Past Events

  Su Lian's decision changed the fate of this shopkeeper named Qian Hui, who couldn't have imagined that because of Su Lian, he would become one of the richest men in the country decades later and dominate the wine industry of Lan Guo. Of course, all these are stories for later.

  Qian Hui was a clever person. Lian Yi only picked out a few things to talk about, such as various business scams and bribery that he had heard of in his past life, and Qian Hui immediately grasped the underlying principles.

  It's not that ancient times didn't have kickbacks, this "kickback studies" is a profound and extensive subject passed down from ancient to modern times. It's just that in ancient times, information wasn't as developed as it is today, so only businessmen understood these ways, ordinary people didn't care about them.

  An agreement was reached, a contract was signed, and fingerprints were affixed, in duplicate.

  Two hours ago, they were strangers. Two hours later, they became partners. It can be said that both of them are people with courage and vision.

  As long as the money is remitted, the contract will be officially implemented. Su Lianwei's first three shipments were paid after delivery, and all subsequent shipments were paid simultaneously with delivery.

  The two of them discussed and negotiated until they finally signed the contract, which took more than two hours. It was already midnight when Qian Hui stood up to bid farewell and headed back.

  Su Lianyi suppressed the restlessness and panic of the past few days, and finally calmed down. For a while, she was so excited that she didn't want to sleep, so she sat in front of the table, took out a wine cup, poured Qingxuan wine into it, and started drinking by herself.

  There was suddenly a knock at the door outside.

  Ripples paused for a moment, it's so late, who could it be?

  "Are you asleep?" The voice outside the door was a young man's, very pleasant to listen to, clear and with a hint of magnetism.

  Ripples suddenly heard that it was the man who had been entangled with him in the evening, frowning, how did this person know that he lived here? Suddenly enlightened, she had reported her address at Baiyouting Pavilion, "Ye Ci?" she asked.

  The person outside the door heard his name being remembered and was extremely excited. "Yes, Brother Su, it's me! What a coincidence, I live next door to you."

  Ripples can't help but sigh, what's called "true cleverness" "living next door", the two aren't even meeting outside by chance, she hasn't left her room yet, he already knows where she lives, naturally it's intentional to move in next door. However, it's also considered "clever" because the person next door should have checked out of their room in the afternoon.

  If it were usual, Su Lianwei would have probably asked him to leave, but at this time she was in a great mood and the excitement of victory made her want someone to share a few drinks with. Although Ye Ci's brain wasn't normal, he looked okay, and the two of them could be considered to have fate.

  The door opened, and he looked up to see Ye Ci still looking as sloppy and carefree as he had in the afternoon. He had just bathed and had a subtle fragrance on him, his hair slightly damp and neatly tied back with a golden hairpin. The hairpin was hollowed out and embossed with an abstract qilin, and the black hair matched perfectly with the golden pin, looking very dignified.

  The rest of her hair was all brushed back, without a single strand out of place in front.

  It's still that perfect and flawless handsome face, and without the cover of facial hair, its stunning beauty is even more pronounced.

  Her eyebrows furrowed again - a patient's spiritual world, something that normal people would never understand.

  "Come in." He stepped aside to let him enter.

  Ye Ci saw Su Lianming looking particularly pleased with herself, and her mood was great. She thought to herself that it must be because she had changed into new clothes. Indeed, people rely on their attire; from now on, she couldn't be so sloppy anymore.

  "Come on, let's have a drink." She closed the door, walked over to the table, and poured a full cup for him with a clean cup.

  Ye Cai was very generous, picking up the cup and drinking it all in one gulp. "Su brothers, is this a happy event?" He knew she was a woman, but for the first time he saw such a refreshing woman, originally with a tall and slender figure, wearing a crisp men's outfit, handling matters and speaking without any feminine affectation or pretentiousness, he had to say, it was the first time he had seen such a woman.

  "En." Lianyi smiled and nodded, "We've discussed a big deal with risks, and the crisis has been resolved." She let out a long sigh, there were some things she didn't know who to say to, they had been pent up in her heart for a long time, it was very uncomfortable.

  And what about Da Hu? But Da Hu has his own tasks at hand, always looking like he's thinking deeply, how would he have the energy to care about her affairs? Of course, these are just her guesses, more importantly, she doesn't want to get too entangled with Da Hu. Between her and Da Hu, there is always an inexplicable barrier, perhaps because they haven't been completely honest with each other.

