The train's speed gradually decreased, and many passengers began preparing to disembark. Chen Zi'an also instructed the children to pack their belongings.
"Uncle, have we arrived in Licheng?" Su Xiaotian asked.
"Licheng is not yet connected by train. We've arrived in Rongcheng. Your trip this time is short, and going to Licheng would waste a lot of time, so I won't take you there."
Su Xiaotian was slightly disappointed. She had actually wanted to see what Licheng was like now and if there were any business opportunities, but her uncle's reasoning was sound. Their time was too limited to waste.
As they spoke, Su Shouwen and his brothers had already gathered their luggage and were ready to get off the train. Su Xiaotian wanted to help, but her brothers stopped her. Not only Su Xiaotian but also Su Xiaomei disembarked with empty hands.
"You brats, not bad!" Chen Zi'an said, laughing, holding his son in one arm and carrying luggage in the other.
Following the crowded throng, the group quickly exited the train station. It had to be said that the prosperity they witnessed after disembarking truly shocked the young people. They thought the capital was prosperous enough, but Rongcheng was clearly even more so.
Su Xiaotian, in fact, felt a sense of disappointment. After all, having seen prosperous cities in her previous life, even if Rongcheng was developing earlier than other cities now, it was incomparable to what she had experienced before. However, for the others, it was already astonishing.
"Uncle, so many people are setting up stalls?" Su Si asked excitedly. Even in the capital, selling goods from stalls was done discreetly. She hadn't expected it to be so openly accepted here in Rongcheng.
"It's still daytime. When night falls and the night market opens, there will be even more people," Chen Zi'an said with a smile. Looking at Rongcheng, he was also wondering when Licheng could develop to this extent. If Licheng could become like Rongcheng, he would feel he had fulfilled his duty as mayor.
Rongcheng was much hotter than the northwest. The siblings had already shed their thick cotton clothes on the train, but it was still warm. After walking only a few steps, they were all sweating profusely.
"Let's find a place to settle down, rest a bit, and then I'll take you around!" Chen Zi'an suggested. They were all hot and thinking of finding a place to change clothes and wash off the dust from their journey, so no one disagreed.
Su Manxiu and Chen Zi'an lived in Licheng and had no place to stay in Rongcheng, so they all stayed at a guesthouse. A large group of over a dozen people staying at the guesthouse was quite noticeable, but the staff seemed accustomed to it. They barely looked up, only confirming the identities of a few people and processing their check-in upon receiving payment.
They booked three-person rooms. Chen Zi'an and Su Taohua shared one with Chen Xiuyuan. Su Ciliang, Su Shouwen, and Su Sangong shared another. Su Lao San, Xiaogang, and Xiaosi shared a third. The remaining room was for the two girls, Su Xiaomei and Su Xiaotian. The price for a night at the guesthouse was not low, costing three yuan. Fortunately, the children all had some savings and didn't feel too pained by the cost.
Chen Zi'an had spent some time in Rongcheng before moving to Licheng, so he was somewhat familiar with the city. After resting and cleaning up, he took them out for a meal. With such a large group, Chen Zi'an decided to take them to a small eatery. The eatery had a small storefront and not many customers inside. Chen Zi'an's group occupied two tables and ordered Cheung fun and a bowl of boat porridge.
Su Xiaotian had never been to Rongcheng in either of her lives, but she had tried Rongcheng's famous Cheung fun before. However, that was a long time ago. Eating it now, she found the taste much better than what she remembered from her previous life.
"This eatery is good," Su Manxiu said with a smile, nodding. It was clear she was quite familiar with local snacks and could easily discern authenticity. The half-grown boys ate very quickly.
"Not far ahead, I have a friend. I'll take you there, and he can show you around. He knows Rongcheng much better than I do." After paying the bill, Chen Zi'an, carrying young Chen Xiuyuan, called everyone to move.
Chen Zi'an led them through several turns until they reached the entrance of a small courtyard. After knocking, a young man in his early twenties opened the door. The young man's eyes held a hint of shrewdness, indicating he wasn't without experience.
"Mayor Chen, why are you here?" the young man exclaimed happily upon seeing Chen Zi'an. He thought Mayor Chen had gone home for the New Year and returned so quickly.
"I had some matters to attend to, so I came back. Mumu, this is a gift I brought for you and your siblings from home!" Chen Zi'an said, handing a bag to the young man.
The young man quickly declined, "Mayor Chen, why did you bring us something? It's such a long way!"
"It's just a local specialty, don't dislike it. Your sister-in-law knows you're doing well now, but you can't dislike our little token, can you?" Su Manxiu also knew Mumu, speaking very casually. The young man named Mumu then blushingly accepted the gift and thanked Chen Zi'an and his wife repeatedly.
"Mumu, these are my nieces and nephews, and my third brother. They'll be staying in Rongcheng for a few days. I'd like to ask you to accompany them around. Is that okay?" Chen Zi'an introduced them briefly and asked for Mumu's opinion. The young man was clearly surprised that Chen Zi'an would ask him to accompany his relatives. Was he understanding it correctly? He felt he might be mistaken. Mayor Chen was an official; if his family intended to start a business, couldn't Mayor Chen just issue a permit? Why would he need to bother him? Although the market had opened up and making money was easier, not everyone who entered the water could swim. Those who truly made big money were those with ability and permits to obtain scarce goods. However, Mayor Chen's intention did seem to be for these children to start a business.
Chen Zi'an nodded, "The children want to try their hand at it, and I'm not at ease leaving them here alone, so I'll have to trouble you!" Chen Zi'an disdained making money through illegal or disciplinary means like other families. He firmly believed that even through legitimate channels, one could still earn money.
"Mayor Chen, don't worry, I guarantee the task will be completed!" Mumu immediately assured him after understanding Chen Zi'an's intention. He was not the same as before; he had established himself. And his stability was partly due to Mayor Chen. This was his chance to repay Mayor Chen. Su Xiaotian and the others clearly hadn't expected Chen Zi'an to find them a local guide. But this was perfect. After a brief introduction, the group began their exploration that very day. Su Manxiu, tired from several days on the train, returned to rest. Chen Zi'an, due to his official status, also returned to the guesthouse to rest with his wife and child. Meanwhile, the excited young people, led by the young man named Mumu, busied themselves chasing after profit.