Chapter 417| Chapter 418| Chapter 419
Chapter 417: The Photographer’s Perspective
“Not sleepy anymore?” Sheng Wanyan asked with a smile.
“No, no~” Yiyi shook her head vigorously, trying her best to shake off the lingering grogginess. She hadn’t played nearly enough yet and absolutely refused to go home.
Since her daughter was so determined, Sheng Wanyan naturally wouldn’t let her down. After all, she had promised the little girl before they left the compound that they would visit the supply and marketing cooperative and take new pictures.
“Alright, let’s go take our photos first,” Sheng Wanyan said coaxingly. “After that, I’ll take you to the cooperative. If there’s anything you want, just tell Mommy.”
“Okay~”
Gu Tingxiao wheeled the bicycle over, and the family of three walked together toward the photo studio.
The moment they stepped inside, the photographer recognized them. He was struck by how much time had flown; it felt like just yesterday that Yiyi was a tiny infant, yet this year she was already walking and talking up a storm.
“Back again for family portraits?” he greeted them warmly.
“Yes,” Sheng Wanyan replied. “We’d like to focus on some solo shots of the child this time as well.”
“Step right in.”
Before leaving the house that morning, Sheng Wanyan had dressed Yiyi up in an outfit she had sewn herself. The top was a crisp, pure white long-sleeved shirt, paired with durable cotton pants tailored to look like stylish overalls, and a pair of small sneakers. It was a practical, adorable look, perfect for an active toddler.
“Let’s start with a portrait of the three of you,” the photographer suggested. Experience told him that a young child needed time to grow comfortable with the camera before being asked to pose alone.
Yiyi didn’t entirely understand what was happening, but she dutifully followed her parents’ lead. They walked over to the designated stools and sat down, sandwiching Yiyi safely in the middle. Gu Tingxiao and Sheng Wanyan each held one of her small hands to give her a sense of security.
“Perfect,” the photographer said, looking through the lens. “Now, little one, hold onto Mommy and Daddy’s hands, look over at Grandpa, and give me a big smile.”
Yiyi’s face remained completely blank. Why on earth should she smile at a strange grandpa? If he wanted her to cry on command, she was highly skilled at that, but smiling was out of the question.
Sheng Wanyan leaned down slightly and whispered, “Yiyi, this is the nice grandpa who takes our pictures. Don’t be afraid. If you smile nicely, Mommy will take you to buy something fun later, okay?”
Yiyi’s mood shifted instantly at the promise. A sweet, radiant smile bloomed across her face, and the photographer expertly clicked the shutter. He took several shots in rapid succession as the family relaxed into the session.
“Alright, let’s get a few of just Mom and Dad,” the photographer directed. “Comrade, please adjust your uniform jacket. Ma’am, you can loop your arm through your husband’s.”
Sheng Wanyan was wearing a soft purple skirt today, providing a lovely contrast to Gu Tingxiao’s crisp military uniform. She slipped her hand around his arm with an elegant grace. Gu Tingxiao looked down at her, his gaze full of quiet affection.
Meanwhile, Yiyi was placed on the floor in the corner, watching them with wide, tragic eyes. Am I just a third wheel today?
The photographer captured several shots of the couple, both sitting and standing, before shifting the focus back to the star of the show. “Now, let’s get some solo shots of the little lady.”
“Mommy~ I want Bunny~” Yiyi piped up. She knew exactly what she wanted and refused to be photographed without her favorite companion.
Sheng Wanyan smiled and pulled the plush rabbit doll out of her canvas tote bag. Yiyi insisted on bringing the doll whenever they traveled any significant distance from home. “Here you go, Yiyi. Take your little rabbit up with you.”
Yiyi nodded happily, clutched the bunny to her chest, and attempted to hoist her chubby frame onto the tall wooden stool. Unfortunately, her short legs simply didn’t possess the reach.
Gu Tingxiao stepped in from behind, lifting her by the armpits and setting her securely on the seat. Yiyi looked back at him and flashed a bright, dimpled smile. “Thank you, Daddy~”
“You’re very welcome.”
Once settled, she held the rabbit tightly and stared directly at the large camera lens.
