Chapter 113: A Wise Helper Steps In

The night was as dark as thick ink, tightly enveloping Shanwan Village.

Inside the Lu Family's mud house, a lamp the size of a bean cast a dim, yellowish halo that stretched Lu Qingshan and Lin Yue'e's silhouettes into elongated shapes.

Outside the window, only occasional dog barks and insect chirps could be heard, making the interior especially quiet.

Lin Yue'e's heart pounded wildly, as if a rabbit were trapped inside, thump‑thump against her chest.

Lu Qingshan's words just now were like a stone tossed into a calm lake, stirring countless ripples.

"I... I manage the factory?"

She jerked her head up; under the kerosene lamp, her delicate face was full of disbelief, and her voice trembled.

"Qing Shan, you—you're not talking nonsense, are you? I... I'm just a woman, I can't even get my own name right, I can't figure out the abacus beads, how could I possibly be any good!"

Let her run the factory?

The thought rumbled in her mind like a tale from a thousand and one nights.

She instinctively twisted the hem of her clothing, fine sweat seeping from her palms.

This made her more flustered than the idea of going up the mountain to hunt.

Lu Qingshan watched his wife's panicked demeanor; far from shrinking back, his gaze grew even gentler and more resolute.

He reached out, gently clasping her icy fingers; the roughness of his palm carried a reassuring warmth.

"Yue E, who is born already knowing everything?"

His voice was low and powerful, like a mountain stream flowing slowly over her heart.

"You've forgotten when we first started our family, that meager stash of money and grain—did you ever miscalculate any of those accounts? The soles you stitched, the clothes you made, none were imperfect. Moreover, just now you explained the factory matters—manpower, quality, inbound and outbound goods—so clearly, even the educated village officials could understand."

He paused, his gaze burning as he looked at her, his tone imbued with unquestionable trust.

"These three factories are Shanwan Village's hope, and also our family's hope. The operation is vast, with countless details; I truly cannot handle it alone. What I lack most is someone I can trust wholeheartedly, meticulous and thorough, to steady our rear base. Apart from you, I cannot think of anyone else."

Lin Yue'e's heart trembled. Lu Qingshan's words were like a warm current, soothing her frantic heart, yet also placing a weighty sense upon her shoulders.

She knew her husband wasn't joking; he was serious.

Under the lamp, she lowered her eyelids, her long lashes casting a shadow across her cheek.

Her mind was a tangled mess, thoughts flooding in one after another.

"But... but I really don't understand," her voice remained weak, heavy with self‑doubt, "to manage such a large factory, to deal with so many people, to calculate such complex accounts... If I fail, I'd not only embarrass you but also betray the villagers' expectations..."

What would the villagers say?

A woman stepping forward to run a factory?

Would anyone behind her back poke at her spine, claim she isn't keeping her proper role, accuse Lu Qingshan of favoritism?

Yet, in the gaps between these worries and retreating thoughts, a faint yet stubborn light was quietly growing.

It was the "subtle yearning" that Lu Qingshan had caught in her earlier words.

She recalled how her husband had been out early and back late these days, for village affairs and the factories, his body having leant out a layer.

She saw it with her eyes, felt it in her heart, yet could only silently wash his clothes, cook meals, and tend to the children.

She also wanted to share his burden, to truly stand shoulder to shoulder with him, not merely hide behind him and accept his protection.

She recalled the worries she had earlier voiced to Lu Qingshan about factory management—words that had almost slipped out, formed from the bustling village scenes she had observed these days.

Turns out, she doesn't know nothing after all...

"If you don't know, you can learn."

Lu Qingshan's voice rang again, cutting off her thoughts.

"I'll teach you hand‑by‑hand. Besides, aren't you a good steward? Managing a factory is essentially the same principle as running a household, just on a larger scale. I trust you, Yue E; you're far more capable than you think."

His trust was like a pair of warm hands, gently sweeping away the fog over her heart.

Lin Yue'e lifted her head, meeting her husband's encouraging gaze.

In those deep eyes, there was not a hint of doubt, only complete trust and expectation.

Her heart felt as if something had lightly struck it—tangy and a little scorching.

Indeed, if you don't know, you can learn.

She's not stupid; she learned needlework before, learned household chores, all from scratch, didn't she?

If Qing Shan can shoulder such a massive operation, why can't she try to help share some of it?

"If... if I learn slowly, you mustn't call me stupid."

She bit her lower lip; her voice remained soft, yet carried a trembling resolve.

Lu Qingshan's eyes brightened instantly, he grasped her hand tightly again, his voice brimming with uncontainable joy.

"Silly Yue E, how could I ever dislike you? If you're willing to learn, I'm already overjoyed! Wonderful! Yue E, you agreed—how wonderful!"

He was a bit excited, even wanting to lift her and spin her around twice, but considering they were at home and Xiao Xue was still asleep in the inner room, he simply squeezed her hand firmly.

Lin Yue'e felt a little embarrassed by his sudden enthusiasm; her cheeks flushed slightly, and her mouth involuntarily curved upward.

The weight hanging in her heart seemed to drop to the ground, replaced by an unprecedented sense of steadiness and... a faint excitement.

She was about to do something she had never even dared to imagine.

"Then... what exactly can I do?"

She asked, a little uneasy yet curious.

Lu Qingshan pondered for a moment.

"The factories are just getting started; there are countless tasks. I want you to begin with the most essential matters."

"For example, purchasing, inspecting, and preliminarily recording accounts for medicinal herbs, as well as the daily expenses of the three factories. These tasks are tedious but demand the most meticulous and reliable person. You're detail‑oriented and the one I trust most, so I entrust them to you with complete confidence."

He looked at Lin Yue'e's thoughtful expression and continued, "Of course, you won't need to handle everything at first; I'll hire an accountant and have knowledgeable people assist. Start by learning to read the ledgers and familiarize yourself with the procedures. Take it slowly, no rush."

Lin Yue'e gave a gentle nod.

Although the future's challenges were still vague, her husband's trust and clear plan steadied her considerably.

She feels that her life seems about to turn a new page.

The two whispered together for a while, mostly Lu Qingshan speaking, while Lin Yue'e listened attentively, occasionally raising simple yet directly core questions.

Under the lamp, the husband and wife leaned their heads together, murmuring softly; a long‑missed intimacy and tacit understanding quietly blossomed between them, as if they had returned to the open‑hearted days of their early romance.

As night deepened, Lin Yue'e, full of thoughts and a hint of hope for the future, went back to the inner room to rest.

She knows she needs time to digest it all and must summon the courage to face new challenges.

Lu Qingshan saw his wife off, then sat alone on the edge of the outer room's heated platform, unmoving for a long while.

Lin Yue'e's assent, like a strong‑heart injection, calmed his previously anxious thoughts considerably.

With his wife's support behind him, he feels he can venture more freely.

He draws a deep breath of cool air, and his gaze sharpens again.

Three factories launch simultaneously; a half‑million municipal loan seems substantial, yet when poured into equipment purchases, raw material stockpiles, plant construction, and early operations, it will likely still be stretched thin.

The Ministry of Agriculture's and provincial‑municipal leaders' expectations press on his shoulders like a mountain; he must account for every cent, smooth every link, and ensure flawless execution.

No more delays!

He springs to his feet, throws on his coat, and strides rapidly toward the modest office in the annex building.

There, piles of accounts, planning blueprints, and assorted reports sit like a mountain, waiting silently for him.

Tonight is destined to be another sleepless night.