From cannon fodder villain to superpowered queen

Bi Yao closed the ledger, her slender fingers gently tapping the table.

The market in the neighboring town has already been opened up; the next step is to expand the scale and seize a larger market share.

However, expansion requires funds, and a huge funding gap loomed in her way.

Five hundred taels of silver, not a lot, not a little, is exactly what she urgently needs right now.

"It seems I have to go to the money exchange." Bi Yao had already made up her mind.

The money exchange was filled with the smell of old wood and abacus beads.

Bi Yao walked in gracefully, immediately attracting a lot of attention.

She was dressed in a simple and elegant dress today, but it couldn't hide her refined and otherworldly temperament.

Lin Dafu, the owner of the money exchange, sat on a carved armchair with a big belly, fiddling with two walnuts in his hands, looking all rich and powerful.

Upon seeing Bi Yao, his eyes darted around, scrutinizing her attire, a hint of disdain on his lips.

A stranger from out of town, wanting to borrow money from him?

"Boss, I'd like to borrow five hundred taels of silver," Bi Yao said directly, her voice clear and pleasant.

Lin Dafu didn't even lift his eyelids. "Five hundred taels? What for?"

Bi Yao briefly explained her business plan and detailed her repayment ability, even providing several orders signed in a neighboring town as proof.

She was full of confidence, believing that any shrewd businessman would see the business opportunity in it.

However, Lin Dafu turned a deaf ear, as if Bi Yao's words were just passing by.

He picked at his nails and said casually, "Young lady, no matter how well your business is doing, it's in a neighboring town, completely unrelated to our area. You're an outsider, your foothold here isn't stable. What if you run away? Who will I turn to?"

Bi Yao patiently explained, "Boss, I'm not a passing merchant, I..."

"Alright, alright, stop talking." Lin Dafu interrupted her impatiently, waving his hand, "Your situation is too risky, I dare not lend you money."

Bi Yao looked at Lin Dafu's unyielding attitude and sneered inwardly.

It seems that Lin Dafu is the kind of person who won't act until he sees a clear benefit.

“Since the boss is worried about the risks, then…” Bi Yao paused, a meaningful smile playing on her lips, “How about we cooperate in a different way?”

Instead of pleading, Bi Yao smiled understandingly: "It's understandable that Mr. Lin is cautious. For a businessman, risk assessment is the top priority. How about this, I'll use my shop in town as collateral? Also, I can offer 10% more interest than the market rate."

Lin Dafu's thick chin twitched, and a glint of greed flashed in his eyes.

A 10% interest rate is indeed tempting.

But he was still hesitant. Five hundred taels was no small sum. What if the girl ran away? Who would he cry to?

He touched his shiny bald head, his eyes darting around like shrewd abacus beads, trying to calculate the gains and losses of this deal.

"Mortgage your shop? Hmph, your lousy shop..." Lin Dafu curled his lip, his tone full of disdain.

Bi Yao wasn't annoyed. She smiled slightly and calmly took out a stack of papers from her sleeve, placing them gently on the table. "Mr. Lin, you may not know this, but my goods have already gained the approval of Madam Su Wan'er. You know Madam Su Wan'er, right? She's the most famous fashion trendsetter in the city's aristocratic circles! She's a long-term client of mine, and my goods are about to enter the aristocratic market with a very promising future. If you miss this opportunity, the bank might lose a client with huge potential."

Lin Dafu had naturally heard of Su Wan'er's great name.

His expression changed. This girl actually managed to climb up to Su Wan'er's coattails?

If they could really break into the aristocratic market, the profits would be substantial.

He began to waver, but his inherent caution prevented him from placing a bet easily.

"Su Wan'er... Hmph, who knows if what you're saying is true or false?" Lin Dafu pretended to be calm, but his words clearly lacked confidence.

Bi Yao didn't expose him, but just smiled mysteriously: "Mr. Lin, seeing is believing. In a few days, I can take you to the flower viewing banquet hosted by Madam Su. Then you will know that what I said is true."

Lin Dafu's breathing became noticeably more rapid. A flower-viewing banquet?

That's a grand event in aristocratic circles!

If I can attend, I might even meet other influential people and expand my network.

He was tempted, but he was also afraid that Bi Yao was deceiving him.

"This..." He hesitated, rubbing his hands together, his mind in turmoil.

Seeing that he still wouldn't budge, Bi Yao's eyes lit up, and an idea came to her: "Boss Lin, actually... I've made quite a few acquaintances at the docks..."

Bi Yao's eyes darted around, and an idea came to her: "Boss Lin, actually... I've made quite a few... good brothers at the docks!" She deliberately lowered her voice, speaking mysteriously, "They're all strong and loyal friends. You know, the brothers at the docks value their reputation most. If I run away, they definitely won't let me off the hook. You see, if they can vouch for me, wouldn't you feel much more at ease?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Dafu immediately became interested.

The dockworkers are known for their unity; if we could get them to vouch for us, this deal wouldn't be out of the question.

His eyes darted around as he weighed the pros and cons.

"Good brothers? How many are there? What are their backgrounds?" Lin Dafu pressed.

Bi Yao held up five fingers, feigning mystery: "Not many, just five hundred brothers, each one a hero capable of taking on ten men! As for their background... hehe, it'll scare you to death if I tell you!"

Lin Dafu was stunned by Bi Yao's words, "Five hundred strong men?"

Who is this girl?

His heart began to pound. Could this girl really be a hidden master?

He quickly sent someone to the dock to find out what was going on.

When the people sent there returned, they reported that Bi Yao was indeed highly respected at the dock. She often helped the workers, who were very grateful to her and even respectfully called her "Sister Bi".

Although there weren't as many as five hundred strong men, there were still several dozen strong and capable workers.

Upon hearing this, Lin Dafu felt much more at ease.

It seems this girl wasn't bragging; she really does have some skills.

He stroked his chin, beginning to reconsider the deal.

"Three hundred taels!" Lin Dafu gritted his teeth and held up three fat fingers. "Three hundred taels at most! Any more than that, forget it!"

Although Bi Yao did not reach her goal of five hundred taels, she knew it was a good start.

Three hundred taels is better than nothing.

She readily agreed, signed the loan agreement, took the three hundred taels of silver notes, and walked out of the money shop.

As the sun set, it cast a long shadow of Bi Yao.

She looked at the silver note in her hand, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

Three hundred taels solved the immediate problem, but there was still a considerable gap to reach the goal of five hundred taels.

Where should we get the remaining two hundred taels?

Suddenly, a dark shadow flashed by. Bi Yao turned around alertly, but only saw an empty street.

She felt a chill in her heart, and an ominous premonition came over her.

“Xiao Wuhen…” she murmured softly, clutching the silver note in her hand tightly.