“Come on, little friend, let’s see a smile,” the photographer coaxed.
Yiyi merely twitched the corners of her mouth. Like this?
Seeing her daughter’s stiff expression, Sheng Wanyan quietly retrieved a bright red apple from her bag and stood directly behind the photographer, waving it gently to catch the toddler’s attention. “Yiyi, look over here at Mommy.”
Sure enough, the moment Yiyi spotted her favorite fruit, her eyes sparkled and a genuine, joyful smile lit up her face.
“Apple~” she squealed. “Uh-huh, my favorite!”
“Let’s try a few standing up,” the photographer suggested, charmed by her expression. Seeing how round and pinchable her cheeks were, he was eager to capture a few more candid moments.
Gu Tingxiao walked over to lift her down, and the moment her feet touched the ground, Yiyi giggled and dashed straight back toward Sheng Wanyan. The photographer was highly skilled at capturing children; he knew they couldn’t sit still for long, so he focused on seizing the right split second. He snapped a few quick frames of her running forward with a breathless grin, thoroughly satisfied with the result.
Sheng Wanyan, however, could only watch the way the baby fat on Yiyi’s cheeks bounced as she ran. She marvelled at how her daughter managed to stay so beautifully chubby despite her constant activity.
“Mommy, Yiyi wants to eat the apple now!” the girl demanded, coming to a halt.
“We’re outside right now, sweetheart, so we can’t wash it properly,” Sheng Wanyan explained gently. “How about Mommy keeps it safe in the bag, and I’ll make you fresh applesauce the moment we get home?”
She offered the reassuring compromise so the little girl wouldn’t worry about being denied her treat.
“Is it really mine?” Yiyi asked, tilting her head.
“Yes, it was prepared especially for you.”
“That’s fine then~” Yiyi agreed readily. Satisfied with the arrangement, she cradled her rabbit doll, padded over to a quiet corner of the studio, and knelt down to pass the time by whispering to a line of ants.
“Your daughter is remarkably well-behaved,” the photographer observed, having watched the entire interaction. “She’s only two, yet she listens to reason so beautifully. In this day and age, it’s rare to see a child raised with such careful discipline and respect.”
He wasn’t merely being polite. This two-year-old girl was far more sensible than many of the five or six-year-old boys brought into his studio. He had seen countless children throw massive tantrums, screaming and stamping their feet on the spot until they got their way, usually because their parents thoroughly spoiled them.
“You flatter her, Master,” Sheng Wanyan replied with a polite smile. “Above all, I just want her to grow up healthy.”
She knew the photographer wouldn’t entirely grasp the deeper philosophy behind her parenting, so she didn’t elaborate. Gu Tingxiao, however, glanced at his wife with a look of quiet understanding. He knew exactly what she meant. Beyond physical health, Sheng Wanyan didn’t want their daughter to become a child who was praised merely for being universally “compliant and sensible.”
In her eyes, children who were constantly forced to be perfectly obedient rarely received the sweet rewards of childhood. Once a child was saddled with that label, the single moment they chose to express their own desires, society would unfairly condemn them.
“Shall we proceed with the same arrangement as last time?” the photographer asked, shifting back to business.
Sheng Wanyan nodded. She had no desire to make another long trek into the city just to collect the prints. “Yes, please. Mail them to the usual address once they’re ready.”
“Understood.” The photographer glanced back at Yiyi, who was still entirely engrossed by the ants in the corner, and cleared his throat slightly. “Um… there is a small favor I wanted to ask, though I’m not certain if you and the Commander would be comfortable with it.”
Sheng Wanyan looked at him inquiringly, and the photographer stated his request without beating around the bush. “It’s just that your daughter is exceptionally photogenic. She has such a lovely, classic look. I was wondering if you would permit me to display one of her portraits in my shop window at the front? Naturally, I would be glad to compensate you for it. She’s simply darling, and I’m certain anyone passing by would be charmed by her face.”
Sheng Wanyan recalled that he had made a similar inquiry when she brought Yiyi in for her first-year portraits. Back then, she had refused directly and firmly. But now that Yiyi was two and developing her own distinct personality, she intended to let her daughter make her own choice.
Chapter 418: Respecting a Child’s Choice
“Yiyi, are you willing?”
