The anti-Qing movement began with the looting of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

This small shop looked weak and probably didn't have many good items, so Shen Lian wasn't interested at all. He gave a friendly smile and prepared to leave.

"Boss, come in and have a look! Don't let my small shop fool you, it's just like those big shops. I have everything they have, and my prices are definitely lower than theirs," the girl said confidently with a smile.

Okay! Let's see! First of all, let me clarify that I didn't go in because she was young and pretty.

"Boss, have a glass of water first!" Wang Xiaoyuan took a glass teapot from the refrigerator and poured Shen Lian a glass of pale yellow water.

"Thank you!" Shen Lian was thirsty! He took the glass and took a sip. It was sweet with a hint of chrysanthemum flavor. It was so refreshing.

"Could I have another cup?" Shen Lian asked, still wanting more after finishing his drink.

"Of course, no problem!" Wang Xiaoyuan poured Shen Lian another half cup.

"Aren't you worried that I'm just browsing around?" Shen Lian asked with a smile, looking at the beautiful woman in front of him.

"What's wrong with having a couple of glasses of water? We're all guests! Besides, I think you're definitely not just browsing. You're a buyer, and a big one at that!" The beautiful woman in front of her winked, a hint of slyness in her eyes.

Haha! This little girl is incredibly clever.

"You designed all of these yourself?" Shen Lian asked, holding his cup and examining the pearls beside him.

"Yes, I studied jewelry design in college. I designed and made all of these myself," the young woman said confidently, raising her chin.

Shen Lian noticed that the other person was less than 1.6 meters tall, quite petite. He had thought she was only a teenager! He hadn't expected her to have already graduated from university.

“Very nice, I really like your retro style. It’s a pity I need a lot of pearls, and you might not be able to supply them.” Shen Lian first affirmed the other party, then shook his head.

"Boss, tell me first! If you're talking about South Sea golden pearls, Tahitian black pearls, or Australian white pearls, I probably can't offer many. But if you're looking to buy domestically grown cultured pearls, I can have as many as you want!"

As expected, the other party was a major client. Wang Xiaoyuan's breathing quickened, and small beads of sweat appeared on her beautiful nose.

"Then tell me, how many of these can you provide? I need them right away!" Shen Lian reached out and grabbed a handful of pearls about one centimeter in diameter, which were fairly round and of medium quality. Then he picked up a few more high-quality, perfectly round pearls that were over one centimeter in diameter and asked.

"May I ask how much money you have prepared?" Wang Xiaoyuan regretted asking as soon as she did, and immediately stuck out her tongue. Even though she was new to the business, she knew that asking customers like that was very impolite, especially to strangers.

"I'll have to buy it for a few million, right?" Shen Lian said nonchalantly.

"Okay! Please have a seat, I'll make a call first." Wang Xiaoyuan's pretty face flushed with excitement as she quickly invited Shen Lian to sit down and poured him some ice water. She'd never handled such a big deal before!

A moment later, Wang Xiaoyuan walked in. "Boss, we can absolutely guarantee your goods. My dad and the others are having tea at the teahouse across the street right now, and they'd like to invite you over for a face-to-face meeting."

Shen Lian frowned. He had been walking around for more than an hour, and his calves were sore.

"Boss, my name is Wang Xiaoyuan. May I ask your surname?"

She truly lives up to her name; she has a round face, big round eyes, and round features everywhere else on her body. Perhaps due to her frequent contact with pearls, her skin is incredibly smooth. Her little hands are also very beautiful.

"My name is Shen Lian!"

"Mr. Shen, please rest assured. We absolutely guarantee the safety of all our customers. We often discuss larger business deals in the teahouse. If it's inconvenient for you, I can also call my father and the others over," Wang Xiaoyuan quickly explained when she saw Shen Lian frowning.

"Alright! I'll go with you then." Shen Lian nodded readily.

"Thank you, Mr. Shen! I'll talk to my dad and the others first." Wang Xiaoyuan quickly ran out to make a phone call and then asked the lady next door to watch the shop for her.

"Xiaoyuan, why don't you just close the shop? You'll probably be back late by then. Also, take those pieces of jewelry you designed yourself; I quite like them."

"Then please wait a moment, Mr. Shen!"

"Hey! Calling me 'boss' is awful. Just call me by my name, or 'Brother Shen'!"

"Okay, Brother Shen!" Wang Xiaoyuan smiled sweetly and hurriedly packed her things.

A moment later, Wang Xiaoyuan closed the shop door, and the two of them walked out with their things.

"Brother Shen, you look a bit tired. How about I help you with your suitcase?" Wang Xiaoyuan said, extending her small, white hand.

"Hey, I'm a grown man, and you're carrying my suitcase? People will think I'm bullying a young girl!" Shen Lian shook his head.

"Where am I small? She's already twenty-two!" Wang Xiaoyuan couldn't help but puff out her chest upon hearing this. Because she looked petite, she was always treated like a child, which annoyed her to no end.

"Cough, not small, definitely not small!" Shen Lian glanced at the towering structure and muttered to himself.

Shen Lian spoke softly, but Wang Xiaoyuan still heard him. The girl's face flushed red instantly, and she quickly lowered her head.

The two remained silent the entire way, creating a slightly awkward atmosphere. Fortunately, the place wasn't far; it was just across the street from the market.

"Mr. Shen, welcome, welcome!" Several middle-aged men with dark reddish skin stood downstairs and immediately came up to greet Shen Lian and his companion upon their arrival. The leading middle-aged man reached out and shook Shen Lian's hand.

"Hehe! I'm sorry to have disturbed your enjoyment today!" Shen Lian said with a smile.

"Oh dear! We couldn't possibly invite a distinguished guest like you even if we wanted to! I'd rather be bothered like this every day. My good daughter has finally done something decent. Hahaha! Mr. Shen, please!"

A group of people escorted Shen Lian upstairs, with Wang Xiaoyuan following behind. Her complexion had returned to normal. She gritted her teeth and waved her small fist as she looked at Shen Lian's back.

"Mr. Shen, please have a seat! Try this pot of freshly brewed Lapsang Souchong first. I am Wang Cheng, Xiaoyuan's father. These are all brothers from our village who raise pearls together."

As Wang Cheng introduced the tea, he also asked people to pour tea and picked up a soft Chinese teacup.

"I originally went there alone, but I heard that Boss Shen wanted a large quantity, and since a few of us were here, I invited you to come here. Please forgive me." Wang Cheng looked like a fisherman, but he was quite eloquent.

"It's alright, Mr. Wang. Business is good at the teahouse stall! It's more convenient than over there." Shen Lian waved his hand.

The group lit cigarettes, and the room immediately filled with smoke. Wang Xiaoyuan pursed her lips and quickly sat down by the window, opening it.

"Is Mr. Shen's family also in the jewelry business?" Wang Cheng asked after Shen Lian had taken a few sips of tea.

“No, all the pearls I buy are for export. That’s why the demand is higher.” Shen Lian shook his head.

Wang Cheng and his companions exchanged glances, their faces beaming with joy. Business was so tough these days; getting a big client was rare, and developing a long-term client would be ideal.