Chapter 86: Flowers on the Head

This fresh and elegant response left Xiao Cheng stunned for a good 0.5 seconds before he chuckled lightly.

He turned around to go back to his room to change clothes.

Bai Lu and Xiao Wei were also stunned for a whole second before realizing, is the crisis over?

The crisis was indeed averted.

Xiao Wei sat back in front of the stove and casually asked, "How come you have flowers on your head?"

Bai Lu's mouth twitched slightly, "Where do I have flowers? I went to the vegetable garden to pick vegetables. Chestnuts fell from the chestnut tree due to the wind. When I came back, I brushed off the little buds on my shoulders, never thought one fell on my head, didn't feel a thing."

"Why didn't it fall on my head?"

"Your head is small; if it falls, it falls."

"Then why didn't it fall on Big Brother's head?"

"Your brother doesn't often go to the backyard. Even if he goes occasionally, there's no wind. The flower buds won't fall on his head."

"Big Brother often goes to the backyard."

"How would I know? What does he do in the backyard?"

"To see the ro...," Xiao Wei saw a tall figure passing by outside the window, his tongue tied into a twist. He quickly changed course, "To see the vegetable garden."

Bai Lu didn't think much, smiled while cooking, "Is he checking if there are any new vegetables in the vegetable garden?"

"You two are the same. Just looking without any particular preference. You both say 'anything is fine' when asked what you like. By the way, do you have any specific favorite vegetables? Like bok choy, oilseed rape, broccoli, lettuce, pea shoots?"

Xiao Wei didn't hear any challenging vegetables, answered as usual, "Anything is fine."

Bai Lu decisively threw a bomb, "How about mustard greens?"

Xiao Wei vigorously shook his head.

"Don't like it? Mustard greens are delicious, and they have many benefits. They clear heat, detoxify, aid digestion, benefit the lungs, and reduce heat. When making lean meat porridge, adding some is fragrant and crispy, tastes excellent. How about we make mustard greens and lean meat porridge for breakfast tomorrow?"

Xiao Wei shook his head like a drum.

Bai Lu assumed he agreed, "So it's settled then. Your brother will definitely like mustard greens too."

"He doesn't like it."

With an extremely serious and solemn expression, Xiao Wei shook his head, "I cooked it once last year, and Big Brother didn't come home for five days."

"Did he eat it?"

Shaking his head, Xiao Wei said, "Not a bite."

"Well, let him try this new dish; he'll surely like it." Bai Lu smiled with a face full of tenderness.

Xiao Wei's body hair stood on end. He wanted to say that Big Brother wouldn't like it, wanted to shake his head in refusal.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

The sun had already set.

In this era of working from sunrise to sunset, every household was either cooking or having dinner.

Who could be knocking?

Wang Cuihua's business of selling sugar-coated chestnuts had picked up. She had a fixed stall in Dashizhen three days ago, just like Wen Xiuyun and her husband, who settled their accounts every three days.

They settled accounts yesterday, so it shouldn't be her.

Bai Lu had already cooked the dishes and went out.

Unexpectedly, the man in the front yard soaking clothes had beaten her to it and opened the door.

As the door opened, a dark figure rushed in.

Bai Lu had just walked over, not yet able to see clearly, and was pulled back a big step by Xiao Cheng, who embraced her waist.

A large basket fell to the ground.

The head of the basket hit the spot where she had just stood, and at the basket's tail, there was a disheveled person lying.

The person opened their mouth and wailed, "Bai Lu... I'm not selling sugar-coated chestnuts anymore. Someone smashed my stall and beat me, saying that if I dare to sell sugar-coated chestnuts in Dashizhen again, they will confiscate all the chestnuts and break my legs..."

"Selling sugar-coated chestnuts is too difficult. I make a good amount of money, but it's not enough for medical expenses..."

The crying and howling, accompanied by a somewhat subtle sobbing, came from the figure lying on the basket.

After finishing speaking, the trembling hands lifted the messy hair covering the face, revealing a distressed expression.

Then... froze on the spot, face stiff.

"S-Sir Xiao Cheng, did you come back early today?" Wang Cuihua quickly got up, patted off the dust on her body, and tied up her messy hair with a rubber band.

Bai Lu glanced at her dirty clothes and asked, "Did someone hit you?"

Wang Cuihua didn't dare to lie in front of Xiao Cheng, "No, just overturned the stall."