  What's the point of talking to Su Hao? He's just a straightforward and stubborn person. Whatever you ask him to do, he'll do it well, but he has no sense of innovation or exploration, and it's impossible to have a conversation with him.

  What's with Hua Chuanyu? ...That natural airhead, I said it, she probably doesn't understand either.

  What's with Su Bai? Forget it, her unlucky brother, although loyal to her, has a great deal of laziness in him.

  After thinking for a while, Lingyu suddenly realized that she didn't have anyone to truly confide in. From the moment she crossed over until now, she had been forced by fate to move forward. Now, upon reflection, she felt a sense of loneliness, a loneliness of the spiritual world.

  Thinking of it, a sour feeling arose in his heart, he poured himself a cup of wine and drank it all in one gulp, without leaving a single drop.

  Ye Ci gave a thumbs up in her heart, this woman was really straightforward, even the way she drank was so elegant. She poured herself a cup and downed it in one gulp.

  "Su brothers, what big deal have you made, can you tell me conveniently?" Ye Ci asked curiously. If it were something else, he wouldn't care, but doing business, he had a few points of interest, and besides, it was this woman named Su Lian, what kind of business could a woman do?

  "It's inconvenient." Lianyi rejected bluntly.

  "Oh." Yexi poured another cup and drank it down, without asking any more questions.

  Lianyi couldn't help but laugh at the man in front of her, Ye Ci was indeed interesting. Not to mention his handsome appearance, his temper was quite peculiar. First, he got angry because his looks were ignored, and now being rejected like this, it could be said that he didn't leave any room for politeness, yet he wasn't angry either. It's hard to tell whether he had a good or bad temper.

  What a weirdo.

  "Business, after all... as long as this business is successful, my crisis will be resolved," Lingwei wanted to say, with many things bottled up in her heart, feeling uncomfortable. In this desolate foreign land, she needed someone to confide in. "There's someone... who, for various reasons, wants to harm me, force me, and put me to death." Lingwei said faintly, with a bitter smile.

  Ye Ciyu was taken aback, his playful smile instantly gone, replaced by a serious expression. "Who? What's this about?"

  She poured a cup of wine, looking at the half-turbid wine water, her face full of helplessness, shaking her head, "Whoever it is, I won't say, not worth mentioning, as for the reason... maybe it's because I pursued him too tightly before, making him feel disgusted."

  Ye Cai was surprised, "This can also be a reason? With men like you who are pursued by all the girls, it should be a happy thing." Almost slipped up.

  Lianyi didn't notice these details at all, maybe it was because she had too much to drink that day, or maybe the crisis had touched her, and her usually strict brain was now lazy, only wanting to quietly enjoy the peace.

  Seeing her not responding, Ye Ci's mind was turning around and around. Had she pursued men before? What kind of man could be favored by such a woman who didn't put his charm in her eyes at all? He was very curious and also indignant, how could someone's charm surpass his own?

  Suddenly, a figure in white appeared in his mind, resembling Li Yutang.

  It's said that although the Ye and Li families had some cooperation, Old Master Ye "exiled" him to Yuewang County to handle this matter, but he didn't like Li Yutang. Firstly, Li Yutang was handsome, and as a fellow practitioner, he was his nemesis; he particularly disliked men with good looks. Secondly, that Li Yutang was extremely hypocritical, clearly having the stench of copper on him yet pretending to be an immortal descending to earth, just looking at him made one want to vomit.

  Su Lian found that drinking with this person named Ye Ci was very comfortable. She wanted to say something, so she spoke casually; she didn't want to say anything, and stopped abruptly. He didn't ask further or get annoyed, just accompanied her like that.

  This person's identity is not simple, let alone his elegant demeanor, just talking about the wine table etiquette, although it was a silent drinking between two people, but slowly ripples discovered that Ye Ci actually wasn't drinking, but accompanying her.

  She poured a drink, he also poured a drink; she drank a cup, he followed with a cup; she drank half a cup, he took a small sip, and smiled brightly as he waited. This kind of etiquette at the wine table is rarely noticed by people, but he didn't do it intentionally, rather naturally, showing that he usually lives in a family with good manners.

  "Ye Ci, what do you do?" Ling asked.

  Ye Ciyu felt quite happy in his heart, the beauty had finally noticed him, but... he didn't dare to say it out loud easily, mainly because his family was really too showy, generally speaking, most girls would directly throw themselves at him when they heard that he was from the Ye family, the richest family in the capital, let alone with such good looks.

