Quick Transmigration: Drama Queen's Daily Life Chapter 4 - 3: The Not-So-Bad Dad

The demands of city life invariably revolved around money. After several days where every necessity required a purchase, Chen Wen found herself growing anxious about their financial future once more.

Ye Qiu, however, remained unperturbed. Their daughter had reached the age of three, making her eligible for kindergarten. Furthermore, the country's regulations had relaxed, and street vendors were beginning to reappear, hawking their wares in the alleys. To alleviate Chen Wen's worries, he decided to find an occupation for her.

He wasn't someone who subscribed to the notion that a woman's sole purpose was to support her husband and raise children. In his observation, women who were deeply entrenched in domesticity rarely possessed the same level of comfort and self-assurance as those who pursued their own careers.

Following the Lunar New Year, the streets buzzed with a newfound vibrancy compared to the previous year. A noticeable increase in pedestrian traffic was evident, and the attire of the populace had diversified, shedding the uniformity of green military uniforms and the somber tones of grey or black straight-cut garments.

Fashion-forward women began to embrace crimson dresses, accentuating their waists and calves, while men experimented with mousse for their hair, sporting floral shirts and bell-bottom trousers.

Ye Qiu, with these observations, knew precisely what path Chen Wen should take.

In this dynamic era of change, the fashion industry stood out as one of the most lucrative ventures.

Having expended nearly two hundred yuan, Ye Qiu acquired a sewing machine. Chen Wen had learned the art of tailoring from her master in her youth. Although marriage had sidelined this skill, she found it came back to her with ease.

For consecutive days, Ye Qiu dedicated himself to taking his wife and daughter on excursions to upscale districts. This was not mere indulgence; its primary objective was to provide Chen Wen with an immediate understanding of which clothing styles offered the greatest profitability and market appeal.

Subsequently, they meticulously selected fabrics from various cloth merchants. The quality of the material and the color palette were paramount. While the prices were not insignificant, they remained within their projected budget.

The next challenge was securing a storefront. Despite their dwindling funds, they were fortunate that the required space was modest. Two streets away from their modest courtyard, a commercial hub was beginning to take shape. It took Ye Qiu half a month to finalize the purchase of a small, twenty-square-meter shop.

He undertook the shop's renovation himself, applying a fresh coat of white paint to the walls and ceiling. Authentic tile sellers were scarce at the time, and the available patterns lacked aesthetic appeal. Considering the affordability of wooden flooring during that period, Ye Qiu opted for it throughout the space and commissioned several uniquely designed clothing racks.

Additional lighting fixtures were installed on the ceiling. Once the garments they had meticulously crafted were displayed, they exuded an air of sophistication that set them apart from neighboring establishments, embodying the very essence of 'stylish' for that era.

After several months of acclimating to urban life, Chen Wen's complexion transformed from a sun-kissed hue to a fair and smooth tone. Clad in a form-fitting crimson gown that cinched at the waist, and with a subtle application of lipstick, she stood at the shop's entrance, effectively serving as a living advertisement and drawing considerable attention.

Ye Qiu, too, adopted a more polished appearance, donning a crisp white shirt and suit trousers to draw in customers. Despite their premium pricing, in an era where trying on clothes was not a common practice, they offered a personalized fitting service.

Once donned, these garments proved irresistible to trendsetters, who found them difficult to part with. Though the price was steep, many would grit their teeth and purchase a set, while the affluent clientele acquired multiple outfits.

The designs incorporated current fashion trends, infused with Ye Qiu's foresight from a future generation, and complemented by Chen Wen's precise stitching and the use of comfortable, high-quality materials. Considering not only the provincial capital but also the entirety of Zhonghua Country, few establishments could rival the caliber of their offerings.

Within a single day, they managed to sell half of their initial inventory, which had been rapidly produced during the preceding period.

The earnings from that single day alone were sufficient to cover the expenses of the fabrics, the sewing machine, and a portion of the shop's initial capital. It was Chen Wen's inaugural experience of what it truly meant to amass a fortune and count money until her lips grew parched.

With no respite from the demand, the couple plunged back into the frenzied task of garment creation. Fortunately, Ye Manman proved to be an amenable child, content with her food and playtime, and caused no disturbances.

Following the intense half-month period, the couple finally found a moment to catch their breath. Ye Qiu began contemplating the necessity of hiring additional staff, specifically two individuals. He viewed the clothing venture as a path he was forging for Chen Wen, not as his ultimate destination. His sights were already set on the subsequent phase of his plans.