She deliberately fell outside, making it seem like she was accidentally tripped to get some sympathy money from Bai Lu.

She didn't expect Xiao Cheng, Big Brother, to return so early today. He used to come back only after dark in the past few days.

"Who overturned the stall?" Xiao Cheng's voice was as cold as ice, piercing through all pretenses.

Wang Cuihua trembled in fear, immediately confessing everything, "I don't know them, never seen them. The five men all had floral tattoos on their left arms. They immediately overturned my stall, saying Dashizhen is their territory, and if I want to sell sugar-coated chestnuts here, I must pay three thousand yuan."

Hearing about the five men with floral tattoos on their left arms, Xiao Cheng roughly understood who they were. He glanced at Bai Lu.

Bai Lu had a puzzled expression, wondering what she did wrong.

She wasn't one of the men with floral tattoos.

However, in an instant, she understood the message conveyed by those deep eyes. She turned to Wang Cuihua and asked, "If I can deal with those people, will you still go to Dashizhen to sell sugar-coated chestnuts?"

"I will!" Wang Cuihua answered without hesitation, "I will continue to sell sugar-coated chestnuts in Dashizhen."

Earning so much money every day, only a fool would give it up.

Dealing with the protection fee for a toppled stall was a small matter. As long as Xiao Cheng stepped forward, all of them would have to retreat with their tails between their legs.

Wang Cuihua had just come in crying to gain some sympathy from Bai Lu and let her take a higher share, and also to inform Xiao Cheng about the situation.

Now the plan had failed; she had to protect her rice bowl.

"I'll let Zhang San and Li Si take a look tomorrow."

Xiao Cheng's tone was calm, giving orders.

Wang Cuihua smelled the fragrance of the dishes in the courtyard, her stomach growling. She wanted to stay and finish her meal before leaving, but Xiao Cheng had already hugged Bai Lu and walked back.

Xiao Wei took the basket from Wang Cuihua's hands, put it aside, and saw her off, saying, "Goodbye, Sister Biao."

Wang Cuihua stomped her foot forcefully, but no one paid attention. She had to turn around and leave.

The courtyard gate closed again.

At the dinner table, Bai Lu endured for a while but couldn't resist asking, "Are there really people named Zhang San and Li Si?"

Xiao Cheng looked at her, who hadn't moved her chopsticks and had only eaten three bites of rice in her bowl, picked up a piece of meat, and handed it to her.

"Eat first."

Bai Lu quickly finished the meat in three bites, her movements fast yet graceful, "Are there really people named Zhang San and Li Si?"

Xiao Cheng and Xiao Wei both handed her two pieces of meat, alternating between pork belly and braised ribs.

Bai Lu: "..."

It wasn't until the rice in the bowl was almost half eaten, and all the protruding braised pork and ribs had been devoured, that the answer was released from the man's lips.

"There are."

"Two brothers, residents of Dashizhen."

Bai Lu looked surprised and curious, "Why is one surnamed Zhang and the other Li?"

Xiao Cheng's expression remained calm, "Same mother, different fathers."

Bai Lu understood.

Zhang San's mother married Zhang's father, gave birth to Zhang San, and then married Li's father, giving birth to Li Si.

What an upscale, elegant, and high-class name!

Next Chapter ▶▶

 Chapter 85: He's Here, He's Here

Bai Lu displayed a fake smile, retracing her words, "The candied chestnuts in our shop taste bad, not easy to sell."

Chen Chunli was momentarily taken aback by her own words.

If she had known that candied chestnuts were so profitable, she wouldn't have spoken like this. It was all because of Chen Dafu, that useless guy, who couldn't sell chestnuts and disrupted her money-making plans.

Now, if she wanted to collaborate and make money again, Bai Lu's attitude was tough. Apologizing was no longer an option.

Chen Chunli cleared her throat, adopting a more friendly and humble tone compared to before, "I might have been too harsh earlier. I didn't mean anything by it. I have a bit of a quick temper, but it doesn't mean I have issues with anyone."

"You see, your husband Xiao Cheng and my husband Wang Hao have been good friends for many years. We are all on the same side. I won't have problems with my own people."

"As you know, being pregnant can make one impulsive and irritable. Sometimes, I can't control myself and say things that are not pleasant. Just ignore it; it's just some nonsense. No need to remember..."