  "There's a small business at home, and sometimes I'm asked by my old man to help out with it." Ye Ci replied.

  Lianyi looked at him with a profound gaze, smiled and didn't ask further, then poured herself another cup of wine.

  Ye Ci felt a bit uneasy under her gaze, always feeling that Su Lian's clear and intelligent eyes could see through him. It had to be said, this woman had a strong presence, now sitting here was Ye Ci, if it were another man, they would probably feel oppressed.

  This woman is getting more and more interesting.

  Ye Ci also took a deep look at the woman opposite him, picked up his wine cup and started drinking.

  After that, the two of them just quietly drank, until they finished the two jars of Qingxuan wine. Lianyi was finally a bit tipsy, but getting drunk is a pleasant thing, some things, without wine, really lack some flavor. For example, celebrating success, for example, heartbreak, for example, sorrow, for example, excitement.

  Whenever I encounter this, I won't stop until I'm drunk, how can I be satisfied?

  "Alright, the wine... is finished, you go back... and sleep." Lianyi supported her head with one hand, a faint smile on her face, the dizzy feeling was actually quite comfortable.

  Unlike her, Ye Ciluan's face didn't flush with even a hint of redness, being "thousand cups not drunk" was one of his skills.

  Looking at Su Lianwei, he shrugged. This woman really had no defensive psychology, fortunately, Ye Ci was a gentleman who wouldn't take advantage of others, otherwise, taking advantage of the wine's effects, some beautiful misunderstandings that shouldn't have happened would occur, and she could only admit to being unlucky.

  He actually liked the feeling of being with this woman named Su Lian, wanted to chat more and get to know her, but now she's drunk, can only wait till tomorrow when she wakes up. He secretly decided that tomorrow he would invite her out again to have fun and drink, for this woman, he had made a great sacrifice!

  Heaven knows, he's never stayed in such a "dilapidated" inn in his life, tsk tsk tsk, what a great sacrifice.

  Ye Ciyu stepped out of the door and saw Lian Hui swaying back and forth as she came to close it, looking a bit worried. "Su brothers, be sure to lock the door tightly, this inn is too simple, I'm afraid there are all sorts of people mixed together, and I fear there may be some bad people."

  Although Lingyu was drunk, her mind was still clear. Her movements were slow and even the way she furrowed her brow was delayed. Her big eyes were watery and full of innocence. Was the inn shabby? Were there all sorts of people mixed together? How could that be? This inn was considered a high-end one; if it were in modern times, it would at least be three-starred, if not five-starred.

  Ye Ci was shocked by Su Lianyi's silly and cute appearance! Without the strictness of daytime, this woman turned out to be so lovely, he really wanted... to take her in his arms.

  "Oh, I see." Lianyi didn't refute him and just went along with his answer.

  It's rare for Ye Ci to be so fussy, but today was the first time. Seeing the woman who had ignored him in broad daylight being so obedient, his vanity inflated rapidly. At this moment, even if she asked him for tens of thousands of silver tickets right now, he estimated that he would take them out from his pocket without hesitation.

  This woman is really something else.

  "Remember to lock the door." Ye Ci reminded involuntarily again.

  "Oh." Ripples' face still had a dull expression after drinking too much wine, but in her heart she thought - this person is really nagging.

  She closed the door, inserted the bolt, and then staggered towards the bed, collapsing onto it with a loud snore, her lips still curled up in a sweet smile.

  Ye Ciyu stood guard outside the door until she heard a thud - she fell asleep on the bed, and he nodded silently before walking to the adjacent room.

  As he approached his room, he was startled for a moment. When did he become so nagging? Strange, it's really strange, since meeting this woman, he started to feel strange.

  Night, quiet and still.

  This inn was just as Su Lianwei had imagined, a high-end inn that, although not the best in Qingzhou County, was still among the top. Its comfort and luxury were naturally beyond reproach. The walls were very thick and soundproof, so each room was very quiet, the bed was clean and soft, and sleeping was very comfortable.

  Of course, these are for ordinary people.

  In room number three on the ground floor, there was a person who couldn't sleep no matter how hard they tried.

  Ye didn't know how many times he had turned over, the two rooms inside and outside were really too small, the roof was too low, this exquisite large bed that could hold three people was really narrow, how to sleep? Uncomfortable to death!

