"Young Master Tong's words made Yu Chuan even more shy:
'It's all thanks to your excellent teaching, Young Master Tong.'
Tong Zi Yao gave a wry smile:
'I studied the zither for over a decade, and Young Master Yu Chuan, in just over a month, his zither skills are no less than mine. So, I dare not claim this credit.'
Nian Jiaojiao glanced at Yu Chuan's hands, then at her own 'claws,' and sighed inwardly.
It seemed talent couldn't be forced.
Just then, Tong Fu, radiant, returned.
'Have the measurements for the new clothes been taken?' Nian Jiaojiao asked with a smile.
Tong Fu nodded.
She sat down, took a sip of tea, and said:
'The new bookshop is opening. I'll go take a look later.'
Tong Zi Yao also said:
'I'll go with you later.'
Nian Jiaojiao looked at the siblings and said:
'I'm going to the academy this afternoon, so I won't be going with you.'
...
Qinglian Bookshop.
Tong Zi Yao: 'Fu'er, this bookshop of yours is even bigger than the previous ones.'
Tong Fu said: 'Third Brother, in just a few months, there are already three bookshops in Qingzhou. I'm doing well, aren't I?'
Tong Fu had a 'praise me quickly' expression.
Tong Zi Yao glanced at her and said:
'You're about to get married, you should be a bit more steady.'
Speaking of 'getting married,' Tong Fu sheepishly scratched the back of her head and said:
'Actually, this is also thanks to Jiaojiao, that my marriage and business matters have been so smooth.'
Nian Jiaojiao had invested ten thousand taels of silver in each of the two new bookshops.
Tong Fu's original suggestion was for Nian Jiaojiao to hold seventy percent of the bookshop shares, and she would hold thirty percent.
But Nian Jiaojiao vetoed it.
After a 'war of words,' they finally settled on a fifty-fifty split.
Unbeknownst to them, not far from where they were chatting, a woman with a bruised and swollen face and disheveled hair was hiding in a corner not far from the bookshop entrance, staring at them maliciously.
Nian Zhenzhen looked at the bright-faced woman, her eyes as if quenched with poison.
This kind of woman, with her father's domineering tone, could actually attract Young Master Huang?
No!
It must be that this woman used some tricks, otherwise, how could Young Master Huang abandon her and choose her?
Thinking of this, looking at the two of them chatting happily, a poisonous scheme formed in Nian Zhenzhen's mind.
...
An hour later, the flow of people in Qinglian Bookshop began to increase, and the staff were a bit overwhelmed. Tong Fu stepped forward to help.
Tong Zi Yao said to Tong Fu:
'Fu'er, you can increase the staff in the bookshop, and hire another manager. After you get married, you'll have to spend more time with your husband.'
'Understood, Third Brother. I'll go home later, you go back first,' Tong Fu said.
Tong Zi Yao stood for a while. Seeing that she wouldn't be going home anytime soon, he said goodbye and left.
...
Dusk.
Nian Jiaojiao returned from the academy.
'Have Xiao Fu and Young Master Tong returned?'
Nian Jiaojiao asked Xing Yun.
Xing Yun shook his head, 'Wife, do you need them for something?'
'Yes, the Huang family is hosting a family banquet tomorrow. Let's go together.'
Huang Badian was in the same class as her, so he handed her the invitation.
Xing Yun's eyes lit up upon hearing 'family banquet.'
Seeing the little expression on his face, Nian Jiaojiao's heart stirred. She playfully poked his nose with her finger.
'What a greedy little cat.'
'Hehe (o゜▽゜)o☆'
Xing Yun adorably hugged Nian Jiaojiao's arm, like a boneless creature, his whole weight resting on her.
The two of them, standing at the door and interacting affectionately, were interrupted by Tong Fu's arrival from outside.
'Xiao Fu, have you eaten? Want to join us?' Nian Jiaojiao said.
'Okay!'
Tong Fu touched her already shriveled stomach and readily nodded.
Nian Jiaojiao glanced behind her and, not seeing a familiar figure, asked:
'Where is Young Master Tong?'"