Bailu smiled, "But I have a good memory, and I remember."

Chen Chunli: "..."

She accidentally squeezed the orange too hard.

The orange's juicy flesh splashed all over her face.

Xiao Wei quickly moved to Bai Lu's side, bringing a chair along. For the first time, a disdainful expression appeared on his cold little face.

After the disdain, there was a small expression of satisfaction.

Facing people like Chen Chunli, Bailu's straightforward approach was the right choice. Speaking kindly would only invite bullying.

If Big Brother were here, Chen Chunli wouldn't dare to make a sound. She would wait until he went to work.

Chen Chunli's fruit basket was also sent, explanations were given, but Bailu still acted as if nothing could change her mind. After enduring her temper for a while, Chen Chunli couldn't take it anymore.

"Bai Lu, people say that more friends mean more paths. Is it interesting to have conflicts with me? I already said I didn't mean what I said that day, and I've apologized with the fruit basket. How long are you going to keep this up? Doing business with such a petty and narrow-minded person, is it worth it?"

Bai Lu still smiled, "It's interesting."

Chen Chunli was left speechless.

Bai Lu continued, "You can take the fruits."

"Yes, we have a lot of fruits at home," Xiaowei agreed, pointing to a corner, "A sack full."

Chen Chunli: "..."

Her thick-skinned pride couldn't take it anymore.

The anger had reached its limit, and there was no need to endure it any longer.

She picked up her fruit basket and left. Chen Chunli didn't look back, muttering curses as she walked away.

Only when she completely disappeared from view did the onlooking neighbors disperse from the wall.

Everyone went back to their homes, each reporting the latest news.

# A pregnant woman came to Bai Lu's house in person, wanting to discuss candied chestnut cooperation. Her identity was said to be related to the brother of the bully, Xiao Cheng. Bai Lu didn't give her any face and refused cooperation. The pregnant woman left in anger, taking the fruit basket with her.

# Latest news: The pregnant woman had visited Bai Lu before, had a big argument, offended Bai Lu, swore never to come to Bai Lu's house again, but later found out that candied chestnuts were profitable, so shamelessly came back to discuss cooperation.

# The most recent and reliable news: The pregnant woman pretended to faint at Bai Lu's doorstep. Bai Lu offered to take her to the hospital, and she immediately woke up. The purpose was just to discuss cooperation, but since Bai Lu didn't agree, she left in anger, taking the fruit basket with her.

# Breaking news! Breaking news! Bai Lu has closed the door and gone home to cook!

The new house of Aunt Wu's family was completed today, with the third-floor roof being cemented for sealing.

After a group of men finished their work, they heard the aunts and uncles gossiping and spreading rumors.

Some faces turned dark, some dared not speak, and some turned as red as if they had been slapped.

The once joyful atmosphere, after completing the roof, ready for a few days of good rest before painting and decorating the interior, suddenly froze and fell silent like stagnant water.

One by one, they didn't dare to say much, quietly leaving.

Luo Shiliu and Xiao Dashuang also left.

Even if Wang Hao wasn't explicitly mentioned, his face still felt hot, knowing that the pregnant woman who pretended to faint was none other than Chen Chunli.

In order to resume cooperation, he even used his usual coercive methods on Bai Lu.

Today, he finally managed to strike up a conversation with Xiao Cheng, and their relationship had slightly eased. However, with Chen Chunli causing a scene, their relationship plummeted again. He didn't have the face to talk to Xiao Cheng now.

Clearly, Xiao Cheng also had no intention of talking to him. He walked straight home, exuding a cold and indifferent aura.

The door wasn't locked; it opened with a push.

Xiao Wei had just finished washing the vegetables and was about to take them back to Bai Lu to cook. Hearing the door opening, he subconsciously turned around.

Upon seeing Xiao Cheng, he was almost scared out of his wits. Without saying a word, he quickly ran back to the kitchen to find Bai Lu.

"Big Brother's expression is terrifying."

Bai Lu's heart skipped a beat, feeling guilty as if the sword of Damocles was hanging over her head. The instinctive reaction was that her secret had been exposed.

Who told Xiao Cheng?

Wasn't he laying bricks at Aunt Wu's house? Who told him? Who had seen her recently?

Who had seen her belly? Who knew she was pregnant? Who suspected her?

Who reported her?

"Bai Lu."

