"Xiao Chuan, I think we can continue to open franchise stores for this Meitehao supermarket," Li Ya said, her eyes shining, her merchant's instinct kicking in again. "Just like my garment factory!"
"Didn't you talk to the CEO of Meitehao? He allows you to open franchise stores in other cities, as long as we have the capital and energy."
Unexpectedly, Qin Chuan, who was usually very enthusiastic about making money, showed a hesitant expression this time.
"It's true that supermarkets can make money, but I don't want my parents to work too hard!"
"Sister, you actually know that the reason I opened this franchise supermarket was purely a casual endeavor. Back then, our money was just sitting idle, and primarily, I wanted to find a less strenuous job for my parents."
"If I want to make money, I won't rely on this little supermarket!"
Li Ya's initially excited expression froze, then she showed an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, Xiao Chuan! I'm too greedy for money!"
"It's most appropriate for Uncle and Aunt to manage this supermarket. They're already at that age; they shouldn't be reduced to money-making machines like us."
Qin Chuan stood up. "We'll discuss the plan to open more supermarkets later!"
"It's still early before lunch. I'll take you to the county government."
"Also, let's not touch the money this supermarket earns for now!"
"Okay, okay, I'll listen to you!" Li Ya obediently followed behind him.
About ten minutes later, the Tiger Head Benz stopped in the government compound. Qin Chuan and Li Ya got out of the car and went up to the second floor as if they were familiar with the place. However, just as they reached the county magistrate's office door, they heard a burst of cheerful laughter from inside, including women's voices, more than one, and also the sounds of children playing.
Qin Chuan knocked on the door with a hint of confusion. After hearing a response from inside, he pushed the door open. Upon entering and seeing the scene in the office, Qin Chuan was momentarily stunned. It was lively inside. Two children, a boy and a girl, were playing with toys on the coffee table, while two men and two women sat on either side of the sofa, leisurely eating sunflower seeds and chatting.
Besides Ye Qingping, Ye Meiyun was also there, along with Secretary Wang Ping'an. However, there was a woman in her thirties, well-maintained, dignified, and elegant, whom Qin Chuan didn't recognize. She was sitting next to Ye Qingping, with sunflower seeds in her palm. Judging by her posture and demeanor, her relationship with Ye Qingping was clearly not ordinary.
"Oh, look who's here, our county's big star!"
"Boss Qin, Manager Li, please come and sit here!" Ye Qingping saw Qin Chuan and Li Ya and greeted them warmly with a smile.
Ye Meiyun also waved to Qin Chuan and Li Ya, inviting them to sit. As for Wang Ping'an, he very perceptively stood up, got two disposable paper cups, and helped pour tea.
"Qin Chuan, Li Ya, let me introduce you. This is my sister-in-law! Wu Qili!" Ye Meiyun pointed to the dignified and elegant woman.
Qin Chuan and Li Ya both blinked in surprise, then exchanged a look. They both saw a moment of realization in each other's eyes.
"I was just wondering why the county magistrate, who has always been indifferent to women and kept himself pure, suddenly had a beautiful woman by his side. So it's the magistrate's wife who's here!" Qin Chuan greeted Wu Qili with a smile.
"Hello, sister-in-law. My name is Qin Chuan, just a small soldier under County Magistrate Ye!"
"Hello, sister-in-law, I'm Li Ya!" Li Ya also quickly greeted Wu Qili.
Wu Qili looked surprised, her gaze falling on the young man in front of her who showed no shyness. Then, a faint smile appeared on her delicate face.
"Hello!"
"Please, sit down quickly!" Ye Qingping across from them also wore a gentle smile.
Qin Chuan said "Okay" and was about to sit down when suddenly, a small figure lunged towards him. "Uncle!!"
Qin Chuan instinctively reached out his hands, and the small figure fell into his embrace.
"Niu Niu?" Seeing the cute face of the girl in his arms, Qin Chuan's face showed disbelief, and he subconsciously looked at Ye Meiyun beside him.
Ye Meiyun smiled brilliantly and said, "Niu Niu was brought along by my sister-in-law when she came over."
"Qin Chuan, my brother and I aren't going back for Lunar New Year this year. We plan to spend it here!"
Qin Chuan sat down with Niu Niu in his lap and said excitedly, "That's great! Then we'll have a lively New Year!"
Ye Meiyun was a widow. Her current status was rather awkward. If she went to her in-laws' for the New Year, it would be a sad place, and her presence might affect the festive atmosphere of the entire in-law's family. Going back to her maiden family for the New Year also seemed inappropriate, as she had been married for many years. After much consideration, she thought it would be better to bring the child over and spend the New Year with her elder brother's family. Neither side of the family would be visited.
"Sister Meiyun, is this... is this your child?" Li Ya asked subconsciously, looking at the girl sitting on Qin Chuan's lap, who was clearly very attached to him.
"Yes, her name is Niu Niu. She'll be five years old after the New Year!" Ye Meiyun replied.
"Wow, so cute! Niu Niu, can Auntie hold you for a bit?" Li Ya was captivated by Niu Niu's adorable appearance, her eyes sparkling with affection.
"No! I only want Uncle!" To Li Ya's surprise, she was ruthlessly rejected by Niu Niu. Li Ya felt a little embarrassed. Ye Meiyun explained in a timely manner, "Niu Niu, ever since that accident, she's developed a strong dependence on Xiao Chuan!"
"When she's at school in Beijing, whenever she calls, she always talks about Uncle Xiao Chuan."
Qin Chuan's heart trembled upon hearing this. He looked down at the little girl sitting in his arms. "Niu Niu, do you miss Uncle very much?"
"Mmm! Very much!" Niu Niu answered without hesitation, her little head snuggled tightly against Qin Chuan's chest.
"Shame, shame, shame! Teacher taught me that girls shouldn't sit on boys' laps!" At that moment, the little boy of similar age by the coffee table made a funny face at Niu Niu.
"Hmph, Uncle is an adult, not a boy!" To everyone's surprise, Niu Niu's mind turned out to be very quick. This remark made everyone laugh.
"Qin Chuan... Qin Chuan... that name sounds so familiar. Could he be the one who rescued Meiyun and Niu Niu?" Wu Qili suddenly asked her husband.
"Wife, you guessed right! Qin Chuan is indeed Meiyun and Niu Niu's savior." Ye Qingping said with a smile.
Wu Qili looked surprised and examined Qin Chuan from head to toe. At this point, Ye Qingping added, "Not only that, Qin Chuan is now Meiyun's boss!"
"Even though he's very young, he's not lacking in ability at all. At such a young age, he already has assets worth tens of millions and is the number one celebrity in our Yongnan County."
"His industries cover real estate, supermarkets, garment factories, electronics factories, and many other fields..."
The more Wu Qili listened, the more astonished she became, her beautiful eyes widening.
"Sister-in-law, don't listen to the county magistrate talking nonsense. I just want to earn a little more money!" Qin Chuan said humbly.