CHAPTER 66: CHAPTER 65: HUGGING TWO POWERFUL BACKERS AT ONCE

Early the next morning, Yu Xiaolian got up early.

She washed her face with facial cleanser, brushed her teeth with niuhuang toothpaste, put on her black contact lenses as usual, braided two small braids on either side of her hair, and tied all her hair into a low ponytail with a black hair tie.

After getting ready, she looked at the time; it was just past six in the morning.

She hadn’t planned to get up so early, but there was no choice. The Sun family had already gotten up early, and they had prepared breakfast. Would you feel comfortable lying down and not getting up?

Yu Xiaolian glanced out the window and said in surprise, "Is it raining outside?"

How long has it been since it rained?

It hadn’t rained since she came here.

"The rain doesn’t fall when it’s supposed to. Now it’s almost time for the autumn harvest, and yet it’s raining," Yu Changhe said. "Even if it rains now, it won’t do much good. The crops are already fully grown."

Yu Xiaolian thought to herself, this rain might just be the last rain of the year.

This year, despite the drought, there was still some harvest, mainly because it rained a few times in spring.

But due to drought next year, almost no grains were harvested, and by the spring of the following year, even the rivers and wells would be dry, and even getting a sip of water would be a luxury for the people.

Although the book did not describe in detail the River Bay Village and the Yu Family’s specific experiences fleeing the famine, it was undoubtedly a life-and-death struggle, extremely difficult.

It was at that time that Jun Mobai, on the Yu Family’s journey to escape the famine, ordered the killing of Yu Changhe, and used grain, water, and silver taels to buy the dependent Yu Xiaolian.

Thinking about it now, as soon as the disaster began here, Jun Mobai would be sent by the court to relieve the disaster and appease the people’s sentiments.

Without grain, the court could still transport grain for disaster relief, but without water, the court couldn’t divert water from the south to the north.

So, most people dragged their families to the south.

On the surface, Jun Mobai was relieving the disaster, but more so to suppress riots caused by refugees.

In the face of natural disasters and human calamities, human strength is very small.

But when the real riots happened, it was already the following summer, because by then, the mountains and waters dry up, and even the mountain springs stop flowing.

Fortunately, she left the Yu Family, even if she had to flee in the future, she wouldn’t have to worry about being sold by the Yu matriarch for grain and water.

This rain drizzled down, not heavily, but it also didn’t stop.

Yu Xiaolian was anxious to hear the news at Mingxiang Pavilion, and sat by the window waiting for the rain to stop.

Although she had umbrellas in her space, they were all modern plastic umbrellas, inconvenient to take out and use.

It seemed she needed to find time to buy two oiled paper umbrellas and store them in her space.

It wasn’t until noon that the rain finally stopped.

Yu Xiaolian changed her clothes and hurried out.

Even though the rain had stopped, the sky was still overcast. Passing by the general store, Yu Xiaolian casually bought two oiled paper umbrellas, placing one in her space and holding the other.

If it rained again when she returned, she wouldn’t get drenched.

When she arrived at Mingxiang Pavilion, unexpectedly, the place was more crowded than usual today, with everyone discussing the rain, drowning out even the storyteller’s voice on the stage.

Yu Xiaolian listened closely and found that someone had already predicted the great drought for next year.

But there were also those who refuted that claim, saying that as long as there was heavy snow this winter, there definitely wouldn’t be a drought next year.

"Little girl, you’re here?"

Shopkeeper Hai led Yu Xiaolian upstairs, "Our boss is waiting for you inside."

Feeling a bit nervous, Yu Xiaolian pushed the door open and went inside.

As soon as she entered, a young man in white looked up at her. Yu Xiaolian widened her eyes in surprise, wasn’t this... Zheng Yuanfeng?

Zheng Yuanfeng also recognized her and pointed at her in astonishment, "Yu Xiaolian?"

Yu Xiaolian never expected that Mingxiang Pavilion was actually owned by the Zheng Family.

