But being sensible was far from enough!
Since Su Xiaoqi bought the shop with the intention of being a hands-off owner, she had to consider all aspects.
She thought for a moment and, to initially test Zhao Dayou, she immediately measured out a liter of rice for him.
So he could take it home for immediate relief.
Because she had heard from Meng Ya Ren earlier that his family had been without food for several days.
Zhao Dayou, a rough man, almost had tears welling up in his eyes.
This employer, seemingly stern and unfeeling, was actually very humane.
Before even starting work, the reward was already given.
Su Xiaoqi, unfazed, gave Meng Ya Ren a hundred copper coins.
But he refused, saying that Zhao Dayou was actually his good friend.
Seeing him find a good job, he was only happy for him and couldn't possibly accept money.
Su Xiaoqi didn't insist and also measured out a liter of rice for him, saying it was so he could taste whether the rice from her family's produce was good.
Meng Ya Ren did not refuse this.
The rice in his hands was indeed large and bright white, looking delicious just by sight.
Su Xiaoqi checked the time, locked up the shop, and left Zhao Dayou with a single sentence: "Work diligently."
Then, she asked Meng Ya Ren to escort her to the Fuyue Inn.
After delivering the fish today, Su Baiyi said he had something to discuss with her.
Earlier, she had been solely focused on her shop's matters and had no time.
Now that she was finally free from her busy schedule, she could go and find him with peace of mind.
"Miss Shen, you're here. Please sit down quickly. I'll have the kitchen prepare some small dishes. We can talk while we eat."
Su Xiaoqi was accustomed to interacting with Su Baiyi and knew he was a generous and magnanimous person.
Furthermore, it was almost mealtime, so she didn't stand on ceremony and let him make arrangements.
The kitchen prepared stir-fried beef strips, cold-dressed crucian carp, and blanched seasonal vegetables.
As expected of a chef in a large inn, the cooking was decent, and Su Xiaoqi ate with continuous nods of approval.
With food in her stomach, she asked Su Baiyi what he wanted to see her about.
"Uh, it's nothing much, just a good thing. My brother-in-law, you know, the one who opened a new restaurant in the east of the city? He came to eat here last time and took a liking to your fish.
Can you still supply fish every day? If you can, send a hundred fish every other day.
Don't worry, his family specializes in restaurants. They have over a dozen restaurants here."
Su Xiaoqi's ears perked up; this was a business opportunity!
She calculated the output of her fish pond.
She had exactly a hundred fish per day, which meant two hundred every two days, with some surplus.
However, Su Xiaoqi saw a huge business opportunity within this.
Mianzhou City was vast, with dozens, if not hundreds, of restaurants.
If she could supply them all, what a massive business that would be.
Su Xiaoqi became excited just thinking about it.
But she still needed to upgrade and increase production first.
She readily agreed.
Then she mentioned that she also sold rice and flour.
She asked if he had any need for them.
Su Baiyi hesitated and replied with difficulty, "There is a need, but this business, you can't do it.
The Su family, oh, you know, the richest family in the city, they are the ones supplying."
Su Xiaoqi understood immediately.
So it was Su Yuru's family. Naturally, she couldn't compete with their business.
She wasn't discouraged and arranged with Su Baiyi to start delivering goods the day after tomorrow and sign a contract.
Su Xiaoqi's progress was smooth.
Meanwhile, Shen Yun's house-building matters were also progressing well.
That night, when he returned home, he told Su Xiaoqi that they had secured the land and people.
Next, they should think about what kind of house to build.
Su Xiaoqi slapped her thigh and said that from the day he obtained the land, she had already been contemplating this issue.
She had long decided how to build it.
Shen Yun brought paper and brushes and asked her to describe it while he drew.
Su Xiaoqi, combining the situation in Zhaojia Village, described a modern siheyuan (courtyard house).
A total of ten rooms would be built.
Two main rooms, two side rooms, two wing rooms, plus a kitchen, a storage room, a bathroom, and a toilet.
The remaining open space would be enclosed with walls to form a courtyard.
Shen Yun felt that the first eight rooms were nothing special.
Their layout was similar to other families in the village.
But why was there such a big difference in the bathroom and toilet at the back?
Shen Yun stared at Su Xiaoqi, needing an explanation.
Su Xiaoqi felt a headache coming on; why was everyone asking her for explanations wherever she went?
"Uh, look, our current privy is outside. It's fine during the day, but how scary is it to go out at night.
And in winter, it's so cold. Of course, we should build it inside the courtyard.
As for the bathroom, this is how wealthy families do it."
Shen Yun narrowed his eyes, looking at the serious and nonsensical Su Xiaoqi, and said in a deep voice, "Do you really think I haven't eaten pork but have also seen pigs run?"
He told Su Xiaoqi calmly that he had visited the Su family.
Su Xiaoqi gasped, "Hiss," how could she have forgotten this?
Alas, she hadn't intended to be so ostentatious, but for a comfortable living environment, she had no choice but to go all out.
However, Shen Yun, who was usually as shrewd as anything, was not so easily fooled.
Especially when he was determined to get to the bottom of things, Su Xiaoqi was no match for him.
"Uh, it's getting late, why don't we go to sleep?" Su Xiaoqi looked around evasively.
Shen Yun remained silent, merely turning his head to look at her.
The meaning was clear.
If she didn't explain clearly today, she wouldn't be sleeping.
"Ah, I'm so sleepy, let's talk about it tomorrow." Su Xiaoqi hadn't figured out how to explain yet.
Shen Yun suddenly reached out and put his arm around her shoulders.
Since she didn't want to confess, he would have to investigate himself.
"You darn Shen Yun, you silly Shen Yun, always taking advantage of me," Su Xiaoqi cursed inwardly.
Shen Yun's face stiffened. To be honest, he hadn't had any other intentions just now.
But after Su Xiaoqi's reminder.
He looked down. The person in his arms had slender shoulders and a long neck, as beautiful as a swan.
The fragrance emanating from her body was intoxicating, making one's imagination run wild.
His throat bobbed, and his eyes couldn't help but be tinged with a certain color.
Seeing that someone was moved, Su Xiaoqi broke into a smile, thinking that she had just wanted to upgrade and had an idea.
She raised her delicate arms and wrapped them around his neck, her phoenix eyes flickering, shining like gemstones under the dim yellow oil lamp.
In an instant, she dazzled Shen Yun.
He couldn't bear to blink, staring intently at his beautiful and lovely young wife, whose figure was exquisitely proportioned.
Especially her every frown and smile, which captivated all his attention.
A voice deep within his heart cried out, urging him to do something indescribable.
He couldn't help but lower his head, his eyes filled with a dense color, obeying the voice within his heart and seizing her pure beauty.
"Mmm... mmm..." Su Xiaoqi's lips were suddenly sealed, and she was startled at first.
Then, remembering what she wanted, she calmly closed her eyes.
Like a brightly blooming flower, she allowed the diligent bee to harvest its nectar.
His kissing technique had improved. By the time Su Xiaoqi heard the sound of upgrading clearly from the space, she still didn't have the heart to push him away.
Su Xiaoqi couldn't remember how the kiss ended.
"No..." Su Xiaoqi awoke from her daze, twisting her body to evade.
She didn't want to, she didn't want to...