangfei encouraged. Then she looked at Ye Dahuo and Ye Erhu.
“Big brother, Second brother, you shouldn’t stay in the fields. Go sell ice cream with Xihu—it pays better.”

Ye Erhu replied,
“I’ve been helping Sixth Uncle with furniture work, so I can’t leave. Once I finish, I’ll join you.”

He was skilled with woodwork. In the village, whenever someone got married or needed furniture, they would hire him to help.

Ye Dahuo saw his sister looking at him and shook his head.
“Xihu already told me to go, but I’m too shy to promote myself. I’ll stick to the fields.”

He envied his younger brother for earning a few yuan every day, but he simply wasn’t the type to speak up—around people, he barely knew what to say.

“Fine, suit yourselves. When my shop opens, Big Brother, you’ll help me, and I’ll pay you a salary.”

Ye Fangfei comforted her eldest brother and then turned back to discuss business with Ye Xihu.
“Xihu, I plan to check out the city tomorrow. While you and Sanhu are selling ice cream, keep an eye out for empty courtyards or shops in the East District.”

“Oh, and I need molds and an oven. Can your connections help?”

Ye Xihu thought for a moment.
“The oven is easy. Two years ago, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, I worked a few days at the food factory and met a guy there. I can take Dad and Dahuo to see how the oven works. Once they learn, they can make it for you, saving some money.”

Ye Fusheng and Ye Dahuo were well-known masons in the area, skilled at building stoves and worktops. Ye Xihu figured making an oven was similar and wanted them to learn from someone experienced.

“As for the cake molds, I’ll ask my friend if he can help. If not, we’ll find another solution.”

Ye Fangfei thought: her brother had such wide connections. He was clearly capable of big things.
“Then I’ll leave it to you, Xihu,” she said with a bright smile.

Once that was settled, the brothers stayed and chatted with their parents and little sister in the courtyard.

“Sanhu, Xihu, ice cream sales will only last another two months. When it cools, no one will buy. What are your plans afterward?” Ye Fangfei asked.

Ye Xihu had already planned his next ventures but kept his voice low, fearing eavesdroppers might steal his ideas.
“When it cools, we’ll stop selling ice cream. Then your sister can buy agricultural products from nearby villages, and we’ll sell them in the city’s residential compounds. When it gets colder, we’ll sell lamb soup, buns, and steamed bread at the train station.”

“Sister, Dad and Mom are right. You’re clever—you’re cut out for business,” Ye Fangfei praised him, giving a thumbs-up.

Turning to the honest, simple Ye Sanhu, she asked,
“Sanhu, are you still selling ice cream in the East District tomorrow?”

He nodded.
“Yes, I already told the workers. I’ll be there tomorrow at noon.”

“Then stock up on ice cream and pops. I’ll come help sell while I look for a place to rent.”

“That’s great! You speak better than me, so you’ll do better business,” Sanhu said.
“I won’t let you work for nothing. Whatever we earn, we’ll split it half and half.”

Fangfei waved him off.
“Sanhu, I don’t need money. Just let me eat ice cream.”

“Fine, eat as much as you want,” Sanhu laughed.

Zhou Hongyu was delighted to hear her third son made five yuan today and eagerly asked Xihu, “Oldest son, how much did you make?”

Ye Xihu smirked and signaled his mother.
“Eight?” Zhou Hongyu gasped and stared at him.

“Eight yuan sixty cents,” Ye Xihu said, raising his eyebrows proudly.
“The hot weather brought more buyers, so I made an extra delivery.”

Zhou Hongyu slapped the table, pointing at Dahuo and Erhu.
“Second, Sixth, stop what you’re doing tomorrow. Go sell ice cream with your brothers. Big brother too!”

Ye Dahuo wanted to protest, knowing his limits and shyness.
“Mom, I think I’ll pass…”

“Go! All of you are going,” Zhou Hongyu scolded fiercely.
“If you’re too shy, bring your wives. They can talk for you.”

Ye Erhu was excited.
“I’ll make the wooden boxes tonight. Materials are ready, so we can finish and join Sanhu and Xihu tomorrow.”

Ye Laifu also stood up.
“Let’s go. I’ll help. Early action in this heat earns more money.”

Zhou Hongyu kicked Dahuo playfully.
“Go, tell your wife. Lunch will be here at my place.”

Dahuo had no choice but to follow his father and second brother out.

Soon, Sanhu and Xihu also left.
“Mom, little sister, rest early. You’ve worked hard today,” Zhou Hongyu said, seeing her tanned sons.

Ye Fangfei asked Sanhu,
“When will you be in the East District tomorrow? I want to meet you there.”

“I’ll be at the textile factory’s east gate at 11:30 a.m., then go to the glass factory…”

“Okay, I’ll meet you there. But if something comes up and I can’t make it, don’t wait for me.”

“Alright, little sister. Stay safe,” Sanhu replied.

Ye Xihu looked at the livelier, more confident little sister and felt relieved.
She had always been shy, answering sparingly. Now she was talking more, thinking about doing business in the city—a big change.

“Tomorrow, after selling ice cream, I’ll go see my friend at the food factory. If he agrees to help, I’ll take you to meet him the day after. We’ll discuss it in person,” Ye Xihu said.

“Got it, I’ll follow your lead,” Fangfei replied.

As she was about to see them off, Ye Xihu suddenly said,
“Little sister, I ran into Shen Zhanping and his wife in the city today. They just got married, right?”

“Twenty-first of last month,” Fangfei replied. Meeting them in the city wasn’t surprising.

Ye Xihu nodded and recounted the encounter.
“His wife seems scheming. While I talked to Zhanping, she kept glancing around. She even asked me casually how much I earn, so I brushed her off.”

Fangfei snorted, pretending to be angry.
“She’s tricky. Just married a month and already causing trouble for me. I ignored it before, but today I had enough and confronted her—and even scolded her eldest sister-in-law and third aunt. This morning, I set them straight.”

“Sanhu, Xihu, you don’t know—because I’m younger, they like to pick on me. I didn’t reply before, but now I’ve realized I don’t owe them anything. Anyone who dares to speak to me again—I’ll fight back, even harder than them.”

Hearing how their sister had been bullied, Sanhu and Xihu’s faces darkened, fists clenched.

“Little sister, why didn’t you tell us? This is outrageous! How dare the Shen family bully you! Damn it! I’ll break their legs myself!” Sanhu fumed, wishing he could deal with them immediately.

Ye Xihu, though silent, looked even more frightening.

Zhou Hongyu interrupted,
“Enough. I’ve got this under control. Go to bed—you need to get up early tomorrow.”

Sanhu reluctantly patted his shoulder.
“Listen to Mom.”

He knew better than anyone—against those meddling women, their mother’s strength alone was enough.