Blossom In Adversity - Vol. 2

C291. Travels.

Chapter 291: Travels

The canned lychees, a future sensation loved by everyone, had already captivated these people with ease. Xu Jie, gripping the frosty bowl in his hands, was practically on fire with excitement. "This is just a small batch. There are three more ships on the way. I was worried it might be too much, but now... I’m not worried at all."

"I'm expanding this business," Hua Zhi declared, her voice cutting through the air. "Three ships? Not nearly enough. We need to order more. The same goes for the citrus and peaches."

She thought for a moment, calculating the scale, before issuing her command with sharp precision. "Order three times as much as last year. And add three more ships of lychees."

Xu Jie didn't hesitate to respond. "Got it!"

"Now, Liu Qi," she continued, her tone commanding. "We need to hire more people for the workshop. I'll ask the branches for staff, but you and Liu Jiang need to handle the outer courtyard. Don't hire just anyone. We need to prioritize the tenants on the estate. If that's not enough, then recruit from outside—but make sure they’re clean and have no family issues. It’s best if we don’t need outsiders at all."

"Understood."

With the massive order, it became clear the existing ice cellars wouldn’t cut it. Hua Zhi’s mind raced, already overloaded with tasks, but she knew she couldn’t let this slip. She turned to Yingchun. "Go find Wu Da and the others. We need more cellars. Let them decide where on the estate, but make sure they’re safe. I don’t want any more collapses."

Yingchun responded quickly, her newfound calm from previous incidents making her even more reliable.

Since she was already there, Hua Zhi took the opportunity to fine-tune the workshop’s operations. Her thoughts weren’t just on the business—her beloved grandmother had been a pillar for her, but now she was gone.

The Empress Dowager hadn’t shown any real support for the Hua family in the last six months, and Hua Zhi knew that protection would likely end soon.

The canned food business may not have the highest volume, but the margins were fat, and anyone with half a brain could see how much money was to be made. She wasn’t about to let her guard down—she needed to stay cautious.

More guards were necessary, and soon.

Meanwhile, Hua Bailin and the other two had returned early. Seeing the chaos and the stewards running around, they were more determined than ever to leave. The journey ahead was calling, and they wouldn’t be held back.

Xiao Liu couldn't help but feel the weight of it all. Sister Hua had been riding non-stop for six days, and since her return, she hadn't had a moment to herself. She was always working, always on the go, never showing signs of slowing down.

But was she really not exhausted?

As he watched her rub her forehead in exhaustion, Xiao Liu's voice was low but filled with conviction. "Bailin, if the Hua family ever dares to mistreat Sister Hua, I swear I won’t let them off the hook."

Bailin's eyes flashed with a cold fire. "You don't have to. I’ll be the first to make them pay."

Without their eldest sister, the Hua family would fall apart, scattered like grains of sand—vulnerable and defenseless. But if the eldest sister could break free from the suffocating chains of the Hua family, she’d finally be able to breathe easy.

Who knew how much better off she'd be.

Yang Sui'an stood silently, his hands clenched behind his back, fighting to keep his fury in check.