Wasn’t it said that the whole Zheng family had returned to their hometown to avoid the Pan Family?

Could Yangcheng be their hometown?

If they were from Yangcheng, why would they open a pharmacy in River Bay Town?

After chatting with Zheng Yuanfeng, Yu Xiaolian learned that he had opened Mingxiang Pavilion on his own, unrelated to Doctor Zheng.

Doctor Zheng did indeed return to his Jiangnan hometown with his wife, but Zheng Yuanfeng didn’t go.

Moreover, Zheng Yuanfeng called himself Mr. Shanyue, and few knew his real name.

When talking about Zheng Yuanfeng, Yu Xiaolian didn’t have any suspicions, but when it came to Mr. Shanyue, she was so excited she couldn’t stop clapping.

Mr. Shanyue was to be the future richest man in the Great Liang Country, according to the book.

Zheng Yuanfeng, a gentle scholar emanating a refined aura, was difficult for Yu Xiaolian to associate with the scent of money that a businessman carries.

But such was the reality; Zheng Yuanfeng was a scholar on the surface but a businessman in secret.

Though curious about how Zheng Yuanfeng managed to open such a large teahouse single-handedly, Yu Xiaolian understood everyone has secrets, just like she has secrets she doesn’t want others to know. So, she chose not to ask.

Inquisitiveness to the point of annoyance is a behavior people dislike.

Knowing someone familiar makes things easier; after exchanging pleasantries, Yu Xiaolian returned to the main topic and discussed a fifty-fifty revenue split with Mingxiang Pavilion.

Zheng Yuanfeng originally intended to pay a large sum to hire the Sun family as pastry chefs, but knowing the other party was Yu Xiaolian, he changed his mind.

He unprecedentedly agreed to Yu Xiaolian’s plan and asked if she had any novel items he’d enjoy trying.

Yu Xiaolian knew Zheng the doctor’s father and son were highly reputable in River Bay Town for their integrity.

She had full confidence doing business with him and didn’t hide the fact she initially planned to sell snacks to the brothel.

"What kinds of snacks are you offering? Could you let me taste them first? If viable, I hope we can work on a separate cooperation."

Hearing Zheng Yuanfeng’s words made Yu Xiaolian very happy. If Zheng Yuanfeng had connections to sell her goods, nothing could be better.

It was certainly better than her, a novice in business, racking her brains and exhaustively trying to market them.

Yu Xiaolian immediately gushed to Zheng Yuanfeng, talking extensively about how unique and delicious her snacks were.

Zheng Yuanfeng merely smiled, occasionally asking questions out of curiosity, which Yu Xiaolian answered one by one.

When Yu Xiaolian left, Zheng Yuanfeng specifically instructed Shopkeeper Hai to take her directly upstairs when she visited next.

Shopkeeper Hai, seeing Zheng Yuanfeng in a cheerful mood, knew the conversations between them were pleasant.

While seeing Yu Xiaolian out, Shopkeeper Hai also became more courteous in his attitude toward her.

Yu Xiaolian felt great, humming a tune on her way home.

Having the future richest man in Great Liang Country as a friend, how could she not be happy?

Indeed, Zheng Yuanfeng’s "thigh" was as important as Su Jingchen’s; she must hold on tightly to both of them.

One had wealth, the other power.

Hold tightly onto both thighs!

Yu Xiaolian felt proud, her steps lightened.

In high spirits, one must enjoy oneself fully, delighting in the moment.

Back home, she began preparing some items to bring to Zheng Yuanfeng for tasting tomorrow.

"It just rained lightly this morning, and now the afternoon sun is blazing; it’s as hot as death!" As she came out of the space, Yu Xiaolian felt the heat wave rushing toward her.

The autumn heat truly lived up to its reputation; she took out a dozen ice pops from the space, peeled off the packaging, put them in a plastic basin, and placed it on the small desk not for eating, but for cooling.

And it did work; the room felt cool and comfortable, and the temperature really dropped a bit.