A low and cold voice interrupted all the wild guesses. Bai Lu tried to tidy up her slightly stiff smile, turned around, and her smile froze again at the man's expression.

"What... what's wrong?"

Bai Lu took a deep breath, quickly adjusted her state, and resumed her normal smile, "You finished work so early today. I haven't cooked yet. Your pants seem to have touched the cement paste. Do you want to go back and change? After changing, have some fruit and tea. Dinner will be ready soon."

He loved cleanliness so much; he would definitely go back to change, right? He would, right? He would!

Not only did he not go back, but he also walked towards her.

Bai Lu wanted to run.

But in front was him, and behind was the stove. On the left was the cupboard, on the right was the woodpile opposite the stove.

Nowhere to escape, nowhere to retreat.

In her hand was the spatula. Maybe, just maybe, it could block the big guy's attack a little?

Xiao Cheng walked up to Bai Lu, his gaze sweeping over her like a breeze. He slowly raised his hand.

Xiao Wei stood rigidly by the cupboard, slowly moving, ready to intervene.

But what he saw was the big brother with an extremely dark face, raising his hand and reaching for the top of Bai Lu's head...

Taking a half-blossomed white little bone flower.

Holding it in his hand, he then stared at Bai Lu, who was clearly stunned, and asked, "Did Chen Chunli come again?"

Bai Lu nodded in a daze, the big spatula behind her back already half exposed.

Honestly answering, "She brought a fruit basket, wanting to continue our cooperation. I didn't agree, so she left with the fruit basket... there's no hiding anything."

Xiao Cheng's terrifying face finally began to gradually return to normal. He reached out and touched her head.

"Good job."

Bai Lu's scalp tingled, her brain short-circuited, and she instinctively replied, "It's only good if everyone is well."

Next Chapter ▶▶

 Chapter 94: What Couples Should Do

Next Chapter ▶▶

 Chapter 93: Demanding Candies

Next Chapter ▶▶

Chapter 28: Home Visit for Annulment

"I'm not a coward."

Obviously, Ou Yan didn't take such an environment seriously. She had been in worse conditions than this many times, was about to unfasten her seatbelt.

"I'll do it." Si Yechen approached her, his pleasant scent hitting her.

Up close, Ou Yan noticed his features were exceptionally good, even his skin was overly delicate.

Si Yechen raised his gaze, his deep eyes looking at her seriously. "Tell me when you have time."

"Okay."

Si Yechen got out of the car first, opened her door, and after she got out, he hung her shoulder bag on her shoulder. Then, he handed her the things he had just bought.

"You can eat if you get hungry tonight."

Ou Yan was about to refuse, but seeing his expression, she reached out and took it.

Unexpectedly...

The next second...

Her slender fingers accidentally touched Si Yechen's hand, and the soft touch made her heart skip a beat.

A special feeling surged within her.

Seeing her take the items and turn to leave, Si Yechen couldn't help but call out softly, "Ou Yan."

"Yeah?" Ou Yan turned back, only to hear him say, "The person just now isn't my girlfriend."

Ou Yan: ?

"She came to plead."

Ou Yan: ...

"I'm not familiar with her."

Ou Yan: "Oh."

"Be careful on your way." Si Yechen calmly suppressed all emotions, "If you're scared, I'll accompany you on the phone."

"No need."

As the girl's figure gradually disappeared from sight, Si Yechen, back in the car, found himself thinking only of her obedient yet aloof face.

Ou Yan felt her phone vibrate as soon as she entered the underground parking lot. Taking it out, she saw it was a call from Si Yechen.

"Found your car?"

Ou Yan found it somewhat amusing, "Just found it, haven't you left yet?"

"Yeah, waiting for you."

"No need, I'm going to the B exit." Ou Yan pressed the unlock button for her car, "Got it? I'm driving now."

"Okay, be careful on the road."

After Si Yechen hung up, he called Qing Mu. "Clear your schedule tonight. I'm going to visit the Li family."

Qing Mu, excited, exclaimed, "Master Chen, you're not going to settle the score with Miss Yu Sha for today's matter, are you? Miss Yusha probably didn't mean any harm..."

"It's not about settling scores."

"Then are you... finally understanding Master Li's good intentions? Thinking of inviting Miss Yusha to visit the hospital with you tomorrow? Master Li would be delighted if he knew, for sure!"

Si Yechen's gaze drifted into the distance, his voice deep, "I'm looking for Mr. and Mrs. Li."

