Jiang Xingye hired the old lady Jiang and a very progressive old lady from the residents’ committee to organize the vegetables, packing and stacking the delivered produce neatly every day, and labeling the shelves with the names, unit prices, weights, and selling prices of the vegetables.

Later, tofu from private producers gradually started being delivered to the supermarket.

After that, fruits were also available.

The nearby production team occasionally brought meat pigs or wild game to sell.

The varieties of vegetables changed daily, but after gaining fame, people flocked to buy them early each morning.

The reputation of the Shangjiang Supermarket was growing louder in Yan City.

Jiang Xingye didn’t fall behind in his university courses; on the contrary, his attitude toward learning was very rigorous. Like Xu Qinghuan, he was always the top in his department in every exam.

The duration of the mathematics and physics program was five and a half years.

In July 1984, Jiang Xingye graduated from Yan City University. His graduation project was a CNC machine tool, which caused a sensation in the entire machinery industry on the day of his defense. The content of the defense was kept confidential, and the data was directly taken away by the Machinery Bureau.

Xu Qinghuan continued to stay at school for further studies. She completed her undergraduate program in three years and her graduate studies in two, and now she was pursuing a Ph.D.

Mainly, she didn’t want to work in a hospital and planned to stay at the university to teach after graduation, seeking a quiet life and not wanting to shift to a new circle of colleagues.

Meanwhile, due to the examples of both Elder Huo and Elder Jiang, she spent considerable time outside of her studies on nurturing the health of some political figures, with excellent results and a significant reputation.

That year, Dong Province Peng City, as a pilot city, took the lead in abolishing ration tickets and realized a free market economy for trade.

Jiang Baohua went to Yan City again, and this time, he was not alone.

At the end of last year, the name Red Flag Commune had already been phased out with the policy reforms.

The Shangjiang Team was now under Anguang County, and Jiang Baohua became a leader in the county.

Accompanying him were Zhang Changqing and other office workers from the county.

Seeing the five-court house where Jiang Xingye lived, with a seemingly brand-new Jeep parked at the door, everyone was secretly amazed.

No wonder Jiang Baohua, an old farmer, could stand tall and proud as a leader in the county.

Look at the abilities of his nephew. In his position, who could guarantee not getting too proud?

"Old hero, you really are in good health!" Zhang Changqing said sincerely as he shook hands with Elder Jiang, full of admiration.

"Hahaha, I’m just riding on the coattails of my granddaughter-in-law. Having a doctor in the family is very convenient."

Seeing the leaders from his hometown, Jiang Chengfa was naturally very courteous, "Please, have a seat."

Aunt Chu perceptively came over to serve tea. Seeing that Elder Jiang didn’t introduce her, Zhang Changqing and the others understood that she was a hired helper.

According to the old standards, this lifestyle was akin to that of a wealthy family.

Zhang Changqing wasn’t a man for small talk. He got straight to the point, "Comrade Jiang, we deliberately timed our visit for this moment after your university graduation. You know how long we’ve been waiting for this day!"

Jiang Xingye laughed, "The country has trained me for five and a half years. Now, I am also part of the country, and things are out of my hands!"

Zhang Changqing wasn’t sure if he understood, "We don’t know how much other places need you, but Anguang County needs you, the Shangjiang Team needs you even more. That’s an undeniable fact. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Comrade Jiang, you’ve come from Anguang County. Before, during hardships, Shangjiang Team was the only one achieving industrialized farming, and people lived very well. Five and a half years have passed, proving that whatever the work, intellectuals must lead."

He stared at Jiang Baohua.

Jiang Baohua steeled himself and said, "Xiao Wu, the factories you set up back then can’t continue now."

Jiang Xingye stretched his legs, "It’s normal that they can’t continue. Running a business certainly involves great risks, especially in the current situation. The era of planned economy is gone for good, and what follows is a market economy;

People have the freedom to buy things. If products lack innovation and can’t guarantee quality, they definitely won’t sell."

The Shangjiang Team initially set up a machinery factory producing electric sewing machines, harvesters, threshers, and a clothing factory making clothes. These items once swept across the country.

So far, Hua Country has no patent law. If products sold well, the public liked them, they would be copied extensively. The Shangjiang Team failed to continue innovating and naturally was eliminated.

At the time, although the factory had a technical department, the main force was still Jiang Xingye, with the secondary force being those sent-down youths. Once everyone had left, what significant role could a few illiterate locals play?

This was also within Jiang Xingye’s expectations.

"So what do we do? It’s such a good factory, it can’t just disappear like that." Zhang Changqing was deeply regretful. He had thought that Jiang Xingye would be even more anxious than he, but that wasn’t the case.

Of course, Jiang Xingye wasn’t anxious. He spread his hands, indicating his helplessness, "I can’t possibly go back to the Shangjiang Team now. After much effort, I got into the city, and I’m waiting for an assignment. My wife and child are here, what should they do if I leave impulsively?"

Zhang Changqing said, "Comrade Xu is also an amazing talent. If you’re willing to return, even if you want my position as secretary, I’ll move aside for you."

Jiang Xingye laughed, "Secretary, I studied mathematics and physics, not administration. I’m not suited for that."

Zhang Changqing was destined to return empty-handed.

As the group left the Jiang Family, they strolled along Houhai. The willow trees swayed, and the scenery was picturesque.

Zhang Changqing couldn’t help sighing, "If I lived in such a place, I wouldn’t want to return to the remote Anguang, either."

The companions agreed.

Who would have thought that Jiang Xingye could live in such a wonderful place?

As they walked, someone was engaged in friendly conversation.

"Where did you buy this?"

"Shangjiang Supermarket. You can buy anything there, and you don’t need ration tickets."

"This table is nice, foldable, and quite pretty."

They looked over and saw that it was made by Shangjiang Furniture Factory.

Zhang Changqing quickly went over to inquire and, learning the location of Shangjiang Supermarket, they all headed over.

My goodness, it was bustling!

This wasn’t even a weekend.

Shangjiang Supermarket was no longer what it was four years ago.

After being renovated, the second floor was opened up. It offered a complete range of household goods in a self-service shopping mode. Following the crowd inside, the group wandered between the shelves, gazing at the dazzling array of goods, clearly priced items, and packaged products, feeling both shocked and novel.

This was a whole new shopping experience.

After wandering for a while, they finally encountered a familiar face.

They saw Jiang Xinglan in a white shirt and black pants, with her shirt tucked into her waist, and wearing mid-heel shoes, neat and tidy.

She was directing the staff to stock the shelves.

"Hey, Comrade Jiang, nice to see you. Do you remember us?" Zhang Changqing asked.

After getting married, Jiang Xinglan soon became pregnant and later gave birth to a son.

She continued working at Shangjiang Supermarket, studying while working. Being naturally smart, diligent, and hardworking, she quickly became capable of handling things independently.

"Hello, yes, Secretary Zhang, I remember. Oh, we’re all fellow townsmen. Come, let’s go to the office. I’ll find a place to treat you to some tea." Jiang Xinglan lifted her chest confidently, showing a composed and capable demeanor, typical of female leadership.

Quite impressive indeed.