My Lord, my wife said she doesn't have time to talk to you.

"Girl, give me two servings of cold noodles." Shen Nanting, who was waiting in line, walked up to Huaying and said.

"Okay, sir, would you like some chili peppers?" Huaying looked up at the man, who exuded the noble air of a scholar.

"A little spicy." Shen Nanting said as he found an empty seat and sat down, but his eyes were always fixed on the busy Huaying.

Huaying handed the finished Liangpi to Shen Nanting with a smile, "Sir, your Liangpi is ready, enjoy it slowly."

Shen Nanting took the cold noodles and said with a smile: "Thank you, young lady. The cold noodles taste very good. Can I ask you for the method of making it?"

Huaying looked at him in surprise, thinking that this young man was actually interested in the production method of Liangpi. So she briefly described the production process of Liangpi, and Shen Nanting listened carefully and distressed, lowered his head and tasted the Liangpi made by his younger sister.

"With such a complicated process, the girl must have gotten up at night to work." There was a hint of sobs in Shen Nanting's voice. Not only did his little sister not recognize him, but she also had to do so much work every day.

Huaying smiled and said, "I'm used to it. It's okay to get up early."

Shen Nanting's heart ached as if it was being pulled by someone. When had the eldest daughter of Zuo Chengfu ever suffered such pain? He raised his head and said sincerely: "If you need any help, just ask, I will do my best."

Huaying was touched when she heard him say that, but she still politely replied, "Thank you for your kindness, sir, but I can handle it myself."

Shen Nanting stopped talking and started eating the cold noodles in silence.

After leaving the stall, Shen Nanting was in a heavy mood. He came to sit next to Yue Xing and said, "The young lady is very ill. She doesn't even recognize me. We need to observe her for a while and don't stimulate her."

Yue Xing looked at the lady in the distance and nodded to Shen Nanting.

Huaying here is extremely busy and tired, and doesn't even have time to drink water. She hasn't set up her stall for a few days. Customers who have eaten the cold noodles before are waiting for this taste today.

Knowing that Huaying’s stall will be closed for three days after opening for three days, those who love this delicacy will buy a few more to bring home to satisfy their family’s cravings.

Huaying and Dongxue were busy until the afternoon when they finally ate the last few pieces of cold noodles. Huaying was afraid that Dongxue would not be full, so she bought a few more buns.

Afterwards, the two of them went to the store and brought some food to Fu Shiyan. Shen Nanting watched his little sister's every move from afar and didn't know what to do with her for a moment.

Standing at the door of the store, Huaying glanced at the store that had already begun to take shape, secretly thinking about the next work arrangements. The subsequent soft furnishings and layout as well as the workers should all be put on the agenda.

He found Fu Shiyan who was busy and handed him food.

Seeing some beads of sweat on his forehead, he took out a handkerchief and handed it to him, saying softly, "Take a rest."

Fu Shiyan stopped what he was doing, raised his head and looked at Huaying, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes.

Shen Nanting, standing outside, silently watched everything in the store, his eyes fixed on the busy figure of his younger sister.

The little sister was seen bending over, picking up the garbage on the ground, with no disdain on her face, and her eyes revealed tenacity and persistence. Seeing this scene, Shen Nanting felt an indescribable sadness in his heart.

He couldn't help but think back to the days when his younger sister was at home, and she had never done the work that menial people did.

Huaying and Dongxue carried out a big bag of garbage. Out of the corner of their eyes, they saw a man dressed as a nobleman looking at them. They looked back at him and checked their clothes in confusion. There was nothing wrong with them. When they looked at the gentleman again, they saw him smiling and waving at them.

Dongxue said to Huaying, "Sister Huaying, that person is greeting us."

Huaying smiled at him, nodded, turned around and went into the store to continue cleaning up the remaining garbage. She always felt that she had seen this young man somewhere. Huaying thought about it and suddenly remembered that this young man had bought her cold noodles this morning. No wonder he felt familiar.

