A blessed wife leads her husband to wealth and prosperity!

Since returning from the prefectural city, Wen Yuning went to the county school, and Lin He'er has resumed her carefree life these past few days.

This morning, the shop opened for business as usual. Cao'er had just seen off the customers in the shop in front when she saw that the group of people who had come to the shop to ask for money a few days ago had come again!

Because she had already received instructions from her mistress that if anyone came, they should just come to the backyard to find her, Cao'er was a little flustered, but much better than the day before.

Chen San'er was the gang leader in charge of this street. In the past, when he was in charge of this street, he never asked this shop for money. His superiors had instructed him that when it came to accepting money, some shops were acceptable, while others were best avoided. He had always avoided this shop before!

The reason I came here today is because I found out from above that the shop has been sold to someone else, and the new owner doesn't seem to have any powerful connections, so my brother sent me here.

Unfortunately, the person in charge wasn't there when they came last time. But it wasn't a complete waste of time. The old woman who ran the shop was quite sensible and at least gave the brothers some money for tea. So this time, Chen San didn't make things difficult for the shop assistants. He only came in after the other customers had left.

When Cao'er saw people enter the shop, she quickly greeted them with a smile;

Gentlemen, please wait a moment while I go and call my manager!

Without waiting for a response, he quickly slipped away to the backyard.

Sigh, these people are terrifying; none of them seem like good people.

Cao'er dashed off to the backyard, arrived at Lin He'er's room, and knocked on the door.

Madam, those people have arrived and are waiting in the shop ahead.

Lin He'er was surprised that the other party arrived so quickly. She had only been back for three days. It seemed that the other party was keeping a close eye on her situation!

Grass, go back to the front first, I'll be right there.

Lin He'er tidied herself up in her room, then left and headed to the shop in front.

Chen San'er noticed that the female shop assistant had left and then returned, so she must have already informed the owner. The others weren't idle either; while waiting for the others to arrive, they strolled around the shop, looking at the items on the shelves.

I must say, these things that I've never seen before are all quite beautiful!

When Lin He'er arrived at the shop, she saw several people standing inside, leaning against the counter and talking to each other.

Are you all here to collect protection money?

Chen San'er heard someone speaking behind him, turned around, and saw a young maid with a woman's hairstyle standing behind the counter.

The shopkeeper?

Chen San'er looked at Lin He'er, somewhat uncertain, and tentatively called out.

Yes, that's me. And how should I address you?

Lin He'er noticed that one of the people had responded to her question, so this must be the leader of the group today!

My name is Chen San'er!

Chen San'er clasped his hands in a fist salute to the young woman behind the counter.

Looking at Chen San'er, the gang leader in front of her, well, he was not quite what she had imagined. Lin He'er had originally thought that street thugs must all be ugly and deformed people.

The guy in front of me is quite good-looking. He doesn't have thick eyebrows and big eyes, but his appearance is above average. The main thing is his temperament. He's not greasy or sleazy!

If Chen San'er knew that the woman who had only met him once could give him such a high evaluation, he would be laughing in his sleep tonight.

At this moment, Chen San'er also stared at the woman for a few moments. She was not very old, yet she was already married and able to open a shop. It seemed that this young woman was quite capable.

Putting aside her abilities, just her looks alone make her a good one! Wow, so beautiful!

However, being good-looking has nothing to do with him; Chen San'er knows the purpose of his visit today.

Shopkeeper, your shop assistants should have already told you why we've come.

"Yes," Lin He'er nodded.

Tell me a number. How much protection money does a shop like mine have to pay?

Chen San'er liked this kind of sensible person. He noticed that this woman wasn't like other shops, where the brothers had to use some tricks every time she went to ask for money.

Shopkeeper, a shop like yours, located on Second Street, would only earn five taels of silver a month!

Five taels a month? That's quite a price. Lin He'er felt that the other party must have been observing the shop for quite some time.

Why do I say that? Because the amount of silver they asked for was exactly the right amount!

My own shop currently generates about five to ten taels of silver in revenue per day.

After deducting costs, the daily net profit is only three to five taels, and that's assuming the shop doesn't have to pay rent.

If it were those shops outside, the protection fee they were charging would be equivalent to taking a week's worth of revenue from the shop.

Saying what needs to be said but not saying it is just the right thing to do!

Too much damage won't break any bones, but too little will definitely hurt you!

Lin He'er felt somewhat uncomfortable. Five taels a month, sixty taels a year, which was quite a lot of money in total.

An average farming family, even after working themselves to the bone all year, can earn at most thirty to fifty taels of silver. This is assuming they manage their household well and have a stable source of income.

Lin He'er felt a real pang of pain seeing so much money being taken from her family.

Brother Chen, isn't five taels of silver a month too much? Our shop's business is just so-so, after all, we don't sell everyday necessities!

So, could you perhaps reduce the amount of money?

Lin He'er could only see if it was possible to negotiate a price with the other party!

Shopkeeper, not a single penny less. We know how well your business is doing, so don't try to plead poverty to me!

Five taels a month, your shop can easily afford that!

When Chen San'er saw that the woman wanted to bargain, he immediately refused!

Just now I was thinking that the other party was quite reasonable, but as soon as I finished speaking, the other party wanted to bargain!

Although the young woman is quite handsome, it's a pity she's not my lover. If I can't have her, she shouldn't try to take advantage of me.

Seeing that Chen San'er had directly refused to bargain, Lin He'er realized that this man was not going to lower the price with her!

Oh, it hurts!

Lin He'er didn't want to confront such a person head-on when her family was weak. It would be like throwing an egg against a rock, something she couldn't do when she lacked the strength to do it.

Otherwise, what awaits them will be a price they cannot bear!

Let's buy peace of mind with money!

Wait a moment, I'll go get the money!

Since we can't fight them, we should just pay up!

After Lin He'er finished speaking, she turned around and went back to the backyard to get the silver.

Well, Chen San'er was quite satisfied with his haul for the day, as the person had only asked one question and made no other move.

Lin He'er lifted the curtain and was about to go back to the backyard when she heard someone call her name again!

Shopkeeper, don't go yet!

Cao brought her daughter to the shop today specifically to find Lin He'er.

So when he entered the shop and saw the person in charge, he quickly went up and called out to them.

Madam Cao?

Lin He'er still remembered the woman who ordered her suitcase; after all, she was currently the shop's biggest customer!

Therefore, when Lin He'er saw Madam Cao, she immediately showed a warm smile and went forward to greet her!

What brings you to the shop today, Madam?

"Of course good things will come to your shop," Cao said with a smile when she saw that the shopkeeper still recognized her.

Alright, seeing that Madam Cao seemed to want to have a long talk, Lin He'er could only smile apologetically at her and say, "Madam, could you please wait a moment? I have some things to take care of at my shop!"

It will be ready soon!

Cao Shi noticed that there were other people in the shop, so she nodded to Lin He'er and stood at the counter with her daughter and the maid behind her.