"You... you're not suddenly realizing and going to propose, are you?"

As Qing Mu finished, he felt a sense of displeasure from the other end, leaving him puzzled. "Then what are you..."

Several implications? ? ?

"Annulment."

"An, annulment??" Qing Mu was almost scared out of his wits, his face changing color, "Master Chen, you're not joking with me, are you?"

But Si Yechen's tone didn't sound like a joke at all!

Qing Mu swallowed hard, feeling quite scared, "Master Chen, your engagement with Miss Yusha was arranged by the older generation. If you go to annul it tonight, it's like slapping the Li family in the face... The Li family and the Si family have had a relationship for so many years, cracks will appear..."

"Miss Yusha is the only daughter of the Li family, cherished and doted on by so many people... if you suddenly annul the engagement... when it gets out, how will Miss Yusha marry in the future? Where will the Li family's face go?"

These are all problems! ! !

Si Yechen didn't speak, his pitch-black eyes quietly watching the bustling scene outside the car.

"Master Chen, I know you don't like Miss Yusha, to be honest, I don't like her either, I think she's pretentious and hypocritical, on the contrary, I think Miss Ou Yan is more likable! But this matter is not just about you and Miss Yusha, it also involves the Li family and the Si family..."

Qing Mu thought of Master Li on the sickbed, if he knew, he would definitely be furious.

"Master Chen, even if you don't consider the Li family, don't consider your friendship with Mr. Li, don't consider Miss Yusha... at least consider Master Li's feelings?"

He had been eagerly anticipating Master Chen getting married and having children, he was looking forward to holding his great-grandchild...

But now there's no great-grandchild, and instead, the Si family and the Li family have fallen out, and he's labeled as untrustworthy.

How can the old man bear it?

But Si Yechen didn't change his mind.

Qing Mu knew that no matter what he said, it would be futile, so he sighed helplessly in his heart.

Once Master Chen made a decision, no one could stop him, but he still mustered the courage to try.

The engagement of Master Chen wouldn't allow anyone to decide, if the old man were pushed too far, it would backfire...

Blame Miss Yusha for her reckless actions today...

Not only did she fail to leave any good impression on Si Yechen, she even nullified the engagement...

"Keep it from Grandpa for now, and when he's feeling better, I'll tell him myself."

Si Yechen meant to keep it from Grandpa for now? !

But an annulment like this would spread in no time, and when Grandpa found out, he would surely be furious.

Hopefully, the news spreads slowly, Grandpa's heart can't take any more shocks...

On the other side.

Li Yuanfu and Song Qiaoying finally waited for Ou Yan to come home. The two of them warmly pulled her to sit at the dining table and kept serving her dishes.

Because of Grandpa's condition, Li Yusha's eyes were red from crying and she dared not show her face, pretending she had eaten outside and hiding in her room.

She was afraid her parents would have a bad impression of her after they found out...

After finishing dinner, Ou Yan chatted with her parents for a while before going upstairs to take a shower.

Li Yuanfu and Song Qiaoying sat on the sofa drinking tea, but after a while, a servant came to report.

"Sir, Madam, Mr... Mr. Si is here!"

The servant reporting was somewhat flustered, because Si Yechen's reputation was particularly prominent in the entire upper circle.

Li Yuanfu and Song Qiaoying exchanged glances, who, Si Yechen? Why is he here? Could it be...

Does he know that Yan Yan has come home?

Oh no...

"Hurry, please let him in." Li Yuanfu was somewhat caught off guard, hurriedly exchanged glances with Song Qiaoying, what to do?

The head housekeeper didn't dare to delay and personally went to guide him in.

Soon, Si Yechen arrived with several followers.

He was exceptionally handsome, his slanting eyebrows exuded a hint of heroism, and his black eyes emitted a sharp aura. His well-tailored suit was very fitting for his identity.

He seemed like a king dominating the world, exuding a powerful aura as soon as he appeared, cold and outstanding.

Chapter 27: Explaining to Her

"Dr. Tang is so young, yet his temper is really bad..." Xu Aiqin couldn't help but complain as soon as she left the consultation room, "Look at Gao Yang, born into a wealthy family, so well-mannered..."

"He's a genius doctor, hailed as a star since childhood, naturally a bit arrogant."

