He slowly straightened his disheveled clothes. "That's not how it works. The news that the new city gate is going to open is absolutely true. I'm sure you've already verified it from various sources. As soon as the city gate opens, Zhuque Street will be packed with customers. At that time, the shops you've bought now will probably be worth several times more."

"Heh," Meng Zhao sneered, his anger blazing even brighter. "Yes, the news about the new city gate is true, but why didn't you tell me before that so many shops around Zhuque Street belong to your Xiao family?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Youzhi suddenly stepped forward, his eyes filled with tenderness and a hint of seduction: "This just proves that I truly like you, which is why I'm willing to take money from my own pocket for you to earn."

Meng Zhao's eyes reddened with anger. "Xiao Youzhi! You're still trying to fool me. Do you really think your stepmother and brothers are living saints? I bought these shops at a low price today. When the new city gates open, they'll realize what's going on and eat me alive. I'd be grateful if they had a change of heart!"

She had considered this possibility beforehand, so she decided to leave herself an out and be more flexible with the prices. She also avoided buying multiple shops from the same person, so that even if she was resented in the future, it would still be within her tolerance.

But when the broker brought Xiao Hengyu to the scene and mentioned that there were several Xiao family properties for sale near Zhuque Street, Meng Zhao immediately understood what Xiao Youzhi was thinking. This was clearly an internal power struggle within the Xiao family. He couldn't take action himself, so he found her as a "glove." That way, even if things came to light, Madam Xiao and Xiao Hengyu would only resent her and regard her as a thorn in their side.

Seeing Meng Zhao so angry, Xiao Youzhi felt extremely distressed, but he really had no choice. Shen Qinghe was clearly not a good person, and he had a close relationship with Meng Zhao. He would definitely try to sabotage him in front of her from time to time. Given Meng Zhao's personality, she would never get involved in the Xiao family's mess without some means.

He had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure, using the promise of profit to lure her to his side. Now it seems that this move was indeed the right one. If he hadn't already decided to buy the shop, Meng Zhao wouldn't be so angry right now.

He knew that if he didn't let Meng Zhao vent her anger, he would suffer later. So he helped Meng Zhao to a chair and sat down, while he lifted the hem of his brocade robe and knelt on one knee beside her.

"I admit my mistake," he looked up at her. "I was wrong to do this. You can hit me or scold me as you please, just please don't upset yourself, okay?"

Meng Zhao turned her face away from him. Seeing this, Xiao Youzhi continued gently, "Don't worry. Since I dared to lure you into this, I will never let you be in danger. I have my own ways of dealing with those people from the Xiao family."

"Or you can tell me how to calm down? I'll do whatever you ask, okay?"

After listening to him talk for a while, he finally got to the point. Meng Zhao smiled slightly, "I want to buy a few more shops, but I'm still short of money."

"How much less?" Xiao Youzhi immediately asked.

"It's not much," Meng Zhao said, extending her slender fingers, "Five thousand taels, in cash!"

Xiao Youzhi raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "How many shops are you planning to buy?"

"Since we're going to offend them anyway," Meng Zhao's eyes gleamed with shrewdness, "we might as well go all the way and take over all the shops the Xiao family has for sale near Zhuque Street."

Xiao Youzhi was absolutely captivated by her radiant appearance, and for a moment he was mesmerized. Seeing that he remained silent, Meng Zhao frowned slightly, "What? You don't have any?"

She naturally knew that although the Xiao family's business was huge, the bigger the business, the less cash they could mobilize. Moreover, the Xiao family was not yet under his sole control. However, five thousand taels of silver should not be a problem for him.

Xiao Youzhi then came to his senses, his smile deepening: "How could that be? It's just five thousand taels." He stood up to call for someone, "I'll go and get it for you right away."

As he turned away, Meng Zhao added, "Let's make this clear first, there's no interest, and I'll pay it back within a year."

Xiao Youzhi paused, then turned back, raising an eyebrow and smiling, "I thought... you were just asking me for it directly."

"Heh, you, Young Master Xiao, always plan ahead. I wouldn't dare take your money for nothing."

Xiao Youzhi suddenly leaned forward, placing his hands on either side of her chair, trapping her in a small space. His deep voice carried a hint of seduction: "If you want, my money is your money, isn't it?"

Meng Zhao's lips curled into a half-smile. Unhurriedly, she extended a finger and slowly traced it along the embroidered collar of his robe. She could feel the slight movement of his Adam's apple beneath her fingertip. The instant she heard his breathing become heavier, she suddenly pressed against his chest and ruthlessly pushed him away: "I'm in a real hurry right now. Give me the money first."

Xiao Youzhi was pushed back half a step by her, but he wasn't annoyed. He loosened his slightly hot collar, his Adam's apple bobbing softly with a low laugh: "What a clever way to cross the river and then discard the bridge."

Meng Zhao stood up, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with his teasing: "Whatever you say." As she walked towards the door, she noticed that the door she had kicked open was slightly wobbling, but she didn't think it was her fault at all. Instead, she glanced back at Xiao Youzhi: "Remember to get someone to fix the door."

Xiao Youzhi leaned against the table, looking at her self-righteous appearance, his eyes almost overflowing with doting affection: "Yes, ma'am, I'll get a sturdier one right away."

Besides the money from Xiao Youzhi's side, she also sent a message by carrier pigeon to Qu Yang, ordering someone to send all the available cash from the braised pork shop and greenhouse business to the capital. At this moment, she truly missed modern banks, where one only needed a card to deposit and withdraw money from other places, unlike the troublesome situation now.

This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!