The neighbor, Su San Niang, came with great force, wishing she could force Gu's Food Shop to close down today.

In Gu An'an's eyes, it was just a matter of "not a big deal". Liu Jiuniang, who overheard this, felt a deep sense of emotion. It was one thing that she wasn't as clever as Gu, but she was also not as skillful as Gu.

I never imagined that I had wasted all these years, and that I was far less calm than Xiao Gu.

When faced with a problem, you shouldn't rush or panic. The more anxious you are, the more likely you are to make mistakes.

She should learn from Xiao Gu, who has the composure to remain calm even when facing a massive army.

As Liu Jiuniang was thinking, she saw that Gu An'an had already left.

With three children—two adults and one child—following her, she felt a pang of emotion. So what if they weren't her biological children?

Blood relatives are like one's own brothers, brothers born of the same mother, but when have they ever truly considered her needs?

When they want something from you, blood is thicker than water; when they've achieved great success and no longer care about you, they wish you were dead.

After a flood of emotions, Liu Jiuniang hurriedly followed, only to find that the Fragrant Pavilion next door was no longer as lively as it had been.

Firecrackers were going off in front of the door, their sound almost reaching every corner of Anping County.

The youngest girl in the Gu family was excitedly jumping around with her ears covered, unaware of the impact this excitement would have on them.

Gu An'an frowned slightly, beckoned Xiao You over, and whispered instructions in her ear.

Xiao You was somewhat surprised, "Will this work?" Then she realized she had said too much.

Why use these things? Since the shopkeeper gave the instructions, just do it yourself.

"I'll go right away."

Xiao You quickly left, and the person walking with their head down almost bumped into someone. When they saw the young woman who had exclaimed in surprise, Xiao You apologized repeatedly.

The woman's voice, however, was melodious like the first song of a nightingale: "How come Manager Gu is so composed, yet his subordinates are so clumsy?"

Xiao You felt uneasy upon hearing this, as this was the first time she had met Bai Qiaoyin.

She glanced at the crowd and hurriedly left, not paying any attention to what was happening here.

There are priorities, and since the shopkeeper had given the order, she naturally obeyed.

Otherwise, she might be kicked out.

The shopkeeper has always been a man with a temper.

Gu An'an watched the people leave before slowly glancing at Bai Qiaoyin. "Manager Bai, there's still a chance to leave now."

She had a natural tolerance for women.

However, such words were nothing short of mockery to Bai Qiaoyin. "How come I didn't know I was at a disadvantage and needed to leave now?"

Gu An'an suddenly realized that Bai Qiaoyin was exactly like the saying "a dead pig is not afraid of boiling water".

"Does Manager Bai really think you have everything under your control?"

A fierce glint appeared in the eyes of the graceful woman. "What do you mean?"

"If that's really the case, why did Manager Bai flee the capital? Is it because Anping County is less bustling than the capital? Don't you want to stay there, Manager Bai?"

These words were full of mockery, and Bai Qiaoyin's face turned very ugly.

Meanwhile, Su San Niang was instructing the flower girls to attract customers when she caught sight of Bai Qiaoyin out of the corner of her eye and hurried over, "Miss Bai, you've arrived."

When he looked at Gu An'an again, the fawning smile on his face had vanished without a trace.

“I remember you once told me, Third Sister, that there was a concubine’s daughter who was implicated by her family and ended up in a brothel. But this concubine’s daughter was lucky; all her sisters died, but she survived.”

Su Sanniang's face darkened. "What nonsense are you spouting!"

Gu An'an ignored her and continued, "Third Sister reminded me to be careful back then, but I never expected that I would become sworn sisters with Mei Xiang in the blink of an eye. No, Third Sister, you are not qualified."

Looking at Su San Niang's face, which had turned ashen, and then at Bai Qiaoyin, whose eyes were blazing with murderous intent and who seemed to want to devour her alive, Gu An'an said calmly, "That's all I have to say. Manager Bai, San Niang, I wish you a prosperous opening."

Watching the person turn and leave, Su San Niang was so angry that her teeth itched, but when she looked at Bai Qiaoyin, she also looked a little guilty, "Miss Bai, don't listen to her nonsense."

Bai Qiaoyin chuckled softly, "What, does Third Sister think I'm the kind of person who doesn't make sense? Times have changed, I still understand this basic principle."

However, her smile was very stiff, a typical forced smile, which made Su San Niang feel a little guilty.

really……

"I used to be trampled underfoot by everyone, but that's all in the past." Bai Qiaoyin glanced back at Gu's Food Shop, watching the people go in and out. "Third Sister, you know that no one who offends me has a good ending."

Whether they are blood relatives or ladies from prominent families, they will all pay the price for this.

Su San Niang's heart skipped a beat when she heard those words, but she was extremely grateful that Miss Bai did not hold a grudge against her, otherwise she would not know how she died.

Fortunately, it was Gu An'an who was unlucky.

Composing herself, Su Sanniang looked at Bai Qiaoyin with a smile, "Miss Bai, why don't you say a few words?"

Having come from a brothel and been trained there for several years, she outshone all the courtesans she had found simply by standing there.

It's certainly a living advertisement.

Bai Qiaoyin smiled lightly and said, "What's there to say? But Third Sister, you must remember that if you want to settle down and survive, you have to maintain good relations with the government."

These words made Su Sanniang look resentful. "Officials have two mouths; how dare I deal with them?"

She was just an ordinary embroiderer who ended up living here simply because Anping County was quiet, with no exorbitant taxes and no need to deal with those yamen runners.

Bai Qiaoyin's face darkened upon hearing this. "Useless fool, go and invite the officials from the county over here."

No man is immune to lust. Using beauty to hold someone captive, and then whispering sweet nothings in their ear, is an incredibly effective tactic.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!