That morning, Zhou Yingying went back to her parents' home, and that evening a group of Zhou family members came to her house.

“In-laws, when we married Yingying off to your Li family, we promised that Yingying would not suffer any grievances.”

Madam Zhou sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed) and said angrily, "Only a few years have passed, and our Yingying has suffered such injustice."

"Mother-in-law, what are you saying? Ever since Yingying entered this family, I have always treated her like my own daughter." Madam Li said with a smile, "When a husband and wife live together, how can they not talk back to each other?"

"Does my mother-in-law mean I wronged your Li family?" Zhou Niangzi said, and then started arguing. "Our Yingying has always been a kind-hearted person. If she were her own sister-in-law, it wouldn't matter if she stayed at her parents' home after the divorce. But since she's not her own daughter, it's really inconvenient."

Li Dazhu tapped his pipe on the table twice, looked at Old Master Zhou and said, "In-law, is there really no room for discussion?"

“Brother, back then, when I married my daughter into your Li family, it was because I valued your honest and kind nature.” Old Master Zhou sighed and said slowly, “Indeed, people’s opinions are a powerful thing. We didn’t have the intention, but we couldn’t stand the gossip from outsiders!”

Just as the Li family remained silent, Li Youran returned.

"Father, Mother, I'm moving out."

"Where are you, a woman, going to live?" Li Haoran, who had been squatting behind the door, stood up and looked at Zhou Yingying's parents, brother, and sister-in-law.

"Your sister goes back to her parents' home, and you all stand up for her. Why can't my sister stay in her own home?"

Before Li Haoran could finish speaking, Zhou Yingying's older brother slapped him across the face.

"My sister bore your children, is that not as valuable as a sister who isn't related to you by blood?"

"You Zhou family are going too far!" Li Haoran gritted his teeth and said, "Since you want a divorce, then let's get a divorce!"

"You good-for-nothing, apologize to your brother-in-law right now!" Seeing this, Li Dazhu hurriedly said to Old Master Zhou, "Brother, how about we separate and live separately?"

To be honest, Li Dazhu had never considered separating the family before this. He ran the pancake shop with his two sons, and although it was hard work, he was very happy.

Having been forced to this point, we have no choice but to split up.

"Brother, are you really willing to separate the family?" Old Master Zhou was slightly taken aback, since it was extremely rare for families to separate while their parents were still alive.

“Brother, although my little girl isn’t my biological daughter, I’ve always treated her like my own daughter since she was little.” Li Dazhu sighed as he spoke, “How can I be at ease letting her, a woman, live on her own?”

"Alright, I'll go back and ask the child what he thinks." Old Master Zhou was a straightforward man, and seeing that Li Tiezhu had already conceded to this extent, he didn't make things difficult for him any further.

"Father, Mother..." Although he often heard others say that he was not his parents' biological child, this was the first time his parents had admitted it to him.

“You Ran, your father and mother don’t intend to hide it from you.” Madam Li sobbed softly, “My poor child…”

Li Niangzi kept crying, and in the end, Li Dazhu told her about Li Youran's background.

It turns out that Li Youran was a child that Li Dazhu picked up from the street. He originally went to the government to report it, but no one came to claim her after waiting for a long time.

Li Dazhu's younger brother, Li Erzhu, sold Li Youran to a slave trader when Li Dazhu wasn't paying attention. Li Dazhu then bought Li Youran back from the slave trader.

Since then, Li Dazhu has cut off all contact with Li Erzhu and has treated Li Youran as his own daughter.

“You were just over a year old then. You couldn’t even speak properly yet. When you saw me pushing my cart selling steamed buns, you came by the aroma. I thought your relatives were nearby, but after waiting for a long time, no one came looking for you.”

“We reported it to the authorities, but no one came looking for us,” Li Dazhu recalled. “You and your mother got along very well, and your two older brothers also liked you very much, so you stayed.”

Seeing that Li Youran had not spoken for a long time, Madam Li felt uneasy, fearing that the girl might become estranged from her because of this.

"You Ran, Mother..."

"Father and Mother, you don't need to say anything. The kindness of raising me is greater than the kindness of giving me life. You raised me, so you are my family."

Hearing Li Youran's words, Li Niangzi and Li Dazhu felt relieved.

"Don't worry about your older brother's affairs. Your father has already compromised and agreed to separate the family. If the Zhou family still doesn't agree, our Li family won't tolerate it."

Although Li Youran nodded in agreement, she was thinking about how to find a place to settle down as soon as possible.

With the Lunar New Year just around the corner, and the imperial examinations for scholars taking place a little over a month later, more and more people are going to the mountains to pray for blessings.

“Girl, the temple fair at Hongfu Temple before the New Year is always very lively.” Aunt Tian said while picking vegetables, “You have a lot of ideas and you’re a good cook. You’ll definitely make a lot of money at the temple fair.”

Speaking of temple fairs, Li Youran actually had some ideas, but there were many people and vendors on the day of the fair, so she had to come up with an idea that others wouldn't think of.

"Aunt Tian, ​​please take care of the guests for me in a bit. I'll be right back."

"Don't worry, Auntie will keep an eye on things for you." Before Auntie Tian could finish speaking, Li Youran dashed out.

Turn left after exiting the gate, and you'll find Zou's General Store.

"Young lady from the chicken soup wonton shop, what would you like to buy today?" Manager Zhou was a regular customer of the chicken soup wonton shop, and he greeted Li Youran warmly when she arrived.

The Zhou family's general store had a wide variety of items, including jewelry and cosmetics.

"Manager Zhou, I'd like to discuss a big business deal with you."

"Oh, what big business?" Boss Zhou was clearly very interested in the big business that Li Youran mentioned.

"Everyone knows that your grocery store has high-quality products and a wide variety of items."

Upon hearing Li Youran's words, Manager Zhou smiled and nodded, thinking to himself that this girl had good taste.

“With so many items, it’s inevitable that there will be some old stock,” Li Youran said with a smile. “Manager Zhou, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Indeed, and the older the stock, the harder it is to sell.” Boss Zhou looked Li Youran up and down and said, “Can you help me solve these problems?”

"If you don't have the skills, don't take on this job, but..."

"But what?" Knowing that Li Youran was keeping him in suspense, Boss Zhou couldn't help but ask, since he really wanted to get rid of the inventory.

"I want all these old goods, but I want to pay on credit first." Seeing the troubled look on the wrinkled shopkeeper's face, Li Youran said, "My shop is there, I can't run away, and I can also draw up a written agreement."

"Alright!" Knowing there were risks involved, fortune favors the bold. If they could really sell off those old goods, Manager Zhou would be able to have a good New Year.