During my escape from famine, I survived by eavesdropping on the whispers of food.

Qin Shuangshuang turned around decisively.

She directly and boldly questioned, "Why are you avoiding me for no reason? Have I done something shameful?"

The shopkeeper shook his head, fiddling with the abacus while making sarcastic remarks, "Your reputation is so great now. I'm trying to avoid you a little, because I can't let you steal my business again. I'm just an ordinary person, not as good as you, a big shot in the government."

Qin Shuangshuang couldn't understand what he was saying, and she held her breath, "Just say what you have to say. How can a grown man talk like he's drunk on vinegar?"

Seeing her frankness, the shopkeeper said, "You don't know, I originally thought that those people who had no food would spend some money to buy food from me, but I didn't expect that your few pots of mushroom soup would lure them away. They didn't even want to pool their money to come to me anymore, so I had to take the leftovers home and eat them myself."

Qin Shuangshuang looked at him with an "I see" expression, thinking that they must have thought she had stolen their business, which was why they were acting this way.

Qin Shuangshuang quickly reassured him, "Shopkeeper, you can't say that. If it weren't for me and the others keeping them calm, your cooking area would probably have been overrun by now."

Besides, the leftovers are at least eaten by your own family; what benefit do other people get?

The innkeeper seemed to suddenly realize something and thought Qin Shuangshuang's words made sense. "Now that you mention it, it does make sense. Well then, those incredibly wealthy gentlemen are waiting for you in the private rooms upstairs. Hurry up and go up."

After frowning, Qin Shuangshuang went upstairs. When she opened the door, she saw the wealthy men sitting there, busy enjoying large amounts of fish and meat.

Qin Shuangshuang looked at the table full of fish and meat in front of her. After all, she hadn't eaten meat in a long time. Seeing such a feast, she was instantly hungry and couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable watching. After all, so many people had difficulty even eating, while they could have such a feast.

Qin Shuangshuang could only imagine how much money they had now.

The wealthy man in red robes was wiping his mouth when he quickly put down his handkerchief, stood up, and said to Qin Shuangshuang with a smile, "You've arrived, Miss Qin. Please have a seat."

Qin Shuangshuang found a secluded spot where no one was around to sit, and then someone deliberately came over to pour her wine.

It was the same wealthy man who had just greeted her. He came over carrying a wine pot and said to Qin Shuangshuang, "Let me introduce myself first. I am Chen Yuan, and the others are the wealthy men Ma, Liu, Yu, and Wang. We might not have explained things very clearly today, because we know you have considerable abilities. If you could share those abilities with us, that would be wonderful."

I heard you seem to have the ability to neutralize toxins in food. If that's true...

We've collected a lot of poisonous food before. If you were here, you could evolve it and sell it for a good price. My idea is excellent; not only would more wealthy people be able to survive, but we could also help you earn some money.”

Qin Shuangshuang understood what they meant: they wanted to use her to make money for them.

Qin Shuangshuang wasn't that stupid. She had already harmed herself enough by collecting those poisonous mushrooms, and now she was thinking of sacrificing herself for them, or even risking her life for those rich people.

Qin Shuangshuang refused without hesitation, "Everyone, you should put away your thoughts. I will not go along with you. I originally wanted to lead you to save the people and contribute to the Chamber of Commerce. But now I realize that I will never go along with you."

When Chen Yuan heard that Qin Shuangshuang was unwilling to cooperate with his chamber of commerce to make money together, he knew that this young woman, Qin Shuangshuang, was difficult to control.

Everyone's faces clearly showed her displeasure at not knowing how to be pleasing. Master Wang, supporting himself in his blue robe, coldly said to Qin Shuangshuang, "You'd better think this through. If you miss this opportunity today, you might miss out on the position of president in the future."

However, just then, the door opened, and Lin Zheng said to her, "I was just passing by when I heard you here. I didn't expect you to be talking here. This is my first time taking over this county, so I'd like to ask you about how you led the people to prosperity. I'd like to know."

After all, we'll be implementing this soon, so we thought we'd learn from their experience first. Right now, everyone within a radius of ten miles is struggling to even get a meal, and you're still managing to eat such lavish meals – that's quite an achievement.”

All the employees looked at each other in bewilderment; Lin Zheng's meaning was too blatant.

Qin Shuangshuang said to Lin Zheng, "Sir, in your opinion, what should we do now?"

Lin Zheng stated frankly, "As I mentioned in my letter, the government does not expect your chamber of commerce to contribute much money, but we hope you can contribute something, especially grain, which is already in short supply. There are refugees everywhere. If we do not provide relief now, it will be too late to turn the tide later."

The group of wealthy men in long robes exchanged glances. Chen Yuan, taking the lead, immediately stepped forward obsequiously and said to Lin Zheng, "Lord Lin, I know what you mean. You want us to use that money to help the poor people."

But you must also understand that we all have elderly parents and young children to support, and we're all struggling to make ends meet. We can't expect our chamber of commerce to suffer losses by giving up our own life-saving grain, can we? I believe that if anyone has spare money, they will definitely help you out. Since Miss Qin is so determined to save lives, disregarding the chamber's interests, I take back what I said earlier and will no longer invite Miss Qin to the chamber of commerce.”

The atmosphere in the scene was awkward, and Lin Zheng clenched his fists.

Originally, I thought it would be good if Qin Shuangshuang could stay in the Chamber of Commerce and act as my informant.

Seeing that the Chamber of Commerce was about to slip through her fingers, Qin Shuangshuang had no choice but to try negotiating herself to save everything. She then addressed the group before her, saying, "Since the Chamber of Commerce has been established for so many years, I believe everyone here has made a considerable amount of money from the local people. Why not take some out to help them out?"

I believe this method is feasible. You all know my exclusive formula. Once we overcome this current difficulty, I will certainly do my best for the Chamber of Commerce.

Even so, the remaining stubborn old men shook their heads and said to Qin Shuangshuang and the adults beside her, "That's true, but it's still not appropriate. We earned that money ourselves. How can we just give it away to everyone for no reason? Just because we are members of the Chamber of Commerce, does that mean we should use our money to help them? Absolutely not."

Seeing their firm stance, Lin Zheng didn't take it to heart. He said to Qin Shuangshuang, "Well then, since you've all forgotten your predecessor's benevolent advice to prioritize the collective over individual interests, and how much money you've amassed using the Chamber of Commerce's name, let's set that aside for now. But today, I'll simply tell you all, since you're all here..."

"Since none of you wish to remain in the Chamber of Commerce, I will establish a new one from now on. I will offer you the position of president, Miss Qin."

The last three words were deafening.

The wealthy men were utterly humiliated. Appointing a mere child as the chairman was a slap in the face to the Chamber of Commerce and to everyone present.