  Alas, Su Niang, he Ye Ci is suffering for her sake, running to this humble inn and enduring hardship. Hopefully, taking into account his struggles, she'll be kinder to him tomorrow, at least giving him a few more glances.

  Thinking about it, another flip, this broken bed... only five layers of bedding underneath, how can people sleep?

  Ugh... it's unbearable... extremely unbearable...

  Next to the wall, Su Liang slept soundly. This expensive inn was indeed comfortable to sleep in. She had deliberately chosen this inn to show off her status and make it easier to discuss business.

  On the same wall, Ye Ci tossed and turned, not used to this " simplicity", couldn't sleep no matter what, just like a pancake flipping left and right on the bed, until dawn broke, before unknowingly dozing off and sleeping for a bit.

  Ye Ci slept restlessly that night, and had a dream where he was lying in a coffin, narrow and suffocating. What's even more unbearable is that the coffin was lined with dry firewood, and he lay there, not only feeling stifled but also isolated to death.

  Finally, Ye Ci couldn't bear it anymore and opened his eyes to see a strange yet familiar room. Only then did he remember that he had changed inns. "Ye Huan, where are you? Hurry up and get out of bed."

  Ye Huan hastily pushed open the door and came in, "Young master, you're awake?" He had been standing guard outside the door, afraid of disturbing the young man's sleep, so he didn't dare to enter.

  "What time is it now?" Ye Ci sat up and rubbed her sore shoulders, asking casually.

  "It's past noon, it's time for lunch." Ye Huan replied, while pouring clear water into the basin for Young Master to wash up after waking up.

  "Ah!" Ye Cixuan exclaimed loudly, jumping down from the bed. "At noon? Where is she? Where is he?"

  "Who is it?" Ye Huan asked.

  The leaves rustled, she picked up her clothes and started putting them on. A few quick movements and she was dressed, not even bothering to comb her hair, she rushed out with her hair disheveled. When she saw the half-open door beside her, she froze. She... left? Just like that?

  "Young master, you haven't washed up yet." Ye Huan chased after him.

  "Damn it all!" Ye Ciyu rushed downstairs, ignoring the shocked gazes of the people around him. He grabbed the shopkeeper's collar with one hand and asked, "You old stinker, where is the person in room number two on the first floor? The one surnamed Su?"

  The shopkeeper was startled and thought it was someone coming to seek revenge, "This gentleman, the guest surnamed Su left early, really, I don't know him." The old shopkeeper trembled with fear, afraid of being implicated, and the apprentices also gathered around to rescue the shopkeeper.

  "Left...?" Ye Ci silently dropped the shopkeeper's collar, feeling quite disappointed. That unique woman, he hadn't even asked her where she was from or which mansion she belonged to, and yet she just left like that?

  After being released, he hastily retreated backwards, being very cautious of this young gentleman with disheveled hair.

  Ye Ci didn't bother Zhuo Guan anymore, let out a long sigh after that, turned around and silently went upstairs, calling Ye Huan to pack her things. Since the girls weren't here anymore, he also didn't need to stay behind to suffer.

  He didn't fall in love with the woman at first sight, but he did have a certain appreciation for her. What was more than appreciation was curiosity - he couldn't help but want to know more about this woman, and the calmer she seemed on the surface, the more he wanted to see her lose control.

  Ye Huan hastily packed up her things and followed Ye Ci back to the most luxurious inn in Qingzhou County, but she couldn't help feeling that her young master seemed a bit down, without knowing why.

  Ye Ciyu sat in the chair by the window, leaning against the windowsill, propping up his head, lazily gazing out of the window. But in his heart, he was always thinking about that calm and composed woman named Su Lian, wondering where she was now.

  ……

  At the same time, in Yiwang County, at the Li residence.

  A luxurious yet low-key carriage stopped in front of the Li Mansion, the coachman got off and put down the footrest, followed by the steward Quan Kang, and then Mr. Li Fu'an, the master of the Li Mansion.

  Quan Kang took care of Lao Ye getting off the car and then quickly entered the house, asking a small servant who came to greet him, "Is lunch ready?"

  "Back to the housekeeper, it's ready, and has been warming in the kitchen all along." The little housekeeper replied.

  The housekeeper nodded and quickly walked over to Mr. Li's side, "Sir, is lunch being served now or should we take a break first?"

  Li Fu'an's body was almost completely healed, and his steps were brisk. "Not yet, I'm not hungry now," he said, and then headed towards the study room, with Quan Kang following behind him.

