Farming with kids: My deceased husband returns and I spoil him rotten.

Manager Jin was puzzled and asked in return, "This is Young Master Zhao's wages for yesterday. Don't you know that?"

Looks like this guy lied to me yesterday!

Shang Qing tried to appear nonchalant: "He should be here now, I'll go in and find him."

Manager Jin grabbed Shang Qing's arm: "Hey, hey, don't go inside, he's not here. He helped me solve a big problem this morning, and Lord Meng took a liking to him. Lord Meng asked him to help train the yamen runners."

Good heavens, he's gone to the county government office again?

Shang Qing said a brief goodbye to Manager Jin, and then headed to the county government office alone.

When she arrived at the county government office, before she could even greet them and go inside, she saw Gu Yu standing in the center of the courtyard, training the yamen runners. His upright figure was very conspicuous in the crowd.

Shang Qing walked in without revealing his expression, calling out to him again, "Young Master Zhao?"

Gu Yu was startled by her and accidentally slipped and fell to the side while demonstrating.

"Shang Qing, what brings you here? I'm here... because I have something to discuss with Lord Meng."

Gu Yu awkwardly tried to find an excuse for himself, but Shang Qing didn't seem to want to listen to his explanation. After stuffing his wages into his hand, she walked away without saying another word to him.

Gu Yu hurriedly went into the inner room to ask Meng Fengzhu for leave, and then chased after her all the way out.

After Gu Yu caught up, he hurriedly explained to her, "Shang Qing, I didn't mean to hide it from you. I know you don't want to hear anything I say now, but I still have to defend myself."

“I was so badly injured before, and you took care of me for a long time. I’m very grateful. But now that I’m fully recovered, do you expect me to continue to eat and drink for free? I’m a grown man, and I really can’t rely on a woman to support me.”

"Lao Zong originally wanted to tell you directly yesterday, but I asked him to keep it a secret. I always remember that you didn't want me to work for Manager Jin before, but later I negotiated a price with him, and I only agreed after I was sure I wouldn't be taken advantage of."

Actually, Shang Qing had thought a lot when she came out just now, and she was only angry that he had kept it from her, not that he had come out to work.

Since Gu Yu had given her a way out, she accepted it.

A moment later, Shang Qing sighed and said, "I know what you're thinking, Young Master Zhao. I was wrong just now. I shouldn't have lost my temper with you. I hope you can forgive me."

Gu Yu's previously anxious heart finally settled down, and he let out a long sigh of relief: "Shang Qing, thank you so much. You've worked so hard these past few days, shall we have something nice to eat tonight?"

As Gu Yu spoke, he waved the wages that Manager Jin had paid him in front of Shang Qing: "How about using my money?"

Shang Qing smiled and did not refuse.

The two of them then headed to the vegetable market in the East Market, thinking they would have an extra meal tonight, so they bought some meat.

But prices have skyrocketed recently, even vegetables have gone up in price, so it's no wonder Zhang Cuilan insisted on eating those red mushrooms before.

"Vegetable prices are outrageously high these days, I don't know when they'll come down."

Shang Qing was carrying the groceries and sighing, but Gu Yu gently took them from her: "Take a break. Besides, the price of these vegetables has really gone up ridiculously. It wasn't this price a couple of days ago. I don't know why."

Shang Qing was touched by his thoughtful gesture and was about to continue the discussion on the topic when someone suddenly called out to her from behind.

Shang Qing turned her head and saw that it was Zhang Chao. She couldn't help but think to herself that it had been a while since the two of them had seen each other.

"Oh, it's Mr. Zhang. It's been a long time."

Zhang Chao smiled at her: "That's right, I just rushed back to the capital to deal with a batch of goods a while ago. Originally, I didn't plan to come to this small place, but the young ladies in the capital really liked the jewelry boxes you sold me before, and they begged me to take some back with me. So, here I am again."

It turned out to be the case.

The reason Shang Qing initially cooperated with Zhang Chao was partly because she valued his status as a businessman from the capital, as she also wanted to expand her business.

Before Shang Qing could reply, Zhang Chao continued, "Since I came all this way specifically for you, please do cooperate with me. Otherwise, my trip would have been in vain. You don't know how convenient and exquisite your jewelry box design is, but unfortunately, there aren't enough for me to sell. I wonder if you have more stock this time?"

Shang Qing nodded slightly: "Since Mr. Zhang is so sincere in wanting to cooperate with me, I certainly won't let you down."

"That would be wonderful! To be honest, I was on tenterhooks the whole way here, afraid you wouldn't agree! By the way, if you're willing, we could work together long-term. What do you think?"

It was clear that Zhang Chao was in a hurry. Jewelry boxes must be very popular in the capital and have made him a lot of money, otherwise he wouldn't have rushed over here in such a hurry.

Having made up his mind, Shang Qing said seriously, "Since Mr. Zhang has put it this way, I'll also be frank with you upfront. Even if I agree to a long-term cooperation with you, the purchase price of the jewelry boxes will still not be low. I wonder if Mr. Zhang can accept this?"

Gu Yu, who was standing to the side, was also somewhat stunned. He realized that he still didn't really understand the woman beside him.

Putting everything else aside, Shangqing is indeed very suitable for doing business.

"Okay!" Zhang Chao readily agreed.

But after a short while, he changed the subject again: "Since you've given me conditions, I also have a small request, and I hope you'll agree to it."

"Ok?"

"You can only sell the jewelry boxes you make to me. You have to sign a contract with me. How about it? As long as you agree to this, I don't mind paying a higher price for the jewelry boxes."

Zhang Chao was indeed a seasoned businessman. He knew that jewelry boxes would be in high demand in the capital, which is why he wanted to monopolize the market, fearing that his business would be taken away by others.

Unfortunately, after much deliberation, Shang Qing politely declined: "Mr. Zhang, I'm really sorry, please understand, but I don't think this is a good idea."

Zhang Chao asked in surprise, "What? I'm willing to raise the price, are you still not satisfied?"

Seeing Gu Yu standing to the side, Zhang Chao even tried to persuade him to act as an intermediary.

"Young master, you and Shang Qing must be friends, right? You've been listening here for so long, you should be able to see my sincerity, right? Why don't you help me persuade Shang Qing? This could be a win-win situation!"

Gu Yu chuckled dryly, "I'm sorry, this is Shang Qing's private matter, and I have no right to interfere."

Zhang Chao was somewhat depressed.