Pick up a princess to be your wife

Xiao Lan reluctantly handed Li Mu a silver note containing one thousand taels of silver. After receiving it, the latter bowed and thanked her.

Although it's uncertain whether this will satisfy Zhou Wanfu's insatiable appetite, at least he can get away unscathed next time he comes looking for trouble.

“Miss He will certainly not regret her choice today,” Li Mu said with a faint smile.

“Actually, if you were willing to become the manager of Jubaoge, I could give you much more compensation, far more than a thousand taels,” He Xianzhi said.

“I’m a man of great integrity. Even if the most powerful person comes, I can only cooperate with them, not risk my life for them. A person’s character determines their destiny,” Li Mu said.

“A person’s character determines their life. That makes a lot of sense. I’ll remember that,” He Xianzhi nodded.

She strongly agrees with this statement because her personality dictates that she will gamble her whole life.

Of course, it's not just about gambling.

"Do you have time tomorrow?" He Xianzhi asked.

"Miss He, please speak freely. I am available anytime."

"Come to Jubao Pavilion before 5 PM tomorrow. I'll take you to see a distinguished guest who needs your expertise," He Xianzhi said.

"I will definitely be there."

"Xiao Lan, see the guests out."

The people gambling on stones in the lobby on the first floor were disappointed to see Li Mu come and go in a hurry, and not see him gambling on stones.

"Young Master Li, why aren't you here to have some fun today?"

"Many people here have never witnessed Young Master Li's extraordinary abilities. Won't you show off your skills before you leave?"

"Come visit another day when you have time."

Li Mu smiled faintly, waved, and left.

In the attic.

Xiaolan's face was full of unhappiness.

"That's a thousand taels! You just gave it away like that, Miss. You're so generous," Xiao Lan muttered.

"Feeling sorry for your young lady's money?" He Xianzhi smiled warmly.

"Anyway, I don't think he's an honest man. Miss, look around, how many honest people come to gamble on stones?" Xiao Lan said reproachfully.

“Some people come here to gamble, some come here to make a living. Some people are incompetent, some are capable. Only when you develop the discernment to judge people will you know who is worth gambling on,” He Xianzhi said.

"They're all gamblers anyway, they're all the same."

"Alright, I'm thirsty. Go brew me a pot of flower tea."

"understood."

……

As soon as Li Mu stepped out of Jubaoge, he saw a long queue forming in front of a rice and grain store not far away.

Someone had changed the sign outside the door, and when Li Mu went over to take a look, he realized that the price of rice had gone up again.

Rice costs 1.5 taels per pound, millet costs 600 cash per pound, and wheat costs 400 cash per pound...

"How come food prices have increased by half overnight?"

"Rice that costs one tael of silver per pound is beyond the reach of ordinary people like us. But rice that costs one tael and five mace per pound, how can we possibly afford this!"

"What if we don't buy? If we don't buy today, the price will go up again tomorrow!"

……

Outside the door, everyone is complaining that it's expensive and that they can't afford it.

As soon as the Komi Grain Store opened, the people who had been crowding outside rushed in to grab the grains.

Seeing this, Li Mu sighed inwardly.

The higher the price of grain, the more chaotic the world becomes.

When the people in the city can no longer afford the expensive grain and are completely starving, Luyang County will fall into complete chaos.

"Who owns this rice shop?" Li Mu asked the person next to him.

"You didn't know that? All the rice shops in the entire Luyang County are owned by Zhou the Rich Man."

It's that Zhou the Rich Man again.

Li Mu estimated that he had monopolized the rice business in Luyang County and was making an unknown amount of money every day.

Despite having such a huge business, he still oppressed the people and extorted their money without restraint.

People like that deserve to die.

Li Mu then discovered that as the price of rice in Luyang County rose, the price of rice in the system's online store also increased.

One kilogram of rice requires 1.5 points to redeem.

This system really does have the face of capitalists.

After leaving the market, Li Mu wandered around to other places.

He spent some money to rent a simple courtyard not far from his home, planning to move out with Li Xin.

However, when Li Mu thought about how Li Xin couldn't cook, and how he could now eat his sister-in-law's cooking every day when he came home, even if it wasn't very lavish, it still felt like home.

Therefore, Li Mu felt that it was better to stay at home.

However, his elder brother and sister-in-law have large appetites, eating a bowl of rice at dinner and having extra meals at night, and at such a high frequency. It is indeed not appropriate for him to continue living with Li Xin.

By the time I finished sweeping the yard, it was nearly dusk.

Li Mu exchanged two kilograms of rice, a fish, and a chicken with the system, and then went home.

"Sister-in-law, I brought back two meat dishes. We'll have an extra meal tonight." Li Mu said with a smile as he carried the things into the kitchen.

"Huh, there's even fish? That's a rare find. Did you go gambling again today?" Wang Xiulian frowned as she looked at the fish, which weighed no less than three pounds, and the rooster.

If you were to spend money to buy these things, it would cost at least several tens of taels of silver.

"No, today my employer was entertaining distinguished guests, and he thought I was hardworking, so he gave me the extra meat dishes," Li Mu said with a smile.

"Your employer is quite generous, always giving you money or sending you rice and meat."

Wang Xiulian smiled sweetly, and seeing Li Mu rolling up his sleeves to help, she quickly pushed Li Mu out.

"A wise man keeps away from the kitchen. You can do the cooking in the kitchen, sister-in-law. Go wash your face and wait for dinner."

"Thank you for your hard work, sister-in-law."

This dinner was completely different from yesterday's.

The family was already struggling financially, and oil and salt were even rarer than rice, their value comparable to gold.

These two dishes are completely devoid of oil and salt, extremely bland.

In his previous life, Li Mu would have vomited after just one bite of meat.

But now, the meaty smell has a strange fragrance when it enters the mouth.

Fortunately, the taste buds of this body can accept such a primal flavor.

"Sister-in-law, I rented a courtyard house on the street corner today and plan to move out," Li Mu said while eating.

Wang Xiulian had been thinking that Li Mu should move out as soon as possible, so as not to be an eyesore or a nuisance.

But now it's different.

Li Mu brought rice and meat to her home twice, and also gave her valuable jewelry. He also paid off a lot of Li Tian's debts. How could she bear to let Li Mu move out?

In just a few days, Wang Xiulian came to regard Li Mu as her family's lucky star.

“Although you've rented a courtyard, it will still cost a lot of money to furnish it. Besides, I think Miss Li Xin is destined for wealth and doesn't know how to do housework. If you move out, who will cook for you?”

"It would be better to stay at home for now. Although your sister-in-law can't do much for you, at least you can have a hot meal when you come home every day."

As Wang Xiulian spoke, she served food to Li Mu.