  He entered the study, and a maid brought in a bowl of diluted medicinal wine. After Li Fu'an finished drinking it, the maid took away the empty bowl and retreated.

  Mr. Li's face couldn't hide his smile, "Daquan, have you tasted Yutang's fine wine?" Mr. Li secretly opened a winery to suppress the Su family's wine business, others may not know, but Mr. Li and Quan Kang master and servant two are aware of it at all times.

  "Returning to the old master, having tasted it, it's indeed worthy of being a young master. The mouthfeel of this wine is comparable to the tribute wine in the palace." Quan Kang's face was filled with pride, proud for his own young master.

  Compared with him, Li Lao Ye seemed like an outsider, shaking his head helplessly, "This child is too impatient and eager for quick success, using such extreme means to suppress others, it's unacceptable."

  Quan Kang didn't say a word, standing aside. Although the young master's methods were not upright, the business world was indeed complex and dark, it was either you die or I perish. If it weren't for the fact that the opponent was Su Liangwei, he would have been very much in favor of the young master doing so.

  Mr. Li suddenly seemed to think of something and burst out laughing, "Daquan, there's one thing I'm particularly glad about, do you know what it is?"

  Quan Kang was puzzled and said, "I'm too young to understand, please enlighten me, sir."

  "I'm most glad that I've found a good opponent for Yutang - Su Lianwei." Li Fu'an said, "Daquan, watch closely. Based on my decades of business experience, if Su Lianwei immediately takes some measures such as lowering prices, then it's not scary. What's most frightening is being as calm and quiet as she is now. I have a premonition that this Su Lianwei will make a big move in the near future, far beyond our imagination."

  Quan Kang had also been following Li Fu'an for decades and deeply understood the principle of a fierce dog not showing its teeth, so he silently nodded.

  Li Fu'an thought more and more curiously, "Really hope this time passes quickly, I can't wait to know what Lin Xiang wants to do, it's really exciting."

  Quan Kang also smiled and said, "Not just you, sir, I'm looking forward to it too. That Lianying girl always seems to do something beyond people's expectations."

  Li Fu'an nodded, "Lianyi is a good girl."

  As they were talking, someone outside the study door asked to see them. It was Zhu Xun, a small steward of the Li family, who had been very capable in handling matters and was now considered Quan's assistant. He often handled some important tasks for him, and at this time, Zhu Xun had a task entrusted by Master Li.

  "Come in." Seeing Zhu Xun arrive, Mr. Li put away his previous leisure and sat up straight. Due to Mr. Li's sudden change, the atmosphere of the entire study suddenly became tense and serious.

  Zhu Xun entered, wearing the Li family's servant attire, of average height and slightly chubby. "I've seen Master."

  Li Fu'an furrowed his brow and nodded, "Did you find out?"

  Yes, it was indeed the woman that Master Li had asked Zhu Xun to investigate, a woman he couldn't let go of and couldn't forget until this day.

  Mr. Li, in his youth, had heard that there was a Fairy Water Mountain in Su Village, and on the mountain, there was a Fairy Water Pool. He took two people to visit it for fun. Unexpectedly, as soon as they climbed the mountain, they encountered heavy rain. The rain caused landslides, and the three were washed down by the mudflow filled with broken stones.

  Two attendants went missing, and Li Fu'an was rescued by someone and taken to a village at the foot of the mountain for medical treatment.

  Li Fu'an was seriously injured and fainted for three days and two nights before waking up, while this family took care of him until he woke up. The later story is the common old story of a young man meeting the daughter of his lifesaver, the two fell in love at first sight, with the boy being talented and the girl being beautiful.

  The Li family was very grateful to the other family for saving their only son, and the other family also had a very good impression of Li Fu'an. Moreover, the Li family's business was prosperous, so Li Fu'an proposed marriage, and both families happily agreed.

  But the problem lies in this blind date.

  Li Fu'an said he wanted to marry a wife, but the Li family only allowed the girl to become a concubine. Why? Naturally, it was because the other family was not a wealthy household. The girl was proud and would rather be the wife of a poor family than the concubine of a rich one, so she cut off all ties with Li Fu'an from then on and never saw him again until they were old and dead.

  That household saved Li Fu'an's family with the surname Xu, and that girl was Xu Guihua - Su Lianyi's mother.

  Li Fu'an closed his eyes in agony, repeatedly avoiding the thought of Xu Guihua. Every time he thought of her, his chest would ache with unbearable pain. It was not only longing, but also self-loathing. At that time... if he had left his family, perhaps Guihua could have been with him.

