Chapter 14

In the blink of an eye, autumn arrived, and Granny Liu’s health had improved greatly.

Only then did Liu’er and I go out to look for a new shop.

Ning’an County was much livelier than Changning Town.

People bustled back and forth in the East Market and West Market, and some stalls even stayed open until the curfew.

It was said that this was due to a new policy just issued by the newly appointed County Magistrate.

Granny Liu couldn’t stand seeing us wandering the streets all day, so she took matters into her own hands: “You two have eaten your way through all of Ning’an, and still haven’t settled on a single shop?”

She handed me the deed in her hand.

I was taken aback. “I can’t afford it.”

Granny Liu was silent for a moment. “I’m not asking you to buy it, just to see if you like the location.”

I racked my brain, trying to recall the places we’d passed these past few days, and finally-

“It’s a great spot! The stalls nearby can all stay open until curfew, so I should be able to as well…”

“Rent is thirty taels a year. Is that acceptable?”

I opened my mouth in surprise. “Granny Liu, this isn’t your shop again, is it?”

“It’s not mine.”

I frowned, sensing something was off.

But even the cheapest shop in the East Market couldn’t possibly be rented for just thirty taels.

“It’s my daughter’s.”

…

And so, Li’s Wonton Shop opened once again.

It was even more popular than it had been in Changning Town, and business was booming.

In just half a year, I had earned two hundred taels of silver.

I borrowed another hundred taels from Granny Liu, gritted my teeth, and bought a shop near the city gate in the West Market.

The location wasn’t ideal, but at least it was a place of my own.

At first, Liu’er was worried no one would come to eat, and didn’t even dare to prepare too many ingredients.

But as soon as the old customers heard the news, they flocked over, and my place became the liveliest spot in the West Market.

Unfortunately, peaceful days didn’t last long before trouble came sniffing around.

Early one morning, I went out with Granny Zhang to buy supplies, and when we returned, my parents and Lin Yuefeng were already scolding the shop assistants.

“Feng Er, just look at this shop. When you get married, who wouldn’t look up to you?”

“That’s right, Mother. If the people at the academy knew I had such a big shop in the county, who would dare look down on me for not being good at my studies?”

“Your father will make the decision for you. When Lin Li comes back, we’ll have her give you this shop.”

…

Liu’er stood at the front, angrily scolding them for being shameless.

Lin Yuefeng glared, a disgusting, wicked grin spreading across his face. “You little brat dare speak ill of your young master! When Lin Li comes back, I’ll have her give you to me!”

Unable to hold back, Liu’er kicked him right in his vital parts. “Stay away from your grandaunt!”

Lin Yuefeng refused to take the insult lying down, and in an instant, everyone was brawling.

Teacups and bowls crashed to the floor.

I stood at the door, sneering coldly, then turned and went straight to the County Office to beat the drum.