To make up for the debt owed to Lin Qingping and Gu Juncheng

After careful consideration, Gu Youlian told Lin Qingping that she would absolutely not.

“I have hands and feet. As long as I’m willing to work, I don’t believe I can’t make money. I only have one daughter, Xiaomai. Anyway, all the money I earn is for her. If she can’t make it, I’ll work hard to earn more. I’ll definitely not be worse off than those sons of the Du family!” As she said this, Gu Youlian’s eyes became even more determined. “Pingzi, now that you say that, I want to stay in the capital even more. The bigger the place, the more opportunities there are to make money!”

Gu Youlian followed Lin Qingping from the village to the county and then to the provincial capital. She had truly seen the world and simply believed in a basic truth: who would buy clothes that Pingzi sold for twenty or thirty yuan apiece in Gujia Village? Few people would dare to buy them in the county town either, but it was different in the provincial capital, where there were plenty of people scrambling to buy them! The capital was even bigger than the provincial capital, and she had heard that they sold very well there too!

Isn't it true that the bigger the place, the easier it is to make money?

That makes sense, indeed. However, what surprised Lin Qingping even more was that Gu Youlian actually had such an idea. Wasn't this just like the parents of decades later who believed that "it's better to raise your own children than to raise your own"? If the child wasn't successful, then let her be a rich second-generation heir who wouldn't have to worry about food and clothing.

Alright! Just for Gu Youlian's awareness, she has to give Gu Youlian a hand!

Moreover, her main job is studying, and the dessert shop is just a side business. She will eventually need to hire people, and she trusts Gu Youlian!

So only three people went back—their parents-in-law and Du Gen.

Xiaomai was happiest to be able to stay. Although she was reluctant to leave her grandparents, she also liked her aunt and enjoyed going to school with Zhiyuan.

After her in-laws went home, Lin Qingping showed Gu Youlian around the dessert shop.

At that time, bakeries were still very rare. Later, a well-known brand that made so-called high-end cakes was established in the early 1990s. Therefore, the ingredients were not so easy to obtain and were relatively more expensive, but fortunately, they were still within Lin Qingping's budget.

Since I'm making baking my career, I can't just steam cakes at home like I do at home; an oven is a must.

Lin Qingping, through Wu Tianjiao's connections, imported two commercial ovens and a coffee machine, and also found a store that specializes in imported products to buy some raw materials.

The oven arrived from overseas. On the day it was delivered to the store, Lin Qingping, along with Gu Youlian and Sister Zhao, went to the store to pick it up and immediately demonstrated how to make bread.

As they watched Lin Qingping put the shaped dough into the oven, they learned that all they had to do was wait, and both said it wasn't difficult.

Indeed, for hardworking and kind women, it's simply a matter of kneading and proofing dough.

The bread was baking in the oven, gradually emitting a rich aroma.

Not only were Gu Youlian and Sister Zhao so tempted by the aroma that they said they were craving it, but it also attracted people outside the shop.

"Is this bread being baked? It smells so good!" a voice exclaimed.

Lin Qingping turned around, and it was him...

Hehe, long time no see.

He was her "younger brother" from a previous life.

In her past life, she owned a catering group. This man's family ran a Western restaurant, and it was a long-established one. She and this man's father were close friends despite their age difference, which is how she got to know this "younger brother".

Actually, they had met before. The first time she took the Gu family to the provincial capital for steak, it was at his family's restaurant. At that time, she was a customer and he was the owner's son. They bumped into each other briefly. She knew him, but he didn't know her.

But how did he end up in the capital? In his previous life, his few trips to the capital were all for tourism.

"Hello, hello, may I ask if your surname is Lin?" The young man, who was two years younger than Lin Qingping, came in with a smile and introduced himself, "I'm Liang Jiaqi from the Western restaurant across the street. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Lin."

Lin Qingping smiled and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you again."

Western-style pastries were nothing new to Liang Jiaqi, but he still praised the bread baked by Lin Qingping.

The four of them had afternoon tea at the shop.

Gu Youlian and Sister Zhao had no idea what this afternoon tea was all about. The thing called coffee was incredibly bitter, like drinking Chinese medicine. Even with half a cup of sugar added, it was still bitter. They couldn't understand how Lin Qingping could drink it without adding any sugar and just drink the dark liquid.

During the brief afternoon tea chat, Lin Qingping learned that Liang Jiaqi was also studying at a university in the capital, but not at the same school as her; he was at the school next door.

Lin Qingping was a little surprised, because in her previous life, Liang Jiaqi was really a good-for-nothing playboy who only knew how to spend money and argued with his father every day during his first thirty years.

Did her rebirth change everyone's fate?

However, Lin Qingping was still happy for him that he had become more down-to-earth and motivated to study.

Now Gu Youlian lives in the house Lin Qingping just bought, and insists on paying rent. She said, "Pingzi, I know you're renting now too. Nobody's money comes from thin air. Let's keep things separate and be clear about money so we can stay together in the long run."

Lin Qingping certainly didn't care about the rent, but what she said made a lot of sense.

However, they ate together. Gu Youlian said, "You and Chengzi are basically not at home. Why should Sister Zhao cook separately when she has Zhiyuan with her? Let's eat together and just settle the food expenses."

Lin Qingping thought that would work too.

In short, it's best to be upfront about the unpleasant aspects, keep accounts clear, and maintain good relationships – that's the way to build lasting relationships.

That evening, Lin Qingping and Gu Juncheng ate at the next table. As usual, Lin Qingping followed her mother-in-law and eldest sister's instructions and cooked a pot of nourishing soup.

She was worried because Gu Juncheng was going back to school tomorrow, and she wondered what to do with the soup. Could she send it over?

After dinner, Zhiyuan wanted to stay and play, so Lin Qingping planned to help Gu Juncheng pack his things for his return to school. She and Gu Juncheng went back to the next room first.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she entered the door, Gu Jun picked her up.

"Gu Juncheng! What are you doing? I'm still packing my things!" Lin Qingping was startled and quickly hugged his neck.

Without saying a word, Gu Juncheng carried her to the bedroom.

Since the day his parents came to the capital, Lin Qingping has repeatedly refused him, using various excuses such as being tired, busy, or sleepy. In addition, she also had her period in between, so he hardly touched her during the winter vacation. The key point is that he has been drinking a lot of nourishing soup every day. If he doesn't release himself soon, he suspects he's going to explode!

Winter break ends tomorrow, and even if the King of Heaven himself came, he'd still take her today!

“Gu Juncheng…” Lin Qingping habitually refused, but someone didn’t let her say the words of refusal.

A long-lost passion quickly ignited within her.

She figured that aside from the nourishing soup, Gu Juncheng probably wouldn't have time to take his medicine today, and couldn't help but ask him between breaths, "Gu Juncheng, are you alright today...?"

She touched it with her hand, which startled her, and she quickly stopped herself from saying what she hadn't finished.

It seems my mother-in-law's nourishing soup really works...

However, this remark angered someone...