Fu Shiyan walked towards Huaying, reached out and took the broom from her, and said softly, "You and Dongxue go back and rest first, I'll keep an eye on this place."

His deep voice made people feel at ease. Huaying looked up at him and saw a trace of concern in his eyes.

Hua Ying was slightly startled. Looking at the extraordinary Fu Shiyan in front of her, an unnatural look appeared on her face. She quickly handed him the broom and said, "Then let's go back."

Fu Shiyan nodded and watched her leave. He glanced at the man in dark blue standing across the street. He had noticed that he had been staring at Huaying for a long time.

He frowned slightly and said to Fu Yi behind him, "Find two people with strong martial arts skills to protect Huaying in the dark, and the other one follows this man."

"Yes." Fu Yi took the order and left.

Shen Nanting followed Huaying all the way to the peach blossom forest and stopped only when he saw Huaying enter the forest. Does my little sister actually live in the village?

Huaying felt someone was tailing her. As she was about to enter the village, she cursed herself for being careless and decided to get rid of the tail as soon as possible.

Looking at Dongxue who was still joking with her, she suddenly said, "Dongxue, let's find a shortcut back today."

Dongxue looked at Huaying with a puzzled look on her face, then lowered her head to look at the handle of the cart in her hand, thinking that Sister Huaying must have her reasons for saying that. "Okay. I'll listen to Sister Huaying."

Seeing Dongxue's cooperation, Huaying pushed the cart with her and walked towards the depths of the peach forest. Shen Nanting noticed that Huaying suddenly changed the route, and thinking that he must have been too anxious and scared his younger sister, he turned and left.

"Sister Huaying, there is no road here and it's not easy to walk on. Did you discover something that suddenly made us take this road?" Dongxue felt that Sister Huaying's behavior today was a little abnormal, and something must have happened.

"The little girl is quite smart. Someone was following us just now." Huaying said to Dongxue while pushing the cart with difficulty.

"No wonder, that person has left now?" Dongxue wiped the sweat from her forehead and there was no sign of tension on her face.

Seeing that the people behind them were not following them any further, Huaying pulled Dongxue to sit down and rest, "It's time to go. Let's rest for a while and then push the car to the main road. You are so brave, little girl. Aren't you afraid?"

Dongxue's childish face showed a smug look as she said, "As long as Sister Huaying is here, I'm really not afraid."

Looking at Dongxue who trusted her so much, Huaying smiled and handed her a bamboo water bucket, and then helped her wipe the sweat off her face.

After the two of them had rested for a while, they pushed the cart to the main road and continued on their journey.

After returning home, Huaying washed and changed her clothes and then she remembered that she had forgotten to buy clothes for Dongxue.

We sweat a lot in summer, so it is necessary to have several sets of clothes.

Thinking that little girl Shi Nuan should buy it too, I will call them both to buy it together tomorrow.

Fu Shiyan returned to Tongxin Hall. The secret guards and Fu Yi who went to explore the back mountain today were already waiting for him in the study with stones in their hands. The secret guards dressed as servants hurriedly saluted when they saw their master. Fu Shiyan asked some questions about the route and then let him leave.

He ordered Fu Yi to bring a basin of water and pour the stones into the basin. The two of them watched the changes in the basin quietly.

After a while, a piece of crystal clear ice appeared in the basin. Fu Shiyan took out the ice and examined it carefully, but found nothing wrong.

Fu Yi could not hide the surprise on his face. This was a major discovery. Apart from anything else, it was such a hot summer day.

Selling the ice privately to the residences of dignitaries, county governments, restaurants, teahouses, and red-light districts can bring in a considerable amount of income.

"Master, this is a good thing." Fu Yi was a little excited.

"Is there any news about the letter to my eldest brother?" Fu Shiyan asked, staring at the ice.

Fu Yi replied, "Not yet."