  But his father exerted great pressure, and his mother threatened to die, so he hesitated. Also because of this hesitation, the Li family took advantage of it and married him a wife, who is now the mistress of the house, Mrs. Tao.

  He Li Fu'an is still a weak person after all. He doesn't deserve that brave and determined woman, the one who would rather be shattered jade than whole tile.

  When the big wedding was over, Li Fu'an thoroughly understood that he would no longer have any connection with Xu Guihua. Less than a year later, he heard that Xu Guihua had married and had a happy marriage.

  "The three words 'Xu Guihua' are a wound in Li Fu'an's heart that will never heal, and as soon as he touches it, it bleeds profusely. In order not to think of her, he frantically works and socializes, not allowing himself a moment's rest, which is why his body has become increasingly weak and his illness more severe."

  Later, when he heard that she had passed away, he was even more so that he went to another hospital, dismissed all the servants and cried for three days. That time, it was his heart disease first onset, from then on, his heart disease began to recur frequently, every time an attack occurred, his body became worse.

  He buried all these things deep in his heart, never mentioning them, for fear that these idle talks would spread to Suzhuang Village and affect Xu Guihua's reputation. As for the proposal of marriage from the Li family, except for the people of the Li and Xu families, outsiders were also unaware of it.

  Before parting ways, Xu Guihua had only one request for him - never to go to Su's village to ask about her news. Once they parted ways, it was a real separation, and all ties were severed, with no further connection between them. Xu Guihua was such a clean and efficient woman, never dragging things out or leaving loose ends.

  Li Fu'an respected Xu Guihua and listened to her meaning. Although he thought about it day and night, he really didn't send anyone to inquire about her news.

  He took in many concubines, and if one looked closely, the eyebrows and eyes of these women all had some similarities, they all resembled a certain person, especially Taoniang, whose eyebrows and eyes were particularly similar.

  But what can be imitated is only the appearance, how can other women imitate Xu Guihua's calm and coldness, wisdom and cleverness, clear distinction between love and hate, diligence and competence? Except... except for Su Lianhui who suddenly changed her personality recently, it can be said that she has some similarities with Xu Guihua in the past.

  Zhu Xun saw the old master's painful expression and didn't dare to speak, using his eyes to ask the butler, who signaled him to calm down, and the two stood silently beside him.

  After about an incense stick of time, Li Fu'an finally convinced himself to face reality. What's the use of missing Osmanthus again? She had passed away many years ago and he should face reality now.

  Slowly opening his eyes, Mr. Li said, "Zhu Xun, speak, did Xu Guifang marry someone in Sujiacun and have children?" His voice was hoarse and weak.

  Zhu Xun saw the old master ask, and then replied with the news he had inquired about: "Replying to the old master, Xu Guihua married a person named Su Feng from the same village 21 years ago. Now she has three children, namely eldest son Su Hao, second daughter Su Lianwei, and youngest child Su Bai..."

  Not to mention Mr. Li, even Quan Kang was shocked, "Zhu Xun, what did you say?"

  Zhu Xun hastily lowered his head, "The whole family is in charge, Xu Guihua's second daughter is indeed Su Lianhui, who treated the old master's illness. At first, I didn't believe it either, but after repeated verification many times, it was indeed Miss Su Lianhui."

  Li Fu'an stood there, his eyes vacant, staring blankly ahead. Quanfang feared that Master Li was ill and hastily stepped forward, "Master Li, are you feeling unwell?" He quickly turned to Zhu Xun and said, "Quickly go call Doctor Zhou."

  "Yes." Zhu Xun also became anxious and turned around to run out and find a doctor.

  After a while, Li Fu'an finally caught his breath. Due to the onset of his illness, he didn't dare drink tea and instead poured himself a bowl of medicinal wine, which he slowly drank down.

  "So that's it, so that's it," Li Fu'an muttered to himself, "no wonder I always see her shadow on Lianyi's body, turns out Lianyi is actually her daughter. No wonder Lianyi is so clever, originally... originally..."

  Zhou arrived, saw Li Lao Ye who had recovered but looked pale, was startled, and hurriedly took out a silver needle to treat him. This commotion lasted for a whole day.

  After several hours of bumpy carriage ride, Su Liangwei had returned to Yuewang County.