Although Yiyi was counting the ants, she could still hear their conversation. After all, there were only a few of them in the studio.
“Show it to other kids?” she asked, looking up.
“Yes. We would put Yiyi’s photo by the door so other children can see how lovely you are when they pass by.”
Yiyi thought about it for a moment, and a brief flash of excitement crossed her face. But just when Sheng Wanyan thought her daughter would agree, the little girl shook her head.
“I don’t want to~” she piped up. “I only want to show it to Mommy and Daddy.”
Sheng Wanyan smiled gently, turned to the photographer, and said apologetically, “The child doesn’t want to, and as parents, we won’t force her.”
The photographer knew better than to push, though he couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret. It was a pity that such a darling, photogenic child wouldn’t be seen by more people. “That’s perfectly fine, I was just asking. The child’s own opinion is what matters most.”
He wasn’t annoyed at all. Instead, he deeply admired how much this couple respected their daughter’s autonomy. They truly were wonderful parents.
Sheng Wanyan nodded. Since developing the film would take some time, she paid for the portraits upfront, and then she and Gu Tingxiao led Yiyi toward the supply and marketing cooperative.
The moment they stepped into the cooperative, the atmosphere became lively and bustling. The shelves were packed with an assortment of goods.
“Take a look around, Yiyi, and see what you like,” Sheng Wanyan encouraged.
A toddler doesn’t think about what practical items they might lack; their eyes only wander toward things that catch their fancy.
“Mommy~ shoes~” Yiyi pointed toward a display of traditional cloth shoes.
Gu Tingxiao and Sheng Wanyan led her over. “Do you like them?” Gu Tingxiao asked, looking down at her.
Yiyi inspected the shoes thoroughly, comparing them to her own feet, and then shook her head. It seemed none of them were as pretty as the ones she was currently wearing. “I don’t like them~”
Sheng Wanyan burst into a quiet laugh. Her daughter truly possessed the discerning eye of a little lady. “Let’s look somewhere else then.”
Yiyi nodded, and Sheng Wanyan guided her to the pastry counter. There, the toddler’s eyes locked onto the green bean cakes and red bean cakes.
“Can I have this cake, please?” she asked, looking up at her parents with wide, pleading eyes.
Sheng Wanyan nodded. They had already promised to indulge her a little today, so of course it was fine. “Sure.”
Sheng Wanyan ordered a pound of each, and Yiyi immediately looked at the packages longingly, unable to wait. Sheng Wanyan pinched off a small piece and handed it to her. After all, rich pastries could easily upset a toddler’s sensitive stomach, so a tiny taste was enough.
“Delicious~”
Yiyi chewed happily. Even after swallowing the small bite, her eyes remained fixed on the wrapper, clearly wanting more. However, remembering her father’s firm lesson about the soda earlier, she didn’t dare ask. Whatever her daddy said, she made sure to follow it to the letter.
“Have some water,” Sheng Wanyan said, unscrewing her flask and offering it to her so her throat wouldn’t get dry from the sweet pastry.
Yiyi took a few obedient gulps. Suddenly, she spotted a new section and excitedly tugged her parents over.
They had wandered into the toy and stationery department. Although the selection of toys in this era was quite limited, no child could resist them. Seeing the spark in her daughter’s eyes, Sheng Wanyan knelt down to establish some boundaries first.
“Yiyi, how many toys do you think you want to buy today?” Sheng Wanyan didn’t impose a rigid restriction; instead, she chose to let the girl set her own limit.
Yiyi pondered the question seriously. She held up two chubby fingers, looking at her mother with pure innocence. “Two.”
“Alright. That’s a promise, Yiyi. You can choose exactly two items from this area, and Mommy will buy them for you.”
“Okay~” Yiyi agreed readily.
Gu Tingxiao scooped her up into his arms so she could get a clear view of everything displayed on the high counter. A small crowd of local children had gathered nearby, all clamoring for their parents to buy them things. In this day and age, whenever families made a trip to the city, they almost always chose to bring their sons along to play, so the area was dominated by boys.
“Are these glass marbles?” one boy yelled.
“Yes, the new stock just arrived today,” the clerk replied.