"Oh, by the way, Dr. Tang mentioned that someone instructed him to be attentive to the old lady's affairs, it should be the Gao family, right?"

The Gao family's connections are broader than theirs, and only they can afford the old lady's medical expenses.

Plus, Gao Yang and Yao Yao have an engagement...

"It must be the Gao family. Besides them, who else? We should invite them for a meal another day, but..." Bai Zhenhai couldn't find a solution for transferring the old lady to another hospital, so they could only let her continue staying here, feeling a bit disheartened.

"Zhenhai, did that servant girl leave from that side road?"

Suddenly, Xu Aiqin seemed to remember something, "I remember the rooms over there are quite expensive?"

This floor is divided into half ordinary VIP rooms and half top VIP rooms.

The old lady could stay in an ordinary VIP room because they mentioned it to the Gao family, and they probably helped arrange it.

But the top VIP rooms over there are different, not just anyone can afford them.

How could that servant girl enter there?

She doesn't know any important figures!

"Dad, Mom."

Just then, a gentle voice suddenly sounded.

"Yao Yao, why are you here?" Xu Aiqin turned to look, not only her daughter but even Gao Yang came along.

Gao Yang is truly outstanding, handsome and refined. The more Xu Aiqin looked at him, the more pleased she felt. Having such a son-in-law, she couldn't stop smiling!

"Oh..." Bai Zhenhai smiled kindly, "Weren't you two on a date? Why are you at the hospital?"

"After we watched a movie, Gao Yang escorted me home. But when we arrived, our maid said the hospital called, so I thought something might have happened to Grandma and came to check. Unexpectedly, after Gao Yang escorted me home, he didn't leave but waited outside our house..."

So they came together.

"Mom, Dad, what happened to Grandma?" Bai Muyao knew how to perform in front of others. Although she hated her biased grandmother, she was still good at putting on a show. "I haven't been here for two days, and Grandma looks so weak..."

She said two days, but she meant it figuratively; she hadn't visited for many days.

"Why is heaven treating Grandma like this? Why not let all the suffering fall on me, why..."

Seeing her cry, Gao Yang hurriedly wiped away her tears, "Silly girl, you've already suffered a lot outside these years..."

"I'm not afraid, as long as heaven spares Grandma, I'm willing to bear everything for her!"

Seeing the kind and determined face of this girl, Gao Yang's heart seemed to be touched, and his affection for her deepened.

"If I don't return to this family, and marry Gao Yang, my sister will be the one, so it's my fault for ruining her happiness. That's why heaven is punishing the person I care about the most... If it's because of this, then I don't want to be this pampered young miss, I don't want to marry Gao Yang, wuuu..."

"You've always been a member of the Bai family. Returning to the Bai family is the right thing to do, and marrying me is just because of the engagement. You've done nothing wrong."

Gao Yang wiped away her tears gently, "Ou Yan has enjoyed many good years already. It's time to return the position of the pampered young miss to you. She doesn't belong to the Bai family; even if she wants to marry, I don't want to marry her! I only like you..."

...

The night fell.

Si Yechen's car sped through the traffic and soon headed towards Xiangmi Park.

During the journey, his phone kept vibrating. Initially, he glanced at the caller ID and pressed the button on the steering wheel to reject the call.

But the person on the other end seemed persistent, calling again and again.

"Please drop me off ahead."

Ou Yan thought her presence was hindering him from answering the phone, so she was about to leave. However, she heard him explain calmly, "It's a harassing call."

The harassing calls kept coming...

In the end, to ensure Ou Yan's peace of mind, Si Yechen could only put on one side of the earphones and reluctantly answer the call.

"Yechen, you finally answered my call wuuu..."

On the other end, Li Yusha cried as if her heart was breaking.

"I really didn't know that such a big thing happened right after I left Grandpa's side. I didn't do it on purpose. I heard that the Comforting Heart Elixir added to the soup has miraculous effects in treating heart diseases."

"So I carefully brewed the soup, added the Comforting Heart Elixir, and gave it to Grandpa to drink..."

"I thought it would help Grandpa, but I didn't expect it to worsen his condition..."

"It's all because that person who made the medicine deceived us and sold it. I couldn't discern it clearly and got tricked..."

"Wuu wuu wuu... I really didn't know there was a problem with the medicine. If I knew, I definitely wouldn't have bought it, let alone let Grandpa drink it!"

"Yechen, you have to believe me..."

