’Why didn’t I learn more from Yang Kun back when he was running his factory? Now I have to start from scratch. But that’s not urgent. First, I need to handle this autumn tea harvest.’

’If this batch of autumn tea sells, it’ll be much easier for me to get things done in the village in the future.’

Tan You didn’t think this was being calculating. Only by binding her own interests with everyone else’s would they have her back if she ever ran into trouble.

Fifth Uncle was a man of action. Tan You had spoken to him about it at noon, and by the time she returned from the mountain that evening, the open space in front of the old family house was filled with dried goods.

There were all sorts of wood ear fungus, snow fungus, and other mushrooms. The village aunts were using their experience to sort and grade these mountain delicacies. Xu Liang, forgoing any rest, set up his camera and started filming everything.

Only after drinking a bowl of water did Tan You smile. "Fifth Uncle, you really are a man of action. Does everyone have enough money?"

Fifth Uncle clasped his hands behind his back. "Everyone has some spare cash for now, and the money from your end comes in fast. They all agreed as soon as we told them the price. It’s more than double what the wholesale buyers offer. They’d really be losing out if they didn’t sell to us."

"We’ve all discussed it. Everyone offers the same price when they go out to buy. We can’t be making unconscionable profits."

Tan You smiled. "That’s great. I have full confidence in how you handle things, Fifth Uncle."

Fifth Uncle furrowed his brow. "I’m just a little worried. Do you think those wholesale buyers will come looking for us?"

"If they come looking for trouble, we’re not just going to sit back and take it!" a hot-tempered aunt snapped. "There are so many of us! They’ve been lowballing us every single year. We’ve lost so much money over time."

"If Ali hadn’t come back, we’d never have it this easy! If they dare show up, we’ll break their legs!"

"That’s right! If they dare to come, we’ll run them out of town!"

Seeing that the crowd was getting worked up, Tan You quickly waved her hands to calm them. "We’re about to start living better lives. We can’t let a few people ruin that. Fifth Uncle, when you go out to buy these things, please have a word with the other mountain villagers. We can’t do a good deed and end up taking the blame for it..."

"It’s true we mark up the price when we sell, but who goes into business not to make a profit? We’re already being more than fair. Do the people who go out to collect the goods not get paid? Does it not take time and energy for everyone to sort and classify everything back here? Fifth Uncle, you have to explain it to people properly. We’re earning this money through hard work, too."

Fifth Uncle’s eyes narrowed. "Don’t worry. Our main principle is that it’s all voluntary. If they’re willing to sell, we’ll buy. We’re not forcing anyone. It’s just like you said—we’re earning our money through hard work, too."

Xu Liang watched Tan You and Fifth Uncle talk. Though the words were unabashedly about business, Xu Liang didn’t find her the least bit off-putting. Perhaps it was because she wasn’t seeking profits for herself, but for the villagers.

In truth, people weren’t stupid. When the teams Fifth Uncle sent out went to collect the mountain goods, some villagers inevitably made sour remarks. But once the collectors explained all the work that went into it back at the village, the snide comments quickly died down.

Although the prices Ji Li offered were tempting, they didn’t have her connections. She was from the Shen family’s village and would naturally favor her own people.

Besides, when choosing between selling to Shen Village or the wholesale buyers, the choice was obvious. You can have a grudge against anyone, but not against money.

Xu Liang scrolled through the comments on Ji Li’s social media account. "Look at you. You’re supposed to be a dance vlogger, but now your mountain delicacy business is booming. Everyone’s begging you to list more products."

Tan You replied, "I can’t just pull more out of thin air. But seriously, what do you think about starting a farm for mountain delicacies here? Even with the tea garden, that’s only two harvests a year. We can’t just sit around doing nothing in the meantime, can we?"

"Our environment here seems perfect for it. If we were to cultivate mushrooms, I think it could be really profitable. We’d just need to do a lot of research and find a technician beforehand."

Xu Liang snarked, "Your tea factory is still just a fantasy, and you’re already planning a mushroom farm?"

"I’m just thinking ahead. We can talk about it after this autumn tea season is over. There’s plenty of time." Tan You made a mental note about the cultivation project; it was something to consider later.

"Oh, right. I’ve been getting some private messages from my youngest uncle and his wife. To stop them from slinging mud at me, I need you to help me with something."

Aunt Shen threw her spatula into the pot with a CLANG. "What are they trying to pull?"

Tan You smiled reassuringly. "They’re probably going to bring up my grandparents, trying to pressure me into supporting them."

Aunt Shen’s eyes blazed. "Have your youngest uncle and his wife dropped dead? Why is it a granddaughter’s turn to support them? That responsibility only falls to you when their own children are dead and gone."

Tan You said, "That’s true, but we can’t just let them slander me for free, can we? Even if I clear my name later, some of the mud will stick. Who knows what outsiders will think?"

Xu Liang nodded. "That’s true. We should get ahead of it. It’s the best way to protect you. What’s your plan?"

Tan You’s eyes narrowed slightly. "How about I find you some material, and you can edit it together?"

"No problem, leave it to me!" Xu Liang readily agreed. He and Tan You were friends now; of course he wouldn’t refuse to help with a small favor.

Tan You went to her room and quickly returned with a small box. On the very top of its contents was a formal agreement.

Aunt Shen had sharp eyes. "That agreement... it was signed with your maternal uncle and several elders from your father’s side of the family as witnesses. I have a copy as well."

Tan You nodded. "Mhm, I’ve kept it safe all this time. I was worried it would get damaged, so I had it laminated."

Xu Liang took the agreement. "So the death benefit paid out after your parents passed away... aside from two years of high school tuition, your grandparents took the rest?"

"Yes. When I went to college, I had to take out a student loan and work part-time jobs on the side. That’s the only way I made it through all four years."

Tan You recounted Ji Li’s life. ’There are a thousand kinds of suffering in this world, and each is unique. But I have to admit, Ji Li had it much harder than I ever did.’

Xu Liang considered this. "Got anything else? We should find more material; this one document won’t be enough on its own."

Tan You pulled a stack of photos from the box. "Not long after my parents passed away, my youngest uncle’s family built a new house..." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"My aunt started wearing several new pieces of jewelry, and Ji Peng’s clothes and shoes were gradually replaced with brand-name items..."

’Truth be told, Ji Li wasn’t stupid; she was just too weak back then. She had no way to fight back against the Ji family. Besides, Shen Cunming was too far away. Even if he wanted to look after her, he was simply too powerless to help.’

’On top of that, Shen Cunming was under immense pressure himself. In short, life wasn’t easy for anyone.’

Xu Liang said sympathetically, "You poor thing. Don’t worry, I’ll edit a killer video for you. We can’t let you get stained by this kind of filth."