There is a happy inn in the capital.

Manager Xu handed over the fruit basket: "This is a token of my young lady's appreciation."

Li Shuchen smiled and said, "Manager Liu, it's been a long time. I wonder how your mother's health is?"

Manager Liu looked at Li Shuchen and said, "Miss Li, you've arrived too. Please come in. My mother is much better than before."

The three then went inside.

Old Mrs. Liu was half-reclined on the bed, sewing clothes. Hearing the noise, she looked up and saw two guests following behind her son.

She knew Manager Xu, but this was the first time she had seen this girl.

So he looked at his son and asked, "Who is this young lady?"

Shopkeeper Liu: "This is the Miss Li I mentioned to my mother."

Upon hearing this, Madam Liu put her things aside and said warmly to Li Shuchen, "So you're Miss Li! You're beautiful and kind-hearted indeed. Please don't stand there, come and sit down."

Li Shuchen obediently sat down on the edge of the bed: "Madam Liu, how are you feeling?"

Madam Liu held Li Shuchen's hand and said, "Thanks to you settling your debts in advance, young lady, I was able to receive treatment without missing a beat. Now I'm much better, and I can even walk around in bed when I have time."

Li Shuchen observed that Old Madam Liu's complexion was rosy, but her voice was somewhat weak, so he guessed that she was still a little weak and would recover with some rest.

"Manager Liu has taken very good care of you."

Old Madam Liu looked at Manager Liu and said with satisfaction, "Yes, my son is filial, staying by my bedside day and night."

His face then clouded with worry: "To treat my illness, he spent all his savings; his estate, fields, and shops are all gone."

Li Shuchen: "As long as the green hills remain, there's no fear of running out of firewood. With Manager Liu's abilities, he will surely make a comeback."

Manager Liu smiled calmly: "After this experience, I no longer want to work hard day and night; I just want to spend more time by my mother's side."

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Liu simply smiled.

Manager Liu: "Mother, it's time for you to rest."

Li Shuchen stood up and said, "Madam Liu, please rest well. See you next time."

Madam Liu: Goodbye, Miss Li.

Li Shuchen followed Manager Liu out of the room.

"I see that Madam Liu's health is recovering quite well. With a little more rest, she will be fully recovered."

Manager Liu: "Yes, it wasn't in vain that I sold all my possessions."

Everyone fears losing both their money and their loved ones, but some people would rather lose everything than risk everything and still gamble it away.

I only wish that all my wealth could be exchanged for the most important person in my life to always be with me.

As Li Shuchen walked, he said, "Manager Liu's filial piety is something that people should learn from."

The group entered another room, where they immediately saw simple furniture, a worn-out square table, and a long bench with dents and bumps.

Manager Liu poured several cups of hot water for everyone and said with a faint smile, "It's just what I should do. Now that I'm no longer the manager, Miss Li doesn't need to call me manager anymore."

Li Shuchen asked, "Why isn't it the shopkeeper?"

Manager Liu was puzzled and asked, "Why is it the manager?"

Then he looked at Manager Xu, who only smiled and didn't say anything.

Li Shuchen took a sip of hot water and said, "To be honest, Manager Liu, I came here today for two reasons: first, to visit your mother, and second, to hire you as the manager of my fruit and melon shop. What do you think, Manager Liu?"

Upon hearing this, Manager Liu smiled and said, "Miss Li, Miss Li, you are like timely rain, saving people from dire straits."

Since Miss Li keeps calling me Manager Liu, then I'll just have to be that manager for now."

Li Shuchen: "Alright, tomorrow at 7:00 AM, at the 'Simei Fresh Fruit' shop on West Street, see you there!"

Shopkeeper Liu: "See you there!"

The next morning, Li Shuchen got up early and went to the fruit shop, where Manager Liu was already waiting for him.

Li Shuchen: "Manager Liu, you're up so early!"

Manager Liu: "It's my first day at work, I can't be late, can I?"

Li Shuchen laughed heartily, then proceeded to introduce some things about the shop to Manager Liu. Manager Liu had been a shopkeeper for decades, was very experienced, and handled everything with ease.

After returning from the fruit shop, Li Shuchen changed into some casual clothes.

Liang Yuying: "Where are we going to change clothes?"

Li Shuchen: "I'll go check out the fruit farm."

Liang Yuying: "Bring along the eighth and ninth brothers."

Li Shuchen nodded: "I know, even if you hadn't said anything, I would have brought them along anyway."

Li Shuchen has no other redeeming qualities, except that she cherishes her life. Recently, she has been practicing martial arts with the Eighth and Ninth Brothers, thinking that if she encounters something like that again in the future, she can avoid it and won't need Yu Ying to shield her from harm.