Fu Shiyan stood up and sat back at the desk. "Find a good market and privately transport some saltpeter to make ice. Be careful not to leak the news. Just say we have our own ice cellar. Let Fu San do this. Now we need to conserve our strength. If there is any news from my brother, please notify me immediately." He said as he dipped some ointment on a cotton ball to disinfect the blisters on his hands.

Now he needed a lot of silver. He used the silver he brought out before to open Tongxin Hall, and used part of it to manage family matters and decorate the new shop. Everything he would do in the future would require a large amount of silver. It must be said that Huaying's discovery was a timely relief for him.

"Master, let me do it." Fu Yi hurried over and took the cotton ball to wipe the blisters on Fu Shiyan's hands. "Master, don't worry. The secret guards under your command are all from our Youcheng Mansion. They are loyal and can be used."

Fu Shiyan hummed and said nothing more.

Huaying roasted pork ribs at home, and felt a little distressed thinking about Fu Shiyan who was working in the store today.

It's hard for a weak scholar like him, who has to read and write every day and go to the shop to work. I'll make some more delicious food for him as a snack today.

After cooking the ribs, she sent a bowl to Aunt Zhang's house. Dong Qing happened to come home and remembered that it was his day off. She was afraid that there would not be enough to eat, so she brought another bowl. Aunt Zhang repeatedly pushed and asked Hua Ying to take it away, saying, "It's not easy for farmers to have a meal of meat, how can they bring all of it to our family? You are too honest, kid."

Since Huaying refused to have a second bowl no matter what, she had to give up. Dongqing and Dongxue watched the interaction between their mother and Huaying, and both of them had happy smiles on their faces.

Huaying returned home and brought the cooked dishes one by one to the dining table in the yard. Fu Shiyan came home as if he knew the dinner was about to start.

"Such a sumptuous feast today?" Fu Shiyan asked while washing his hands. He hadn't eaten her cooking for a long time and missed it quite a bit.

Huaying put down her chopsticks and waited for him to come over and eat together. "You've been working hard lately, and we've hired workers to do the store work. Don't be so tired. You'll be going to school in a few months, so you can't fall behind in your studies."

Huaying picked up a piece of braised pork ribs and put it in his bowl. Fu Shiyan looked at her and raised his lips, "You look a bit like an old woman. Don't worry, I won't fall behind in my studies. I know what I'm doing."

Huaying thought to herself, you are the old woman. You care about me and yet you blame me. I’ll just kill you.

Huaying picked up some chili from a dish of stir-fried pork with chili and gave it to Fu Shiyan.

Huaying pretended to be an old woman and sighed, saying, "I'm just worried that you're overworked. After all, your body is not as strong as those craftsmen."

Fu Shiyan started coughing after hearing her words, not sure if it was because of the chili pepper or because of her sarcastic words.

Huaying raised the corner of her mouth, went to the kitchen, poured a bamboo cup of warm water and handed it to him, "Yes, this is the concern from the old lady."

Fu Shiyan smiled helplessly and shook his head. It turned out that she was waiting for him here. "Thank you, old lady."

After dinner, Hua Ying and Fu Shiyan enjoyed the cool in the yard. Looking at the starry sky, they couldn't help but sigh: "The night here is so beautiful. We can't see so many stars at night in our hometown."

Fu Shiyan looked at her quietly, with an indescribable feeling in his heart. Sometimes he couldn't see through the girl in front of him.

"Have you ever thought about what you want to do in the future?" Huaying suddenly turned around and asked him.

Fu Shiyan thought for a moment and said, "Pass the exam to gain fame and benefit the people." He added in his mind that he would climb to a high position and find out the real culprit who murdered Youchengfu.

Huaying nodded at him and said, "That's a great ambition. I believe you can achieve it."

Fu Shiyan looked at her, recalling his mother's last words, a hint of determination flashed in his eyes, and he said, "I will."

The two stopped talking and just looked at the peaceful and bright night sky.