Reborn and married in a swapped marriage, my aloof husband is too ruthless.

Su Jinxin turned around and saw a man dressed in coarse cloth, with a lean build and dark skin. The crow's feet at the corners of his eyes were deep, as if etched by the sea breeze.

This man was none other than Li the boatman, the most well-informed person at the dock, but he was cunning and always knew how to switch sides.

"I'd like to know about the port's cargo throughput and its main trading partners," Su Jinxin said bluntly.

The boatman squinted, looked her up and down, and chuckled, "Madam, this is a trade secret, how can you ask about it so casually?"

“I understand,” Su Jinxin took out a silver ingot from her sleeve and quietly stuffed it into the boatman Li’s hand. “It’s just a small token of my appreciation. Please give me some pointers, brother.”

The boatman, Li, weighed the silver in his hand, his smile widening: "Madam, you're such a straightforward person! Let me tell you, business at the dock hasn't been good lately. The cargo throughput is pitifully low, mostly small-scale transactions with little profit."

Su Jinxin observed Li the boatman's expression discreetly, but secretly remained vigilant.

The dock was bustling with people and boats coming and going; it didn't look like a slow-moving business at all.

She asked calmly, "Oh? Then why are there so many ships docked here?"

The boatman's eyes flickered, and he chuckled, "These... these are all small boats, transporting worthless goods, they don't make much money."

Su Jinxin sneered inwardly; this boatman Li was clearly misleading her on purpose.

She didn't point it out, but simply went along with his words and said, "I see, thank you for telling me, brother."

She turned to leave, but then heard the boatman behind her say in a low voice, "If you really want to do business at the dock, I can introduce you to a few reliable partners."

Su Jinxin stopped in her tracks, a meaningful smile playing on her lips: "Really? Then I must thank you, brother."

Just then, a slick-haired man squeezed through the crowd, smiling broadly as he bowed to Su Jinxin and said, "Madam, my name is Liu. I'm a local small business owner. May I ask your honorable name?"

Su Jinxin glanced at him indifferently, ignored him, and turned to continue walking forward.

The businessman, Liu, however, followed closely, chattering on and on about his business and boasting about his abilities.

"Madam, if you wish to do business at the docks, I, Liu, can lend you a hand! I know the docks like the back of my hand..."

Su Jinxin stopped and stared at him coldly: "You know Li the boatman?"

The merchant Liu's face stiffened, then he forced an even more obsequious smile: "Yes, yes! Brother Li the boatman is a big shot at the docks, how could I not know him?"

He rubbed his hands together, his eyes gleaming. "If Madam wishes to learn about the docks through Brother Li, I can certainly act as a go-between..."

Su Jinxin sneered inwardly. This businessman Liu was clearly trying to curry favor with her and profit from it.

She waved her hand impatiently: "No need, I've already talked to Brother Li."

Undeterred, Mr. Liu continued his incessant chatter, like a buzzing fly that wouldn't go away.

Su Jinxin's eyes turned cold as she turned to look at the boatman, Li, and said in a meaningful tone, "Brother Li, this merchant Liu is so enthusiastic, he must know the situation at the dock very well. Why don't you share what you just told me with him?"

The boatman's expression changed. He had deliberately concealed the true situation at the dock, hoping to gain some benefits from Su Jinxin.

Su Jinxin's words were clearly a warning to him.

He gave an awkward laugh, glancing at Liu the businessman with a shifty look in his eyes.

The businessman, Liu, was confused and thought that Su Jinxin was giving him a chance to show off. He immediately started talking at length about the dock business, but it was all hearsay and full of loopholes.

Su Jinxin's lips curled into a cold smile. She was now certain that both the boatman Li and the merchant Liu were unreliable fellows.

She ignored them and turned to walk deeper into the dock.

"Madam, please wait!"

The boatman, Li, quickly caught up, his face plastered with a fawning smile. "I was just joking with you earlier. Actually, I know this dock very well!"

Su Jinxin stopped and looked at him with a half-smile: "Oh? Is that so? Then tell me, what is the real business at this dock?"

The boatman's eyes darted around, and he lowered his voice, saying, "Madam, the real business at this dock is actually smuggling..."

He told Su Jinxin in detail about the inside story and profit chain of smuggling at the dock, as well as the relationships between the various forces.

Su Jinxin listened quietly, secretly making plans in her mind.

The smuggling business at this dock is extremely risky, but also highly profitable.