In the future, the most profitable sectors revolved around the internet, real estate, entertainment, and pharmaceuticals. However, without the requisite expertise or connections for pharmaceuticals, it was an unachievable goal. The entertainment industry, not yet flourishing inland during this period, offered limited profitability and could be pursued later.

The internet and real estate, however, presented viable opportunities for immediate consideration.

Nevertheless, venturing into real estate and the internet necessitated a significant initial investment. Chen Wen had no intention of encroaching upon the profits generated from his clothing store. A recollection surfaced: the Shanghai Stock Exchange was established in 1990, presenting a potential avenue for financial gain.

Two years elapsed, and Chen Wen's clothing enterprise had expanded to encompass five branches within the provincial capital. Adhering to Ye Qiu's counsel, they opted to purchase store locations rather than rent, subsequently registering their own distinct trademark and brand. Furthermore, land was acquired in the outskirts for the construction of a modest factory.

Instead of liquidating all available assets, a strategic decision was made to secure a bank loan.

In recent years, the government actively promoted self-employment, and the prevailing loan interest rates remained attractively low. Her clothing business experienced substantial growth, evolving into a recognized brand throughout the entire provincial city.

The subsequent objective was to augment the factory's capacity and initiate expansion into neighboring provinces and cities.

Witnessing the escalating success of Chen Wen's ventures, Ye Qiu remained equally proactive. Undertaking multiple journeys to the special economic zones, he observed the continuous emergence of towering structures, fostering a deepening sense of realization. He understood that a monumental shift was imminent, and seizing this opportune moment was paramount.

Leveraging the savings accumulated over the years, Ye Qiu made his entry into the recently established Shanghai Stock Exchange. Over the subsequent year, through a series of strategic stock transactions, his capital grew to astonishing proportions.

Subsequently, utilizing these replenished funds, he established the Manwen Construction Company, commencing the acquisition of land in Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Jing City.

With all endeavors progressing according to plan, the couple found themselves intensely occupied, leaving Ye Manman as the sole individual with ample free time.

The diminutive figure of yesteryear, barely three feet tall, had now reached the age of five and had completed a year of kindergarten at a unique bilingual institution within the provincial capital. This year marked her progression to first grade.

Despite her mother's demanding schedule, she made sure to return home daily for bedtime. Her father, though equally busy, would dedicate his spare moments to taking her on excursions. In Ye Manman's perception, her days were filled with joy, with the exception of the preceding few days.

Ever since the new residents moved in next door, a pervasive sense of gloom had settled upon her.

The young boy residing next door, her peer in age and classmates, possessed a more captivating appearance and superior academic performance. Moreover, she discerned his remarkable ability to feign innocence.

In the presence of adults, he exhibited exemplary behavior. However, when they were alone, he would resort to playfully poking her cheeks, tugging at her ponytails, and even issuing veiled threats to discourage her from socializing with other children.

She confided these occurrences to her mother, who unfortunately dismissed her claims. Subsequently, she shared her concerns with her father, who regarded her with a peculiar expression. While he offered comfort, he did not take the action she desperately wished for – to have the troublesome young neighbor removed.

For Ye Manman, accustomed to an uninterrupted flow of positive experiences since the tender age of three, this situation proved deeply unsettling.

The only viable recourse seemed to be to actively avoid the vexing young boy.

"Hey, why are you ignoring me?" Ling Heng, his delicate and charming features etched with a slight frown, inquired with a tone laced with hurt, firmly grasping Ye Manman's small hand.

"Hmph!" Ye Manman resolved to disregard him but found herself unable to extricate her hand from his grasp. Instantly, her eyes welled up, a sheen of moisture clouding her large irises as she directed an indignant glare at Ling Heng.

Initially, she had harbored a fondness for this attractive young boy. However, his apparent lack of reciprocal affection and his persistent teasing led her to conclude that she no longer wished to entertain any liking for him, nor did she desire his companionship.

"Why are you crying? Please don't cry." Ling Heng's immediate reaction was one of distress, bewildered by the sudden tears of the pretty young girl.

"Let go of me." Ye Manman's voice, though soft and tender, possessed an inherent quality that effortlessly captivated the hearts of those who heard it.

Despite his reluctance, Ling Heng gradually loosened his grip. "Then don't cry. How about I give you some chocolate?" The five-year-old boy, uncertain of how to appease the girl he fancied, could only offer his most treasured possession in an awkward gesture.

Fortunately for Ling Heng, Ye Manman, a notorious lover of sweets, found herself swayed by the sight of the substantial piece of chocolate clutched in his hand. Her foodie instincts engaged in an internal struggle.