“Mom, I want them!”
“I want them too!”
Marbles were incredibly popular among the boys. These ones were translucent, catching the light with swirling, colorful patterns inside that made them irresistible to children.
Yiyi found them beautiful, too. But remembering her self-imposed limit of two items, she decided to take her time and choose carefully. After scanning the counters, she quickly settled on her final choices: a bag of marbles and a pencil case. She wanted the pencil case specifically to give her colored drawing pens a proper home.
The pencil cases of this era were made of tin, with bright scenes stamped onto the lids. Some featured children playing a game of eagle catching chicks, others showed traditional paintings of birds and flowers, and some depicted illustrations pulled directly from school textbooks.
Yiyi inspected them meticulously. She loved them all, but she knew she could only take one home. Gu Tingxiao held her patiently, never rushing her or offering unsolicited advice, allowing her the space to make up her own mind. In the end, she pointed to a large tin case featuring the eagle catching chicks. It was spacious enough to fit every single one of her pens.
“Daddy, I’m all done choosing~” she announced proudly.
She pointed out her selections, and without any fuss, Sheng Wanyan stepped up to the counter to pay. “I’ll take a bag of marbles and that large tin pencil case, please.”
The clerk retrieved the items, Yiyi confirmed they were correct, and Sheng Wanyan handed over the money. Several of the boys nearby watched in pure envy as a little girl walked away with the prized marbles.
Neither item was cheap. The large tin pencil case cost fifty cents, and the newly stocked marbles were also fifty cents. Sheng Wanyan handed over a clean one-yuan bill. Yiyi hugged her new treasures tightly to her chest, kicking her little legs in pure delight.
“Mom! I want one too!”
“She got them! Why can’t I?”
“Buy me the marbles right now!”
The boys instantly erupted into furious tantrums. But the rural mothers accompanying them weren’t about to give in so easily. Fifty cents was a small fortune—it could buy five steaming meat buns! A meat bun cost only ten cents; wouldn’t it be a much better use of money to put actual meat in their stomachs? They secretly thought Gu Tingxiao and Sheng Wanyan were utterly foolish for wasting a whole yuan on useless trinkets.
Still, the children’s persistent whining was enough to drive anyone mad.
“I don’t have that kind of money!” one mother snapped angrily. “Wasting fifty cents on a toy is a sin!”
“But that little girl got both!” a boy screamed, stamping his feet. “I don’t care! I want them!”
The five-year-old threw himself onto the concrete floor, rolling around in a full-blown tantrum. Ultimately, his mother had no choice but to grit her teeth and part with the money.
Oblivious to the chaos they had left in their wake, Sheng Wanyan and Gu Tingxiao led Yiyi to the clothing department. They needed to buy some fresh undergarments for the toddler. At her age, she was a messy eater and loved rolling around on the floor during playtime, so her clothes went through constant wear and tear. Besides, Yiyi was growing so rapidly that her measurements seemed to change every few weeks.
With winter looming over the Bing City next month, Sheng Wanyan also wanted to pick up some thermal layers for Gu Tingxiao. She hadn’t found the time to knit him a proper wool sweater this year, so buying high-quality, ready-made pieces was the best alternative. She picked out several pairs of thick socks for Yiyi, alongside matching sets of thermal undershirts and long johns for the entire family.
Gu Tingxiao’s intense daily training routines meant his socks were constantly wearing through and requiring patches. It was high time to replace them. Sheng Wanyan bought him ten thick pairs, which would easily last him through the bitter winter months.
As they browsed, Yiyi’s eyes caught on a small bag hanging from a hook. “Mommy, can I have this?”
It was a miniature school backpack made of simple, army-green canvas, fitted with two shoulder straps. Even though it was meant for young children, it was still far too large for Yiyi’s current frame. If she wore it on her back, the bottom would likely hit her thighs.
Chapter 419: Dividends
“Besides, this shop-bought one is so big. Mommy can sew a smaller one just for you,” Sheng Wanyan coaxed. “We can even embroider flowers, birds, and little animals on it.”
“Yiyi, you can choose for yourself. Do you want this big one, or do you want Mommy to custom-make one for you?”
