After returning to the capital to farm, the abandoned concubine made a comeback.

Zhu Ling's expression was grave as he recounted the information he had gathered: "Boss Qian's imitation shop is doing booming business, almost taking away half of your customers." He paused, his tone becoming even more somber, "Moreover, Farmer Hong's farm suffered a disaster and is unable to continue supplying raw materials."

Lin Qin's heart sank suddenly—a double blow!

This is simply adding insult to injury, a complete disaster!

She could almost hear the mocking whispers of those around her; those who were waiting to see her make a fool of herself were probably hiding in the shadows, sneering with schadenfreude.

The air seemed to be filled with mocking voices saying, "Is that all?" It made her so angry she wanted to punch them.

Sun, the headhunter, took advantage of her misfortune and poached several of her capable assistants with high salaries, including the store manager she had personally trained!

This is absolutely stabbing us in the back!

Lin Qin felt a chill run down her spine, as if she were being stared at by a venomous snake, and a sense of crisis surged over her like a tide.

Even the strategies proposed by strategist Lin were full of flaws and extremely risky; a slight misstep could lead to total defeat.

Lin Qin rubbed her temples, feeling utterly overwhelmed.

This is absolutely a hellish start!

Everyone thought that this once glamorous woman was about to suffer a major setback.

Some people have even started planning how to divide up her assets after she falls from grace.

However, Lin Qin did not panic as they had hoped.

She took a deep breath, her eyes gradually hardening.

The more critical the moment, the more calm we must remain!

She quickly analyzed the situation and looked for a way to break the deadlock.

Unexpectedly, Lin Qin did not convene an emergency meeting, nor did she run around seeking help.

She calmly instructed the servants to prepare a carriage, and then changed into a smart riding outfit.

"Go to Boss Qian's shop." Her tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority.

Zhu Ling looked at her and understood that Lin Qin was ready for battle.

The carriage slowly made its way towards Boss Qian's shop. The wheels rolled over the bluestone pavement with a dull thud, as if foreshadowing an impending storm...

Lin Qin lifted the car curtain, her gaze icy as she stared ahead, a meaningful smile playing on her lips: "Mr. Qian, it's been a long time."

Lin Qin's carriage stopped in front of Boss Qian's shop, immediately attracting a large crowd of onlookers.

Mr. Qian's shop was almost a complete copy of Lin Qin's, from the decoration style to the names of the dishes, they were practically made from the same mold.

At that moment, Boss Qian was standing at the door, greeting customers with a smug look on his face. Lin Qin wanted to roll her eyes at his smug appearance.

"Oh, isn't this Boss Lin? What brings you here?" Boss Qian said sarcastically, his tone full of mockery.

Lin Qin sneered and walked straight into the shop. She looked around, her gaze sharp as a knife: "Boss Qian, how come the things in your shop are exactly the same as mine? Have you lost your mind and mistaken my shop for yours?"

Mr. Qian feigned surprise: "Mr. Lin, you can't say things like that. I opened this shop with all my hard work. What does it have to do with you?" He paused, then added, "Besides, there are only so many kinds of dishes in the world. Do you think you can monopolize them?"

"Monopoly?" Lin Qin chuckled. "I don't have that kind of ability. But, isn't copying my ideas theft?"

Mr. Qian's expression changed, but he forced himself to remain calm: "Mr. Lin, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want! What evidence do you have that I plagiarized you?"

"Evidence?" Lin Qin smiled. "Mr. Qian, guess what would happen if I took your shop to the authorities?"

Mr. Qian panicked immediately; he hadn't expected Lin Qin to pull this stunt.

Although he imitated Lin Qin's shop, he didn't have any substantial evidence. If the matter really went to the authorities, he would definitely be in deep trouble.

Just as Mr. Qian was in a state of panic, Lin Qin changed the subject: "However, I didn't come here today to sue you."

Mr. Qian was taken aback and looked at Lin Qin with a puzzled expression.

Lin Qin smiled slightly.

Mr. Qian was even more puzzled. What exactly was Lin Qin up to?

Lin Qin didn't explain, but smiled mysteriously: "Mr. Qian, would you be interested in hearing about my plan?"

Mr. Qian hesitated for a moment, but ultimately couldn't resist his curiosity and nodded.

Lin Qin whispered a few words in Boss Qian's ear.

Mr. Qian's expression gradually changed from confusion to shock. Finally, he stared wide-eyed in disbelief, his mouth agape, unable to utter a word for a long time.

Lin Qin straightened up and patted Boss Qian on the shoulder: "So? Want to think about it?"

Mr. Qian nodded blankly, still in shock.

Lin Qin smiled and turned to leave.

As she reached the door, she suddenly stopped, turned around, and said, "By the way, Mr. Qian, I will send someone to discuss the details of the cooperation with you tomorrow."

After saying that, Lin Qin left the shop without looking back.

Only Boss Qian was left standing there, dumbfounded.

Lin Qin stepped out of the shop, took a deep breath, and looked up at the sky.

The dark clouds seemed to foreshadow an even greater challenge to come.

