Liu Zhiyuan shouted excitedly.

Liu Zhiyuan hadn't paid attention to the newly opened bookstore at first, but as the renovation neared completion, he was drawn to the bookstore's unique style and took another look.

Upon seeing a figure from afar, Liu Zhiyuan hurriedly stopped the carriage.

“Miss Li’s business is truly impressive. In the blink of an eye, she has gone from selling fish soup at a stall to opening a bookstore.” Liu Zhiyuan cupped his hands and said, “As the saying goes, women are just as capable as men. I admire you.”

"Young Master Liu, you flatter me. These are just small tactic." Li Youran was a little embarrassed by Liu Zhiyuan's praise. "I hope Young Master Liu will take good care of me in the future."

“Of course,” Liu Zhiyuan said, glancing towards the bookstore. “Would I be so kind as to take a look beforehand?”

Liu Zhiyuan wasn't just there for Li Youran; he was also deeply attracted by the academy's decor, feeling its elegance and grandeur even before entering.

"Of course, please come in, Young Master Liu." Li Youran hurriedly stepped forward to lead the way.

Liu Zhiyuan is a teacher at the academy. Li Youran thought that if he could become a regular customer of the bookstore, he would definitely bring a lot of business to the bookstore.

After entering, Liu Zhiyuan was impressed by the layout of the bookstore.

Spacious, bright, and comfortable, with no counters to obstruct the view, all the books are placed on the shelves for you to read at will, which is something you can't find in other bookstores.

Not only that, but they also provide tables and chairs so you can sit comfortably and read books, even if you don't buy anything. This is something other bookstores can't do.

Not only was Liu Zhiyuan amazed by the bookstore's interior design, but many of Li Youran's ideas were things he never even dared to imagine.

"Miss Li is not only a business genius, but also a great philanthropist!" After hearing Li Youran's plan for the wall paintings, Liu Zhiyuan couldn't help but give her a thumbs up and exclaimed, "Everyone says that businessmen are only after profit, but Miss Li is different from them."

They provide students with places to consign their paintings and calligraphy, offer them opportunities to copy books, and even provide them with hourly work opportunities...

Liu Zhiyuan had never heard of these ideas or concepts before.

Although the bookstore is not yet open, Liu Zhiyuan can imagine that this academy will definitely be a booming business in the future.

Moreover, it brought good news to students from impoverished families in the academy, giving them the opportunity to work and study.

"Young Master Liu, please follow me upstairs to the second floor." Li Youran could tell that Liu Zhiyuan's praise was sincere, so she felt like she had met a kindred spirit and led Liu Zhiyuan to a private room on the second floor.

"Although we wanted to help students from impoverished families, the bookstore still needed to survive, so we specially opened these private rooms."

Li Youran didn't hold back and simply revealed her plans for the private room on the second floor.

"This kind of planning not only meets the needs of different groups of people, but also enhances the style of the bookstore."

Liu Zhiyuan put one hand behind his back and said with a mysterious air.

"I don't know why Young Master Liu says this?" Li Youran asked, puzzled.

“If everyone could enter the private rooms on the second floor, it would be boring,” Liu Zhiyuan said with a smile. “A place that others cannot enter, but he can enter, is an implicit display of status.”

Liu Zhiyuan didn't fully explain his meaning, but Li Youran already understood and suddenly realized what he meant.

"How about I invite Mr. Liu to dinner, and we can chat while we eat?"

Li Youran's original idea was very simple; she just wanted to sell expensive items separately to people with purchasing power, without considering the psychological barrier.

Seeing that Liu Zhiyuan seemed quite knowledgeable about this, she wanted to invite him to dinner so she could learn more from him. Making some improvements before opening the shop would likely lead to better business results.

Li Youran took the initiative to extend an olive branch to him, and Liu Zhiyuan was more than happy to accept, so he readily agreed.

There were many students out for lunch at noon, so Li Youran gritted her teeth and chose a nicely decorated restaurant, ordering a private room.

Although they had known Liu Zhiyuan for some time, this was actually the first time the two of them had spent time alone together.

Liu Zhiyuan dismissed Liu Er and skillfully ordered several signature dishes.

"Although their fish isn't as fresh as yours, it's still very delicious." Liu Zhiyuan said while serving Li Youran the dishes. "I didn't know what kind of food you liked, so I ordered a lot. Try everything and see if there's anything you like."

Originally, Li Youran was supposed to be the one treating, but Liu Zhiyuan ended up taking the initiative, bustling around taking care of Li Youran.

"Thank you for your trouble, Young Master Liu." Liu Zhiyuan's words warmed Li Youran's heart. Liu Zhiyuan's words expressed his high regard for Li Youran.

During the meal, the two had a very pleasant conversation, discussing everything from bookstores and food to ideas.

Li Youran discovered that Liu Zhiyuan was much more interesting than she had imagined; he wasn't as rigid as other scholars. He had his own unique insights into certain articles and poems.

Moreover, he had advanced ideas; in a polygamous society, he actually longed for a lifelong monogamous relationship.

Liu Zhiyuan also gained a deeper understanding of Li Youran; she was strong and brave, and her intellectual level was unmatched by many talented men.

"I agreed to treat you, but it turned out that Young Master Liu paid the bill. I can't accept that..."

Li Youran was surprised that Liu Zhiyuan had paid the bill in advance. She already owed Liu Zhiyuan a favor, and now that he was treating her, Li Youran felt very guilty.

"It's my honor to invite Miss Li to dinner," Liu Zhiyuan said earnestly to Li Youran. "Miss Li, can we be friends?"

"We've always been friends." Over the course of the meal, Li Youran's fondness for Liu Zhiyuan increased considerably. "From now on, we're bosom friends!"

Liu Zhiyuan had fantasized countless times in his dreams about taking his relationship with Li Youran to the next level. But he never expected that day to come so soon. He and Li Youran were not only friends, but also confidantes. Liu Zhiyuan's heart pounded.

"You Ran, it's so cold outside, yet you're dressed so thinly." Liu Zhiyuan said, taking off his cloak to put it on Li You Ran.

"Young Master Liu..." Li Youran hurriedly declined upon seeing this, but before she could finish speaking, Liu Zhiyuan draped the cloak over her shoulders.

"Don't be so polite. I have a cloak in my car; you can have it." Liu Zhiyuan pretended to be angry and said, "We're friends, how could you possibly look down on me?"

"No, no, Young Master Liu, you've misunderstood..." Seeing that Liu Zhiyuan had already said this, Li Youran couldn't refuse any longer.

"Young Master Liu, men and women should not touch each other!"

Just as Liu Zhiyuan was adjusting Li Youran's cloak, an angry female voice came from behind.