Did that even require a second thought? Yiyi instantly pointed to the second option. A plain, oversized canvas bag couldn’t possibly compete with flowers, grass, and animals. Are you kidding me?
Having completed their shopping spree, the family of three went back to the photo studio to pick up their developed prints before finally heading home.
Yiyi was thoroughly exhausted after a full day of excitement, her energy completely spent. Grandpa and Grandma Sheng were already waiting anxiously by the courtyard gate when they arrived.
“How did it go? Did you manage to register?”
“Grandpa, Grandma, it’s all taken care of,” Sheng Wanyan replied with a reassuring smile. “The examination is scheduled for December 20th.”
“Good, good! That’s wonderful news.”
Grandpa and Grandma Sheng beamed with pride. Just the thought of their granddaughter and granddaughter-in-law becoming college students in the future made them feel as though the Sheng family had brought immense honor to their lineage, enough to hold their heads high before their ancestors.
“Yiyi looks wiped out. Take her inside to rest,” Grandma Sheng noted.
The toddler’s eyes were half-lidded, her plump cheeks flushed from a long day of playing. It was obvious she had hit her limit.
“Great-grandma~” Yiyi mumbled drowsily.
“Oh, my sweet girl. Go inside and get some sleep. Great-grandma will come over to play with you tomorrow.”
Yiyi nodded in a daze. Sheng Wanyan carried her across the threshold, gave her a quick bath to wash away the city dust, and changed her into fresh, clean pajamas.
Looking at the pile of laundry, Sheng Wanyan turned to her husband. “Before the heavy snow hits next month, we should take out all the winter bedding and coats to wash them.”
“Leave it to me, wife. I’ll handle the washing while you go focus on dinner.”
The couple efficiently divided the chores. Sheng Wanyan went to the kitchen first to prepare a warm bottle of milk for Yiyi. The little girl only managed to drain half of it before her eyelids fluttered shut, and she fell fast asleep.
Sheng Wanyan then set about cooking a simple dinner for herself and Gu Tingxiao. After chasing a hyperactive toddler around the city all day, she was completely drained herself, crawling into bed the moment her kitchen duties were finished.
Even though the initial registration rush had passed, the nation’s fervor for the college entrance examination didn’t diminish with time. On the contrary, the atmosphere grew more electric by the day. Every ambitious young mind and intellectual across the country was locked in a state of intense, round-the-clock review.
“Tingxiao, have the old scholars and professors who were sent to the countryside bullpen been allowed to return to the city yet?” Sheng Wanyan asked quietly one evening as they studied.
“Most of them have returned to the Capital,” Gu Tingxiao replied, looking up from his text. “Grandpa pulled a few strings and quietly expedited their paperwork at the beginning of the year.”
Those elderly men were brilliant professors and wise educators—the future guides of the nation’s youth.
“Now that the college entrance exams are back, I’m sure their lives will steadily improve.”
“Yes, they’ve all been officially reinstated to their former positions.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded, though she knew the grim reality of history. Many intellectuals of this era had been deeply scarred by their experiences and had lost faith in the system. Given the chance, a significant number of these brilliant minds would eventually choose to go abroad. The injustice, the harsh treatment, and the years of suppression had driven them to seek solace elsewhere, resulting in a tragic brain drain for the country.
Thinking of science and medicine, Sheng Wanyan suddenly paused. Wait a minute… hadn’t her mass-produced cold remedies been hitting the market for a while now? Why haven’t I received my payout yet?
As if on cue, Political Commissar Xie showed up at their doorstep the very next day.
“Comrade Sheng Wanyan, this is your dividend payout from last year. Please take a look and verify the amounts.”
Sheng Wanyan shot a wry glance at Political Commissar Xie. It was already late October, and he was only just delivering the earnings from the previous year.
She opened the ledger containing the financial breakdown. As a recognized shareholder, she possessed the legal right to audit the distribution channels. Last year, the state had honored its contract with her, prioritizing internal domestic distribution before exploring export options.
The domestic price had been set low to ensure accessibility—one yuan for ten packets of the cold medicine—and naturally, not every household in the country had bought it yet. Given the initial low awareness and production costs, her personal cut amounted to 500,000 yuan.
