How can someone travel through time and space and become a beggar?

"Manager Liu, how is business lately?" A woman walked in from outside, her face covered with a veil, but it was obvious that she was not young.

"The boss is here!" Shopkeeper Liu hurried out from behind the counter. "Could you please take a look at the account book?"

Ruan Yuqing turned her gaze and glanced at the woman squatting in front of the pipa, "Let's take a look."

Manager Liu led the people to the back and handed over the account book.

"Does that woman want to buy a piano?" Ruan Yuqing asked as she flipped through the books.

"She doesn't want to buy it." Shopkeeper Liu explained, "It seems her family is not well off, and she likes the pearwood zither very much. She often comes to see it, and every time she comes, she asks if she can play it, but she can't afford it." The strings are consumable, and it is definitely impossible for her to play them for free.

Ruan Yuqing paused, "Has she ever tried the piano?"

"She tried it. During the first few times she came, she tried every pipa. In the end, she set her sights on the rosewood one. I remember that instrument wasn't made by a master." Shopkeeper Liu was afraid the boss would misunderstand, so he added, "Later, she wasn't allowed to play it."

Ruan Yuqing flipped through two pages and said, "Let her play it. I want to listen."

"Well, she's happy about that." Shopkeeper Liu chuckled and turned to leave. He actually liked this girl, though she was thick-skinned, but he didn't bother her too much. She was pretty, polite, and played the zither well.

"Miss, I can lend you this piano to play today." Shopkeeper Liu said to Xia Chu who was still looking at the piano.

Changed his mind? Xia Chu turned back in surprise, thinking of the woman who had just entered. Could this owner be kind? Who cares? She thanked him, carefully picked up the piano, and touched it from the strings to the soundboard.

What should I play? She casually plucked the strings twice, and the sound was crisp and soft, like a young girl's voice.

The sound of the zither rang out, and Ruan Yuqing paused. A melody she had never heard before echoed through the hall. While most music these days is either soul-stirring or melodious, this woman's playing was light and melodious, elevating her mood. It was truly unique.

Ruan Yuqing couldn't help but tap the table with her fingers to the music, with the corners of her mouth rising.

Shopkeeper Liu narrowed his eyes, immersed in the music. He didn't even notice that many people were pausing outside the door, and some even walked in, quietly listening.

Xia Chudan was happy, but when she came to her senses, she found that there were many people standing in front of her. She subconsciously bent her knees slightly and bowed.

Qin Xuezhi returned the greeting with a bow, "I've never heard this song before. May I ask the name of it, young lady?"

"Tea Picking Chronicles." This is a song that Xia Chu liked very much before. The melody is light and relaxing.

"Thank you." Qin Xuezhi prepared to go back and look for it. Judging from the title of the song, it should be a local tune. Maybe it exists somewhere else, so he has never heard of it before.

Some people listened and left, while others praised it a few words and turned to Manager Liu to ask about the piano.

Xia Chu was a little nervous. Could this guitar be sold just like that?

What you fear will come true. A girl with hair full of pearls and jade and gorgeous clothes pointed at the zither in Xia Chu's arms and said, "Put this one on me."

Shopkeeper Liu was stunned for a moment, then glanced at Xia Chu. Finally, he walked over, extended his hand, and said, "Miss."

Xia Chu gently stroked the body of the piano and handed it over.

"Shopkeeper Liu." Ruan Yuqing came out and bowed to the young lady. "Miss Guan, this zither has been in the shop for a long time. I have another one made of the same material. I'll send it to you later."

Miss Guan raised her eyebrows and turned her gaze away. "Did they come from the same master?"

"Yes, there is absolutely no difference in the timbre." Ruan Yuqing said.

Miss Guan turned and left, which meant she agreed. The maid behind her paid the money and then followed Miss Guan.

Xia Chu breathed a sigh of relief, but unfortunately, even if this lady was not there, there were others.

Ruan Yuqing took the zither and said to Xia Chu, "What's your name, young lady?"

"No need to mention your surname, Wang." Xia Chu knelt slightly in front of her, "Thank you, Madam, for letting me play the piano."

"Everyone has their soulmate, and so does this zither." Ruan Yuqing stroked the zither in her hand. This was the only one she had made three years ago. "I'll keep this zither for you for three months. If you're interested within three months, bring thirty taels and come and get it."

Xia Chu pursed her lips and said, "Thank you." Thirty taels, it's not impossible to come up with it if she thinks of a way.

"Miss Wang, Miss Wang, please wait a moment."

Just as she walked out of the shop, she heard someone calling from behind. Xia Chu turned around and found that it was indeed someone calling her. The other person looked very unfamiliar, and she must have never seen him before. He was accompanied by two servants and looked like a wealthy second-generation rich man. Shang Chunchun was waving a folding fan in his hand and looking at her directly, "Sir, is there something wrong?"

"Excuse me for disturbing you, but I'm sorry." He Suowei raised the corner of his mouth and smiled frivolously, "The young lady's piano playing is beautiful, and she is even more beautiful. I wonder if I would have the honor to treat you to a simple meal."

Xia Chu rolled his eyes in his heart and forced a smile on his face, "No." After that, the smile disappeared and he turned and left.

"Hey, young lady, please wait." He Suowei was not in a hurry. He put away his fan and stood where he was. The servant behind him skillfully stopped him.

Xia Chu's eyes turned cold as he looked at the person blocking his way. He turned around and asked, "What? Are you still going to force me to go?"

"How can you call me strong? I meant well, why are you so ungrateful, girl?" He emphasized the last two words with a hint of threat.

"You're kidnapping a woman in broad daylight?" Xia Chu raised an eyebrow. "Young Master, are you incredibly wealthy or have a high position of power? How dare you disregard the law and kidnap someone in the street?"

She spoke in a loud voice, and some people stopped to watch.

He Suowei's expression froze. He had never expected that she didn't seem afraid. But judging by her clothes, her family wasn't wealthy. She had only looked at things in Wenshengzhai, not bought anything, and couldn't even afford thirty taels of silver. She spoke with great authority, unlike the women from smaller families who looked timid when they saw him. "Miss, you're joking. I just see that you're short of money. If you have a meal with me, I'll give you thirty taels to buy a zither. How about that?"

"No matter what, tell your lackeys to get out of the way." Xia Chu looked at him coldly.

He Suowei was even more interested, "I like this kind of personality."

You're such a bitch, you just like people giving you the cold shoulder, don't you? Xia Chu ignored him and turned around to walk around the 'dog' blocking the road. But the two men surrounded them again, and she got annoyed, "Will you let them go?"

"It's just a meal, I promise not to do anything else." He Suowei continued from behind.

"Just a couple of kicks. I promise you won't die." Xia Chu suddenly said in a hoarse voice. Before anyone could react to what she meant, she suddenly rushed forward, kicked the boy in front of her away, and then ran away without stopping.

He Suo looked in amazement at the servant who was lying on the ground screaming in pain, and then looked at the figure who had turned into the alley.

Is this still a girl's home?

"Master, do you want to chase him?" another person asked.

"Can you catch up?" He Suowei asked angrily. This was the first time he had seen a girl run so fast. What should he do? He seemed to like her even more.

He laughed loudly twice and walked back leisurely, "Have someone keep an eye on Wen Shengzhai. Next time you see her, follow her to see where she lives."

"Yes."