"I consider you family, and I treat Grandpa as my own grandfather. I would never harm him..."

"Is that all?" Si Yechen had no patience to listen to her sobbing. When she finished, he ended the call.

Removing the earphones, Si Yechen continued driving. He noticed that Ou Yan's expression seemed awkward. "Hmm?"

"It sounded like she was crying a lot. I could hear it clearly..."

Although Ou Yan didn't know what the call was about, it seemed quite pitiful...

"It's someone who harmed Grandpa, begging for forgiveness." Si Yechen explained softly.

"Oh..." Ou Yan didn't know what the call was about, but it sounded pitiful...

"It's getting dark. I'll drop you off at the garage."

"No need."

Ou Yan didn't want people to see her car and its license plate; it attracted too much attention!

"Are you sure you'll be okay alone?"

Si Yechen noticed that it was dark in the park, and there weren't many streetlights, especially on the way to the garage.

As a girl, wasn't she afraid?

 Chapter 94: Going Out to Survey the Land

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Chapter 93: Ideas With the little silver she had living in the village was already more than sufficient and dreaming of buying a shop was beyond reach. Although she had been a high-ranking executive in her past life her expertise was primarily in business. In the current Great Chu Dynasty, officials' dependents were not prohibited from having private property. On the contrary, the dowry given to a woman upon marriage was considered her private property and neither the natal nor marital families had the right to embezzle it. This explained why the dowry of ancient women was so crucial. Ye Muyu found this aspect to be very humane. Women already had a lower status and the dowry at the very least, ensured their livelihood after marriage. Of course, in families with proper manners, people wouldn't think of embezzling their wife's dowry. However, there were cases of embezzlement such as the one recorded in the Chu Code. During the reign of Emperor Taizong, Liu, a minister of the Ministry of Personnel, embezzled his wife's dowry, mistreated his wife and after the case was exposed, Emperor Taizong was furious. Based on the embezzled silver, he imposed punishment. In the end, Minister Liu was demoted and sent back to his hometown, and his concubine, for plotting to gain wealth by harming his wife, was subjected to the death penalty. Usually, according to the Chu Code, only the official involved would be demoted and sent back, without affecting the family. However, in Minister Liu's case, his wife was from the renowned family of the founding general, the Lus, who had all died in battle. Emperor Taizong was deeply grieved and with this incident added, the Liu family became the target of the emperor's wrath. Not only was Minister Liu demoted and sent back but his family members were also implicated. This was quite severe because, according to the Chu Code, generally only the official would be demoted without affecting the family. However, the Liu family, due to this incident, suffered severe consequences. The case was even recorded in the Chu Code and would be read by scholars in the Great Chu Dynasty, serving as a mark of disgrace. The Liu family had a tough time. Now, during the reign of Emperor Mingzong, it was the ninth year of the Yuankang era. Ye Muyu was now relieved. With the current situation, she could do business. However, when she married Chu Heng, her dowry was almost non-existent. Besides some cloth and clothes, there were only five taels of silver. No land at all. But at that time, the original owner was fortunate. With those five taels of silver, she bought a piece of land in the village. Now, she didn't lack a dowry. All these dowry details were written in the original marriage contract. Ye Muyu thought that if she could produce something from her piece of land and sell it, she could consider it her natal family's private property. Chu Heng should not be someone greedy for money. At least, giving ten taels of silver every three months in the countryside was undoubtedly a unique and generous gesture. So, she had nothing to worry about. However, she needed to carefully plan what kind of business to start. It seemed that she might only be suitable for a food business. Ye Muyu's mind turned, thinking about the available ingredients. Radishes, sweet potatoes, and other easily preservable vegetables were in the house's cellar. But these were not very valuable and not suitable as the first stepping stone. When the business stabilized later, she could try using these low-cost ingredients to make food. "Oh, there's still ginger in the cellar. When the season comes, planting and selling ginger would be appropriate." "What else is there..." Ye Muyu pondered with her chin resting on her hands. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration crossed her mind, her eyes brightened, and she clapped her hands together "Right, there's cake. We have flour at home, and with eggs, making small cakes is feasible. If there's butter, it would be a fresh commodity." "Especially since the county is about to announce the women's art competition. If I can make a large cake on the day of the announcement with the county magistrate leading the congratulatory wishes and sharing it with the people, it's bound to create a buzz for the introduction of cakes."

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