She remarried a cold-faced, powerful man, and the scumbag regretted it and cried his heart out.

Within three days, Cheng Wenhao, in the name of the Cheng family, acquired shops in the west of the city.

When Cheng Xiangsong heard about this, he assumed that his good-for-nothing youngest son had finally figured things out and wanted to learn how to do business.

The western part of the city is mostly inhabited by small businesses, so even if they lose money, it won't be a huge loss. It's a good opportunity for him to practice.

After having his eldest son, Cheng Wenqi, make some arrangements in advance, he let Cheng Wenhao go.

Gu Changyi handed the few little beggars to him and instructed, "These children are all clever and can be of use. Take good care of their food and clothing."

Cheng Wenhao readily agreed, providing them with good food and drink, and assigned some people to keep watch near the courtyard while others stayed in the other streets and alleys.

He always acted swiftly. Once the signboard of Cheng's Rice Shop was hung up, the merchants who usually cooperated with the Cheng family were all happy to give Cheng Xiangsong face and support this young master.

Cheng's Rice Shop quickly became quite famous in the western part of the city.

As night fell, Cheng Wenhao stayed in the small hut in the backyard of the rice shop, refusing to leave, saying he wanted to personally oversee the business. Fang Shu naturally stayed with him as well.

During the day, Cheng Wenhao told Fang Shu to go out for a walk by herself.

Fang Shu strolled all the way to Gu Changfeng's courtyard.

The courtyard walls were high, the gate was tightly closed, and a guard stood idly at the entrance.

She smoothed a stray hair from her temple, smiled, and stepped forward to ask the guard in a soft voice, "Brother, is there a shop called 'Ruyi Shop' around here? I'm from out of town and don't know the way very well. I've been looking for a long time but haven't found it."

The guard looked her up and down and saw that she was a delicate young lady with a fashionable hairstyle and a fine gold hairpin in her hair. Although her dress was simple, it was made of the finest brocade. She was clearly not a woman from an ordinary family.

His eyes flickered, and he asked, "Ruyi Shop isn't this way. Are you lost, young lady?"

Fang Shu frowned, her red lips slightly pursed, revealing a troubled expression: "Is that so? That's really unfortunate. I wonder if you could do me a favor and show me the way? If it's not on my way, then forget it."

The guard was so moved he felt like his bones were melting.

He thought to himself that this young lady had a really nice voice, like a nightingale, and it was quite endearing.

Just as he was about to agree, the courtyard gate creaked open, and a fierce-looking man walked out.

He was a rough man who had never heard such sweet and gentle words before, and for a moment he was a little distracted.

The man was burly and dark-skinned, around thirty years old. He wore a dark blue official robe and had a gleaming sword hanging at his waist, making him look like someone not to be trifled with.

He gave Fang Shu a sharp look, then turned to the guard and asked sternly, "What are you dawdling about here for?"

Fang Shu was startled by him and quickly explained, "Sir, I'm here to ask for directions. I've gotten lost, and this gentleman is about to show me the way."

The courtyard gate was wide open. She secretly glanced at the woman out of the corner of her eye and saw a woman in a pale yellow dress standing under the eaves, looking in her direction. She had a slender figure, but she was too far away to see her face clearly.

The fierce man glared at the guard, who immediately lowered his head, not daring to say a word, cold sweat breaking out on his back.

He turned to Fang Shu and said, "Ruyi Shop is on the east side. Just walk along this road until you reach the end, then turn right. Walk a little further and you'll see it. Young ladies, you should bring someone with you when you go out in the future, so you don't get lost."

Fang Shu quickly thanked him, "Thank you for your guidance, sir. I will remember it."

Only after Fang Shu had walked away did the guard dare to raise his head, only to see the fierce man glaring at him. He trembled in fright and quickly lowered his head again.

The man cursed, "Useless thing! You can't even guard a door properly! If I see you flirting with shady women again, I'll tell my master and have him send you to the farm to feed the pigs!"

Fang Shu returned to the rice shop and told Cheng Wenhao everything she had seen and heard.

As she poured tea for Cheng Wenhao, she said, "Young master, I did see a woman in the courtyard with a very good figure, but I don't know what she looks like. Have you taken a fancy to another beautiful lady?"

Cheng Wenhao took the teacup and said with a smile, "Don't talk nonsense again. Who could I possibly like? My heart is only for my music. No matter how good other people are, they can't catch my eye. Besides, someone who's keeping things hidden, could they be an ordinary person?"

The next day, Cheng Wenhao got up early and arranged for several workers to push several carts loaded with freshly milled white rice, delivering the rice from house to house along the alley.

They called it a new store opening and a way to give back to the neighbors, and every resident living nearby would give them three bushels of rice.

With rising grain prices, three bushels of rice are enough for a family to eat for a month, saving them nine hundred coins.

The alleyway instantly became bustling with activity.

Those elderly people who usually live frugally became incredibly excited when they heard that there was free rice to be had. They rushed out as if they had been injected with adrenaline, afraid that they would miss out if they were late.

The workers were sweating profusely as they maintained order and handed bags of rice to residents, shouting at the top of their lungs, "Don't push, everyone go back and wait, we'll deliver it to your doorstep in a bit!"

After finishing their work here, Cheng Wenhao led the two men to push the cart toward Gu Changfeng's courtyard.

When they arrived at the gate, the guard from yesterday was standing there. As soon as he saw Cheng Wenhao, he became alert and reached out to block their way.

The guard's tone was unfriendly, "What are you doing here?"

"Brother, we're from Cheng's Rice Shop. It's a new store opening, and we're giving some rice to the neighbors. It's just a small token of our appreciation, please accept it," a shop assistant cleverly explained, pointing to the rice bags on the cart.

The guard frowned. "We don't need it here. Please go elsewhere."

Cheng Wenhao stepped out from behind the waiter, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Brother, what are you saying? Who doesn't need food? This is top-quality rice. We'll leave after we deliver it. Please consider this a gesture of support."

Seeing Cheng Wenhao's overly familiar manner, the guards became even more displeased. "I've already said we don't need him here. Can't you understand human language? Get out of here and stop getting in the way!"

As the two were talking, the man in official robes that Fang Shu had mentioned yesterday came out.

The man glanced at Cheng Wenhao, and Cheng Wenhao looked back at him.

The two locked eyes, and for a moment, the air around them seemed to freeze.

Cheng Wenhao began, "Brother Liu..."

The man turned and went into the courtyard, closing the gate in one swift motion.

Cheng Wenhao: "..."