  After getting off the horse carriage and leaving the post station, he headed towards the Su Family Wine Shop. As he was about to enter the shop, he stopped in his tracks, turned around, and gazed at the Sheng Wine Shop which stood opposite the Su Family Wine Shop.

  The business was always booming, with people lining up to enter the shop and buy wine. Those who bought the wine would leave with a proud smile on their face, carrying the wine jars. At that time, not only the people of Yuewang County but also those from surrounding cities and counties came to taste the famous wine.

  On the contrary, Su's wine shop was bleak in business, and the hustle and bustle of the opening day became a stark irony.

  Lianyi entered the wine shop, and inside, apart from Su Hao, there was only one small second, not a single guest. The small second Lei Zi sat on the stool beside the counter, secretly dozing off, while Su Hao stared blankly at the lively scene outside Sheng Wine Shop, with a dejected expression.

  "Lianyi, you're back?" Su Hao saw Lianyi return and forced himself to be energetic, hastily saying.

  A faint smile, a slight nod of the head, "En, back, brother go upstairs for a moment, I have something to discuss with you." Although she didn't show it on her face, she actually had a terrible headache, a hangover headache, but didn't know where Ye Ciyu was.

  Su Hao went upstairs and sat in the outer room, waiting for Lianyi to change her clothes.

  Lianyi washed away the adhesive that had been stuck on her face for a day and night with clear water, revealing her snow-white and clean complexion again. She changed into women's clothes and combed her hair neatly before walking out gracefully.

  "Brother, for the next few days, you don't need to stay at the wine shop. I'll let Su Bai live in the store, and you go back to the winery to work day and night. You must produce more wine. In a few days, I will probably make a few more trips." Lian Yi said, sitting down opposite Su Hao, pouring himself a cup of tea, and slowly drinking it.

  Su Hao was taken aback, "Lianyi, our family's wine can't even sell one vat, why do we need to produce more? The more we produce, the more we'll lose, won't we?" He didn't understand.

  Lianyi smiled and nodded, "Brother, just listen to me, go ahead with confidence, if I didn't have a few certainties, why would I speak up? As for who wants wine, I won't tell you for now, even if I say more, you won't understand, you'll slowly come to know later."

  Su Hao was completely at ease with his own sister, the depression on his face disappeared, and he nodded firmly, "Alright, as long as Lingling you say so, I will definitely do it."

  Lianyi smiled and nodded, "That matter shouldn't be delayed, brother, you'd better not stay in the shop anymore, hurry back and bring Su Bai with you, let him bring a few more clothes, for a while in the future, this shop will have to rely on Su Bai."

  Su Hao was somewhat worried, "Third brother... is he alright?"

  Lian Yi smiled slyly and said, "I say go, he'll go. If not, he still has to go. Brother, you can rest assured."

  "Alright, I'll trouble you then, I'm off." After saying that, Su Hao changed his clothes and hastily left.

  ……

  The busy Sheng Wine Shop finally sold out of wine in the afternoon and closed early.

  The back door of the shop opened and a young man in white clothes entered and went straight to the warehouse.

  There was a small room in the warehouse of Shengjiu Puzi, clean and elegant, very secluded. Except for the shopkeeper and this white-clothed man, no one else from the wine shop was allowed to enter.

  When he saw the man in white coming, Qiao Liu hastily put down his work, entered a small room, pulled up the screen and lowered his voice, "Master, you've arrived."

  "Yes," Li Yutang nodded slightly and flipped through the account book on the table, "What's new with the Su family wine shop?"

  "There's no news." Qiao Liu replied.

  "Nothing's happened?" Li Yutang's hand paused on the account book, and he looked up at Qiao Liu with a puzzled expression. "You mean to say that the wine shop across the street hasn't taken any action because of this?"

  Qiao nodded, "Yes, I've had people keeping an eye on it at all times, but the Su family wine shop opens and closes on schedule. It sells only a few jars of wine per day, yet it's very calm, neither soliciting business nor advertising any discounts or promotions, just like that."

  Li Yutang didn't speak for a moment, his eyes cast down, his face calm, but the slight movement of his eyebrows betrayed his unease. That's right, it was unease! He always felt that Su Lianhui was unpredictable, and once she made a move, he... would find it hard to cope.

  This idea is absurd. The other side is just a small wine shop, and Su Lianwei is just a woman. Why would she evoke such fear in him?

  "Continue to send people to keep watch. Once there is any movement, immediately send someone to report to me, no matter what time it is, and report in a timely manner." Li Yutang said.