When we arrived at the fruit and vegetable farm, half of the ripe fruits and vegetables had already been picked. Some of the smaller fruits and vegetables were still growing and should grow bigger in a while.

Since the incident with the men in black, Liang Yuying has sent twenty more girls to help her look after her orchard. The girls are busy picking fruits and vegetables, and a batch will be transported to the shop that evening.

Brother Zhao and his brothers followed behind them, watering the plants.

Li Shuchen used the remaining money in her system space to buy an extension potion from Xiao Jizi. She had accidentally discovered it while browsing the shop last night; its effect was to prolong the fruiting period, allowing her to earn more money.

After secretly mixing the growth promoter, Li Shuchen called out to Hu Er, who was lost in thought, "Hu Er, water him properly, don't get distracted!"

Tiger Two stared at the watermelon, his eyes practically glued to it. His boss had said this watermelon couldn't be eaten; one watermelon represented a month's wages for him, and he couldn't let Miss Li earn less.

He's been craving it for so long.

Tiger Two: "Understood, Miss Li."

But he was really upset, scratching his head in frustration. The watermelon was like his unattainable sweetheart, right in front of him, yet he couldn't touch it, leaving him yearning for it.

Li Shuchen was charmed by Hu Er's憨厚 (honest and simple) appearance, and said

"If you finish watering, I'll cut you a big watermelon."

Upon hearing this, Tiger's eyes lit up, and he stood up to ask, "Really?"

Li Shuchen: "When have I ever lied to you?"

Tiger Two scratched his head: "That's true, I'll start watering now."

Then, taking the ladle, he gently poured the water onto the areas that couldn't be reached.

Before they knew it, half a day had passed and everyone had finished their work. Li Shuchen gathered everyone in the kitchen.

"You've all worked hard these past few days tending the orchard and picking fruits. Today, I'll treat you to a feast."

Inside the kitchen, several long tables were pushed together, piled high with freshly picked fruits and vegetables, including large, chilled watermelons, each slice vibrant and juicy.

Li Shuchen waved his hand: "Everyone, let's eat!"

Tiger Two: "Thank you, Miss Li, thank you, Miss Li."

Everyone: "Thank you, Miss Li."

Tiger Two picked up a slice of watermelon, ate half of it in one bite, and then exclaimed, "Wow, this watermelon is so cool and sweet, it's delicious!"

Miss Li, thank goodness you came today, so I can enjoy this incredibly sweet watermelon!

You have no idea how strict the boss is. Last night I went to steal a watermelon and he caught me. He gave me a good scolding.

After saying that, Hu Er realized something was off. Embarrassed, he scratched his head and said, "But now that I've eaten some, I'm not craving it anymore. Don't worry, Miss Li, I won't steal watermelons again."

Li Shuchen wasn't angry at all; instead, she found Hu Er's silly antics quite endearing, and Brother Zhao very responsible.

The fact that no theft or burglary occurred at the orchard for such a long time demonstrates their dedication.

Li Shuchen: "Eat more."

The girls were also very responsible, led by Seventh Sister, and they were very conscientious and responsible.

Li Shuchen: "Seventh Sister, eat your fill! There's plenty for you today!"

Seventh Sister laughed and said, "Oh."

Li Shuchen watched them happily eating the fruits, their smiles growing brighter with each one. Looking at the large fruit orchard...

Saying I don't want to eat is a lie. It's better to give them a good meal once in a while, which will also calm my temper.

Anyway, she extended the fruiting period, so what's there to be afraid of? There are plenty of fruits and vegetables in the orchard.

Li Shuchen: "From now on, you will get to eat fruit for free once a month on the 22nd, but you are not allowed to waste any."

Thank you, Miss Li.

That evening, Li Shuchen returned to the capital with a batch of fruits and vegetables, and had Caiyi and the others take them back to the shop. Li Shuchen stopped at the inn.

After taking a bath, they arrived at the Three Treasures Hall. Afraid that Yu Ying would worry about the girls, he said...

"Seventh Sister and the others are doing well at the fruit farm. Today, I even treated everyone there to a hearty meal of fruits. Don't worry, I won't mistreat them."

Liang Yuying smiled and said, "I'm completely at ease with them being with you. Is there any better place for them than yours?"

Li Shuchen took off his shoes and got into bed: "Hahaha, Yuying, you really trust me."

Liang Yuying smiled at Li Shuchen but didn't reply. Li Shuchen was the person she trusted most besides her mother.