This figure fell perfectly within Sheng Wanyan’s expectations. After all, it was only the first phase; market penetration took time. Besides, if her share was 500,000 yuan, it meant the state treasury had pulled in a staggering 4.5 million yuan from her formula! In an era where a pound of pork cost mere cents, 4.5 million yuan was an astronomical sum for the government.
“Thank you, Political Commissar. But why did the accounting take so long to settle for last year’s revenue?” Sheng Wanyan asked, arching an eyebrow.
“Well, this is the first time the state has partnered directly with an individual creator, you see. The bureaucratic red tape caused some delays.”
Sheng Wanyan didn’t buy that excuse for a second. She knew exactly what had happened. Someone higher up had undoubtedly discovered she was the granddaughter-in-law of the prominent Gu family. Jealous factions had likely tried to lodge complaints with the top brass, attempting to block her payout out of sheer spite.
But trying to suppress her was entirely futile. Sheng Wanyan possessed undeniable, irreplaceable talent—what could they possibly do about it? She was married into the Gu family, and her success was legitimate. If the descendants of those jealous officials were disappointing and lacked her brilliance, that was their own problem. At the very least, none of them had Gu Tingxiao’s impeccable taste in choosing a wife.
The political maneuvering and endless objections from various departments had pushed the final approval through a gauntlet of review, which was why the funds had been withheld until now.
“Whose granddaughter-in-law you are… surely you know the waves that causes?” Political Commissar Xie remarked with a knowing chuckle, deflecting the hot potato right back to her to avoid getting trapped in her line of questioning.
Sheng Wanyan smiled and dropped the issue. As long as the money landed safely in her hands, she didn’t care about the behind-the-scenes drama. She was protected by a binding legal contract.
After verifying the figures and finding no discrepancies, she signed the dividend release forms and accepted her new bank passbook with a brilliant smile. “Thank you for making the trip personally, Political Commissar.”
To express her gratitude, Sheng Wanyan fetched a premium tin of loose-leaf tea from her cupboard, presenting it to him. Political Commissar Xie had sampled the tea at their house before; the aroma was so exquisite that he had been dying to ask where she got it, but his pride had held him back. Now that Sheng Wanyan was offering it freely, he wasn’t about to refuse. Getting along with a clever, tactful person like her was truly a breath of fresh air.
“It’s no trouble at all, no trouble at all!”
Political Commissar Xie departed the courtyard with a wide grin, clutching his premium tea and the signed contracts, silently wishing the army had more brilliant partners like her.
Once he was gone, Sheng Wanyan safely stowed the passbook inside her spatial dimension. When they finally relocated to the Capital, this money would be the perfect capital to purchase courtyards, commercial storefronts, and real estate.
In a magnificent mood, she scooped up Yiyi and gave her a resounding kiss on the cheek. “Yiyi, look at your little fat belly!”
Sheng Wanyan gently poked the toddler’s round stomach, suddenly wondering if this chubby little thing would actually grow up to have a sleek, slender figure. If Yiyi maintained her current voracious appetite, she was on the fast track to becoming a sturdy little tank.
“No, no~” Yiyi protested, patting her tummy protectively. “Meat is good~”
Everyone always cooed over how cute her baby fat was, so why did her mommy sound so critical?
“Yes, yes, it’s very good for children to have a bit of cushion,” Sheng Wanyan teased perfunctorily.
Yiyi pouted, genuinely wondering if her mother’s love was fading. Why was she happily playing with my tummy a second ago, only to look disgusted now? Is this what Daddy meant when he whispered that women are fickle creatures? Mothers, in particular, were the most unpredictable beings on earth, capable of changing their expressions faster than the wind.
“Alright, Yiyi. Go play with Maodou on the floor while Mommy cooks dinner.”
Sheng Wanyan lifted her off the bed and set her down, encouraging her to explore the house so she wouldn’t turn into a little couch potato from lounging around all day.
Yiyi: “……”
When Gu Tingxiao walked through the door after work, he could tell instantly that his wife was in an exceptional mood. The aroma coming from the kitchen was incredible, and the spread on the dining table was far more lavish than usual.
He smiled, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. “Wife, did you happen to strike gold today?”