  "Yes, sir." Qiao Liu hastily replied, then paused for a moment, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

  "Anything wrong?" Li Yutang asked.

  Qiao Liu was very embarrassed, and finally hesitated to say, "Master, the winery is working day and night to produce fine wine. The wine sells out every day, but...the money can't cover the expenses. This..." He already knew that Li's son had opened this winery and wine shop in order to suppress the Su family's wine shop across the street, but he still couldn't understand it. With such a large business as the Li family, was it worth going out of their way to deal with a small wine shop?

  Li Yutang nodded slightly and stood up, "Mo Nong." A glance passed between them.

  Mo Duan immediately made his intention clear, and from his bosom he pulled out a bundle of silver notes, three thousand taels, which he handed over to Qiao Liu. After Qiao Liu had verified them, he signed his name and stamped his seal. Li Yutang led Mo Duan and the other attendants, and they left again through the back door.

  On the carriage, when passing by Su's wine shop, Li Yutang subconsciously went into the wine shop to look for that figure again. He thought he wouldn't see her as in the past few days, but unexpectedly, that tall and slender figure appeared at the counter of the wine shop. The young shop assistant and Su Bai, a stout old man, stood in front of her, seemingly listening attentively to something.

  Li Yutang was very curious about what Su Lianhui was saying and he also wanted to listen.

  The horse carriage whizzed by, getting farther and farther away from the Su family wine shop. Not to mention the woman in the shop, even the signboard of the wine shop could no longer be seen clearly. Li Yutang put down the curtain and began to ponder, guessing what Su Lianhui was saying, what she wanted to do with Sheng wine, but he couldn't figure it out no matter how hard he thought.

  The more you can't think of it, the more you go think about it, and the more you go think about it, the more you can't think of it.

  So what was Su Lianwei saying to the two of them?

  Su Family Wine Shop

  On the counter.

  Lianyi stood inside the counter, Su Bai and shopkeeper Lei Zi stood outside. In front of each of them was a piece of paper and a pen, while Lianyi held a ruler in his left hand and a pen in his right hand, writing something on the paper.

  "Can you guys calculate addition and subtraction within ten?" Yes, Su Lianwei was teaching the two - math!

  "Miss Lianyi, I'll calculate it," replied Leizi, the shopkeeper's assistant.

  Su Bai also said, "Of course."

  Lianyi nodded, "Leizi, what is seven plus eight?"

  "Fifteen." Lei Zi replied.

  "Four plus two."

  Six.

  "Three plus nine."

  "Twelve."

  Lianyi nodded and turned to ask Su Bai instead.

  "Su Bai, six plus seven is how much."

  Su Bai was not as quick-witted as Lei Zi, and after thinking for a moment, she replied nervously, "Sister, it's thirteen, right?"

  Lianyi nodded, "Four plus six?"

  Su Bai was nervous, "Is... ten? No, it's eleven, no, it's ten. Ah, yes, it's ten."

  "...He couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment, his younger brother was really far behind."

  Then, for the entire afternoon, Su Lianwei taught Su Bai and Lei Ziyu Arabic numerals and vertical calculation methods. Under Lianwei's Spartan-style education, the two learned Arabic numerals in one afternoon, and they also understood the vertical method but didn't apply it flexibly. In the evening, Lianwei assigned homework to the two of them - 50 math problems each.

  Su Lianyi didn't look down on the abacus, but when it came to recording numbers, Chinese characters were indeed less convenient than Arabic numerals. So Su taught Bai. As for that little rascal Lei Zi, he also happened to be taught along with them.

  Lianyi's plan was that the wine shop business would not improve for a while, so he took this opportunity to cultivate Su Bai and planned to let him manage the store three days later.

  Night fell, and Lei Zi, whose home was close to the store, let him go back after work. The store only had Su Bai on duty. Liang Wei estimated that these fifty math problems would be enough for Su Bai to calculate for a while, so he left the store with peace of mind and took a car back to Sujiacun.

  After being busy and tired outside, she now just wants to go back to her warm and peaceful home.

  Digression

  Thank you for watching: Little Lord Xi (1 flower) tamyatam (1 diamond), thank you, muah muah muah!

  Dear readers, if there are many typos in today's chapter, please forgive me. I got my period today 55555, the stomachache is a minor issue, the problem is that my IQ drops when I'm on my period. Although I've proofread twice, I still feel like there are typos, sigh...