"How was your trip to Hong Kong? Did it go smoothly?"
After an intimate moment, Shen Xue, flushed with desire, lay in Chen Yang's arms. With their little one, it had been a long time since they had made love so passionately.
Chen Yang stroked Shen Xue's soft hair and let out a long sigh.
Being in Hong Kong these past few days, constantly with that seductive vixen Huang Lizhen, had been frustrating. Today, he had finally managed to release all that pent-up tension.
Chen Yang found it strange. In his previous life, countless beautiful women had thrown themselves at him, but he had felt nothing. Now, reborn, with his wife and child living happily, encountering someone like Huang Lizhen actually made him feel a bit agitated. It was truly bizarre.
However, he was still able to control himself. While he couldn't always manage his body's natural reactions, he would still hold firm to his principles when it came to things he shouldn't do.
He pulled Shen Xue closer, letting her rest her face against his chest, her soft hair damp with sweat.
"It went very smoothly. This time, we secured an order for over 400,000 cans of fermented fish. More orders should be coming in continuously."
Chen Yang didn't mention the matter of exchanging dollars for US dollars. Shen Xue was still unaware of his business in Shanghai and the production of televisions. He planned to surprise her once it was successful.
He intended to bring the first television set produced by their own factory back home. This year, the village had already started discussing laying electricity lines. It was estimated that electricity would reach them by the end of the year, and then their home would be quite lively.
In the 1980s, if a family owned a television, crowds would gather outside their house, three layers deep, to watch shows. Some people, even if they couldn't see the screen, were willing to stand outside just to listen to the sounds of the programs.
"Then our factory will need to expand its scale, right? Our current monthly production is only thirty to forty thousand cans, which is definitely not enough."
Although Shen Xue wasn't directly involved in managing the fermented fish factory, she would inquire about the number of workers, production output, and revenue profit when she had the chance. The factory had hired accountants and cashiers, and every transaction was recorded. Not only did Director Liu from the commune and the old village secretary inspect the accounts from time to time, but Shen Xue also reviewed them when she had free time. Furthermore, with Chen Yang's father-in-law, Shen Futang, managing the winery that supplied raw materials to the fermented fish factory, Shen Xue had a fairly good understanding of the factory's basic situation.
"Yes, I'm back now to prepare for building new factory buildings and hiring more workers to expand our production scale."
"Not only will we be hiring, but I also plan to communicate with the leaders in our county and the surrounding counties, encouraging them to vigorously develop aquaculture in the region."
"Once the factory's reputation grows, I will definitely export our products through Hong Kong to the Golden Triangle and Southeast Asia. We will need a significant amount of fish then."
Chen Yang was well aware of the marketing capabilities of Hong Kong businessmen. As one of the world's leading ports, Hong Kong businessmen were thriving in foreign trade, with sales channels spanning the globe. A large number of Chinese lived in the Golden Triangle and Southeast Asia. If Hong Kong people could adapt to it, fermented fish could also create a market there.
Chen Yang even considered whether to develop a modified version of "curry fish" canned food in the future, directly supplying it to India. With over a billion people there, if the market could be opened up and Indians acquired a taste for it, it would be like possessing an endless source of wealth.
"Won't that put a lot of pressure on you?"
Shen Xue didn't care about the number of orders Chen Yang secured or how much money he could earn. She was only worried that he would work too hard. She remembered how he used to wake up at four or five in the morning to catch fish and buy roasted chicken for her and their daughter, returning home tanned like a coal ball.
"What worthwhile endeavor is without pressure?"
"I just want to earn more money to provide you and the children with the life you desire. Of course, I also have my own ideals and ambitions. I don't want to live an ordinary life. I want to bring some change to our surrounding villagers and to our country."
Chen Yang embraced Shen Xue, knowing that his wife was concerned about him. However, given his current achievements, Chen Yang felt it wasn't yet time for him to rest. People are like this; when you hold a winning hand, if you don't play it, you'll always have regrets. This is human nature! He understood future economic trends and knew what ventures would be profitable. How could he bear to be a mere contented rich man?
Of course, he wouldn't completely abandon his family for business, making his life no different from his previous one. He wanted to experience the beauty of the world with his wife and children, let them accompany him in his struggles, and share the joy of success together.
"As long as you have a plan, don't push yourself too hard. No matter what, your child and I will always be by your side."
Shen Xue initiated a kiss, a rare act of forwardness for her usually shy self.
"I know, and I will also spend plenty of time with you and the children."
"I'll be here at home during the expansion of the fermented fish factory. Once things are settled here, I'll take you all back to Shanghai."
Thinking about returning to Shanghai, Chen Yang felt a headache coming on. He had only attended classes diligently for half a month before skipping for another half month. With the expansion of the fermented fish factory and hiring, it would likely take at least ten to fifteen days to sort everything out. This time, he might have to skip classes for a month. He wondered if the beautiful counselor would literally devour him. He was clearly starting off as a problematic student. What a headache!
"Okay, I'll go to Shanghai with you then. I don't want to be separated from you. When I'm not by your side, I always feel an emptiness in my heart."
Shen Xue hugged Chen Yang tightly. Just as they were about to become more intimate again, the sound of their son, Xiao Chen Peng, crying from the next room suddenly rang out.
"The baby must be hungry. Hurry and bring him back; I'll breastfeed him."
Shen Xue nudged Chen Yang. Hearing their son cry, as a mother, she had no other thoughts.
Chen Yang, slightly disappointed, put on his clothes and got out of bed. As he opened the door, he saw his mother-in-law coming over, cradling the child and preparing to bring him over.
Chen Yang took the wailing toddler. Looking at the child, Chen Yang chuckled; the little one was just howling without a single tear in his eyes. However, he was likely hungry. He had his last feeding around four in the afternoon, and it was almost nine now. How could he not be hungry?
Chen Yang handed the little one to Shen Xue. He watched as the child, familiar with the routine, nestled into his wife's arms and began to suckle with soft whimpers.
"He's eating so heartily. Is it really that delicious?"
Chen Yang glanced at his wife. Shen Xue, noticing her husband's slightly envious gaze at their son, blushed.
"Little one can't finish it all. Perhaps you'd like to have a taste later?"
After saying that, Shen Xue wished she could bury her head in her neck. Oh, how embarrassing!