The sister-in-law was wrong, please forgive her, my black-bellied brother-in-law

"No need!" Qiao Xi hurriedly stopped him and smiled softly, "I just asked casually, don't let others know I asked."

She couldn't alert the enemy as she hadn't found any other clues yet.

Thinking of this, Qiao Xi asked Han Yun'an to make sure there were no talented people in the hospital, and she was truly relieved.

She was silent for a moment, keeping it a secret. "I have to go out for a while. But you have to give me something."

These words were said to Xu Yi.

"Ah! Go out? Aren't you going to look for clues?" Han Yun'an was full of doubts. The dean only gave him three days.

Xu Yi frowned slightly, thought for a moment and then said, "Okay, let him go with you. What do you want?"

The dean had reminded him not to step out of the academy until the matter was resolved.

Qiao Xi smiled, but only opened her lips and said nothing.

Han Yun'an was confused, but Xu Yi had already nodded.

As time was urgent, Qiao Xi did not dare to waste time. After Xu Yi stuffed the things into her hands, she took Han Yun'an out of Shangqing Academy.

"Sister-in-law, where are we going?" Han Yun'an asked with a smile as he followed her.

Qiao Xi listened to the navigation instructions and took the time to reply, "I can't tell you that right now. Just follow along."

The two of them walked for about three incense sticks of time, and only stopped when Han Yun'an's mouth was dry.

Han Yun'an fanned himself with his sleeves and found a clean step to sit down and rest.

"Sister-in-law, I really can't walk anymore. Can we find a place to rest and get some water to drink?"

Qiao Xi wiped the sweat from her forehead. Her situation wasn't much better than Han Yun'an's. It was just that she was more patient.

The navigation said this is the place, but no one is asking now.

Just as I was thinking about it, I suddenly heard a "creak" sound, and the wooden door behind the steps slowly opened, and then an old woman came out from inside.

[Host, the person before you is Feng Hui's mother.]

Hearing the system reminder, Qiao Xi smiled and prepared to find an excuse to start a conversation.

But before she could speak, the person in front of her frowned slightly and looked at her and Han Yun'an.

"Who are you? Why are you sitting at my door?"

Qiao Xi took the opportunity to stand up and bow, "Auntie, we are on our way. It's too hot, and my brother is very thirsty. We left in a hurry and didn't bring any water. I wonder if I can ask for a drink?"

The old woman's eyes turned slightly, and she said thoughtfully, "Wait here for a moment."

Han Yun'an had already stood up and looked at the departing old woman, thoughtfully saying, "Sister-in-law, you're not here to see this lady, are you?"

Hearing what he said, Qiao Xi glanced inside the door. Seeing that the person inside didn't hear it, she glared at Han Yun'an in annoyance.

Seeing her warning look, Han Yun'an immediately realized that he had spoken too much, so he quickly shut up and dared not say another word.

Seeing that he was so obedient, Qiao Xi put a smile on her face again and looked at the person coming out of the door.

"Ladies, here's some water for you." He Taofang handed the bucket of water in her hand directly to Qiao Xi.

Qiao Xi took it with both hands, but did not drink it. Instead, she handed it to Han Yun'an, "Brother, you are very thirsty. You drink first."

Han Yun'an was really thirsty, and without caring about anything else, he took the water and put it to his mouth, gulping it down non-stop until his hunger and thirst were quenched. Looking at the remaining water in the scoop, he scratched the back of his head embarrassedly.

Qiao Xi didn't show any disgust. She took the ladle and drank all the water in it. Then she gave the empty ladle to He Taofang and thanked her again.

He Taofang put the ladle into the wooden barrel beside her. Qiao Qian looked down and pretended to be surprised and said, "Auntie, are you going to fetch some water?"

"Yes!" He Taofang sighed, slowly picked up the wooden barrel, and closed the wooden door behind him.

Seeing that she didn't want to say more, Qiao Qian frowned slightly, looked at Han Yun'an who was standing there in a daze, and suddenly pushed him.

Han Yun'an was caught off guard and staggered after being pushed by her. After regaining his balance, he looked a little confused, but then he thought of her warning and pretended to be calm.

"Auntie, if it weren't for your water just now, my brother and I would have been terribly thirsty. My brother may not have any other skills, but he is strong. Let him help you carry the bucket of water. It will be our gratitude for your bucket of water."

After saying that, Qiao Xi winked at Han Yun'an.

Seeing this, Han Yun'an walked to He Taofang with a tactful look and took the wooden barrel from her hand.

"I'm very strong, Auntie, I'll help you."

Without giving He Taofang a chance to refuse, Han Yun'an had already walked away carrying the wooden barrel.

Helplessly, He Taofang could only quickly walk a few steps to catch up, and from time to time she would give him directions on where to get water.

Afraid that she would fall, Qiao Xi stepped forward and supported her as she walked.

As we walked, I chatted with her with a smile on my face.

"Auntie, why don't you ask someone at home to fetch some water? This bucket is so heavy. If someone falls and hurts their legs, it will be very painful."

"Alas! I am alone at home now."

"Ah!" Qiao Xi was surprised. "Where are the rest of your family?"

"My old man passed away early, leaving me and my son to depend on each other. My son studies at the academy on weekdays, and he will come back to see me when he has time. My dear lady, where are you going?"

"Oh, we originally wanted to come to Lingxiao City to look for an old friend, but he had already moved away, so my brother and I had to give up and were just about to go home. Oh, studying is very expensive, can you afford it?"

At this point, He Taofang looked proud, "My dear lady, you don't know, but my son is quite capable. Plus, I make a little money sewing and laundry for others, which is enough for the two of us."

Qiao Xi looked curious, "What kind of skill can make you so much money? I wonder if my brother can learn it?"

He Taofang stared at Han Yun'an, who was walking in front of her, from head to toe, and then shook her head. "Although it's not a remarkable skill, I don't think your brother can do it."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Xi smiled and complimented, "Being able to make money is a great skill. Auntie, don't be so modest."

He Taofang was delighted to hear others praise her son. She said with a smile, "It's really not a big deal. My son can read, so he copies books for some bookstores. It's not much, but my son is willing to work hard. He earned all the money for his studies by copying books for others."

After hearing this, Qiao Xi had some idea in her mind.

If you just copy books, you will only earn a few cents for each book, which is enough to make ends meet and you can't afford to go to school at all.

And if you know some copying techniques, the money you earn will be more than just a few cents.

Thinking of this, Qiao Xi pretended to be ignorant and said, "Do you know which bookstore it is? I just wanted to buy a book for my younger brother. You know, we are not familiar with this place."

He Taofang frowned. "I did hear my son mention it once, but I'm old and my memory is not good, so I can't quite remember it. I think it was called something like Xiang Shu Si."

"Really? That's great." Qiao Xi clapped her hands and said happily, "I'll take him there in a while."

……

"Are you sure this is here?"

Qiao Xi looked up at the shop's plaque and asked Han Yun'an who was standing next to her.

Han Yun'an was also a scholar, and no one knew better than a scholar what bookstores there were in Lingxiao City.

When Feng Huiniang mentioned Xiangshusi, Han Yun'an's first thought was this place.

Hearing that he was being questioned, Han Yun'an gritted his teeth and said, "Don't worry, sister-in-law, it must be this."

If it's not his name, write it upside down.

Qiao Xi straightened her clothes and strode into Meixiang Bookstore.

When the waiter saw a customer coming, he hurried over to greet him.

Qiao Xi waved her hand, looking impatient. "Tell your boss to come out. I want to discuss a deal with him!"