Severed ties and living in a dilapidated house? No worries, the poor thing has a space.

The lobby of Tianxianglou was already full of people, while Jufulou across the street was deserted.

After a period of quiet, Tianxianglou Restaurant began to rise again thanks to the attraction of its barbecue.

She specially set aside some money and went to find Manager Sun, saying that she naturally wanted to thank him for using his services today.

As she approached the counter, before she could speak, Manager Sun came out and said, "Miss, my master invites you to a private room upstairs for a chat."

"My boss?"

Fang Yu looked up at the spot that Manager Sun had pointed to on the second floor. She was surprised to find the owner of Tianxiang Restaurant there. She nodded and said, "Okay, please lead the way, Manager Sun."

Fang Xin said from behind, "Then I'll go and tidy up the things I've used first, and wait for you to come home."

Fang Yu stuffed two more meat skewers into her hands: "Take your time after you finish eating, no rush, I'll be right back."

On the third floor, in a private room, Manager Sun knocked on the door first: "Boss, the girl who does the barbecue is here."

Mo Jiu opened the door from the inside, took a half step back, and said in a calm tone, "Please come in, young lady. My young master is inside."

A screen depicting a scene of misty rain separates the private room, adding a touch of elegance. Through the shadows, one can vaguely see a man behind the screen.

Fang Yu carried the grilled meat inside, paused slightly when she saw the person inside, then glanced around and smiled: "So it's you."

Xiao Jingqi poured her a cup of tea and pushed it towards her, a faint smile on his face: "Please sit down."

"My name is Xiao Jingqi. You helped me last time, so I'd like to express my gratitude with tea instead of wine."

Fang Yu's lips curled slightly as he took a small sip of tea and said, "The world is not peaceful. A delicate man like you should take good care of yourself when you're out and about. You were lucky last time that you ran into me. If it had been some other shameless scoundrel..."

She didn't say anything at the end, but just gave a meaningful smile.

Mo Jiu, standing to the side, frowned, puzzled: "?"

Xiao Jingqi was also taken aback for a moment, and then asked, "I didn't expect that you, young lady, are also knowledgeable in traditional Chinese medicine."

"Yes and no." Fang Yu: "I've only ever seen stray dogs in the village in heat, and the symptoms are pretty much the same."

"?" Mo Jiu, standing to the side, was once again puzzled and shocked!

"..." Xiao Jingqi coughed lightly, covering his mouth with his fist, and changed the subject: "I haven't yet asked for your name, young lady."

"My name is Fang Yu."

"Yu means precious gem, strong, and resolute. It's a good name."

Fang Yu smiled and said, "It's just that I've been weak and sickly since childhood, so I can only find comfort in other things."

She pushed the roasted meat over to him: "I'm borrowing your place today, so please do me the honor of trying my cooking. Don't tarnish the reputation of Tianxianglou."

After tasting it, Xiao Jingqi commented earnestly: "The meat is incredibly fragrant and delicious, a true delicacy. It's Tianxianglou that has benefited from your culinary expertise."

Fang Yu subtly curled the corners of her lips: "Since you put it that way, now is a good opportunity for mutual benefit. What do you think?"

She didn't just decide to set up a stall in front of Tianxiang Restaurant on a whim; she had a long-term plan in mind, and in this way, a prosperous business would be just around the corner.

Xiao Jingqi glanced at her calmly, his fingertips tracing circles on the rim of the cup. "I suppose Miss Fang is not yet familiar with the state of commerce in Qingshan City."

"I do only have a superficial understanding, but I also know that this is Beiyu's territory, not anyone's private property. If anyone wants to control everything, it won't be so easy."

She understood the meaning behind Xiao Jingqi's words; her actions today were tantamount to declaring war on Jufulou and Zhang Shicong.

The two exchanged a glance, a tacit understanding forming between them.

While it's not uncommon for women to run businesses, they are a minority. Fang Yu, knowing full well that a powerful figure can't suppress a local bully, still dared to openly set up a stall and hawk her wares.

Xiao Jingqi became more interested in her, and also curious about what trump cards she had that allowed her to stand against the Zhang family in the all-powerful Qingshan City.

Xiao Jingqi agreed to let her set up a stall at the entrance every day, and she would also receive 10% of the profits that Tianxianglou attracted from her.

The share of profits from Tianxianglou was an unexpected bonus. Fang Yu initially wanted to refuse, but then she thought that what she could bring to Tianxianglou was not just this icing on the cake, but also a vibrant and prosperous future.

"Bang!"

When the teacups clashed as the agreement was reached, an object fell out of Xiao Jingqi's sleeve—a black jade pendant engraved with floating cloud patterns. The clearly visible patterns immediately evoked Fang Yu's memories.

Xiao Jingqi noticed that Fang Yu's gaze towards the jade pendant was unusual, so he picked it up and asked, "Does the young lady recognize this?"

"Can I see it?"

Xiao Jingqi handed it to her, and she remembered where she had seen it before without even looking at it closely.

Seven years ago, her father, Fang Youfu, was robbed by thieves. When they found him, he was completely disfigured, and apart from his clothes, it was impossible to identify him.

At that time, Fang Youfu was tightly clutching the same jade pendant in his hand, and that jade pendant was placed in the coffin with him during the burial.

Frowning, Fang Yu asked in return, "Where did you get this jade pendant?"

Xiao Jingqi's eyes shifted slightly. "I found this jade pendant on the black market. I heard the people selling it are bandits. Is there a problem?"

Mountain bandits!

Fang Youfu met his demise because he encountered bandits. The government officials said they would send people to suppress the bandits, but so many years have passed and the matter has been dragged on and on until it was eventually forgotten.

Fang Yu shook his head and handed the jade pendant back: "This is the first time I've seen it. I just think it's very beautiful. If Young Master Xiao thinks my roast meat is good, I'll come again tomorrow. It's getting late, so please excuse me."

After Fang Yu left the private room, Mo Jiu said, "Master, I think this Miss Fang has clearly seen this jade pendant before. It may be the key to finding the Jade Spirit Pearl. Should I go and investigate it?"

Whether it's a coincidence or intentional remains to be seen, but there's no harm in going to take a look.

Fang Yu wasn't surprised when he revealed his name, either because he already knew his identity, or because it was all just a coincidence.

Fang Yu came downstairs, and Fang Xin greeted her with her hands behind her back, her face full of excitement. She took out one hand, with two copper coins hanging from her fingertips, and said, "Sister, look, we made so much money today."

Fang Yu wasn't surprised that he was making money; he knew he would only make more in the future.

Fang Xin took out her other hand, which held the two skewers of meat that Fang Yu had just given her: "These are for you. You've been so busy that you haven't had any to eat."

On the way back, Fang Yu asked, "Xin'er, how much do you still remember about the time your father met his tragic death at the hands of bandits?"

Fang Xin, who was still enjoying the delicious food, gradually lost her smile upon hearing this, and her body trembled slightly, as if she was thinking about Fang Youfu.

“I remember when I found my father, his whole face was covered in horrific scars, and he was covered in blood.”

Fang Xin held Fang Yu's hand tightly and asked, "Sister, why are those bandits so ruthless? They could have just robbed the money, why did they have to kill people to cover their tracks?"

Fang Yu hugged her and comforted her, "Okay, don't think about it anymore, let's go home."