If she can seize this opportunity, she can quickly accumulate wealth and strengthen her power.

She looked at the boatman, her eyes sharp: "Why are you telling me all this?"

With a forced smile, Li the boatman said, "I only wish to serve you, madam, and I hope you will continue to patronize my business in the future."

Su Jinxin chuckled and took out a silver ingot from her sleeve, handing it to him: "This is what you deserve."

The boatman, Li, accepted the silver and left, expressing his deepest gratitude.

Su Jinxin stared at his retreating figure, her eyes deep, lost in thought.

Suddenly, a warm, large hand enveloped her hand...

A warm, large hand enveloped Su Jinxin's hand, and the familiar scent warmed her heart.

She turned her head and met Yan Cheng'an's gentle gaze. His deep eyes were filled with concern and love for her.

"Why are you here?" Su Jinxin asked softly, her tone tinged with surprise.

Yan Chengan smiled gently: "I heard you came to the dock, and I was a little worried, so I came to check on you."

His gaze swept over the bowing and scraping businessman Liu beside him, with a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

Su Jinxin briefly told Yan Cheng'an about the situation at the dock, including the smuggling secrets revealed by Li the boatman, and her plan to use Liu the businessman.

After hearing this, Yan Cheng'an nodded approvingly: "Jin Xin, you're getting more and more amazing." He knew Su Jin Xin's wisdom and ability well, and he believed that she could handle everything.

"Isn't it all thanks to your secret help?" Su Jinxin winked playfully. Although Yan Cheng'an pretended to be sickly on the surface, he had paved a lot of roads for her in secret.

"We are husband and wife, there is no need for thanks." Yan Chengan gently held Su Jinxin's hand, their fingers intertwined, conveying their mutual trust and support.

Looking at Yan Chengan, Su Jinxin's heart was filled with sweetness and happiness. With him by her side, she felt as if she possessed boundless strength, capable of overcoming any difficulty.

She turned to look at Merchant Liu, her tone carrying a hint of command: "Mr. Liu, I need you to do a few things for me..." She explained her plan to Merchant Liu in detail and promised a generous reward upon completion.

Although Mr. Liu was somewhat unwilling, he could only nod in agreement because he was intimidated by Yan Cheng'an's imposing manner and Su Jinxin's authority.

Su Jinxin smiled with satisfaction. She knew how to manipulate people's hearts and, even more so, how to control the situation. The ever-changing circumstances at the docks suited her perfectly.

"Let's go back." Su Jinxin took Yan Chengan's arm and turned to leave the dock.

The businessman, Liu, watched the two figures disappear into the distance, his expression complex.

He didn't know what Su Jinxin was trying to do, but he knew he had been drawn into a huge vortex.

As night fell, Su Jinxin sat in her study, holding a list of dockside chambers of commerce in her hand, her eyes sharp.

She has obtained crucial information about the docks; it's time to challenge the Chamber of Commerce.

"Yan Cheng'an, what do you think they will do?" Su Jinxin put down the list and looked at Yan Cheng'an beside her.

Yan Cheng'an smiled knowingly: "We'll see."

He stood up and walked behind Su Jinxin, gently pulling her into his arms. "No matter what happens, I will always be by your side."

Su Jinxin leaned against Yan Chengan's chest, feeling his warm embrace and a sense of security filling her heart.

She knew this business battle would be tough, but she was fearless.

“Tomorrow, I will visit the president of the Chamber of Commerce…” Su Jinxin said firmly.

The following morning, a thin mist hung over the dock, and the air was filled with the smell of the sea.

Su Jinxin wore a sleek dark blue dress that accentuated her shapely figure, and her eyes sparkled with confidence.

She walked straight toward the Chamber of Commerce gate. The guards were about to stop her, but they were intimidated by the taciturn yet imposing Yan Cheng'an behind her and had no choice but to bow and let her pass.

Inside the chamber of commerce, the place was magnificent and filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

Chairman Wu Tianba was leisurely sipping tea, listening to his subordinates report on the latest developments at the dock.

Upon hearing Su Jinxin's name, he scoffed disdainfully, "A mere woman dares to meddle in dock affairs?"

He put down his teacup, a glint of greed in his eyes. "I'd like to see what she's capable of." Su Jinxin stepped into the hall, her gaze sweeping over everyone present before finally settling on Wu Tianba.

A slight, meaningful smile played on her lips. "President Wu, I've long admired your name." She slowly unfurled the scroll in her hand, revealing...