She thought of the farmer Hong's disaster-stricken farm and a sense of worry rose in her heart.

"Uncle Hong, I hope you are well..." Lin Qin murmured softly, then turned and walked towards the carriage, "To Farmer Hong's farm."

Lin Qin's carriage slowly drove towards Hong Nongfu's farm, but the scenery along the way seemed particularly desolate.

The once fertile land is now covered with withered crops, as if it had been swept away by a merciless storm.

The air was filled with the bitter smell of the earth, and the occasional weary bird call only added to the desolation and loneliness.

The carriage stopped beside a field that had been hit hardest by the disaster. Lin Qin got out of the carriage and walked step by step toward Farmer Hong, her feet sinking into the muddy ground.

Farmer Hong sat at the edge of the field, staring blankly at the withered crops, his face full of despair and helplessness.

Lin Qin walked to his side and said softly, "Uncle Hong, it's me, Lin Qin."

Farmer Hong looked up and saw Lin Qin.

Lin Qin sat down next to Farmer Hong, gently patted his shoulder, and said softly, "Uncle Hong, don't lose heart. We'll definitely find a way to get through this."

Farmer Hong shook his head, his voice low and somber: "This disaster is too severe. Even if we wanted to, we couldn't save it. Without raw materials, what will happen to your shop?"

Lin Qin smiled slightly, her eyes shining with determination: "Uncle Hong, I have a plan that can help you resume production and ensure our raw material supply. As long as you are willing, I am willing to share the risks with you."

A glint flashed in Hong Nongfu's eyes, but it quickly dimmed again: "Boss Lin, aren't you taking a risk? I'm already heavily in debt. What if I fail?"

Lin Qin gripped Hong Nongfu's hand tightly, her tone resolute: "Uncle Hong, I trust you. We've both come out of hardship; there's nothing we can't solve. As long as you're willing, I'll be here to support you."

Hong Nongfu's eyes welled up with tears. He looked down at Lin Qin's tightly clenched hand and felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

He raised his head, his gaze resolute, and said, "Boss Lin, I'm willing! As long as you're still here, I still have hope!"

Lin Qin smiled, stood up, and patted the dirt off her clothes: "Alright, let's get started right away. I'll send someone to deliver seeds and fertilizer, and we'll work together to replant this land."

Lin Qin turned to leave, but after taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped, turned back to look at Farmer Hong, and said, "We will definitely get through this!"

"

Farmer Hong nodded firmly.

Just then, a gentle breeze blew by, bringing a slight coolness, and Lin Qin's long hair fluttered gently in the wind.

She continued walking toward the carriage, her heart filled with confidence in the future.

But in this desolate land, she seemed to feel a pair of gentle eyes watching over her.

Lin Qin smiled slightly, quickened her pace, and felt as warm as ever in her heart.

Zhu Ling silently stayed by Lin Qin's side, feeling heartbroken as she watched her work hard.

He held Lin Qin's hand and said softly, "Qin'er, you've worked hard." Lin Qin held his hand back and smiled sweetly, "With you here, I'm not tired." Their eyes met, their affection flowed, and the air was filled with pink bubbles, so sweet it was almost cloying.

Even the dog food on the roadside seems bland and tasteless.

The two returned to the farmhouse courtyard, where Lin Qin collapsed onto a deck chair, exhausted, while Zhu Ling gently massaged her shoulders.

"Qin'er, have you ever wondered why Boss Qian suddenly agreed to cooperate?" Zhu Ling asked.

Lin Qin closed her eyes, enjoying the comfort of the massage: "She probably finds my suggestion very tempting."

“I don’t think it’s that simple.” Zhu Ling frowned slightly. “Boss Qian is no pushover; he definitely has other motives.”

Lin Qin opened her eyes and sat up: "Who cares? We'll deal with whatever comes our way. I'm not one to be trifled with!"

Just as the two were deeply in love and enjoying their sweet moments, an uninvited guest broke the tranquility.

Headhunter Sun walked in with a fawning expression, carrying a basket of fruit.

"Boss Lin, long time no see! How's business lately?" Headhunter Sun greeted him with a broad smile, as if the two were old friends who hadn't seen each other for years.

Lin Qin sneered: "Headhunter Sun, you don't come here without a reason. What tricks are you trying to pull this time?"

Headhunter Sun rubbed his hands together and chuckled, "Not at all! I just came to visit an old friend and brought some fruit." He paused, then added, "By the way, I heard Mr. Lin has run into some trouble lately. I have some news here; I wonder if Mr. Lin would be interested?"

Lin Qin narrowed her eyes, staring dangerously at Headhunter Sun: "What news?"

Headhunter Sun leaned closer to Lin Qin, feigning mystery, and whispered, "Young Master Du seems to be planning something big lately..."

With a loud bang, the farm gate was suddenly pushed open.

A man covered in wounds staggered in and collapsed in front of Lin Qin.

"Mr. Lin...something terrible has happened..." the man said weakly, his voice trembling, "He...Headhunter Sun..."

"What's wrong with him?" Lin Qin's heart tightened, and an ominous premonition surged into her mind.